Page 117 of Obligation and Redemption

While reading Jane’s correspondence, she had been distracted from the possible contents of Lydia’s letter.

Like the previous note, this one was two-pages long, and Elizabeth feared that Mr. Wickham might have included his own communication.

So, behind closed doors, Elizabeth broke the seal and was disheartened to see the same strong hand written therein.

She immediately walked to the fire and dropped both pages into the flames.

Angry with her sister for participating in the deception, and with Mr. Wickham for his potential damage, she sat down at her writing desk to implore Lydia to desist from any future correspondence.

Elizabeth also wrote to her father explaining what had occurred, so that he might enforce her request. After writing her letters and combining them into one packet with her father’s direction on the front, she let her fatigue overcome her and laid down for a nap.

Darcy was becoming increasingly concerned about Elizabeth’s poor appetite in the mornings, although she seemed to eat plenty later in the day and had been able to maintain her weight gain.

But despite his concerns, he would not push her to eat when she clearly had no desire.

He was just glad she had continued to sit with him, even if she just drank tea.

So after Elizabeth had left Darcy after breakfast, he removed himself to his study.

He sat in stilled reflection, staring at the fire in the hearth as if for guidance.

He became aware of the hurt that he himself felt with Elizabeth’s own expressed pain.

This came as a surprise to him. He could not account for his own disquiet concerning Bingley and Jane when for months he had been in confident opposition to the match.

Discounting Jane’s own feelings towards Bingley, if Darcy could do something that would somehow alleviate Elizabeth’s burden, he would want to do it.

But what could he do? What should he do?

He interfered once; should he do so again?

Would prompting a reconciliation between his friend and new sister be wise?

The reasons for separating the two still stood, but did he have a greater understanding of Jane’s character that might shed light on the possible outcome?

According to Elizabeth, Jane Bennet had all of the qualities that any man of true understanding and virtue could want.

Of course, she had no dowry, no connections, excepting his own, and a mother who would plague the man who chose her.

But she was not mercenary herself it would seem, and she was very beautiful.

She conducted herself with grace and serenity, which was a benefit.

If Bingley could somehow keep Mrs. Bennet in check, the marriage might work.

But was it for Darcy to decide? Yet again, he had been an arrogant, officious fool, playing God with his friend’s life and happiness, trying to conform him to his own desires.

Jane would make a perfect mate for Bingley.

He needed someone who would complement his exuberant character with her own stability and ease.

He needed a sweet and kind woman of good understanding, who would not try to lead her husband.

Surely Bingley would protect himself and his family from a meddling mother-in-law.

Darcy had only seen Mrs. Bennet on one occasion since he was married, and he was able to easily manage her intrusions.

Bingley was an amiable, generous sort, but he would stand firm when needed, as seen with Caroline on occasion.

With Darcy’s help, the two men could manage Mrs. Bennet’s demands.

It was decided. Darcy would get more information from Elizabeth as to Jane’s immediate plans, then he would help his friend to find her. Bingley would not be leaving for the North until it warmed up in April, so Darcy still had time to reach him before he moved on.

DARCY HAD BEEN SITTING at his desk reviewing accounting records and considering reports from his steward when he heard a soft knock upon the door to his study.

After calling for the visitor to enter, he was astonished to see his wife standing in the doorway with a timid look upon her countenance.

He stood, walking around his desk to welcome her inside his sanctuary.

“Elizabeth, this is a delightful surprise. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“Well, I was hoping to go for a stroll in the gardens, and I thought, with such a lovely day and the snow now gone, that perhaps you might want to take in the fresh air yourself. That is to say, I thought you might like to join me while I explored the walkways near the manor. I plan to stay on the gravel, so you need not worry about the mud. Maybe you could tell me more about the house?” She paused here and looked upon his desk covered with papers.

“But I see you are busy, so you probably prefer staying indoors. Naturally, I understand that you don’t want to leave your business unfinished.

I’ll just plan on seeing you at dinner then.

” Elizabeth turned to leave, feeling like a nervous schoolgirl being thrown into the company of a man for the first time.

Darcy’s merriment at his wife’s uncharacteristic discomfiture was carefully concealed behind his composed demeanour – that she would approach him for her pleasure, and that she appeared so timid, brought him pleasure that he could not have predicted.

Finally, as she started to turn to leave, he found his voice and said, “Elizabeth, please do not leave yet. I would be happy to join you. Can you give me a few moments to put away some of my papers? Maybe I could meet you in, say, fifteen minutes at the entrance?”

Elizabeth despised herself for blushing so uncontrollably, but was hopeful that her efforts would be rewarded with a delightful afternoon spent in her husband’s company.

She had awoken from her rest thinking about the handsome man with whom she now shared her life.

She considered that had she set out to acquire a more perplexing subject with whom to enter the married state, she could not have found greater success.

Theirs had been a rugged course, much like the hills around them full of crevices, turbulent waters and caverns of hidden and unexplored beauties, but with her husband’s obvious efforts, Elizabeth determined to play her own part in healing their marriage.

At some point over the previous weeks, she had discovered that she experienced no small amount of pleasure when with him.

Mr. Darcy was agreeable to look upon, it was true – he had always been so – but her enjoyment went beyond the superficial.

She considered the threats Wickham’s letters placed on their shaky marriage and only desired to protect their relationship by freely demonstrating to Mr. Darcy her growing regard.

This was no hardship, for she now truly anticipated their time together.

And she was finally beginning to understand her aunt’s words of wisdom about showing love, even if not fully feeling the sentiment.

They set out in comfortable silence, as they had on so many other occasions.

Elizabeth understood that her husband was not one to rattle away like so many others and was glad to finally understand that his laconism did not always portend ill-favour.

As this was a slow amble through the gardens, she contentedly took his arm, noticing not for the first time, his impressive form.

“Elizabeth,” said he, breaking the silence, “I thank you for your invitation. I apologise if my delay in responding suggested that I was unwilling. In truth, I was just distracted by the charming way in which you made your request.”

“Oh, my. So you were entertained by my fumbling words.

I was unsure if you would want to come out here with me.

I mean, I know that you have taken great pains to spend time in my company, but you were busy and.

... “ Elizabeth looked away, nervous all over again.

Changing the subject, she said, “Did you mind so much leaving your work?”

“No, I was happy for the diversion, especially such a pleasing one.” She blushed. “I had been working on my business long enough. A break was just what I needed.”

“Is that how you spend your time while we are apart – working on estate matters? Or was it some other business?” As he waited to answer, she stopped walking and said, “Please forgive my impertinence! I should not have been so presumptuous. Of course, your business is none of mine.”

“Elizabeth, I am happy to share with you whatever you wish, but I am afraid you might find my concerns in this case rather dull. But I certainly may be wrong about my assumptions. I had forgotten that your father included you in his own estate burdens.”

“Yes, he did, but his efforts cannot be compared with your own, I think.” They continued walking again.

“So do you spend much time working? I was always under the assumption that the benefit of being a master was that you could direct others to do your work for you, leaving a gentleman to his leisure.”

“Many do give over responsibilities to their stewards; it is common enough. But I could not in good conscience abdicate all of my own responsibilities to a man under my employ – one who, though loyal, has no actual stake in the matter.”

“So, to what extent do you take your role? Surely, you do not pay the bills yourself?”

“No, I do not do that. My steward is a very capable man, as was the one before him.” Here, Darcy looked away, but soon recalled himself.

“I have hundreds of people whose livelihoods depend upon the dependable management of not just Pemberley, but my other holdings as well. It is my responsibility to ensure that they have a secure future, just as it is my obligation to secure my family’s. ”