Beginning, Section II

Chapter Nine -- The Sewing Bee

Posted on Thursday, 22 March 2007

Having returned from his walk after escorting Elizabeth nearer to Longbourn with her assurances that she would be safe from Mr. Collins' marriage proposal, Darcy made his way into the noisy breakfast room at Netherfield. Bingley looked up from his plate of eggs.

"Darcy! There you are. We had abandoned hope of your joining us, with you having been gone so long."

"My walk took me further than I had anticipated," Darcy said casually, without feeling the need to explain himself. As he sat in the chair next to his friend with Bingley's family situated to the other side of the table, Caroline eyed Darcy warily to know if his words were complete in their meaning.

"I wonder that you can find the time for viewing such a dull countryside, Mr. Darcy. Surely there are other pursuits more to your interest, say, in town, for instance."

"That is your opinion, Miss Bingley," was Darcy's only reply as he nodded to the servant pouring him coffee, and another offering him a platter of meats.

Bingley could not but agree with his friend, allowing, "Yes, Caroline, there are ample pleasures that a country life can provide. If I had not business that takes me to London today, I shall not wish to leave Hertfordshire until a later time."

To this Caroline sighed. She knew exactly to what her brother referred, or rather to whom. The sweet Jane Bennet seemed to be gaining influence over Charles, and it was good that he was called away on business. This gave Caroline time to exert her own influence to show him how unsuitable Jane would be as a wife to an upwardly mobile man such as himself.

I will have to work on him while he is in London, but how to accomplish it?

Caroline casually remarked, "Louisa and I have wanted to return to town ourselves for some needed shopping. Is that not so, Louisa?" Taking a sip of coffee, she looked across to her sister to gain her attention and agreement.

Her sister stopped mid bite to stare at Caroline before stuttering her answer, "Y-yes, you are absolutely correct, my dear. There are several shops in town that cater to our tastes, unlike those in Meryton with their out of fashion wares." Caroline smiled at her triumphant.

"Perhaps it would be best if we all remove to London for the winter Season."

To this suggestion each of the three men looked askance. It was Mr. Hurst who made reply for all their sentiments. "We are just become settled here. Now you want us to close the house in order to give the two of you a few days shopping? That is a ridiculous notion. There is still time for sport here and-"

"But there are more points of interest for all of us in London," Caroline insisted, adding, "the opera season is beginning and the theater. The museum has a new exhibit-"

"Since when do you attend any of the museum exhibits, Caroline?"

"I was thinking of Mr. Darcy having such interest," Caroline seethed at her overbearing brother-in-law.

"I thank you for wishing to include me in your outing, Miss Bingley, but you need not bother. I have no intention of departing the area currently."

"You do not find the society confined and unvarying?"

"There is a charm to country living that you mightn't appreciate, Caroline." Bingley said in reply. "However, if you and Louisa wish to accompany me, I will have the carriage readied. Can you can have your trunks pack for our departure by noon?"

"Yes, yes, do go, Louisa. You and your sister will enjoy the shops. As I would only be in your way, Darcy and I will keep the home fires burning here at Netherfield until your return."

"Then it is settled," Bingley smiled raising his glass. "We will be off before midday."

Caroline fumed. This was not going as well as she had planned, but took into account how the men had outmaneuvered her original goals.

Still, with Charles to ourselves, perhaps Louisa and I could work together to make him see reason, that any attachment to the Bennets would be less than an ideal situation for his future status as a member of the landed gentry.

This line of thinking placated her in traveling to town for a few days, hopefully for longer if she was successful, to keep them from returning to this backward region of the country. Of that she had no desire except to retrieve the one person that she had set her sights.

Soon, Mr. Darcy, even you will wish yourself away from all this common atmosphere and the fine eyes of Eliza Bennet. I am sure of it.

The carriage proceeded down the lane with Mr. Darcy and Mr. Hurst standing on the front steps to watch its departure. When it had gotten past the trees line the front of the drive, Mr. Hurst turned to Darcy. "Well, as two men of leisure, what are we to do with ourselves?"

"I have several letters to write to my steward, and others to my solicitors to approve some of the business ventures they apprised me of," was Darcy's response.

Mr. Hurst nodded, already bored with the other man's industry. "As a man of wealth, you seem to have to work at it constantly, sir. It makes me tired just thinking of your need to always be busy."

Both men turned to walk up the stairs and into the foyer. "It is much harder to apply myself to my estate duties when traveling," replied Darcy. "My steward is very insightful and gives me constant updates as to the condition of the accounts and the tenants. All of which I am ever grateful, but so it necessitates my keeping in contact with him to have him know my thoughts and concerns of Pemberley and its continuation."

The more portly man stifled a yawn and answered, "Well since you have your day planned out, I think I will take the time to read in the library for a while."

Darcy refrained from smiling even as he nodded, knowing by the euphemism of which Mr. Hurst spoke, reading in the library, meant he would soon be prone on one of the couches deep in slumber. Darcy added, "I may go out for a walk afterwards and will not disturb you then."

To this Mr. Hurst's eyes came to rest on Darcy, not at all fooled by the younger man's ploy as he said feigning innocence, "You seem to enjoy walking about this countryside more here than in other places we have visited together. Can it be that the society here is not as unvaried as my prickly sister implies?"

Darcy kept his face inscrutable. "I bid you a good day, sir," he nodded before removing himself from the older man's smiling presence.

Darcy had completed his deluge of paper work, stretching his back as he put down his pen that had seen much mending of the tip to write for the past two hours when a servant knocked upon the study door to inform him of the arrival of two ladies who had come to visit with Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst. Upon inquiry as to their identities, Darcy asked the servant to show them into the main parlor where he would join them directly to tell them of the Bingleys' whereabouts, and have tea sent in while they waited.

Taking the time to powder the last page and seal the last of his outgoing letters that they be ready for the post rider, Darcy made his way to the parlor to receive Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth, saying, "I must inform you that Bingley and his sisters have only this morning gone into London for a few days. Did not Miss Bingley send you word, Miss Bennet?"

"No, I did not receive any note, but perhaps it merely slipped her mind." Jane was obviously disappointed at not being able to visit with those she considered her new friends, gently lamenting, "I had hoped to ask how they viewed the ball and if Mr. Bingley planned a repetition of it in the future."

Darcy expression softened, asking the question he already suspected the answer. "Is that what you truly wish to know, Miss Bennet, or is that one of your younger sisters' requests?"

Jane's cheeks blushed. "Well, I must admit Lydia did ask if I would inquire, but to own the truth, I enjoyed the ball as well, Mr. Darcy."

Elizabeth interjected, "So you have been left to your own pursuits then, Mr. Darcy?"

"No, Mr. Hurst is likewise about the house somewhere but will probably not be joining us with any due haste." He had no intention of relating to the ladies where exactly the man had taken his leave to nap.

"In that case," Jane said, starting to gather her belongings, "I think it best that we depart and come at a later time when Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst are within." Both Miss Bennets began to rise to take there leave when the servant entered carrying the tea tray.

Darcy was quick to explain. "I think Bingley would say I was remiss had I not offered you some refreshments before you journey home. Would you care for tea, ladies?"

Both Jane and Elizabeth could not, in good conscience, refuse the offer so graciously given, and so sat down again as the servant handed each a cup of the hot beverage. After serving them tea cakes and quietly leaving the room, Jane could not think of a better topic at the moment than the weather, remarking, "We had a lovely walk upon the path to come here. I do not believe I have witnessed an autumn more pleasant than this one."

Darcy remarked in kind. "Indeed, I must agree with your assessment, Miss Bennet. It has truly been a mild one." Then spying Elizabeth roll her eyes in impatience, he added, "I trust your sister has informed you of the task she has put to me?"

Jane stopped lifting cup halfway, and put it again to her saucer. "Yes, she did, Mr. Darcy, and I must say I was quite in astonishment when she said you had complied with such a request."

He shrugged. "Did she not speak of my tailor being a man who plied his trade with a needle?"

"Well...yes, but-"

"And as such, I should not think it a demeaning task for a man like myself to attempt to do the same by way of fashioning a flower to cloth?"

Jane nodded at this logic. "Then, likewise, I should not think that to sew was merely as women's work, though embroidery does seem to fall in that realm, sir."

Darcy conceded the point, adding, "True, but for the purpose of satisfying your sister's forfeit, I have accepted the challenge, Miss Bennet, and await the time and place to accomplish the task, giving myself over to you to judge the quality of my work."

Jane smiled and then blushed mightily as she remembered. "Oh dear! I quite forgot! When Lizzy made mention of this business, I took the liberty of appraising several of the samplers my sisters had been working on. When I was suddenly called away, having taken them with me without being conscious of doing so, I placed them on the table beside my reticule. The maid must have thought I intended to take them with me when next I left the house, and placed inside that I would not forget them."

