Scotch and Sirens

Chapter Thirty Five

 

Lizzy woke up early the next morning to find herself lying fully clothed on top of the bedding. Holly was beside her in the same state. It took her a few moments to remember where she last was and could not recall at all how she had come to be here now. The cider had obviously fermented, and they had gotten themselves drunk. She felt foolish that she had not see the signs sooner and had gulped so much of it so quickly.

She stepped onto the floor, none too steady on her feet. Her head hurt and she felt it as divine justice. She folded the quilt from her side of the bed over the top of Holly and then quietly and slowly went through her morning preparations. She made her way to the breakfast room. Feeling that even though food sounded like the last thing she wanted at the moment, that she needed to eat something or she would soon find herself all the sicker. She stayed away from the fruit, sliced apples no less, but took an oatcake and some cheese. After adding much more cream to her coffee than was her usual, she sat quietly down and nibbled at her food, forcing herself to eat it.

Vian, knowing full well that Elizabeth would probably sleep a bit longer than her usual after such an eventful evening like the one she had had yesterday, was not in a hurry to leave his bed. He lay there for some time, stretching his legs among the sheets, remembering the sweetest kiss he might ever wish for. “Elizabeth,” he murmured. “What a delightful creature you are!” A kiss was not usually a thing Vian paid that much attention to. It was not that he did not enjoy them, but normally a kiss was just a prelude to something more. Not this time. Yesterday he had found what pleasure a mere kiss could bestow if offered by the lady of his heart. He knew, of course, that the kiss was not offered consciously; nevertheless, he also knew that a woman would not kiss him back if she was really against the idea, even while she was sleeping, and this one was willingly given as if to one’s dearest lover. It was a very good sign. A very good sign of a very promising acquaintance.

When he finally went down and entered the morning parlour she was already there. One glance at her told him that joyful chatter would not be the thing she might wish for today. He strove to keep his voice low and addressed her with an understanding smile.

“Miss Bennet, I believe you are in a great need of fresh air. If you do not mind I would suggest we might walk as soon as you eat.”

She thought about this for a moment and decided that fresh air would be a good idea. If it did not help, at least some activity might work to keep her mind off of her ills somewhat. But he had said that he believed her in great need of fresh air. Did she look as bad as she felt?

“Certainly. A walk would be just the thing this morning. I thank you for the suggestion.”

She finished what she had on her plate, while he devoured his own breakfast with gusto. They then proceeded on their way.

As soon as they went out he observed her pale countenance closely.

“Miss Bennet, pray, are you feeling well? Yesterday must have been very tiring for you.”

She wondered what he meant by that. Was he referring to the harvesting? She certainly hoped so.

“Why, yes, Miss Tournier and I did work hard in the orchard yesterday, and then we had to put it all away. So the day was very tiring.”

She gave him a curious sideways glance to see how he would react to this statement.

“Well, it certainly must have been far too tiring for you. I was hoping to find you earlier and be of some help. I am very sorry I did not succeed before you fell asleep. Pray, tell me, did you have pleasant dreams?”

She blushed at his asking her of her dreams, for it brought to mind the one in which she had received a very sensuous kiss from Mr. Darcy. It had seemed almost real – it was that vivid and the last thing she remembered from the evening. She would not, however, tell him of it.

“I am afraid most of last evening is very fuzzy to me. I am beginning to think you may know something of this?”

He smiled to himself seeing her blush at his mention of her dreams.

“Miss Bennet, I do confess that I had found you and Miss Tournier in the root cellar and put you both into your bed. I will not, however, be so presumptuous as to guess what added to your tiredness.”

Her previous blush deepened. “You are owed an explanation then. I am highly embarrassed to admit to you that Miss Tournier and I drank what we thought was cider to alleviate our thirst, but we realised much too late after drinking more than we should have, that it had somehow turned itself into a hard cider. I am mortified to tell you that we both fell asleep there in the cellar like drunken sailors. I thank you for your aid to us. It was very kind. At least I can be consoled by the fact that my aunt was not the one to find us. She would never let us live it down.”

“Miss Bennet, you owe me no explanation, I assure you. However, I am afraid that you were not as lucky as to avoid Ma Tantine’s wits altogether. She spotted me in the hallway just when I was carrying up Miss Tournier. Of course there is no need to assign your tiredness to anything more than the harvest activities, so I hope she will only bestow her sympathy upon you and not any other remarks.”

Lizzy was all the more disheartened by the knowledge that Mrs. Tournier had seen him carry Holly in. She had no easy response to give him on the matter and so let it lie.

