Page 23 of Secrets Across the Sea
Staffordshire, England – 1812 – Day 12
“You should see Wrotham Park!” Bingley awed; Darcy and Fitz smirking as they observed their friend traverse the room in animation. “I admit the house is not as fine as Pemberley–though it is large and grand enough for my needs–but it boasts two-thirds the acreage, which is no small thing. There are woodlands and farmlands, and a well-stocked pond and broad stream–fishing and hunting will abound, make no mistake. And the ballroom, well, it is just as it ought to be, with mirrors left by the former owner and enough room for two dozen couples to dance with ease, even with others milling about! Yes. It is fine. And you must see it, Darcy. You absolutely must! I need your mastery on matters regarding the estate. Do I keep the tenants which were there? Do I plan crops as early as this, like one of the tenants suggested? Do I…”
“Bingley!” Fitz interrupted. “Breathe.”
“Yes, please do,” Darcy said as Bingley sought to obey Fitz’s orders. “I promise to help in any way I can as soon as our time here is over.”
Shaking his head, Bingley rushed to his side. “No. No. It must be now. Or sooner… than our leaving, of course. I have a plan and I know you will agree once you see Wrotham. It is in all ways one of my best ideas, and I need you–you both–to see Wrotham and then stand by me. The pair of you will hold a great deal of weight you see.”
“Weight regarding what? Bingley, you make no sense,” Fitz huffed.
“A ball. A grand ball! What a glorious thing to hold a ball in my very own residence. The purchase is final you see, the papers signed, legalities taken care of. Not a vast amount of furniture or paintings were a part of the purchase–though I held out on the mirrors, far too fiddly to have dozens of those brought in. In any case, it is well-furnished enough to see everyone comfortable; the staff stayed on, and though I cannot yet speak to their expertise or efficiency personally, Sir Rayburn, who owned the place, claimed they had never faltered in their duties. He, as you may have heard, held many grand balls. It will be a fine thing. Jollier than the simple country Christmas the guests would have here; we could have it set up for Christmas itself if all goes well!”
Shaking his head, Darcy frowned. “That would be rather rude to our host, would it not, to steal her guests away before her house party is even over.”
“I agree,” Fitz chimed in as he took a step toward Bingley. “It is not that it is a horrid idea all around; just that, it ought to wait until after Lady Charmane’s guests are ready to depart. Perhaps if you were to host it directly following this, then the guests could make the short journey from here to there and stay for your ball… even a night or two beyond since a long day of travel after a ball would be rather wearisome.”
Sighing, Bingley said, “I do not know what I was thinking, to be as rude and unfeeling as all that. You are both right. After the house party is over would be far kinder, and better for all. Still, I want you both to join me there, say tomorrow, so we might see what needs to be done–not only for the ball, but for the estate. I fear I know little about running an estate.”
“I expect you shall be a fast learner,” Darcy smiled. “For all your wild enthusiasm, you have a fine head on your shoulders. Time is your best teacher, though for you Bingley, I promise to do all I can to assist. Tomorrow, and as you have need.”
“Thank you, Darcy!” he exclaimed, his chest puffed up as he turned toward Fitz. “And you, shall you come?”
Eyes lifted toward the ceiling, Fitz chuckled, “For you. Only for you, for you know I would much rather stay here with Miss Mary.”
Laying a hand on Fitz’s shoulder he grinned, “I know how much of a favour this is.” Glancing toward Darcy he added, “For both of you! I shan’t forget it.”
“Nor will we let you,” Darcy smirked.
∞∞∞
Letter in hand for Elizabeth’s Uncle, Darcy strode down the dark, gloomy hall from his room. The library? The drawing room? Outside? Hopefully he found his Elizebeth without delay.
At supper the night before they had talked in a sort of code, meandering around words until their meanings were laid plain. From all they had said, she would have her letter ready to post.
If only Bingley’s excitement had not kept him from the dining room that morning, they might have given them to the butler before the post went out. Perhaps they would manage it yet?
Making his way to the library, Darcy smiled as he saw Elizabeth near the entrance to the secret passage; the room empty save her and Miss Wordsworth, who sat near the fire engrossed in a book.
“Miss Elizabeth,” he remarked casually, Miss Wordsworth lifting her head long enough to regard him before returning to the tome. “I just finished a letter, do you have any you should like me to give to Mr. Lombart?”
Pressing a smile down, she nodded. “I do, in fact, I had planned to go in search of him; you have saved me a trip.” Handing him the letter, she dipped her head, “I trust you have had a pleasant morning?”
“Indeed,” he answered awkwardly, his attempt at casual conversation enough to cause him to cringe. “Though I have been pressed into service by my friend–Bingley is in need of my help and my cousin’s.” Meeting her eyes, he hoped she might see what his voice could not tell. “I am loath to leave, but tomorrow morning I must go with them. I am certain it shall take no more than two days, though I should much rather remain here.”
“They are excellent company,” Elizabeth said, a half-hearted smile forming. “We shall all miss the three of you whilst you are away. If the weather holds, perhaps our post will reach their destination by the time you get back? A few days after, you may well have your reply and I mine. That is something to look forward to.”
“That it is,” he replied, his lips pulling in a soft smile as he observed the turn of her face, the fall of the fabric of her white gown, even the movement of her hands as she played with her dress.
Two days would seem a lifetime.
Forcing himself to bid her leave, he pinned his arms to his sides and turned away. Every inclination being to take her in them. To hold her, for as long as he might.
Gripping the letters, he began his search for Mr. Lombart to see them posted. Once they were sent and the response received, they would not have to hide their regard in this manner. Her Uncle would say yes, he had to, and then they could make their plans known to the world! Days. A week. He could wait that long. Surely?