Darcy nearly dropped his cup. "You have them with you...now?"

Jane seemed quite embarrassed. "Yes, actually, along with the needles penned to each and the threads attached that they were working with at the time. It is perhaps not the best way to store sharp needles, but you see, we work on them at all hours, so it would not be prudent to cut the needles away each time we put the samplers aside. It was only when we were almost to the door that I realized their being in my possession."

She showed him what she meant as she laid the samplers across the couch seat, each with a needle and thread attached to the fabric. They were waiting for the next stitch to be fashioned to add to the design on the pattern. She paused, barely able to meet his stare as she stammered out, "So, they are quite ready to be worked on, sir, as you see. Oh, but surely you would not wish to-"

"No, that is quite all right, Miss Bennet." Seeing out of the corner of his eye, Elizabeth cringe at the thought of taking up the task, Darcy determined that he would have them both put their skills to the test. "I think there is no better time than the present to have your sister and I conclude this forfeit by the sewing of these samplers. What say you, Miss Elizabeth? Are you up to the challenge?"

Hearing the smugness in his voice, she pursed her lips rather than state what she truly felt on the matter, and placed her cup on the table. Holding out her hand to accept her own sampler from Jane, she said sweetly, "Yes, by all means, Mr. Darcy. Let us see what we can accomplish in the time available to us."

After dutifully instructing Mr. Darcy in the fine art of needle work, and specifically on how to reproduce an accurate representation of a rose in thread form, Jane watched his halting progress, having to repeat several instructions when his large hands had trouble holding the tiny needle with much dexterity or finesse, to his own determent.

"Ouch! Why does the needle have to be this small?"

"To ensure the hole not be too large for the design, Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth quipped. "We are not stitching a saddle, you know. Ouch!"

Darcy's gaze went to Elizabeth's finger in her mouth to her handiwork, giving him cause to chuckle, "I see your roses are rather droopy, Miss Bennet. How long have you been working at your sampler?"

"That is not a fair question-"

Jane interrupted, "Lizzy has been working on that particular sampler for a half year now," adding her tease so she thought only her sister could hear, "I doubt you will finish it before we are all married and with children."

"Jane! How could say something so unkind?"

"You are quite right, dear Lizzy. Please forgive me."

"Ouch! Bloody hell!"

The two ladies looked at a thoroughly vexed Mr. Darcy, his hand to his mouth to stem the blood from his finger that had spotted the sampler. Realizing what he had said aloud, he apologized, "I beg your pardon, but I must concede that my fingers are far too large for the task of embroidery, and I now have a greater respect both for my tailor and all ladies who attempt such endeavors." He handed the cloth back to Jane, having completed his one rose and been completely humbled by the experience.

Relieved, Elizabeth likewise, handed her sampler over to her sister who began to examine the progress of the two and smiled. "Why, Mr. Darcy, though you say you have not the talent for such fine work, I believe your rose a much better example than that of my sister's. See how evenly you have pulled the threads to make the pedals stand up to form the bud. With a bit more work on it, there shall be an exquisite rose set upon this cloth."

Elizabeth leaned in to examine Mr. Darcy's handiwork, frowning with a nod. She sighed, "Yes, I will admit that it is a much better representation than my own." Laughing at her own ineptitude, she added, "I have not the heart to pull my stitches so tight for when I will soon have to rip them out again, and so my roses tend to droop and sag."

Examining his rose on the sampler once more, Darcy puffed his chest out at such a glowing report of his first attempt to embroidery before he realized what false praise it was for him to be credited with, and told them so with a laugh. "And I thought that if I did not pull them tight enough the whole mess would fall out upon the floor, unraveling at my feet. I wondered how I did not break the threads each time I pulled at them."

For a few seconds Elizabeth and Darcy stared silently at one another, realizing both were humbled at their defect in the art of sewing, and began to laugh. Jane did not understand what had gotten them started, but soon joined in, all having a wonderful time. Seeing Mr. Darcy not merely smile, but laugh aloud was a sight to behold, rendering him exceedingly handsome in so relaxed a countenance.

"If I recall, did we not wager on which could best the other, Miss Bennet? I think I have proved the victor, for even your sister states I can sew better than you."

Huffing at his impertinence, Elizabeth feigned being insulted and quipped back, "You have me at a disadvantage, sir. You are basking in my sister's charity to never say an unkind word of anyone," adding at she glanced over at Jane, "save her dear sister. Furthermore, I think your taking up the profession of your tailor would undoubtedly have you suffer in your appearance."

"On that point, I will have to agree with you, Miss Bennet. I have many other attributes to make me feel superior, so will concede to being merely an adequate embroiderer while others are not."

Having seen through his thinly veiled insult, Elizabeth implored, "Superior attributes, you say? And what might some of those be?"

Before Darcy could reply Mr. Hurst, being waken by them, entered complaining, "What is all the racket? Can a man not enjoy the afternoon without having it be disrupted by..."

Tossing his sampler into Elizabeth's lap before Mr. Hurst could take notice, Darcy rose announcing, "Mr. Hurst, we have unexpected guests."

Chapter Ten - Elizabeth's Refusal of a Forfeit

Posted on Tuesday, 27 March 2007

Without his friend's company for the next day and with Mr. Hurst not being one prone to exercise of any kind, declining Darcy's invitation to horseback ride as a means of whiling away the hours until the Bingleys' return from town, Darcy decided to enjoy as much of Hertfordshire as possible before the lunch hour. One of his few true pleasures was galloping about the countryside, through plowed fields and over hedges between pastures, the braising wind upon his face to invigorate him. The area with its serene sloping lands lent itself to such an endeavor to give both horse and rider a pleasant experience.

Coming back by way of the main lane, he spied two of the Bennet sisters sitting on a nearby bench, Miss Elizabeth and Miss Kitty who, with drawing pad in hand and encouragement from her sister, was working feverishly to sketch one of the forest creatures before it took flight. Darcy tried to be unobtrusive in his approach, halting his horse and remaining in saddle, but the little animal was quick to spy him to scurry off into the bushes.

"Oh bother! He is gone."

Elizabeth tried to placate the young girl with, "But you observed him quite intensely and so can sketch a reasonable facsimile of his likeness from memory, surely."

"I suppose," sighed Kitty, adding, "Though I was told that to sketch from memory is not the ideal form of practice. It is best to have a subject before one's eyes to see the lines and shadows that are created by the light that memory does not always take into account."

"Well, I doubt you are going to have that particular subject be as complacent as you would wish, Kitty. You will have to make do with remembering him."

"Good day to you, ladies," spoke Darcy finally, startling both to hurriedly stand and curtsey.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Darcy."

"Is it afternoon already? I hadn't noticed." When a pause ensued from a lack of subject, he asked, "I trust that all your family is well?"

"Yes, they are all in good health-"

Kitty interrupted, "And in much better spirits now that Mr. Collins has left us."

"Kitty!"

Elizabeth's laughing made her admonishment less than serious as she turned to explain to Darcy, "Yes, our cousin has returned to Hunsford to make preparations for his nuptials."

Darcy's eyes widened. "His...he is to marry?" At this news Darcy was truly perplexed, asking, "But you stated that...did you not say that you had firmly refused him?"

"Oh, I most certainly had, Mr. Darcy, quite adamantly, and as expected, my father supported my decision over my mother's objections."

"Then how can it be that the man is due to be married?" Darcy could not even fathom Mr. Collins being persuaded toward one of the other Miss Bennets.

Elizabeth's eyes were positively dancing at his expression of confusion, and would have taken pity on him had not Kitty blurted out the news that Elizabeth still found unbelievable.

"Mr. Collins made an offer to Charlotte Lucas, and she accepted him!"

Darcy actually gasped at this startling announcement as the confirmation of his reflections of such insupportable fickleness in a man who, not three days before had professed himself in love with his cousin, only now to have engaged himself to a lady wholly unconnected to him. "That is...most extraordinary."

Elizabeth's brow arched. "To say the least, but however, I have heard it directly from Charlotte herself that she vows to marry Mr. Collins at the earliest possible convenience." Pausing, she added with a teasing lift to her voice, "so she will become the wife of Hunsford's curate over me."

"Thank heaven!" Kitty giggled. When Elizabeth gave her a disapproving glance, she added, "Oh, Lizzy, you know what I mean. None of us liked him, and having to watch him at the table was enough to turn me off my meal. If you had married him, he would always be at Longbourn taking stock of all the furnishings and fixtures that he would one day inherit while stuffing his face-"

"Kitty! That is enough!" Elizabeth admonished more seriously with her warning stare to have her sister finally take it to heart, but in closing Kitty only added her support of her sister's decision, "I am just grateful you are not to marry him, Lizzy."

Darcy could not but silently agree.

Thank God for Mr. Bennet's having reason and sensibilities!