Just as they came to a turn in the road she saw someone coming their way. Lizzy realised who it was with a sinking feeling in her stomach. Her whisper was barely audible, “Oh Lord! Please. Not today of all days!”

Vian noticed Elizabeth’s sudden concern and glanced in the direction of the newcomer.

“Miss Bennet, are you well?”

“Yes. Everything is fine, Monsieur. I just had a most irritating fly near me.”

Lizzy realised it was too late to turn from the path, as Miss Lucy was obviously coming their way. Well, she thought, this too also served her right for her stupidity in drinking the fizzing cider. She took the time remaining before they met up to gird herself for the encounter.

 

 

Lucy had gone on an extended shopping trip to Edinburgh with her mother. Upon returning yesterday, she had heard that Mr. Darcy had left the area, and that there was a new arrival in the neighbourhood. A Monsieur Vian to be precise, who was healthy, wealthy, and she did not know if he was wise, but she cared not as he was eligible.

Of course she had not given up on Mr. Darcy at all. The entire time away she had complained bitterly that she wished to be home again, claiming boredom, for she could do nothing to aid her own cause if she were not in the same neighbourhood. Finally, persuading her mother that the trip should be cut short, she had set out this morning to discover from Miss Bennet if that man was gone for good or not. Discovering another gentleman had arrived did not harm her prospects nor her mood, especially now that Mr. Darcy might be out of her reach.

She noted how unfair it was that the Tournier household had such a share of eligible men hanging about ripe for the picking lately, but since she could do nothing about that, she would do what she could. Since the new gentleman was staying at the Tournier's, and since Lizzy was close friends with Mr. Darcy as well, Lucy thought it was high time to pay a call there, which was her exact destination this morning. When she saw Lizzy coming along with a very handsome man she had high hopes that this would be Monsieur Vian. She took the time remaining before they met up to smile as sweetly as she could for him, and made sure to avert her eyes and look demure every so often as they approached each other, to give herself a friendly, yet semi-shy appearance.

Miss Bennet spoke first when they finally came to a meeting in the road.

“Good morning, Miss Steele. May I introduce Monsieur Vian? He is the Godson of my late uncle.” Turning to him she said, “Monsieur Vian, please meet Miss Lucy Steele. She and her family are neighbours of my aunt.”

“Je suis enchante, Mademoiselle. It is a pleasure to meet a friend of Miss Bennet.”

Lucy gave him her best smile and returned his greeting. “It is nice to meet you, Monsieur Vian. Since Miss Bennet and I are great friends, I hope you will consider me one of yours as well.”

Reluctantly, but not obviously so, she turned her gaze to Lizzy. “I was just on my way to pay a call on you in fact, Miss Bennet. I did not know the Tourniers had guests, or I would never have intruded. I have just returned from Edinburgh on a shopping excursion with my mother and sister, and upon returning I had heard that Mr. Darcy had left town. I was wondering if he had left the neighbourhood for good, and if you could tell me. It seems that my mother wishes to invite him over for dinner soon, as she was quite taken with him, but if he has left us for good the fulfilling of her wish will not be possible.”

Her head already aching, Lizzy now felt a great pang in her heart. She had not understood why Mr. Darcy had not been to call on her since the picnic. This was the third morning and she had expected him to come today at least. But to hear from Lucy, of all people, that he had left and had not let her know of it himself somehow was a most devastating blow. It could not possibly be true. She was sure of it.

“I think your information is mistaken, Miss Steele. Mr. Darcy had not mentioned any plans to leave town when he last visited us.”

Lucy was surprised by this admission, and so willingly given. Miss Bennet was indeed going to be an easy obstacle to overcome, for she did not know what was wise to reveal and what should be held back. Since she herself had learned the information from a neighbour who had seen him leave an inn down south, his saddlebags fully loaded. She crossed her fingers that her source was correct and forged ahead with a lie calculated to weaken Miss Bennet in whatever way she could.

“Well, I cannot be sure why you would think he is still around. Our neighbour saw him far to the south when he was on his own way back from London. It is funny that you would not know. Perhaps he did not have the time or the need to inform the neighbourhood? I mean his attachment is only to Lord Brougham, and he of course would be easy to inform.” She flashed Lizzy a bright, reassuring smile.

Lizzy was taken aback and reeled from this new information. She was devastated and made every attempt to cover it, but with her aching head and queasy stomach she was having a great deal of difficulty. All she could manage was a weak smile and a short reply.

“I am sure you are correct. It must have been something important to take him away so quickly, and he is not required to report his comings and goings to anyone.”

