Chapter 1 #4
“Miss Bennet.” He lowered his head a little and unconsciously she lifted her face so their eyes met; she felt her cheeks burning as she waited for him to continue.
“Thank you for being so kind to my sister. Indeed, she surprised me. She seemed so open and friendly with you, though she is usually very restrained with strangers. Apparently, it must be a family trait.”
He forced a smile, adding some playfulness to his tone, but her embarrassment increased as she remembered her previous accusations. “Oh…forgive me, I did not mean to—
Before she could answer, he took a step forward and frowned as he continued in earnest: “Miss Bennet, forgive me if I am presuming too much, but I can see you do not feel easy being here. While I can understand my sister’s desire to be in your and Mrs Gardiner’s delightful company, I hope it did not create any additional distress for you.
If you would rather leave, please tell me, and I will find a way to explain it to Georgiana.
However, if my presence bothers you, I would gladly allow you to enjoy your visit and remove myself to the library as I have some business needing attention.
One word from you and I will comply with your wish. ”
His eyes became darker as he spoke, and she felt herself trembling from his nearness.
She could not find the words to answer, as she did know what she wanted.
Her face and neck flushed with embarrassment as she tried to swallow the sudden lump in her throat.
Someone’s voice—or was it her own—whispered, “I should not be here.”
His voice lowered and softened to a caress, while the expression of his eyes changed in a way she had never seen before.
“Miss Bennet, if it is your desire not to be here and you are only here at my sister’s insistence, then allow me to remedy the situation at once.”
“Sir, it is not my desire, but my conviction that I should not be here; I do not deserve your generous hospitality.” She could no longer speak or bear the intensity of his gaze, and she was angry with him for forcing her to humiliate herself to such an extent.
“You do not deserve my hospitality? Miss Bennet, never has my hospitality been more happily or more deservedly bestowed upon a guest—of that, you may be certain.”
Her brows knit as she tried to understand fully the meaning of his words; his nearness did not help her in the slightest.
“Elizabeth, is anything wrong?” Mrs Gardiner’s appearance in the doorway startled them both; she finally gathered her thoughts enough to assure her aunt that she was well and would join them in an instant.
Mrs Gardiner hesitated a moment and then returned to the salon with a last glance toward her niece.
The two of them followed her, but before reaching the door, Elizabeth stopped and turned to him, finally offering her answer.
“Mr Darcy…I thank you, sir—for your concern and for your kind invitation. I am sure we will enjoy Miss Darcy’s company very much during this visit, as well as the colonel’s and yours—that is, if you gentlemen have no other more important duties?”
Darcy’s surprise was as obvious as was his delight, and his countenance lightened in an instant; even more, a smile graced the corner of his lips. “The pleasure would be mine, Miss Bennet. Please allow me to show you in.”
Their late entrance drew three pairs of eyes toward them, but no comment was made. Elizabeth sat near Georgiana while Mrs Gardiner and the colonel sat opposite; Darcy chose an armchair a little apart from the rest.
Tea and sweets were ordered, and as the time passed, Elizabeth felt her spirits rising again and her fears dissipating one by one until she could almost enjoy the visit.
The room, as did the rest of the house she had seen, heightened Elizabeth’s admiration for the exquisite taste of the owner.
Together with her aunt, she expressed her admiration and delight to Miss Darcy, but then she remembered the master’s presence and the words beautiful and charming died on her lips, fearing her praise would be misinterpreted as presumptuous.
At some point, the names of Mr Bingley and his sister entered the conversation, and Elizabeth was told the whole family had been out of town for the last couple of months; however, they were expected to return in a fortnight.
Again, she searched Miss Darcy’s face as she spoke about that gentleman, and her opinion remained the same in that regard.
No visible emotion affected the young lady when Mr Bingley was discussed.
Colonel Fitzwilliam retired after less than half an hour, as he had a previous appointment, but not before asking for permission to call soon at Gracechurch Street.
After his cousin’s departure, Darcy participated even less in the conversation.
Despite this, it was obvious that he encouraged any attempt at conversation between Elizabeth and his sister and approved their animated talk about music and theatre.
