Falling at Pemberley Chapter 4 — Kara Louise

Here is Chapter 4 of my current story. Elizabeth is forced to hide again, but I promise this is the last time. And we will get our first introduction to Miss Westerfield. I know you are all waiting for Darcy to discover Elizabeth is there, but you will have to wait a little longer. If you haven’t read the previous chapters, here are the links to Chapter 1, Chapter 2, and Chapter 3.

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Chapter 4

Later that day, Elizabeth was conversing with her aunt and uncle in his room when she was startled by a tap at the door. She turned, half expecting – and fully dreading – to see Mr. Darcy; instead, a young lady, the one she had seen arrive in the carriage earlier that morning, stood next to Mrs. Reynolds.

“Pardon me,” Mrs. Reynolds said softly. “There is someone who wishes to make your acquaintance. Is this a convenient time?”

Mrs. Gardiner smiled. “Certainly, please come in.”

Mrs. Reynolds made the introductions.

“We are delighted to make your acquaintance,” Mrs. Gardiner said.

“Thank you. It is a pleasure to meet you, as well.” Georgiana clasped her hands tightly together and looked at the housekeeper. “Thank you, Mrs. Reynolds.” She turned back to the others as the woman nodded and stepped from the room. “My brother informed me of the unfortunate accident yesterday.” Turning to Mr. Gardiner, she said, “I was so grieved to hear about it. Mrs. Reynolds told me the doctor has not yet been to see you today.”

“Not yet. He said yesterday, however, that it looked as though it is a slight fracture in at least one of my ribs.”

Mrs. Gardiner smiled. “It is likely more painful than serious. We are grateful that it was not a broken rib, as a slight fracture will allow for a speedier recovery as long as he is careful not to cause more damage to it.”

“I am glad to hear that.”

Elizabeth stood up and gestured towards her seat. “Please, come take my chair.”

“Oh, thank you, no. I cannot stay long, and besides, I have been sitting in a carriage for most of the morning.” She smiled hesitantly and then asked, “May I inquire as to how the accident happened?”

“We had just been through the portrait gallery and had begun descending the stairs after seeing the fine portrait of your brother,” Mrs. Gardiner said. “Somehow, Elizabeth and Edmund collided, and he fell down a few stairs.”

Elizabeth shook her head. “It was solely my fault, as I was not paying attention. When I had turned and moved forward, I had wrongly assumed he was further ahead of me than he was.”

“Now, Lizzy, we have an equal share in the fault.” He looked at Georgiana. “It could have happened to anyone.”

Georgiana shook her head. “I am so glad it was not worse.”

Mrs. Gardiner smiled. “Indeed, we all are.”

“Miss Darcy,” Elizabeth said. “Pemberley is lovely – the manor and grounds are beautiful.”

“Thank you,” she replied. “It is good to be home.”

Have you been away long?” Elizabeth found the young girl sweet and shy, just a little uneasy, but not at all prideful as Mr. Wickham had described her.

“Far too long. I have been in London since the autumn.”

Elizabeth smiled at her. “Do you prefer the hustle and bustle of London or the quiet and beauty at Pemberley?”

Georgiana’s eyes lit up. “I am delighted to be back at Pemberley, particularly as my brother is here.”

“Mrs. Reynolds was certainly effusive in her admiration of your brother and how good he is to you,” Mrs. Gardiner said. “You are very fortunate to have such a caring brother looking after you.”

Georgiana nodded her head. “Indeed, I am very fortunate. I could not ask for a finer brother.” She looked about her, as if searching for something more to say.

“We understand you have guests coming. Have they arrived?” Mrs. Gardiner asked.

“No, not yet.”

They visited a while longer, and then Georgiana said, “My brother is gone from the home for a few hours to pay some calls on several of our tenants, so if you have need of anything, feel free to ask Mrs. Reynolds or myself.”

“Thank you for coming by,” Mrs. Gardiner said. “We appreciate it. Everyone here has been so kind and helpful.”

“It is my pleasure.”

When she was gone, Elizabeth turned to her aunt. “She is nothing like what I expected!”

“I cannot say that I had any particular expectations about her, but I found her pleasant, if only a little shy.”

Elizabeth nodded, picked up a book she had brought back from the inn, and began to read. She did not find it particularly engaging, and after a while, she put it down. She was beginning to feel restless and trapped. “I wish I had something else to read. This book is a drudgery to get through.”

