Page 60 of To Win Her Affections

“Then give Mrs. Bennet something else to consider,” said Mr. Darcy.

Elizabeth gave the gentleman a saucy look. “Can you withstand my mother, Mr. Darcy? Do you possess the fortitude?”

The gentleman did not hesitate. “It seems that I must build up my tolerance, Miss Bennet. By the time we return to Hertfordshire, I suspect she will be tolerably composed.”

“Then that is what we shall do,” said Elizabeth.

“When we arrive, I shall go to my sister’s room and persuade her to descend,” said Mrs. Gardiner. “You can then explain your engagement to her with the appropriate cautions. I suggest you depart soon after.”

“That would be for the best,” agreed Mr. Gardiner. “The day is waning, and more importantly, we will wish to be well away by the time she recovers her equilibrium.”

With that decided, they returned to their usual mode of traveling, brief conversations interspersed between periods of silence. Elizabeth did not know what awaited them at Longbourn—or perhaps she knew precisely what awaited them. Regardless, they would be there before long. She could not wait to see Jane’s surprise. Elizabeth intended to tease her sister about Mr. Bingley’s return.

Chapter XV

Longbourn appeared peaceful. Appearances, however, can be deceiving.

Throughout the drive from Meryton north past Lucas Lodge and on to Longbourn, Elizabeth watched Mr. Darcy, examining his expression as the carriage proceeded toward the estate, wondering what he made of it. For a reason she could not even define herself, it was important to Elizabeth that Mr. Darcy saw the worth of her family’s home and estate, even if it was much less than his own. Elizabeth could not read his expression, for though she watched him, Mr. Darcy offered no comment.

The most she could say was that he did not look on what he saw with a critical eye. When Elizabeth followed his gaze, she saw fields of grain that would ripen within the next six weeks, bounty the tenants would then sell to ensure they could pay their rents on the quarter day. The scene was orderly, the fields well maintained, and for that, she could take pride. Mr. Bennet was not the most diligent master, but he was not inclined to allow chaos.

“This is the first time I will visit Longbourn,” murmured Mr. Darcy as the carriage approached Longbourn village on the edge of sight.

“You did not visit when you were in town?” asked Mr. Gardiner.

Mr. Darcy turned and offered a helpless shrug. “As Miss Bennet can no doubt inform you, I was not in the best humor when I was here. I left the visiting to Bingley’s sisters, and to be frank, Bingley and Hurst rarely accompanied them.”

“Except when Mr. Bingley announced the ball,” said Elizabeth. “He came to Longbourn to deliver the invitation himself.”

“And you have no notion of the displeasure that created,” said a wry Mr. Darcy. “Miss Bingley contended that footmen could deliver the invitation to your family like anyone else.”

“Mama called it a compliment to Jane.” Elizabeth thought for a moment, then amended: “She was referring to the ball itself, but none of us misunderstood Mr. Bingley’s gesture in delivering the invitation in person.”

“And so it was,” agreed Mr. Darcy. “Miss Bingley did not oppose her brother’s wish to hold a ball—she thought it an excellent way to display her talents to all the neighborhood; I did not misunderstand her underlying motive.”

Elizabeth laughed. “No, I cannot suppose you did. The need to impress the neighborhood paled in comparison with her need to show her accomplishments to you.”

“This manner in which you speak of Miss Bingley is droll,” said Uncle Gardiner, dry as a bone. “Why, I found her unassuming, though perhaps a little uncommunicative.”

“If only she were always that way with me,” said Mr. Darcy, “I would be entirely satisfied.”

Mr. Gardiner nodded. “I hope, sir, that she now understands the lay of the land.”

“I shall not relate all of the matter, but Miss Bingley is no longer in any doubt of my sentiments.”

Though they all approved, they dropped the subject. By this time, the carriage was entering the village. The late afternoon sunlight cast dappled shadows across the road beneath the trees, and Elizabeth could hear the blacksmith’s hammer as they rolled past. Beyond the village, the carriage turned through the gates of Longbourn and proceeded up the drive.

When the driver pulled the team to a halt before the door, a footman opened the door, and they all stepped out, stretching muscles stiff from sitting in one attitude too long. Then Longbourn’s door opened, and three young women spilled out onto the drive, followed by the dependable form of Mrs. Hill, the housekeeper.

Elizabeth went at once to her sisters, greeting them with quiet affection, but she knew she did not have their attention. Instead, they were gazing past her to the large carriage, and Mr. Darcy standing near Mr. Gardiner, gazing about with interest.

“Lizzy!” exclaimed Kitty, the least able to hold her tongue, “how did you come to be in Mr. Darcy’s company?”

Before Elizabeth could respond or Jane reprimand Kitty for her question, Mr. Darcy stepped forward. The gentleman stopped before each of the sisters, greeting them and bowing over their hands, much to Elizabeth’s amusement. From the expressions adorning each of their faces—even calm, imperturbable Jane—he had shocked them to the core.

Mr. Gardiner approached them. “Hello, girls.” Then he grinned at Kitty. “I know there was gossip in the neighborhood last year—do you not recall where Mr. Darcy’s estate lies?”

“I would never have thought you would meet Mr. Darcy there,” protested Kitty.