Chapter 17
When Elizabeth and Georgiana returned to the party, Elinor and Edward ran to them, followed by Didi.
“Lizzy, Miss Anna, where have you been?” asked Elinor. “We were afraid you were lost in the woods!”
“That is so wrong! Lizzy would never get lost,” Edward stated with great pride.
“Thank you for your trust, Edward. We only took a short walk, Elly.” Elizabeth caressed the children’s hair.
“Look, Lizzy, we became even more friends with Didi. Oh —and Lady Hardwick said we can see Mist. Can we, Miss Anna?”
“Of course, you can,” Georgiana answered warmly. “I will bring him tomorrow.”
The children’s enthusiasm was added to the questions coming from Mary and Kitty. Jane and Lady Hardwick remained silent, watching Elizabeth and Georgiana with equal concern and curiosity. Elizabeth smiled, trying to show there was no reason for worry.
They returned to Longbourn after another hour.
Mrs. Bennet awaited them eagerly, scolding Jane for staying so long outside, as she was in danger of tanning her face precisely two days before the wedding.
The countess declared that a trace of redness would only add to the bride’s beauty, and that calmed some of Mrs. Bennet’s nerves.
Shortly after, the gentlemen appeared, and it was agreed that dinner would be hosted at Longbourn, but the next evening —the one prior to the wedding —each family would dine on their own.
Elizabeth exchanged only a few glances with Darcy; she also noticed his repeated looks towards his sister, so it was no surprise when he walked to the corner of the room where Elizabeth and Georgiana were having tea.
It was so crowded that, although no intimacy was possible, nobody could pay attention to every conversation.
“Did you have a pleasant time?” he asked, wearing a light countenance. Elizabeth smiled, trying to conceal the cold shivers that suddenly ran down her spine.
“Yes, very pleasant,” Georgiana answered, keeping her voice low. “Lizzy agreed to come with me to Pemberley right away! I am so happy!”
He looked at Elizabeth, and their eyes met for a moment. She felt her cheeks warming, and she was sure she saw a trace of colour on his face too.
“I am glad you came to an agreement so quickly.”
“We did because Lizzy is very kind to me. I doubt she had any plans to travel again so soon, but she was too generous to refuse me,” Georgiana said. “I am very grateful to her.”
“Truth be told, I accepted mostly to annoy Miss Bingley,” Elizabeth replied with such seriousness that Georgiana looked at her in disbelief. When she realised the jest, she chuckled, sharing her amusement with her brother.
“I am sure you will succeed,” Darcy replied to Elizabeth, his eyes full of mirth.
She felt uneasy again, so she laughed. “Your confidence is comforting, Mr. Darcy.”
“It is my goal to offer my sister and her friend the comfort they desire,” he answered, half in jest. “Miss Bennet, you should know that Bingley also confirmed his visit to Pemberley for Christmas. It is still uncertain whether he will come only with his future wife or also with his extended family.”
His stern —and obviously disapproving —expression did not escape his companions.
“Mr. Gardiner is reluctant to take a long trip with the children in the winter —which is perfectly understandable. Therefore, I trust I will have the pleasure of fishing with him in the summer,” Darcy continued, much to Elizabeth’s astonishment.
Did he truly invite to Pemberley her uncle from Gracechurch Street and her aunt who grew up in Lambton?
Their eyes met again briefly, then he looked towards the other side of the room and said, “Mr. Bennet can hardly be convinced to travel for less than the promise of a large library.”
“Yes, I can readily testify to that; it is kind of you to ask him though, Mr. Darcy.” She tried to hide her discomposure with a light tone.
“It was my pleasure, I assure you,” he concluded.
This new proof of friendliness and generosity towards her family was as unexpected as it was puzzling.
He had done everything that was his duty.
He helped them when it was needed. He encouraged and supported his friend in marrying Jane.
Nobody would dare ask more from him. And yet, his amiable gestures did not cease and even exceeded expectations.
Did he feel guilty for taking his friend away last winter?
Or did he feel obliged to repay her acceptance of Georgiana’s invitation with more favours?
She did not comprehend his behaviour or the reasons behind it, no matter how much she struggled.
Would she ever come to understand Mr. Darcy’s behaviour?
