Scotch and Sirens - Lizzy and Darcy - Scotch and Sirens

The girls had been out walking the countryside for a good part of the day. They returned to Rosefarm Cottage to find a carriage waiting out in front of the house. Lizzy had assumed it was one of Mrs. Tournier’s publishing friends and thought them in for an interesting evening, as her aunt’s friends were always interesting in one way or another. They entered the house, deposited their things on a table in the foyer and made their way toward the parlour.

She led the way inside, but upon seeing the occupants of the room she came to a sudden halt, causing Holly to bump into her from behind. ‘Mr. Darcy! Whatever was he doing here?’ her stupefied mind reeled. She could think of nothing to explain his presence, but then her heart skipped a beat when she suddenly wondered, ‘Did he come for me?’

Both gentlemen rose to greet the newcomers once Mrs. Tournier had acknowledged the appearance of her family. However, before she was able to say anything else Brougham took the lead.

“I believe introductions are in order...”

Darcy had remained in his place, unmoving, bewildered by the most unexpected entrance of one particular person. Eventually he collected himself and followed his friend’s example.

“Miss Bennet, how do you do. Miss Tournier.”

With this slightest attempt at civility, he then excused himself from the party and slowly walked toward the window. Voices from the other part of the room still reached his ears but not his thoughts. One burdensome idea rattled in his mind: to leave this place as soon as possible.

“Miss Bennet,” Brougham said. “It is an honour to finally meet you and your cousin. Darcy told me of your visit to Pemberley earlier this summer – I believe with your Aunt and Uncle? Are you perchance visiting again? I had no idea you had relatives so far up north from Hertfordshire.”

Lizzy was stunned, to say the least. To find Mr. Darcy standing in the parlour was startling enough, but the fact that he had turned away immediately after his short greeting and had headed for the window was even more jarring. He could not leave her company fast enough it seemed. No, he was not here for her! He could not have known she was here, and his retreat toward his usual spot when among strangers only confirmed to her that he would rather not be here now – and most especially after finding herself here. He left her company quickly enough in Derbyshire, so it must be unbearable for him to be in a room with her once again. This all ran quickly through her mind and helped her to recover her strength and resolve. A man such as this was not worthy of her concern. She stopped her eyes darting between the gentleman by the window and the one standing before her who was talking to her now. Something about Pemberley...and visiting again.

"Ah, yes. I have become quite the traveller of late. My father has had trouble keeping me home. First Hunsford, then Derbyshire, and now here at the gracious invitation of my Aunt and Cousin." She paused, "I am afraid, Lord Brougham, that you have the advantage over me. You seem to know of my latest whereabouts, and yet I have heard nothing of you. Pray tell us what brings you and Mr. Darcy so far North, and what brings you both here this evening. Are you acquainted with Mrs. Tournier?

“Well, Miss Bennet, the sad truth is that I have been deprived of Mrs. Tournier’s acquaintance until roughly two hours ago. We happened upon her at an inn, and since the poor landlord of that establishment was about to be most dreadfully – but quite rightly, I am sure – abused for his negligence by Mrs. Tournier, there was nothing for it but to save him by offering our services. Which, I might add, I have not regretted for an instant!”

Lizzy laughed at the mention of Mrs. Tournier abusing the landlord of the inn. She was inclined to like this gentleman, if only because he seemed sincere in his love for the country and appeared to appreciate her aunt. Mr. Darcy definitely tended to surround himself with amiable friends.

"Yes, I am sure that gentleman at the inn is most grateful to you for coming to my Aunt's rescue! You will want for nothing if you should return there, his gratitude will have no bounds!" She could not help giving him a mischievous grin as she said this.

“This is a fine establishment you have here! Very lush and green. Someone has an excellent gardener at their disposal and a housekeeper of very good taste and judgement. I myself have a cottage of sorts down at Clyne, by the river Kye. Do you know it? It is roughly five miles north of here. I like to call it my home, but of course I am simply a southerner with pretences of Highland romanticism. Maybe you, as a Hertfordshire woman, could understand my curious regard? Certainly you seemed well-travelled enough to be a sound judge of the different attractions of various counties.”