Vian noticed the effect the information had on Miss Bennet. He smiled cordially and said, “Well, one can never know what business a gentlemen of consequence like Mr. Darcy may have. One day here, another elsewhere. However, I hope he keeps his engagements. I would be very sorry not to have the opportunity to fence with him after all.”

Lucy's attention was instantly withdrawn from Lizzy's face and onto Vian's. Her interest now sparked by his comment, she coyly asked, “Sir, do you speak of an actual duel, or will you participate in the duelling festivities at the harvest fair?”

Strangely enough, Mr. Vian’s words calmed Lizzy for a moment. Even though she was hurt that Mr. Darcy had left without informing her, she was at least reassured by the knowledge that he would return. He would not challenge Monsieur Vian to participate and then not attend it himself -- even if it was an exhibition duel. It would not be like him. His honour would not allow it, of that she was sure.

But the calming effect did not last long, and her heartbeat quickened again as a new panic set in. Why did he leave the day after the picnic? Was he truly sickened by her actions and behaviour after he had had a chance to think them over? Did she lean forward too far by instinct when she thought he would kiss her? Was he so appalled by such a reaction from a trusted friend that he had decided it was time to leave before she made an even bigger fool of herself and their friendship?

And if this was not enough, she suddenly realised how selfish she was being in her thinking. What if something bad had happened to take him away so quickly? She could now only add shame to her already over burdened mind and body.

Vian, seeing that the conversation was only becoming harder for Elizabeth, decided that he could best help her by keeping their visitor occupied in conversation.

“The festivities of course. Why do you suppose Mr. Darcy would like to fence with me otherwise?”

“Well, I can only think of two reasons one man would challenge another to a duel, Monsieur Vian. Perhaps you have tried capturing the heart of some woman he fancies? But I happen to know that there is no one around here that would fit that description. Mr. Darcy and Miss Bennet are only good friends and there is no other woman in the area he knows as well. Is that not so, Miss Bennet?”

She looked pointedly at Lizzy, who only smiled at her in return.

“I should have assumed it was the festival immediately, Monsieur Vian, but I quite liked the idea of two men duelling over a woman, a very romantic notion, indeed. I suppose that was what I was thinking.” She laughed. “Tell me, Sir, do you think you and Mr. Darcy are a good match? Or will it be a short duel?”

Vian registered all of the hints Miss Lucy so willingly dropped about the relationship of Mr. Darcy and Miss Elizabeth. It seemed this girl had every intention of rattling Miss Bennet if she could. He would label her a competitive and spiteful person if he were to judge her now. Whether she was right or wrong in her insinuations would only depend upon how she was defining the word friend. Whatever she had meant, her words were having an effect on Elizabeth, who remained quiet but still did not seem happy with the description.

“That will depend on what kind of fencer Mr. Darcy is. If his skills are similar to those he displayed during our time hunting together, the duel will not be long, indeed.”

She smiled prettily and giggled, “Why I can only assume two things by that statement, Sir. That Mr. Darcy has excellent hunting skills, and you yourself will not last long in the match, or that Mr. Darcy is a very poor hunter and you will beat him very quickly. I am inclined to think you would give yourself the better rating, for who would not. I take it you are a proficient hunter then?” She grinned coquettishly at him.

Vian was amused at how hard she was trying to attract him. A good hunter can always spot other hunters, no matter their intended prey. He tucked this bit of information away. He had no interest in women like her. Since such women could never derive any pleasure from life, there was no pleasure he could have to offer them. Still, properly steered, Miss Lucy might be useful.

“I am, indeed, Miss Lucy, and my fencing skills are equal. However, nothing is certain in any sport until the winner is announced.”

Lizzy was sickened by Lucy's very presence. Her obvious attempts to both embarrass herself and to flirt with Monsieur Vian were making her all the more nauseous. She wished this nasty intruder far, far away from them but knew she had no real reason to make it so. But at least they could walk instead of stand here in this one spot. She could then have an opportunity to look somewhere besides the young insipid woman's face – a face that took such joy in trying to see misery on her own.

“Monsieur Vian and I were actually about to walk in the direction of your house, Miss Steele. Perhaps you would like to join us?”

Lucy was glad that Lizzy suggested she walk with them. It would give her more time to make an impression on the Frenchman. She felt she was gaining some ground there already. However, she was sure that Lizzy would prefer she decline, so she answered with that in mind.

“That is a lovely offer, Miss Bennet. I was about to mention that I had better say my goodbyes now and leave you, as I have other places to visit this morning, but I will happily postpone my other calls and make them tomorrow instead, so that I may accompany the two of you.”

Lucy turned to take her place on the other side of Vian and took his arm as naturally as if he had offered it to her.

