Elizabeth Takes a Walk

Good day!

The monthly theme for August is ‘Up the Garden Path’. My vignette is loosely based on it, and I drew inspiration from my nifty little Nancy Drew book once again. This time the quote I choose is “The best way to clear one’s mind is to commune with nature” from The Hidden Staircase. I remember the story well even though it has been a very long time since I last read it, which is always a rather strange sensation to me.

This short scene takes place the day after the October assembly at which the Bennets, Bingleys, and Mr Darcy meet and at which Elizabeth overhears a certain tall, handsome gentleman make an unkind comment about her.

It was mid-afternoon by the time Elizabeth was able to excuse herself from her family and seek the solace of the outdoors. She had felt unsettled since the evening before, really since hearing Mr Darcy slight her by saying she was not handsome enough to tempt him. At the time, she had laughed about it and taken a certain delight in telling Charlotte. It was a ridiculous thing to say and, she believed, said a great deal about Mr Darcy’s character. There was no point in getting upset about it; after all, she did not even know Mr Darcy and certainly had no reason to like him, even before he said his insulting words.

Yet, for some reason, she could not forget them, and they seemed to gnaw at her, causing an uncomfortable feeling like she had little bugs crawling across her skin.

I would have been well and, no doubt, completely dismissed the incident by now had my mother and Charlotte not insisted on discussing it this morning. Charlotte had called to talk over the assembly, and by Elizabeth’s calculation, a full quarter of an hour had been spent reviewing Mr Darcy’s words about Elizabeth. It really was asking too much of her patience to be reminded of it again and again.

After donning her bonnet and pelisse, she exited the house and walked through the gardens for a few minutes. She took a deep breath to calm her agitation, but her efforts were ruined by the smell of cooking onions emanating from the kitchens. To escape it, she turned around and followed the path that led out of the gardens and into the countryside beyond.

He could not even bear my company for a dance, she huffed. I know I am not as beautiful as Jane is—few ladies are—but I am not so disagreeable to look at that it would be a punishment to stand across from me for half an hour!

Again, she took a deep breath, this time inhaling the clean, refreshing air. There was just the smallest hint of ageing vegetation as autumn settled in. The weather had remained warmer than usual through September, and only a few trees showed leaves that were changing colour. The path she was on kept her away from the road and farmhouses, and the only sounds she heard were of birds and the crunching of rocks and snaps of sticks as she walked across them.

It hardly matters what he thinks of me; it is his audacity in saying it to Mr Bingley and in a crowded room where others might overhear. I pray they did not and that my mother and Charlotte—and Lydia and Kitty for that matter—do not share the story amongst all of their acquaintance. If they do, I shall have to listen to everyone talk about it for the next month or longer. Oh, I ought not to have told Charlotte, but it was too amusing not to tell someone. Or so I thought at the time.

As fond of her community as she was, at times, Elizabeth wished it were not so small. If there were a greater variety of people, if more happened, no one would be interested in such inconsequential bits of gossip. The truth was, Elizabeth had been anticipating meeting new people. She had been excited to learn that Netherfield Park was let. It did not matter to her that the new tenant was a young, unmarried gentleman, as much as it had distracted her mother and youngest two sisters—and even Jane, though to a lesser extent. What made her anticipate the assembly was the thought of having someone new to talk to, the idea of hearing new thoughts and perspectives. Discovering that, of the five people staying at Netherfield, only one was amiable was a great disappointment. Jane claimed Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst were charming and all things good, but Elizabeth knew that was just her sister’s way; she always saw the best in everyone. By Elizabeth’s estimation, the two ladies were above their company and would show their true natures in time. She could only hope that Jane would not be injured by them.

“But that is for another day, is it not?” Elizabeth asked a squirrel who had stopped to stare at her when she interrupted their search for food. With a twitch of their tail, the creature climbed a nearby oak tree.

Elizabeth chuckled and continued her walk until she reached a clearing by the stream that ran between Longbourn and Netherfield. There, she sat on a smooth grey rock. As she watched the water gently flow, tumbling over stones and bits of branches that had fallen into the water, she felt peaceful. The little bubbles and crests were somehow amusing and brought a smile to her lips. She pulled the ribbons of her bonnet, removed it, and set it beside her, being sure to keep hold of it lest the wind carry it away. The sun was pleasant on her skin—warm but not hot—and Elizabeth felt herself slip into a sort of trance as she became transfixed by the play of light on the water and trees across from her. The only sound was that of the water and gentle breeze rustling through the leaves.

A stray thought slipped through her mind. This is just what I needed. Mr Darcy’s slight will be forgotten, and I shall be able to laugh at his airs once again.

Some time later, Elizabeth was startled out of her daydream by a noise and movement to her right. Turning, she saw a horse drinking from the stream not twenty feet away. Beside the large brown animal stood a man; when he removed his hat and ran a hand across his forehead, Elizabeth identified him as Mr Darcy. She wanted to groan; of all people to interrupt her pleasant solitude, why did it have to be him?

As quietly as possible, she climbed to her feet. With luck, she would be able to slip away, and he would never know she had been there. After no more than three feet, she heard the horse neigh. Her feet stilled, and her head turned in the direction of the sound; Mr Darcy was staring at her, and suddenly, Elizabeth felt a heavy weight fall onto her shoulders.

