A Hopeful Conversation ~ A Short Story

Posted on Tuesday, 27 February 2007

Elizabeth sat quietly on a bench that was curved around the large trunk of one of Pemberley’s massive trees. She was reflecting on the many enjoyable moments she had been having while sitting in the music room talking to Georgiana, or Georgie as she insisted, Darcy. It was their second meeting now and Elizabeth was firm in the knowledge that Georgie was to become a lifelong friend.

Indeed, her and her aunt Gardiner had been at Pemberley for a near two hours and the two young ladies’ bond was getting stronger by the half hour. The only bad spot on an otherwise wonderful day was the fact that the Superior Sisters, Caroline and Louisa, were in residence and becoming too unbearable for Elizabeth after they realized how comfortable she was with Miss Darcy. Georgie, seeing this, had urged Elizabeth to take a stroll through the vast gardens.

Of course she had refused, not wanting to leave her alone with them, but since the sisters had not wanted to go out themselves, Georgie had to stay back and be the dutiful hostess to them. Mrs. Gardiner, not up to a walk in the heat, had stayed behind with the young woman, making Elizabeth slightly more comfortable to know that her new friend wouldn’t be left alone with the two horrid women.

After a few minutes of walking through the gardens, Elizabeth’s tension had started to wane and soon she was able to enjoy the beauty of the estate. It wasn’t long until she had left the manicured gardens and wandered to the unkempt woods, finding the very bench she sat at now. She was very jealous that her uncle Gardiner was somewhere on the property with the gentlemen, all fishing and probably having tons of fun. Her uncle had taught her long ago how to fish, and she was quite put out that she couldn’t join in their merriment.

The restrictions that society had on women were very unfair in Elizabeth’s eyes.

Sighing, she grudgingly admitted to herself that the real reason she wanted to be with her uncle, was not in fact to fish, but to observe her host. Ever since their unexpected meeting two days ago at the stables of Pemberley, Elizabeth couldn’t get the image of him being affable out of her mind. Mr. Darcy being affable! It still rattled her brain.

He had been nothing but amiable greeting her relatives; she saw not a flinch when mentioning that they were from Cheapside. Her astonishment had been great, but not as much as when he had invited them here again on another day. Another surprise had been waiting for her yesterday when he had showed up at the inn she was staying at with his sister and Mr. Bingley. Would the man never cease to confound her?

I hope not. she thought with a smile. She liked that he was letting her glimpse the real him, and that what she was finding out was not at all intolerable. His voice was soft, his rare smile warm, his gaze even warmer, and his manners impeccable. It had been months since his disastrous proposal at Hunsford, their fight and his subsequent letter. And Elizabeth, after seeing his wonderful home and true character, was starting to feel the shame of their bitter argument.

Not that she was ashamed of rejecting him, the man had deserved it; but, her rejection needn’t have been so harsh, no matter what she had thought of him then. Oh, but my feelings are so different now. Frowning at nothing in particular, she mused on what her feelings actually were for the indomitable Mr. Darcy. She did not love him…it was too soon, however, whenever he fell upon her mind, which happened often, there was a definite stirring of the heart.

Silly Elizabeth, there is nothing wrong with saying you like him. Her mind playfully told her. With a smile she admitted out loud to no one,

“I like Mr. Darcy.” She clapped her hand over her mouth with a giggle. Of course no one had heard, but it was still a daring move on her part. It felt good to finally admit her…regard for the gentleman, even if she was only admitting it to herself. Leaning her head against the tree, she let out a deep contented sigh, closing her eyes.

“Miss Bennet?” Her eyes flew open at hearing his voice.

“Mr. Darcy!” He stared intently at her, not a blink to interrupt his gaze. Normally it would have unnerved her, but strangely enough, not now.

“You gentlemen are not already done?” She asked, smiling.

“Yes actually.” He indicated with his head to the space beside her, and Elizabeth removed her bonnet for him to take a seat. “Bingley fell into the lake, I’m afraid.”

“Oh poor Mr. Bingley!” Elizabeth exclaimed. “Is he hurt?”

“No, just his pride.” Mr. Darcy flashed her one of his rare smiles, a dimple showing in his left cheek. Elizabeth’s heart fluttered. “I’ll never understand how it came about, but we had to take him inside before he caught a chill. Your uncle claimed fatigue, so I had a few footmen retrieve our rods and catch.”

“Perhaps I should go back, my uncle may want to return to Lambton.” She was about to stand up when his hand caught her arm. Her eyes went to where his fingers encircled her, the warmth it produced, and then to his fathomless eyes. As they locked gazes, Elizabeth noticed something. Perhaps they are not so fathomless anymore. She thought, reading the love and uncertainty in them.

“Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner are resting in one of the guestrooms.” He removed his hand, and turned back to facing ahead of him. “Georgiana told me that you were wandering around the grounds, so I thought to come find you. Pemberley is quite a distance from any other estate, but it still is unwise to be alone. You should have brought a footman with you Miss Bennet.” His concern irritated her at the same time it brought a smile on her face. He was concerned for her. She chose to change the topic.

“Your sister is a delightful creature, Mr. Darcy.” He turned back to look in her eyes.

“Do you really think so, Miss Bennet?” Elizabeth nodded.

“Georgie has certainly-”

“She has allowed you to call her Georgie?” Darcy looked at her with admiration; only a very select few had that permission, and those were only family she had known her whole life. She had only known Elizabeth for two days.

“I have to say that when I first met her yesterday, she didn’t talk much. She reminded me a lot of you.”

“Of me?” Elizabeth laughed at his startled expression.

