Only Mr. Darcy Will Do

She rubbed her hands nervously together as she thought about his comment to her as they had played chess the other evening. He said he once made a move without considering all the possibilities.

She took in a deep breath. He had to have believed she loved him! He not only believed she would accept him, he believed she would have accepted him because she loved him in return!

* * *

Elizabeth heard later in the day that Mr. Darcy had finally returned to the house. The rain had swollen some creeks and the roads were quite muddied and difficult to manoeuvre, but other than that, there was nothing of immediate concern. She heard the news from Rosalyn, who came up and found Elizabeth still in the music room waiting for Emily to wake up from her nap. She had been downstairs when the men returned.

She sat down next to Elizabeth, quite perturbed. “I do not see why he has to go out in such dreadful conditions,” she lamented. “He has others who can do that. Why must he go?”

Elizabeth raised her eyes at Rosalyn’s passionate complaint. “Perhaps it is something he has always done, and his father before him.”

Rosalyn shook her head. “He is master here, Elizabeth, and can send servants to do that sort of thing. He has been gone all day!”

I know, Elizabeth thought to herself. “How was the outing yesterday?” she asked, eager to change the subject, although bracing herself for what she might hear.

A smile suddenly appeared. “It was wonderful. It is truly unfortunate you were not able to go. The peaks were magnificent, and we had the most delightful tour. Our picnic was in a beautifully situated spot overlooking the valley. As we walked around after our meal, Mr. Darcy took my arm as we had to climb a little incline.” She paused to let out a breathy sigh. “I truly felt as though I were in heaven. We had such a pleasant conversation.”

Elizabeth tilted her head. “What did you talk about?”

Rosalyn shrugged her shoulders and shook her head. “Oh, all kinds of things.”

Elizabeth turned to her, waiting for Rosalyn to elaborate. When she did not, she said quietly, “Sounds interesting.”

Rosalyn relayed to her that she had at first been disappointed that Mr. Darcy had not ridden in the carriage with her. Apparently he had something to tend to and rode his horse out to meet them. But it gave Rosalyn much pleasure as she informed Elizabeth just how fine he looked on a horse and what an excellent rider he was.

Elizabeth thought back to the one time she remembered seeing Mr. Darcy on his horse—at least up close. He and Mr. Bingley had ridden into Meryton and encountered her and her sisters just after they had met Mr. Wickham. The only thing she remembered from that incident was noticing the scowl on Mr. Darcy’s face as he rudely and unexpectedly rode off, leaving Mr. Bingley behind. She had no recollection of thinking to herself how fine he looked. She had been too prejudiced against him to notice anything good about him!

It caused a sharp pain deep within as she realized what her misjudgement—of his character and behaviour —had cost her.

As her thoughts took her one direction and Rosalyn’s discourse continued unabated, the master himself stepped in, very nicely cleaned up after being out all day in the mud and rain.

They exchanged greetings, and then Darcy addressed Elizabeth. “Did you go out walking today, Miss Bennet?”

She had to laugh as he had the most earnest look on his face save for a slight twinkle in his eyes. “No, sir. Unfortunately I neglected to pack a pair of mud boots, so I was quite confined to the house.”

He chuckled. “It is unfortunately quite muddy out there. Did you enjoy your visit yesterday? How did you find the Ketterlings?”

“They are quite amiable and I enjoyed myself immensely.” She told him of her tour of Lambton, seeing her aunt’s home, and meeting some of her friends. She conveniently left out all the stories she had heard about the Darcy family.

“I am glad you found them to your liking. Will you join us this evening and allow me another opportunity to redeem myself at chess?”

Elizabeth laughed. “If you wish.”

He departed with a soft, “Good. I shall see you both later.” Rosalyn looked at Elizabeth oddly, but said nothing. Elizabeth excused herself, telling Rosalyn she needed to go see if Emily had awakened from her nap.

Rosalyn only replied that she needed to speak with her sister.

Chapter 17

Elizabeth left Rosalyn and walked to Emily’s room, her feelings whirling within her. She shook her head as she considered how much she now treasured and appreciated any notice Mr. Darcy paid to her. How unlike their acquaintance in Hertfordshire when she surmised that the notice he gave her was solely to find fault with her.

When Elizabeth came to Emily’s room, she found her awake and quietly drawing with crayons. Elizabeth allowed her to entertain herself in this manner until it was time to prepare Emily for dinner.

When they walked down for dinner, Emily squealed with delight when she noticed her parents waiting at the bottom of the staircase. With a hearty greeting, Mr. Willstone picked up his daughter and swung her around. He then carried her toward the dining room. Elizabeth started to follow, but Mrs. Willstone put up a hand to halt her.

“If you please, Miss Bennet, I wish to have a word with you.”

“Certainly,” Elizabeth replied, noting the look of displeasure on Mrs. Willstone’s face. “Is anything wrong?”

“Well, yes and no.” She reached for Elizabeth’s hand and took her aside. In a whisper, she said, “Miss Bennet, I regret having to bring up this matter, but I fear I must. There have been far too many occasions recently when you have shown a little too much familiarity with Mr. Darcy and his sister. I suggest you remember your position.”

Elizabeth’s eyebrows arched high at Mrs. Willstone’s words. Never before had she ever referred to her as being in a lower station.

“If you recall, Mrs. Willstone, I was acquainted with Mr. Darcy before I ever took the position of governess. At the time of our acquaintance, I do believe he considered me his equal.”

“Tsk, tsk.” She patted Elizabeth’s hand. “Perhaps it appeared that way. You must remember who he is, my dear. Certainly you understand that he cannot afford to have associations that might tarnish the Darcy name!” She gave her a condescending smile. “I am sure you will understand when I beseech you to refrain from speaking to him… or his sister… in such a familiar manner.” Her lips pursed tightly. “And we must insist that you do not come to the drawing room in the evenings ever again.”

Elizabeth bit her lower lip as she fought an increasing sense of insult and personal disappointment. “Earlier, Mr. Darcy himself invited me to join the others in the drawing room this evening for another game of chess.”

Mrs. Willstone shook her head abruptly. “He is only being polite to you and does not truly expect you to do such a thing. No doubt you have noticed that Miss Bartley does not come to the drawing room. She knows her place. And consider Miss Darcy. The poor girl is so very young and unsure of herself, attempting to learn her duties as Mistress. Do not tempt her with associations that are unsuitable.”

Elizabeth felt her chest tighten so much that she could barely breathe. Certainly Rosalyn was instrumental in prompting this discourse. Elizabeth had readily noticed that Rosalyn had seemed perturbed during the conversation earlier between herself and Mr. Darcy. Moreover, when Rosalyn came upon Miss Darcy with Elizabeth in the music room, there were traces of jealousy in her demeanour.

A myriad of thoughts assaulted Elizabeth, especially when Mrs. Willstone gently patted her hand and continued, “We would not want Mr. Darcy to think ill of Rosalyn because of unbefitting behaviour tolerated by her family.”

“You think my behaviour unbefitting?” Elizabeth asked incredulously.

Mrs. Willstone’s eyes cast briefly toward the ground in an unwitting gesture of discomfiture. “Unbefitting a