Page 5 of Stranded at Michaelmas

“Now, come, Miss Bennet, and tell me what you think of Wordsworth and Cowper. We have not canvassed either yet, and they are favourites of mine.”

To his relief, Miss Bennet allowed the other matter to drop and began to speak of Lyrical Ballads, which she had read earlier that year. Once again, they shared similar interpretations of several matters, and when they disagreed, it was usually minor.

From there, the conversation ranged easily from poetry to other books they had enjoyed, and Darcy was almost startled by the knock that announced the arrival of their meal.

The meal passed agreeably. Mrs Gardiner had set her sewing aside and began to participate more actively in the conversation. She asked about Netherfield and how long Darcy intended to remain there, recalled a few common acquaintances in Lambton, and enquired what he planned to do in London before returning to Netherfield. Overall, it was one of the more enjoyable meals he had shared in some time, and he found himself wishing his sister were there to make the company complete.

For a brief moment, he imagined what it would be like for Miss Bennet to meet Georgiana. His sister had not yet fully recovered from the disappointment of the summer, and Darcy still did not know how best to help her. He could happily have consigned George Wickham to hell for causing her such pain, but anger did little to restore Georgiana’s spirits.

However, he could not imagine any circumstance in which Georgiana was likely to find herself in Miss Bennet’s company. He did not care to subject his sister to Miss Bingley’s company for any great length of time, and two months at Netherfield would be entirely too much for Georgiana in her present state.

Still, Darcy would return to Netherfield before Michaelmas, and the knowledge that Miss Bennet lived so near the estate made the prospect considerably more appealing than it had been that morning. Perhaps Georgiana could accompany him for a few days at the beginning of his visit, and if it proved too much for her, she and her companion could return to London, or even continue on to Pemberley, as she had been asking to do.

Yes, that worked even better, for Georgiana could present the visit as only a brief stop before continuing her journey to Pemberley. If she liked Miss Bennet and the two got along well, she could extend her stay. Mrs Annesley, Georgiana’s new companion, could contrive reasons for Georgiana not to spend too much time in Miss Bingley’s company, and perhaps Georgiana could form a friendship with Miss Bennet, who was considerably nearer to her age.

Darcy could not completely explain to himself why he was so certain that Miss Bennet ought to be in Georgiana’s life, but the prospect delighted him. The thought that he might never see her again after this initial meeting was distinctly unpleasant, though neither did he think of her as a potential wife.

No, he had never heard of her father’s estate, and he could tell from her gown that, while fine, it was not of the same quality as those worn by his sister or the other ladies of his acquaintance. Her family was certainly not poor, but neither were they of his level, and he had already learnt that Mrs Gardiner was married to a man in trade. He had heard the Gardiner name before—apparently the man was an investor of some consequence—but that did not mean that Miss Bennet moved in his own sphere.

But she was a gentleman’s daughter, and she would be an entirely appropriate friend for his sister.

A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts, and the proprietor entered to inform them that the rain had washed across the road in several places and that no carriage would be leaving the inn that evening.

“Then it appears we are truly stranded here tonight,” Miss Bennet said. “Uncle will worry, as will my family when we do not arrive as expected.”

While there was a hint of concern in her voice, she seemed resigned to the situation rather than upset by it. Unlike others he knew, she was not angry with the innkeeper for something entirely beyond his control, nor did she fall into hysterics at the thought. Darcy found himself pleased by this realisation, and it only further confirmed his good opinion of her.

Mrs Gardiner announced that she and her niece ought to retire before too much longer, and Darcy rose with them.

“I have enjoyed our conversation, Mr Darcy,” Miss Bennet said.

“As have I.”

The words seemed woefully inadequate for several of the most enjoyable hours he could remember spending in the company of a new acquaintance.

“Then perhaps being stranded was not entirely disagreeable,” she said, smiling at him in that way he had already memorised and would very much enjoy seeing again.

He answered her look in kind. “I believe I formed that opinion some hours ago, Miss Bennet.” Turning to her aunt, he added, “I was very pleased to renew our acquaintance, Mrs Gardiner, and I hope so many years will not pass before we meet again.”

Darcy watched the door close behind the ladies before returning to his chair. By morning, they would travel north to Hertfordshire, while he continued south towards London. Ordinarily, he would have thought nothing of parting from a woman he had known for only a few hours.

Tonight, however, he found himself exceedingly glad that he would be returning to Netherfield in just over a se’nnight, right before Michaelmas.

Chapter Three

Elizabeth rose early the next morning, as was her wont. Her aunt was also an early riser, and the two soon readied themselves for the day. The rain had stopped sometime during the night, but by then it had been far too dark, and the roads too muddy, for them to consider continuing their journey.

Both the coachman and Mr Darcy had suggested the night before that they wait until mid-morning to depart, allowing the roads some time to dry before setting out. Aunt Gardiner had readily agreed.

With several hours to pass before they could continue their journey, it took Elizabeth only a little convincing to persuade her aunt to take a walk out of doors. As they rounded the corner of the inn, the Gardiner footman following a few paces behind, she quite literally collided with Mr Darcy.

“Mr Darcy!” Elizabeth cried as she walked directly into the gentleman’s chest.

“Miss Bennet,” he replied, catching her carefully by the elbows before she could stumble backwards.

It was the first time he had touched her, and though her pelisse separated his hands from her skin, she was acutely aware of his touch, almost as though the fabric were not there at all. His hands were warm and large, and for one brief moment she found herself thinking how pleasant it was to be held so close to him. He smelled faintly of citrus and, perhaps, the slightest trace of woodsmoke from the inn’s fires.

For the first time in her life, she felt herself in danger of swooning. It was that realisation that caused her to take an abrupt step back. His hands immediately fell from where they had rested upon her arms, and she thought she detected a slight hint of disappointment in his expression. Almost immediately, however, he schooled his features into the stoic mask he had worn the night before when they were first introduced.