Chapter 12 #4
The sound of galloping hooves made her turn; she watched as a dark horse approached across the field, and before her eyes could trust their recognition of the horseman, her quickly drumming heartbeat disclosed his identity.
She stopped, her hand seeking support against a tree.
Mr Darcy dismounted and bowed politely, his eyes capturing her amazed expression.
“Miss Bennet! What a wonderful surprise to find you here at this early hour.”
Elizabeth stared at him, unable to credit his unexpected appearance. He was standing in front of her, smiling tentatively, his expression more delighted than surprised. How did it happen that he was there? Could a more surprising coincidence exist?
“I hope I did not frighten you?”
“No, not really, it is just that…I did not expect to see you in Kent, sir. We arrived only yesterday and—”
“Yes, I know.” He hesitated a moment, then the smile spread over his face as he confessed.
“Georgiana informed me of your trip to Kent. Robert and I usually visit Aunt Catherine every year before Easter; I thought the timing could not be better. We shall stay for a fortnight.”
Her face was crimson, and her heart nearly stopped for a moment. What did he just say? He purposely set his visit to find me here and confessed it with such easiness? What should I answer to such a statement?
“It is ideal timing, indeed,” she heard herself saying, and his smile opened even more. She said it; there was nothing to be done now. He was being honest, and so was she.
“How is Georgiana?” she whispered.
“Very well, thank you. She missed your company very much, as you must already know.”
“I missed her company, too. Is she here by any chance?”
“No…only the colonel, and he is anxious to meet you. We planned to call at the parsonage later. It is such a wonderful surprise to meet you here so early,” he repeated, and she laughed against the sudden lump in her throat.
“We shall be happy to receive you at the parsonage. I am sure Charlotte will be pleased to see you…and Mr Collins, too. But I should return now; it will soon be time for breakfast.”
“May I keep you company on your way back?”
“Certainly…thank you. How is Lord Matlock? And all your London family?”
“They are all well. I see the earl and Lord Brightmore quite often, but Selina and Lady Brightmore not so much. I understand they keep a close acquaintance with Mrs Gardiner. Unfortunately, I did not have much time to visit Mrs Gardiner after…after you left town. I called on her with Lord Matlock twice but…”
“I am sure my aunt understands the demanding responsibilities to which you must attend. Rare visits might be more valuable if they are sincere.”
As they walked together, Elizabeth struggled to keep her eyes from him, not an easy task as she could feel his insistent gaze on her face. The horse stepped obediently behind them, following his master. Darcy offered her his arm. She took it reluctantly.
“My father is well,” she said suddenly, and her voice sounded silly to herself.
“I know…but thank you for telling me, nevertheless. I have the pleasure of a regular correspondence with Mr Bennet. A couple of days ago, he told me he has finished the books I loaned him, and I understand you showed interest in some of them as well.”
She blushed again and raised her eyes to meet his.
“I did. But do not worry; I shall be extremely careful with them.”
“I am not worried in the slightest. I am only trying to find a proper occasion to bring Mr Bennet additional books…” He spoke lightly and warmly; her mind remained trapped by the hidden meaning of his words, and she could not meet his eyes.
The way back to the parsonage seemed shorter than she remembered. They took their farewell with the expectation of seeing each other again soon. Elizabeth entered the house and ran to her chamber, still incredulous that Mr Darcy was in Kent!
Elizabeth kept the secret of her morning meeting, but after breakfast, as soon as Mr Collins returned from his daily visit at Rosings, his manic gestures and breathless voice brought the extraordinary news of Mr Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam’s arrival at Rosings and their declared intention of calling on them.
“I may thank you, Eliza, for this piece of civility. Mr Darcy never would have come so soon to wait upon me,” Charlotte said.
Despite their previous conversations upon that subject, Elizabeth said nothing to contradict her.
The gentlemen—Mr Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam—arrived at the parsonage within half an hour of Mr Collins’s announcement.
Colonel Fitzwilliam greeted his hosts properly then expressed his delight in seeing Elizabeth again.
Mr Darcy paid his compliments with his usual politeness and congratulated Mr Collins for his house and garden.
With Elizabeth, he had every appearance of composure, and only his gazes resting on her face and a small smile in the corner of his lips betrayed his feelings.
“Miss Bennet,” said the colonel, “you must return to London as soon as possible. I cannot possibly tell you how much you are missed. Georgiana and Selina speak of you all the time, and to be perfectly honest, so do my father and I—and even Darcy here.”
“You are as kind as you are charming, Colonel; it is good that I am already accustomed to your manners, and I know too well you are not completely serious.” Elizabeth laughed.
“Dear Cousin, I am sure you did not mean any affront to the colonel, but you must be aware that an officer in His Majesty’s army is not to be trifled with nor his words doubted,” Mr Collins intervened, alarmed by any offence she might give to Lady Catherine’s nephew.
“So true, Mr Collins! A lady never should doubt my words.” The colonel laughed and politely kissed her hand. “Such a pity that Miss Elizabeth knows me too well indeed.”
Elizabeth, the colonel, and Mrs Collins continued to speak of London, Kent and Hertfordshire, with frequent and insistent intervention from Mr Collins.
Only Mr Darcy remained silent, watching them from his corner chair.
Several times Elizabeth looked towards him, and each time she met his eyes.
She could not be certain whether he enjoyed his time or not.
She felt disappointed, though she was not sure what precisely she expected from him.
“Miss Bennet, I look forward to meeting you again at Rosings soon. Your presence will surely make Rosings more beautiful,” the colonel said as the gentlemen prepared to leave.
“My dear Colonel, I would not wish by any means to contradict you, but I have to say that, though I believe my fair cousin Elizabeth is worthy of admiration, it would not be possible for anyone to make Rosings more beautiful as perfection cannot be improved.”
Elizabeth laughed while Charlotte blushed in embarrassment at her husband’s outrageous comment. The colonel hurried to reply, but it was Mr Darcy who spoke first with perfect composure.
“I must agree with Mr Collins. Miss Elizabeth’s presence may not make Rosings more beautiful, but surely she will make it more radiant and spirited,” he said while bowing politely to his hosts.
Later, though Mr Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam had left long before, Elizabeth still was unable to attend to any of her cousin’s remarks.