Memory: Volume 3, How Far We Have Come, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (Memory: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice) (68 page)

“mama.”  Rosalie whispered and rubbed her face energetically on Elizabeth’s shoulder.

“Try her in the morning.”  Darcy smiled and caressed her back.  “But be sure to keep your library door closed.”

Bingley grinned.  “No worry there, it is practically empty!  Ah Darcy, you are doomed!”

ELIZABETH HEARD THE TOLL of the church bell and rolled over.  “Five more minutes.”  The distant sound of a rooster crowing and chickens protesting the pilfering of their eggs roused her a little more, but it was the scent of fresh air coming through the open window, the familiar smell of Hertfordshire earth filling her senses that finally brought her to consciousness.  “Oh, I can tell already it will be a beautiful day.”  She thought sleepily.  The warm body pressed to her side felt good against the slight chill of the autumn morning.  “When did you come to bed with me, Jane?”  She whispered and yawned.  A snore cut through the pleasant atmosphere and her eyes flew open.  “Jane?”

A decidedly masculine hand stole around her waist, and a face covered with morning stubble nuzzled against her neck as the deeply sleeping man murmured incoherent nothings and fell back into his dream.  “Oh good heavens!”  Elizabeth’s hand went over her mouth and she stifled a laugh.  “I thought I was at Longbourn!”  Darcy cuddled closer and she smiled.  “Well I certainly never felt anything remotely like that pressed to my back at Longbourn.  I would not have known what to do with it if I had!” 

She looked around the beautifully decorated chambers they had been given and considered their situation.  There were no commitments, no social requirements other than attending church on Sunday.  They would undoubtedly have to attend a dinner at Longbourn and Lucas Lodge at some point, but not today.  Elizabeth again felt the insistent presence of her husband pressing against her.  It was tempting to roll over in his arms to wake him in a way that would keep him smiling all day, but . . .there was a game to be played!   Carefully she escaped his clasp and slid from the bed.  Darcy immediately rolled onto the warm spot where she had been and embraced her pillow.  She leaned down and ruffled his hair while kissing his ear, lifted his nightshirt to kiss and caress his bottom, then covering him up again, stole into the dressing room.  A quarter-hour later she peeked around the corner.  “Let the courting begin!”  She whispered and with a wide smile, left the room.

Birdsong and a bright shaft of sunlight finally dragged Darcy from his comfortable dreams.  He woke and blinked a few times, then rubbing his eyes, rolled over.  “Dearest?”  He said softly and focussed on the bed.  “Where are you?”  His brow knit, but considering Elizabeth’s condition, it was not odd for her to disappear upon first waking.  He sat up and listened.  Finally hearing some sounds coming from the dressing room, he swung his legs and stood, stretched, and scratching his beard, he sleepily went looking for her.  “Lizzy love . . .” 

“Oh, Mr. Darcy!”  Millie jumped.  “You startled me!”  She quickly averted her eyes from Darcy’s nightshirt and looked at a spot over his shoulder.  “Mrs. Darcy has gone out, sir.”

“Out?”  He stared at her.  “Where?”

“I do not know sir; she said to give you her journal?”  Millie picked up the book and handed it to him.  Turning away, Darcy opened it to the location of his lover’s knot and read the page.

5 October, 1811

The most wonderful thing happened today!  I woke, and it was such a lovely morning that I rushed to dress so that I could enjoy it in peace.  I stole a fresh bun from the kitchen and set off to my favourite path, and began the long walk up to Oakham Mount.  There I sat, contemplating the busy world below, when I suddenly realized that I was no longer alone.  A man, the most gloriously handsome man appeared as if by magic, and

A slow smile began to spread over Darcy’s face.  “Today we meet for the first time at Oakham Mount.”  He laughed.  “Very well, love.  Let the courtship begin.”  He carefully replaced the ribbon and set the journal down next to the bed.  Twenty minutes later he emerged from his dressing room, refreshed, shaved, dressed, and more than ready to go in search of Miss Elizabeth Bennet.  With a decided spring in his step, he hurried down the stairs and headed for the front door. 

“Darcy!”  Bingley called from the dining room.  “In here!”

“Oh.”  Darcy glanced at the hallway then to his friend.  “Good morning.”

“Good morning.”  He studied the frown that had appeared.  “You are dressed for riding, I see.”

“Yes, I was going to look for a local landmark.”  He picked up a cup and poured some coffee, added some sugar, and gulped it down. 