A pause ensued while Darcy digested this new information when he took notice that Kitty was busy with her sketch pad, and asked, "Would you allow me to see your drawings, Miss Catherine?"

"They are not very good, sir," she began, but stepped near enough to his horse to hand him up her sketch pad while Elizabeth remained beside the bench.

Silently Darcy turned each page to note what subjects she found of interest. He final perusal was of the little rabbit who proved to be a quick brown hare like the fox of myth with his rapid escape before his rendering had been completed.

Handing the pad back he replied, "There is merit in each of your drawings, Miss Catherine. With more practice, you should be able to render any of your subjects with a reasonable likeness."

Being encouraged thusly, the impressionable Kitty who so seldom heard any form of praise come her way, produced a bright smile while blushing at Mr. Darcy's positive appraisal of her efforts as he bent to return her pad.

Elizabeth's brow arched at hearing his glowing assessment of Kitty's work, causing her to remark, "You seem quite the connoisseur of artistic talent, Mr. Darcy. I wonder if you would have time to pose as one of my sister's subjects for her to sketch?"

Knowing Mr. Darcy proclivity to privacy, she saw his hesitation before their eyes met, hers filled with a mischievous gleam.

So, we are playing our game once more, Miss Bennet. Very well, then.

"I will pose on the condition that you, likewise, will sit to have your rendering done by Miss Catherine."

"Of course," Elizabeth immediately replied, having often been the subject of one of her sister's drawings.

"How would you like me, Miss Catherine? Standing beside a tree or-"

"You may stay upon your mount, Mr. Darcy, if you please. I would like the opportunity to sketch a horse and rider. Would that be to your satisfaction?"

"If it pleases the artist," he said gallantly, and struck a pose, his eyes wandering to the far off horizon to look more regal."

Elizabeth almost lost her countenance as she returned to her seat, thinking, if he but had a sword aloft, he could be no better posed than in many of the paintings in a museum.

Kitty sat beside her, busily drawing his outline with broad strokes, taking care to have the proportions rendered as correctly as she was able. Her eyes and mind thus occupied gave Elizabeth and Darcy time to converse, so long as he stayed perfectly still. His horse, being an animal, found this the appropriate time to drop his head to munch on the grass. Kitty said it mattered not.

After a time Elizabeth asked, "Do you have any idea when the Bingleys are to return to Netherfield, Mr. Darcy?"

"I received a note by express this morning stating that he plans to be in residence by week's end. Taking into account his sisters' enjoyment of shopping for the latest fashions, Bingley could not say the hour he should be expected. I am to have the housekeeper be prepared to have a late supper ready on Saturday."

Hearing of Mr. Bingley's anticipated arrival relieved Elizabeth much of her anxiety for Jane's sake. The gentleman's departure, even for so short a span of days, had given her sister to pining away while sighing at odd times during her normal duties, which for Elizabeth was a confirmation of Jane's growing attachment to him. Elizabeth smiled for Jane.

It is good to know he will soon be returning, hopefully to renew his addresses to her.

With that happy reunion expected, Elizabeth felt contentment, dropping her eyes to the pages of her book, ready to be taken far away to the hot Saharan sands and forty thieves. She had yet to read more than one paragraph when Mr. Darcy's voice invaded the desert. "What is your choice of reading this day, Miss Bennet?"

Holding her hand over the page to keep her place, and looking up to see him still striking his pose with only his eyes upon her, she answered, "I doubt your interest would lie in what I peruse this day, Mr. Darcy. It is far a field of sonnets and poetry."

Trying to remain still, he asked, "Shall I venture a guess?"

Smiling at the challenge implied in his voice, she sighed and closed her book, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves would have to wait for another day.

"As you wish, sir, for it seems only fair to somehow amuse you since my sister holds you captive for a while longer yet."

"I am nearly done," promised Kitty while wishing to have more time with her subject, strictly on artistic merit, of course.

"Guess away, Mr. Darcy," encouraged Elizabeth.

"Is it a novel of the latest kind, with horrific monks and sinister castles to frighten the willowy heroine into the arms of the lusty hero?"

"Ha!" Elizabeth's giggles erupted to have Darcy's horse perk his ears.

"I take that to mean a no," chuckled Darcy. "Well, then, neither sonnets nor poetry, you say? Can it be some religious tracts that are well known by many a curate, Miss Bennet? Could it be something similar to the stout reflections of the alacrity of eternal punishment for the wicked such as those penned by Reverend Fordyce?"

To this guess even Kitty giggled. "Oh Lord, I hope not, sir! Mary has given us enough of him with her own lectures of the propensity for evil to last a life time!"

"Too true," confirmed Elizabeth, wishing her father could be a part of this amusement. "You have but one guess left, Mr. Darcy."

At this sudden change of rule, it was now Darcy to scoff. "Did we make a wager, Miss Bennet, which has perhaps slipped my mind? I don't recall having made such a bet."

"You should know by now, that whenever one of us begins a guessing game, the bet is implied."

Darcy nodded. "I will have to remember that in future, Miss Bennet."

"Yes, but you are stalling now, Mr. Darcy. Shall I call time, or do you have a third and final guess ready for me?"

Because he was too far from her, and the book upside down to him, he could make out but one word, which was all he needed. A smug expression appeared on his face

"Well, Mr. Darcy?"

"I never knew a woman to take an interest in the fables of India and its surrounding area, Miss Bennet."

"Sir?"

"Or has your father piqued your interest in the classic tale of the Forty Thieves?"

She opened her mouth in protest, "You read the title! That is not a fair-"

"Did I hear your state that reading was not allowed, Miss Bennet? It seems my mind is quite neglectful of late." His smug expression remained, especially when Kitty supported him.

"He's right, Lizzy. You never said how he was to guess, nor did you hide the book's cover from his view."

"I never thought he could read it from his vantage point and-"

"And so there you are, Miss Bennet, having lost to the better player."

She frowned at his easy victory.

Sly player more to the fact.

Elizabeth turned to her sister somewhat testily, inquiring, "Are you not finished now, Kitty?"

Darcy watched as Kitty gazed thoughtfully at her drawing, biting her lower lip much the same way Elizabeth did when perplexed.

A family trait? How charming.

"Yes, I suppose so," Kitty announced, adding, "at least all that I am capable of for the moment." She walked over to Darcy, still mounted, to allow him to judge his likeness. The figure seemed a bit too tall in the saddle, but otherwise, a decent approximation of a man upon a horse, though perhaps not of him specifically. Still, he graciously allowed, "very good, Miss Catherine. You have talent that will improve with practice." Raising his eyes to Elizabeth, he added, "and now to your forfeit, Miss Bennet. Can you not guess what it is I wish?"

"I have not the slightest idea, Mr. Darcy," she said in all honesty.

"Your sister's prowess with a pencil is keen enough to have her make your rendering."

She smiled, returning to good humor at so easy a forfeit. "I am willing, sir, as I have before stated."

"Good, then come here and sit upon my horse that your sister can sketch you in a similar pose to mine."

Elizabeth remained where she stood, next to the bench, and as far away from him and his horse that she could manage, replying in a calm voice, "She can sketch me just as easily sitting on this bench."

"But the renderings will not be the same, Miss Bennet."

"Then it is not to be, Mr. Darcy."

Kitty sensed their disagreement was something to which she knew the reason and quickly supported her sister. "I can draw you just as easily sitting there, Lizzy. It is just as good a setting."

"Thank you, Kitty." Elizabeth again made herself comfortable on the bench.

Darcy did not know what to think about the unflappable Miss Bennet changing the parameters of the forfeit, but since he himself had flatly refused her first request without giving a reason, he allowed that she was entitled to do the same...just this once.

It will not do for our game if we continued to refuse forfeits.

And he wished to continue their game, being diverted with her usually playful behavior that gave him a great deal of pleasure.

Dismounting to let his horse graze as it pleased, Darcy came to sit next to the subject, at first merely watching her as she pretended to read her book. Glancing at Kitty's drawing to see that she how far along the drawing was, he asked Elizabeth if he might view the tome while she posed.

"It is all right, Lizzy. I have already drawn your hands," said Kitty, continuing to shade her work, which left Elizabeth to frown and hand over the book for his perusal.

Opening it up to the first pages to note that it was a very old copy, he smiled. Turning then to the marked page, he read the first few lines silently before remarking, "I recall my father regaling me with this story at night when I was a very young lad. He had this rich, low voice that could mimic many of the dastardly band of thieves to enthrall me enough that I would soon fall fast asleep."

"No doubt to have nightmares of swarthy men with Turkish yatagans* chasing you about the desert to do you in," smirked Elizabeth, trying to remain still.

"Nay, Miss Bennet! As a boy, I loved the idea that there were the kind of men who were free to do what they pleased, and not required to bathe on a daily basis."

At that statement Kitty giggled while continuing to draw.

