Chapter 8

The final few days of Elizabeth's visit passed in much the same manner. Miss de Bourgh and Col. Fitzwilliam came with Darcy for their long visits. The day before they were all to leave Anne was delighted to have Elizabeth agree to write to her.

"I have lived such a sheltered life and have so few friends and it would be wonderful to hear from you now and then." Anne sounded more shy than she normally did in the setting.

"Of course, I am honored to be asked. Your company has been a pleasure this last week. I could not have been better entertained had I been free to seek it." Elizabeth responded warmly with a friendly smile for Anne.

Darcy saw the interaction with satisfaction. Such a friend would be good for Anne.

Early the next morning Darcy and Col. Fitzwilliam arrived at the Parsonage with all of their own luggage packed and on top of the handsome traveling coach. Maria had been extremely anxious about the long journey in the company of such men. They had been exceedingly amiable of late, but she could not keep up with the banter of the group regularly assembled around her. She remembered the formidable Mr. Darcy of his time in Meryton and made every effort to be proper and pleasing. Today, that meant she was packed and ready to go half an hour before the gentleman were expected. She may have felt more at ease if she had realized how completely both of the men's thoughts were encompassed by their other traveling companion for the day.

"Good Morning, Miss Lucas, I trust you are well for our journey?" She nodded politely in reply to Darcy. "Did you enjoy your visit? Are you sad to be leaving your sister?"

"It has been very enjoyable, indeed. But I look forward to being home as well."

"Naturally," Col. Fitzwilliam responded. "And where is the last member of our party?"

Maria looked nervous, "I'm sure she will only be a moment. She would not think of holding up our departure."

Darcy looked at her kindly. "We have plenty of time, I am not at all concerned about a delay. But if Miss Bennet needs assistance I would be glad to be of service. Perhaps you could go and ask?"

Maria gladly accepted the means of escape and rushed upstairs to find Elizabeth attempting to get her trunk to the stairs. "Lizzy! what are you thinking? You cannot move your trunk when you should not even be walking! I shall fetch Mr. Darcy, he asked me to see if you needed assistance and clearly you do!" She ran off, not listening to Elizabeth's protests.

Darcy was already at the bottom of the stairs and was at Elizabeth's side in a moment. "Now Miss Bennet, why would you protest to my help? You know how I enjoy carrying you." He swept her up in his arms once again and headed for the stairs.

"This is getting old, Mr. Darcy. More to the point, I believe it was my trunk, and not myself, with which I needed assistance." They were back to the drawing room by then.

"Easily solved. Richard, would you kindly go fetch Miss Bennet's trunk from the top of the stairs?" He smiled as his cousin made a face and walked on into the room.

"Sherpa, indeed!" Elizabeth teased.

Darcy placed her on the sofa, rolled his eyes and went to assist with the trunk. An unnecessary task as Richard had called the footmen in to retrieve and load the baggage onto the carriage.

They all said their good-byes to the Collins' and Darcy once again scooped Elizabeth up to take her to the carriage. Mr. Collins, who had never before seen Mr. Darcy perform this task, began to protest. Charlotte calmly stopped him, however, as this was the easiest way for Elizabeth to get into the carriage. More importantly, she did not wish to interrupt this ritual for either of them.

The real question came when they all entered the carriage. Darcy lifted Elizabeth in first and then handed up Maria. Propriety demanded that he and Col. Fitzwilliam sit opposite the ladies. However, Elizabeth's injury demanded she keep her foot elevated and she could not quite reach her legs across the carriage. Naturally, Darcy would gladly have her legs draped over him for the journey, but was unsure whether the breach would be felt too heavily by the others to allow it.

As they began their journey, Darcy allowed propriety to win out and sat across from Elizabeth. For the first half hour of the journey they all conversed pleasantly. Darcy watched Elizabeth's face for any sign of pain or any shift in her position. Any excuse to suggest a change of position would be seized immediately.

"I understand you will not be in town for long, is that correct? Will you get to enjoy any of the benefits of town before you go?" Col. Fitzwilliam asked pleasantly.

"You are correct. We only plan on three nights in town. However, my Uncle and Aunt normally plan something special, as I am sure they will this time."

"I was hoping you might enjoy a tour of the British Museum in Bloomsbury with me. I find the collections quite fascinating and thought they might interest you." Darcy was pleased to note Elizabeth's eyes widen in excitement. "Have you been there before?"

"No. I have wished to go since I learned of the museum's existence. All those curious things collected in one place!"

"Then I shall be honored to accompany you when your ankle is healed, perhaps when you are next in town. Do you know when that might be? Do you plan to come for the season?"

Elizabeth almost laughed. "No, Sir, I'm afraid I have not had the privilege of a season in town, nor do I anticipate one."