"I am happy to see that you share my love of this area. I have walked near that cottage before with my Cousin many times on our sojourns. I always think it happily situated and makes quite the nice picture of solitude and comfort. You must be quite content living there. As to well travelled? I have not been as far as I would like. I am sure you have journeyed much farther than I. Do not forget that a man is allowed to traverse the world on his own, while a woman is only allowed to walk the countryside."

She glanced over and saw Holly speaking to Mr. Darcy. She was sure her cousin would be giving him a rough time of it and felt a little twinge of regret that he would suffer at Holly’s most capable hands, but she then reminded herself that it was no concern of hers, especially with the way he had trotted away from the sight of her.

"Tell me, Lord Brougham, how does Mr. Darcy like your cottage? Is it comfortable and grand enough for his tastes? He cannot be here for the company of the neighbourhood and its very few gatherings, surely, for he cannot bear a country dance well at all as you must know if you have been acquainted with him for long. So it must be something else that brings him. Perhaps he comes for the hunting?”

He smiled, “Oh Darcy and I go back ages! So do our disagreements and duels, which seem to be more reliable than anything else in our acquaintance. That is chiefly how we spend our time together, for he does not dance and I dearly love it, he is fond of music and I prefer the stage, and he turns to philosophy for comfort when I find more solace in poetry. All of which must be the very reason we are such good friends, why he is not afraid of spending time with me in my most humble circumstances at Clyne, and why I have no hesitation to cordially invite him. He really is most excellent company and very patient with any humours I put him through, I assure you. Could not ask for a better friend, and I am sure I do not have one.

“Now if you are so fond of nature you must come and visit some time. Generally speaking I do not encourage visitors, but I do believe your, and especially your aunt’s society, may just prove to match my old friend Robertson down at the Public House in the village and his repartee of famous local tales.”

‘Yes,’ she thought, ‘Mr. Darcy does seem to do well with men. He is all that is right and just in their eyes. Well, leave it then. Lord Brougham seems more intrigued with my aunt in any case.’

She turned a most wicked grin to him and said, "I am sure if an invitation were extended, then you will have the pleasure of company from Rosefarm Cottage, Lord Brougham. But be careful what you wish for," she laughed. "My Aunt is a very formidable woman and will suffer no fools. You must be on your toes if you wish to impress her. You seem kind enough to deserve this warning. I will say though, that the effort is well rewarded if you persevere and succeed. She is one of the best women I know! Shall we move toward her now and let you begin the duel? For a duel you shall have to have if you intend to impress her with your wit. And do not think she will be impressed easily, Sir. You will have to prove yourself and earn it! I must say that I am eager to see you display your skills. Do you think you are up to the task?"

She was feeling more herself now. Determined not to let the actions of one so wholly unconnected with herself affect her in any way. Her comfort and confidence was rising with each exchange.

Lizzy looked closely at the man in front of her and, before he could gather a response to her last statements, she made another playful remark. "That look on your face will never do, Lord Brougham. If you react this way to my frankness I can only imagine what effect my Aunt will have upon you, for she is far more forward than I could ever think of being were I to strive for it the whole of my life. You will fail miserably before you even begin! Perhaps you should practice on my Cousin Holly first, for she is a much closer match to her mother than I, but even she will fall below the mark I am afraid. My Aunt, you see, has high standards in all that she does. But still, the practice might do you some good and give you a sporting chance!" She had a serious countenance while speaking thusly but failed in keeping the mirth from showing in her eyes.

“Dear Miss Bennet, you quite mistake my ambition! I have no wit to speak of, only insatiable curiosity and a very tiresome craving for entertainment and folly. There is no point in practice for me, for my impatience and my original aspiration will not let me keep away from your aunt for long. Also, I thank you for your concern, I have many faults, but a fear of ridicule or frankness of opinion was never one of them.”

He leaned a little closer to her, his blue eyes betraying amusement and excitement.

“You see, I know who your Aunt is, or rather whose widow she is, and some way I will contrive to have her speak on those things I know to be her true vocation and opinion. I am excessively glad she is not timid or shrinking. She must have had a fascinating life! You wonder at my interest I can see. Please do not be surprised! What could hold more fascination for the son and heir of the Old Baron Brougham than the complete opposite world of Jean-Baptiste Tournier? I am certain a well-educated woman like you cannot fathom the amount of penny-literature there is out there carried into the house by maids and footmen for a young boy to read in bed after dark and be horrified and swept away by!”

