Page 35 of Elizabeth in Scotland (Elizabeth and Darcy Abroad #2)

Darcy sighed. The last week had passed much too quickly, taken up by their preparations to depart for England.

Mr Bennet seemed much more relaxed after the contest had been settled.

They had enjoyed many wonderful conversations, and he found he was not sad in the least that Strathalt House would belong to the Bennet family.

After all, he owned many fine houses and had ample funds already.

It was far better that Mr Bennet should inherit.

With Strathalt House in Mr Bennet’s possession, he could find peace in his later years, and not worry over his daughters’ wellbeing and security.

Darcy was glad down to his bones that he would not have to worry over Elizabeth.

Yet something told him he would always think of her and worry over her.

As he looked out the window, down at the drive, he could no longer deny the truth: he was falling in love with her.

A coach pulled up to the front of the house, the coach that would carry the Bennets away from Strathalt House and out of his life. For now.

He comforted himself with the thought that the separation would not be of much duration, for he intended to pay his promised visit to the Bingleys at Netherfield, which he understood was not far from Meryton. Elizabeth had spoken of the village as being very close to Longbourn.

He and Mr Bennet were in the breakfast room when the note came from his sister. He scanned it quickly, then looked over at Mr Bennet. “My sister has requested our presence in the drawing room, if you have a mind. I believe she and Miss Bennet would like to show us something.”

He had an inkling of what it was, but he was still curious as to just how it would play out.

Over the last week since Elizabeth had found the key, the “lady lessons” had resumed in earnest, knowing they had little time left to complete Georgiana’s transformation.

His sister and Elizabeth had spent the days and evenings in the study of how to eat politely when invited out, how to engage in conversation at a public function or ball, and even the playing of cards.

She had even gone as far as to teach her how to glide across a room in an evening gown, attracting just enough attention — but not too much.

Of course, Darcy’s attention had been unwaveringly fixed on Elizabeth as she had shown his sister just what to do to move elegantly through a room.

As the days drew nearer for their departures, he found himself soaking up every moment he could with the ladies and offering to help with dance lessons, or anything else for which a male partner might present, just so he might be near Elizabeth.

Was it only his imagination, or did she dread the day of their separation as much as he did? As they would be the first to leave, she had grown more morose as the days went on, although she tried to keep up her spirits for Georgiana’s sake.

When he and Mr Bennet arrived in the drawing room, Darcy was struck by Elizabeth’s dress.

She was ready to leave in her travelling clothes, gloves, bonnet, and wrap.

However, his attention was quickly drawn to the elegant young woman standing in the centre of the sitting area.

Dressed in an exquisite blue silk gown, with her blonde hair done up in the latest London style, she looked like a princess ready to ascend the throne.

She gave him a brilliant smile, then bowed gracefully.

“Hello, Fitz. What do you think?” she asked.

Darcy smiled proudly. He could tell she was nervous, but only because he knew her so well. No other man would have known, for her voice was as steady and smooth as the silk of her gown.

“Georgiana?” he asked. He was stunned for a moment, for in his sister, he felt as if his mother stood before him, young and fresh.

A tear came to his eye, but he did not allow it to fall to his cheeks.

He went to her and took her hands, spreading her arms outward and then nudging her to spin.

“You look breathtaking. A fine figure of a lady.” She was a far cry from the painfully shy girl who had accompanied him to Scotland.

“Thank you, Brother. It is all thanks to Elizabeth. I could never have dreamt of this day without her.” She smiled at her compatriot, and he turned his attention to her. “I will forever be in your debt,” Georgiana added earnestly.

“Nonsense. You owe me nothing, my friend. It was my pleasure to help,” Elizabeth said.

She met his gaze, and a tinge of sadness came into her features.

She sniffed bravely, though he could see the effort her cheerful smile cost her.

“I think you deserve a little promenade in the gardens. You will see to it, won’t you, Mr Darcy? ” she asked.

“Of course.”

“But you must come and see us off first,” Mr Bennet said. “I believe our carriage is ready to depart.”

Georgiana linked arms with Elizabeth, and as Mr Bennet retrieved his hat, and the last of their luggage was loaded, they all stood in the foyer to say their goodbyes.

