Chapter Five

The huge black sheep dog ran circles around Elizabeth as she tried to stay upright and gain her balance in the snow shoes. The spirited barking and prancing of a canine around her did nothing to help her steady herself, and twice she had fallen into the snow with unrestrained cheer. The third such time, she laid back and the dog licked her cheeks as she laughed with abandon.

"Windsor! Here boy!" Darcy called out, picking up a snowball and tossing it away from Elizabeth. Windsor happily ran after the sailing ball, only to bark in confusion when it landed and disappeared. Elizabeth looked up from where she was lying to see Mr. Darcy's handsome face smiling back at her. "You are a force to be reckoned with, Miss Elizabeth." He helped her up and pretended to watch Windsor as she dusted the fresh powder off her skirts.

"Oh, who can be cross at such a happy animal?" She glanced at Darcy and bent down to make her own snowball. "Here, Windsor!" her tiny voice rang out and the big, bumbling dog changed his focus to Miss Bennet to chase the snow ball she threw, though not as far. Taking Mr. Darcy's arm, she walked with him as they chose to take the frozen garden paths. The bushes of holly proudly presented their evergreen and vivid red berries with a confectioner's dusting of snow upon them. Elizabeth knew better than to touch their prickly leaves, but she couldn't help enjoying the sights and clean scents of winter around her.

"By January, this pristine white will be marred with ugly dirt as the horses and other animals need their exercise."

Elizabeth wrinkled her nose. "We hardly get any snow in Hertfordshire except a small dusting, and that rarely happens before Christmas."

Darcy nodded, being knowledgeable about the various weather patterns throughout the country. "How is your family? I confess I have heard so little through Charles. . ."

Elizabeth took a deep breath and broke off from his arm, electing to walk on a little ahead. She wasn't quite ready to broach the subject, and talking about her family was awfully close to talking of his absence. "All are well. My mother is visiting Lydia, though she will return before the New Year. The babe is likely already born, we're waiting to hear the news." Darcy nodded, thankful she didn't dwell on that branch of the family at length. "Mary is married, this past autumn, to Mr. Nichols. He has been afforded the living in Hertfordshire and she is most content to be a parson's wife."

"And your friend? Mrs. Collins?"

Elizabeth swallowed, confused that Darcy had not heard through his connections at Kent. "Mrs. Collins perished last summer delivering a son. I would have thought your aunt would write to you of the news concerning her subjects." Elizabeth bit her lip, realizing how crass she had sounded. It was true the grand dame of Rosings acted as a regent over the citizens of the county, but she had no reason to disrespect the woman at present.

"Ah, I am so sorry to hear Charlotte is gone. I know she was a particular friend of yours." Mr. Darcy's expression turned gloomy, and Elizabeth wondered why he did not address the subject of his aunt. Shrugging her shoulders, she attempted a jog in her snow shoes to the delight of Windsor.

She allowed the dog to chase her as she navigated out of the neatly trimmed hedges of the garden until they were back in the open field. Picking up another handful of snow, she tossed it as high and far as she could for the dog to chase. When Mr. Darcy caught them up and made his own snowball to throw, Elizabeth made another, but this time, she didn't throw it for the dog, and instead hit Mr. Darcy squarely between the shoulders and part of his bare neck, making the man shudder.

She started to giggle and hoped he would play along, but instead he simply ignored the offending toss and mentioned it might be time they headed back. Elizabeth felt awful for teasing Mr. Darcy and chided herself about how so far this visit, none of her normal taunts and teases seemed to cheer him like they had in the past. Perhaps he thought they were the mean spirited signs of dislike she employed before his proposal? Without thinking, she lightly linked his arm with her own in her regret, causing Mr. Darcy to gaze down at her. She kept her head tilted away to hide her emotions.

Just as they reached the door, Mr. Darcy called Windsor who came running eagerly, quite happy from the outing. Elizabeth turned to see the dog and moments later shouted with laughter, "Mr. Darcy! Ooooh!!!"

Mrs. Reynolds opened the back door to see Miss Bennet dancing like a kangaroo and Mr. Darcy laughing like a school boy, guilty and grinning. With an expression of peeved distress, Elizabeth made her plea to the older housekeeper and tattled like a child. "He put a ball of snow down my back!"

The old woman laughed and helped Miss Bennet shake her dress to help the offending snow slide out the bottom, and Mr. Darcy called Windsor inside. "Be careful Miss Bennet that you do not begin what you cannot finish."

