The attitudes of Mr. Darcy and the other two men were a stark contrast to those of the Willstones, from their disapproving remarks to their avoidance of all association with “those people” who were brought—
It was Elizabeth’s recollection, however, of Rosalyn’s very first remarks to her that had caused her the greatest astonishment. Her praise of Mr. Darcy had included his generosity, and she had also confided that her own father had married beneath him. Certainly her response to the tenants’ plight and Mr. Darcy’s actions should have been tempered with a little more compassion.
While she now felt a very real sense of coldness from the Willstones and Rosalyn, and was expected to continue to abide by Mrs. Willstone’s admonition, she was encouraged by every glance and smile Mr. Darcy made in her direction. From across the table, he carried on conversations with his guests, but there were times when his eyes were solely directed at her.
At one point, they began discussing the possibility of an evening of musical entertainment by those who wished to perform. Elizabeth readily noticed the sparkle in Rosalyn’s eyes. This was the type of diversion she had longed for. Elizabeth knew she wished to perform with the hopes of impressing Mr. Darcy with her voice and playing. She did play and sing well, and Elizabeth knew she would likely be the star of the evening.
With his eyes directed at Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy asked, “Shall we anticipate the children’s involvement? I do not believe a child is ever too young to perform before a small party of acquaintances.”
Elizabeth looked first at Miss Bartley. She was eagerly nodding her head. “Gladys and Harriet have been practicing a duet on the pianoforte. I am sure they would be more than willing to exhibit.”
Darcy directed his next statement to Elizabeth. “Having heard Miss Emily sing to Miss Bennet’s playing, can we expect your participation as well?”
Elizabeth eagerly looked at Emily. “Shall we oblige Mr. Darcy?”
Emily looked from Elizabeth and then back to Mr. Darcy. “We have been practicing several pieces,” she said eagerly, nodding her head.
“Good!” he said, and then turned to Georgiana. “You shall pick the night, Georgie. Tomorrow night? The following night?”
Miss Darcy seemed to search her brother’s face for reassurance, perhaps even strength. He smiled at her, and she seemed to receive what it was she needed from him. Turning to the others at the table, she softly yet decidedly told everyone that there would be an evening of music in two nights.
Rosalyn’s eyes suddenly lit up. “Would it be possible to have it in the ballroom? I noticed a pianoforte in there when Mrs. Reynolds showed it to us.”
Miss Darcy looked at her brother again. He nodded.
“That is a very good idea, Miss Matthews.”
Rosalyn then added with animation, “We could have our own private little ball… with dancing!”
The announcement was received with much delight and was considered the perfect diversion after all that had happened.
As Elizabeth spent that evening in the playroom with Emily, the anticipation of an evening of music—a ball of sorts—with the others gave her much to think upon with delight. She looked forward to performing with Emily and decided she would practice with her as much as she could on the morrow and the following day.
She wondered whether Mr. Darcy played an instrument. Or would he sing? But more importantly, she wondered whether she would have the pleasure of dancing with him. Elizabeth shook her head and told herself she ought not to get her hopes up. The Willstones most likely would not permit it.
The following day, the pianofortes in the music room and the drawing room were occupied with those practicing for their performances. Elizabeth and Emily worked on a duet on the piano, and then a song where Elizabeth played and Emily sang. After their practice, Elizabeth felt quite confident that they would do reasonably well.
In addition to practicing their music, Elizabeth worked with Emily on her studies. Then as a treat for Emily, Elizabeth retrieved the illustrated bird book from her room. As they looked at the different pictures, Emily picked out the birds she knew by name and studied the ones she did not know.
Before going back to her room to rest, Elizabeth took Emily down to the dining room for a glass of water. She came upon Miss Darcy, who was sitting at the table having some tea. Elizabeth sat down with Emily while she drank her water and asked Miss Darcy if the tenants had all left.
“Yes,” she replied. “I received word that they all were able to safely return to their homes.”
“I am glad to hear that,” Elizabeth said.
A look of anxiety crossed Miss Darcy’s face. “Unfortunately there has been some damage to some homes, and my brother has gone out to assist them. He may not return until later this evening.”
“I am so sorry,” Elizabeth replied. “Was it some of Pemberley’s tenants?”
“No, but one of the homes is a family member of one of our servants, so he wished to help out.”
Elizabeth let out a slow breath. “Your brother is certainly generous of his time and prodigious in his care for others.”
Miss Darcy wrapped her hands around her cup of tea and looked down into it. “He is too good. He feels a great sense of responsibility toward all that is his. That includes his tenants and servants.”
Elizabeth smiled gently. “You are fortunate to have such a brother.”
Miss Darcy lifted her eyes. “Unfortunately, I fear I will always measure any gentleman I meet against him. I fear there are few men like my brother.”
Elizabeth now lowered her eyes. “No, I suppose not.”
Emily finished her water, and Elizabeth thanked Miss Darcy for their visit. As she and Emily walked upstairs, Elizabeth reflected on Miss Darcy’s words. At that moment she did not think she could have ever been more wrong about someone than she had about Mr. Darcy.
After leaving Emily in her room with instructions to rest if she could, but to play quietly if she could not, Elizabeth crossed the hall to her room. She encountered a maid coming out of her room.
Elizabeth greeted her, knowing that maids came in and out all day as they did their chores. This time, however, the maid stopped.
“I left a package for you in your room. Mr. Darcy said it was something you needed.”
“Thank you,” Elizabeth said, curious as to what it was she needed. She could not recall expressing any particular need to him.
When she walked in, she saw a wrapped parcel. She picked it up, and her fingers nervously untied the string and pulled off the paper.
When the paper was removed, she slowly lifted the lid of the box. She looked in, and what met her eyes brought a broad smile to her face. She lifted out a pair of mud boots.
Her heart beat excitedly as she anticipated what he meant by this gift—what he was suggesting. She readily recalled their conversation when she told him that she could not go out on her walks as she had no mud boots in which to walk. She brought them up to her heart, holding them tightly there.
Her eyes widened as she considered the possibility of walking out tomorrow morning to the top of the ridge behind the house. She walked to the window and looked out at the grounds. While still wet and muddy in some places, the sun would likely dry quite a bit of it up today, and tomorrow if there was no rain, she ought to be able to have a very pleasant morning walk. And watch the sunrise. In her mud boots. With Mr. Darcy at her side.
A nervous excitement propelled her to walk about her room. The anticipation of what the morning would bring—and the undeniable message the gift of these boots meant—were too much to allow her to rest. A smile and a true sense of contentment—she even allowed herself to admit it to be love—could not be denied. That he still loved her was something that, for the first time since arriving here, she could dwell upon with a fairly compelling hope.
Later that day, Elizabeth brought Emily downstairs, where they encountered Rosalyn and the Willstones. Despite Mr. Darcy’s absence, nothing could dispel her joy. There was still some time before dinner, and they retreated to the sitting room. Mrs. Willstone asked her daughter how her music practice went. Rosalyn appeared to be engrossed in a book, which Elizabeth surmised was only a pretence so she would not have to converse with her.