"Well, for your sake,” Lizzy retorted with a grin, “and for the sake of your insatiable curiosity and craving for entertainment and folly, I hope you do have some wits about your person that you are simply afraid to boast of – as surely you must – for you will get nowhere with my Aunt without them. But I am sure she will be happy to talk of my uncle regardless, even if you lack them, for it is one of her favourite subjects.”

“Thank you for your warning, Miss Bennet, and let me confess my conviction to you that the current state of our country today, and the conflict we find ourselves still in, owes some of its urgency to these penny novels of our childhood. It is not only a fix caused by republican excesses, but is also our own doing. All the more reason to listen to your Aunt, I find. Peace will come one day and then things must change here, too. Economy, humanity and the future of our Kingdom demand it.

“But I am afraid I bore you with conversation more appropriate to coffee houses than tea in a charming parlour. Forgive me. Tell me instead of Hertfordshire! Will you revise your opinion on my well-travelledness if I confess to you I have never been to Hertfordshire?”

“I must confess, Lord Brougham, that you have not missed much and may still call yourself well travelled without having been there. While it is very dear to those of us who reside in that neighbourhood, as any home would be to its residents, to one who has experienced much and travelled far it cannot seem so different from any other small community in the English countryside. Surely you have had an account of it from Mr. Darcy, and he could not have had much to say about it."

Lord Brougham talked with her for a while about how he never remembered where he had been visiting, but rather whom he had been visiting, as while he was a great lover of scenery and the countryside in general, he certainly recalled the company he kept more. She thought him an interesting conversationalist, and they spoke for some time together before Holly joined them and addressed him for the first time.

“Lord Brougham.... are you any relation to Henry Brougham?”

Once the introductions were out of the way, Holly surveyed the scene before her with wonder and disgust. Mr. Darcy’s most unexpected presence, and what she felt was his abominably rude behaviour, were both offensive to her. Since her mother was busying herself with the tea things, and Lizzy seemed to be trapped into conversation with Darcy’s friend, she took it upon herself to get some answers by boldly striding up and addressing him.

“Mr. Darcy, you are terribly far north for a man from Derbyshire. What brings you to our part of the kingdom? And is it not an odd chance that brings you here so soon after my cousin arrives?”

Darcy stiffened, he had not even had the chance to sort through his thoughts properly, and now he was wont for conversation. He gathered all of his forces to answer civilly to the young lady’s enquiries.

“My friend’s numerous descriptions of this area were tempting enough to induce me to visit. I must agree with him, the forests and hills are some of the finest in the country.”

“Yes, I must confess that I am exceedingly fond of the countryside myself." After a brief pause, she continued, “I believe there is a previous acquaintance between you and my cousin. Tell me, have you known each other long?”

“I had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of Miss Bennet last autumn in Hertfordshire. The Bennet family lives in the same neighbourhood as a friend of mine.”

“And here you are, visiting yet another friend, and you run into each other again. How very singular.”

Without giving him time to answer, Holly then turned to her mother. “Maman, were you able to find the drawing supplies I needed? Most particularly the fine pointed pencils?”

Mrs. Tournier, having fond and perhaps glorified memories of her youth spent in the salons of another age, had listened intently to the conversations going on around her. It was obvious upon hearing her daughter’s comments to Mr. Darcy, ones teetering on the edge between civility and the uncivil, that Holly highly disapproved of him. She thought it was time to intervene.

“I should have thought”, she casually said to her daughter, “fine pointed things would be the last thing you needed me to get you. However, as it might only be thanks to our guests that I could reach home with my assigned purchases intact, you will be very thankful to hear that I have indeed fulfilled your order. As, indeed, I always do.”

Darcy felt that he did not make the best interlocutor and took this opportunity to alter their conversation.

“So you draw, Miss Tournier. I am very fond of fine arts. May I have the privilege of seeing your work?”

Mrs. Tournier turned her head to Mr. Darcy and pursed her lips.