“Tell me, Monsieur Vian, where did you learn to fence?”

Vian offered his other arm to Miss Bennet, both to support her, as she truly did not look very well, and so as not to give the advantage to Miss Lucy over her.

“Why, in many places. I had been taking regular lessons in an old musketeer school till I was nine. That is when the Revolution emerged. Then, I continued them in the Vatican at a school for the Papal Guardia. After we returned to France, an old friend of my father's, who happened to be a most esteemed fencing teacher, stayed at our house. I learned a great deal from him and honed my skills.”

His answer piqued Miss Lucy’s interest and many other questions followed. Before he was able to answer all of them they had reached her house and bid their farewells. Miss Lucy invited them in, but when the invitation was declined, she willingly promised to be present during the festivities and cheer on her new acquaintance. As soon as Vian was alone with Elizabeth again, he looked closely at her.

“Miss Bennet, I am afraid that you did not take Miss Lucy’s news very well.”

Her thoughts were in agreement with that assessment, but she had hoped she had hidden it better. She wondered if it was just him who could read it so well, or if Lucy seen it too. However, she did not take to this line of conversation well either and it was not one she wanted him to pursue. She hoped he would read that on her countenance as well.

“Is that a question, Monsieur Vian?”

“Miss Bennet, it was difficult not to see your distress, and I am not very much surprised that you might have expected Mr. Darcy to inform you of his plans. I have noticed that there is a special relationship between the two of you.”

“I am sure it is plain to everyone that Mr. Darcy and I are good friends. I think it rather natural to be disappointed at not being informed when a friend is leaving one's company. Would you not agree, Monsieur Vian? Perhaps it is an emergency that has called him away. I assume there is some good reason for it.”

“I have no doubt that there is a good excuse. However, one would expect Mr. Darcy to be thoughtful enough to inform such a particular friend as you about his departure before abandoning the neighbourhood. You have every right to be disappointed.”

She was not feeling at her sharpest, and at the moment she was inclined to agree with him, but she could not.

“On the contrary, Monsieur Vian, Mr. Darcy is under no obligation to inform me of any of his movements. I do not have any right to expect it and should not have been disappointed that he did not. You are quite right in pointing this fact out to me. I thank you for making me think of the social graces and rules. Shall we take this path home, then?”

Vian did not wish to press her any further. He could not have expected that she would admit aloud the kind of relationship that existed between herself and the gentleman.

“I am sorry, Miss Bennet. You are perfectly right of course. It is only what I would do, but I have no right to expect Mr. Darcy to follow my example.”

Unfortunately, it did not matter what Mr. Vian would do, it was what Mr. Darcy had done that made a difference to her. She reminded herself that she did not have all of the facts. Perhaps he did try to contact her, or it was an emergency errand he was on. She would reserve her judgement until she knew more of the details. That lesson she had learnt at least. But this did serve to remind her that she had perhaps begun to see more than was there and hope for more than she should.

They spoke no more about it, or any other topic, but walked quietly back to Rosefarm. She leaned more heavily on his arm than she realised, her body and mind not being up to much more that morning, and he contentedly supported her, in more than just the physical.

 

 

Later that day the entire Rosefarm party went to Clyne for tea so Holly might view the library there to see what would be required of her in terms of putting it in order.

When they arrived, Lord Brougham strode up to Mrs. Tournier and bade her an enthusiastic welcome and begged them all to come in. Monsieur Vian bowed and devoted himself to the comfort of the younger ladies, who, Brougham noted with surprise, both seemed quite timid and pale and were both squinting against the sun.

Mrs. Tournier seemed in an excellent mood and wasted no time quizzing him on the design of the house and what had possessed him not to knock out some walls to make a bigger hall if this was indeed a place devoted to sports and not a hideaway, but as she did all this with obvious good humour and benevolent curiosity, his Lordship only laughed.

“Please,” he said, gesturing them into the small but comfortable sitting room. “Since Mr. Darcy went away this place has been very quiet, so I must first insist upon offering tea to lift your travelled spirits up.”

Holly’s head came up at the mention of Mr. Darcy having gone away. Involuntarily looking toward her cousin, she could see that this was not new or welcome news to Lizzy. Forcing herself to exert herself on her cousin’s behalf, she asked the question she thought Lizzy would wish to.

“Mr. Darcy has left? He did not call on us to say goodbye. I hope that means he will be returning soon?”

Just then she noticed a boy, partially hidden behind Lord Brougham and obviously feeling overwhelmed. Smiling as brightly as she could manage, she stepped forward,

“My Lord, could you please introduce us to your friend?”

Brougham stepped aside and introduced the boy from the Nethery farm who would work as Miss Tournier’s helper in the library.

