Chapter 15

As Elizabeth and Darcy made their way out of the sitting room, she walked slightly ahead of him. For a brief moment she felt his hand press lightly against her back, guiding her along. That slight touch evoked a dizzying shiver that swept through her, and she felt her face warm with an annoying blush. It took every ounce of effort to remain poised and calm.

They came out to the front hall to see that the butler had answered the bell and had invited the couple in. Elizabeth was pleased to see a very nicely dressed couple. She saw their eyes sweep the hall, taking in everything around them, and their faces exhibited an appreciation for all they beheld.

When Mrs. Ketterling noticed the two approaching, including the Master of Pemberley himself, she grasped her husband’s arm tightly as if requiring it to keep her upright. A stiff, nervous bow from Mr. Ketterling and an awkward curtsey from his wife were acknowledged by more formal ones given in return by Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth.

“Mr. and Mrs. Ketterling,” Elizabeth said as she approached the couple. “It is such a pleasure to meet you both. I am Elizabeth Bennet.”

“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” Mrs. Ketterling responded, stepping forward with outstretched hands. Taking Elizabeth’s hands in hers, she said, “We have been so looking forward to this visit.”

Elizabeth smiled and then introduced them both to Mr. Darcy.

“It is good to finally make your acquaintance, sir,” Mr. Ketterling said, extending his hand out. As the men shook hands, he continued, “We have always appreciated yours and your good father’s prodigious goodwill and generosity to Lambton and the neighbourhood. Your late father was a good man.”

A pinched brow and a slight crease in Mr. Darcy’s forehead again betrayed his discomfiture at such overt praise. “Thank you. He was a good example. I believe we both merely do what ought to be done,” he replied. “It benefits all.”

The couple continued to heap praises upon the man quite profusely, obviously in awe of him. Elizabeth pursed her lips tightly together to keep herself from smiling at the scene, but she was quite certain at least part of her lips were curling up. She could not, however, mask the astonishment on her face at Mr. Darcy’s next remark.

“Please feel at liberty to come by Pemberley any time while Miss Bennet is here. You are most welcome.”

The Ketterlings’ eyes widened in unison, and they seemed to be struck speechless. At length, Mr. Ketterling found his voice. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy. How very kind of you!”

Mrs. Ketterling gushed, “This is such an honour! Two of our sons work at Landerfield Manor, and I do not believe we have ever received an invitation from the Grudermans.”

“You have sons?” Darcy asked, his interest suddenly piqued. “How many?”

“Three sons,” Mrs. Ketterling answered proudly. “All are in their twenties.”

“Are any of them still at home?” Mr. Darcy asked, a noticeable twitch seizing his mouth.

“Our eldest is married,” Mrs. Ketterling said proudly. “The other two have their own quarters at Landerfield.”

Elizabeth watched their exchange in wonder. He truly seemed interested in this couple, and she felt a sensation of satisfaction that he extended an invitation to them to return to Pemberley.

They walked out, and the coachman opened the door to the carriage. Darcy stepped up. “May I?” he asked, extending his hand.

Elizabeth tentatively reached out, allowing him to wrap his hand around her fingers, bringing her up to the carriage. His grip was firm and warm, and he held on a few moments longer than was needed. Elizabeth was startled by the depth of feeling this simple act of courtesy evoked. She took her seat, hoping that when the Ketterlings stepped in, the flush on her cheeks and her shortness of breath would not be noticed.

When the three were settled in, the coachman closed the door. Mr. Darcy ducked his head to look into the window. “Shall we send someone for Miss Bennet later this evening?”

Mr. Ketterling put up his hand. “No, no. We shall bring her back ourselves.”

Mr. Darcy looked down toward his feet and then back up. “And when can we expect her return?”

“We shall have her back by dusk, sir,” laughed Mr. Ketterling.

“Good… good. I hope you have a very enjoyable visit.” His eyes briefly fixed on Elizabeth before stepping away from the window. He then turned and walked away.

Elizabeth fought hard to hide the confusion that swept through her. His remarks to the Ketterlings reminded her of a father making inquiries of a young man who has designs on his daughter. She was both flattered and at the same time wondered whether he was merely looking out for one of his guests. Considering she was a guest who at one time ruthlessly refused his marriage proposal, she did not deserve such kind attention.

Mr. and Mrs. Ketterling’s continued admiration for Mr. Darcy assured Elizabeth that they were oblivious to anything she was feeling. Fortunately for her, they soon began talking about Lambton and how much they enjoyed living there.

She nodded absently, wishing she could tend to their words, but found her thoughts straying back to Darcy’s words.