“I realize that you are more accustomed to being the host, but you are welcome to sit down.”  Bingley offered.  “Eat and we can look together.”

Darcy picked up a bun and contemplated Elizabeth biting into it.  “I am afraid that I will be a very bad guest for you today, Bingley.”

“Why is that?”  He sat back and folded his arms.  “You do not want to play with me?”

“No.”  Darcy smiled at last.  “I have an appointment.”

“Ah, the in-laws.”  He sighed.  “I expected as much.”

“No . . .”  He blushed.  “With my wife.”

“Oh.”

“It is a silly . . .”  His blush deepened.  “You might notice that we will behave oddly over our stay.”

“Oddly?”

“Yes.” 

“Care to elaborate?”

“No.”

“Tell me something, Darcy.  Does this possibly have anything to do with this note?”  Bingley grinned and held up a folded piece of paper.  Darcy grabbed at it and Bingley hid it.  “What are you two doing?”

“Give me the note, Bingley!” 

Chuckling, he glanced at it then looked over to the fire, “Hmmmm.”

“Do not dare . . .”

“Or what?”

“Or I will sic Mrs. Bennet on you.”

“Give!”  Bingley immediately handed over the note and Darcy read.  “What is it?”

“Directions to a local point of interest.”  Darcy stuck the page in his coat and took a bite of his bun, then glancing at the clock, sat down to heap some eggs and ham on his plate.  “I have some time.  She cannot have walked there yet.”  He murmured, then looked up.  “I need a picnic.”

“A picnic?”  Bingley laughed and seeing Darcy’s lips clamp shut, signalled a waiting footman in the corner.  “Go ahead, order my staff about.”

“I need . . . wine, cheese, bread . . .”  Darcy thought.  “Something sweet.”  Bingley’s brows rose.  “All packed into saddlebags and taken to the stables.  Oh, and a blanket.”  He nodded and bit his lip.  “Two bottles of wine.  Thank you.”  The servant dashed off.

“My my.” 

“Quiet Bingley.”

“No, I am simply admiring the master at work.”  He crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair.  “I cannot begin to imagine what you two are doing.”

“It is a long tale.  However in the meantime . . . have you seen Miss Martin yet?”

“No.”  Bingley’s arms came down.  “I missed her at her uncle’s house, I saw him, of course, but she was out with her aunt.  Louisa invited her to visit Monday.  I did confirm which church they attend, I thought that we could visit there tomorrow?  It is not the church that the Bennets visit, I am afraid.”

“Of course, that is no concern at all.”  Darcy smiled warmly and finished his breakfast.  “You may stare longingly at Miss Martin from across the aisle.”

“I have never done that before.”  He said softly.  “With any woman.”

“Well then.”  Darcy finished his coffee and set down his napkin.   “Hopefully, she will stare back.”  He gripped Bingley’s shoulder.  “Now, if you will excuse me, I have a young woman to meet.” 

JANE CLIMBED DOWN from the wagon and walking to the back, started to untie a bundle of flagstone.  “What are you doing?”  Lucas immediately asked.

“Helping.”

“Jane Lucas, if you dare pick up one stone I will spank you.” 

“You will what?”  She turned and rested her hands on her hips and stared at him. “Nobody has ever spanked me!” 

“Well maybe they should have.”  Lucas growled.  “You will not pick up anything heavy; you will not risk our baby.”

“How you could possibly think that I would risk our baby for a stone floor, I do not know!”  She stubbornly turned around and went back to her work.  “I just want to have a floor down so that someday I can walk in that cottage without fear of a tree sprouting between my toes!”  The rope fell away and she started to lift the first stone.  “Oh!”  She gasped, and dropped it on her finger.

“Heavy?” 

“Hush.”  She squeezed her eyes shut then watched as he took her hand and kissed the reddened fingertip.

“No harm done.”  Lucas looked up to her and kissed her lips.  “Do you see why I do not want you to lift these?  They are not feathers.  I am sorry that this is taking so long.  The tenants will not really be free to help for another month or so.  I will put word out around Meryton; perhaps there is a skilled labourer in the area.”

“I am not pushing; I just wish that I could help.” 

“I know.  My parents are unhappy enough that I am getting my hands dirty; I will not let you do any more.  The weeds you and Lydia removed can at least be called gardening.”  Jane laughed.  “Well an indoor version.”  Robert hugged her and looked at the cottage.  “It is coming along.  Perhaps we can invite the Darcys over for a picnic while they are here.”

“Here?”  Jane looked at him doubtfully.