As the still chuckling Mr. Darcy entered the house to remove his shoes, Mrs. Reynolds fretted over Elizabeth to help her out of her own. "Thank you, Mrs. Reynolds, for your help." Elizabeth said, with genuine grace.

"No, Miss Bennet, thank you." The old woman shooed the couple inside to warm up and announced the rest of the household was awake and in the sitting room.

Fitzwilliam Darcy was not the only Darcy with a surprise for Elizabeth, though Georgiana's indoor picnic for luncheon was a surprise for all. As the morning hours passed pleasantly in the sitting room, with the men retiring to the study to discuss the property they were to view on the morrow, Georgiana kept finding reasons to leave. The young woman beamed as she requested everyone to meet her in the entryway dressed for the outdoors. Anne and Richard gave their regrets and no one questioned the couple's desire to spend time alone.

As they congregated around the stairs, Miss Bingley started her complaints. "Dear Georgiana means well, but Mr. Darcy, she says there is to be a picnic! This cannot be wise in such cold weather!"

Darcy stood as perplexed as the rest, but calmly stated he trusted his sister.

"And we are to go out tonight as well? I shall be sick tomorrow for certain!"

Elizabeth paused in her conversation with Jane about a letter the latter received from their mother announcing Lydia's safe delivery. "What are the plans for this evening?"

Caroline pouted, though she felt pleased she knew more about Pemberley than her competition. "It's the full moon, so we must attend the moonlit skating party out on the pond. You had retired early for the evening when we spoke about the plans. All of the servants join us." Caroline said the last part expecting Elizabeth to abhor such a notion, but instead the young woman grinned and shared her jubilation with Jane.

"How lovely! We never did anything with our servants back home, Mama was always so snobbish. I think it's a splendid plan to spread goodwill."

Mr. Darcy cleared his throat, looking directly at Caroline. "The last year my mother was alive, she desperately wished to ice skate, though she was quite ill. It took many of the servants to help my father arrange such an event, and others came to support my mother as the mistress of the house seeking one last joyous memory with her children."

Caroline's snooty expression faltered and she opened and closed her mouth a few times to form a response, but could not craft one before Georgiana returned to the entryway to announce all was ready and would they please follow her? Walking unescorted in the procession in front of the Bennet sisters, Caroline Bingley chided herself for insulting Mr. Darcy about the moonlit party, but resolved to show him how gracious she could be tonight even if it killed her.

Georgiana led the expedition down the long hall that Elizabeth knew so well. They were blasted by Old Man Winter's icy breeze for a few moments once they exited the house to walk the short bricked path to the hothouses. Inside, it was a tropical paradise! Flowers bloomed and the greenery was festive as Georgiana proudly escorted them to the picnic area in the center under the cupola.

"Georgiana! This is gorgeous! Charles, we must invest in a hothouse when we settle." Jane exclaimed, breaking away from Elizabeth to give the young woman a hug. The sudden affection surprised the younger Darcy, but she accepted it with little hesitation. Elizabeth smirked and commiserated with her brother Charles that Jane's moods altered so drastically these days, as to be expected for a woman in her condition.

Caroline claimed the arm of Mr. Darcy so the poor man was forced to escort her to the far side of the blanket as Georgiana, Elizabeth and the Bingleys already laid claim to the nearest side. An entire feast of the building's offerings plus cold venison cutlets were on display in the most festive decorations with orange peels and sweet pickled fruit garnishing.

Elizabeth caught Mr. Darcy's eye a few times but he was stuck attending Caroline who asked him to make her a plate. Elizabeth picked at her food as conversation swirled around her, wondering why she had not been brave enough to ask him why he had not come back to Hertfordshire. Now, she was sitting in mixed company and desperately wished to know the answer, only to have no prayer of such discovery. Vexed with herself, her frowns caught the attentions of Georgiana.

"Miss Bennet, does something displease you?"

Elizabeth startled with surprise, embarrassed she shook her head. "I'm sorry, I was thinking about tomorrow when the Colonel, Mr. Darcy, and Mr. Bingley ride out so close to Christmas. But worrying does no good, so I will cast away my dark thoughts."

"How far is the estate, Willow-on-Havre?" Jane asked again, touching her temples in frustration that she once again had to ask for this information, but she couldn't remember what Charles had told her last night.