Mrs. Gardiner tilted her head at her niece. “According to Miss Darcy, Mr. Darcy is from home for a few hours. Why do you not inquire whether you might visit his library?”

“Oh, Aunt, I could not! Besides, that was some time ago, and the doctor is about to come.”

Reaching out and taking her niece’s hand, she said, “I know you want to see it, and there is no need for you to be here when the doctor arrives.” She patted Elizabeth’s hand. “Mrs. Reynolds told us how grand it was, but we only have her word. Are you not just a little curious as to whether it meets up to her lavish description?”

Elizabeth thought back to Caroline Bingley’s assessment of Pemberley’s library when Jane was ill at Netherfield. From the moment she had praised it, Elizabeth had to confess it was a library she wished to see. She had actually been disappointed it was not included on the tour.

Despite Elizabeth’s protests, Mrs. Gardiner grabbed the bell pull. “All you can do is ask.”

A short while later, Mrs. Reynolds stepped in. “What can I do for you?”

Mrs. Gardiner looked at Elizabeth and then turned back to the housekeeper. “Elizabeth was wondering if she might be able to visit the library and find a book to read.”

Elizabeth shook her head. “I would not want to intrude…”

“Certainly! You will find everything you could possibly want… and even more! Come! I will show you the way. It is almost directly above us, as a matter of fact.”

Elizabeth could not argue with such an enthusiastic response, and with eager, albeit nervous anticipation, she followed Mrs. Reynolds.

As they walked the halls of Pemberley and traversed the stairs, Elizabeth argued with herself the whole way that this was the most foolish thing she had ever agreed to do. At the sound of every footstep, door opening, or voice speaking, she faltered, certain that it was Mr. Darcy returning. If it were not for the continuous stream of praise from the housekeeper in her description of the library, she would have turned back. She decided she would argue with herself later for allowing her curiosity to overrule her common sense.

When the two ladies stepped into the library, Elizabeth came to an abrupt stop. She could never have imagined anything more beautiful. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came forth.

Mrs. Reynolds clasped her hands. “Is it not magnificent?” The housekeeper looked about her, as if she were looking at it for the first time.

“Yes… yes!” Elizabeth replied. “It is unlike any library I have ever seen.”

“I have not seen one finer.” Mrs. Reynolds turned to Elizabeth. “I am certain you will readily find something to your liking.”

“Thank you.”

“And I trust you will be able to find your way back to the infirmary room.”

When Mrs. Reynolds stepped out, Elizabeth pressed her hand over her heart, her fingers creeping up to her throat. She found it difficult to do anything but gaze about her. She finally willed her feet to move and slowly began to walk about as her fingertips reached out and gently ran across the leather book spines. She drew in the deep musty scent of old books and polished wood, and oddly enough, she noticed a slight floral fragrance.

She walked over to the heavy dark wood desk where several books were stacked in a pile. A small wood-carved owl on a perch stood next to the books. Elizabeth carefully picked it up and ran her fingers over the intricately carved creature. While not particularly large, it was beautifully crafted. She gingerly replaced it and picked up the books from the table, looking at the titles. Upon seeing one that sounded like it would be something she would enjoy reading, she set the others back down, keeping that book in her hand.

She began to walk to the bookshelves but was stopped when she noticed an unfinished carved bird sitting on the corner of the desk upon some papers. She picked it up and examined it. It looked like it was to be a medium-sized bird with a long tail. She thought it odd that a wood-carved bird – an unfinished wood-carved bird – would be sitting on Mr. Darcy’s desk. As she looked at it more closely, she smiled as she thought it looked like it might be a magpie.

“That would be interesting if I am correct,” she said softly to herself.

She replaced the carving and walked slowly through the library, wishing she had more time to examine every title on the shelves. She tilted her head to aid in reading the titles that were written down along the spine. She occasionally picked one up and carefully turned the pages, trying to decide if that book would be of more interest to her than the one she already held.

A tall free-standing wall of shelves stood in the middle of the library, adding to the beauty and grandness of the room. It was filled on both sides with books.

She walked along the front, and then stepped behind it as she continued to glance at the titles. There were many classics she had only heard about yet never read, and other titles she had not heard of at all. There seemed to be every type of book: fiction, biographies, politics, and war strategies. Amazingly, it appeared that every one of Shakespeare’s works were present in the collection. Many books looked to be intriguing, and she debated whether to keep just the book she had earlier selected or look for another.