Without more overture, Darcy gazed down again at the page Elizabeth had left her ribbon on as a bookmark, and began to read aloud in his own rich voice. Kitty's eyes widened and she gave a sideward glance toward her sister. Both pursed their lips to keep from laughing. The man clearly was enjoying his memory while reading to them, making Ali Baba and his band of henchmen come alive right there on the lawn, hanging from tree limbs and battling with enemies trying to steal their booty.

Finally, ending the chapter with the story quite unresolved, Darcy handed the book back to Elizabeth.

Kitty stood up, remarking, "Well, I have done all for the moment. Would you care to judge my efforts, Mr. Darcy?" She handed her pad over to him for his perusal.

Darcy's brows knitted in deep concentration, glancing over once or twice to Elizabeth in between viewing the drawing. Intrigued, she leaned over to see the drawing, which he held back surprising her with his playful refusal to allow her to view her own rendering.

Turning to Kitty, he said, "Your sketch of your sister is a close facsimile, Miss Catherine."

Elizabeth, finally gaining a glance at the drawing, and teased, "Though I do not believe my feet are quite so large, Kitty."

Kitty nodded, giggling back, "Yes, I know not how that happened. I promise to re-work that aspect of my drawing, Lizzy."

Darcy continued, "But you have done a fair rendering of her face. See how you have accurately drawn the curved the line of her jaw and used the proper shading for her cheek." His finger traced the lines on the drawing and then, without touching her, traced the same lines about Elizabeth's cheek to chin to make her blush at such attention.

Oblivious to Elizabeth sudden discomposure, Kitty looked at her sketch with a strictly artistic eye, nodding in agreement with his assessment. She then sighed, lamenting, "But the eyes are not quite right."

Darcy agreed. "Eyes are the most difficult to reproduce accurately because of a certain gleam that the original possesses as part of the soul." Handing her back the sketch book, he added, "But that is where the diligence of practice comes into play, Miss Catherine."

Smiling, Kitty nodded to Mr. Darcy as she put her pad and pencils in her satchel, and said, "I thank you, Mr. Darcy, for taking time to accommodate such a novice."

"All artists should be encouraged, Miss Catherine. I was glad to be of service to you." Turning to Elizabeth, he noticed her heightened color and wondered the reason.

She managed to say with more her normal humor, "And I thank you, Mr. Darcy, for the story time recital. It was quite diverting."

"It was my pleasure, I assure you." Retrieving his horse and mounting him with ease, he left them the parting wish, "I will bid you both a pleasant evening."

As they watched him depart, Kitty observed, "That was very nice of him to agree to pose for me, was it not, Lizzy?"

"Yes, it was," Elizabeth agreed, wondering if the man were somewhat at a loss for amusing pastimes with his friend away and only the indolent Mr. Hurst for company.

As a man of his means and imagination with many outlets available to him for entertainment, I wonder that he took the time to be with us?

*I thought that Ali Baba and his men would brandish swords similar to this one: http://www.arms2armor.com/Swords/yatagan1.htm

Chapter Eleven -- The Goulding's Dinner Party

Posted on Sunday, 8 April 2007

When Bingley returned without either of his sisters who chose to remain in town for a further reprieve from the country life, the gentleman accepted an invitation to dine with his new neighbors living at Haye-Park on behalf of himself and his friends. Neither Darcy nor Mr. Hurst seemed as enthused to be accosted by whomever else in the village the Gouldings decided to invite, and it was only with Bingley's assurance that the Mrs. Goulding was sure to have an excellent table that convinced Mr. Hurst to join him. Darcy merely resigned himself to the ordeal of being on display to the young ladies and their ambitious mamas attending, something for which he had long tired, and accepted graciously for his friend's sake to help establish him in the neighborhood.

Upon arriving, the three men heard the boisterous laughter of the youngest Miss Bennet, which led to Mr. Hurst audibly moaning at being forced in company with the raucous young lady once more.

"Oh, God help us from the savages," he mumbled as he shed his top coat and scarf.

Bingley and Darcy both turned to the man with withering stares to remind him to behave and were rewarded by a silent nod followed by his making the request to the nearest servant to point him in the direction of the beverage cart where he promptly left his companions.

Since hearing Lydia's cackle, Bingley was in better humor than his brother, for he knew that the fair Miss Jane Bennet must also be in attendance, and quickly moved further into the house to greet the host and hostess.

"Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy, how good of you to join us at our little party."

"Mrs. Goulding, Mr. Goulding, it is very gracious of you to think to include us."

"Why, Mr. Bingley, how could we not include the newest member of our social circle? You are most welcome, sir, as is your friend."

Darcy followed close behind, managing, "Mr. and Mrs. Goulding, thank you for inviting us."

"Thank you for coming, Mr. Darcy," was her equally succinct reply before turning to the next guest in the receiving line, leaving Darcy to do as he pleased.

Having got the formal greetings over and done with allowed Darcy the freedom to wander the rooms in relative peace until he was forced again to mingle with the other attendees. His height and demeanor gave him the advantage of intimidation to keep at bay all but the most intrepid of dinner guests, so he was blessed with a few moments of serenity amidst all the bustle of people chatting and consuming the punch that he suspected had been laced with some form of spirits.

Choosing to refrain from imbibing in the unknown concoction, he instead nursed a glass of red wine from the Goulding's supposedly well stocked cellar from a French vineyard. Having sampled what Bingley had inherited from his father Darcy was not in the least impressed by what the Gouldings were serving and so easily managed to keep a clear head.

The dinner had been amble, the rich food more to the palate of Mr. Hurst. Mrs. Goulding smiled at his healthy appetite so similar to that of her own husband's enjoyment of food as Hurst accepted seconds and then thirds of several selections, stating, "Excellent pheasant, Mrs. Goulding, the likes of which my own Mrs. Hurst would serve at our dinners."

At the mentioning of Louisa, Mr. Hurst asked his brother, "Bingley, when have you the intention of departing for London to collect my wife and her sister from town?" He added, "for the benefit of both our pockets, lest they buy out the entire stock of the latest fashions."

Mrs. Bennet chortled, "Oh, Mr. Hurst, you have no worries of that, I am sure." Several others joined in her laughter at the idea that ladies could buy up all of London's fashions.

Bingley answered Hurst's query with, "I had planned on leaving in a day or two to have both Louisa and Caroline sufficient time to slake their appetite for shopping so that they would need the more serene setting of the country once more."

Mrs. Bennet asked, "You are going to town within a week?"

Elizabeth could almost see the gears in her mother's mind whirling with the seed of an idea as she continued, "Jane, did I not tell you, I had a letter from my brother Gardiner who stated his wish to have his family join us over the holiday season? He planned to leave London around the same time."

Jane's face lit up at the prospect of seeing all her little cousins. "That is wonderful news, Mama! I adore little Ellie and Jenny. Edmond and James are growing so tall."

"Mama-" Elizabeth warned, the blush on her cheeks rising at her trying to prevent her mother's request.

Mrs. Bennet persisted. "Then perhaps you can join Mr. Bingley when he goes to town that you accompany your aunt with the children. I am sure my sister Gardiner will welcome your help, Jane." Elizabeth closed her eyes in dismay.

"Well...I do not think..." Jane stumbled, not knowing what to say to her mother's blatant machinations to have Jane in company with a potential suitor, and only Darcy's overhearing the conversation to make the suggestion of having Elizabeth join her sister seemed to defuse the embarrassment of the eldest Miss Bennet.

Before the request could be rescinded, Bingley fairly stumbled over his tongue to give a positive reply when he noticed Darcy's expression in what could only be viewed as mild disapproval, and tried to curb his enthusiasm for the scheme of welcoming such an opportunity, saying in amore subdued tone, "I would be honor to escort both Miss Bennets to their aunt's house, Madam."

Even Mr. Hurst's smirk and Darcy's eye roll failed to dampen Bingley's eagerness to have the fair Jane Bennet in the same carriage with him during the ride to London.

At this point Mrs. Bennet made a weak attempt to propriety with, "I trust, Mr. Bingley, you will keep my girls from harm."

"Of course, Mrs. Bennet!" He added without thinking the matter through or asking permission, "And to alleviate any concerns you may have as to my abilities in that regard, I will have Darcy here join the party for added protection."

Mrs. Bennet was positively glowing at the thought of two eligible suitors for her daughters accompanying them.

Better and better.

"Oh, I thank you, Mr. Bingley," Mrs. Bennet positively gushed.

Only Darcy's inscrutability mask hid his surprise at this new development, glancing from a thoroughly mortified Elizabeth to Mr. Hurst who intentionally held his stare. A silent communication was conveyed by Darcy for the gentleman to enter the fray that the scheme not sink into one of complete impropriety.