She wondered whether earlier he was going to say that she had every right to turn down Mr. Collins’s proposal. Did he know? Inwardly she shuddered. Of course, he did, reasoned Elizabeth. His aunt would certainly have informed him and his cousin just how foolhardy she had been in refusing him. She could only imagine what his aunt’s reaction would be if she was aware that she had also turned down an offer from her illustrious nephew! She turned her head abruptly to look out the window, feigning an interest in the scenery, but more so hoping to conceal from the Ketterlings the feelings of dismay she was experiencing.

Chiding herself for her wayward thoughts and inattention, she turned back to the Ketterlings and smiled. “It is certainly lovely here.”

They rode into the small village of Lambton, and Mrs. Ketterling pointed out what had changed and what had not since her and her aunt’s childhood. She pointed out the park where they played, the store that sold the very best candy, and the assembly room, where they both attended their first ball.

They took a turn down a small, winding dirt road, and after passing several small homes, the carriage stopped.

“Is this your home?” Elizabeth asked.

Mrs. Ketterling shook her head. “No, my dear. This was your aunt’s home.”

She reached out for Mrs. Ketterling’s hand. “This is where she grew up?”

Both Mr. and Mrs. Ketterling nodded. “Unfortunately, we only just discovered the owners are away,” Mrs. Ketterling told Elizabeth. “We had so wished to inquire about a tour of the inside.”

“But we can certainly walk about the grounds if you like,” Mr. Ketterling offered.

“I would like that very much.”

A cobblestone path made its way up to the front door. Ivy clung to the brick home, winding up and over the doorpost. It was a simple two-story home, but very well kept.

“Come around here,” Mrs. Ketterling said as she pointed to the back of the home. “You must see this.”

They walked around the back, and Elizabeth immediately heard the sound of water. She saw a bench situated out in the midst of trees, which appeared to be where they were headed. As they drew nearer, Elizabeth saw that a stream ran just beyond.

“This is lovely!” Elizabeth exclaimed. “My aunt had a stream behind her house.”

“Yes,” Mrs. Ketterling clasped her hands together. “And this bench is where the two of us often sat sharing our dreams.” She looked over at her husband, who had gone on down toward the water’s edge.

“Truth be told, Miss Bennet,” her fervent whisper was coupled with a slight giggle, “our dreams often consisted of meeting—and marrying—someone like Mr. Darcy!”

Elizabeth drew her head back. “Mr. Darcy?”

“Well, the late Mr. Darcy, of course. So handsome and kind he was.” She let out a long sigh.

Elizabeth pursed her lips together in a smile. Nodding toward Mr. Ketterling, she said, “Your husband seems very kind.”

“Oh, yes, he is, as is Mr. Gardiner. I was so pleased when your aunt married him. Do you know that your uncle proposed right here on this bench?”

“Did he, indeed?” Elizabeth asked, smiling as she pictured that in her mind.

“Oh, yes, he did. While I was very happy that they were marrying, I was not too happy with him for taking her from me. We were such good friends, and they immediately moved to London.” With a shake of her head she said, “Well, enough of that. There is much more to see.”

They spent another hour riding about and walking the streets of Lambton, sometimes stopping to look into a shop window or pay a call at a friend’s home. After the Ketterlings had shown Elizabeth everything she could possibly have wished to see, they made their way to their home.

It was a modest-sized home with what looked like two rooms upstairs. She thought it must have been quite noisy raising a family with three boys in such small confines. But it was well kept and decorated simply, but nicely.

Elizabeth visited with Mrs. Ketterling for most of the afternoon, and later in the day, guests began arriving. Four other couples had been invited for dinner, all of whom had been close acquaintances of her aunt.

She delighted in the stories they told about her aunt; some of the things she had done when she was young seemed so unlike her. She looked forward to the next time she saw her aunt so she could tease her mercilessly.

At one point, the subject turned to the Darcys. They were very much in awe that Elizabeth was a guest at Pemberley.

“Well, not quite a guest,” she corrected them. “The family I work for as governess was invited by Mr. Darcy. It has just been fortunate that I was included.”

“Oh, yes!” praised Mrs. Ketterling. “But such courtesy he extended to you today!” She turned to the others. “He escorted Miss Bennet out when we arrived and ensured her prodigious care.”

“Not something just any master would do!” exclaimed one of the guests. “He is certainly exceptional!”

Elizabeth was tempted to inform them that they had once been acquainted, but decided against it, for she did not wish to incite any questions. She listened with interest as they began to tell stories of Mr. Darcy, his late father, and Pemberley.

There was one, in particular, that captured her notice.

“You remember the Danville picnic?”

Everyone chuckled. “Poor, young Mr. Darcy. He must have been in his early twenties, was he not?”

“Yes, we all felt sorry for the young man.”

“Why did you feel sorry for him?” asked Elizabeth.

They began to relate the tale, everyone contributing what they recollected.

