28. Chapter 25:A time for everything

Ch 25: There is a time for everything

"Thank you kindly for your visit, Miss Bennet." Mrs. Downs bobbed her head agreeably.

"I hope that the children are feeling better soon. Being confined with a cold is so difficult for them! I will inform Papa of the storm damage to the roof as soon as he returns. I am sure we will get it set to rights soon." Lizzy smiled as she took her leave.

The afternoon sun beat down upon her. Summer will be here soon. It will not be long until it is time to begin setting up preserves; the berries are almost ripe. I need to check with Hill to find out what needs to be ordered from town to make ready for that. She laughed to herself as she twirled on her toes. It was not so very long ago that I longed to be useful and have some meaningful employment for my time. Now I cannot seem to find a moment to gather two thoughts together! I can see why Mama finds it all so unmanageable. Oh Mama! I am sure you will be yourself soon.

She paid little attention as she walked home, the paths so familiar, her feet knew the way. Papa's letter said he should arrive home tomorrow with Uncle Gardiner and a guest. I wonder who he might be bringing. I cannot remember the last time anyone other than Aunt and Uncle Gardiner stayed with us. Papa is so particular about overnight company.

The tone of his letter was so very odd. Perhaps something has gone wrong with his business in Kent. I do hope he is pleased with what we have done at Longbourn. It would be a shame for him to be further distressed when he arrives home.

I hope he will allow us to continue as we have been once he past three weeks have been so challenging. How could I have managed but for Jane, Mary and Kitty. Who thought Kitty so clever with her sums? And Mary such a fount of good sense. She has applied herself so diligently to Lady Lucas' instruction!

It seems this time has been good for Mama as well. It was exciting to see her finally venture below stairs to visit with Lady Lucas. Perhaps her spirits are finally returning. She did appear pleased to hear Lady Lucas speak of Mary's accomplishments. When Charlotte and Maria began to gush over the small dinner we hosted, Mama positively beamed. Having them for tea was such a good idea. I am so glad Jane thought of it.

Oh Jane! She was so anxious when Papa left! Now she is transformed. She glows with confidence. Is it possible that she is even more beautiful now? I know she will be disappointed if Papa wishes us to return to the way things were. Oh well. It does no good to worry about it now.

Oh look! That patch of berries is quite ripe! I will have to let Hill know to send the girls out this way.

Darcy gazed pensively out the window as the carriage slowly rolled down the road. Bradley's words still rang in his ears, Many thought him a proud, even arrogant, aloof man. I fear you will have the same reputation . He removed his hat and raked his hair. My father was not unduly proud. Anyone who knew him understood he was just reserved and uncomfortable in company, as am I. Angrily, he crossed his arms over his chest. Those few close enough to know him understood, but those who did not, what did they see? Could it be that Bradley is right, they saw Father as an arrogant and unfeeling man? Nothing could have been further from the truth! He felt everything so deeply.[/i ] His brow knit tightly in thought.

The heat in the coach suddenly became stifling. His chest felt tight, his breathing suddenly constricted. He rapped on the roof to stop the driver. Quickly he jumped from the confining vehicle. "I have been in the coach too long today," he called to the driver. "I must walk for a while. Go on to the inn, I will make my way on foot."

"Are you certain, sir? I can wait here while you refresh yourself, then continue the drive," the driver, a long-time Darcy employee, offered.

"No, no, there is no need. The horses need to be watered and rested. Inform Mr. Bingley of my plans."

"Very good, sir." With a nod, the driver slapped the reins and the horses walked on.

Darcy stood in the road a moment, watching the coach depart. He breathed deeply, suddenly relieved to be in the open air once more. Spying a small path into the woods, he left the road. This will do very well. I need to clear my mind. His long legs quickly carried him onto the tree lined trail.

I remember that day I overheard Uncle Matlock defending Father to Aunt Catherine. She called my father a cold, heartless, arrogant man. But my Uncle told her she could not be more wrong. Uncle Matlock and Father were always very close. Perhaps Bradley is right. Even our family was mistaken about Father's true nature. What must society have thought of him?

Suddenly he threw up his hands. What am I saying? Of course Bradley is right! When has that blasted man ever been wrong? Angrily he kicked a small stone out of his way. But if he is not wrong, then I must be. How tired I am of being wrong! Will there ever be a day when he is not correcting my folly? Here I am the master of Pemberley, and he must still reform my character as though I were a mere boy! He is truly maddening!

His footsteps crunched loudly through the deadfall. Just off the path, he noticed a patch of ripe raspberries. Without thinking, he left the clear trail, heading for the tempting fruit. I remember mother would take me to the berry patches near the stream when they would come ripe. These look so much like the bushes I remember. It has been years since I thought about those days. She would pack a picnic sometimes, and Father would join us. We would take our lunch there and feast on the berries after. Somehow the fruit always tasted best by the banks of the stream.

