Chapter 19 #2
Bingley continued to talk until they arrived at Darcy’s house, where they finally separated. Darcy intended to go straight to bed, though he knew the emotions of the reunion with Elizabeth would allow him little rest.
Surprisingly, he found Georgiana waiting for him; she greeted him with a quizzical gaze and a little smile.
“So? Did you have a pleasant time, Brother?”
“Yes, I did. My dear, I am glad you are still awake. There is something I wish to ask you.”
“Of course.”
“Miss Elizabeth and her elder sister, Miss Jane Bennet, intend to go for a walk in Hyde Park tomorrow. I told you she is very fond of walking.”
“Yes, you did…”
“Bingley will join them, of course. I was wondering — would you like to go too? I shall come with you, of course.”
“Oh…tomorrow morning? But I am not yet acquainted with Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth. Would they like me to go?” She sounded surprised and concerned.
“Georgiana, we shall only go if you wish to. Miss Elizabeth said your company would delight them, but I want you to be comfortable.”
“If you come, I would like to go too…” she finally agreed reluctantly.
“And perhaps it would be better to meet Miss Elizabeth and Miss Bennet ahead of the others and become more comfortable with them. I am sure you will find each other very pleasant.”
“I am sure you are right, Brother. We shall go, then.”
“Please do not consider yourself forced. You may think on it overnight and tell me tomorrow. Whatever you decide, I shall approve of it.”
She nodded, smiled, and withdrew to her chamber. He knew she was not comfortable with strangers, but he was completely certain he was right on both counts: she and Elizabeth would like each other, and she would be more at ease meeting the eldest Miss Bennets before the others.
The walk — an everyday activity of usually little importance — was significant to Darcy and increased his nervousness. Bingley would surely be busy with his betrothed, so he would have time to enjoy the company of the two most important people in his life.
∞∞∞
When Georgiana came down to breakfast, she was already dressed for a walk and seemed more serene than she had been the previous evening. They were still eating and discussing their plans for the day when Bingley arrived.
He took a seat but only accepted a cup of coffee.
“I have already eaten, thank you. I was wondering, Darcy, what do you plan to do?”
“Perhaps you could collect Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth, and we shall meet here? It is close to the park.”
“Yes, I shall do that.”
“But I believe it is a little early for a call. They might not have finished breakfast yet. I dare say in an hour would be a more appropriate time.”
“Yes, of course,” Bingley said.
Darcy watched his friend with amusement. Bingley’s restlessness was apparent and hardly allowed him to sit still. Darcy’s anxiety was equally strong, except that he was more adept at concealing it. Apparently, his claim that disguise of every sort was his abhorrence was not entirely accurate.
When Bingley finally left to fetch the ladies, Darcy’s nervousness increased even further. He paced the room a few times, glancing through the window. Lord Matlock’s home was only a few houses down from his, and he counted the minutes while waiting for a glimpse of them.
At last they arrived and stopped in front of the house, talking. Darcy opened the door widely.
“Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, what a pleasure to see you. Would you mind coming in for a moment? My sister should be ready soon.”
They seemed surprised, and both flushed. Bingley and Miss Bennet walked ahead, and Darcy stepped down and offered Elizabeth his arm. She took it timidly.
“Welcome,” he said as they stepped into the hall. “I shall not insist on entering farther, as I am sure you are desirous for a walk. But hopefully on another day…”
“That would be lovely, Mr Darcy,” Elizabeth answered. She was still holding his arm, and her hand lingered another moment before she finally withdrew it.
A few minutes later, Georgiana appeared, and Darcy hurried to her. From her side, he said, “Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, allow me to introduce my sister, Georgiana.”
The greetings were gentle but restrained from his sister and Miss Bennet. Elizabeth, however, with a broad smile and a warm voice, said joyfully, “Miss Darcy, we are so delighted to make your acquaintance. We have heard so much about you and looked forward to finally meeting you.”
“Oh…thank you, Miss Elizabeth. I am happy to meet you too. My brother has told me so much about you.”
“Not only criticism, I hope,” she joked, glancing at Darcy.
“Oh no, no criticism at all,” Georgiana replied in earnest.
“Shall we go now? The weather is beautiful,” Bingley interjected eagerly.
“Indeed, we shall,” Darcy agreed. Outside the house, Bingley again offered Miss Bennet his arm. Elizabeth and Georgiana walked together, side by side, and Darcy followed them.
“I did not know the park was quite so close to your house, Mr Darcy,” Elizabeth said. “I envy your home’s location,” she teased him, then immediately blushed.
Darcy was tempted to reply that he hoped she would soon live there, but of course, such a statement was inconceivable. Her response proved that she might have thought of it, though.
“If you are looking for parks and gardens, wait until you see Pemberley — then you will have plenty of reason to envy him!” Bingley interjected.
Elizabeth again glanced at Darcy, obviously uneasy.
“I have invited Bingley to visit in the summer with Mrs Bingley,” Darcy explained.
“Oh, that is wonderful!” Miss Bennet said, her voice trembling with emotion. “That is so generous of you, Mr Darcy.”
“Not at all. It would be my pleasure. And perhaps Miss Elizabeth could join you. And your father, or anyone in your family.”
When he stopped, he felt Elizabeth’s doubtful, intense stare and a slight frown between her eyebrows. He smiled, and she seemed even more uncomfortable.
“That would be lovely!” Georgiana interjected.
“If my entire family accepted your invitation, you might regret it, Mr Darcy. I believe my father has already told you as much,” Elizabeth eventually replied and finally smiled.
“I can already dismiss your concern, Miss Elizabeth. Utterly and completely.”
As the minutes passed and they walked farther along Hyde Park’s paths, the awkwardness slowly dissipated, and the conversation grew more at ease.
Elizabeth stopped to admire a certain part of the lake, and the group split in two; the engaged couple remained slightly behind, while Elizabeth and the Darcys took the lead.
At times, Darcy met some acquaintances and exchanged greetings, but he mostly disregarded everything around him.
His attention was upon Elizabeth and Georgiana, watching their relationship progressing moment by moment, word by word, gesture by gesture.
At times, both of them glanced at him, and the joy growing inside him turned into a tender warmth.
The lovely walk lasted more than an hour, and when they returned home, Georgiana invited Elizabeth and her sister to join her for tea the next day, which they gladly accepted.
Before that, they were to meet again at Lord Matlock’s dinner party.