Page 33

Longbourn Woods - Elizabeth

E lizabeth was not sure how long it was that she sat on the log for. She was slowly becoming aware just how cold she really was.

She could never recall what it was that made her glance up.

But she had the strangest feeling that she was being watched.

She stood and looked around - she thought she saw a shadow disappearing in the tree, but she was not sure.

Something about it made her blood crawl.

She could not understand it, she had lived in Hertfordshire all her life and she had never felt in the slightest uneasy before.

But there was something telling her that she was not safe here.

She picked up her bonnet and walked on, she had the sense for a while that she was being followed.

She could feel her heartbeat widely in her chest, every nerve ready to run if it became necessary.

A noise behind her made her jump. She started to run.

She could hear something, or maybe someone running behind her.

She could feel the tears still running down her cheeks. The cold air was making her breath turn to mist. At last she could no longer run so she sank down behind a tree. The feeling of being watched had passed. She could hear no noise other than her own breathing and heart racing.

She did not know if it was her own imagination or not.

* * *

Longbourn Woods - Darcy

Darcy walked slowly, something told him to be careful. He caught a glimpse of red disappearing into the distance. But before he could follow he heard another noise coming from not far away.

It was Elizabeth.

Darcy came round the tree slowly not wanting to startle her. She seemed completely unaware of her surroundings and was shivering but breathing hard. There was a shiny patch on her cheek, which he could not identify at first. He was surprised to see tears running down her cheeks.

This was not the same woman who he had been dancing with a few weeks before, who had smiled at him and laughed with him.

Normally her eyes were alive and full of joy.

Now, there were dark rings around them and they were red and swollen, her eyes seemed to have dulled.

Her beautiful eyes, that had been the first thing he had fallen in love with.

Her skin looked slightly unhealthy, her hair was pulled back from her face, in a style preferred by maids and not normally by gentlemen’s daughters.

He stood still for a full minute and merely watched her .

She raised a hand to her eyes and fiercely brushed the tears away, he, unable to remain still, took a step towards her, the noise drew her notice and she glanced up.

“Mr Darcy,” she said, going red from embarrassment, getting hastily to her feet.

He had covered the ground between them in a stride and was by her side. “Miss Elizabeth, is everythi-” He started to ask but she cut him off.

“Please forgive me,” she said as she tried to rush past him, he however caught her arm gently. He was going to try and insist that she tell him what was wrong, but feeling just how cold her hand was he quite forgot.

“You are freezing,” Darcy said as he took his coat off and placed it around her shoulder, “we must go to Longbourn.”

“No,” she said angrily, trying to shake his coat off, “I am perfectly well here and not in the least cold.” Her eyes flashed dangerously.

“Miss Elizabeth, I hate to disagree with you, but you are quite frozen and will catch your death if we remain outside for much longer.”

She looked like she was about to argue again, but on looking at him directly she changed her mind. Her eyes softened slightly. “Well very, I will admit to being a little cold. But we cannot go to Longbourn, not yet anyway.”

He was confused, “Please allow me to lend you my coat at least then?”

“Very well. Just for a little while.”

“And if you do not want to return home just yet, I would suggest we walk on a little to keep warm?”

She looked like she was going to object again, but did not.

He placed his coat around her shoulders again and made sure it was secure.

Elizabeth had her eyes cast downwards, she was trying to get control over her emotions and seemed to be losing slightly.

Darcy, however, remained silent, allowing her time to regain control.

They walked towards his horse and then on towards another clump of trees.

A slight noise came from her, a sort of hiccup.

He stole a glance at her and saw that tears were running freely down her cheeks again.

He quietly took her hand in his squeezing it slightly and continued walking with her arm resting on his.

* * *

Longbourn Woods - Elizabeth

As they walked on Elizabeth fought silently with herself trying to stop the flood of tears and emotions that kept coming forth, but as is so often the way with these things every time she thought she was making progress another sudden wave overcame her.

She was grateful for two things, firstly that her companion was not looking at her and that he was silent for the moment, and secondly that she was at least managing to keep the noise to a minimum.

