Elizabeth Bennet left London in one of her grandfather’s carriages one week after Jane’s wedding. She and her grandfather had slept for a few hours after Lydia’s ball, but even now Elizabeth felt her eyes closing as the carriage rumbled over the rougher roads close to Meryton.
Her grandfather began singing a bawdy tune about country chits that made her eyes fly open along with her mouth. She nudged him with her elbow and laughed. “Sir! I cannot think where you learned such a tune, but we must not enter Meryton with you singing so loudly for all to hear. Think of your reputation!”
George Gardiner laughed and gave his apologies. “I only meant to stay awake, Lizzy. Surely no one heard but my footmen and they are accustomed to my eccentric ways, to be sure.”
Elizabeth laughed and looked out the window as they came into the town. The people were out on their early errands and several ladies pointed and whispered to one another when they saw the fancy carriages arriving in their small hamlet. The whole of the countryside would know of their presence before long.
“I do not think the Bingleys will have returned from their wedding trip just yet, but Caroline did say she wrote to the butler to have the house made ready for us. I believe she will likely join us soon,” Elizabeth said as the carriage turned at the end of town and headed for the country estate of Netherfield Park.
“I have always thought Miss Bingley a most lovely girl. I am astonished she has yet to marry. Do you think she might be interested in an old earl like me? Speak plainly, Lizzy. You know I do not care for lies.”
Elizabeth’s mouth fell open again and she covered it quickly with her hand. Her grandfather could not be serious! Caroline was near her age and though her grandfather was fit as any man half his age, there was quite a bit of silver in his hair and wrinkles at the corners of his eyes when he smiled. Recovering her wits, Elizabeth considered his question.
“Well, I cannot speak for my friend but she is quite fond of gentlemen of means. You do not look a day past forty and one, Grandfather. Will you flirt with her if she comes? And not blame me if she does not respond to your attentions?”
The earl laughed and patted her hand. “I thank you for the compliment, my dear, and I promise to hold you blameless if my romantic overtures fall on deaf ears. But I am an earl with a vast estate that any lady, young or old, might find irresistible.”
Again Elizabeth was astonished. “You would marry a lady knowing she preferred your wealth instead of your company?”
“My dear, you do place quite a bit of importance upon love before marriage. It is quite easy for a lady to find love with a man such as myself. I am a romantic and would never force my affections. But understand what I say, dear girl. A gentleman, whether he has great fortune or small, may win a lady’s heart by making her feel like the queen. I would only place before her the trappings of a queen making it much easier to win her heart. A poor gentleman must work harder than I.”
Elizabeth giggled as understanding dawned. “Does it work the same when the lady is the wealthier party?”
Her grandfather grew serious. “Only if the gentleman, be he titled or no, is a true gentleman. That is why I have come to see your young man. I alone shall find if he is worthy of my granddaughter.”
Mr. Darcy sat in his study going over his ledgers when his aunt rushed in without so much as a knock. She was greatly excited.
“Darcy! Oh, have you not heard that Miss Bennet has returned to Netherfield and brought her grandfather, the Earl of Matlock!”
He had heard from Hill that two fancy carriages had arrived and gone straight to Netherfield, but he had not known Miss Bennet had returned until now.
“I knew someone had come, some wealthy friend awaiting the return of Mr. Bingley and my sister, I suppose. What does it matter to us, Aunt?” Mr. Darcy’s question was given in sincerity as he had not shared the news of his disappointment over Miss Bennet with the woman.
“I saw the earl in Meryton this morning. He is a handsome gentleman that might wish to have my daughter as his wife. Mrs. Long said she heard he has been a widower for many years. You must make his acquaintance and welcome him to the neighborhood!”
Mr. Darcy could not believe his aunt wished for him to introduce himself yet again in order to worm his way into a man’s good graces so that his aunt might cast poor Anne before him. “I would wait for Mr. Bingley to return before accosting his guests. I am certain the man has no use for an introduction to our family at the moment. And if he is Miss Bennet’s grandfather, then he is much too old for Anne.”