Idly he plucked some raspberries, pricking his fingers on the thorns. These are so sweet. They are well worth the sting. Listen to me! I cannot escape him, even here! How often has Bradley said that the sweetness of righteousness is worth the sting of correction! His words follow and torment me where ever I turn. It is enough. With a sigh, he settled himself on a fallen log and rested his chin on his laced fingers.

So what must I do? Practice! He said I must practice. He expects me to do those things that I am uncomfortable doing until they are not so difficult…How odd; Father told me the same thing when he was teaching me to ride. He said that I must not allow the discomfort to dissuade me. How many times did he tell me to master my uneasiness and bring it under good regulation? I did not like it at first, but now riding is second nature to me. If I do as Bradley suggests, is it possible that one day I could be like Bingley?

Looking up to study the clouds, he pictured himself at a ball, behaving like his friend. He barked, laughing at the absurdity. No, I am most certain that such a thing will never be. Nor will I ever be as my cousin, Richard, but perhaps I might become known as a quiet man instead of a proud one.

I believe that would do very well. That sounds like something I might actually be able to achieve. It is settled then, I will apply myself to that very thing. With Bingley to assist me as he has promised, perhaps I can become known as the quiet master of Pemberley, for that is who I am, is it not?

Pushing himself up from the log, he sighed, looking around. With deep consternation, he suddenly realized that he was lost. His quest for berries had taken him off the path; now the trail was nowhere in sight. Unfamiliar as he was with the area, he immediately realized the trouble he was in. Turning about, he tried to find his own footsteps to retrace his path.

His concentration was broken by a sweet laugh. A feminine voice broke out lightly in song.

There is someone else out here! Perhaps I can ask for direction! His heart pounded wildly at the thought of such an easy salvation. "You there! Pray excuse me!" he called loudly looking about for the woman to whom the voice belonged.

The singing stopped. "Who calls me?" Light footsteps and a rustling of branches followed.

"I am a visitor here. I am afraid I am lost."

"Have you a name, sir?" A face appeared in the bushes, the girl herself a moment later.

Darcy gasped, seeing the lovely young woman suddenly standing before him. She wore a simple pale green muslin dress trimmed with pink ribbons and a straw bonnet clearly made to match. She is from a family of some means-gently bred. Of all people to meet in such a way! "Forgive me, madam. I have indeed forgotten my manners. Since there is no one to make a proper introduction, I fear I am left to introduce myself. I am Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire." He bowed slightly.

"I am pleased to meet you Mr. Darcy of Pemberley." She curtsied. "I am Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn. It is my father's estate that you have trespassed upon." She smiled lightly, her eyes twinkling. He is dressed as a gentleman and speaks as one. I wonder what business brings him to Meryton.

"Please forgive my trespass, Miss Bennet. I assure you it was wholly unintended. I am afraid I have become lost and am in need of some assistance." She is a gentlewoman! How untoward that I should have to speak to her without introduction! I hope she does not think ill of me for it.

"How have you come to be here, Mr. Darcy? It seems strange that a visitor should be lost in my father's woods so far from the main road," Lizzy's brow rose archly, but her sweet voice was almost teasing.

She bears me no ill will! Relief suffused over him. "I suppose it would seem so, madam. We have driven a long distance to reach Meryton this day. I just left my friend at the cottage slightly down the road from here…"

"Mr. Pierce's cottage?" Her eyes widened in recognition. I did not know he was expecting guests.

"I believe that was the name."

She smiled warmly, "He is our curate, and my father's tenant. We think very highly of him."

"That is good to know. My friend is my vicar, and we all think very highly of him as well." Her eyes are quite striking. I can hardly turn away from them. I think I have spoken more to her than I have any young woman outside of my circle in a year at least!

"You were telling me of how you came to be in the woods, sir."

"Ah, yes. I felt the need to stretch my legs, so I told my driver to go back to town without me, that I might walk back to town. I saw a small path off the road and decided to follow it. I was distracted by the loveliness of your woods, and suddenly realized I no longer knew where I was." He laughed at his own folly. She is so easy to speak with. I wonder if it is being out of doors and away from the drawing rooms that makes it so. Or is it something about her?

With a mischievous glint in her eye, she nodded. "Indeed I should laugh at your misfortune, Mr. Darcy of Pemberley, but I would truly be a hypocrite for doing so, as often as I myself have made the same mistake. I would be happy to help you find your way back to the main road."

"I am quite in your debt, Miss Bennet." He bowed deeply to his rescuer. "Usually I am far more observant."

"I find long hours in a carriage cause my mind to wander as well. I am quite sympathetic." She stepped closer to him, pushing the basket she carried ahead of her through the bushes.

