Page 15 of Elizabeth’s Choice

“Where is Miss Elizabeth? Have you seen her?” Darcy asked his butler in vexation as he checked his pocket watch again. “We were to ride out twenty minutes ago but she is not anywhere in the house.”

Mr. Watkins replied, “I saw her head below stairs an hour ago, Mr. Darcy. I know not if she is still there.”

“Below stairs? What business does she have down there?” Darcy strutted to the servants’ stairs that led to the kitchen to check for himself.

The servants immediately froze to see their master in the one area of the mansion where he never entered, and Darcy awkwardly asked one of the maids if she had seen Miss Elizabeth.

The girl answered, “In Mrs. Reynolds’ office, sir. I will show you.”

He followed her and was led to a room where the door was closed and he could hear two ladies laughing and conversing within. After the maid scurried away, he stood to listen for a little longer, curious as to what Elizabeth could be talking about with his housekeeper.

“…jumping for joy and he, himself, poured champagne for each and every servant! He was the happiest I had ever seen him. I heard he was the same when Master Fitzwilliam was born and dearly loved his children,” he heard Mrs. Reynolds speak.

“Oh, he must have been a wonderful father. What beautiful memories you have of the family,” Elizabeth commented.

Darcy, in his impatience, knocked on the door and opened it. “Miss Elizabeth, I was searching for you for nearly half an hour. How long have you been down here?”

Elizabeth jumped up to standing and replied, “Oh, no! I am so sorry! I cannot believe how much time has passed. Mrs. Reynolds, I apologise for taking up so much of your time. I am ready now, Mr. Darcy. I came prepared to ride but had a question for Mrs. Reynolds and then we sat and talked too long! I look forward to our tea tomorrow, Mrs. Reynolds!” she smiled at the housekeeper before leading Darcy upstairs.

Darcy, in a foul mood after his plans were delayed, abruptly asked, “What is the meaning of your time downstairs with the servants? They should be coming up to speak to you. Did my housekeeper request for you to go to her? It is most inappropriate.”

“Oh, no, no! I have been taking tea with Mrs. Reynolds every week since I arrived two months ago and I only meant to ask her about the tea blend we had yesterday after my archery class but time got away from me. It was all my fault so please do not be upset with her,” Elizabeth easily explained as she mounted her horse using the side-saddle and fixed her skirts. “Are we to view the bridge again? The construction should be nearly complete.”

Darcy snapped, “Yes, it should be done by this weekend. But you should not have to go to my housekeeper. She should be going to you and you can summon her to meet you in the mistress’ study. I gave you permission to use the room as you like, do you not recall?”

“But I enjoy meeting her in her office and it is so lively there,” she replied. “I must also ask you to increase the servants’ dining budget when you are not in residence, by the way. Did you know that you have a dozen more servants compared to fifteen years ago when your mother set the budget but it has not been changed since? Mrs. Reynolds did not bring it up but I went over the records with her and noticed it. I have been assisting my father with the ledgers for years and it is easy to overlook so I wanted you to be aware.” She looked over to see Mr. Darcy’s scowls and enquired, “Are you cross with me because I went downstairs? Because I dared to mingle with the servants? Are you so haughty that you never ventured below stairs before?”

“No, I never have and it is not appropriate for you, either! I know you do not know the proper ways…” but before he could finish, Elizabeth kicked her horse to speed away and ran off.

Darcy chased after her in indignation but she pushed her horse to run even faster. He ground his teeth in ire at her obstinacy but screamed, “NOOOOOO!” when he saw her fall off her horse as she turned left on top of the hill.

He jumped from his stallion to find Elizabeth balled up on the ground and his heart nearly stopped to see her shoulders shaking, as she seemed distressed and crying. He knelt beside her and carefully touched her arm, “Are you all right? Are you injured, Elizabeth? Speak to me! Are you well?”

Elizabeth unfurled herself as she arose in laughter, “I am uninjured! I have fallen off a horse many times but it certainly has been a while!” she replied as she stood up to shake off the dust from her riding habit, “Oh, the joys of a side-saddle… But that was exhilarating!”

Darcy angrily pulled her next to his own horse and yelled at her, “Elizabeth Bennet, why are you riding a blasted side-saddle? Why are you wearing this damned dress in the first place? You should be wearing your suit and riding astride and you would not fall off like this! I thought you gravely injured and nearly had an apoplexy. I forbid you from riding a side-saddle, do you hear me?!”

“FORBID ME?” Elizabeth shouted in return. “You are not allowed to forbid me from anything, sir! You will never be allowed to forbid me from doing what I want. Who do you think you are? You have no right to order me about. I am not your servant and will not listen to your commands. What will you do if I refuse to obey you? Do you want me to leave? Shall I remove myself to an inn today?”

He quickly pulled her into his arms to embrace her and held her closely without another word.

Elizabeth felt dizzy with the sudden closeness and did not know what to do. She had never been so close to a gentleman like this before and her heartbeat wildly but she could not understand his intentions. She stood stiffly and asked, “What do you want from me?”

Darcy took a deep breath as he slowly released her to face her but rubbed her arms with both hands, “I want you to be safe. I want you to wear your suit when riding out and to sit astride and be protected. My father died after falling off his horse and I was worried for you, Elizabeth. I do not want any harm to come to you.” He stepped back and continued, “Richard will kill me if you are injured in any way and I promised him to protect you.”

Elizabeth comprehended that Mr. Darcy’s concerns were on behalf of Colonel Fitzwilliam and replied, “I am so sorry to have worried you. I did not know how your father had passed. But you would not mind that I wear my suit? I have been attempting to appear more ladylike before your neighbours. I did not wish to disrespect your generosity.”

“Wear the suit whenever you wish, indoors or out of doors,” he calmly replied. “You know I care nothing for the opinions of those wholly unrelated to me. Wear what you wish and ride how you prefer. I only want for your safety and happiness,” He pulled out his dagger to tear the bottom of the dress hem on both sides as high up as her Hessian boots so she could sit comfortably and helped her onto his horse and continued, “Starting right now, you are to ride astride. I will buy you another dozen dresses for the one I damaged today but you will sit securely henceforth. I might not be able to order you about, but if I see you side-saddled again, I will forbid the stable hands from saddling another horse for you and you will be resigned to sit in the carriage. Do you understand me?” He smiled at her as she looked down from his horse.

She laughed and responded, “You are insufferable but I will obey you on this, Master of Pemberley, since this is so much more comfortable. And as the other horse is ten yards away and you will have to sit awkwardly on that saddle, I will race you to the bridge! The winner gets to choose tomorrow’s dessert!” and she raced off, leaving Darcy to stand alone with a grin on his face.

~*~

“A word, Mrs. Reynolds,” Darcy requested after summoning his housekeeper to his study and motioning for her to sit down. “May I ask for your opinion on Miss Elizabeth? I learned today that she has been taking tea with you every week since her arrival.”

Mrs. Reynolds merrily replied, “Yes, sir. She is a bright young lady and is the favourite guest for all of us. She reminds me of when I used to take tea with Mrs. Darcy. I have such fond memories of spending an hour weekly with your mother before she fell ill.”

“My mother? You used to take tea with my mother? In your office?” Darcy asked in utter astonishment.