He bent to his work again but Catherine de Bourgh was not so easily deterred from her goal. “Fitzwilliam Darcy! Age has no meaning when wealth is involved. My dearest daughter’s health is much improved. Her beauty has returned in a rosy complexion. Her conversation is livelier and so the time to find her a wealthy husband is at hand. If you do not care about her future happiness, I shall have to pay a call to Miss Bennet and welcome her back to the neighborhood though I could never stand her company.”
“That is quite enough, Aunt Catherine,” Mr. Darcy interrupted the woman with more than a bit of ire at her mention of Miss Bennet, “we will not impose upon Mr. Bingley’s guests to satisfy your perverse need to throw your daughter before every gentleman who visits Hertfordshire.”
Catherine de Bourgh’s countenance fell and she opened and closed her mouth several times before turning to quit the study. Mr. Darcy overheard her tirade as she stomped upstairs calling for her daughter.
The fact that Miss Bennet had returned again to Netherfield made his heart jump in his chest and he wanted to run the entire three miles there to throw himself upon her mercy. But his aunt’s foolish wish to be introduced for Anne’s benefit would not be the reason he would meet the woman he loved again.
He returned to his task, his mind and heart troubled so that he could not complete his work. Instead of pacing inside with the brisk spring air beckoning him, Mr. Darcy gave in and went to saddle Lucifer.
The return of spring and its thaw would help him sort his thoughts so that he could concentrate when he met his steward later about the extra crop he wished to plant this season.
When Lucifer was ready, Mr. Darcy swung up into his saddle and cantered away leaving strict instruction that the women of his house were not to set off for Netherfield under any circumstance.
He rode along the low stone walls that separated his property from Netherfield and saw that the steward had already set the tenant farmers to turning the soil. The pungent goodness of freshly turned earth brought Mr. Darcy some peace as he reined Lucifer in and dismounted.
He held onto the beast’s reins lest Lucifer dash off and jump the fences in search of the long grasses down by the stream that cut across Longbourn and Netherfield.
Bending to take a handful of dirt, Mr. Darcy allowed it to run through his fingers as he looked out across the large field that would soon help him achieve his previous goals. Again his thoughts turned to Miss Bennet. He had made this season’s plantings based on his desire to marry her one day. It was all for naught now.
The pain the memory brought to him was sharp and bitter. He dusted his hands and rose to walk along with Lucifer to the stream. He would allow the horse to drink his fill and then return to Longbourn in order to be ready for his meeting.
When he came upon the path that led down to the water, Mr. Darcy halted as he caught sight of another rider on horseback approaching the stream on the Netherfield side. He waved and stopped to shield his eyes from the sun and see whether it was a neighbor trespassing on Bingley’s land by mistake.
The gentleman that approached was certainly none he had met before. His heart sank as he noted the man’s age from the silver that flashed along his temple as the large chestnut horse he rode drew near.
“Hey there, young man!” the gentleman called amiably, “I have lost my way and am ashamed to admit it. My granddaughter will be most assuredly worried for me if I am late to tea. Might you help me find my way?”
Mr. Darcy thought it must be Miss Bennet’s grandfather for the family resemblance was there. He walked over to the stone wall and held out a hand as the man dismounted. “I would be pleased to oblige, sir. But first let us take these two beautiful horses to the stream to drink. You are not far from Netherfield Park, you know.”
The gentleman gave a booming laugh and Mr. Darcy decided he liked the man’s ability to laugh at himself. When he had regained his composure, the lost man stuck out a hand. “Pleased to make your acquaintance sir. That is a fine beast you have there. Oh, and I am George Gardiner, the Earl of Matlock.”
Mr. Darcy nodded and took the man’s hand and shook it firmly and with respect. “Your lordship, I did not think to meet an earl on the survey of my land this morning. I am Mr. Darcy, sir. Pleased to make your acquaintance. I know your granddaughter Miss Bennet quite well.”
The words were out before he thought better of them and he glanced away toward the stream. The earl laughed again, this time with restraint. “Oh, I am indeed aware of that fact, Mr. Darcy. How fortuitous it is we meet this morning for I had thought to pay a call to your home this afternoon. You see, my granddaughter has not been herself since I saw her again at my Janey’s wedding. I believe that is entirely your fault.”