“Well of course, you hardly ever spoke when I first met you-come to think of it you rarely spoke other than to antagonize me-but where you both are quiet on introduction, she’s shy and you’re reserved.” She was delighted with the affronted look on his face.

“First of all, madam, you were the antagonizer, and secondly, I’m shy too.”

“Well, yes I suppose,” She gave him a cheeky grin. “but your sister is absolutely adorable when she’s shy, you are down right intimidating.”

“I? Intimidating to the great Miss Elizabeth Bennet?” He put his hand against his heart and talked in his snootiest of voices. “Why, I never thought of such a notion.” He reveled in her giggles. He knew he was being bit too foolish, but if it made her smile…let him be the fool.

Elizabeth loved this playful side of him.

“In all seriousness, Mr. Darcy, you have raised her well.” Darcy cocked his head to the side, waiting for her to continue, “I know you are worried for her, but you really needn’t bother. She has a beautiful soul, kind manners, and a compassionate heart. A bit quiet, but that’s to be expected when she has been looking up to you for so many years. We’ve already established that you’re not the most talkative of fellows.”

“Why are you telling me all this Miss Bennet?” Her observations were touching, and it took all of his strength not to propose again right then and there. It’s too soon; yes she’s softening to me, but she hasn’t figured her feelings completely out yet. He could read her expressive eyes like a well worn book and saw her regard for him…but also knew that it was too soon to even begin to ask for her hand again. God knows I won’t be able to handle another rejection from this woman.

“You deserve to know.” Her smile was sweet and beguiling; he had to clench his fists not to caress her face. “I was delighted to find she had quite an amazing wit and a wonderful sense of humor after she warms up to new acquaintances.”

“Ahh, yes that would be the Fitzwilliam charm kicking in. Thankfully she inherited most of her traits from my mother’s family,” Darcy smiled. “unlike me. I have been told that I embody the very essence of a Darcy.”

“Do you think the two of you are very different?”

“Oh yes. You just said it yourself, she’s adorable…I am intimidating.” She was about to protest, to explain herself better, but he held up his hand. “No, it is true.”

“That’s odd, since I think that the two of you are very much alike. It is just the impression you give people that is very different from hers.” The way she smiled at him then, he knew he was in for a tease. “You yourself, even possess some of that ‘Fitzwilliam charm’-you hide it very well, mind you-but it does surface on occasion.” They both sat quietly beside one another, just being.

“To tell you the truth I never understood why my mother fell in love with my father.” Darcy said, breaking the silence and staring up into the canopy of the trees.

“What would make you say such a thing?” Elizabeth asked interestedly. She was enjoying this conversation with him, and was surprised to find that she didn’t want it to end.

“Well you have met my cousin; all of the Fitzwilliams are like that.”

“Ahh yes, the good colonel.” Darcy wasn’t sure he liked the way she called his cousin ‘the good colonel.’ “He is an amiable fellow. But surely not all the Fitzwilliams are like that.” Elizabeth never once thought Lady Catherine amiable, or anywhere near to amiable. Darcy, knowing who she was referring to, smiled.

“No, you are right. But then again every family needs a black sheep.” Rolling her eyes, Elizabeth thought of her mother, Lydia, Kitty and even Mary. I was cursed with a whole flock.

“You see, my mother was just like Colonel Fitzwilliam; open, friendly, kind to all. And my father was the exact opposite in manners, though he was kind. I remember when I was little, I could never understand how they could be so happy and yet be so completely different.” Darcy’s mind flashed back to all those years before. His many embarrassing interruptions into rooms they had been becoming over affectionate with one another. Their constant love and devotion. He wanted that…more importantly, he wanted that with the woman beside him.

“If you don’t mind my alluding to it, we are vastly different and yet you proposed to me.” Elizabeth felt foolish mentioning his proposal, but he hadn’t seemed to care as he shrugged.

“Yes, but I knew in my heart that though we are different, we have many things in common. Our personalities do clash, but you have to admit…we’d never be bored.” He looked into her eyes then with a slight, teasing smile.

“No, we wouldn’t.” Elizabeth whispered.

She knew without a doubt that Mr. Darcy had changed drastically if he could tease about his own blunder in proposing marriage. He had come a long way from just a few months ago. The effect this realization had on her was instantaneous, and Elizabeth knew she was lost. Utterly and completely.

Darcy for his part, saw that final barrier break as she quietly assessed him. His heart sang, his stomach flopped, and strangely enough his toes numbed. He grinned goofily feeling this last sensation-the things that woman did to him.

His lopsided grin kicked her out of her trance, and standing up, she looked down upon him.

“Marriage is not only a meeting of minds, but of hearts also.” She placed her bonnet on her head. “The difference of opinions do not come close to the joining of souls. Your parents were happy because they found true love, even if they were vastly different.” She put emphasis on the last part, reminding him on purpose of how she had described their own situation.

“Perhaps you are right.” Elizabeth smiled at him, a secret smile. One that he understood.

“I should return before your sister sends a search team out for me.” she curtsied, but stayed him when he tried to stand up. “Perhaps it’s best if we do not return together.” Darcy nodded, knowing that he would never hear the end of it if they were spotted returning from the woods, alone. Miss Bingley was a persistent lady, if not a bit jealous.

“I shall see you back at Pemberley. Good day Mr. Darcy.”

“Good day.” He tipped his hat. “I had a very enjoyable time with you…Elizabeth.” Her smile was the brightest as she turned around and started to skip back towards the manor, purple bonnet ribbons flapping in the breeze.

Darcy had not let himself hope for a future with Elizabeth Bennet as much as he did at that moment. A small smile flit across his face, but an even bigger one shined in his eyes.

Finish