Should she even attempt to —or better, learn not to allow herself to be distressed by anything related to him?
But would such a goal not be ridiculous since they would soon inhabit the same house?
Darcy found little else to say after the brief exchange with Elizabeth, so he returned to Mr. Bennet, who invited him to the library.
Elizabeth did not announce her decision about Pemberley to her family, except for Jane. She planned to speak to her father first and only afterwards to share the information with the others.
For another half hour, the gentlemen amused themselves with drinks and talk, and the ladies discussed the schedule for the next two days, a subject that made Jane blush frequently.
This time, the visit was not long. The activities of the day had been pleasant but tiring.
Lady Hardwick confessed her desire to rest; therefore, the guests returned to Netherfield.
Darcy had felt restless ever since he met Elizabeth in the wood that morning.
The certainty that she would come to Pemberley with him was rather more distressing than pleasant for him.
To have something —someone —that he desired be so close to him without even having the right to dream of it —of her —was dreadful.
Once Elizabeth was under his care as his sister’s friend, he would not allow himself to look at her, speak to her, or even think of her in a manner that might make her feel uncomfortable.
As soon as she arrived at Pemberley, she would become his responsibility as much as Georgiana was.
Once again, his mind would have to struggle against his heart.
While the countess retired to her room immediately, Georgiana asked her brother for a few private moments, which were happily granted.
“William, there is something I must tell you. I confessed to Lizzy that George Wickham was the man with whom I intended to elope. I believed she should know the entire truth before she decided to come to Pemberley with me. I hope you do not disapprove.”
He struggled to remain composed.
“As long as you feel comfortable in doing so, there is nothing to disapprove. It is your secret.”
“Thank you, dear brother. I cannot tell you how grateful I am for your kindness and support. And I am so relieved to see you do not oppose my friendship with Lizzy any longer! I noticed that her company is not unpleasant to you either.”
He felt suddenly uneasy. Did his young sister also observe his preference for Elizabeth? Was his behaviour towards her so obvious?
“Miss Bennet is bright and spirited, and she possesses many accomplishments that are praiseworthy in a woman. She lacks the artificial manners, forced smiles, and insincere amiability that are often seen in young ladies. She excels in her love for reading and possesses a wide knowledge, genuine manners, and self-confidence that are, sadly, rarely traits of women who pretend to have a good education. Therefore, yes, I do enjoy her company,” he admitted, attempting to sound perfectly indifferent.
Georgiana smiled. “That is such an accurate description of Lizzy! Aunt Amelia described her with almost the same words! And she said Lizzy has a beauty that is unusually striking because it does not follow classic lines.”
“True,” he answered seriously, troubled by a sudden warmth inside. “William, you must help me teach Lizzy to ride when we arrive home! I am sure she would like it —and what better way to see the entire park than on horseback?”
He grinned. “Let us not frighten Miss Bennet with such torture —at least not before we reach our destination. Otherwise, she might escape before we are halfway there.”
Georgiana let out a small laugh. “You are right, of course. I love so much seeing you smile, Brother,” she concluded, kissing his cheek then hurrying to her room where Mist was already calling for her.
Darcy remained still for a moment, meditating on the conversation.
He was surprised that Georgiana had made such a painful confession to Elizabeth but also relieved.
He thought it was better for her to know since they would spend so many months together.
Besides, it was something he had already disclosed to her in April —and she refused to acknowledge.
He wondered whether she would dare confront him about this information; it was unlikely since she could not possibly feel she had the right to demand of him any details he preferred to keep secret.
At Longbourn, Elizabeth took the first opportunity to speak to her father alone. She related to him the invitation she received from Georgiana and her decision to leave with her.
“Papa, forgive me for not asking your permission first, but I truly believe Georgiana needs me. And since Jane’s happiness is now complete and she will be close enough to take care of you, I trust my absence will not be a problem for our family.”
“Lizzy, is Mr. Darcy aware of this?”
“Of course, he is. He also asked me to accept as he declared my company would be beneficial for his sister.”
Mr. Bennet appeared surprised.
“And how do you feel about it, Lizzy? Would you not find it difficult to live so close to Mr. Darcy? I know you two were never on friendly terms, which I confess I found puzzling after I came to know his true worthiness.”