Page 60 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

In the end, the wheelwright advised Mr. Darcy to take the ladies on to their destination in his carriage, for the repair would require more time than he had first expected. The two families took their dinner together in the open air. Elizabeth had never enjoyed a stew so much as the one she ate beside the carriage in Mr. Darcy's company. Her aunt and Georgiana sat comfortably within the Darcys' elegant carriage, while she preferred to remain outside with the two gentlemen, listening as they discussed the war and the heavy taxes required to finance it.

When they resumed their journey with the Darcys, Fitzwilliam rode beside the carriage while Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner joined Georgiana inside.

The young girl was charmed by Elizabeth and watched her with quiet interest. At length she asked, “Lizzy, I see you have a large book in your bag. Which author do you favor? Is that Shakespeare?”

Elizabeth cast her aunt a wry look before answering somewhat sheepishly. “I am studying the antiquarian William Stukeley. Have you heard of him?”

Georgiana looked puzzled. “An antiquarian? I have never heard that term. Pray, what is your area of study? The sciences?”

“No. I am studying Arbor Low, among other places and subjects. Have you ever visited it?”

“It is part of my brother’s estate, Lizzy. It is but four miles from my home. It lies about two miles north of Lambton, a village where we often shop when we are not inclined to travel farther to Bakewell or Kympton. We often ride to the monument in the early mornings.”

“That is one of the places I most wish to visit and learn about.”

“Learn about? Why, Lizzy, I fear you will be disappointed, for the people who built the henge left no written record. Nothing is known of them. Some believe it to have been a Druid temple, while others say it is far older, perhaps even two thousand years older than the Druids themselves.”

“My interest in the monument is somewhat different. I am more interested in the local traditions and folklore of the Derbyshire people who have lived upon these lands during the past two or three hundred years. I wish to learn about the more recent history. The legends, the myths, the fairy stories, and the like.”

The young girl's blue eyes widened in astonishment as she studied Elizabeth's face.

“You are in earnest, are you not?”

“I am.”

Elizabeth withdrew the book from her bag and handed it to the girl.

“Why, it is quite heavy, Lizzy.”

Georgiana turned the pages with interest.

“This illustration is remarkably detailed. Here is Gib Hill, the barrow. Here is the stone circle. And here is the ditch.”

Elizabeth leaned a little closer.

“Did your family ever preserve any legends or folklore connected with this place?”

Georgiana raised her eyes thoughtfully.

“Not that I know of, though perhaps my brother may. I am afraid we are not students of antiquities, Lizzy.” She smiled apologetically. “My brother's interests incline more toward Shakespeare, Homer, Cicero, and the like.”

“My father's interests did too. During the last months of his life, however, we began reading a dissertation by Mr. Stukeley, and it awakened my curiosity. Now you find me deeply engaged in the study of the Derbyshire stone circles, but especially Arbor Low. While I am visiting the area, I hope to collect the local folklore and legends and record them in my notebook.”

Georgiana made a rueful face.

“Forgive me, Lizzy. I did not mean to sound dismissive. You must love your studies as much as I love learning a new piece of music.”

Elizabeth laughed.

“Yes, my dear. There is no accounting for tastes.”

Chapter 25: The Radcliffs

When the carriage drew up before the Radcliffs' handsome manor, Mr. Darcy himself handed the two ladies down.

Mr. and Mrs. Radcliff greeted their guests at the entrance and invited them all inside for tea. Darcy accepted, and the four visitors followed Mrs. Radcliff into her elegant drawing room. Introductions were made, and Elizabeth immediately felt herself warmly welcomed into the household.

She watched as the energetic woman, who appeared to be in her early forties, rang the bell for tea. When the servant had departed, Mrs. Radcliff settled beside Mrs. Gardiner and affectionately took her hand.