“Well, it may not be the fanciest of locations.”  He chuckled.  “All right, the stables at Pemberley are finer than this.”

“The stables at Pemberley could house royalty.”  Jane laughed.  “Well, knowing my sister she would be delighted to have a picnic here, and you know that her husband will gladly follow her.”

“Undoubtedly.”  Lucas kissed her and looked over the house.  “We will see.  In the meantime, you go sit and I will carry in the stone.”  He helped her back up onto the wagon and looked at her belly.  “I cannot believe your mother calling Elizabeth heavy.”

“She is.”  Jane smiled, and looked down at her waist and back to her husband.  Lucas’ eyes widened.  “They obviously are not tempting fate by speaking of it to anyone.”

“Then I will not jinx them by saying another word.”  He smiled at her then leaned back against the wagon.  “Your father said that she thought she was being helpful.  I have difficulty with that.  Does she comprehend her remarks or does she mean to be so hurtful towards Elizabeth?”

“I cannot fathom to understand my mother, I will not try.  My experience with her and Elizabeth’s are entirely different, but Fitzwilliam’s reaction certainly spurred Papa to act.  I just hope that his ideas work.”  Jane sighed and Lucas kissed her cheek and walked to the back of the wagon to pick up a stone.  “Sing to me.”

“My voice is awful.”

“No it is not.  Practice some lullabies.”  He smiled and she blushed.  “We will need them soon enough.”    

DARCY TIED OFF HIS HORSE and contemplated the steep incline of Oakham Mount.  “If I had known it was this bad I would not have chosen this path for you, love.  This is too much, the walk was too much.  You will be riding home, that is certain.”  Unbuckling the saddle bags, he slung them over his shoulder and began the hike to the top along the narrow winding path through the colourful trees, their bright orange leaves gently moving in the constant breeze.  He could occasionally catch the view into the valley below through breaks in the foliage, startling a stray rabbit or bird as he made his solitary way.  There was no other soul around.  At last he reached the summit, the incline levelling and the trees giving way to a grassy knoll.  Seated alone was a young woman.  Darcy stopped at the edge of the clearing and felt his face flushing in embarrassment.  The girl was most assuredly not Elizabeth, she looked much too young, and the way she sat made her appear so small.  She was dressed in a very simple muslin gown, and her face was completely hidden with a wide brimmed bonnet.  The only resemblance was the hair that trailed below, ebony black in long curls, a style Elizabeth had not worn since, well since she had first met him.  No, this was not his wife.  Where was she?  Worriedly looking around for her, his boot snapped a twig.  The girl turned her head, and Darcy tilted his, he had caught a glimpse of her face. 

Speaking slowly, he asked, “Forgive me, I was not expecting anyone to be here, I do not wish to disturb you.  I am looking for my . . . have you seen any other people here this morning?”

The girl shook her head. 

“Are you sure?”  He turned his head, but kept his eyes on the girl.  “She said that she would be here.  I hope that . . . Oh Lizzy, where are you?”  Seeing her shoulder’s shake as if holding back a laugh, he began striding about, at last coming to stand and stare down at the valley.  A gust of wind swirled around the knoll and as it picked up, the trees creaked and groaned, and inevitably, his tall hat went sailing.  He gave it no notice and instead bent to pick up the saddlebags.  Turning to speak to his companion, he saw that she now held his hat in her lap.  He bit back the smile that begged to appear and schooled his features, but failed completely when he took in all of her.  Marvelling over how creative she was, he drew a long breath and stood before her.  “Thank you; miss, for rescuing my hat.”

“It was a pleasure, sir, to save if from its certain fate of spending eternity rolling amongst the fields of Hertfordshire.”  She looked up to see his warm and twinkling eyes.  “Although perhaps some fortunate forest creature might make a home within.”

“Which do you suggest?”

“A rabbit, I think.”  She examined the interior, she looked up.  “F. Darcy.  Is that you?”

“The hat was on my head.”

“You might have picked it up when it blew from another’s head.”  She pursed her lips and arched a brow.  “What does the F stand for?  Freddy?”

“Absolutely not.”  He crossed his arms.  “Try again.  You will never guess it, not in an age.”

“Oh my, then I should not think to place a wager on that!”  She laughed.  “Hmm.  Well then let us see what else our hat tells us.”  She felt around the interior and smiled.  “What is this?” 

“Oh, no . . .” 

She pulled a small piece of paper from a hidden sleeve and opened it up.  “oh.”