Without quite understanding how it had been arranged, Elizabeth found herself seated between the two gentlemen, across from Charlotte who smiled at her entirely too much, and Maria who kept her eyes lowered. Mrs. Jenkinson sat beside Maria.
Miss de Bourgh took her rightful place at the head of the table with Darcy to her right.
Elizabeth found herself at an uncomfortably quiet table full of people. The pointed glances and sounds of soup being sipped were far too obvious for her lively disposition to bear.
This will not do.
She took it upon herself to begin a conversation.
“Thomas, how came you to arrive with Mr. Darcy?”
The young doctor gave her his most handsome, confident smile.
Unfair! He is well aware I like his dimples. I wonder if he realizes he did not use them to his best advantage last May? A smiling gentleman is so much more appealing than an angry one. Nonetheless, I am not inclined to change my mind.
“Mr. Darcy sent a note to me at my office last evening requesting my presence here at Rosings. I was happy to oblige him and come to care for Lady Catherine since Mr. Hough was quite ill and in no condition to travel. When I agreed, he very generously suggested that we travel together rather than bring two carriages.”
Thomas chuckled. “As you must know, his carriage is far superior to mine. Consequently, I was delighted to accept his magnanimous offer.”
Elizabeth, puzzled, turned to Mr. Darcy. “I understood that an express was being sent to Lady Catherine’s physician. How did you come to know of her illness?”
Miss de Bourgh quickly replied in his stead. “There is no mystery. I sent an express to Fitzwilliam at my mother’s request. We knew he was staying in London for Christmas, and she wished to see him, so I charged him with bringing the doctor.”
Elizabeth took a spoonful of her soup as she gathered her thoughts. Lady Catherine did not ask for Colonel Fitzwilliam, though he is also her nephew. In fact, she did not wish to see any of her numerous relatives except Mr. Darcy. I think the lady has a scheme in mind, and I would wager I know what it is, for she is not the sort to allow a crisis to go unused. It would be wasteful.
A small noise of mirth escaped her, and she looked up to see Darcy’s intelligent green eyes regarding her as if he could read her mind. His lips looked as if he fought amusement, and he brought his napkin to his mouth.
She felt the heat rise up her neck. Is he hiding a smile? I cannot remember ever seeing him wearing that particular expression. In fact, I do not recall ever seeing him smile before, and I find that I am quite eager to observe him thus.
“My cousin did not tell me she had company,” he said, lifting his glass.
Would you have come if she had?
Elizabeth looked at him, careful to keep her expression guarded. “Charlotte, Maria, and I are not guests, strictly speaking. We were visiting Rosings when Lady Catherine became ill. Mr. Collins now suffers from scarlet fever; therefore, Mr. Sims, the apothecary, would not allow us to return to the parsonage.”
I am responsible for your aunt’s attack. ’Tis my fault she nearly died.
She dropped her gaze to her plate.
Miss de Bourgh’s gentle voice cut into her thoughts. “You are most certainly my guests, and I am extremely happy to have you here. Though my mother is much better now, last night I did not think she would survive. Having you, Mrs. Collins, and Miss Lucas here was a source of great solace for me. I knew that I could ask anything of you, and it would be done.”
Elizabeth lifted her head. “You sound quite encouraged. I am glad to hear it.”
Charlotte smiled. “Mr. Sims came early this morning while you were walking. I was so upset thinking you might be injured and in a snowbank somewhere that I entirely forgot to tell you. Lady Catherine is greatly improved; Mr. Sims feels she will live, though she may be bedridden.”
Both gentlemen turned their attention to Elizabeth, and she stole a quick glance at each. Neither was happy. In fact, one seemed overly concerned while the other appeared to be fighting his temper.
The physician’s ire gained the upper hand.
“Elizabeth! How like you to tramp about the woods in a snow storm. You could have frozen to death. What do you mean?”
He makes me feel like a child.
“Thomas, I had no idea it was going to snow, and I do not tramp. I walk briskly. As soon as I saw the gathering clouds, I returned to the house. Pray, refrain from scolding me in company. You are neither my father nor my brother.”
She heard a low voice from her right.
“Miss Bennet, I feel certain that Mr. Jones is merely worried for your welfare. To confess it myself, I am also apprehensive. I know that you enjoy your morning walks, but I had no idea you continued the practice in the dead of winter. Could you, perhaps, walk the long halls of Rosings instead?”
“I so enjoy taking my exercise in the outdoors.” She clasped her hands in her lap. “When I stay inside too long, I do not feel well. My walks soothe my mind.”
He put his spoon on the edge of his bowl, and the motion attracted her attention. The expression of unease in his eyes held her.
“My aunt’s estate boasts the largest orangeries and botanical gardens in the south of England. Indeed, the structures rival those of Chatsworth and Versailles. Could you not walk in those instead? They are quite beautiful.”
Her eyes lit with delight. “I had no idea.”
Miss de Bourgh’s amiable voice broke into the conversation. “I am not at all surprised, for the buildings are behind the house, and you have never been shown those grounds. If you would enjoy it, I can send a footman to lead you there while the gentlemen are occupied with my mother.”
“I would very much appreciate it.”
Mr. Darcy cleared his throat. “As it was my idea, and I feel certain you would not mind, Cousin, I would prefer that Miss Bennet wait and allow me to guide her through the gardens after I visit my aunt. The design is quite large and varied. It is my favourite thing about Rosings Park; ’tis even more beautiful than the grounds in spring.”
“What a capital idea,” said Mr. Jones. “I will join you, if you do not mind, for I am most curious about the medicinal properties of plants. I should be glad of the opportunity to learn from an enthusiast.”
