Page 20 of Unwillingly Mrs. Darcy

Elizabeth

31st August 1812

“E lizabeth!” Georgiana shouted as she and Mary giggled on the sidelines, “Hit it harder!” Elizabeth raced to keep up as her sister Kitty batted the shuttlecock with her racket, sending it soaring into the summer sky.

Elizabeth ran backwards. She barely managed to hit the birdie, catching it on the outer edge of her racket. It spiralled awkwardly across the net Kitty had begged the footman to set up earlier. The shuttlecock just managed to clear the top before dropping onto the ground on Kitty’s side.

“Victory!” Elizabeth declared, raising her arms in mock triumph.

“That was hardly fair,” Kitty huffed, running to retrieve the birdie. “You hit it with the edge. That doesn’t count.”

“Does it not?” Elizabeth asked, turning to Mary with an exaggerated look of enquiry. “What say you, umpire?”

Mary raised her fan to shade her eyes from the sun and pondered the question dramatically. After a moment, she agreed wholeheartedly with Elizabeth, earning a glare from Kitty.

Elizabeth chuckled, surprised at how carefree she felt. It had been a long time since she had felt so at ease. Being away from her parents, and Jane had been difficult, but the recent good news from Longbourn had lightened her spirits. The past weeks spent here at Pemberley had helped her feel more hopeful.

Just as Elizabeth bent to pick up the birdie and switch sides with Kitty, the door to the house opened. Mr Darcy stepped out into the sunshine.

“It’s Fitzwilliam!” Georgiana cried, waving enthusiastically in his direction. “Come play!”

Mr Darcy walked towards them, dressed in a pair of light trousers and a waistcoat with a matching coat. His attire was less formal than usual, likely owing to the summer heat, but it suited him well.

Mr Darcy had accompanied her on walks around the lake in the mornings before the heat became too oppressive. Though their conversations had remained polite and far from serious, those moments had given her an opportunity to know him better—to appreciate him in ways she never had before.

“Elizabeth,” Mr Darcy said as he neared. “I must confess I disagree with your sister. I think you clipped the birdie rather unfairly.”

“Do you?” Elizabeth replied, planting her hands on her hips. “I was unaware that was against the rules.”

“You must be playing by Bennet House rules,” Mr Darcy teased with a smile. “I assure you, I would not let you get away with it.”

“Is that a challenge, Mr Darcy?” Kitty asked as she joined them. “It certainly sounds like it.”

Mr Darcy chuckled. “I think not. I am not dressed for sports.”

“Come now, Fitzwilliam,” Georgiana said, bounding over to him. “You love shuttlecock! Why not play doubles? You and Mrs Darcy against Kitty and I. Mary can stay on as umpire.”

Mary fanned herself gracefully and gave a serene nod. “I am in full agreement. I would rather enjoy my spot here in the shade.”

Mr Darcy sighed good-naturedly, his gaze meeting Elizabeth’s.

The match began, with Kitty and Georgiana showing surprising enthusiasm and energy. Elizabeth stood beside Mr Darcy, her own racket in hand, the pair ready to counter their challengers.

“You had better keep up, Mr Darcy,” Elizabeth quipped, her eyes twinkling. “I will not tolerate failure.”

“Fear not, Mrs Darcy,” he replied with mock solemnity. “You could hardly find a better partner.”

The shuttlecock flew over the net with a sharp smack from Georgiana’s racket. Mr Darcy lunged to meet it, sending it back in a precise, powerful stroke. Kitty scrambled to hit it, but Elizabeth leaped in, intercepting the return with a high swing that sent the birdie straight back at Kitty’s feet.

“A valiant effort, but to no avail!” Elizabeth announced triumphantly. Mr Darcy raised a brow, clearly amused by her performance.

“I believe we agreed upon teamwork,” he murmured as the game continued. “Not solo heroics.”

“I’ll thank you to stay out of my way unless absolutely necessary,” Elizabeth teased in reply.

The rally continued, with Kitty’s overenthusiastic volleys sending the shuttlecock wild on more than one occasion, while Georgiana moved with quick determination to make up for it. Mr Darcy’s precision paired comically with Elizabeth’s exuberance as they collided in their attempts to hit the same shot more than once.

“Will you leave something for me to do?” Mr Darcy asked after one such near-miss, where he had pulled back just in time to avoid Elizabeth’s dramatic swing.

“Only if I must,” she replied, with a smile. “I should not want to make you feel superfluous.”

As the match continued, Elizabeth’s foot caught on an uneven patch of ground. She stumbled awkwardly, her arms flailing as she tried to regain her balance. The effort failed, and she fell backwards onto the grass with a thud. A sharp jolt of pain caused her to gasp.

“Elizabeth!” Mr Darcy exclaimed, dropping his racket as he rushed to her side. Kneeling beside her, his brow furrowed with concern, he asked, “Are you hurt?”

Elizabeth winced, propping herself up on her elbows. “I’ll be fine,” she said, though her voice wavered. “It just… startled me.”

Mr Darcy placed a steady hand on her shoulder, his touch firm yet gentle. “Where does it hurt?” he pressed.

“My back,” she admitted reluctantly. “It’s nothing serious, if anything, I think my pride was injured more.”

He frowned but helped her sit up slowly, his arm supporting her. “You ought to be more careful,” he said softly, though there was no reprimand in his tone—only worry.

“I would never have thought that you cared so deeply for my welfare, Mr Darcy,” she teased lightly, attempting to ease his concern.

His lips twitched into a faint smile. “Of course, I do,” he said quietly. “Now, sit for a moment before you attempt to get up. There is no need to rush.”

By now, the others had gathered nearby, their expressions a mix of curiosity and worry. Mary’s voice rose above the rest. “Elizabeth, are you truly unhurt?”

Elizabeth waved a hand dismissively, already feeling the sharp pain ebbing. “I am perfectly fine, I assure you.”

Mr Darcy gave her a sceptical look but said nothing as he continued to hover protectively by her side. After a few moments, he extended a hand. “Allow me to help you up.”

She took his hand, warmth blooming in her chest as he pulled her to her feet with surprising ease. “I suppose that concludes the game,” she said, brushing the grass from her skirt.

Mr Darcy’s eyes met hers, a mixture of relief and amusement. “Perhaps it is for the best. I should hate to see you injure yourself again trying to impress us all with your daring leaps.”

Elizabeth laughed, the sound carrying over the lawn. “And here I thought you appreciated my solo heroics.”

“Always,” Mr Darcy said with a small smile, offering his arm to lead her back to the others. “But even the most daring heroine requires a moment of rest.”

The group dissolved into chatter as the tension dissipated, and soon they were laughing again, enjoying the waning hours of the summer day. However, Mary suddenly grew quiet.

“Whose carriage is this?” she asked.

Elizabeth looked up and along with her sisters, fell into a collection expression of puzzlement. The carriage was familiar but she could not recall where last she’d seen it. However, when she glanced at Mr Darcy it was clear that he knew it perfectly well. And whoever was contained therein, had to someone he did not wish to see.