Action Lizzy and the Four Thieves Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Lizzy returned to Matlock with a terrible headache which forced her to spend most of the next day in bed. It was not helped by the doctor who did say “I told you so,” but who was otherwise satisfied with the wound on her leg.

The day after that, Lizzy woke up well refreshed and decided to have breakfast with the rest of the house. She surprised Darcy, her father and the Earl by coming to breakfast.

“Good morning, Miss Elizabeth. It's a delightful surprise to see you finally able to join the household for breakfast, however, I hope you aren't overtaxing yourself, considering your injuries,” said Darcy.

“I broke my arm, not my leg. That's hardly a reason to not come down to breakfast,” replied Lizzy pertly, an eyebrow raised in challenge.

“Forgive me,” said Darcy with the slightest hint of an amused smile. “I should know better than to think a mere trifle would hinder you.”

“Yes, you should know me well enough for that.”

Both the Earl and Mr Bennet observed this with amusement. Darcy’s admiration of Lizzy was clear, and Mr Bennet could see how her impertinent spirit would interest and challenge Darcy.

Lizzy asked for news from Sir Riley or the Colonel, to be told they were expected to return from Derby that day and they would get an update in the evening.

Kitty soon joined, as did the Countess. Lizzy said. “This is my sixth day in this house and all I have seen of it is my room and my Uncle’s and the hallway to the front door.”

Kitty piped up. “I must admit I've seen only a little more of it than you. I've been too busy helping our Uncle and organising things for the funeral.”

“I can give you a tour of the house, if you would like?” asked Darcy.

“Are you up for walking that much, Lizzy?” asked her father.

“I believe I am ready.” She looked longingly out the window. “I might leave a tour of the grounds till tomorrow. I need to pace myself.”

The Countess asked whether the servants had delivered the art supplies to Kitty. Lizzy asked about it.

“Uncle said the last picture he had of our Aunt was done when their youngest was born. I thought to sketch a picture of Aunt Madelein from my memory to give him so he could look at it when he needed to and remember her.”

“That's a lovely gesture,” said Lizzy, touched.

“The problem is trying to recall what a person looks like from memory when they aren't in front of you. I might need your help to remind me and fix up any errors.”

Lizzy smiled. “Of course. I'll help in any way that I can.”

With breakfast finished Darcy rose to lead the Bennet’s in a tour of the house. He started to move to offer his arm to Lizzy, but Mr Bennet very quickly took Lizzy’s arm instead. There was the slightest hint of disappointment, which he covered up very quickly. Instead, with the utmost politeness offered his arm to Kitty.

“Which way should we start, Miss Catherine? We could do the study first and end in the ballroom, or start with the ballroom and end in the study and library.”

“Oh, I’d love to see the ballroom,” gushed Kitty.

He led them that way, pointing out various pieces of artwork on the way and providing titbits of history that he knew about the house.

Lizzy watched in amazement. She had understood that Mr Darcy still had feelings for her and it had pleased her vanity that he had acknowledged the validity of his faults she had observed. However, she had not expected him to go out of his way to be pleasing to her family.

He led them through a parlour, and down a hall lined with paintings to come to the large foyer before the ballroom. Mr Darcy opened one of the double doors and Kitty immediately gasped. “I've never seen a room so large before. It's magnificent!” She walked in and twirled about. Both Lizzy and Mr Bennet watched her with amusement. “Oh Lizzy, imagine dancing in here!”

Lizzy indicated to her plastered arm. “Tis a little difficult to imagine dancing at this time, considering the circumstances.”

Kitty sobered to this slight reminder that they were in mourning and to act accordingly. She turned and admired the details of the room.

“Many important events have occurred in this room that are of particular significance to my family. My mother received two marriage proposals on the same night in this room.”

Kitty perked up at this story. “Do go on, Mr Darcy.”

He smiled to have fully gained Kitty’s attention. “In my mother's first season, she was being courted by two gentlemen, my father and a Marquis. My mother liked them both, though her intention was to select the Marquis. My grandparents were hosting a ball here and both men were invited, and knew they were competing against the other. The Marquis realised that my father was intending to propose.” Here Darcy pointed to a set of french doors leading to an outside balcony. “The Marquis took my mother and proposed to her out there. It wasn't until that proposal that she realised she was disappointed that it wasn't my father proposing. So she told the Marquis she needed time to think before giving her answer. “

“My father had seen them go out to the balcony and could see what was occurring. Even though he could not hear, he could guess. He confronted my mother afterwards, and told her that he had been planning on proposing, but had been too late. It was when he was offering his congratulations that my mother interrupted him to say she had not yet accepted. So my father,” and here Darcy nodded to another balcony door, “promptly led her out there and proposed and was accepted. Of course, my mother then had to have an uncomfortable conversation with the Marquis.”

“It sounds so very romantic,” sighed Kitty.

Lizzy barked out a laugh. “I disagree. It sounds as though it was very confusing for Mrs Darcy. It could only be considered romantic by someone who did not care deeply for either man. But it sounds like your mother was fond of both. This would mean she would have to hurt someone, and that would be difficult for anyone who had any decent feelings.”