It took Mr. Hurst all of two seconds to thwart the ambitious Mrs. Bennet's contriving to wed her daughters off with his asking, "If you would not mind the company, Bingley, I would like to join your party to town as I have a need to speak to my own wife on the matter of her preference of paying for clothing over that of her room and board."

Both Bingley and Mrs. Bennet glanced sharply at the man, each wishing he had not made the request for the obvious reasons, at which Hurst added, "a third gentleman would further discourage any highwaymen on route," though Hurst was certain he would not in fact discourage a thief with anything more than threatening to sit upon them.

Mrs. Bennet actually pouted for a second before she managed to say with some dignity, "that...that is very kind of you, sir, to take such solicitous interest in my girls. I thank you."

"Glad to be of service, Madam," Hurst said emptying us glass and signaling the servant to pour him another, all the while arching his brows as he glanced at Darcy for approval.

It was one thing for gentlemen to be in either Miss Bennets' company when they were quite alone, something Hurst was certain had occurred on several occasions now.

It quite another thing to have the mother and most likely the entire neighborhood aware of their traveling by coach to London without the added benefit of another companion to act as chaperone to the two couples.

"Then it is settled," Bingley replied, his enthusiasm restored that the trip had not been put off completely

Darcy gazed across the table at Elizabeth who was shaking her head, still embarrassed at her mother's connivance, and was glad that he had managed to minimize her scheme. Making eye contact with the man to her right, he silently mouthed, ‘thank you' to Hurst, who bowed his head so slightly that none but the observant Mr. Darcy took note of it.

After dinner, as usual, the men and women were sequestered in separate rooms to enjoy the amusements that often accompany large dinner parties. The women settled to gossip and talk of the latest fashions for which Elizabeth had no interest. Meanwhile, the men were offered cigars and cognac to loosen their tongues for any conversing of whatever news item struck their fancy, and bragging out of earshot from their wives.

Smiling at her dear sister, complacent at being among the ladies who wished to speak to her, Elizabeth managed to escape the parlor filled with the women, choosing to roam the Goulding's hallways, well known to her by her many childhood visits. Pausing in the gallery of family portraits, she stopped to reflect on the stoic faces of each Goulding ancestor gazing down at her with disdainful expressions that put her in mind of Mr. Bingley's sisters.

I wonder if their expressions are true feelings of their arrogant attitude or merely the request of the artist to have them pose that way due to the tedious hours he must have required of them.

She thought that to remain with so animated a face for even a short duration would be tiresome if not impossible to sustain, and so decided that those in the portrait mightn't be disdainful but rather bored with having to remain still for so long. This brought a smile to her face when imagining especially the children in the portraits who, when dismissed, would anxiously run down the hallways helter-skelter to expend the energy pent up in their small frames at being held captive for even a quarter hour of posing for the artist.

Hearing the commotion of men returning to the parlor, Elizabeth made her way to join with the ladies for an evening full of she knew not what, but Mrs. Goulding tended toward the creative bent, always thinking of innovative parlor games. This night would prove no different.

Upon entering as unobtrusively as she had departed, Elizabeth was assailed by the sound of laughter at the game the hostess had begun. Mrs. Goulding noticed Elizabeth immediately and called out for her to come forward, which she did.

"Miss Elizabeth, you are just the person I need to help me demonstrate this game. We will divide into groups of four and fives with each team responsible for reciting a proverb saying from memory." After a few audible moans, Mrs. Goulding continued, "the trick is that a letter of the alphabet will be called at random by a designated prompter to have each team member come up with an appropriate proverb. Now, with Miss Bennet's help, allow us to cite a few examples, such as if the prompter calls out the letter "A", Miss Bennet would say..."

Elizabeth paused but an instant before offering, "A penny saved is a penny earned."

"Yes, good, and if the prompter were then to call out, the letter "P", you would say..."

Again Elizabeth took little time to come up with, "Pick your friends as you pick your fruit."

"Very good, Miss Bennet. You see how easily the game is played. The team with the most correctly worded sayings without faltering will win the prize. Does anyone have any questions? No? Good. Now, let us assign teams and let us begin."

When Mrs. Goulding was done with the team assignments, Elizabeth found she was part of a foursome that included her sister, Kitty, Mr. David Lucas, and Mr. Darcy.

Kitty seemed somewhat intimidated by the two men when she whispered to Elizabeth, "I hope we do well with this game, Lizzy. To have Mr. Darcy on our team might be to our advantage."

"He is quite knowledgeable," Elizabeth agreed, adding, "But so too is David Lucas. Let us hope we can merely get by without embarrassing ourselves, shall we?" This gentle tease from her sister seemed to calm a nervous Kitty.

Darcy noted that Bingley was teamed with Miss Bennet, which surprised him not at all, and Sir William Lucas and his eldest daughter Miss Charlotte Lucas, leaving him to wonder if either of them was well read enough to excel in this kind of amusement.

Mrs. Goulding was paired with Mrs. Bennet and her youngest daughters and Mariah Lucas. Darcy surmised there was no competition there. Mr. Goulding was offered the role as prompter while Mary was asked to keep score, something she happily accepted rather than be party to having to think quickly some alphabetically ordered proverbs instead of living by them as was her wont.

Mr. Goulding called the teams to order and, using his watch taken from his waistcoat pocket, he announced, "The first letter is an "R". Pointing to Mr. Darcy to lead them off, he came up with, "Revenge is a dish best served cold."

To this Goulding smiled as he pointed to Miss Mariah who stumbled before she got out, "Rain, rain, go away, come back another day? Will that do?"

"Accepted," Mr. Goulding replied.

At this Mariah clapped her hands, squealing in unison with Lydia.

He pointed to Charlotte, who said as she nodded to Darcy, "Revenge is sweet." He nodded back at her adding to his own adage.

Mr. Goulding announced, "The next letter is a "P," and pointed to the second team, to have Bingley recite, "Penny wise, pound foolish?"

"Accepted," Mr. Goulding said, bowing to the younger gentleman, and then pointed to his wife who called out, "Perfection is imperfect."

To this her husband beamed, saying, "Very good, my dear. Now, where were we? Oh, yes, Miss Elizabeth, I believe it is now your turn."

Darcy glanced her way, daring her to say something completely witty, his now unspoken challenge in his smirk emphasized by his raising two fingers to remind her of the forfeits she still owned him.

Elizabeth smiled, gazing back at Mr. Darcy when she said, "Poor men seek meat for their stomach; the rich men stomach for their meat," pointing at Darcy to indicate his loss of one of his forfeits. His nodded in agreement of her win.

"I say," Bingley chuckled, "that was a good one, Miss Elizabeth."

She curtseyed to the generous applause while Mr. Goulding continued, pointing to Jane. "Patience is a virtue." At this Mrs. Bennet applauded her eldest daughter until it came time for her to give a reply. She stammered, trying to wrack her brain, finally coming out with, "Promises are like babies, easy to make, but hard to deliver." This brought a roar of laughter from several quarters as Mrs. Bennet fanned herself with her handkerchief.

Again, it was time for one of their team to recite something witty, as Mr. Goulding turned to Kitty. She looked at him as if she would be the first to falter when Darcy reminded her of his advice regarding her drawing. She gazed at him in confusion until she gleaned his meaning, and blurted out with a broad smile, "PP-Practice make perfect!"

"Very good, Miss Kitty," Davis Lucas acknowledged to cause her cheeks to glow crimson.

The prompter then changed their focus with, "the letter is now "C" as he pointed to Lydia.

"Who me? Hmmmm..."

Elizabeth teased, "What is father always saying, Lydia?"

"Children should be seen and not heard? Oh, what a joke! La!"

Mr. Goulding pointed to Sir William, who hemmed and hawed before he came up with, "Civility costs nothing," to gentle applause.

"Now, who has yet to have a turn? Oh, yes, David, what say you?"

David Lucas straightened his waist coat, saying in his most regal voice, "Clothes make the man."

"To this Lydia piped in, "Oh, yes, but only if he is in regimentals!" This was followed by both Lydia and Mariah giggling before Jane gently admonished them.

The evening went on in similar merriment at several falters and misquotes to the amusement of all, the winning team being that of Darcy and Elizabeth, Kitty, and David, which came as no surprise to anyone. At the close of the evening all seemed to be in good humor except the now nearly inebriated Mr. Hurst who it seems had sampled a bit too much of the Gouldings' cellar and needed Darcy and Bingley to help him out the door at their departure. And where, he thought, they had rather unceremoniously pushed him into the carriage to have him complain to his brother, "Have a care, Bingley, no need to push. I can manage on my own, if you don't mind!"

Bingley just shook his head good naturedly and turned to add his farewells with that of Darcy's. Afterwards they both entered the carriage to enjoy the solitude of the short ride to Netherfield. Their remarks during the ride home of the evening's festivities were on a positive note, unlike what they would normally have endured had Bingley's sisters attended the dinner.