Oh, to have access to this many books would be…

Elizabeth paused as a thought came to her. This could have all been mine. “No!” Elizabeth admonished herself with a light stamp of her foot. She would not allow herself to feel any regret over what had happened in the past.

She did not know how long she had been in the library, for all time had ceased, and her thoughts and cares vanished. She pulled out another book and began perusing it. She was still standing behind the middle shelf of books and had just decided to take that one instead of the one she had picked up from the table when she heard the familiar voice of Mr. Darcy approaching!

“I have a few surprises for you, Georgiana. The first one is in here.”

Elizabeth gasped lightly as Mr. Darcy and his sister stepped into the library.

Elizabeth’s heart pounded, and she stood rigid behind the shelves. She was just barely able to see him over the tops of some of the books on the shelf. She hoped he could not see her; fortunately, he was not looking her way.

She watched him step over to the small table and pick up the stack of books she had earlier picked up. She began to feel a swelling of dread within her. She unwittingly shook her head as she looked down at the book in her hands.

“This is odd,” he said. “I put the book right here for you.”

“What was it?” Georgiana asked.

“It was a book I acquired for you. On the way out of town I stopped at a bookstore and bought several books; I thought you would particularly enjoy one of them.” He shook his head and looked around. “I hope no one shelved it. I do not understand. It was here earlier.”

He began to walk towards the shelf where Elizabeth was hiding, and she stiffened. An array of scenarios played out in her mind as to what he might do if he were to discover her cowering behind the book shelf. She had been feeling such turmoil over the possibility of his discovering her in his home that she actually considered stepping out to finally end her concealment and bring her presence here to light.

“We can come back later and look for it, Fitzwilliam. I am eager to see what else you have for me.”

Elizabeth relaxed slightly at hearing Georgiana’s words. She closed her eyes and prayed he would agree.

“I just do not understand.” He shook his head. “There have been a few times lately when I felt as though I have been imagining things.” He laughed. “Perhaps I only imagined I bought it for you.”

“Well, if you only imagined it, I will hold no grudge, as you spoil me with your generosity, and I have told you that you have no need to do so. You are such a good brother, that if you were to give me nothing, I would still love you as much as I do now.”

“And you are too generous in your praise, but if I gave you nothing, then our cousin would not be pleased. He continually admonishes me to provide you with such things as would make you happy.”

“And I have told you that there is nothing I lack as long as I still have your love… and respect.”

Elizabeth heard the young girl’s voice crack.

“Georgiana, that is all in the past.” Darcy put his arm around her shoulder. “You are dearer to me than anyone, and I want you to know it not only here,” he said pointing to his head. “But in here.” He then pointed to his heart.

Georgiana mutely nodded.

“Come. Let us go to the music room. Your other surprise is in there.”

Elizabeth felt a great relief wash over her when she heard they were about to leave, but she moved slightly, causing the floor beneath her to squeak. She froze, lifting only her eyes to see Mr. Darcy pause and look back.

At that moment, however, another voice called out. “Mr. Darcy! How good it is to see you again!”

Elizabeth looked to the door as Mr. Darcy and Georgiana did the same.

“Miss Westerfield!” Darcy said, suddenly clearing his throat. “Mrs. Reynolds informed me that you and your parents had arrived, but I was made to believe you were all resting in your chambers. Otherwise I would have greeted you properly. Pray, forgive me.”

The young lady, with blond hair pulled atop her head and tight ringlets framing each side of her face, smiled, revealing two dimples. “Think nothing of it. Mrs. Reynolds has been most attentive to us. We arrived earlier than we anticipated, so we fully understand. We were shown to our rooms – they are beautiful – but I wanted to walk about, as I had been sitting idle most of the day.” She drew in a breath. “Pemberley is everything I remembered it to be, although I appreciate it so much more now. It is amazing how differently one sees things through the mature eyes of an adult instead of the simple eyes of a child.”

“Thank you,” Darcy said with a quick bow. “I am delighted you are pleased with it.”

Elizabeth watched through pinched brows as the young woman turned to Georgiana. “This must be your sister. You have grown so much since we last saw each other.”

