Page 13 of Elizabeth in Scotland (Elizabeth and Darcy Abroad #2)

Elizabeth looked up in surprise upon seeing the gentlemen return to the drawing room, for they had been away for little more than an hour. Given the gravity of the matters to be discussed, she had expected a longer absence.

Her time with Miss Darcy had been enjoyable.

Miss Darcy had played a few pieces on the pianoforte for her.

Though her playing was among the most skilled Elizabeth had ever heard, Miss Darcy had been humbly surprised and delighted by the praise Elizabeth gave.

When Mr Campbell, her father, and Mr Darcy arrived, the ladies left the piano for the sitting area and waited with bated breath to hear what decisions had been reached in the meeting.

“Well, gentlemen?” Elizabeth said with an encouraging smile. “I beg you, do not leave us in suspense. Who is Mr Sinclaire’s closest living relative, and what is to become of this beautiful house?”

“I am afraid it is not so simple, Miss Bennet. The truth is that we do not know who is the closer relation. There are strong claims for either of the gentlemen to inherit,” Mr Campbell relayed. “However, we have come up with an agreement that is satisfactory to both parties.”

“We are to share the house?” Miss Darcy asked innocently.

“No, Miss Darcy. I am afraid that might prove rather difficult to arrange. We are to hold a contest, a race in mental prowess if you will,” Mr Campbell said.

“I will come up with riddles leading to the location of a key that opens the cellars — the only key in existence to the room. Mr Bennet and Mr Darcy will have to see who can solve the riddle first and find the key. The one to find the key two times out of three will be awarded Strathalt House.”

Elizabeth was shocked that her father would agree to such a thing. It was most irregular, particularly considering that the fate of the family was riding on this inheritance. That the idea was interesting, she had no wish to deny, but it seemed rather…flippant.

“Well, it is certainly a unique plan,” Elizabeth said.

“My dear Lizzy, I believe I know what you are thinking,” Mr Bennet said.

Elizabeth looked up to meet her father’s gaze.

For once, there was nothing sardonic in his tone.

He was entirely in earnest. “I promise you, Lizzy, that I am taking this as seriously as I ought. Mr Campbell, would you be so good as to explain the difficulty?”

“Certainly,” Mr Campbell agreed readily. “Miss Bennet, normally in such a case, one would have the matter decided in the courts. I have advised your father and Mr Darcy against taking such an action.”

Elizabeth nodded. “Will you tell me why?”

“It is the local magistrate,” Mr Campbell explained.

“He is…not fond…of Englishmen. If Mr Bennet and Mr Darcy take this matter to him, he will refuse to award it to either, I am certain of it. Even if such an action would result in the ruin of Strathalt House. I am very grateful to the gentlemen for agreeing to a solution that will protect this place, Miss Bennet. I should hate to see it left without a master forever.”

“Thank you, Mr Campbell,” Elizabeth said, her voice hushed. “I understand. And I honour you for your devotion to this estate.” She meant the compliment with all her heart, for Mr Campbell’s sincere dedication was deeply moving.

“I thank you in turn, Miss Bennet,” he said simply. “The compliment means a great deal to me.”

Elizabeth smiled at him and gave in to a mischievous impulse.

Each hour she spent in Mr Campbell’s company made her more certain that he would be a highly desirable addition for the family — certainly not for herself, for there was no spark between them besides that of friendship, but for a more serious Bennet sister.

Thankfully, Mary had given her a delightful opportunity to assess whether Mr Campbell might be as well-suited to her sister as she suspected.

“Do you know, Mr Campbell, I received a letter this morning before I came down for breakfast. It is from my sister, Mary,” she began.

She pulled out the letter. “She must have sent it almost as soon as my father and I departed, for it to have arrived so quickly.”

“I hope it is good news?” Mr Campbell asked.

“It is, yes,” Elizabeth smiled and smoothed the letter over her knee.

“There was one part of the letter I was confused about, though. I believe it to be a reference to the Good Book, but as my sister is a far better scholar of spiritual matters than I am myself, I found it difficult to trace. Perhaps you might understand my sister’s meaning, for you seem a man of Scripture, Mr Campbell. ”

“I would hardly call myself that, Miss Bennet, for I am no rector,” Mr Campbell said modestly. “I should be very glad to hear your sister’s letter, but I can help you only as a man who has taken an interest in reading philosophy.”

