A Time for Elizabeth by Carrie Mollenkopf

Author:Carrie Mollenkopf [Mollenkopf, Carrie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-03-07T05:00:00+00:00

~Nineteen~

Darcy returned to Netherfield by the end of the next day. Feeling reassured that he had been successful in diverting Wickham away from Meryton, he whistled idly as he rode until arriving on the outskirts of town. The worn dirt track, normally smooth from regular wear, was a sea of deep ruts more than twenty feet wide. Something in great numbers had gone through there recently, tearing up the pastoral landscape. Urging his horse forward, he took a roundabout way, allowing for the casual observation any obvious changes. Meryton, having a general population of less than three hundred souls, including those of the outlying estates, now boasted a substantial increase. However, nothing so strange as a factory greeted his eyes, it was only the annual arrival of the local militia that had stirred the town. Scarlet clad officers strolled about, or gathered in groups along the main thoroughfare, nodding in greeting as he passed. Relief should have flooded his mind with the mundane regularity of it, but Wickham’s words rang in his memory.

“God no! He’s probably here… well, that does not mean that I will suffer his presence!” Darcy muttered, but did not see any sign of Wickham. Once beyond the town proper, he cantered towards Longbourn, and was pleased to see nothing amiss. The small manor house appeared just as he remembered when first seeing Elizabeth and Jane Bennet. Only a stray cat eyed him curiously as he passed, all else was quiet and serene. With no excuse to stop, he rode on and soon found himself comfortably seated with drink in hand in Bigley’s small parlor. It was already early evening, and Bingley’s sister Caroline was blissfully absent, having accepted an invitation elsewhere. Once finished with a short tour, the gentlemen repined behind closed doors with a bottle of brandy, allowing the two friends to converse in private.

“So, Darcy, what do you think of my Netherfield? It is not so fine as Pemberley, but the house and grounds are exactly what I have been looking for. And, the owner is eager to sell, should we agree on terms.”

“So soon? You have been here but a few weeks.”

“What is time when perfection has been found? Besides, I have another… more compelling reason to remain.”

“Oh? And what is it that has captivated you so?”

“A particular young lady… a Miss Bennet. Never before have I been so…so…in love!”

“Really Charles! This from the man who vowed not to marry before thirty-five? Did you not swear to living a life of unattachment?”

“That was before Miss Bennet… she is perfection itself. Beautiful, charming, witty… and so unlike any other young lady that I have ever met. She speaks her mind, yet does not press her opinions, defies convention while upholding tradition…Caroline cannot stand her, but that is only because she can never hope to be so accomplished.”

“Indeed, a true paradox, and when do I get to meet Miss Jane Bennet?”

“Jane? No…not Jane… I was referring to Elizabeth. Are you acquainted with the Bennets?”

Darcy swallowed a momentary panic as he realized his faux-pas, but quickly recovered despite the shock of the error.

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