Eclipse

Chapter Seven

 

As usual Darcy was the first one at breakfast the next morning and enjoyed sitting alone with his tea while reading the paper. He heard a soft noise behind him, but mindful of the time, thought it must only be a servant come to check on his repast. He did not look up, but sat his teacup down on the saucer and pushed them a few spaces to indicate that he wished for more. Then noticing a movement at the other side of the small breakfast table, he looked up to see what had registered at first in his mind, must be a dream. Elizabeth stood across from him with her back to the large window. The morning sun streaming in highlighted her slim form. Her hair was a glowing, bronze halo and her gown softly flowed about her like pale blue gossamer. He did not notice her face at first, partially cast in shadow because of the brilliance behind her, but when he realized his mouth was slightly agape and he was staring, he was glad she was looking at the servant that now stood at the door. He consciously closed his mouth, swallowed rather noisily, and arose to pull her chair out that she might sit.

After regaining his seat, he watched as that same servant brought her breakfast and once he was assured they were alone, he cleared his throat and finally spoke, “Miss Bennet, I trust you are feeling better this morning.” She looked up at him then, and he choked on his tea. She grinned but quickly dipped her head again that he might not see. He had seen though, and felt very foolish. Very well, he thought, let her speak in turn now.

She did not speak though, at least for a few minutes, then when she did, it was not what he expected, “Mr. Darcy, I realize my horse does not have the bloodline that is so evident in yours, but did you notice his coloring? I thought it was quite similar to your mount’s. May I ask if your horse’s coat is prevalent in his bloodline?”

Darcy resisted the urge to pinch himself to regain his thoughts, but instead he carefully folded the newspaper, laid it to the side and picking up his cup again replied, “Miss Bennet, I did not realize you were a judge of horseflesh. I am glad to hear it, as horses are a favorite of mine and the stables at Pemberley. Yes, ours looked very similar, except in size. Cannon’s great-grandsire was Eclipse. He has been dead many years, but have you heard of him perhaps?” He then smiled hoping to have started a friendly conversation about a commonly enjoyed topic.

He watched her face and saw the slight frown that wrinkled her brow and the grin that began at her lips, but did not quite reach her eyes. “As a child at my father’s knee I heard stories of Newmarket and ‘Eclipse first and the rest no where.’ He told me of watching the other horses fall behind the dark chestnut until there was no one left to race him. Even at Longbourn, we have copies of the Stubbs portraits of Eclipse and Jupiter. My father, while not the expert at horses that I am sure you are Mr. Darcy, we do keep up with the times.”

He realized his blunder, she had mistaken him again. He rarely discussed horse lineages with a woman, especially not a woman that affected him as she did, he thought. He had not meant to imply that Longbourn was ignorant of society. Memories of her mother’s verbal attack at Netherfield such a short time ago flashed through his mind and he sighed hoping to try again. “Miss Bennet I was impressed at your horsemanship when...” he paused momentarily searching for the description which would lessen her fault in their accident, “our mounts collided. I have seen many others who have fallen with less of a reason.”

She was spreading jam on a bit of toast and paused to give him an odd look before speaking, “I am surprised you noticed such a rider as myself, but I thank you for your compliment and your assistance after I fell.” She smiled sincerely before continuing, “I must add that I do admit it was foolish of me to be riding so fast near the edge of the forest. I shall look upon my fall as a lesson learned and will not attempt the same in the future. Tell me Mr. Darcy, do you ride that way often? Shall I leave the road to your enjoyment?”

He watched her take a small, neat bite and replied, “No, please do not vacate the road for my sake, if I may meet you some morning it would be a pleasurable ride. Although, might you not want to wait some time until you are sure your health is quite returned?” The sun was still shining through the window behind her illuminating her darkened curls gathered about her head, in much the same fashion as he had seen yesterday with small tendrils escaping to lay upon her graceful neck. She closed her eyes as she took another bite of her toast. He noticed how dark her lashes looked fanned across her pale cheeks. She opened her eyes at that moment, but she was not looking at him and he hurriedly turned his head.