The Countess, who had entered during Darcy’s story, spoke up. “That is an apt summary of the situation, Miss Elizabeth. I remember talking with Anne and her not being able to think fondly of the night, knowing the pain it held for the Marquis. I remember him stalking out of Matlock rapidly and before Anne’s engagement was announced.”

The Countess indicated around the large room, then pointed to the piano near the front. “I was engaged there. It was at the end of the ball and my family were the last to leave. Dear Henry had approached to talk with me and to ask for a private audience on the morrow. However, he had had a couple of drinks and he made it so very evident why he wanted a private audience. I, too, had had a couple of drinks, and I presumed he had already asked me so I said yes. It was rather confusing but as we determined we were engaged, Henry spoke with my father before we left and it was all official. It did not go to plan, but it achieved the correct result.”

The Countess then spoke about how her son, the Viscount, had proposed during a dance. Mr Bennet was amused by the story, but his attention was caught by Darcy’s intense stare at Lizzy. Mr Bennet was undecided whether to be amused by this imposing man staring love struck at his daughter, or to be incensed by the fact that it was HIS Lizzy that was being stared at in such a manner.

Darcy eventually realised that Mr Bennet was watching him. Mr Bennet shook his head ‘no’ with a stern look on his face and was rewarded by making Darcy’s face turn beet-red.

The tour moved on, with the Countess in the lead accompanied by a rapt Kitty. The Countess was sharing stories of the various Countesses and ladies of Matlock, as they passed through the portrait gallery. Lizzy followed on Darcy’s arm, entertained by Darcy’s childhood stories.

Mr Bennet heard Lizzy laugh at something Darcy told her and saw his responding smile. Mr Bennet had now spent a few nights in Darcy’s company and knew him to be an intelligent man who looked after his family and property and took his responsibilities seriously. Mr Bennet had come to appreciate Darcy’s wry sense of humour and realised in that sense they were alike. Where they differed most was that Mr Bennet was amused by fools, whereas Darcy had no patience for them. But he supposed Darcy would be constantly exposed to them attempting to carry his favour, so he was not surprised by the responses that Darcy had developed to discourage those who would waste his time.
Mr Bennet knew that Lizzy realised that Darcy was intelligent. He knew Lizzy and knew she would recognise Darcy’s wry sense of humour and would come to appreciate Darcy’s company. Mr Bennet sighed. He knew he’d be losing his daughter and there was no one else whom he thought would deserve her. But he could try and delay that time as much as was reasonable.

Darcy continued to regale her with stories of the history of the estate as they went through the music room, conservatory, parlours, galleries, and past the Earl and his steward’s studies.

There was a lull in the conversation. “So you are able to please when you choose to,” stated Lizzy, nodding her head at Kitty who was in front.

“I've taken your advice and am practising. But I will admit the topics of conversation with your sister have been pre-rehearsed. I merely told her the stories my own sister found the most interesting.” He was contemplative for a moment. “I've not told my parent’s engagement story for years. After our father’s death, Georgie got me to repeat the story again and again, until I came to detest it. I know she was trying to hold on to her memories of our father. She was too young to remember our mother. But rehashing the story...it was too raw for me. Eventually I snapped at her when she asked and she asked me no more.”

“Was it raw to repeat this time?”

Darcy shook his head. “No, it felt good. Sad but good to remember.”

“With your sister coming out in the winter, it would be good to tell it to her again. I imagine it might make her feel closer with your mother.”

“That is good advice.”

At last, they came to the library. It was a large narrow room, with dark floor to ceiling, wooden shelves lining the walls. In the middle of the room were two leather couches and two arm chairs where people could comfortably sit and read. Between the two windows in the room was a desk and leather chair for more serious study.

Both Lizzy and Mr Bennet stared in awe. “Why did I not find this room earlier?” asked Mr Bennet quietly to himself.

“How does this compare to the famous Pemberley study?” asked Lizzy, now genuinely curious.

“Pemberley’s is a little larger space wise, and has more shelves and books.”

Even for Mr Bennet, this was the largest private library collection that he had been in. With delight he had not felt in years, he started perusing the shelves, as did Lizzy.

Lizzy ran her hands over the leather bound volumes as she walked past the shelves. Some volumes at the bottom caught her eye. “Papa, it looks like here's almost all the works of Voltaire.”

“Do you have any of your own?” asked Darcy.

Mr Bennet wandered over to where Lizzy was bent down. “Only Dictionnaire Philosophique,” replied Mr Bennet and then added, “though Riley did lend me a copy of Annals of the Empire which I now suspect he borrowed from here.”

Darcy nodded. ”Yes, I believe the Fitzwilliams and Rileys have been close for a while. My grandfather was an admirer of Voltaire and a friend. I believe they even exchanged letters, which are safely stored away in the study. Have you read the Dictionnaire, Miss Elizabeth?”

“Yes, and it was an eye-opening read.”