Even Mr Campbell’s dog joined them, wagging his tail at Elizabeth as though to say he would miss her terribly. Darcy rather understood the sentiment.

His sister, too, looked heart-sick at the thought of saying their farewells. “You will allow me to write to you, won’t you?” Georgiana asked eagerly. “I shall miss you so much!”

“Of course. I would be so glad to hear from you on every occasion,” Elizabeth said.

Darcy shook hands with Mr Bennet. At last, they could no longer find a reason to delay, and walked outside to the carriage. Mr Bennet was the first to enter, as his goodbyes had been short and to the point.

Elizabeth and Georgiana remained by the door to Strathalt House. “I hope you will not blame me, Elizabeth, if I leave you now,” Georgiana said, her voice a little shaky. “It is only that I do not want you to see me cry. You will write back to me, won’t you?”

“Of course,” Elizabeth replied without hesitation. “I shall depend on hearing from you very often, Georgiana. And whenever I am lonely, I shall touch my beautiful pin, and think of my dear, dear friend.”

At that, Georgiana could no longer hold back her tears. “Goodbye! Goodbye! I shall miss you dreadfully!” she cried out, and ran back into the house.

Elizabeth stood there for a long moment, looking after her. And when she at last turned back, Darcy bit his lip, for written on her face was a love and fondness for Georgiana equal even to his own.

He said nothing, only stayed beside the carriage as Elizabeth came down the steps.

She joined him beside the open carriage door.

She clasped her hands in front of her, seeming reluctant to climb in.

“I suppose this is goodbye,” she said softly.

If his wishes did not deceive him, she very much looked as though she did not want it to be their last meeting.

He drank in every aspect of her person to tide him over until they could meet again.

It would be weeks before they made it back to London.

And as he had some business to attend to before setting out for Netherfield, it would be almost a month before they would see each other again.

But he did hope that Longbourn was not so far from Netherfield that he and Georgiana could visit.

“I have enjoyed our acquaintance,” she said, her voice quaking ever so slightly. “I very much hope we shall have occasion to meet again someday.”

He stepped closer, wishing he could take her hand. “It will be sooner than you might think. Georgiana and I have been invited to an estate called Netherfield Park, which I believe is quite close to Meryton. You have spoken of the village before, I think.”

Her face brightened. “Netherfield Park? Why yes, it is only three miles from Longbourn!” Elizabeth exclaimed.

Belatedly, she seemed to realise how loudly she had spoken, and lowered her voice.

“That is, it is not far from where we live. Perhaps we may meet at public functions, or even call upon each other?”

“Yes, that is precisely what we had hoped. Three miles is nothing, and we may pay visits nearly every day, if it would be agreeable to you and your family.” Darcy looked at Elizabeth. “I know my sister would crave your presence, and she has spoken of her longing to meet your sisters.”

“She would be most welcome to visit anytime.” She paused, then looked up at him, her brown eyes sending a shock through him. “You are both most welcome.”

“Lizzy! It is time to go,” Mr Bennet called gently from the carriage. No doubt he was eager to begin, so that they might make good headway before dark.

Elizabeth sighed, then turned to climb into the carriage.

He offered her his hand, privately rejoicing at the touch of her hand and the privilege of handing her into the carriage.

She sat down, then placed her hand on the windowsill as he closed the door for her.

“Safe journey, Miss Bennet, Mr Bennet,” he said and nodded toward the older gentleman.

“We will pray for your safe travels and that our paths will bring us together again soon.”

“As will we, sir. Thank you for everything. This journey has been brightened by your and your sister’s presence. I shall look forward to our next meeting,” Mr Bennet said. He called out to the coachman, and they were off.

Standing alone and motionless, Darcy watched the carriage roll down the hill toward the village until it was out of sight.

He remained still for a long moment even then, looking at nothing, but that was only foolishness.

Shaking his head at himself, Darcy went inside, only to find Georgiana in the drawing room, gazing forlornly out the window.

Looking at his sister, Darcy smiled crookedly.

He believed he knew exactly how bereft Georgiana felt, for he, too, could not wait until the day he might see Elizabeth again.