I can still escape; there is no need to talk to the disagreeable man!

When she realised she was not wearing her bonnet and that her skirts likely were wrinkled and dirty after sitting so long on the rock and walking along the narrow path, she felt herself blush and was irritated. What did she care what he thought about her? He already claimed she was ‘not handsome’; so what if his opinion of her sunk even lower? She bobbed a quick curtesy and looked away from him, intending to return to Longbourn.

“Miss Bennet.”

Mr Darcy’s deep, sombre voice stopped her before she had managed a single step. With a deep sigh of resignation, she turned to face him. Rather than speak, she arched her eyebrows in question. He closed the distance between them but seemed to prefer looking around him to talking. Sensing annoyance creeping through her, Elizabeth pushed it away in favour of humour; how long would he choose to stand there in silence? She suspected that her refusal to utter a word discomposed him; he grimaced, then relaxed his features only to open his mouth as though prepared to say something before again closing it. He looked away, then again met her eyes. Once he scratched his jaw.

If this goes on much longer, I believe I shall simply leave. If he calls after me again, we can repeat this exercise, although I have no idea what its purpose is.

It felt like five minutes passed before Mr Darcy spoke, but it was likely half that time.

“Miss Bennet,” he repeated, “yesterday evening…I believe you heard me say something…uncharitable. The words were not meant for your ears.”

An involuntary guffaw almost made it past Elizabeth’s lips, but because it would be rude, she covered it with a cough. It was challenging to reply without laughing; it was impossible to hide her incredulity. “Mr Darcy, with respect, we were not so far apart, you did nothing to lower your voice, and you met my eye before you spoke. You must have known that, at the very least, there was a strong likelihood that I would hear you.” Had he offered her an apology, she would have accepted and gone about her day.

His features hardened. Elizabeth would not have been surprised had he retorted. Instead, he held his tongue.

Elizabeth continued, “Even if I had not heard it directly, we were in a crowded room. Many of my neighbours no doubt did hear what you said about me; you had to have known that would happen. I am sorry if I offended in you some way. I cannot think what I could have done, but it is possible, I suppose. If I did, it might excuse your behaviour. Good day, Mr Darcy.”

She again gave him a quick curtesy and began to walk away, and again, his words stopped her.

“You are correct.”

This time, her sigh was resigned. When she spun around, she found that he had taken several steps so that the distance between them was no greater than it had been before her movement away from the clearing.

“About?” she asked. As amusing as it had been to watch him struggle to speak earlier, she was tired of the game and wished to go home. She anticipated the pleasant views she would have on the path and was determined to use the time to regain the sense of tranquility she had had before encountering Mr Darcy.

“I was indiscreet. I ought not to have said what I did, especially not there. I did not care who heard me or whether I offended you or not. It was not the behaviour of a gentleman, and I regret it.”

Well, that is something more like an apology, but I cannot tell if he regrets that he behaved in an ungentlemanly manner or if he means to apologise to me.

She said, “Thank you, sir,” nodded her head and started to turn her feet in the direction of Longbourn.

The sound of his voice came before she had moved an inch. Mr Darcy’s words were hasty when he continued, “I have no good excuse. I…I…”

Regarding him, this time she saw signs of embarrassment. There were twin pink spots on his cheeks, and he seemed unwilling to look at her. He rubbed the back of his neck and must have hit the back of his head with his hat, which he regarded as though he were surprised to see it in his hand. After clearing his throat, he spoke.

“In truth, I wanted Bingley to leave me alone. The easiest way to ensure he did not continue to press me to dance—an activity he knows I do not enjoy—was to say something…well, rude.”

A pity it was at my expense. “I see.”

“The words were out of my mouth before I realised what I was going to say. Later, I thought about the scene again and was disappointed with myself. I do regret it, Miss Bennet, and apologise.”

Ahh, Elizabeth thought with satisfaction. The weight that had descended on her when she saw him eased a little. “Thank you, Mr Darcy. Now, I really should return to Longbourn. My mother and sisters will be wondering where I am.”

“Of course.” He placed his hat on his head. “I should return to Netherfield. I will, that is, I believe we shall see each other again soon. Bingley said something about a dinner party.”

“At Purvis Lodge the day after tomorrow.”

“I will endeavour to recall my discomfort at this moment—and those I had last night when I reviewed my behaviour at the assembly—and learn from it.”

Elizabeth’s lips broadened into a grin. Was that a hint of humour? In Mr Darcy? “I pray you shall.”

When he very obviously rolled his eyes, she laughed.

They said their goodbyes and went their separate ways.

As she strolled along the path home, Elizabeth reflected that she was very glad she had taken a walk. Not only had she cleared her thoughts and enjoyed the diversion of a beautiful autumn day out amongst the trees and other wild things, she sensed she had gained a great deal more. What exactly it was, she did not know, but she would sort it out. Perhaps once she had the opportunity to study Mr Darcy’s character a little bit more…

That’s it! I hope you enjoyed this short diversion. Have a wonderful day!

© Lucy Marin 2021