Goodly Creatures: A Pride and Prejudice Deviation (41 page)

They were hidden from view in the alcove, so she decided to take a chance. She whispered, “Meet me tomorrow morning at dawn at Oakham Mount. Anyone in the stables at Netherfield can direct you.” With that, she turned and herded the gaggle of children to the refreshment table.

Miss Bingley saw Darcy an hour later, staring absentmindedly into the room. He did not seem to be focused on anyone in particular, but had a sort of silly grin on his face. “Mr Darcy, what are you smiling about?”

“I was remembering a pair of fine eyes, and a particular joyful look in them that I had thought gone, but I am now of the opinion they might still have some life.”

Mr Darcy seemed so vague about his reverie that Miss Bingley decided not to probe him about the object of his admiration. She did, however, decide to be vigilant in observing him in the hopes she could determine to whom he was referring. A woman of her accomplishments would not be bested by some country nobody.

Darcy tied his horse to a bush at the base of the mount. He walked up the path carefully, as it was not yet dawn. As he approached his destination, he heard a dog growling. The sun was just peeping over the horizon as he reached the crest.

Because of Caliban, she was aware of his arrival and sat expectantly facing the path, the sunrise behind her. The first rays over the horizon created a halo around her head and caused her hair to blaze. He never seemed to see this woman that the effect of her did not awe, bewilder, annoy or mesmerize him, and this time his reaction was a mixture of all four. Dressed in shades of russet, amber and mauve, with her bonnet resting beside her on the blanket, he realized she was the improper young woman who had waved at him a fortnight ago. The massive dog that had been with her that day was resting on his hind legs beside her like a sentinel. Darcy was struck by how ugly he was.

“Thank you for coming, Mr Darcy. Would you like a mug of tea? It is still quite warm, and has honey and milk added.” He nodded yes, and she poured tea from the jug for him. She motioned for him to sit down on the blanket at a respectable distance from her—the dog settled between them with his head in her lap. She stroked his neck and fondled his ear for a few seconds while she planned a strategy for her mission. “This animal is my dear protector. I named him Caliban because of his unfortunate looks.”

The vision of Miss Elizabeth at the theatre watching
The Tempest
came to him. Darcy noticed that the flecks of light in her eyes he had seen briefly the night before were not present this morning. “The name is most appropriate.”

“Mr Darcy I am very sorry for your loss. I know it was almost four years ago, but even now I often think of her. Mrs Reynolds wrote to tell me. Mrs Hinton also sent a moving letter about both Mrs Darcy’s and Lady Hughes’ deaths. They were the first mothers she ever lost, and to have them die at the same time was very distressing for her. Mrs Reynolds communicated with me through my uncle. I thought of writing you in a similar fashion to offer my condolences, but decided it was not prudent to have any correspondence between us. It was not because I strictly adhere to society’s rules of conduct though.” She laughed as she noted, “You must be thinking I have no sense of propriety at all—inviting you to meet me here at dawn. Proper behaviour is often balanced against the needs of keeping my secret. I simply believed writing to you was not in either of our interest—or your daughter’s or even your son’s. It is important there be no association between us in anyone’s mind. To this day, no one knows of our deception except the original participants in the plot.”

“Thank you for your condolences. Your concern for hiding our connection is most valid. Your father and sister, Miss Mary, are obviously suspicious of an acquaintance between us; but you can rest assured, Miss Elizabeth, it would take more than your father’s relentless inquisition to cause me to divulge our secret.” He noticed she chuckled at his description of her father’s interrogation… the interrogation she had forced him to face alone. He felt a familiar disapproval with her for finding humour in his discomfort, and that, combined with her previous statement about disregarding society’s rules, compelled him to retaliate by adding, “But, you are correct; I love
my
daughter and my son too much to jeopardize their happiness,” as he made his reply, he emphasized my daughter.

She kept her face composed at his attempt to wound her. Caliban felt her tense and raised his head to bare his teeth at Darcy. Inwardly Elizabeth agonized because his attitude made her suspicious that Mrs Darcy had not confessed. Still, she was determined to remain focused on what she needed to accomplish. “Mr Darcy, I understand I became the talk of the assembly because of a remark you made to Miss Bingley. I have heard from practically everyone in my family of your desire to right that incivility. I appreciate your concern, but I do not think an apology is necessary. You were the target of rude talk as improper as any indulged in by you and Miss Bingley, and I am certain my mother and my aunt were two of the worst offenders. Let us chalk up the incident to the unfortunate propensity of humans to indulge in gossip for amusement. It is, I am sure, one of the main reasons both of us shun company whenever possible, and not at all because either of our appearances is less than tolerable.”

Darcy smiled at her humour and acknowledged her ability to deflect his hurtful remark with a carefully placed jab. Her sweetness in the face of his petulance was already causing him regret. “I see you are still a very witty young woman, Miss Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth saw his dimples and remembered just how tolerable his appearance could be. She was momentarily disconcerted and stared off across the meadow. As usual, Caliban registered his awareness of her anguish. This time she was the recipient of the dog’s wary stare. His reaction allowed her time to plan how to broach her main topic. Finally, after several seconds, she turned, looked at Mr Darcy forthrightly and said, “We have a delicate situation to contend with now that we are in the same neighbourhood. I know you hate disguise, but we must pretend we have never met.”

