“Yes, dearest,” he replied. “If we were at Pemberley, I can think of several places I would like to take you, which are very private and secluded. At Oakridge, well, I am unfamiliar with the estate and will have to seek out places of privacy. But, yes, dearest, outside.”
Her cheeks were flushed, along with her throat and chest, yet Fitzwilliam discerned a glint in her eyes that conveyed it was embarrassment rather than an objection to the proposition.
The couple ascended the hill, where they enjoyed the spectacle of the rising sun. Their guards maintained a distance and observed no signs of anyone nearby. While the Darcys made a concerted effort to conceal their affection for each other, the guards spent much of their time facing outward, away from where the couple stood. They quickly learned to avert their gaze when the couple embraced and smiled knowingly at their frequent displays of affection.
After leading him to the bench Longbourn’s steward had built for her use, Elizabeth told Fitzwilliam stories of her childhood as they watched the sunrise and ate. “Many times, I thought my mother would faint when I would return from one of my walks. As a girl, I frequently climbed trees and played with the boys from the neighbourhood and would come home with my dresses torn and covered in mud. Although my grandmother would assist me in cleaning my dresses and teaching me to mend the inevitable tears, Mama would sometimes see me and complain about my wild ways,” she laughed.
“I was decreed a hoyden at the age of seven—I had to ask my grandmother what that meant. My grandmother told me to delight in the title, though by the time I was thirteen, she had begun to teach me to act like a lady and how to tamp down on my natural impulses. I was an active child, and she taught me to use that energy constructively. She was the one who taught me so many things about what it means to be a gentlewoman and the mistress of an estate. She, along with my uncle, were the ones who taught me what it truly meant to love someone else.”
“I wish I could have met her,” Fitzwilliam replied quietly.
“I do, too,” she replied, her voice soft. “I miss her.”
“My father’s father died when I was a baby, and my grandmother lived on the estate until I was ten. My mother’s parents were alive when I was born, but both passed before my fifth birthday. I have vague memories of them and a few more concrete memories of my grandmother, but not like you have,” Fitzwilliam replied.
“Grandmother was more my mother than a grandparent,” Elizabeth said. “Without her, I would not have survivedchildhood long beyond birth. Mama wanted nothing to do with me except when it benefited her.”
Darcy pulled her into him. “I love you, Elizabeth, and I am grateful your grandmother saved your life and helped form you into the exceptional woman you have become.”
“Thank you, Will,” she replied. “We have been here long enough, do you agree? Let us return to Netherfield.”
CHAPTER 24
Discovering Wickham’s Plot
Charlotte visited Netherfield that afternoon. “Eliza, I am so happy to see you,” she said after greeting Lady Anne. “Not that I am not thrilled you came, Lady Anne, but I have missed my friend. While my mother is wonderful in most cases, at this moment, I am struggling to tolerate her excitement.”
Lady Anne laughed at this before excusing herself, leaving the girls to talk privately.
“Your mother can be excitable, but she is pleased to have a daughter married,” Elizabeth replied. “I am certain that were it Jane to wed, especially a gentleman of means, my mother would have a fit of nerves hourly.”
Charlotte rolled her eyes. “I encountered your mother yesterday in Meryton,” she told her friend. “I was shopping for some items needed for my trousseau, and she publicly accused me of stealing Jane’s beau. Of course, we know that is false, but your mother …” Charlotte trailed off. “Andrew told Jane some time ago he called on her once or twice and quit calling on her because she had nothing to recommend herself other than her looks.”
Elizabeth chuckled at that statement. “I cannot imagine Jane took that well.”
“She did not. That is when she swore she would marry better than you. She is not going to like learning you are in town withyour husband and may try to do or say something,” Charlotte warned.
“The Darcys have hired men to protect us while we are here,” Elizabeth replied. “While they are more worried about Mr. Wickham, they know about Jane’s threats. I doubt she will act aggressively, though she may be giving information to Mr. Wickham since they are friendly. Have you heard anything else from Kitty and Lydia?”
“They are not permitted to visit Lucas Lodge. However, they have worked out a system with Maria that enables her to know when they are coming so they can talk and plan,” Charlotte told her. “If you want to get word to them, let me know, and I will do what I can.”
“I would like to see them,” Elizabeth replied. “I do not care about seeing Mama or Jane, and I doubt Papa would care about seeing me. I am pleased that Mary is with the Gardiners, so now we only need to figure out how to get Kitty and Lydia away from Longbourn.”
“I think your visit to Longbourn and your marriage has opened their eyes to the reality of life there,” Charlotte replied. “They have matured a little since you left home. Seeing Jane for who she truly is challenged them to see things differently. If you were to approach your father about taking them to your estate … perhaps he would be willing to allow it.”
Elizabeth sighed deeply. “There is still so much I must learn about my new home. We have scarcely been there since our marriage. I worry I will be unable to give my sisters the attention they deserve and that Fitzwilliam and I will not be the parental figures they need. I suppose we could hire a governess, butwould that not be treating them like my parents always have? Still relying on someone else to take care of them?”
Charlotte nodded. “I see your point; however, it is unfair to you to expect you to take on the responsibility for your younger sisters when you are just starting in your marriage.”
“It should be my parents’ responsibility, but they have abdicated it to others. Kitty and Lydia could not visit so easily with your sister if someone were monitoring their behaviour. They should still be in the schoolroom—they are of a similar age as Georgiana, and she still has a governess.” Elizabeth paused as she considered things. “Georgiana will go to school soon; perhaps I could persuade Papa to send Kitty and Lydia with her? I need to speak to Fitzwilliam about this.”
Elizabeth shook away these thoughts. “This is not why you came, Charlotte. You are to be married shortly. Tell me what plans have been made and why your mother is driving you to distraction.”
The two discussed the wedding until they were interrupted by the gentlemen returning from their ride. Both Darcy men had accompanied Mr. Livesay around the area as they spoke of the situation regarding Wickham. George had not wanted to share this outside of the family, but Fitzwilliam insisted their host be aware of the threat while they were staying with him. Together with two men hired to protect the Darcy women, they scouted locations where someone might hide if they wanted to harm the family.
“Do you truly believe he might act to hurt your family?” Mr. Livesay asked.
George simply shrugged while Fitzwilliam glared. “He threatened to take revenge on our family, and the night of our wedding ball, he was leading Elizabeth toward the balcony and refused to release her arm when she asked. I prefer to be prepared,” Fitzwilliam replied.