"Twenty miles. We will arrive and Mr. Cornish, the caretaker, will house us for the evening. Bright and early on Christmas Eve morning, we shall return." Charles explained, amused by his wife's symptoms.

"Well, I can think of nothing better than to be settled only a day away from Pemberley. We will be able to visit so freely, Miss Darcy, that is until you are out next year to find your match. Why, your husband might move you to the far side of England!" Caroline gave her opinion with too much authority and the conversation stilted.

Elizabeth saw the feelings of horror Georgiana was trying her best to hide, so she reached over to grab her young friend's hand with discretion. "Not all ladies marry their first Season, or in fact, after many more Seasons. Miss Bingley, how many did you attend in London?"

The group laughed at Caroline's expense, who shot daggers at Elizabeth. "La, Miss Eliza, you forget sometimes, the best men are not always to be found in ballrooms and at society teas." Caroline leaned ever so slightly closer to Mr. Darcy and gazed at him through her lashes. The blatant flirting stirred strong emotions of jealousy and violence in Elizabeth and she gripped her napkin to keep herself from trampling the lovely food to knock that Caroline Bingley reeling from her Mr. Darcy!

The sudden realization he was her Mr. Darcy took Elizabeth's breath away and she glanced down as her face began to redden. Mr. Darcy attempted to distance himself from Miss Bingley, but noticed that Elizabeth appeared unwell. "Miss Bennet, are you alright?"

Her mind raced as she tried to think of a way to explain her discomfort to him and only him. "Perfectly. Mr. Darcy, have you read The Comedy of Errors?" He nodded as the rest of the party either ignored them because they had their own conversation or shrugged. Elizabeth watched Caroline's face most carefully to find she wore a blank expression. Since Elizabeth had never seen a serious attempt at reading by Miss Bingley in all the many months of their acquaintance, she felt she was safe to speak. "How many fond fools serve . . ."

Darcy nodded and Caroline started asking Georgiana about her plans for next year in London, listing off the dressmakers and odd details thinking she was doing well to exclude Miss Elizabeth from the conversation. She completely missed the stares Mr. Darcy gave to Elizabeth after he finished the quote in his mind...How many fond fools serve mad jealousy! 

The rest of the luncheon proceeded with great fun as Georgiana pulled out a game of guesses. Each member placed a card on their forehead and asked questions to determine what famous person or animal was on their card. Elizabeth laughed heartily as poor Miss Bingley was stuck with "giraffe," and was thus distracted from learning her own card turned out to be "Queen Bess." Jane won the game by guessing correctly that her card was "Cat" and Elizabeth began to think Georgiana might have manipulated the game to her own amusement.

When the time came to retire for the afternoon, Elizabeth was happy to read in her room when a small knock on the door disrupted her plans. She opened it to find Georgiana and Anne waiting in the hallway. Looking up and down the hallway beyond them, she saw no one, and allowed them to enter. Mrs. Fitzwilliam raised a bottle of champagne that made both Elizabeth and Georgiana smirk.

"What? You think only Richard can steal items from the kitchen? Come now Georgie, you have the glasses."

Elizabeth accepted her glass and enjoyed the display of Anne Fitzwilliam opening the bottle in true Army fashion. "Your husband teaches you the most helpful skills, Anne. Now, what are we raising a glass to?"

"To you, silly. And William! I saw you walking this morning and you said you were jealous at lunch today!" Georgiana squeaked as the bubbles tickled her nose.

"You, but, you shrugged! I thought no one else had read the play!" Elizabeth found a seat and crimsoned when she wondered if Caroline too had been feigning ignorance. Why, her flirtation with Mr. Darcy was more shameless than Caroline's!

"I wish I had been there. I would have found some way to spill my wine all over that tart!" Anne took a drink and swirled her glass in aggravation.

Elizabeth groaned. At the time, the way to communicate her feelings had seemed so innocuous, so innocent. Now she worried what Mr. Darcy thought of her brazen appeal.

"Stop it." Anne Fitzwilliam nudged Elizabeth's foot with her own. "I know exactly what you are doing in that mind of yours. When Richard and I were courting for three years, we had to send letters through intermediaries. I always worried my last one was too forward, or obsessed over what little meaning I could wring out of the paltry lines he'd write me. You will drive yourself mad! He loves you! And you love him, that much was clear even in Kent!"

