saw Darcy’s hands clench tightly together before she turned away in discomfiture, not wishing to look upon his face and see what was written on his expression.
Hamilton continued, completely oblivious to the reactions of the two with whom he conversed. He then turned to Miss Bennet. “You are not the type that breaks hearts are you, Miss Bennet? Have you ever broken the heart of a man and turned down his offer?”
Confusion swept over Elizabeth. She drew in a shaky breath and looked at Mr. Hamilton in despair. “I… I…” She could say no more and looked down as she felt her face hot with mortification.
“You have!” Hamilton teased. “Can we hear about the brute? Have you any regrets?”
Shaking her head, she mumbled, “It… I…”
“Hamilton!” Darcy said firmly. “It is not yours or anyone’s business!”
Elizabeth cautiously lifted her eyes up to Mr. Darcy and saw him glaring at his cousin, his face set with disgust. When he turned and looked at her, she gave a slight nod of her head in thanks.
Darcy stood up abruptly, making the claim that he was required to take care of some things before the treasure hunt began. As he stood before them, he admonished his cousin to join him with such a stern demeanour that it would brook no hesitation.
The two walked away, and Elizabeth’s heart beat wildly as she heard Mr. Darcy’s hushed, but intense voice directed at his cousin. She kept her eyes cast down as she was filled with regret that he had been subjected to a reminder of her refusal in such a callous manner. She closed her eyes and took in several deep breaths, willing her heart to be still.
Elizabeth kept her eyes on Mr. Darcy and his cousin as they walked some distance away, engaged in a highly spirited discussion. Her heart still pounded from the incident, both from her discomfiture over Mr. Hamilton’s remarks and the proximity of Mr. Darcy’s presence. As she attempted to collect herself, she peeked at Rosalyn, who was speaking with Mrs. Goldsmith. She took in a deep, grateful breath that her friend had not been near enough to hear that prior conversation; she did not need to have Rosalyn pressing her for information about whose offer she had refused.
Later, Elizabeth sat and watched as kites were brought out for the young girls. With the help of some of the men, they all greatly enjoyed this diversion. The wind was such that the kites easily soared high above the trees. Elizabeth treasured the glimpses she caught of Mr. Darcy as he took the time with Emily and her friends to show them how to keep the kite aloft. She had to admit to herself that she found his attentiveness to them rather appealing.
When the wind died down and the girls tired of this activity, Mr. Darcy summoned everyone together. He called up Mr. Goldsmith, Mr. Willstone, and Mr. Hamilton, and then asked his sister to explain the rules of the treasure hunt.
Looking nervous, but fulfilling her duties as hostess, she began. “We have divided you all into three teams, headed by these fine gentlemen. Mr. Goldsmith’s team consists of me, Mrs. Willstone, and Miss Harriet. Mr. Willstone will have Miss Matthews, Miss Bartley, and Miss Emily on his team. On Mr. Hamilton’s team are Mrs. Goldsmith, Miss Bennet, and Miss Gladys.”
She continued to explain that each team was required to decipher ten clues and that each clue would tell where to find the next one. Her brother would be available if assistance was needed, and the winner would be the first team back with the least amount of help from him.
Georgiana smiled softly and looked with admiration at Mr. Darcy. “I want to assure you that my brother came up with all the clues and I have not seen one, so our team does not have an advantage!”
Mr. Darcy then stepped forward. “Are there any questions?”
When no one answered, Darcy held up some pieces of paper. “These are your teams’ first clues. They are all different, so you will likely be heading off in different directions. The men have been given information regarding the boundaries of the search, how a clue might or might not be hidden, and what you can and cannot do in searching for it. The more spirited ones can rush ahead of the others to retrieve the clues, and if anyone gets fatigued, you may return here and wait for the others. Your team may come ask for your help in deciphering the clues while you rest. Your team will not be penalized unless I am consulted. Are you all ready?”
Mr. Darcy could not have had a more captive audience, as everyone was excited to begin. He passed out each clue, admonishing everyone not to look at it until the hunt began. He then stepped back. Standing erect with his hands clasped behind him, he announced with all the dignity of the Master of a great estate, “Ladies and gentlemen, the treasure hunt has begun!”
The teams tore open their clues, gathering together to read and decipher them.
Mr. Hamilton looked at his team’s clue and then looked up, his mouth askew. “It is a verse from Cowper’s “The Poplar Field.” Is anyone here familiar with it?”
“I am, to some extent,” exclaimed Elizabeth. “What does it say?”
Everyone listened expectantly while Hamilton read the clue.
As Hamilton finished reading, all heads turned toward Elizabeth, hope radiating from their eyes.
“Oh, my!” she said, as she began to recall how that verse went. “Let me see… ‘Twelve years have elapsed since I first took a view… of my favourite field… and the bank where they grew/And now in the grass behold they are laid/And the tree is my seat that once lent me a shade.’”
“A field?” asked Mrs. Goldsmith.
“No, the bank of the lake… or the stream,” interjected Hamilton.
Elizabeth shook her head firmly. “No, no! The very last line talks about the tree that is now my seat but once gave me shade.” She looked at Mr. Hamilton. “Do you know if there is a tree that has fallen, leaving only a stump?”
He thought for a moment, and then his eyes lit up in recollection.
“Yes! The old elm, down by the stables! Come, this way!”
He pointed the way, and Gladys skipped hurriedly ahead of the others, wishing to be the first one there to begin looking for the next clue. Mrs. Goldsmith walked briskly behind her.
Mr. Hamilton put his hand on Elizabeth’s arm to slow her. Her thoughts immediately went to this morning and how warm Mr. Darcy’s hand felt on her arm. Mr. Hamilton’s hand left no similar effect.
“Please, allow me to ask for your forgiveness, Miss Bennet. I was unforgivably disrespectful earlier, and I am deeply sorry for causing you unease. I exhibited immature insolence, and I can only hope you will forgive me.” He rubbed his hands together nervously and let out a slow breath.
“Thank you, Mr. Hamilton. I accept your apology and you are very much forgiven.”
“I am wholly relieved!” he said, a broad smile appearing. “Darcy gave me quite the tongue lashing that I thoroughly deserved. Initially, he was adamant that you not even be on my team, believing you to be so visibly distressed by my words, but I insisted. I needed to have an opportunity to express my deepest regrets.”
They walked a little farther and he continued, “One of my greatest faults, Miss Bennet, is teasing and not knowing when to stop. You must think me completely devoid of civility.”
“Mr. Hamilton, I have often found myself in trouble as well because of my own teasing. Let us forgive and forget.”
“Gladly!” he said, just as they reached Mrs. Goldsmith, who had slowed down.
“I lost sight of Gladys,” she said. “But I see the stables. She must be looking for the next clue.”
They turned to look up the path when they heard Gladys’s excited squeal. “I have it!” She came running toward them holding the clue up over her head as if she were flying one of the kites again.