Mr Bennet laughed. “You did alot better with it than Mary. She did not get a fifth of the way through it before declaring it heretical.”

Lizzy went to stand and immediately felt light headed and lost her balance.

Fortunately, her father was there and caught her. “Lizzy, are you well?”

Lizzy shook her head to clear it. “I became light headed as I stood up. I forget that this is the most exercise I've had for a week. I've probably pushed myself as much as I should today.”

“Yes, you should go and rest, else the doctor will be most annoyed with you when he comes this afternoon,” said her father.

“I might stop by my Uncle’s room and see how he is. I've not spoken with him today. I'll then return to my room after that to rest.”

“Do you want me to help you?” asked Kitty.

“Can you support your sister’s weight if she were to faint?” asked Darcy.

“Mr Darcy is right. I believe I need a stronger arm for support, especially when climbing the stairs.”

“I would be happy to escort you, Miss Elizabeth,” said Darcy, looking to her father for approval.

Mr Bennet gave a small nod, and Darcy offered his arm to Lizzy, who took it.
“Do you feel well, Elizabeth?” he asked.

“I feel perfectly fine now. It was a moment of light-headedness as I stood up. I imagine I will be fine as I walk.”

Darcy enquired how her other injuries were progressing, and Lizzy laughed. “Both my arm and leg are exceedingly itchy, but otherwise are not troubling me much. Though I imagine my arm will smell terrible when the cast comes off.”

“You speak from experience or theory?”

“Experience. I broke my foot as a child and it was in a cast for just over a month.”

“A walking injury?”

“No, I fell off our horse we had at the time.” They had come to the stairs, and Darcy made sure to be ready to catch Lizzy if she showed the slightest sign of fainting. Lizzy readily gripped his arm with her right hand to make sure she was steady as she climbed.

“And that is why you do not like horses?” asked Darcy.

“Partly. It was my fault for losing my balance and falling off. So I was immobile for a month. I did get back on the horse to satisfy my master and to show that I knew the basics, but I have not troubled myself to try riding again. I find walking is more beneficial.”

Lizzy was surprised by how tired she felt from the effort of getting to the top of the stairs. She was grateful for Darcy’s arm to lean on as she made her way to her uncle’s room. To try to hide her tiredness, she changed the subject. “It is a pity I was unable to spend more time in the study and to find myself a book to occupy my time. I don't suppose I could task you to find me something to read that I would like and I have not read before?”

Darcy smiled at this evident test. “It would be my delight to find something for you to read. On this challenge am I permitted to check with your father as to what you have already read?”

Lizzy gave a slight nod. ”That sounds only fair as you cannot know what we have in my Papa’s study at home.”

He bowed and departed. Lizzy knocked and entered her uncle’s room. He was sitting up, staring at a piece of paper, a tear rolling down his cheek, which he wiped away. “What are you looking at, Uncle?"

He showed her the drawing. “Francis drew this. Jane sent a letter and included her drawing.” There were four small stick figures of varying sizes, two in dresses and two in trousers. All had frowns on their faces and a tear on their cheek. There was a larger, male stick figure with a sling that was clearly their father. And floating on a cloud with wings was Mrs Gardiner. Lizzy’s heart tore at the picture and she was silent a good few minutes choking back tears.
There was such grief on her Uncle’s face. “She was the love of my life. How do I face the children without her? I don't know how I can go on.”

Lizzy took his hand. “Because you must. Your children need you, more than ever now. They were the most precious gift that Aunt Madelein gave you, and now she is relying on you to keep them safe and watch them grow. You must be there to make sure they learn their letters and numbers, teach them right from wrong, to see your boys enter university and start their careers and to walk your daughters down the aisle to deserving young men. She has left it to you. You can not let her down.”

He nodded. “I know, I know. I just don't know how to do it.”

“First you must get better. And you know Jane and I will help.”

“You two will soon have your own husbands and will forget all about your poor old uncle.”

Lizzy gave him a questioning look. “You realise your father has told me all about Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley.” Lizzy’s blush told him all he needed to know.

They spoke some more about Jane’s correspondence and their respective conditions, before Lizzy started to develop a headache and returned to her room to rest.
Meanwhile, Darcy had returned to the study to select a book for Lizzy to read.

“What are you looking for, Mr Darcy?” asked Kitty.

“A book for your sister to read, “ he replied.

“Don't get her Ann Radcliffe. She looks down on those books,” said Kitty.

Mr Bennet laughed. “Don't be fooled there. She read all of Ann Radcliff’s books when she was thirteen, and she read them all at least twice, before moving on.”

“Thirteen? I only finished reading them last year, “ pouted Kitty.

“I can only presume Miss Elizabeth has read all of Shakespeare’s works?”

“You would presume correctly, Mr Darcy,” replied Mr Bennet

“Homer, Plato?”

“She’s read them as well.”

Darcy returned to the shelves with Voltaire as he knew she had only read one. He selected Candide, which received a nod of approval from Mr Bennet. He smiled as he realised he had won over Mr Bennet to his cause.