Page 5

Netherfield Park

Darcy followed his friends as they made their way through one of the far fields at the back of the Netherfield estate.

The steward, Mr. Frary, was in the lead, and several servants trailed behind, carrying the firearms the gentlemen would need.

Walking alongside Darcy was a local landowner named Mr. Long, and off to his other side were Mr. Bennet, Mr. Goulding, and Sir William Lucas.

“So you are from Derbyshire, Mr. Darcy?”

Mr. Long’s question brought Darcy out of his contemplations. “I am. My estate is called Pemberley.”

“I have heard of the beauties of that area. Mrs. Long would like to travel there one day. Her sister has visited The Peaks and is full of stories of their grandeur and magnificence.”

“If you get the opportunity, you should do as your wife wishes. It would be an unforgettable experience. My estate is a little south of The Peaks, but my family has a small cottage along the southern edge of the district. We spent part of every summer there when I was growing up.”

“You have decided me, sir. I will plan a trip for next year. Perhaps I will surprise Mrs. Long with it.”

The conversation was interrupted when the group stopped and some birds were flushed out for them to shoot.

A short while later, when they moved to a new location a short distance away, Darcy found himself next to Mr. Long once more.

This time, Bennet, Sir William, and Mr. Goulding were far enough away that they could not hear his conversation.

He was glad of it, for he hoped to glean some information about the Bennet family, and Elizabeth in particular.

“You seemed to enjoy our little assembly this past Tuesday.” The older man glanced at him as he handed his firearm to a servant. “I heard my wife speaking admiringly of you and your friends the next day.”

Darcy blushed. “It was a delightful gathering.” He shrugged. “I do not like to be on display, and I dislike dancing unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner, but I found the ladies in attendance to be very pleasing.”

“You danced with Miss Elizabeth Bennet, did you not?” Mr. Long looked from Darcy to the servant, who was now reloading his gun.

“I did.” Darcy felt heat under his collar. “She is an excellent dancer.”

“That she is. All of the Bennet girls are. Their mother has made sure of it.” Mr. Long paused, taking his weapon in hand and lifting it toward the sky to look down the barrel.

“Miss Elizabeth has a sharp wit.” He nodded toward Bennet as he lowered the gun to his side.

“I believe her father took a specific interest in her education, though he encouraged all of them to learn. He is a bit indolent, though, and I do not believe he pushed the two youngest.”

Darcy nodded. “Miss Elizabeth told me she loves to read.”

“Oh yes. Always has her nose in a book.” Long tipped his head in the direction of Longbourn.

“She likes to walk her father’s estate and often takes one with her.

It is not uncommon to find her on Oakham Mount, reading.

” He paused. “It is a shame her portion is so small. She will find it difficult to find a husband to match her for wit and intelligence.”

Their conversation was once again interrupted, and this time, they never had an opportunity to pick it up again.

Later that day, as Darcy bathed in his dressing room in preparation for dinner, he reflected on what he had learned.

It was nothing more than he expected, if he were honest. Elizabeth Bennet had been a charming and witty companion during their set.

She had displayed a keen intelligence that he would like to more deeply explore.

However, he was uncertain if he should. Mr. Long had indicated that her dowry was small.

He had plenty of money, of course, so that would not be a problem too big to overcome.

He decided he was not concerned about that.

What did give him pause was his reaction to her the night of the assembly. He had spent days alternately avoiding the contemplation of it and thinking about it incessantly.

As Darcy had indicated to Mr. Long, he was not fond of dancing, as a rule.

He also never danced with anyone who was not a member of his own party.

And yet, he had asked a complete and total stranger for her hand for a set.

What was I thinking? He shook his head in wonder at his actions.

Days later and all he could say was that he was bewitched by her eyes.

He looked into the mirror in his dressing room and spoke to his reflection.