"Even you enjoyed yourself for once, Darcy," commented Bingley with a smile. "I gather you liked the amusement of proverb recitation with having several equally witty persons on your team."

Darcy admitted he had enjoyed himself, adding, "You were no slouch in that department, Bingley. Your team did remarkably well to their credit, unlike the last one who had trouble coming up but a few adages to share with the room."

To this statement Mr. Hurst chuckled, sitting up quite straight, as though he was not in the least affected by drink. "I would say that team was the silliest, but at times more than diverting for all the misquoting they managed."

Darcy and Bingley exchanged looks, each realizing that Hurst was in no way inebriated. It was a pretense to forego his having to participate in much of the empty frivolity, freeing him up to be at leisure to observe.

"You astound me at times, Hurst," Bingley laughed at this brother's antics.

"It is a talent, Bingley, for which I excel, but only if," he added casually but with a conspiratory tone, "it is kept secret from those whom I would rather not know of it."

Darcy chuckled, leaning back on the cushions, closing his eyes, grateful for the man's help this evening. "You may depend on our discretion, sir."

Chapter Twelve - The Apple Tree

Having ridden out about for most of the morning for the second day in a row, to absence himself from the confines of Netherfield and Bingley inability to join him due to estate business, Darcy allowed his horse a free rein to gallop. Returning by way of one of the forest paths frequented by those of the nearby estates, he came upon Elizabeth, a book in hand. Reining his mount to halt he tipped his hat. "Miss Bennet, good day to you."

Keeping her distance, Elizabeth smiled and curtseyed, returning, "And to you, sir."

"Your family remains well?"

"Yes, sir, they are all in good health."

"And have you word of the Gardiners? Are the children in fine spirits for your intended visit?"

To this she smiled. "Yes, sir, I am certain they are trying to be on good behavior for Father Christmas to bestow extra gifts in their shoes."

Darcy laughed, nodding as he remembered Georgiana doing likewise when young.

"I gather you had a pleasant ride?"

"Indeed, I did. It is always enjoyable to ride in the country where there are not too many obstructions to get in the way. Though you refused to oblige me when I asked you to sit upon my horse that I might see a sketch of you, perhaps a ride in the country without it being tied to a contest would suit you more."

"Perhaps, one day, sir," she said in a voice calm to disguise her demeanor, adding, "but not this day."

"Are you on your way home?"

"Actually, I am on one of my rambles, and plan not to return to Longbourn until luncheon."

He noticed her book. "Do you often read when you walk?"

"Yes," she laughed. "There are, as you say, very few obstructions to get in my way to enjoy both activities simultaneously."

"Would you mind it should I join you on your reading ramble?"

"No sir, I am not averse to the company."

Thus encouraged, Darcy dismounted and walked silently between his horse and Elizabeth as she read her book. She soon tired of his distracting way of glancing now and again over her shoulder to read a line or two. Smiling at his obvious wish for some conversation as well as his company, she closed her book, not having to wait long for his query. "About what are you are reading?"

She handed him the book. "A man named John Chapman, from America. Someone thought well enough of him to pen a book about his life as an orchardist." Again she waited for Darcy's mind to keep pace.

After reading several pages quickly, Darcy laughed. "Johnny Appleseed?* I thought he was a myth! It seems I was wrong."

Elizabeth feigned shock. "Why, Mr. Darcy, is this a first? Are you freely admitting to be in error in your thinking?" She saw the beginnings of a smile grace his face.

Teasing woman.

He could not keep from smirking, "It happens so infrequently, Miss Bennet, you should take note of the day and time."

This statement brought about her giggling as they moved down the path beside a grove of trees, some of which were apples, the tops still heavily laden with fruit from the summer season. Seeing the variety, and feeling that the owner would not miss one or two from the harvest, Darcy led his horse through the open gate. Both he and Elizabeth looked up into the branches of a large gnarly tree. Darcy asked, "Would you like one?"

She nodded. "I doubt Mr. McGregor would mind a few apples missing from his cider, but since the lower branches have been sawn off to keep young boys out of them, and most of the apples have already been harvested, how are you going to reach any on the higher limbs?"

Arching his brow, he removed his hat, and handing it to her, he walked his horse near the tree. First mounting, he then using his horse as a ladder, he stood on the saddle, his great height easily grabbing the lowest branch. The horse, unaccustomed to being used in this manner, shied away a few steps leaving his master to dangle from the limb.

She gasped. "Mr. Darcy!"

Disconcerted at the thought of being required to retrieve his horse, something she would much rather not have to do, she noticed that Mr. Darcy did not appear as though he were in any danger or in the immediate need of his mount. In fact, before her surprised eyes, he hoisted himself easily upon the branch, climbing into a second one and then a third as he headed for the ones closest to the top.

When he saw Elizabeth smile and shake her head, he replied, "Do you not sometimes wish yourself a boy, Miss Bennet, with the freedom to climb a tree? The pleasure is forbidden, of course, to all little girls so they may keep their dresses tidy."

This did not fail to cause her smile to broaden. "What makes you think that the pleasure of climbing trees is lost to all little girls, Mr. Darcy?"

Pulling himself up to the next few branches and almost within reach of a few juicy looking apples, he, too, smiled at her revelation of an odd childhood pastime for a girl, accusing her, "You climbed trees, Miss Bennet?"

Smirking, she shocked him further as to how scandalous she was when she casually declared, "You need not use the past tense, Mr. Darcy."

Gazing down at her, his smile broadened to show his dimples while tossing her an apple and picking another for himself. Sitting atop a large branch while leaning against the bough, he bit into his fruit and taunted her with, "Then why did you not join me in procuring an apple for yourself?"

"I need not climb a tree to get an apple, as you see." She held up her hand with the apple he had thrown to her. Biting into it, she found a worm and spit it out, adding, "But judging by the way you pick them, I hesitate to use your method of random selection from just any nearby branch."

Feeling somewhat guilty at her finding a worm in her apple he had given her and partly insulted by her chastisement of his free gift, he asked, "and how would a woman such as yourself render the fruit if you do not scale the tree, Miss Bennet?" When she hesitated, he ventured, "I wager you are merely teasing me to feign superiority in professing an ability that you, in fact, do not possess."

He saw her brow arch, as she goaded him with, "I can procure any apple of my choosing, sir, without joining you."

"This you must prove, Miss Bennet, else I will ask a forfeit of you."

Just as the words came from his mouth, he knew she had enticed him by his own haughtiness into another wager, of which by now he should know there was no certainty of his winning.

"And what shall it be, this wager, Mr. Darcy? What must I do should I fail in my attempt?"

"I will have to think a moment as to the forfeit, Miss Bennet. In the meantime, try your best to harvest a ripe apple without a worm as companion."

Glancing about the ground, Elizabeth spied several walnut sized pebbles, juggling each to see which she thought best to do the trick. She then gazed up into the branches, walking halfway around the tree to spy the apples high up in the branches. Darcy became a bit concerned to think she was soon to be pelting rocks his way. Trying to remain calm, he warned, "Be sure your aim is true, Miss Bennet, lest you put one of my eyes out."

Smiling, she cooed, "Just remain calm, Mr. Darcy. I am sure I can easily tell the different between you and a ripe apple dangling from a branch."

Spying an apple she thought ideal, she drew back her arm and let fly the pebble toward the slender tendril that held the apple aloft. With a sound blow, the twig snapped and the fruit fell effortlessly to the ground where she picked it up and rubbed it against her Spencer. Biting into it, she smiled, raising it for Darcy to view. "No worm, Mr. Darcy. Now, what must the forfeit be that I have won from you?"

He thought for a moment and then suggested, "How about a ride upon my horse, Miss Bennet." When he saw her frown and seemed at a loss for words, he was confused. Beginning his descent into the lower branches, he asked, "You do not like such a wonderful forfeit, Miss Bennet? I do not let just anyone ride my horse."

Finally, she said, "I thought...I thought my winning would entitle me to ask you to accomplish another labor, Mr. Darcy."

Reaching the last branch, he let his body dangle again before releasing his hands to fall easily to the ground, landing squarely on his feet. Stretching up to his full height, he towered over her. "I am not afraid of anything you might suggest, if that is what you wish, Miss Bennet. I am merely surprised that you would hesitate at such a gift. I thought all ladies liked horses."

Calling, his horse promptly walked up to its master, its nose near Mr. Darcy's chest, expecting a sugar cube. Elizabeth remained rooted to the ground, fascinated by Darcy's gentle treatment of the beast, patting its neck and rubbing its nose as it begged for a treat.

"Come, come, Miss Bennet, you won fair and square, or do you wish me to call in one of my forfeits instead and require it of you?"

She swallowed. "Sir, I am not proficient at riding. That was why I walked the three miles to Netherfield when Jane was ill."