“I believe it shall be some time before I am able to ride.” She reached up as if to touch the large bruise on her temple, then smiled wistfully. “You have the countryside quite to yourself, to enjoy at your leisure.” Elizabeth finished her meal, folded her napkin and prepared to leave the table. She could not resist teasing him one last time though. As she stood and walked towards the door, she paused and said, “Your horse’s name is Cannon?” Mr. Darcy nodded and so she continued, “Would he have been foaled at Stanmore by chance?” Again he nodded. “I thought so...he is beautiful.” She curtsied and moved towards the door.

“Miss Bennet,” Darcy spoke hurriedly intrigued by her knowledge and wanting to continue the conversation. She paused with her hand just touching the door frame, but kept her back to him. “you have not told me the name of your horse. Might I ask?”

“Eclipse.” And she was gone with a soft rustle of skirts. He thought he had heard a teasing smile in her voice.

 

 

Chapter Eight

 

Darcy sat at the breakfast table pondering his dilemma. He had been reserved, finally avoiding her on her former stay so as not to reveal his growing feelings. He had just now been as polite and conversational as possible, still she did not seem to enjoy his company and he was enjoying hers rather too much for his liking. The Bennet sisters were greatly admired around the immediate countryside, but they were in danger of entrapping himself and his best friend and he did not feel comfortable with the idea. Only a few more days until Bingley’s Ball... Darcy placed his napkin on the table, stood and decided to enjoy the fresh morning air with a quick walk around the garden to clear his mind.

He strolled along the edge, his boots crunching loudly on the stones. His thoughts would not allow him to enjoy the beauty around him and finally he entered a grove of willows where he sat on a small bench just off the path. Why could she not have been more cordial this morning? He had carried her...in his arms...it was her fault for galloping blindly...Did he really wish her to be more cordial? If Bingley and Miss Jane could not be, then neither could he and Elizabeth... His thoughts continued for some time in this manner until he laid back his head on the bench and closed his eyes. Wickham! He had seen them in town together just a few days past, which might explain her coldness, well that and his slight of her at their first meeting. What might have Wickham said to her?

 

 

Elizabeth left the breakfast parlour smiling to herself. For him to think they knew nothing of the races just because they lived in the country. She knew that she and Jane would be leaving soon, just now Jane was visiting with Miss Bingley, but Elizabeth could not stand the thought of conversing with her at the moment. Her head was beginning to throb again, and she decided to stroll through the beautiful gardens near the house.

She admired the rows of winter plants and at last when she felt too dizzy to continue found a small bench enveloped with a trellis of sweet pea vines set inside a hedge. She sat down and leaned back in the shade rubbing her tender forehead. Mr. Darcy always seemed to infuriate her. She had thought to eat breakfast alone, but had been surprised to see him there so late. His pride was so evident in his every word. She would be quite happy when he quit Netherfield, and left her in peace. She was ever polite, but after what Mr. Wickham had told her, their village was better off without the likes of Mr. Darcy.

Darcy felt himself growing more irritated at the thought of Wickham and left the bench, striding back towards the house. He was upon her before he saw her, and was startled himself at her cry. He wheeled in the path and stood facing a shocked Elizabeth sitting on a hidden bench.

"Oh, Mr. Darcy, you startled me." She still held her hand to her forehead. Would he not leave her alone?

"My apology, Miss Bennet, I did not notice you sitting there." He started to go, but noticed her paleness. "Are you well?"

"Yes, I am fine, it’s only..."

Darcy quickly sat on the bench next to her and looked into her eyes with solicitude. They were slightly out of focus and she blinked at him several times.

"Only...I think I may have walked about too soon. I will be fine momentarily, I assure you." She tried to smile at him, and blinked again at his unfocused countenance. He looked at her with such a look of concern on his face that it frightened her.

"I will not leave until you are able to walk back to the house unassisted." He sat back on the bench and placed his hands on his knees, staring straight ahead. Those eyes with the perfectly arched brows, the color of amber...

Elizabeth glanced at him again. "Please do not feel obligated to remain with me, it is passing and I shall be fine." Mr. Darcy said nothing, but continued to look about the garden. "Very well, if we must sit thus, let us pleasantly converse. What is your favorite part of a garden, Mr. Darcy?" Maybe she could force him to leave by persuading him out of his usual solemnity.

"There is usually not a part of a garden that I favor, but the garden as a whole if it is inviting and allows one to enjoy its favors pleasantly." Mr. Darcy glanced at her and continued choosing his words carefully, "I was surprised, but pleased," he quickly added, "to hear of your fondness for horses. You named your horse 'Eclipse.' Please enlighten me as to how you arrived at that choice.” She was still looking at him, with a somewhat surprised expression.