Vian found himself just as curious about whether or not his rival would return and was disappointed when the notice of the boy made Miss Tournier forget her own question. He thought to bring the subject back around to it.

“Lord Brougham, I did not hear your answer regarding Mr. Darcy. Might you repeat it?”

“Ah, yes,” Brougham turned to Miss Bennet and Monsieur Vian. “Mr Darcy had to leave on business to his Pemberley estate. I expect it is that time of year. He is very involved and anxious to attend to the affairs himself, you know, although his steward is a very able man. A very amiable man, too, I should not wonder. I know my Mr. Tilney would quite lose his temper with me if I dared interfere as much. But then Darcy has a deep attachment for the place and probably knows it better than anyone.” He smiled.

Lizzy paid close attention, hoping Lord Brougham might say more or that someone would ask for additional details, but the attention quickly focused on the young boy once again, and nothing more was said of Mr. Darcy. The news that Mr. Darcy was on Pemberley business did make her feel somewhat better, but she still did not know for certain if he would be returning or not.

Fortunately, no one seemed to expect anything of her other than her presence, and so she spoke very little and only tried to follow what went on around her. Although her mind often wandered away from the present company, it seemed that only Monsieur Vian noticed it and occasionally enquired after her thoughts. She answered him as best she could and sat quietly with him next to her - almost as if he stood guard over her every want and need.

When the others left to tour the library, Vian remained in the sitting room to keep her company. He could not decide if she was still distressed or even more distressed than before, or perhaps it was still the lingering effects of her drinking the evening before. He loved to see her smiling and laughing, not sad, so he decided it was time to alter her humour.

He picked up a newspaper that was lying beside their couch and scanned it for any interesting information. Not finding anything what might amuse her, he tried another tactic. The economic section was soon found, and looking deeply into her eyes, he sighed heavily, put a great deal of feeling and emotion into his voice, and started to read the news as if it was the most exciting romance novel ever written. Sprinkling in French phrases such as mon amour, mon coeur, and others that would suit his intentions for the piece.

She sat silently next to him, staring at nothing in particular, and rather wishing she were back at Rosefarm in bed, when he began reading the business report as if it were the most romantic thing he had ever laid his eyes on. She laughed and rewarded him with a smile for his efforts. She sat back, closed her eyes, and began to concentrate on the most exciting tulip market that Holland had ever experienced, one full of amour.

Vian, who seemed happy to see Elizabeth slowly relaxing, consequently lowered his voice while reading until she finally fell asleep. He was enchanted by the look of an innocent dream on her countenance. He laid the newspaper aside, sat closer to her and delicately leaned her head so that she could support it upon his shoulder.

She was still sleeping when Mrs. Tournier returned to the room to fetch Vian, and upon seeing Lizzy’s head so pillowed, she arched her eyebrows at her godson and sent him only a half serious glare, rolling her eyes to the ceiling at its conclusion.

“There you are! I sent Lord Brougham after you but he came back and reported that you were not to be found. I see why now.”

“Is that who I heard come in behind me? I found it very thoughtful of him not to wish to disturb Miss Bennet’s sleep by speaking aloud.”

“Do you think you might leave my niece to her dreams and come assist me by carrying some books that Lord Brougham has been so kind to loan me?”

He smiled warmly to her, lazily stretching out his legs and replied, “Cannot the man himself assist you, ma Tantine, or a servant perhaps? I find myself quite comfortable at the moment and I would not want my movements to wake Miss Bennet.”

“You are the one whose assistance I am requesting. And I might enquire whether or not you have become too comfortable there if I did not already know the answer. I am guessing she would be mightily surprised to find herself staring into your eyes should your movements wake her.”

Not answering her directly, as she really had not phrased it as a question, he gently took himself away from Miss Bennet without bringing her from her slumber and stood up.

“Very well. I am at your service!”

Mrs. Tournier, who could not resist the disappointed look on his face as he came to her, sighed heavily and gave him a wink. “You are incorrigible! Luckily for you it was one of the things I found so attractive about your father and my husband or you would irritate me to no end. I see you inherited it in abundance. Some day, your wife shall be both blessed and cursed by it, but then I am sure you are counting on that.”

Grinning like a cat, he followed Mrs. Tournier out.

Lizzy woke up some time later and found Mr. Vian leaning over her, gently calling her name. “Miss Bennet, Miss Tournier is ready to leave. I offered to come in and fetch you.”

Very embarrassed for having fallen asleep during the visit, and grateful that no one had witnessed it besides Mr. Vian, she quickly got up and went where he led.

 

 

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