Page 55 of Saving Jane
“And your attendance helps in what way?” Elizabeth asked as they entered the formal garden with trimmed hedges and gravel paths.
A smile twitched on Mr Darcy’s lips for a moment as he explained. “I come to reassure the steward that his services are valued, attempt to limit my aunt’s interference with the tenants, and encourage my cousin to assert herself with her mother.”
“Miss de Bourgh?”
Darcy nodded. “Anne is five-and-twenty, and she could take control of Rosings if she wanted. However, she has been content to allow her mother to continue to be mistress from year to year.”
“And your aunt’s insistence that you marry her daughter?” Elizabeth blushed, “I apologize, sir. My mother frequently reminds me that I speak what is on my mind too freely.”
“My aunt speaks of the marriage frequently though I remind her every year that such an event will not occur. My cousin and I are not suited for one another in any way,” Mr Darcy assured his companion.
~~}{~~
“Miss Darcy speaks kindly of you and your sister, Miss Bennet,” Mr Bingley told his lovely companion. “She has blossomed and become more confident since knowing Miss Elizabeth.”
“Elizabeth insists that Miss Darcy is an intelligent young woman who only needed encouragement and confidence to become sure of herself. I understand that Mr Darcy wants his sister to become a self-assured woman.”
Mr Bingley sighed, “Sisters are confusing creatures at the very best of times.”
Jane laughed, causing Mr Bingley to smile. “Mr Bingley, I have four sisters and can only echo your sentiments. I attempt to direct my younger sisters but find their natures often lead them into different endeavours.”
“Four? I have only heard you mention two others besides Miss Elizabeth.”
Jane looked away for a moment but then explained, “Our youngest sister, Lydia has already married and left home last autumn.”
Mr Bingley recognized that the situation with the youngest sister might be painful for Miss Bennet to discuss so he changed the subject.
“My eldest sister, Mrs Hurst is expecting her first child this spring. My younger sister Caroline attends her at the Hurst home in London.”
“And will you enjoy being an uncle, Mr Bingley?”
“I believe I shall,” replied he. “Children are lovely and fun!”
~~}{~~
Elizabeth bent over to smell the fragrance of a daffodil in a formal bed and Mr Darcy stepped around to her side. “May I pick a few for you Miss Elizabeth?”
“Thank you, no. I shall pick some of the wild ones along the path back to the parsonage to place in the parlour, but I would not disturb this perfect garden by removing any blooms.”
“My home, Pemberley, has an extensive rose garden and the gardeners providestems for the house most days in the summer.”
“But roses do well when they are pruned appropriately,” Elizabeth explained. “A daffodil must wait the year complete before another flower can bloom.”
Darcy smiled. “And do you care for roses at your home?”
“I do,” Elizabeth said as she turned and smiled at Mr Darcy before they continued through a gate in the wall.
Darcy was pleasantly engaged imaging another scene where Elizabeth Bennet would say ‘I do’ before she continued with him down a lane with Mr Bingley and Miss Bennet following behind.
‘I am lost to this wonderful woman,’he admitted to himself at that moment.‘And nothing else matters but to gain her hand.’
“Miss Elizabeth,” he said offering his arm. “May I escort you back to the parsonage?”
Looking up with surprise at the gentleman’s request, she took his arm and agreed. “Of course, Mr Darcy.”
~~}{~~
“It appears that we are to have a picnic,” Jane announced at dinner one evening, reading a note that had been delivered by a footman from Rosings just before the meal began.