The mention of their music room at Pemberley apparently brought new recollections to Miss Darcy as she addressed Mrs Gardiner with a new plea.
“Mrs Gardiner, I was wondering…If I am not asking too much, could you please tell me a few more things about my mother? I used to talk to my brother and even to my father about her, but it is so wonderful to hear the opinion of someone outside the family.”
“Gladly, Miss Darcy; I will tell you everything I remember.” For almost half an hour, Mrs Gardiner continued to relate her memories.
Several times Elizabeth turned her eyes to Mr Darcy, and each time the picture he presented was more of a young boy fighting to look brave and conceal his sadness than of the proud, haughty, unpleasant man she had known.
Moreover, the pretty face of Miss Darcy, wearing the love and longing for her mother, made Elizabeth’s heart melt with tenderness and ache in grief and remorse for her previous behaviour and complete lack of fairness in judging them.
She also remembered Mr Wickham’s words about Miss Darcy’s pride and cold manners; how easily she had given him full credit in this.
She never took the trouble before to consider that the young lady Wickham was speaking of was almost still a child and could not be so vicious in character at such a young age.
Not once while listening to that gentleman’s stories did she consider how difficult it must have been for the Darcy siblings to deal with both parents passing and how intensely that loss affected not only their private deportment but their public interactions.
“As for your father, the late Mr Darcy,” concluded Mrs Gardiner, “I did not meet him more than three or four times, I think, but I remember him being a handsome gentleman and that he was considered by many people as the best master and the best landlord. My father used to say that he did not hear anybody ever complain about Mr Darcy’s generosity and fairness. ”
“And my brother is the same, Mrs Gardiner, I assure you.” Both Elizabeth and her aunt smiled at the expression of love and pride on Miss Darcy’s face; it would have been difficult for anyone to doubt for a single moment the young lady’s adoration of her brother.
“I am sure he is, Miss Darcy,” offered Mrs Gardiner. Then she leaned toward Miss Darcy to whisper. “I confess I have heard nothing about Mr Darcy’s abilities as a landlord, but I can heartily testify that he is one of the handsomest young men I have ever seen. Would you not agree, Elizabeth?”
Miss Darcy quickly hid a chuckle behind her hand.
Elizabeth blushed and nodded in agreement, trying to conceal her laugh and her mortification as three pairs of eyes turned to the subject of their conversation.
Mr Darcy could do nothing but wonder at the reason for the ladies’ sudden amusement.
Yet, none of them seemed inclined to share it with him, so his only alternative was to smile sheepishly at them.
Shortly thereafter, the visitors took their leave.
Miss Darcy promised to return their visit the next day or the day after as soon as her brother could find the time to accompany her.
Elizabeth had to bear another surprise when she understood that Mr Darcy intended not only to encourage the growing closeness between the ladies but also to return the call himself.
New questions made her head spin as she attempted to maintain her countenance on her way out of the house.
Fortunately, the warm—hot—air of the June day provided a legitimate explanation for the redness of her cheeks.
The master of the house handed both ladies into the carriage.
When her hand entwined with his, Elizabeth shivered and unconsciously tightened her hold, seeking support.
She could not be certain whether in the next moment his fingers gently squeezed hers or if it was only her imagination.
However, there was no doubt that his hand lingered against her palm a moment longer than propriety dictated.
The carriage departed, but after a short distance, Elizabeth braved a look back and saw Mr Darcy still in the street, his eyes following her as though trying to hold her presence in an extended farewell.
∞∞∞
The ride home was silent. Elizabeth could not find the strength to speak and was grateful to her aunt for not requesting details.
The interactions between Elizabeth and Mr Darcy did not escape Mrs Gardiner’s notice.
It was obvious they were not mere acquaintances, but the nature of their relationship was more difficult to gauge.
Yet, she was almost certain she noticed Mr Darcy’s admiration for her niece, though about Elizabeth’s feelings she could not be certain.
She had learned in Hertfordshire of Elizabeth’s dislike for Mr Darcy, but the interaction she had just witnessed was by no means dislike.
She reserved her assessment for the future, as it was likely they would all be in one another’s company again.