“Well, that is exactly what I need,” she said. “May I read it aloud?” she asked.

“Please,” Mr Campbell said, leaning forward a little.

Elizabeth cleared her throat, then read aloud.

∞∞∞

Dear Elizabeth,

I hope you and Papa have arrived in Scotland hale and safe, even though as I write this letter, we have only just seen you off.

It has not taken long for the house to feel your absence.

Lydia and Kitty are planning a trip to Meryton to see the militia, but I will not be joining them.

Surely it would be better for us all to stay home and improve ourselves.

For my part, I shall try to avoid the hedge of thorns.

I have decided I will spend my time reading Mr Fordyce’s sermons while you and Papa are away, so I might better myself. I will try to instil some of their wisdom into Kitty, if not Lydia. She will not listen at all, whereas Kitty will sometimes lend me her ear.

We hope you have a lovely trip and cannot wait to hear what comes of the inheritance.

Your sister,

Mary

∞∞∞

Elizabeth smiled to herself. It was a letter exactly like her sister: practical and to the point.

Elizabeth folded the letter and glanced at Mr Campbell.

“I do not quite follow my sister’s reference to the ‘hedge of thorns.’ Certainly she does not actually mean that she is concerned lest she walk into a thorny hedge.

Do you have any idea what she might be referring to? ”

Mr Campbell nodded and pushed his glasses back up the bridge of his nose, as they had slipped down while he had been listening.

“It is a reference to Proverbs, I believe.” He closed his eyes for a moment.

“Yes, Proverbs 15:19 – The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway.” He smiled.

“Your sister’s dedication is admirable indeed.

And she is very clever to make such a reference. ”

Elizabeth concealed a satisfied smile. How Mary would have glowed if she could have only heard such praise with her own ears!

“Does your sister often read the Scriptures?” he asked.

Elizabeth was glad of the question, for it meant he was thinking in the direction she might have hoped. “She does. I often find her reading in her room or in the library.”

“Is she very much like you?” Mr Campbell went on.

“We are alike in our love for reading, although she spends more of her time reading more serious material, and I find my enjoyment in novels and poetry.” Elizabeth looked away for a moment, thinking. “She is much more serious than I, very devoted to improving her mind.”

“I see. And does she resemble you at all?”

“No, my sister and I do not look much alike. She is taller than I, although we have almost the same shade of brunette hair. She prefers simpler gowns and hairstyles. Indeed, we can hardly convince her to spend the time to have her hair arranged for balls, as she would rather spend her time reading books on morality.”

“How very commendable,” Mr Campbell said.

“I much prefer a woman who is less concerned with her outward appearance than with her spiritual life and betterment.” All at once, he seemed to realise that his words might be taken as an insult, as Elizabeth had been drawing a contrast between her sister and herself.

“Oh! I beg your pardon, Miss Bennet. That was badly said of me, very badly said indeed. I intended no offence.”

“None taken, Mr Campbell, that is quite all right,” Elizabeth reassured him with a smile.

Indeed, though she did not choose to say it, Mr Campbell’s preference for plain and serious ladies was exactly what she might have wished.

“I think it would be wonderful if you and Mary could meet someday. Perhaps if Papa is the one to inherit, Mary might come to Scotland with him next time?”

“I would very much like to meet her. I would be flattered, really,” he said.

His cheeks turned red, and he suddenly excused himself, as if he feared he had said too much.

He stood in front of her and bowed quickly.

“Excuse me, please. I have some tasks to attend to in the study. I shall see you all at supper,” he announced before hurrying from the drawing room.

When Mr Campbell had gone, Miss Darcy soon came over to her and sat down. She caught her breath with a shy shake of her head. “Miss Bennet, may I ask you something?”

“Certainly,” Elizabeth said, waiting.

“Well, I was only wondering how you did that?” she asked.

Elizabeth was confused for a moment. “How did I do what? Talk with Mr Campbell?” she asked.

“Yes! You seem so confident and natural. I admire your ability to converse so easily with others, especially those you have only just met.” Georgiana gave a sheepish smile.

“I could never have had the courage to speak with Mr Campbell as you just did. Whenever I try to speak with others, I find myself falling silent. Or worse yet, saying exactly the wrong thing.”