Assumed Engagement (27 page)

"It would be easier if I were able to go out into the company of young men my age and of equal connections if I had more opportunity.
Elizabeth
, could I ask you to do something?"

"What would you have me do?"

"Talk to my brother."

Elizabeth
suddenly felt her chest compress, as she thought of how she would even begin to talk to Darcy about this. "Georgiana, I do not think that I am the one…"

"Oh, yes I am sure you could make him understand."

Elizabeth
's heart pounded inside her, just contemplating the idea. How would she ever handle talking to him on this subject?

"Would you, please? I believe that he would trust your opinion and listen to you."

"Oh, no Georgiana. You are not aware of the history between your brother and me. We continually misunderstand one another." She laughed as she continued, "We do a much better job of confusing the issues than making them clear."

"But please tell me you will try. You are the only one who knows and understands the whole situation."

"Georgiana, I cannot promise anything, but I shall see what I can do."

"Good. Good," she responded with much pleasure.

The two walked along in silence for awhile,
Elizabeth
feeling much anxiety over the previous conversation and Georgiana feeling very elated.

They had almost reached
Oakham
Mount, when the sight of Darcy approaching on horseback interrupted
Elizabeth
's steps. As Georgiana was holding
Elizabeth
’s arm, she was very much aware of a slight tension in it as he appeared. Darcy saw the two ladies, and in a liquid motion alit from his horse.

He took the reins in one hand, and waited for them to reach him. He removed his hat and bowed. "Good morning. Have you two been enjoying your walk?"

"Yes we have, William."

Georgiana rushed up to him, and as he turned to walk in their direction, she slipped her hand in his arm.
Elizabeth
caught up more slowly, giving herself time to gather her composure and quiet her nerves. Georgiana looked behind her and called out, "
Elizabeth
, are you coming?"

"Ah, yes." There was nothing for her to do now but quicken her steps and catch up with them.

"What were you two ladies talking about?" he asked with a sly smile at his sister.

"Oh," Georgiana giggled. "Just things ladies talk about together. You would not be interested."

"Oh, you think not?" He looked over at
Elizabeth
, trying to read her expression. He trusted that Georgiana would not have said anything to
Elizabeth
that would betray his confidence regarding his feelings. As he saw
Elizabeth
smile at Georgiana's remark, he felt sure his sister had not.

As they walked, Georgiana suddenly chided herself for taking her brother's arm so quickly. He was leading the horse with one hand, and she had monopolized his other. How could she arrange for
Elizabeth
to take it?

As they reached the summit of
Oakham
Mount, Darcy and Georgiana expressed great admiration of the view it afforded them of the surrounding countryside. It was actually a flat mount that when walked completely around, provided a beautiful view of Hertfordshire below. The houses looked like little miniatures, and an occasional person could be seen as a small moving speck.

Georgiana found a rock to sit upon that gave her a splendid view and allowed her to rest. Darcy and Elizabeth had drifted apart and were taking in the view separately. Darcy finally returned and asked Georgiana how she was doing.

"I am quite tired, William. Do you suppose I could sit upon the horse on the return? I fear my legs are a bit unsteady from the walk up here."

"If you are careful, I am sure
ol
'
Danbury
here will be gentle enough."

When
Elizabeth
returned, Darcy commented, "It is a wonderful prospect from up here, Miss
Bennet
. Do you walk up here often?"

"I do. Coming up here allows me to think. If something is on my mind, the walk and solitude clear my thoughts and help me discern things more clearly. I had not intended for us to walk all the way up here; I think I just lost all track of time while we were talking and the next thing I knew, here we were!"

She looked over at the young girl. "Georgiana, you are not too tired, are you?"

"I am a bit weary. I have talked with William about riding on the way down."

"I am so sorry, Georgiana. It was very foolish of me to bring you all the way up here."

"No, I am glad to have seen the view. I shall be fine on the horse."

"Better you than me," laughed
Elizabeth
.

Darcy looked at her amused. "You do not like horses, Miss
Bennet
?"

"Oh, I think they are fine for ploughing fields and pulling carriages and heavy loads. Maybe for an occasional ride, but not for me."

"Perhaps it is because you are afraid of them. They are large animals, but if they are trained well, they can be most gentle. Come see.
Danbury
will not hurt you." He urged her toward the huge beast by gently nudging her with his hand pressing against the small of her back. The light touch of his fingers prompted
Elizabeth
to falter, as feelings suddenly surged through her.

"Here, stroke his nose, like this." Darcy lifted her hand and brought it down along the long length of the horse's head. "You see? He is quite friendly."