Darcy looked at her intently, "I would be honored to escort you to any ball of dinner you wish to attend in the future."

Col. Fitzwilliam cut in before Darcy could say more. "That is a capital scheme, indeed, Miss Bennet! You should come have a season in town so that other eligible young men may have a chance at you. Keep Darcy here on his toes!"

Darcy scowled at his cousin. Elizabeth giggled and replied, "That seems an awfully expensive scheme for the soul purpose to goading your cousin, Col. Would there be another purpose? Amusements of another kind? Antagonizing him may be worth the cost if I am able to hear several private concerts or view new works of art in the process."

Darcy could appreciate being teased by Elizabeth, only by Elizabeth. "To see your pleasure in those events I would almost withstand you being admired by other men. However, I would gladly stand at your shoulder so that you may enjoy such concerts and exhibits without the pesky young men of the town babbling away in your ear."

Elizabeth smiled somewhat more indulgently than she intended. "In any case, I should not be fit for such grand events for some time. As you remember, the good doctor confined me to a chair for the next two weeks at least."

"I would still hope to show you something of London. I planned to make use of my box at the Opera, would your Uncle and Aunt be interested in accompanying you and your sister, and Miss Lucas, of course," he mentioned politely noting the girl who had almost no part of any of the conversation thus far. "I believe The Magic Flute is playing. Miss Bennet, I remember you mentioning it as an opera you wished to see."

Elizabeth hesitated. His attentions were becoming more comfortable for her by the day. However, she was not truly ready to excite the scrutiny of the town by spending an evening in his private box. She knew him to be sought after as an extremely eligible bachelor. She, an unknown, would be the talk of town arriving on his arm if she could walk. Considering she could not even walk on her own, the idea of entering the fray of the ton was inconcievable.

"We can arrive early so that you may be seated in my box before the crowds, on account of your ankle." Darcy continued on in an effort to remove the doubts that he could see in her face.

"I cannot speak for my Aunt and Uncle. They likely have plans for us all the nights that we are there, which will also be inhibited by my inability to walk."

Darcy accepted this evasion, for she certainly could not make plans for her party. "I would greatly wish to be made acquainted with your aunt and uncle. Will they be at home when we arrive?"

Elizabeth did not want to explain her situation with Mr. Darcy to her aunt and uncle. But she realized she would have to if he persisted in carrying her into the house. She had sent them a letter to inform them of her sprained ankle and her plans to be transported by him. After her low opinion of him over the winter, that alone must have been quite a surprise. She finally responded, "I imagine they will be. My aunt certainly will. My uncle may have business."

Darcy accepted this as all the response he should expect and they continued on. The conversation waxed and wained on indifferent topics until they reached London. They went first to Cheapside, naturally. Darcy was impressed by the quality of the houses as they approached their intended destination. These were certainly respectable homes.

Elizabeth's anxiety increased as they approached. How would she ever explain Darcy's marked interest in her. Her Aunt may be trusted with the information, but the more people aware of his intentions the harder it would be for her to continue to refuse him. If her mother found out . . . she could only imagine what her reaction would be. But why should I be concerned that his pride may be hurt by the knowledge of my rejection spreading? It is not I who does the spreading of it. Though she acknowledged this to be a perfectly rational thought, she could not escape the fact that she did care. She did not wish to hurt him. She certainly did not love him, but she esteemed him and would not wish him harm to that degree. Her private rejection would be far easier to overcome than the damage a public one would create. How would she spare him that pain?

Upon arriving, as they were about to alight from the coach, Elizabeth suddenly spoke, "Mr. Darcy, could I have a word before we enter the house, privately?"

"Of course, Miss Bennet!" His face broke into a brilliant smile, indicating what he hoped she would now tell him. He nodded to Col. Fitzwilliam who escorted Miss Lucas toward the house. "What do you wish to discuss?"

"I fear that your attentions are too marked. I would not wish the whole of my acquaintance to be as aware of your intentions as they have been over the last week. Please consider your own interests in this matter. It would not do for the whole town to be aware of your relentless pursuit of a country nobody who has already rejected you."

Darcy was taken aback. "Miss Bennet, be assured that I have no objection whatsoever to the whole of town being aware of my pursuit of such a witty and beautiful young woman as you!" He considered farther. "I will do my best to maintain proper decorum. I would not wish you to be uncomfortable. However, I certainly do not wish to go back to hiding my feelings for you. Such behavior created this ill-opinion of me that you hold so dear."

"I do not hold an ill-opinion of you!" Elizabeth interjected before she could think about what she was saying. She took a breath and continued, "I explained to you before, my opinion has improved. But I do not wish to be the subject of gossip from your marked attentions."