"You are not required to be a proficient, Miss Bennet, merely willing to sit upon the saddle. I would not allow a novice the reins of my horse, though he is well trained. You are in no danger, I assure you."

Her breath had quickened, but her voice remained calm. "You will not be satisfied until I am upon your horse?"

"No," he decided with a smug smile, adding, "and now I choose it as your past forfeit to me. I would have you sit upon my horse, Miss Bennet."

Elizabeth hesitated long enough for him to become exasperated. "Come, come, Miss Bennet. Now you make me think that you are trying to be coy, which does not suit you. Here, put your foot in my hand that I help you mount."

She glared at him for his accusation and nodded as she steeled herself to the task.

His hand went down to accept her boot. She held her breath and obeyed. Darcy easily hoisted her upon the saddle to have her sit with both legs dangling off the side while her hands quickly grabbed hold of the front and back of the saddle in a tight grip. Taking the reins and walking his horse from the grove to start down the path, he failed to notice how pale she had become.

He ventured, "Is this not wondrous treat, Miss Bennet, to be so high upon a noble animal?"

Glancing up when she made not reply, Darcy saw what he thought was fear overspreading her face before she looked away to school her expression while stammering, "Y-Yes, quite, Mr. Darcy. I ...it seems to be very high up." She swallowed. "C-Can you not get me down now?"

His eyes narrowed at a sudden thought. Her request was almost a confirmation of what he now suspected was the matter. Halting his horse, he came to stand at the animal's left side. Silently, and with a gentleness reserved usually for his sister, he took hold of Elizabeth's waist as she leaned down and placed her hands on his shoulders. Lifting her from the saddle, he felt her trembling, and asked, "Miss Bennet, are you well?"

After helping her dismount she would not meet his gaze. In fact, seemed incapable of speech and merely nodded her equanimity, which he sensed was quite untrue. Helping her to a nearby log where he released her to sit, his concern was apparent on his face as he sat down next to her. Neither spoke for a long while, both inclined to sit in the silent warmth of the late autumn.

When it became clear she would say nothing of an incident that he had instigated to her obvious perturbation, Darcy began, "Miss Bennet-"

"He is a very fine horse, Mr. Darcy," she interrupted. "Nice lines, good head, and a gentle disposition. D-Does he have a name?"

"Silas."

"From the Bible, a strong name of a good man." She nodded. "It seems to fit him."

"Thank you."

"I...I gather you have taken a hand in his training."

Surprised by this, he asked, "How did you know that?"

"The way he came right up to you expecting some sweet reward you must often carry in your coat pocket, it seems to indicate some trusting relationship that is required with any training."

Confirming her observation, Darcy said, "He foaled at Pemberley, the offspring of one of my father's favorite sires, and I have helped train him for almost seven years now. We have shared many experiences together in that time."

"More of a friend then," she said, her voice growing steady as she gazed at the serene animal munching grass along the path.

"Yes, a friend of sorts," he agreed, seeing that she still would not speak of what had just occurred. Reviewing their other encounters that included his horse, he realized his own failure to notice her reluctance to near the animal, a sure sign of her fear.

Why would she not just admit she was afraid?

Darcy quietly admonished, "You should have told me."

She shook her head, trying to make light of it with a casual reply, "It was irrelevant. When you asked it of me as a forfeit I felt obligated to accept."

"Had I known, I would never have insisted."

With a smile, she said in her teasing way that spoke of her returning humor, "It was my decision, Mr. Darcy," adding to assuage him of some of his remorse, "A thing I am apt to do on occasion, just to remind myself that I have a choice."

"I am truly sorry for-" he again apologized at which she raised her hand to make him stop.

Laughing at last, she implored him, "Let us be done with it by my merely admitting that I allowed my pride too much leeway over my dread." She pulled the apple out of her reticule and took a bite. "Now," returning to her book, she quipped, "What do you wish to know of the real Johnny Appleseed?"

All he could do when she declined to say more on the subject was to nod at her offer of acquainting him with the man who encouraged the planting of apple trees. Darcy mentally took stock in what he now gleaned of Miss Elizabeth Bennet's character by her actions this day, marveling at the integrity of this most uncommon acquaintance.

Most uncommon, indeed.

*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Appleseed

Chapter Thirteen - The Ride to London

Posted n Wednesday, 11 April 2007

At the stop halfway to town to change horses, Jane and Elizabeth asked to leave the carriage to stretch their legs. Mr. Hurst disinclined any similar need but would have willingly done his duty to the young ladies had it not been for the eagerness of his brother to accompany them. Mr. Hurst merely nodded and settled more comfortably in the cushions, crossing his arm and dropping his chin to chest for a short nap while they left to walk the wooden side walks near the livery.

Darcy, having taken the responsibility of tending to the exchange of the horses Bingley had housed there during his last visit to town, knowing that he would soon need them again, left his friend to chaperone the ladies to the lobby of the hotel for tea while they waited for the coach to be readied.

When he joined them after seeing to the horses, Elizabeth noticed Darcy's continued dark mood that had permeated the first leg of their journey. Curtailing anyone wishing for conversation, this left the passengers to their own devises. Mr. Hurst, who sat by the window beside the ladies, had closed his eyes, they believed him to be sleeping. Jane and Elizabeth whispered for a time of the interesting scenery passing by the window for a time, but soon tired of that and remained quiet. While Jane got out some needlepoint from her reticule, Elizabeth shuddered at the sight of it, and took out her book to read, both now silently busy.

Bingley, who sat across from Jane, attempted some conversation, but no one seemed interested in more than a few words of comment, which discouraged him to continue. A dark cloud seemed to be perched above Darcy, whose countenance so intimidated Jane, she would not even venture a glance his way. Elizabeth on the other hand, merely frowned back at him, wondering what had him in so foul a mood that even his friends could not budge him out of it.

When one of the coachmen came in to announce the carriage was ready to depart, both Bingley and Jane started quickly for the door. Darcy settled the bill while Elizabeth paused in the entryway. Waiting to have him escort her to the carriage, it gave her an opportunity to ask him if she might help his mood, "should you wish convey the reason for it lingering ever since leaving Hertfordshire."

He sighed, "I had hoped to take Mr. Bingley's rather sorry hat to my furrier in town, that they might do whatever was possible to restore it to usable status once more, but..."

"That is very kind of you. What then is the problem?"

"When I asked Mr. Forshaw, Bingley's butler to retrieve his hat, he informed me that it was lost."

Elizabeth's mouth opened in surprise, asking, "Lost, as in being somewhere about the house?"

"Mr. Forshaw assured me that he had it searched for thoroughly, and none of the servants could find it. He fears it has been thrown out or given to the poor along with a pile of old clothes Miss Bingley had donated."

"Poor Mr. Bingley," Elizabeth sighed trying not to giggle, "To have lost a favorite article of clothing to a slave to the latest fashion that include her ideas of what is appropriate for her brother as well."

"He really liked that hat, Miss Bennet, and I wished to have it restored to him were it possible."

Shrugging, she admitted, "With four sisters, you can imagine how often articles of clothing are absconded with, later to be discarded in the most unlikely of places at Longbourn to be found by many a perplexed maid or servant . I am sure they were left to wonder how on earth clothing could possibly have gotten in so out of the way a place."

Seeing he needed a bit more encouragement, Elizabeth added, "Mr. Bingley's hat might yet turn up in some out of the way basket or pile of clothes. Do not lose heart, Mr. Darcy."

Her smile and belief that Bingley's hat would see the light of day once more did more to restore his humor than anything he had previously hoped.

"Now, shall we see what Mr. Hurst has been up to while we have been away? She added with some mischief, Shall we wager that he has been utilizing his time wisely in our absence?"

Darcy smiled, saying, "Unless you are very careful, you will owe me another forfeit, Miss Bennet."

Shaking her head, she said, "Indeed, I would wager to bet that since he has been sleeping the hours that we have traveled from Hertfordshire, he must be busy trying to solve the word puzzle I left on the seat."

At this Darcy actually laughed.

Is she serious?

He had never known the man to tend toward any crypt-o-scripts which, when solved, were a play on words that would solicit groans from any who heard them read aloud. Knowing full well the gentleman in question was, most likely, serenading those passersby near enough to the carriage windows to hear. Darcy nodded. "I will accept your wager, Miss Bennet, and when you lose, you must play and sing for me."

Elizabeth smiled. "Done."

As they neared the carriage, Jane and Bingley were standing beside the door, both blushing at the sound emerging from within ,seemed like a groaning boar in rut followed by oinking and coughing.

Darcy smirked at Elizabeth who tried not to laugh out loud at his easy win. When they entered the carriage and sat down beside the still snoring Mr. Hurst, she opened her mouth and handed Darcy her work page with the crypto-o-puzzle neatly filled by a man's hand.

She smiled. "It seems we have a draw, Mr. Darcy."

He had to concede. "So it would seem, Miss Bennet."

