agree?”
“Oh
yes, Elizabeth.” They hugged tightly and confirmed that they both looked
forward to seeing each other the next day.
“Until
tomorrow, Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy bowed while Elizabeth curtseyed and the
sisters left on the three mile journey from Netherfield Park to Longbourn.
Their travel passed in silence. Jane, contemplating the upcoming confrontation,
hoping that all would be well and the passage of time would bring peace to her
family; Elizabeth dreading what was to come.
When
they came into view of Longbourn, Elizabeth was appalled at the outward
condition of the home and grounds. Neglect was apparent and the sight brought
no comfort to her, only agony. As the carriage came to a halt, she looked at
the front entry to see only Hill and her Father standing by the door. Hill had
a smile of welcome on his wrinkled face. Her father was angry and impatient.
This would not be a good meeting and Elizabeth braced herself for what was to
come.
CHAPTER FOUR
Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire
After
the carriage left for Longbourn, Darcy asked Georgiana to accompany him to Bingley’s
study for a private conversation. Miss Bingley had started abusing both Bennet
sisters the moment they had crossed the threshold to return home and Darcy
wanted his sister removed from that vicious attitude.
He
examined Georgiana as she walked down the hall and into the room to stand
before the window. The view out the window was unspectacular, but allowed for a
partial glimpse of the roadway leading away from Netherfield Park. It seemed
she was watching the carriage as it moved toward Longbourn. “You are troubled,
Georgie?”
Georgiana
turned toward him as he walked up beside her to get a last glimpse of his own. As
Darcy watched the carriage, she noted that William looked troubled as well.
“Did you not want her to go?” It had surprised her to see William so joyous at
seeing Elizabeth. It was not his nature to smile easily, yet that was what she
had seen several times over the past two days and she clearly understood those
smiles were not for Miss Bingley.
”I
did not want Miss Elizabeth to go, Georgiana.” He smiled down at her. “I think
that she would be a wonderful friend to you and, from the amount of time you
spent in each other’s company, I think you feel the same. Tell me, please, what
were your impressions of her?” It had puzzled Darcy that he was so instantly
comfortable with Elizabeth. He recognized that she made the effort to draw
others out and to include them in pleasant conversation; both things that he realized
were sources of constant struggle for him. As Bingley had mentioned only two
days before, he was often perceived as stern and taciturn, which left the
impression of pride and arrogance. Darcy had much to be proud of. He had one of
the largest estates in all of England and he managed it well. Pemberley had
prospered during the five years that he had been master. A Cambridge education,
supplemented by extensive reading, a tight circle of close friends, and the
respect and admiration of his acquaintances for outstanding integrity in
business and moral issues elevated Darcy above many, if not most, of his peers.
He knew that Georgiana suffered from the same shyness that afflicted him. If
she could feel comfortable in Elizabeth’s presence as well, he could only
encourage the friendship to grow by continuing association.
“Oh,
William, I could not help but be impressed with her wisdom and her kindness. I
told her everything. I am afraid that I poured out my heart to her. She treated
it with the tenderness of one whom I had known for many years, instead of a new
acquaintance. Elizabeth helped me to see how I may learn from my experiences
with George and how it could benefit me in the future. She never condemned me…
not even remotely. I only wish that I could provide her the same relief, as
this day must prove to be her most difficult.”
“Whatever
do you
“Oh
yes, Elizabeth.” They hugged tightly and confirmed that they both looked
forward to seeing each other the next day.
“Until
tomorrow, Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy bowed while Elizabeth curtseyed and the
sisters left on the three mile journey from Netherfield Park to Longbourn.
Their travel passed in silence. Jane, contemplating the upcoming confrontation,
hoping that all would be well and the passage of time would bring peace to her
family; Elizabeth dreading what was to come.
When
they came into view of Longbourn, Elizabeth was appalled at the outward
condition of the home and grounds. Neglect was apparent and the sight brought
no comfort to her, only agony. As the carriage came to a halt, she looked at
the front entry to see only Hill and her Father standing by the door. Hill had
a smile of welcome on his wrinkled face. Her father was angry and impatient.
This would not be a good meeting and Elizabeth braced herself for what was to
come.
CHAPTER FOUR
Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire
After
the carriage left for Longbourn, Darcy asked Georgiana to accompany him to Bingley’s
study for a private conversation. Miss Bingley had started abusing both Bennet
sisters the moment they had crossed the threshold to return home and Darcy
wanted his sister removed from that vicious attitude.
He
examined Georgiana as she walked down the hall and into the room to stand
before the window. The view out the window was unspectacular, but allowed for a
partial glimpse of the roadway leading away from Netherfield Park. It seemed
she was watching the carriage as it moved toward Longbourn. “You are troubled,
Georgie?”
Georgiana
turned toward him as he walked up beside her to get a last glimpse of his own. As
Darcy watched the carriage, she noted that William looked troubled as well.
“Did you not want her to go?” It had surprised her to see William so joyous at
seeing Elizabeth. It was not his nature to smile easily, yet that was what she
had seen several times over the past two days and she clearly understood those
smiles were not for Miss Bingley.
”I
did not want Miss Elizabeth to go, Georgiana.” He smiled down at her. “I think
that she would be a wonderful friend to you and, from the amount of time you
spent in each other’s company, I think you feel the same. Tell me, please, what
were your impressions of her?” It had puzzled Darcy that he was so instantly
comfortable with Elizabeth. He recognized that she made the effort to draw
others out and to include them in pleasant conversation; both things that he realized
were sources of constant struggle for him. As Bingley had mentioned only two
days before, he was often perceived as stern and taciturn, which left the
impression of pride and arrogance. Darcy had much to be proud of. He had one of
the largest estates in all of England and he managed it well. Pemberley had
prospered during the five years that he had been master. A Cambridge education,
supplemented by extensive reading, a tight circle of close friends, and the
respect and admiration of his acquaintances for outstanding integrity in
business and moral issues elevated Darcy above many, if not most, of his peers.
He knew that Georgiana suffered from the same shyness that afflicted him. If
she could feel comfortable in Elizabeth’s presence as well, he could only
encourage the friendship to grow by continuing association.
“Oh,
William, I could not help but be impressed with her wisdom and her kindness. I
told her everything. I am afraid that I poured out my heart to her. She treated
it with the tenderness of one whom I had known for many years, instead of a new
acquaintance. Elizabeth helped me to see how I may learn from my experiences
with George and how it could benefit me in the future. She never condemned me…
not even remotely. I only wish that I could provide her the same relief, as
this day must prove to be her most difficult.”
“Whatever
do you
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