“You need only direct your reluctant eyes about you, Mr. Darcy, and you cannot fail to notice my daughter’s drawings. There, for instance, on your left, is a one of her better accomplishments surely rivalling the view from that window most admirably. So Derbyshire is your home? Then tell me, what is your opinion of Mr. Joseph Wright? I know my daughter was much in awe of his scientific subjects, although I must admit his landscapes leave me cold. I find it is evident in her works however much she denies it.”

“Perhaps Miss Tournier is just in a search of the Philosophers' Stone?”

Darcy looked at the pictures with genuine interest.

“Undoubtedly Miss Tournier is incorporating into her works similar ideas of artificial light, though there is nothing defective in her drawing, and the handling of it is of a much higher quality and variety. That, unfortunately, cannot be said about Wright’s works. Miss Tournier, you have a remarkable talent. Certainly such fine works cannot be just the effect of a young lady’s common education. You must have given all your heart to it and bank hopes of a further achievement than just drawing for the pleasure of yourself and your family.”

“Yes, Mr. Darcy, I hope to achieve some degree of success in turning my avocation into a true vocation. I am in the process of hiring myself out to illustrate a volume of scientific discoveries. We must work for our living at Rosefarm cottage, you see.”

Darcy wondered if her last sentence was meant to raise feelings of compassion and charity in him, but he hoped that a relative of Elizabeth would not attempt it. He knew the bitterness of life too well not to feel for the young lady, however, he thought that pitying her would be offensive. If she was anything like Elizabeth she would want nothing from the world but the highest respect and sincere valuation of her mind and character.

“I am sorry to hear that, but I am also glad to observe that you are well predisposed to that hard task. Pray, tell me, whose critical mind was so perceptive to properly recognise your talents?”

Although speaking well and with obvious sincerity, Mrs. Tournier was not impressed with Mr. Darcy's address. Either he was a proud and self-sufficient man in his opinions and habits, or he was careful not to give any inkling of his true character. In any case, she felt it was insulting her intelligence, and his obvious reluctance to engaging in any conversation except professions of fixed estimation was highly vexing to her.

“ Well, I congratulate you Mr. Darcy. You have now effectively silenced my daughter. Since she is her own fiercest critic any protestation she now makes will only make her seem missish.

“But I wonder, Sir, if such strong sentiments and technical knowledge so easily given on a subject does not, in fact, hide ignorance and disinterest. Painting is not your passion, am I right? You seem to me to be a man more inclined to admire technique and skill in enjoying a work of art. Music, perhaps, it is? Or architecture?”

Although the lady was very much mistaken about Darcy’s passions and talents as far as visual arts were concerned, he was by no means inclined to correct those hasty presumptions.

“Mrs. Tournier, I am afraid I do not understand. My opinions were sincere and just. I hope that I do not have to prove myself a painter in your eyes in order to preserve my right to be a true observant. I have studied the art of the finest painters long enough to be able to form my own opinion. I hope my asking about the personality of your daughter’s future employer was nothing improper, however, if for some reason you do not wish to reply, I will understand.”

Mrs. Tournier sensed Mr. Darcy was finally responding with some real emotion and could not but congratulate herself for goading him into it. After a long silent carriage journey, polite and scarce conversation, attentiveness in complete contrast thereto, and a curious sparring exercise with her daughter in her living room, he has finally uttered something in spontaneous response.

“Opinion – yes. Appreciation – no. Tell me Mr. Darcy, is not an informed opinion on such a subject a prerequisite for a man like you, who aspires to the title of gentleman? But opinion is not knowledge and interest is not passion. I had rather take up your valuable time in discussing something that might lead me to learn something about you and add to my own understanding of the matter. General gentlemanly schoolroom refinement bores me.”

“Mrs. Tournier, respectfully, I cannot agree. Do you mean that a reader cannot truly appreciate a book if he is not a writer himself, or that a historian cannot describe our past properly if he has not had the chance to live in it and experience all of its events personally? Moreover, following your reasoning, how are you to ever understand or even appreciate my true character if you can neither be me nor want to give any credit to my words? I am also afraid that attributing the title of gentleman to anyone based solely upon his opinions is always a bad idea.”

Holly took Darcy’s cup and went to refill it, while her mother continued.