"Do you play or sing, Mr. Darcy?"

"That, I fear, is where my sister excels. She is the Darcy who inherited those talents."

"That is a pity, Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth said with the barest trace of a smile to have Darcy wonder if she was pleased by the fact or not.

At Darcy's rapping on the roof to signal the driver, the carriage lurched forward. This afforded all in the carriage to bear witness to the awakening of Mr. Hurst, blinking his eyes repeatedly and swallowing several times from his dry mouth. He stared back at his other rather amused passengers who all seemed to be smirking at his ability to sleep anywhere. At first in no mood for their being diverted at his expense, he cleared his throat, defending himself in a raspy voice, "A man's got to sleep at some point during the day."

His brother Bingley countered with a smile, "Because for a man to sleep during the night would be out of the question."

Hurst cleared his throat again, mumbling, "My voice is as hoarse as a crow. I could use liquid refreshment."

Before anyone else could make a retort, Jane surprised him with, "Mr. Hurst, if you are as tired as a dog, perhaps you should make your room as peaceful as a lake to entice yourself to sleep."

Hurst complained, "But first I must soothe my gullet for my throat is dry as bone-" Stopping in mid-sentence, his clear blue eyes gazed at Jane, his mouth hung open.

All in the carriage recognized that Jane had inadvertently dropped in their laps an impromptu game to amuse them for the remainder of the journey. Straightening up and smoothing out the wrinkles in his waist coat, Hurst nodded his head to the lady, and cleared his throat to give him time to come up with, "Thank you, Miss Bennet. Had I been as drunk as a Lord, and as mad as a hatter, you kind advice to me would be as wise as an owl."

Jane blinked, at first quite at a loss to know how to respond to such a statement until her sister leaned over and gently teased, "Dear Jane, you are as quiet as a church mouse when I have it on good authority that normally you are as sharp as needle." She arched her brows.

Darcy then offered, "Miss Bennet, it should be as clear as a bell..."

Sitting across from her, Bingley said, "Even though I am oft-times as blind as a bat, and as dull as dishwater next to Darcy, at the moment even I am quick as a wink to see what is afoot."

His bright eyes stared hopefully at Jane to have her giggle. Touching her cheeks that she knew were turning bright pink, she said, "Oh, I am red as a beet."

This brought gales of laughter from the rest of the party with Hurst allowing, "I say, you are as smart as tack, Miss Bennet."

Jane arched her brows. "And I thought you all nutty as a fruitcake!"

To this Elizabeth scoffed, saying good naturedly, "And I thought you merely being obstinate as a mule."

"Lizzy!"

"I thought she was as innocent as a lamb." This came from Bingley.

Hurst added, "As timid as a sheep."

Jane retorted to the lot of them, "Well, soon it became as plain as day what you were all about, and I was as free as a bird to make a reply."

"Ha! Good show, Miss Bennet!"

Elizabeth agreed, "Yes, Jane, you should be as proud as a peacock for such a retort."

"As cool as a cucumber," nodded Hurst.

Darcy smiled. "It is as clear as crystal that we have two of the brightest young ladies in our company, gentlemen."

Bingley agreed, wondering if he could keep up with them.

Needless to say, the remainder of the ride to London was filled with such diversion that no one realized they had passed the outskirts of the big city until the driver slowed to begin making the corners of the more crowded streets heading for Cheapside and the Gardiner's house.

Gazing out the window, Darcy remarked, "I believe we have nearly arrived."

They all stared out the glass sides to see stately buildings and coaches. When the carriage turned again into the more warehouse district of London, carts and wagons took precedence over the stately homes while pedestrians and workers hurrying along, all bustling about the streets.

"They all seem as busy as bees," offered Bingley trying to keep up with their game.

Both Darcy and Elizabeth exchanged a knowing look as she shivered at the memory.

Just then they all heard the rumbling of Mr. Hurst's stomach, signaling that the dinner hour was fast approaching, with him saying in reply, "I am so hungry I could eat a..." When they all stared back, he chuckled and offered instead, "I am as hungry as a wolf." This brought them all to laughter once more.

When the carriage at last reached Gracechurch Street and reined in at the handsome little house buffeted by trees in the small front yard, Elizabeth saw the Gardiner's children waiting impatiently upon the front porch for the arrival of their cousins. A coachman jumped from the rear to open the door and fold down the step just as the children began to scamper down the steps, stopped in their tracks by the overly tall man emerging from the coach. The youngest child ran back up the steps crying for her mother.

Oblivious, Darcy handed Elizabeth out followed by Jane to have the children once more gathering their courage to approach the carriage. Indeed, Elizabeth's open arms and wide smile gave them the momentum to run to both she and her sister to receive enthusiastic hugs and kisses. Bingley and Mr. Hurst removed from the carriage to stretch their legs just as the lady of the house came out the door carrying a still weeping child.

Elizabeth and Jane each gave their aunt hugs with Elizabeth taking little Ellie into her arms, cooing softly to have her calm herself in such security.

While the servants were gathering their trunks taken from their storage place by the coachmen, Elizabeth made the introductions.

"Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, Mr. Hurst, I thank you all most sincerely for allowing my nieces the safety of your carriage to travel to us. The express we received but yesterday informing us of their mode of transport was a great surprise. To have them at our disposal for the return trip to Longbourn is a blessing both to my husband and my children. They adore their cousins, and the feeling, as you see, is mutual."

"We were glad to be of service," Mr. Bingley chimed, gazing at the blushing Jane.

"And who is this wondrous creature?" Darcy soothing voice seemed to have some affect on the littlest child cowering in Elizabeth's arms. Taking off his rather tall hat, he viewed the sweet eyes of yet another charming girl. "My name is Mr. Darcy, young lady. What is your name?"

At first turning her head into Elizabeth's neck for security, she nonetheless was brave enough to reply, "I am Ellie and I am this many." She held up three chubby fingers.

"You are very tall, sir."

"Edmond! Is that the proper way to address a stranger?"

"Sorry, mother," the young lad said without contrition.

"Mr. Darcy, this is Edmond, my eldest, and Jenny, and the youngest hiding behind Jane's skirts is Nathan."

Darcy squatted down to be on their eye level, he shook each boy's hand, and then bowed to the young miss. "I am happy to make your acquaintance. This is my friend, Mr. Bingley, and his brother, Mr. Hurst."

"How do you do," Bingley smiled to charm them all. Mr. Hurst merely nodded.

"Can I offer you some refreshments, gentlemen," Mrs. Gardiner asked as the servants finished their task with the trunks.

Darcy declined. "I thank you, but we wish to continue on to my townhouse." Seeing Bingley's agitation at not accepting Mrs. Gardiner's kind hospitality, Darcy added, "but if you will permit it, we should like to call on you tomorrow or the next day."

"That would be delightful," Mrs. Gardiners smiled. "My husband wished for me to invite you to dine with us on Thursday if that is convenient to repay you such kindness."

"That is not necessary, Mrs. Gardiner. As to Thursday, we have no fixed engagements on that day," Darcy said, turning to confirm it with his friend. Bingley smiled, nodding. "We shall call on you at seven."

"Thank you again, Mr. Darcy, for all you have done for my nieces," said the elderly lady turning toward the house with one youngster in tow while Jane had the hands of the eldest children.

Elizabeth smiled at him as the other men started back to the carriage. "Thank you, sir. Jane and I have a wonderful time traveling with you three."

"It was a pleasure for all of us, Miss Bennet."

His soft reply seemed to bolster little Ellie to bravely reach over and hug him, causing him at first to start at such sudden close contact, then embrace her fully, pulling her completely from Elizabeth's hold. Whispering his ‘thank you' in her ear to cause the little girl's smile, he then whispered something further at which Ellie nodded before reaching her arms once more for the security of her cousin's embrace.

"Good day, Miss Bennet."

Darcy tipped his hat and took his leave. As she watched him enter the coach, Elizabeth asked, "What did he say to you, Ellie?"

"He asked if I liked you."

Elizabeth watched the coach depart down the street towards the more fashionable townhouses. Her little cousin then said quite nonchalantly, "I like him, too."

Elizabeth opened her mouth, at first not knowing how to reply to her terribly shy cousin having so instant a rapport with a total stranger.

"Do you now? Why do you like him, Ellie?"

The little girl curled closer to the crook of her cousin's neck as Elizabeth took her into the house for her nap. Sucking her fingers, Ellie mumbled as she drifted off, "His eyes twinkle like Papa's."

This brought an unbidden blush to Elizabeth's cheeks. Had she stood before them and yet missed his allowing this tiny girl a glance into his soul to have her find him worthy of notice?

What a puzzling man. His ferocious stare can intimidate even the stoutest heart, yet he has the capacity to charm a shy toddler with the merest glance.

At this revelation all Elizabeth could do was shake her head in wonder.

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