“Yes, this is Georgiana. Pray, forgive my manners. Georgiana, do you remember Miss Angeline Westerfield?”

Elizabeth saw Georgiana smile sweetly and curtsey. “Yes, but I was young.”

“You were! It is a delight to see you again, Miss Darcy.”

“Thank you, Miss Westerfield. It is a pleasure to see you, as well.”

“Oh, please call me Angeline, as you used to when we were younger.”

Elizabeth held her breath as Miss Westerfield stepped into the centre of the library and looked about. “So many books!” She tilted her head at Mr. Darcy. “Have you read them all?”

Darcy shook his head with a soft chuckle. “No, and I highly doubt that I ever will. I have read many, but as more and more books are written every year, more will be added to the library. I can only read so fast, so unfortunately, some books shall likely go unread.”

“Yet so many books add to the elegance of the library. There is nothing more unpleasant than a library with empty shelves.”

“On the other hand,” Georgiana began, “my brother often says there is nothing more unacceptable than a library filled with books that are never read.”

“And I would hope,” Darcy said, “that one would not say either about Pemberley’s library.”

“It is beautiful,” Miss Westerfield said as she began to walk aimlessly about.

Elizabeth began to dread that she might venture further in the library and discover her. She breathed a sigh of relief when she returned to Miss Darcy’s side.

Darcy turned to the young lady. “If you do not mind, I must beg to have a few more minutes alone with my sister. Feel free to look around the library and take any book you find to your liking. I shall meet you and your parents in the sitting room at… say, four o’clock?”

“Certainly,” the young lady replied with a wide smile.

Elizabeth watched as Darcy stepped out with his sister and saw a quick look of disappointment cross Miss Westerfield’s face. The young lady walked over to a side wall of shelves, looked at a few of the books, pulled one out, and then immediately returned it to its place.

“This library is nicer than I remembered,” she said softly. “It shall be looked upon with great admiration by all my guests who come to visit us here.”

Elizabeth remained still until Miss Westerfield stepped out. She let out a long, pent-up breath. “Does she anticipate becoming Mistress of Pemberley one day?” she asked herself. She placed her fingers over her mouth as her breath caught. “Why does that thought distress me so?” She pinched her brows as she considered she ought to be delighted Mr. Darcy had turned his affections elsewhere.

Elizabeth waited several minutes after the young lady walked away before stepping out cautiously from behind the wall of shelves. She still held the two books in her hand, and as much as she would have liked to read the first one she picked up, she placed it back on the table, knowing Mr. Darcy would not only wonder how it had disappeared, but would now also wonder when and how it reappeared. She would not worry about that now. She was only eager to get back to the refuge of the infirmary with her aunt and uncle.

*~*~*

Darcy escorted his sister to the music room, feeling rather unsettled that Miss Westerfield had shown up when he had wanted some time alone with Georgiana. At least his guest had not insisted on accompanying them. He did not want anyone else there, even the woman he might one day marry. His brows lowered at the thought.

Despite Georgiana’s protests that he need not bestow gifts upon her as he so often did, she was delighted – as he expected – with the new pianoforte.

“Oh, Fitzwilliam, it is beautiful! I cannot wait to play it!”

“I was hoping you would play something for me now.”

“Truly?” She ran her fingers over the polished wood. “Are you certain you do not need to see to Miss Westerfield?”

“Whilst I certainly could – and I assure you I will – I want this time with you.” He shook his head. “There shall be time enough to spend with her and her parents in the next few weeks. I doubt they will be leaving any time soon.”

“No, I would imagine not.” Georgiana sat down on the bench and her fingers moved across the keys as she played a simple melody, gazing up at him with a smile. As the piece grew more complex, she turned her attention back to her fingering.

Darcy rested his elbows on the instrument and waited for her to finish before saying, “That was beautiful, Georgie. You have greatly improved over this past year.”

“I have been applying myself more diligently,” she said gravely.

Darcy moved behind her and placed his hands gently on her shoulders. “I know it has been a difficult year for you, but you have done well. I am proud of you.” He gave her shoulders a soft squeeze and then paused for a moment. He drew in a deep breath. “Georgiana, there is something I must tell you. It is the reason I came home a day early.”

Georgiana stopped playing and turned to look at her brother. Her expression of concern mirrored her brother’s. “What is it?”