“I do not know what I was thinking or why I asked her to dance, but it feels absolutely right – as though we were meant to be together, as though she belongs to me and I to her. I cannot explain it. I will, however, be cautious and learn more about her before I make any move toward courting her. I must learn more of her before I do aught else.”

~~~***~~~

The next evening, Darcy had the opportunity to do just that.

The Netherfield party had been invited to dine at Haye Park, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Long.

By now, Darcy had met and spoken to nearly all the gentlemen in the area and his discomfort in the presence of strangers was not as strong, except, of course, for the ladies.

Of them, he was still pretty much unacquainted with most.

To his delight, Elizabeth and her family were in attendance at the party.

He would be able to observe her, and perhaps even speak with her again.

He wished to know if she was truly as charming as he had thought her earlier in the week, or if he had somehow elevated her in his mind to a level she could not attain.

Darcy was not seated near the object of his attraction at dinner.

The situation was, he felt, unfortunate.

However, he was able to observe her interactions with others and her reactions to them.

He caught her eye once, to his delight. His breath caught in his chest when her fine, dark orbs sparkled at him and her lips lifted into a delightful smile.

He sighed to himself. Then, his attention was caught by the lady seated next to him and the moment was lost. All is well, he thought.

I will be able to speak with her later in the evening.

Eventually, the meal ended and the sexes separated. Darcy followed Elizabeth with his eyes as she departed the dining room with her sisters. Thankfully, the parting was not long and almost before he knew it, he was following his host into the drawing room.

The gentlemen scattered throughout the chamber, eager to see the ladies again. One of the younger girls was at the pianoforte, playing a quiet tune while the guests chatted.

Darcy began to make a circuit of the room, in part to keep himself occupied and in part to bring himself closer to Elizabeth. He was stopped part way around by a pair of very young ladies who looked very similar.

“You are a rather handsome gentleman, are you not?” The darker-haired girl attached herself to his arm, looking up at him and fluttering her lashes. “Do you not think he and I look very well together, Kitty?”

The other girl, slightly taller and with lighter hair, giggled. “Indeed you do, Lydia. You make a handsome couple.”

Darcy had stiffened the second he was touched.

He had too much experience with ladies of the ton to take for granted that the girls’ intent was not malicious.

He was shocked at their forwardness with a gentleman who was, in essence, a stranger to them.

A scowl marred his features as he addressed them.

“Pardon me. I have not given you leave to behave so familiarly with me.”

He was not certain his words had even entered the girls’ ears, for just as he finished speaking, they darted away from him, approaching an officer of the militia that was stationed outside of Meryton and stealing his sword. Darcy huffed as he watched them run down the room with it.

“Those two are a handful.” Bingley stepped closer, shaking his head at the young ladies’ antics, his lips twisted into a smirk.

“Indeed.” Darcy’s brow was creased to match his frown. “They are wild and unchecked and belong in the schoolroom. I wonder at their being allowed out in public to behave in such a manner. I was about to say just that to them when they let go of me and decided to chase that officer.”

Bingley tipped his head in the direction of Jane and Elizabeth. “It seems their older sisters are taking them in hand.”

Darcy searched the other end of the room and, seeing that his friend was correct, allowed his affront to fade somewhat.

The sight of Elizabeth speaking to her sister distracted him from further contemplation of the event.

He stared at her, wishing it was he to whom she was speaking, even if it meant she was berating him for an offense. He sighed to himself.

Bingley’s voice drew him out of his thoughts. “Is she not the most beautiful creature you have ever beheld?”

Darcy’s head whipped toward his friend as jealousy ripped through him. “Who?”

Bingley’s brows rose. “Why, Miss Bennet, of course.”

“Oh.” Darcy cleared his throat. “She is beautiful, but she smiles too much. Her sister, on the other hand …” His voice trailed off as his eyes returned to gaze upon the fascinating brunette.

“Miss Bennet smiles too much but Miss Elizabeth does not? I wonder sometimes at your logic.” Bingley nudged Darcy with his elbow and then, when he had gained his attention, waved a hand in the direction of the ladies.

“Have you seen how often she does the same? If I did not have personal knowledge of your superior marks at University, I would have to believe you have lost your senses.”

Darcy was suddenly hot all over. He cleared his throat. “Well.” He could not think of anything to say and so remained silent.