"Thank you, Mr. Darcy for completely ridding me of my fear of horses," laughed
Elizabeth
. "But, alas, I have no fear of them. I actually have a healthy respect for them. I merely prefer to walk, if I have the chance."

Darcy felt a little foolish for assuming she had a fear of horses, but he had to admit to himself that he enjoyed the small contact with her that his incorrect assumption had allowed him.

As they prepared to walk down from the mount, Darcy lifted his sister up onto
Danbury
. She settled comfortably on the horse, sitting side-saddle and allowing her brother to lead the horse with the rein.

As they began walking,
Elizabeth
took a few quick steps to put herself in front of the others. Georgiana nudged her brother and indicated with gestures for him to offer her his arm. He furrowed his brow at her, and she defiantly looked at him, urging him forward. Darcy looked at Elizabeth, who was now quite a few steps ahead of them. "Miss
Bennet
, may I offer you my arm as we descend?"

Elizabeth
felt her heart flutter and wondered why something as commonplace as a polite gesture suddenly evoked such overwhelming feelings? His offer did little to help her put to rest those thoughts and questions that assaulted her. She paused, waiting for them to reach her, and very warily slipped her hand inside his arm, barely letting her fingers touch him.

Darcy was aware that she barely touched his arm. He knew she probably did not need his assistance, having walked this way alone an endless number of times, and was, in effect, letting him know she could have walked down unattended. How he wished he could have reached over with his other hand and joined his fingers with hers. He glanced down at her, admiring her dark hair. The sunlight highlighted each wayward curl as it bounced around with each step that she took.

They walked in silence, unaware that the young girl sitting atop the horse was carefully scrutinizing their behaviour.

Georgiana, being in an even better position to watch what was going on, found their conduct very strange indeed. She had very little experience in these matters, but felt that her brother was certainly not going about the right way of making any progress with
Elizabeth
.

The walk back was spent with talk of inconsequential subjects that had little bearing on any of them, but merely helped to pass the time.

When they arrived back at Longbourn, Darcy carefully helped Georgiana down off the horse. She reached up and gave him a hug, and then completely caught
Elizabeth
off guard with a request. "William,
Elizabeth
has something she wishes to speak with you about. I must leave to go to the church so I can practice my music for the wedding. But do you have some time to talk to her now?"

Elizabeth
's eyes widened and her heart stopped as she realized what Georgiana was asking her to do. "Georgiana," she said nervously, "I am certain your brother must be busy. I do not want to take up any more of his time."

"On the contrary, I have no plans at the moment." He turned to Georgiana, "I shall see you back at
Netherfield
later." He leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. As he pulled away, he looked at her with brotherly suspicion.

"Goodbye,
Elizabeth
." Georgiana raised her eyebrows at her, so as to encourage her to talk with her brother about what they had discussed earlier.

"Goodbye, Georgiana."

The two stood for the longest time watching as the carriage rolled away, unable, unwilling to move. From the inside of the carriage, Georgiana looked back and thought to herself,
What will it take to bring these two together?
She reached into the pocket of her dress and pulled out the handkerchief. No, she decided not to return it to
Elizabeth
; not yet. She was of the firm belief that this handkerchief was the key to their getting together and she would wait for just the right time. As the carriage turned, Georgiana caught her last glimpse of the couple still steadfast in their places. She shook her head in bewilderment.

Finally, when the carriage had disappeared out of sight, Darcy turned to
Elizabeth
and asked, "So what is this about which you want to speak with me?" He had a look of apprehension on his face. Was this something that
Elizabeth
desired to talk with him about or something his sister put her up to? As he waited for her to begin, he brought his hands together and nervously rubbed his thumbs and fingers together. When he realized he could not keep them still, he brought them behind his back so she would not see.

Elizabeth
took in a breath, wondering where to start… how to start. They began walking, Darcy leading the two away from the house and over to a wildish area off to the side of the house.

"Your sister, Georgiana, feels that you… that you have a hard time accepting the fact that she is all grown up… that she is no longer a girl, but a young lady."

Darcy looked at her surprised. "I cannot understand why she would feel that way. I just told her the other day how grown up she is."

"But have you considered that she is grown up and mature enough to come out in society, to be presented at court and begin learning how to relate to young men her age?"

"Young men?"

"Yes. Do you have some objections to this? She is, after all, sixteen years old."

"I think she has plenty of time for that, yet."

"She is developing an awareness and feelings that need to be directed in the proper channel. And I think if you do not do it soon, and get her into society to meet eligible young men of similar connections and consequence, she may find the company of just any young man desirable."
Elizabeth
wondered if what she was saying made any sense.