Darcy swallowed. “Mrs. Wickham is failing. I have visited her twice and am certain she has no more than a few days left.”

“I see,” Georgiana said softly. She cast her eyes down and then back up. “Shall I go visit her?”

Darcy adamantly shook his head. “No! Her son may return at any time. I will not have you encounter him. My visits are enough. She is not even aware you are home.”

The young girl nodded mutely.

“Georgiana, you seem troubled. I hope telling you this has not grieved you.”

“Oh, no! It is not that, although I feel sorry for Mrs. Wickham and her daughter.”

“Then what is it?”

She turned back to face the piano and began playing again. Her fingers continued to move nimbly across the keys as she gazed back up, a sad look in her eyes. “Miss Westerfield… is she… do you love her?”

Darcy closed his hands into fists and began rubbing his thumbs and index fingers together. “Georgie, do we… does anyone really know what love is?”

Georgiana stopped playing, resting her hands in her lap. “I would imagine it is different for everyone.” She rose. “But I believe you knew what it was to love… once.” She stood up on her toes and kissed his cheek. “I shall be in my room readying myself to meet Miss Westerfield’s family.” She turned and left the room.

Darcy drew in a hitched breath as he watched her disappear out the door. “Why did I ever tell her about Elizabeth?” He shook his head as he silently pondered what he might have said to her. It had only been in letters he had written about her. He could recollect mentioning her in at least one letter from Hertfordshire and then again when he and Elizabeth had seen each other again in Kent. He could not recall everything he had said, but he knew he told her he was going to offer for her and assured Georgiana she would welcome her as a delightful sister.

After Elizabeth had refused his offer of marriage, his sister had seen what it had done to him. She had readily recognized the depth of love – and pain – he had suffered. She had asked little, and he had offered even less information regarding what had transpired between them.

He clasped his hands and looked down, shaking his head. He had hoped coming to Pemberley would be everything he needed to rid himself of the crushing pain of Elizabeth’s refusal. He had so looked forward to spending more time with Georgiana in the home he loved. It had been a spontaneous decision to invite the Westerfields and Bingleys. Miss Westerfield had always been polite, kind, and considered a beauty. He hoped to turn what had been a lifelong friendship with her into something more – and put Elizabeth behind him.

He had not anticipated, however, having to deal with Mrs. Wickham’s fading health and her asking for his help in bringing her son back to her before she died. The last thing he needed was Wickham in the vicinity, especially with Georgiana here.

He drew himself erect and dropped his head forward. When he had earlier gone to see her, she appeared even more pale and weak than she had been the day before. He wondered if Wickham would get there in time – if he even chose to come at all.

*~*~*

Elizabeth hurried back to the infirmary, grateful to enter the somewhat secure sanctuary of the room.

“There is my niece!” Mr. Gardiner said. “The doctor has already come and gone.”

“He has? What did he have to say? Anything new?”

“He is still concerned with the amount of pain I am in and wants me to remain sedentary for at least another day or two. I am sorry, Lizzy. We will not be leaving.”

Elizabeth took his hand in hers. “Trust me, Uncle, as long as you get well, I am content to remain here.”

“Did you find a book, dear?” Mrs. Gardiner asked.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “I did, but at the expense of nearly being discovered by Mr. Darcy!”

“What happened?” They both asked at once.

Elizabeth explained her ordeal. “I think it would be best if I remain secluded in my room for the remainder of our stay here. I think that is the only place I will be safe from him.” She almost laughed as she thought how true that statement was, for oddly enough she felt that she was in very great danger of developing a regard for him, a very strong regard.

She sat down in the chair, feeling as though her heart had finally returned to beating at its normal pace. She continued.  “While they were in the library, Mr. Darcy told his sister he had a surprise for her in the music room. I imagine he was showing her the pianoforte he just bought her.”

“That is right!” Mrs. Gardiner said. “Mrs. Reynolds told us it had just arrived, as he had bought it as a present for her.”

“She is fortunate to have such a devoted brother,” Mr. Gardiner said.

Elizabeth could not agree more, although she really did not wish to. It would have been much easier to continue to dislike him if she had witnessed him being a demanding, or even indifferent, brother. It would have given her additional justification for her former feelings and refusing his offer of marriage. The longer she stayed here, despite not actually being in his presence, the more likely it was that she would admit to the realization that she had made the biggest mistake of her life.

Chapter 5