Before Mr Darcy had appeared, she was only too well aware that she had not been crying quietly and she thought it very likely that it was the noise that had drawn him to her.

His great coat that was resting on her shoulders was helping warm her up again as was the walking, but she knew that they could not remain outdoors for much longer.

He had looked at her with such compassion in his eyes earlier that she knew she was in very grave danger of telling him all of her troubles.

Without warning he took her hand in his, without looking at her. She was grateful for the warmth that their close proximity was generating.

* * *

Longbourn Woods - Darcy

They walked in silence, Darcy glanced at her every now and then and was fairly convinced that she was more composed he took out a handkerchief and handed it to her. She took it without a word and brushed away the tears that were still lingering on her cheeks.

He was beginning to worry that they would have to part company before she spoke again. He found himself wishing for nothing more than to hear the sound of her voice.

“Thank you,” she said at last.

“You are more than welcome, Miss Elizabeth.”

“Where were you riding to? I hope I have not kept you from anything important?”

Darcy paused, considering his answer carefully. “I was merely enjoying a ride through the countryside. So, no, you are not keeping me from anything important.”

She smiled at his answer, although she would not look him in the eye.

“Mr Bingley is looking forward to this evening a great deal,” Darcy continued, smiling at her. She, however, did not smile at this and quickly changed the subject.

“My sisters walked into Meryton this morning. Although the day is turning out to be cooler than we had suspected.”

“Are you still cold, Miss Elizabeth? Should we not return to Longbourn?”

“Not at all, Mr Darcy. Walking is just what I need, at the moment, to stay warm.”

He tightened his grip on her arm and hand, as if worried she might try and pull it free, “I am glad to hear it. Georgiana and I have not spent a winter at Pemberley for many years. In fact not long before my father died. I had forgotten how much I enjoy the country during this season.”

“But surely London has so much more to offer to a gentleman such as yourself?”

“I am beginning to believe that the best that life has to offer can be found in small country neighbourhoods such as this one.”

He did not add “as you are here.” But he did have the pleasure of seeing her blush.

It did not last long, she soon recovered and continued, “The country is delightful, but I believe there are times when it is too confining.”

“In terms of society, yes indeed. But in terms of space and freedom? London is too full of people, whereas in the county if you want a little space and freedom all you have to do is go for a walk.”

“Now there you have me. I have not spent enough time in London to be a fair judge, but there are times when the confines of indoors are too much.”

Darcy stood still and turned to look at her, so she could not look away. “Miss Elizabeth, please forgive me if I ask too much. But what brought you out today and distressed you so?”

She swallowed slightly, “I had hoped you would not-” She shook her head. “I believe it is best not to speak of it, not yet anyway.”

“Miss Elizabeth, please believe me when I say that I have your best interests at heart. I would not pressure you to say something you do not want to tell me. But, that being said, if you do want to speak to me of something, you can be assured that it will remain secret.”

“Thank you, Mr Darcy. It is good to know that you are a friend.”

He recoiled slightly at the word, the idea of being nothing more than a friend to the woman in front of him was more alarming than he could put into words.

However, after a moment of thought he forced a smile and they continued on their way.

At last Elizabeth was willing to admit that it was indeed very cold and that she would like to return to the house.

If they had remained outdoors much longer, Darcy would have feared for both the health of both parties, but mostly for Elizabeth.

They walked back to Longbourn. Darcy was pleased to soon be sitting in the parlour by the fire, a cup of hot tea in his hands.

The house was quiet and Elizabeth had asked one of the servants where the rest of the family was when they entered.

Her sisters and Mr Collins had not yet returned from Meryton, having gone to call on their aunt and uncle who lived there.

Mr Bennet was in his room and Mrs Bennet had gone to call on Lady Lucas.

So Darcy had the delight of enjoying Elizabeth’s company on his own in a much more comfortable setting than tramping through the winter countryside.

He knew he could not stay long, for at any moment Mr Collins could appear in the doorway.

