Caroline Bingley: A Continuation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (31 page)

Excerpt from
A Walk in the Meadows at Rosings Park

By Mary Lydon Simonsen

As Lizzy put on her bonnet, her thoughts returned to the previous evening. While playing the piano-forte, she had been unable to determine if Mr. Darcy had been annoyed with her for her little joke in concealing her sister's engagement. But considering his offensive behavior in Hertfordshire, she didn't think a little teasing was much of a punishment. Then again, he seemed to be ignorant of just how awful his behavior had been on the night of the assembly.

Mr. Darcy was waiting for her in the meadows, her favorite spot on the vast Rosings estate. It was here where light and shade met and where the deer came to graze in the early morning when the dew was still on the grass.

"Miss Elizabeth, thank you for agreeing to walk with me," Mr. Darcy said as he approached her.

"It is no hardship, sir. It is something I do every morning."

"Yes, I know. I have seen you on a number of occasions while I was out riding, and I know this to be your favorite place."

"And do you have a favorite place, sir?"

"Yes, but not here. It is at my estate in Derbyshire. At Pemberley, there are formal gardens, woods, and great expanses of lawn, but I prefer visiting those parts of the property that border the Peak where Nature still reigns, and there is not a gardener to be found."

"It sounds lovely. I have never been to the Peak."

"Then please allow me to extend an invitation for you to visit Pemberley when you are next on holiday. Even if I am not in residence, there are servants who will see to your every need."

"Thank you. I shall certainly consider your generous offer."

"And now for the reason I asked you to meet me here." He gestured with his hand, indicating that they should walk. "By way of explanation, the night of the assembly, I was in ill humor because..."

And Lizzy smiled as if to say that he was stating the obvious.

"Oh, never mind. The reason is of no importance. What matters is that I am guilty of being rude. Was it really that noticeable to everyone?"

"I shall let you decide." Lizzy answered his question by quoting him verbatim. "'Bingley, you had better return to your partner. I will not dance. At an assembly such as this, it would be insupportable.'"

"You have a good memory."

"It was a memorable statement."

"But did I insult you in particular?"

"Do you want to hear all that you said or just the part where you commented that you could not dance because Mr. Bingley's sisters were otherwise engaged, and there was not another woman in the room whom it would not be a punishment to stand up with?"

Darcy groaned. After so many months, Miss Elizabeth had not forgotten a single word that he had uttered. "But that was a general statement, not one directed at you," he said, trying to save face after having his own words thrown back at him.

"That is true, so I shall be more specific. The words you used when referring to me in particular were that I was tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt you. There is more," she said, looking at him for a sign that she should continue.

"No, please," he said, holding up his hand. "You have said quite enough."

"Because of your transgression, might I suggest that you start wearing a hair shirt under your own like Henry II did after he had Thomas A Becket killed? Or you could go on a pilgrimage to one of those shrines where the faithful walk barefoot to the top of a mountain. But one is not good for the skin, and the other is very hard on the feet. I think an apology would suffice."

"I can see you are having fun at my expense," he said, smiling.

He had a beautiful smile, Lizzy thought, and it changed everything about him. A kinder, gentler Mr. Darcy emerged.

"I must admit that I am teasing you, and you are uncomfortable because it is probably something you are unfamiliar with."

"You are wrong, Miss Bennet. Colonel Fitzwilliam gives no quarter in that regard, and his brother, Lord Fitzwilliam, is his equal. And despite appearances, my cousin Anne is not so frail that it prevents her from teasing me, on a regular basis once her mother has retired."

After that comment, he extended his arm, and Lizzy took it.
Why did he do that
? she wondered.
And why do I feel as if I am having one of Mama's episodes of the flutters?

"I have been in Ireland for the past two months arranging for the sale of some property," Darcy explained, "and as I mentioned, I have not had an opportunity to see Bingley. However, I am not at all surprised to learn that he is to marry your sister. The last time I saw him in town she was all he could talk about."

"He is a man in love. What would you have him talk about?"

"Of course, you are correct. But then he has experienced something unknown to me. I have never been in love." And Darcy looked into Elizabeth's eyes, and she did not look away."

"They are to marry in late June," Lizzy said before finally looking away.

"That is six weeks from now. That is a long time."

"It is little more than a month."

"But a month is a long time to be kept from being with someone you love," Darcy said emphatically.

"They are rarely apart," Lizzy answered, laughing, "as Mr. Bingley sees Jane every day, sometimes twice a day."

Darcy pictured a smiling Bingley jumping off his horse in front of the Bennet house before bounding up the steps to call on his bride-to-be, and the vision amused him. "Speaking of Bingley, I have been thinking about visiting him."

"Before the wedding?"

"Most definitely before the wedding. In fact, I believe I might be going to Netherfield Park as soon as... When are you to return home, Miss Elizabeth?"

"In two weeks."

"It is possible that I too shall be going to Netherfield Park in two weeks, but I will remain at Rosings until that time." Darcy moved closer to Elizabeth. The heat from the night before returned, and she felt a sensation that ran through every part of her being. After taking another step toward her, he was so close that their arms were touching. "I have yet to apologize for the unkind words I spoke when I was last in your company."

"That is not necessary," she said in a barely audible voice while staring at her shoes. "I believe you when you said you were in ill humor. That was the source of your..."

"You are making excuses for me, Miss Elizabeth."

"Yes, I am," and she felt his hand upon her arm. She wanted to step back. She knew she should retreat, but her feet were firmly planted in the ground as if she was one of Rosings Park's great oaks. "I don't understand what is happening."

Darcy put his arms around her waist and gently pulled her to him, and just before he kissed her, he whispered, "I think you do."

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A Walk in the Meadows at Rosings Park
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