Elizabeth felt she should explain more about the fear she had lived with since leaving Derbyshire. “I was more concerned about your approaching me last night at Lucas Lodge without a proper introduction than I was with your slight at the assembly. Again, it is not because I am rigid about propriety, but because no one in Hertfordshire knows anything about what happened all those years ago.” Lizzy chuckled and said, “Of course they know something happened because I came back an ‘heiress,’ but they do not have any inkling I had a child. My family and friends observed a change in me, and Mr Darcy no matter how hard I try; I cannot recapture my former lively character. My sister, Jane, accuses me of being secretive. My friends tell me I have a hint of sadness about me that was never there before. Everyone says I have lost my joy, and my sisters complain I do not make them laugh as much anymore. My father wonders why I cringe when he kisses me. He and my sister Mary are currently very curious about you because you are from Derbyshire.”

“Miss Elizabeth, I thought you close to your father. Why do you cringe?”

“Because he smells of port and tobacco, the way your cousin did. I do not have the heart to ask him to give up two of his favourite vices just to appease my nonsensical anxiety. He has already been forced to give up reading because of his diminishing sight.”

“Your sister, Miss Mary, said you do not sleep. Is that why you are often at Oakham Mount early in the morning?”

“Yes, Mr Darcy, my inability to sleep is just another example of my transformed character. But I did not bring you here to commiserate with my troubles. Can we agree that we will act as though we do not know each other?”

“Yes, Miss Elizabeth, that is the prudent plan. I promise I will endeavour not to make another mistake like last night. My only excuse is that you, more than any other person I have ever met—you have the ability to bewilder me—in your presence I always seem to do things totally against my nature.” This time he was pleased his words made her laugh.

“I was not aware I had that power over you. What was it I did last night that caused you to become so befuddled?”

“It was the way you were telling the story to the children. I recently had a conversation with… eh an acquaintance… she described a scene very similar to the one you presented last night. I had a strong sense of déjà vu that was disorienting.” Mr Darcy thought how ridiculous to call his daughter an acquaintance, but he knew there was no way under the circumstances he could truthfully reveal the facts of his recollection.

“Mr Darcy, I must get back for breakfast and to read to my father. The longer we tarry here, the more possibility someone will see us—and then the gossip will truly begin.”

“You are right, Miss Elizabeth. We must part, because unlike you, I am very concerned about propriety, and I also share your need to ensure we end the speculation about the two of us having a prior acquaintance.”

This time Mr Darcy’s words reminded her of his disapproval during their final discussion. Again, she was concerned that he continued to consider her wanton and mercenary. She stifled a sigh and stroked Caliban’s ear pre-emptively to keep him from reacting to her discomfort. It was time to end this conference.

Darcy felt the need to make amends for his earlier slight. “Before we part, would you like me to tell you anything about
our
daughter? She is a topic I always love to discuss.”

Elizabeth looked positively horrified by his words, and more harshly than necessary, she replied. “No, no, please no. I think it best I know nothing.” This time Caliban snarled in protest.

Darcy once again saw tears held back by a will of iron. He desperately wanted to comfort her but knew neither Elizabeth nor Caliban would appreciate his efforts. He remained silent while she composed herself.

With a forced smile, she said, “Goodbye Mr Darcy. With luck, we will only see each other rarely while you are at Netherfield.” She stood up, put her bonnet on and began to pack the tea things into her basket. He stood, and she folded the blanket and placed it in the basket. She gave him her familiar lopsided grin and said, “It is a beautiful day, you should give that magnificent horse of yours a gallop, and then perhaps you could achieve a bit of joy by shooting some poor defenceless birds.” With that she turned, and she and Caliban began to descend the hill.

His unexpressed wish was quite the opposite of hers… he did want to see her. It was several minutes before he started his descent.

30 BLESSED BE THE TIE THAT BINDS

Elizabeth was determined to stay out of the path of Mr Darcy. He evoked both memories and emotions she felt best left unexplored. Every morning she left immediately after her time with her father, just in case the men from Netherfield decided to call again. They did not, but her apprehension did not diminish. By Sunday, the spectre of meeting him at services sparked a new round of fear. Appearances would not allow her to miss two weeks in a row, so her plan was to watch Mr Darcy from a distance. As soon as he became distracted while speaking with the vicar, she would depart—walking in the direction of Longbourn.

On Monday, Jane Bennet received a note from Netherfield while the family was gathered for breakfast. The footman who delivered the message indicated he had been instructed to wait for an answer.

Mrs Bennet’s eyes were aglow with pleasure, and she made no attempt to contain her excitement, eagerly questioning her daughter as she read the note.

“Well, Jane, who is it from? What is it about? What does he say?”

“Mama, it is not from a
he.
It would be improper for Mr Bingley to send me a note. It is from Miss Bingley,” said Jane, but then she acquiesced to her mother’s insistence and read the note aloud.

My dear Friend, you must take pity on Louisa and me. We shall be in danger of hating one another for the rest of our lives if you do not come today. We always quarrel after a day with no others to distract us in our conversation. My brother and the gentlemen are to dine with the officers.