Chapter 6
Everyone gathered in the large yet surprisingly cosy drawing room for refreshments.
Between steaming cups of tea and the robust fires, Elizabeth soon forgot how chilled she had been, and with a belly full of pie, she was ready to do more than sit and chat, even though she was agreeably positioned near Mr Darcy, his uncle, and several of the local populace.
When Mr Darcy offered to take any who liked on a tour of the house, she was the first to express an interest. In the end, seven of them went, including her aunt.
Frederick and Georgiana Darcy occupied the others, leaving Elizabeth and Mr Darcy to themselves.
She would have to be a simpleton not to realise that his family wished to push them together.
Mrs Bennet would be proud and appreciative of their efforts; Elizabeth was glad that they were more subtle about it than her dear mother would be.
It went without saying that the house was beautiful.
Elizabeth believed she could happily spend hours exploring it, examining the decorations and art, and thought how easy it would be to make a list of favourite places to sit and read or think, each with its own lovely view of the grounds.
A sudden wave of longing nearly made her gasp.
It would take nothing for her to feel at home here—and with him, the beautiful gentleman by her side who was sometimes too serious yet capable of levity.
The very same one she had thought she despised just weeks ago.
But I have discovered that he is interesting and caring and, oh, so much more!
Was it possible that Mr Darcy would want to marry her, that they could give themselves fully to each other, trust and love one another as a husband and wife should so that they could have a happy life and family together?
Her head attempted to tell her heart to cease such reflections; it was not the time or place for them.
With difficulty, Elizabeth heeded her mind.
“I was very glad to see your sister laughing when we were skating,” she said.
“She seemed more easy than I have previously observed.” Mr Darcy smiled appreciatively, which almost made it impossible for her to go on, but she did.
“Mr Wickham once told me she was proud and implied that she was disagreeable, but when we met in Lambton, I saw at once that she was exceedingly shy. After your explanation the other day, I worry he is why.”
Mr Darcy made a noise that indicated partial agreement. “Both Georgiana and I are reticent by nature, as you may have noticed. She is also young. Her shyness was worsened by her encounter with him, but she is improving.” He paused momentarily. “Meeting you has helped her.”
Elizabeth gave a surprised laugh. “Me?”
He nodded. “Your liveliness and kindness encourage her. Rebecca’s presence helps, certainly, and I have been ensuring they spend time together, but with you…
Perhaps it is because you are someone new, but I think it is more than that—something in you that tells her she can trust you and step away from the shadows she hides within, if that makes sense. ”
“It is a flattering notion, and one I take seriously. I like both Miss Darcys and your cousins and uncle, and if I can do your sister even a little good, I shall.”
The smile he gave her was so warm, Elizabeth was certain she could feel its heat. Wary of where the conversation was going, she changed topics.
“I wrote to my father, but I do not expect a response immediately. Neither should you. To your letter, I mean. Papa despises writing letters and avoids it as much as possible. What is more important is that he will read them, and since I was able to tell him I have learnt more about Mr Wickham, not just from you and your family, and none of it is good, he will take it seriously.”
“I am relieved. And I am ashamed that I did not speak out against him when I was in Hertfordshire. I cannot account for why exactly. Fear that he would expose Georgiana’s folly, I suppose. But since he has played his tricks on other young ladies, my silence was inexcusable.”
“Did you know about his behaviour before last summer?” Elizabeth asked.
Mr Darcy shook his head. “Not that he misused ladies, lied to gain…whatever he wanted from them. After Ramsgate, I collected more information on him. Rather, Fitzwilliam did, with the assistance of his father, in case it was useful in the future. Between last summer and Meryton, I had not seen or heard of him, although we remained watchful. We want to know at once should he do anything that would affect Georgiana’s reputation or her peace of mind.
That was as far as my interest went. As long as Wickham was gone from our lives, what did I care? ”
Elizabeth regarded him for a moment, paying no mind to the portraits by which they were presently strolling. Another time, she would like to examine them, but Mr Darcy was all that interested her currently. “When you went to Netherfield, you were still much affected by what had happened.”
He ran a hand over his mouth before speaking. “I was, and combined with my usual reticence and…”
When he failed to go on, Elizabeth encouraged him. He studied her for a long moment, his expression sombre, until he evidently reached a conclusion, and it cleared.
“This does not reflect well on me, but I shall be open with you,” he said, emphasising the final two words.
“My parents, who were truly excellent people—my father especially—were proud of our heritage, and they taught me to think highly of myself and consequently meanly of others, especially those whose connexions and fortunes were not as noble or grand. I did not anticipate meeting anyone with whom I wished to be friends in Meryton. I was not in a mood to be amiable, so I treated everyone—even you—with far less consideration than you deserved.”
A fluttery feeling arose in her stomach, and without forethought, Elizabeth whispered, “Even me?”
“It took very little time in your company before I knew I would…like to count you amongst my friends. Very much so.” Mr Darcy’s voice was soft and gentle.
Elizabeth swallowed heavily; she could not look at him.
Indeed, she was not sure how she managed not to stumble with the way her head was swimming.
She would be lying if she said she had not suspected he might have tender feelings for her, but this, this was nearly more than she could bear.
“We are friends now, regardless of what either of us did or did not do in the autumn. I consider us so.”
Silently, Mr Darcy wrapped her arm about his, and they continued the tour.
New Year’s Eve was by far Darcy’s favourite day of 1811, thanks to Elizabeth.
Their walk through the house, or, more to the point, their conversation, had elated him.
She truly liked him, and she might even be beginning to more than like him.
Having his family’s enthusiastic support had somehow erased every objection to her that had once plagued his thoughts.
At present, all he could do was anticipate the moment he proposed and made her his.
That evening, they had a delicious dinner accompanied by lively conversation, followed by games and music.
Miss Pratt and Mrs Gardiner preferred not to remain until midnight and had politely declined Georgiana’s invitation to spend the night, so Darcy did not have the pleasure of welcoming the new year with Elizabeth by his side.
But that would be different in the future; the thought comforted him, as did their conversation before she and the ladies departed.
“It has been a wonderful day. A perfect way to end the year, in my opinion,” she said. “Thank you.”
“I am very glad you feel that way and, selfish being that I am, that we were able to spend it together.” His comment made her blush, and she seemed to be struggling not to grin; he felt like he had won something precious. “I hope we shall see each other again soon.”
Her eyes met his, and she said, “As do I. I…am eager to learn what 1812 will bring.”
An increasingly familiar sensation of comfort, like being wrapped in a thick woollen blanket on a cold winter’s day, swept over him. “As am I,” he whispered.
Watching her leave, he reflected that the new year was a new beginning. He would continue correcting the errors he had made in the last months. And I shall pursue what I want, the one lady who can make this the most joyful, memorable year of my life and ensure I have a happy future.