“No, Mr. Darcy, what I mean is that I have no interest in people’s opinions, which are not based on their own experiences or convictions but are adopted as the result of theoretical schooling and other peoples’ perception of what is important and true. The things Mr. Darcy learnt in the school room I can hear from all his teacher’s pupils, but what Mr. Darcy sees and feels when he hears or sees or experiences something that touches his heart and mind I cannot learn from anyone else.

“So I feel that despite my daughter’s obvious talent her works do not touch your heart, and since I already know what they look like and how they are done, I had rather talk about something else. If you are willing to enter into a discussion divulging any personal preferences, that is. Otherwise we can talk about the weather. It certainly has given us plenty of reflections lately.”

“On the contrary, Mrs. Tournier, I understood your meaning perfectly.” Darcy stopped himself before saying more, however. As incredulous as this woman’s prying curiosity about his person was, for she seemed to want much more than he was inclined to tell, he would not offend his host, and a woman at that.

Instead he added, “Mrs. Tournier, please believe me, the fact that I have studied a subject does not mean that I had been trained. I only compared your daughter’s works to Mr. Wright’s, and please, be assured that the scholars’ opinions about him are much more generous than my own. I understand that as a woman of many passions you think you see a lack of them in my own words, and I am afraid that you will not find much more in them. Your disposition and mine are not alike. My passions remain uncovered in my speech. As much as I am enjoying this conversation I would not like to disappoint. But please, feel free to ask and I will try to answer with my best knowledge and understanding, while you may then decide for yourself if the answers are sufficient to gain your interest.”

Mrs. Tournier gave the oddest little short laugh and set down her teacup with a bang.

“I see we have reached an admirable understanding, Mr Darcy! I will question, and you will avoid, and a pretty little dance it will turn out by the looks of it! But please rest assured the only way you can disappoint is by insipidness or dullness. So you see, my standards are not so impossible after all!

“Now, since painting and the arts get us nowhere, I wonder what you think about our accidental Prime Minister Lord Liverpool? He is, after all, a man of no more than moderate abilities, and his more brilliant subordinates are sure to cause mischief. Do you think he is to be trusted?”

“I am not sure if I would use the word trust when referring to any politician, though I would give Liverpool more credit. Agreed, he is not a born leader, but his sober mind, already presented during the Treaty of Amiens, should let him deal his cards to his advantage.”

Mrs. Tournier suddenly had the strongest yearning to yawn. If truth be told it was naturally due to the rather tiring day she had had, but characteristically enough she shot Mr. Darcy another frown as if in some way blaming him for this unfortunate urge.

“Well, Mr Darcy. I hope tea has sustained you somewhat through your present ordeal. I am afraid I cannot offer you anything more sustaining at present. If you still feel inclined, however, dinner will be served very soon and you are welcome to stay. We keep a very modest table here.”

Darcy looked outside the window. It was getting late and the roads were becoming worse from all of the rain.

“I thank you for your kind invitation, but I am afraid we cannot stay so long.”

There was something about Mr. Darcy's wistful glance out the window - a little prolonged perhaps - that caught Mrs. Tournier's attention.

“Well,” she said in a brisk but still softer tone. "You must be persuaded to accept an invitation at a later date then, and since I seem to be the only person in a position to extend that invitation, I hope you will accept it."

To her surprise Mr. Darcy smiled and bowed. It was a shy smile, half involuntary, but a genuine smile nonetheless. Mrs. Tournier got up and moved across the floor to call and arranged for tea to be removed.

Darcy had been doing his best not to look in Elizabeth’s direction since her entry into the parlour. However, some events in her part of the room did not escape his notice. It was difficult not to see how pleased she was with her conversation with Brougham, or when they both lowered their voices and moved closer to each other. He wondered if he was the subject of the conversation. Now, she rose from her chair and approached the tea tray to pour herself a cup before the service was taken from the room. He decided that some civilities would be in order.

“Miss Bennet, pray, are your parents in good health?”

She had seen him approaching out of the corner of her eye before he actually arrived, so she had a short moment to cover the surprise she felt on his coming to speak with her at this late point in the proceedings, but then she realised it was silly to be bewildered. Of course he would respect the social graces and show politeness to her in this gathering. It was the expected thing to do after all. In fact, it would only made him stand out all the more for not speaking to the one person in the room who he was previously acquainted with. He would not want that.