One sentiment was highly encouraging — that Elizabeth had seemed so expressive when he told her they would soon be near Longbourn. She had been very eager indeed to continue the acquaintance. Might she even have some tender feelings toward him, as he had developed for her? He could only hope.

“It is a pity that we could not have travelled together on the journey home.” Georgiana sighed listlessly. She smoothed the silk skirts over her knees and looked into the fire. “I suppose they will travel a little slower than we will, with Mr Bennet’s joints.”

“Yes, I suppose they will. But we need not trouble ourselves too much. We will see them again soon.” Darcy tried to be cheerful, rather than matching Georgiana’s moroseness, but it was a difficult task.

“We should ready ourselves quickly and be on our way. I am sure Mr Campbell will want to start making preparations to hand things over to Mr Bennet and ready the estate for his next visit.”

“I do hope they can come here every summer, as Elizabeth alluded to. From everything she told me, I think Miss Mary Bennet will be a very good mistress of this house, if she were to come here and fall in love with Mr Campbell.”

“Let us not get too far ahead of ourselves, Georgiana. We shall simply have to wait and see what happens. You must not voice such sentiments aloud, especially where Mr Campbell might overhear you.”

“Elizabeth seems confident that they would suit each other. But I suppose you are right. I would not want to ruin anything unwittingly.” Georgiana rose with a sigh. “If you will excuse me, Fitz, I should like to play the piano a little and try to cheer up.”

“An excellent idea,” Darcy said.

She exited the room, and he was left alone with his thoughts. How quiet the house seemed now that Mr Bennet and Elizabeth were gone. A gentle drizzle had begun almost as soon as they had departed, adding to the day’s melancholy.

He had just risen from the chair when Mr Campbell entered the room. “Ah, Mr Darcy. Do you have a moment for me?”

“Yes, of course,” Darcy replied, wondering what he had in mind.

“Excellent,” Mr Campbell said. He held a book in his hand, offering it to him. “I thought you might like to keep this. I found it in the library on one of the tables. Likely Miss Bennet was able to solve the riddle with it and forgot to replace it on the shelves in her haste to find the key.”

Darcy turned the book over and read the title aloud. “The Works of Robert Burns.” He looked up at Mr Campbell. “Thank you, I should be glad to have it. Are you sure Mr Sinclair wouldn’t mind me taking it out of his library?”

“Not in the slightest. He would be glad to know it was getting some use somewhere.” He looked at the tome, then back at Mr Darcy. “And I think he would be especially glad if he knew it had helped two young people find their way toward each other.”

Darcy looked at him in surprise. “Is it that obvious?” he asked quietly.

“Perhaps not to Miss Bennet, but to me, it is,” Mr Campbell said.

He chuckled. “I have observed you all carefully, for the character of the next owners of Strathalt House will be of great importance to the community. Then too, it is always easier to see clearly when one has no personal stake in a matter. Do you know, Mr Darcy, Mr Sinclair had a bit of a romantic bent. He would have been glad that my riddles were taken from the books he loved so much, and in a small way, that perhaps it brought you and Miss Bennet some happiness. Do you fear she would not be amenable to your addresses, were you to pay them?” he asked.

It was a personal question, especially for a steward.

But as he was unlikely to see Mr Campbell again, he saw no harm in taking a more familiar tone with the man.

“I do not know. Sometimes I think I discern her feelings, but at other times, it is very difficult to know for sure. I confess I am not adept at courting or matters of the heart.”

“I believe she will be. If it is of any help, I think she would be very glad to receive you when you are in Hertfordshire,” Mr Campbell said.

“Mind you, that is only an assumption, from watching her closely.” He gave a wry smile.

“She is not adept at concealing her true emotions, which may well work to your advantage.”

Darcy laughed along with Mr Campbell. “One can only hope.” He stood with a sigh. “Well, I should see to the rest of our packing and ensure we are ready to depart on schedule. Thank you for all you have done for us, Mr Campbell.”

They shook hands. “It was my pleasure. I am sorry if it seemed you came to Scotland for nothing. But I hope it has not been a total waste.”

“It was not a waste at all,” Darcy said honestly. He would have travelled much farther for the change Elizabeth had worked in Georgiana.

And for the change she had effected in his own heart, he would have gone to the ends of the earth.