"But I did not love him in Kent. I hated him! Not for good reasons I learned afterwards, but no, I was not in love with Mr. Darcy when I visited my cousin Collins." Elizabeth started to feel better that Anne had experience, then she began to wonder how these two women were seeking her out. "I don't understand, why are you two here? I am thankful for your friendship, but this visit is . . ." Elizabeth struggled for a word that would not offend.

"Anne said we had to visit after I told her what happened at luncheon."

"Quite frankly, Elizabeth, I will not allow another to marry my cousin. So either you claim the man as he is rightfully yours, or you are sentencing a good man to a lifetime of loneliness." Anne punctuated her edict with a slight belch, making Georgiana giggle and pour her older cousin another drink when Anne held her glass out.

Elizabeth's head spun. Here were the two ladies of the house demanding she join their family, and by all appearances sounded as if they ran the show. Amused, Elizabeth started to laugh and realized that even in her house, was it not she and Jane who conspired all plans to go their way? "This is too much. I am still on shaky ground with Mr. Darcy. He and I have a past you would not believe."

"Then tell it to us, I am all ears. Start with why you are certain you hated him in Kent." Anne leaned back in her chair and propped her feet up on the table in the small sitting area of the suite, clearly not leaving soon. Elizabeth hesitated, looking to Georgiana, then down at her feet again.

"I know your sister is married to Wickham. Brother told me," Georgiana confessed in a smaller voice than usual, before looking up at Elizabeth to show her bravery.

Taking a deep breath, Elizabeth spilled the entire story, from Mr. Darcy's insult at their first assembly, to her belief of Wickham's ugly lies. When she was done, the Pemberley women sat stunned in their chairs, both abandoning their champagne celebration. As silence reigned and the clock began to chime, Anne asked Georgiana to go ready herself for dinner. Georgiana protested, but agreed to leave when Anne gave her an imploring look.

Once alone, Anne grabbed Elizabeth's hands and the tears on the dear lady shocked her guest. "It is my fault, my own selfishness denied the two of you your happiness!"

Elizabeth shook her head, baffled at how Anne could possibly take responsibility for all that had passed, or not passed as was the case for the last year, between her and Mr. Darcy.

"No! Listen to me!" Anne gripped Elizabeth's hands more fiercely. "I was desperate to marry Richard. Desperation makes people forget about others. I knew Mother was heading to Hertfordshire as soon as that parson told her about Mr. Darcy's many visits to the parsonage to see you. And she was different. . . possessed. I feared she would make Darcy and me marry, so I sent an express to Richard. He sent one to William who was with Mr. Bingley, asking for assistance. William asked where my mother was, and I lied. I feared he would run to you and not stand witness to our marriage, and then, when Richard told me he had to leave the following day on orders, I confess, I needed William to take me to Pemberley to be safe."

The events of that awful autumn finally clicked into place for Elizabeth. Mr. Darcy had never known his aunt had visited, and he had not come to Bingley's wedding because he was suddenly saddled with a sickly cousin to protect. Still, this news did not absolve his continued absence, but that was an answer only she could find from William himself.

"Anne, while your actions may have prevented Mr. Darcy from coming to me right away, they did not keep him from me all this time." Elizabeth patted the other woman's hands as she released them. Anne wiped her eyes and shuddered as if to remove the sentimental blubbering from her person.

"You are quite correct, but in listening to your entire story, I must tell you that William is very guarded with his emotions. He is in some ways lonelier than even I was living under my mother's rule. I imagine once we were all settled at Pemberley and my strength returned, that the time away from you had raised many questions in his heart."

The words were a slap to Elizabeth's diminishing anger, nearly extinguishing the last smoldering ember she carried in her heart. When he dined at her house, she barely said two words to him, and it was he who had said he would come back, reaching out to her. She had an acquaintance with Georgiana, she could have written to the young girl to resume the connection. She could have supported Caroline's desire for a summer at Pemberley instead of hardening her heart. When Elizabeth turned the tables to question her actions during their year apart, she realized many ways in which she could have reached out to Mr. Darcy's sphere of influence, yet she had remained mute.

"I am no better than he."

Anne furrowed her brow, asking Elizabeth to explain. When she did, Anne shook her head. "True, you might have done any of those things, but don't let him get off the hook too easily. You are the woman and as such deserve to be pursued."

"I believe the poor man has done a great deal of pursuing me lo these two years!" The two ladies laughed and Anne took the opportunity to rise. As she reached the door, she had a parting bit of advice.

"Don't forget to make him pay dearly for his stubbornness, after your wedding!"

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