She smiled widely at his question and, exuding all the confidence she did not really feel, replied, "Why yes, Mr. Darcy, my parents are in good health. I thank you for asking. May I enquire after your own health and that of your lovely sister? Is she with you on this visit?"

“My sister is in London, but we are both in good health, thank you. I did not expect to meet you here. Have you come for a long stay?”

She thought he might be enquiring about its length so that he might make his own plans to leave the neighbourhood if it were to be an extended visit.

"Why yes, Mr. Darcy. I will be here for quite some time. One does not travel such distances if one does not intend a long stay. Unless of course you have the time and means to travel at will that is.” Since the need to confirm or disprove her supposition was a strong one, she added, “Will your stay be of short or long duration?"

“I have not determined that yet, but thank you for asking. Your parents are in good health, and your sisters?”

She felt a small flash of déjà vu. Has she not lived through this moment already this evening? In fact, on another day as well? Now things were slightly different, yet it seemed they were both once again uncomfortable being near each other.

"Yes, they are in good health, Sir. My sisters also."

Suddenly it all struck her as oddly absurd, and she had trouble stifling the laugh that appeared behind her eyes. She stared at him for a moment, the out of place amusement clearly visible on her face, until the surreal awkwardness finally made her speak again.

"My Aunt and Uncle Gardiner wished me to thank you for the lovely time we were shown at Pemberley when we visited there, as they were unable to do so themselves. They wanted to convey an invitation to you to visit them at their home in London if you have an inclination to do so."

“Thank you, yes, I would be very glad to meet them again. I hope you were also pleased with your visit to Pemberley.”

"How could I not have been pleased! Your sister and you were both very kind and attentive hosts, and your grounds and house are lovely. You must be proud to show them to visitors."

“I am glad you enjoyed them. And what are you planning to do while in Scotland?”

"Why, Mr. Darcy, I suppose I will spend time with my Aunt and Cousin, write letters, read, walk the beautiful Scottish country side, and help entertain any guests that will come to Rosefarm Cottage.” Something inside of her finally snapped at the embarrassment of the situation she now found herself in, and wishing to make light of it, she added, “I had hoped to try my hand at golf, but I am not sure if my Aunt has the equipment available for that sport," she laughed.

He only nodded at her, and then an extended silence grew between them, making her feel not only the time magnified but the distance between them as well, and the smile she had previously wore on her face in self defence dissolved away. She knew he was uncomfortable with her presence, and she became suddenly certain that if he had known she was in the neighbourhood he would have vacated it before fate brought them accidentally together as it had now. The slim hope that he had come for her – the hope she had barely known she was harbouring – flew from her breast in an instant. The empty space left her heart aching with the knowledge that he thought ill of her, and so she sought to give him some sort of relief by assuring him that he would not have to suffer having her around him very often if he stayed in the neighbourhood.

“Golfing aside, I also look forward to attending any local dances or balls that might be organised in the neighbourhood, but knowing your dislike for that diversion I suppose we will not find ourselves in each other’s company very often…” and she let her sentence trail away as if she had finished it, for it had not come out quite as she had planned it to.

Darcy looked at her, confused. He could not help but feel she was making sport of him, or at any rate giving him a clear message that she did not tie any of her plans for her sojourn here with him. He had received all that was his due, and that would be it.

“I can see you will be well entertained then. Excuse me,” he bowed slightly and turned to look for Brougham.

“Brougham, I think we should be going. It is getting late and the weather is not to our advantage.”

The disappointment on his Lordship’s face was unmistakable as he saw that Darcy meant business with ending their visit. He rallied his spirits tolerably quickly, however, and got up from his comfortable seat.

“Goodness me, is that really the time? I say, we have overstayed our welcome most shockingly, to be sure! Do forgive me, but I cannot say when I last enjoyed tea as much as I have today. Thank you so much, Mrs. Tournier, it has indeed been a pleasure. I sincerely hope we shall have the opportunity to meet again soon. Miss Bennet. Miss Tournier. Delightful! Absolutely delightful to make your acquaintance! If you ever venture as far as Clyne you must come and visit. I would not have you on my grounds and not be allowed to repay the kind hospitality received here today.”

We do appreciate your feedback.
Comment on the story here!

Sideborder by