She has traveled…long hours in a carriage…I wonder where she has been. No, it is too forward, I must not ask. Not yet. But that does speak to the means of her family. She does not appear to be of my circles, but certainly a gentlewoman nonetheless. Undoubtedly a family Bingley should become acquainted with. He smiled to himself. "Might I be of service, Miss Bennet? May I carry that for you?" he offered, reaching for the large basket.

"It is empty and of no weight at all. I am afraid you would have had to lose your way several hours ago for your offer to be truly gallant." She laughed as she allowed him to take the basket from her hands.

"Forgive me if I am being far too forward, madam, but might I ask what you would be bringing into the woods in such a large container? This would hold a meal for quite a large family, would it not?" He lifted the large vessel to examine it carefully. Did I just say that? What has gotten into me? The heat is surely affecting me. There can be no other explanation. I sound like Bingley!

"It probably is too forward a question for an acquaintance of such short duration, sir," she said somberly, despite the glint in her eye. Oh dear, it looks like he has taken my words far too seriously! He must think I am quite harsh! How many times has Mama warned me about my teasing ways? "But my mother has always told me I am far too forward myself, and a poor judge of such things, so I will answer you."

Darcy released the breath he did not realize he was holding as he watched the smile spread across her face.

"I set out this morning to bring jars of soup and other comforts to two of my father's tenants who are taken with spring colds. It seems there are a number in our fair village that are so afflicted at this time."

Visiting her father's tenants! His heart skipped a beat. Oh, Bingley would find this rich! "I am sorry to hear it, I hope it is nothing too serious. We recently lost our previous vicar to a cold that settled into his lungs."

Lizzy watched as a faraway look descended upon her new companion. He looks as though he feels the loss deeply. "I am sorry for your loss, sir."

"Thank you." What else does one say at such a time? I do not know. I am going to make a fool of myself. This is why I hate company! His expression grew heavy.

"So you have only recently seen your friend become vicar?" Lizzy interrupted gracefully. I hope I have not said something to distress the poor man. It must already be embarrassing enough that he is lost in another man's woods.

The light returned to Darcy's eyes. "Yes, he had been the curate. The parish was quite pleased to see him take the living. We rely upon his wisdom regularly."

"Ah, then, it is no wonder that he should be a friend of our Mr. Pierce. In the year he has been with us, he has proven himself a fount of wisdom for our fair village. It is an unusual parson who writes his own sermons. There is much speculation during the week of what he will speak of on Sunday"

Inexplicably, Darcy began to laugh.

"I do not understand, sir, what you find so amusing. Have I said something so laughable?" She crossed her arms, a vague look of annoyance in her eyes.

"Forgive me, madam. What you said reminded me of another vicar who is the exact opposite of the men we are speaking of. My aunt has recently given a living on her estate to a ridiculous parson who will never be accused of dispensing wisdom to his parish. His flock is truly safe from such unsettling influence! I imagine his sermons are also much discussed, but for very different reasons."

Lizzy joined his laughter. His eyes sparkle when he laughs. "If you find an unwise man so amusing, I cannot help but believe it is because a wise one has bent your ear. Is it possible that I am not the only one who is challenged by a parson's wise words?"

"Indeed that is true." He smiled humbly, surprised by the comfort he felt in this unfamiliar young woman's company. How is it that I am so able to talk to her? I have never done this before! She is unlike any woman I have met before. They walked on a few more steps.

"There, Mr. Darcy of Pemberley, is the main road which you seek." Lizzy pointed through a break in the branches.

"I am in your debt, Miss Bennet of Longbourn." He bowed seriously, handing her basket back. "I hope that I might make your acquaintance again under more conventional circumstances so that we may be properly introduced."

"I thank you, sir, for the compliment. If your stay here will be of some duration, then it is likely we will meet in town, or perhaps at the upcoming assembly." She curtsied.

"The other friend I traveled with is here to see Netherfield Park in anticipation of taking a lease there. Is that property near your father's estate?" Darcy asked, not yet willing to end their conversation.

"It is sir." New tenants at Netherfield! If his friend is like Mr. Darcy, that could be a very good thing indeed. It would be nice to make his acquaintance more properly. "Does your friend have a wife…"

"His sister will be keeping house…"

"Then I am sure my sisters and I will pay a call to her soon enough." Her smile made his heart beat faster. "Once you make it to the road, you will find a walk of less than hour will bring you into town"

After an awkward moment, Darcy nodded and turned back to the path leading to the main road, his mind now consumed by the value of a pair of fine eyes. Bradley will be please to hear I am not going home quite yet.

Lizzy looked over her shoulder, watching his retreat, wondering on the appeal of a young man's dimpled smile. I shall mention our new neighbors to Papa. I am glad to know Netherfield Park will be let at last.

*Eccl 3:1