Page 11 of A Promise Made

“I wish your father would tell you, Miss Elizabeth. But he had me promise him that I would not divulge the reason, and I do not feel that it is ethical to break that promise.”

“Of course you should not do something so dishonourable. But allow me to ask two questions. First, is the reason shameful to the Bennet family?”

“No, not at all.”

“Second, is it shameful to the Darcy family?”

“Again, the answer is no.”

“Thank you, Mr Darcy. I think it is quite interesting that, when you say something, I always believe you.”

He had the grace to look a bit staggered by her trust. “Thank you,” is all he said, but he seemed moved.

Chapter Nine

Early one afternoon, Darcy and Mr Bennet conferred once again about the progress of their various projects. Darcy was pleased that several more tenants were asking to make the changes that Miller and Jackson had begun, and he showed how the updated timeline meant that their long-term goals could be achieved more readily.

Mr Bennet’s eyes began to slide away from the pages of numbers, and Darcy, knowing that the older gentleman understood words far better than numbers, made no further reference to sums and percentages. He said, “All the equations can be translated into a simple sentence: the changes we have made are bearing fruit.”

At the conclusion of the meeting, Darcy was exiting the front door of Longbourn just as Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth were entering.

They all greeted each other with quiet civilities, and Darcy waited as the two young ladies fully entered. He was about to sweep out the door when Miss Elizabeth asked, “Are you done for the day helping my father and Longbourn?”

“I am,” he said.

“And what will you do with the many hours before dinner, Mr Darcy?” Miss Elizabeth’s voice sounded genuinely curious.

“I have correspondence to read and answer—letters from my man of business, my solicitor, and my stewards. Although I temporarily have to be away from Pemberley, I still must exert myself on behalf of my own estate.”

“Pemberley?” Miss Elizabeth asked. “In what county is your estate?”

“Derbyshire.” Darcy wondered if Miss Elizabeth’s clever mind was working out a new theory.

Miss Bennet addressed him for the first time ever. “My father mentioned that you have been staying at Netherfield Park. I assume, therefore, that Mr Saunders is a friend of yours?”

“I have always thought of him as a friend of my father’s,” Darcy explained. “However, now that my father has passed, I suppose I should claim Mr Saunders as my own friend.”

“As little as we understand what you are doing, let alone why, we are extremely grateful, Mr Darcy. Also, I have not yet expressed my sorrow for your loss.” Miss Bennet’s voice was kind and gentle, as was her smile.

His estimation of the serene young lady improved, Darcy smiled at her, bowed again, and farewelled them both.

Chapter Ten

Lizzy contemplated her new theory of why Mr Darcy was here, why he was acting almost as if he was a joint master of Longbourn, helping to make decisions that only her father ought to make, but also why he was willing to get down in muck and mire to investigate drainage ditches, as she had observed through her father’s spyglass.

This theory assumed that the man had been in Hertfordshire—likely Meryton—at some point in the recent past, had seen Jane, and had fallen in love with her at first sight. Being a man of means, he would have been able to find out her name and situation before approaching her father and calling on her.

Of course, an investigation would have discovered the entail, Jane’s four undowered sisters and lack of brother who could inherit, and her loud, vulgar mother. It would be daunting to any suitor to court and wed one daughter with the probable future of having to house and care for up to four sisters and a foolish mother-in-law, as well.

Rather than give up notions of being with Jane, he might have taken a more sensible approach and determined that he could change the situation for the entire family. In other words, perhaps Mr Darcy was working to improve Longbourn for the love of Jane.

As luck would have it, she was able to test her theory when Jane and she ran into Mr Darcy at the entrance to Longbourn. She stopped and spoke to him, knowing he would also stop, and that it was likely that Jane would as well.

She observed that Mr Darcy seemed to give each of them the same courteous but impersonal gaze. He was, as always, serious and reserved, and Lizzy wondered if it was even possible for a serious and reserved man to fall in love as quickly as her theory would necessitate. She felt that she might have to relinquish the notion so recently formed.

But at the end of their conversation, when Jane managed to say something, despite her reserve, Mr Darcy’s eyes and expression changed, and he looked much warmer.

Ah ha! Perhaps I am right!