She was told that the Danvilles had a very nice estate about ten miles away. The young Mr. Darcy was recently home from school, and he and his father and sister had been invited to the picnic. It was quite a lavish affair and the Danvilles had to hire a great deal of extra help. Several people from Lambton were hired for the occasion, a few who were dining with her that very evening.

“This was one of the first gatherings that the young Mr. Darcy attended since returning from Oxford,” one of the ladies, Mrs. Stanfield, said. “He had left a young man of medium stature, rather scrawny and shy, and returned a tall, muscular, handsome young man. He turned many a lady’s head, he did.”

Another added, “His father, who had begun at that time to tire easily, had gone to sit with his friends, while his son held Miss Darcy’s hand to take her over to some children’s games and amusements that were taking place. She could have been no more than ten years old. As he walked through the crowd, the heads were turning and the tongues were wagging about how much he was worth, how well he looked, and what a privilege it would be to be Mistress of Pemberley!”

Mrs. Ketterling looked at Elizabeth and exclaimed, “The poor young man looked as though he wanted to be anywhere but there!”

Mrs. Stanfield continued, “Before long, he found himself surrounded by an array of very fashionably dressed ladies who were doing all they could to garner his attention and seek an introduction. It was actually quite comical to see what antics these ladies would do to ensure his notice. They made fools of themselves before his very eyes.”

Mrs. Ketterling finished the story. “But that was not the worst of it! In the midst of all this shameless self-promotion, Miss Darcy slipped from his fingers. He could not pull himself away quickly enough, but when he did, she was nowhere in sight!

“Disappeared right from his side! The young Mr. Darcy looked amongst the children playing a game of tag nearby, but she was not there. He grew quite frantic, wondering where she went. He looked about him in every direction calling her name.

“Eventually, she was found hiding in some bushes. She had been too shy to join in the children’s activities on her own and had become fearful in the midst of the overbearing ladies.

“It has been a story widely circulated in Lambton that most likely he very much abhorred being the centre of attention because of that incident. And that he has always prodigiously watched out for his young sister.”

After hearing that story, Elizabeth thought back to her first impressions of him. At the Meryton Assembly, he stood off to the side, either by a window or door, or by the fireplace. She thought with regret how tongues were wagging that night about his worth. All she saw was a man who wanted to be anywhere but there. Now she knew why!

After dinner, they gathered in the small sitting room for games. It seemed to Elizabeth that most everyone had plans to spend a good part of the evening there.

It was close to nine o’clock when the sound of rain could be heard. Everyone quickly finished the games they were playing and readied themselves to take their leave. They all expressed great appreciation in getting to know Mrs. Gardiner’s niece, and hoped to see her again soon.

Once all the guests had departed, Mr. Ketterling said, “It is best we go before the roads are too muddied.” They donned their coats and set out for the carriage.

Despite the rain, it was mild outside. Often the summer rains came through briefly, cooling the air only slightly. Elizabeth hoped that by morning the skies would be clear and the air freshened in the way that only a rain can do.

The ride back to Pemberley took longer than the one to Lambton. Elizabeth could readily perceive that the road was getting muddier as the carriage dipped and rocked. She hoped the Ketterlings would be all right on their journey home.

When at last they pulled up in front of Pemberley, there was only a slight mist coming down. The coachman jumped down off the front and opened the door, as a servant from Pemberley came out to escort Elizabeth into the house.

“Thank you so very much,” Elizabeth said as she took their hands in hers, giving them a gentle squeeze. “I truly enjoyed myself, your hospitality, your friends, and hearing all those stories about my aunt.”

“It was our pleasure,” replied Mrs. Ketterling. “If you have the opportunity to come again before you leave, or if you need anything, our home is open. You are always welcome.”

“Thank you. And do not forget Mr. Darcy’s invitation, as well.” She stepped out of the carriage and turned back to them. “Good night.” Elizabeth then hurried into the house.

As she entered, she heard sounds of laughter coming from the direction of the drawing room. Mrs. Reynolds approached her, clasping her hands together. “Good! You have returned. Did you have an enjoyable day, Miss Bennet?”

“Yes, I did, thank you.”

“Do you wish to join the others in the drawing room?”

Elizabeth pondered that for a moment. “I… perhaps I ought to go check on Emily, and then I shall return to my room.”

“Yes, ma’am,” nodded Mrs. Reynolds. “I shall inform Mr. Darcy that you have returned.”

“There is no need for that,” Elizabeth protested with a warm laugh.

“Oh, but there is. As soon as it began to rain, he asked to be notified when you returned.”

Mrs. Reynolds curtseyed and walked away, leaving Elizabeth to wonder whether he wished to be notified because she was merely his guest or because he was concerned about her. Her heart beat loudly as she took the stairs up to her room, feeling a greater admiration for the man—whether he wished her to or not.