But he found he could not leave. He attempted to do so several times, but each time he was about to begin his farewell Elizabeth would look at him with such a smile on her face, her eyes dancing.

Gone was the creature he had come across sitting on the log.

She still looked tired, but she seemed more relaxed, more herself.

* * *

Longbourn Parlour - Elizabeth

Elizabeth was surprised by Mr Darcy’s behaviour. And it was not helping her, that every time she looked him in the eye she remembered the conversation that she and Jane had had. He couldn’t be in love with her. No, of course he wasn’t. Nor was she falling in love with him.

But then, he had been so attentive. He had given her his coat and handkerchief, he had been the perfect gentleman. He had asked what was wrong, but not pressed her to confide in him. She knew that she owed him some explanation for her behaviour.

They met Hill as they entered the house and Elizabeth was relieved to hear that her mother had left the house, she kept Hill back for a moment after Mr Darcy had entered the parlour on the pretence of ordering some tea, to ask after her father.

“He is asleep for the moment, Miss Elizabeth. Sarah is with him.”

“Thank you Hill. Please call me when he wakes.”

“Certainly, Miss.”

Elizabeth felt more at ease than she had since her return from London. Having confronted her emotions for once rather than continually pushing them to the back of her mind was a relief. She knew she had to be strong for her father’s sake.

She returned to the parlour to see Mr Darcy standing by the window, as he so often did.

She took a seat near the fire, and warmth slowly returned to her fingers and toes.

Hill returned shortly with tea and Mr Darcy joined her by the fire.

They spoke for a while of the books they had been reading lately, of his sister and generally every topic but the ones that consumed the thoughts of both.

At length Elizabeth knew she could no longer delay in explaining at least a little.

“You have been very kind in not mentioning the state that you found me in.”

“Not at all.”

“I feel I owe you some kind of explanation for it.”

“If you wish. But you do not owe me anything.” There was such compassion in his voice that she nearly forgot herself.

She was able, however, to pull herself together after a moment.

She had planned on only telling him that her father’s condition was worse than was generally known but now, she wanted to confide in him completely.

“I believe you are aware that my father is not well at the moment?”

“Yes, Mrs Bennet mentioned he has a cold.”

She could not meet his eyes, she knew she would not be able to speak. “It is sadly more than a mere cold. Mr Jones does not expect him to live more than a few months.”

He stood suddenly, quite startling her. He walked up and down the room, deep in thought. He stopped before her.

“And he is quite sure?”

She nodded, unable to speak for the moment, as she fought to control her emotions again.

“Is there no hope at all?”

She looked down at her hands, “No, none. He has done everything in his power.” Mr Darcy sat down again, drawing his chair closer to hers and took her hands in his.

“I am truly sorry Miss Elizabeth, he is a good man.” He spoke quietly, but firmly.

They sat in silence for a minute or two.

Elizabeth’s thoughts seemed to have come to a standstill.

She was aware only of the noises around her, of the crackling of the fire in the hearth, of the distant voices of the servants as they went about their duties in the rest of the house, of her own heart beating loudly in her ears and of Mr Darcy’s hands holding hers.

The front door opened and Mr Collins’ voice carried through from the hallway. “Such an elegant woman and so attentive to her nieces. Mrs Philips is indeed a very fine lady. I am sure that Lady Catherine would approve of her-”

Elizabeth turned her head towards the door, suddenly aware of the danger of being caught by Mr Collins alone in the company of Mr Darcy. He seemed likewise aware of the risk, he had risen to his feet.

“You must come tonight.” He whispered, he bowed quickly and the fled the room. She stood quickly herself, gathered his tea cup, and hid it behind a statue of a horse that stood on one of the side tables. She resumed her seat, picking up a book as she did so and opened it.

Mr Collins entered the parlour followed by Jane.

“Ah, there you are, Elizabeth.” Mr Collins said, “I trust you have had a pleasant morning.”

“Indeed. How did you find my aunt, well I hope?”

“Aunt Philips is well, yes.” Jane said before Mr Collins could answer. “She asked after you of course.”