Elizabeth had not expected him to forward the conversation, but she smiled at the memory and Darcy quickly looked away, brushing at some spot on his breeches. "My father has a hobby in books and art to some extent. When I was a child he acquired a book of Stubbs' prints, and it quickly became one of my favorites as well. Then later he bought the gelding and he so resembled Eclipse, I named him in honor." She paused, "When I heard your horse's name was Cannon, I assumed he must be the foal from Colonel Thornton's Jupiter about whom I had read. He is supposedly a superb hunter."

"You are indeed correct, Miss Bennet.” He could not help but say her name aloud, when he had the liberty to do so. “Jupiter's filly and Battlecry sired Cannon. When you are well, please visit Netherfield again and see him if you wish."

"I believe we have intruded at Netherfield often enough in recent times."

She laughed softly, and Darcy chanced another look at her softening features. Was she teasing him? Then aloud, “But surely you will intrude once more and join us for the ball?”

She definitely would not miss dancing with Mr. Wickham, but surely Mr. Darcy was not about to request a dance. But no, he probably just wanted to know her whereabouts to better avoid her. “Certainly, I should not miss it.” And then to tease him further for his lack of enthusiasm for dancing, “I do so enjoy it when my partner has a felicity for a dance.”

Was she hinting at a request for him to partner her? His outward composure never wavered as he reflected on what happiness the ball might bring, and surprised himself as he sedately replied, “Then I am sure you will be most pleased as the Ball is to host many from the surrounding countryside.”

They sat in silence for some few moments before Mr. Darcy ventured to interrupt the prevailing sounds of nature. “Miss Bennet, I believe I should return the favor and ask what part of a garden you prefer?”

She had closed her eyes and he watched as they fluttered open at his question. “As beautiful as this one is, it is too perfect for my tastes, but having a garden so near the house, does require pruning. Our flower and herb garden that we cut is just so, but I enjoy those gardens further from the house where nature is allowed to control the edging and selection of what plants may grow."

"So I see you have a preference for those areas that are inclined to grow somewhat wild?" Darcy tentatively questioned. He watched as her brow furrowed in contemplation, then almost gasped with what had become one of his favorite sights, her eyebrow arched in advance of her impending wit.

"No, Mr. Darcy, not wild, but those areas that are allowed within the confines of a proper garden to be permitted to exhibit naturally without ostentation are my favorite." She reached out for a twisted vine and twined it around her finger, before attempting to stand. "I feel much better now. I believe we are to leave today and I should not keep my sister waiting."

Darcy arose and gently helped her by the elbow. As she stood she swayed for a moment and then took a cautious step. Darcy tightened his grip on her arm and said, "I do not believe you are well enough to leave as yet, Miss Bennet."

"Oh, but we must be leaving today." But even as she contradicted him she could not see the path for the blackness clouding her vision.

"Lizzy!" It was Jane walking swiftly down the path towards them. "I thought you were resting." As she approached and tucked Elizabeth's other arm into her own, Darcy stepped back and released her, but remained close. "The carriage is here to take us home, and now I find you out here swooning again."

"I am perfectly fine Jane. I just stood too fast. Mr. Darcy was kind enough to sit with me." At this Jane looked over her shoulder to see Mr. Darcy following behind them. He smiled awkwardly at her and looked away.

"But Miss Bennet, do you think you should leave? You were very pale just now." Darcy hurriedly spoke.

"Thank you Mr. Darcy, but I am sure a carriage ride the short trip to home will not harm me or tire me any more today." Elizabeth replied. "Look there is Mr. Bingley now descending the steps."

The remaining time passed very swiftly for Darcy. Soon he was watching Bingley hand Elizabeth and her sister into the carriage and dust rise from the road as it carried them away. It was early yet, he still had time for a ride today. As he entered the hall, Miss Bingley met him inquiring about his plans that evening, as she hoped they would all be allowed to spend the evening alone without bother. He looked at her, replied that he agreed to her excellent idea and had thought that he might spend the evening in his room alone. Then he hid his grinning smirk as he took the steps two at a time to change into his riding breeches.

 

 

This story is written by Cristal, and she owns full © copyrights to it.

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