“I do not profess to know a great deal concerning the essence of plants in that regard,” replied Mr. Darcy, “though I have studied the varieties of flowers, shrubs, vegetables, and herbs in an effort to improve the yields, as well as the beauty, of my estate. I believe that most of creation can be useful as well as ornamental, and there is something peaceful in meditating upon what is both lovely and constructive. If you wish to be enlightened concerning the uses of the plants to your profession, perhaps the head gardener would be a better guide for you than I.”
He retrieved his spoon and turned back to his soup.
Thomas smiled. “I am certain you are an exemplary docent in whatever you study, Mr. Darcy. I think it would be advantageous to hear your thoughts in addition to those of the head gardener.”
“Then, by all means, join us.” Darcy’s voice was flat, without its earlier hint of excitement.
The atmosphere in the room grew decidedly chilly.
This is more awkward than the earlier silence. I suppose the burden of congenial conversation falls to me.
“Mr. Darcy, I am most curious and would learn more. Upon what lovely, constructive things do you ponder to bring yourself to a peaceful state?”
He turned his face deliberately to hers, as if in challenge, green eyes sparkling with intelligence and a hint of mischief.
“For the past year or so, from time to time my mind has been agreeably engaged in reflecting on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow. Such musings formerly made me uneasy, but now I find the opposite is true.”
Then he smiled at her, and the world fell away.
Her mind went completely blank.
Charlotte’s chuckle broke through Elizabeth’s reverie, jolting her back to the present.
“May one inquire as to the owner of the eyes?” asked Charlotte.
The room was hushed for a moment, then Thomas’s voice broke the silence.
“Mr. Darcy was likely not referring to a specific lady, Mrs. Collins, for to make such a declaration in a public setting would not be entirely proper.”
Darcy stared at his plate. “And heaven knows, I am nothing if not entirely proper.”
Miss de Bourgh sighed, her eyes fixed on the far wall. “Oh, yes. Both of us are always conventional, orthodox, and acceptable in every aspect of our lives.”
She glanced around the table before she continued. “Is there any doubt that our family embodies all that is correct? Shall we then agree that Fitzwilliam has been enjoying a variety of fine eyes in the faces of several lovely women? Or would that make him a rake? How many women is a proper gentleman allowed to admire? What number is neither too small nor too large?”
Elizabeth’s mouth fell open. She quickly recovered and closed it.
Within a moment, her smile was back in place. “I think a proper gentleman may admire as many women as he pleases until he is wed.”
Thomas laughed. “You cannot mean it. I well know that you do not esteem men who ogle ladies. Are they not rakes? Have you not said so yourself more than once?”
She tilted her head. “So long as a man does not act on the admiration, he cannot be justly accused of being a rake. I have known Mr. Darcy more than a year and have observed his behaviour in varied circumstances, and I have no doubt that he has always acted honourably. Additionally, I have never observed him ogling anyone. He is inordinately discrete.”
Darcy’s tone was dry. “While I thank you for your spirited defense of my character, Miss Bennet, I think I would prefer a change of subject. I have never sought the notoriety that comes with being scrutinized by my acquaintances, friends, and relations. It is inevitable, I suppose, but perhaps it would be better to engage in the exercise when I am absent.”
She bowed her head. “Pardon me, sir. You are, of course, correct. Please accept my apologies, for I meant no harm. My mother has often lamented that I have been allowed far too much latitude in the things I say.”
Miss de Bourgh gestured to the butler to bring the next course. “Of course, you were being flippant, my dear. That much was obvious. Pray, do not distress yourself. There has been such a lack of merriment around this table as to make us unable to recognize benign humour.”
Elizabeth was amazed to feel a light touch on her wrist, not visible to the rest of the party. She lifted her face to the gentleman and saw him shake his head very slightly.
Mr. Darcy appeared to be frustrated. Perhaps sad?
She drew her brows together. I do not understand.
As the footmen collected one course and replaced it with another, taking the attention of the rest of the party, he leaned over to speak to her.
She inclined her head towards his. She barely caught his whispered words.
“You are void of reproach. You are completely innocent.”
Charlotte cleared her throat. She looked pointedly first at Elizabeth, and then at Thomas.
Elizabeth followed her friend’s gaze and saw that he was watching them, much interested in what Mr. Darcy was saying to her.
She sat up straight and took her hand from her lap, using it to lift her glass for a sip of water.
A change of subject is in order.
“I see that it still snows heavily. Will that affect our plans to explore the botanical gardens and orangeries?”
“Not at all, for they connect to the main house and each other. Though the buildings are heated with Franklin stoves, the hallways may be a bit cold, so wear warm clothing.”
Mr. Darcy glanced around the table. “Everyone is invited who wishes to go. Mrs. Collins, there are benches scattered throughout if you become fatigued.”
She smiled. “I confess I was hoping to see the plants. I have admired the flowers spread throughout the rooms of Rosings at all times of the year, and I wondered how it was possible. Will you come with me, Maria?”
Her sister’s face brightened as she nodded with enthusiasm.
“Then you shall all go as soon as Darcy and Mr. Thomas visit my mother,” said Miss de Bourgh. “Mrs. Jenkinson and I will sit with her while the rest of you enjoy the outing. I shall send a servant for you, Mr. Thomas, if you are needed.
“We offer little in the way of entertainment here, and I am vastly pleased to give you all a respite from the sickroom.”
The remainder of the meal was uneventful, as topics were limited to the weather and the various Christmas customs of the four families represented by the assembled group.
It appeared as if they might have to plan their own holiday festivities, as the snow showed no signs of letting up.