He accepted her understanding that although Miss Bingley considered Darcy to be a poor recommendation for the locality, she did not. He bowed slightly, acknowledging his appreciation for her support.
Excitedly, Miss Mary said, “Then there will be no ball, as the local mothers expected since the estate is without a hostess.”
“I suspect you are correct. Bingley will have limited ability to offer hospitality.
The eyes of all three ladies lit up like fireworks.
“Does the loss of this prospect displease you?” he wondered aloud.
Miss Elizabeth chuckled delightfully. “Not at all. You see...” She glanced around to make certain no one could overhear. “My sisters and I have recently come into possession of funds that we would like to send to our uncle Gardiner, the proprietor of Gardiner Imports on Gracechurch Street in Cheapside. We trust that he will keep them safe for us.”
He was pleased she accepted his suggestion. “Well done, Miss Elizabeth.”
The surprised look on Miss Bennet’s and Miss Mary’s faces caught him off guard momentarily. “You did not inform your sisters that we spoke, I take it?”
“I did not.”
“Ah, I see.”
“Do you, sir?”
The light reflected in her eyes was stunning. He simply could not look away.
Her smile grew. “I shall make it clear to you, then. With rumors of an impending ball traversing the neighborhood, Mama has already requested Papa to set aside extra funds for new gowns. He unwillingly agreed. Now that we know there will be no ball, we will suggest adding these coins to our bank after explaining to him that we will forgo new gowns until our current garments are worn out. This is good news.”
What spectacular sacrifices they were willing to make. He would follow their example. Pulling his sister’s letter from his coat, he said, “I intended to hire an express rider to send this missive to my sister. Instead, I will presume upon Bingley to deliver it to her while he is in London. Might I ask if he would take your purse to your uncle?”
The sisters glanced between themselves, and Miss Elizabeth assented.
“Then, if you have no other purpose in Meryton, might I escort you back to Longbourn?”
Again, they agreed unanimously.
Thanking Petey, he and his mount walked with Miss Elizabeth as her two sisters strolled in front of them. Slowing to allow them a longer lead, he commended her for quickly putting his idea into practice.
“Sir.” She glanced up at him, her feet sure on a path she had traversed hundreds of times. “Apparently, I am not the only one. You mentioned the letter was to your sister. Are you happy sending it?”
“Happy? I cannot say that I am. Rather, I am satisfied.” Despite their privacy, he hesitated. Her opinionmattered. “If you would, if I do not ask too much, I penned a copy of the contents. Would you be willing to read it?”
“Me?” She gazed at him intently. “Of course.”
Trust did not come easily to him. He had been burned often when he first inherited. There was something about her that inspired confidence. He assumed the recent theft destroyed his certitude in others completely. He was pleased to be proven wrong.
When he handed her the letter, the tip of his gloved fingers brushed against hers. She was slow to pull her hand away.
A rose hue bloomed on her cheeks. Grateful that he was not the only one affected, Darcy faced forward as they continued toward Mr. Bennet’s estate.
Waiting until they turned off the main road to Longbourn, she unfolded the letter and commenced reading. He knew every word by heart.
My dear sister,
I hope this letter finds you well and truly happy. My hope, since the day I learned of your marriage, is that your husband cherishes you, for no one of my acquaintance is more deserving than you.
Pray allow me to tell you how I am living my life without the weighty responsibilities of Pemberley. For the first time, I now know who my genuine friends are. I have discovered the motives of our relatives (I refer specifically to Lady Catherine), and I will be confident that any woman I marry will not solely want me for what I possess.
Dear Georgie, with extra time on my hands, opportunities have arisen that are both unexpected and pleasing. I can choose to learn new skills I have always had an interest in. Forexample, I read an intriguing paper about mechanical engineering as applied to the use of steam engines. I can now pursue this information for possible investment. Also, I have the freedom to travel to places I have always dreamed of seeing. However, at this time, I cannot imagine myself outside of England, for it is the land I love. Experiencing the daily activities of the lower gentry has been informative, and you know how much I enjoy learning new things. This simpler life with fewer responsibilities is healthy for me. Meals are less rich. I have few responsibilities pressing on me. I find that I do not miss the excessive trappings of society. When my tasks are done for the day, I can sleep peacefully, knowing I have nothing more to do until the morrow. Can you imagine the value of undisturbed sleep? No one wakes me in the middle of the night in a panic for me to tend to a fire in one of the tenants' cottages, mend a fence that is down, chase animals that have escaped their pens, or repair a leaky roof. I have no animals other than my horse to worry about, so the delivery of triplets to one of the ewes no longer concerns me.
There is a family I am becoming acquainted with who are Bingley’s neighbors. The gentleman has five grown daughters. I am confident that should you be here, you will find friends amongst them. They each have different interests and personality traits. But all are honest and kind.
