Page 11 of Idle Gossip

“I could not let him go free. Since I held a goodly portion of his debts, I called them in and saw him imprisoned. My cousin used his influence to see Wickham transported.”

Elizabeth did not know what to say. “Is Miss Darcy well?” she choked out.

“She is. I came to Netherfield because she claimed I was hovering. Georgiana is staying with my aunt and uncle now.”

Is that why his mood was so dreadful at the assembly? Elizabeth thought it must be. Anyone shouldering such a burden would be unpleasant in company. I have misjudged him yet again.

“Let us speak of happier things,” he said. “I wish to know what Miss Elizabeth Bennet was like as a child.”

“You had best prepare yourself for something dreadful. I was a heathen, according to my mother. Ever was I asking questions and getting into mischief. Why, I could climb trees better than any boy in the neighborhood. And…” she paused, “I learned how to swim.”

She heard Darcy’s swift intake of breath and glanced up. He regarded her with a heated expression.

“That conjures an alluring picture,” he whispered.

Heat rushed into her cheeks as Elizabeth realized what she had done. “My mother was dismayed,” she said haltingly, attempting to regain some of her equanimity.

“Oh, I am certain of it. Mrs. Bennet does not strike me as the sort to put up with wayward behavior.”

“If only that were true. My youngest sisters are allowed more freedoms than I ever possessed.” And Elizabeth resented it.

“Though I have not the experience of a large family to base my words upon, I must say I suspect most parents with a large brood end up dreadfully tired by the time the youngest is born. One of my friends from university had eight brothers and sisters. Being the youngest, he was granted far more freedom than the elder children.”

Elizabeth contemplated that. “There is truth to what you say,” she responded. “And Mama’s nerves have worsened with every girl born.”

“It is very good Pemberley is not entailed. Should I have no sons, I may leave it to a daughter, or to a daughter’s eldest son. And I may stipulate that the heir take my name.”

How would it be to live on an estate and not fear for the future? “It is a great blessing,” she murmured.

They reached the top of the mount, and Elizabeth broke away to stare out over the fields.

“In the summer, the trees shade the summit of my little hill,” she said. “And there are often flowers everywhere. Now it feels dismal and cold.”

“You dislike winter, then?”

“I do not like the cold,” she clarified. “Winter can be beautiful in its own way, and I can appreciate it, but I need not enjoy the bitter chill that comes with it.”

“Derbyshire is often subject to excessive cold and snow.”

She understood what he meant to say. If you marry me, you will not escape it.

“A warm fire and a cup of chocolate will do much to take it away.” Why was she not agreeing with him? Why did she seek to placate him? I have no wish to marry the man. Why do I not latch onto any excuse he gives me?

His hopeful gaze made her feel worse.

“There has not been enough time to decide for or against you,” she warned him.

“Then I shall endeavor to prove myself worthy of you.”

She nodded.

“Shall we go back?”

Elizabeth shook her head. “No. Let us delay until after Mama has left.”

Chapter Six

They lingered atop Oakham Mount for fifteen minutes. The chill seeped into her bones, but she paced beside Darcy to keep warm. He shared stories of his childhood, and she protested loudly when he claimed he had a rebellious nature as a boy.