"I will do my best to oblige you. I would not wish you to be the subject of gossip, either. However, if we stay alone in this carriage any longer we will be just that." Darcy tried to hide his smile and reached to help her from the carriage. This time, however, he allowed her to use him as a crutch, rather than have him simply carry her.

"Lizzy! I was wondering what kept you!" Mrs. Gardiner was standing at the front door looking at the pair suspiciously.

"I'm sorry, Aunt, with my ankle still painful, we were attempting to discover the most appropriate way for me to get to the house."

"Of course." Mrs. Gardiner still had her suspicions, but tried to put them aside.

"May I introduce my helper? Aunt, This is Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley and Derbyshire. Mr. Darcy, this is my Aunt, Mrs. Edward Gardiner."

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Gardiner. Miss Bennet speaks very highly of you and your husband."

She smiled at the compliment. "Lizzy is very dear to us." They reached the entryway and Mrs. Gardiner continued, "I am pleased to meet you as well. It was certainly very generous of you to drive Lizzy and Miss Lucas so far out of your way. May I offer you some hospitality in exchange? We would love for you to stay for dinner tonight. My husband will surely regret not making your acquaintance."

Darcy beamed. "I would be honored! And think nothing of the favor, we were on our way to town, anyway. The trip was far more agreeable with such lively companions." Mrs. Gardiner smiled in satisfaction and Elizabeth grimaced slightly.

As Mrs. Gardiner prepared to lead the way to the sitting room on the first floor she looked over to Elizabeth, "Dear Lizzy, how on earth have you been climbing stairs this last week?"

"I manage." Elizabeth replied, shyly.

"Mr. Darcy, would it be too much to ask for you to continue to assist her?" Mrs. Gardiner asked seemingly innocently.

Elizabeth looked at her aunt with wide eyes. Why is she behaving thusly? He will think her as much of a match-maker as Mama!

Darcy's smile was one of genuine delight. "Of course! I am happy to be of assistance." He assessed Mrs. Gardiner for her reaction as he suggested, "When Miss Bennet initially hurt herself it was necessary for me to carry her down the hill we were climbing. Perhaps that would be the easiest way to get her up the stairs?"

Mrs. Gardiner agreed, but Elizabeth found her voice as Darcy scooped her up once again with a smile, "Surely this is unnecessary, I simply need a stable arm to hold."

"Nonsense, this is much faster and you need not exert yourself."

They entered the drawing room to find Col. Fitzwilliam, Maria, and Jane waiting. "Darcy, carrying her again? Both of her legs will be wasted away by the time her ankle recovers at this rate!"

Elizabeth flushed furiously. Mrs. Gardiner eyed the pair with somewhat more suspicion. Darcy maintained his calm, "I only hope to be of service as, according to Miss Bennet, I am entirely at fault for the injury."

"I was wondering about that. Lizzy, your letter was quite vague, how exactly did you get injured?" Mrs. Gardiner asked.

"As he said, we were climbing a hill." When the room was not satisfied she continued, "We were walking in the Park at Rosings, ascending a hill that was meant to have a lovely view from the top. Mr. Darcy distracted me and I misstepped on a loose rock, which then gave way."

"She did not wish to demonstrate her injury and tried to stand immediately, but she was obviously in a great deal of pain. We sat at the top for a short time to see if she would recover. When she did not, I carried her back to the parsonage."

"I'm sorry your visit was altered by the injury, but at least it was towards the end of your stay. Was Charlotte well?" Mrs. Gardiner continued the conversation in a polite fashion as tea was brought in.

Elizabeth sighed with relief. He had not placed her foot in his lap, and though he sat next to her, had not shown her undue attention since arriving in the room.

The topic of conversation quickly came to the Gardiner's plans for their guests while they remained in London.

"Oh well we had planned to go to the theatre and one of my good friends is hosting a dinner party. But now that Lizzy is injured we will have to stay at home."

"Oh no, Aunt. Please do not change your plans on my account. I simply will not go. I am happy to stay at home with the children. I have had precious little time with them and they are growing so fast!" Elizabeth responded.

Darcy, searching for some way to have more contact with Elizabeth, interjected, "it would not be the theatre, but my Aunt, Lady Elinor, often hosts private viewings of new popular opera singers and such for the benefit of her closest friends. I am sure I remember her having something planned in the next day or two. Is not that correct, Richard?"

Col. Fitwilliam, laughing at his cousin, responded, "I'm sure if she does not already, she will be persuaded to."

"Something of that nature would allow you to be seated, Miss Elizabeth. Surely you could not object." Darcy said hopefully.

Before her niece could respond Mrs. Gardiner said, "Oh that would be lovely. What an excellent solution, Mr. Darcy. Please let us know more details and I will discuss it with Mr. Gardiner."

Elizabeth was left attempting to refrain from rolling her eyes at the lot of them. How has my family come to be against me on this as well?