Chapter 6 #2
Miss Darcy seemed happier than Elizabeth had ever seen her.
A servant brought them a basket with some cold refreshment and a rolled blanket, so Elizabeth understood her friend had also planned a little picnic.
Miss Darcy’s exuberance was contagious, and Elizabeth made every effort to match her delight.
“I see you are ready to leave.” Mr Darcy’s voice startled Elizabeth, and she forced a weak smile, trying to regain her composure.
“Yes, we are, brother,” replied Georgiana.
“I also see you are prepared for a picnic. May I inquire where you plan to go?”
Miss Darcy hesitated a moment, and her expression changed vaguely as she looked soundly at her brother. “I was planning to take Elizabeth to Sunny Grove. I hope you approve.”
Mr Darcy’s expression changed in an instant. The siblings silently looked at one another intently, and Elizabeth began to worry that a simple walk could affect them so.
Then the gentleman’s face lit up, and a smile spread over it, warming his features. “I do approve; I think it is an excellent idea. In fact, as I have not visited that area in a great while, would you allow me to accompany you until Lady Cassandra is ready for our ride?”
“Oh, brother, that would be wonderful! Thank you!” She had regained all her enthusiasm while her beautiful eyes brightened with happiness. Then she remembered her manners and turned to Elizabeth. “Elizabeth, forgive me for not asking you. I hope you do not mind.”
Elizabeth did not mind at all—quite the opposite. To hide her nervousness, she tried to reply in jest with a light tone. “Dear Georgiana, how could I mind that the master of the house offers to carry our baskets? And even if I did mind, how could I dare admit it while I am on his grounds?”
Georgiana laughed, and Elizabeth glanced at the gentleman to see how her teasing affected him. He was smiling—not an open smile but a barely noticeable one—as his eyes fixed on hers; however, he said nothing, only took the basket and the blanket and motioned for them to precede him.
They walked less than ten minutes before they reached a lake, quite large and seemingly deep as well. Miss Darcy took Elizabeth’s arm and directed her toward a footbridge.
“We have to pass over here. My father ordered this bridge built a long time ago, and it is quite safe; if we make a detour around the lake, it would be at least an hour-long walk.”
Elizabeth returned Georgiana’s smile as she following the young lady across the narrow bridge. “Well, if you say it is quite safe, how could I contradict you?”
They reached the other side and waited for Mr Darcy to join them.
The footbridge seemed to be violently swaying under the gentleman’s weight, and Elizabeth frowned.
Miss Darcy laughed while whispering to her, “Do not worry. Even if the bridge should break and William should fall in the water, nothing bad would happen; he is an excellent swimmer.”
Elizabeth nodded in mortification as her thoughts suddenly formed an image of Mr Darcy swimming in the lake. In order to hide her crimson cheeks, she averted her eyes from the gentleman and asked her friend how long it would be before they reached their destination?
“Only ten more minutes. Are you tired?”
“No, not at all—quite the contrary.”
They walked at a slower pace through a small wood on a high hill; it was a pleasant day—not too warm as the sky was slightly clouded and a cool breeze was gently blowing.
From time to time, Elizabeth stopped and turned to appreciate the view of Pemberley House before continuing to walk; then she would again turn to look at the valley and the beautiful home.
Her companions only smiled at each other.
Suddenly, Elizabeth froze. In the middle of the wood, some of the trees formed a perfect square the size of a spacious ballroom; their fronds and the grass were glowing, highlighted by the warm rays of sunshine.
She gasped, breathless, and moved to the middle of the square, spinning around as if to catch every spot of light; finally, after some moments of silent bliss, she turned to her companions: “Sunny Grove.”
“Yes, this is the place,” answered Miss Darcy, emotion hardly allowing her to speak.
“Beautiful. Perfect,” whispered Elizabeth as she lifted her eyes to the sky. In that solitary place, the sun seemed determined to appear from behind the clouds and shine upon the grove.
“I am pleased you enjoy the place, Miss Bennet,” said Mr Darcy after he put the basket down and arranged the blanket. She turned to him and smiled with delight.
“How could I not enjoy it, sir? Was there ever anyone who did not enjoy all this beauty?”
He seemed suddenly uneasy, averted his eyes from her a moment, and then turned to her again. “I could not say. We do love this place very much, and so did my parents. As for others…We have never brought anyone here; it is a private place, meant for the family alone.”
Elizabeth felt her strength leave her as her knees seemed unable to bear her weight.
Was he upset that Georgiana had brought her here to invade the privacy of their special place?
The siblings’ eyes were still fixed on each other, and she hoped she was correct in assuming he was not displeased.
As if guessing her thoughts, he spoke again, his voice warm and gentle.
“I am pleased that my sister decided to come here, and I hope you will have a wonderful time together. I am sorry I cannot remain in your company longer. However, I am sure we will have another opportunity quite soon.”
Before Elizabeth could regain her composure, he took his leave; her eyes followed him until he disappeared from view. Her attention returned to the present when Miss Darcy’s voice invited her to sit and asked if she would like some refreshments.
For a few minutes, they talked of their surroundings and the weather, trying tentatively to establish a subject of conversation agreeable to both.
“Georgiana, thank you for your kindness and your trust in bringing me to this place that is so special to you.”
“You are very welcome. I knew you would like it as much as we do.” She paused a moment, searching for words, obviously struggling to say something more.
“But Elizabeth, I have to confess I have a selfish reason for bringing you here, too. I needed your strength and encouragement to supply my lack of courage, as I have not dared to come here alone.” She turned her head, but a moment was enough for Elizabeth to notice tears shining in her friend’s eyes.
“Georgiana, what is the matter? Why are you upset?”
“Oh, it is nothing…Please forgive me for disturbing you. I promised you a lovely day, and I intend to keep my promise.” She forced a smile, wiping her eyes with her hands. Elizabeth took her hand.
“My dear, I cannot imagine a more pleasant manner in which to spend this day than to talk to you about anything you want.”
“Thank you. You are the kindest person I have ever met.”
“No, I am not,” laughed Elizabeth. “Quite the contrary. I am only fortunate to have gained your good opinion, so you are very partial to me.”
Miss Darcy laughed, too, and then looked around them for a few moments in silent contemplation.
“My brother tells me my parents used to take us here often. I cannot remember because I was only three when my mother passed away. When I was seven, William brought me here again, and I recognised this place as being very dear to me.”
“How lovely!”
“Yes…Since that day, we would come here at least once a week, no matter the season. This place is as sunny in winter, spring or autumn as in summer.”
“I can imagine how wonderful it must be when it is snowing.”
“Yes, it is wonderful.” The girl smiled with delight, but then she frowned again.
“My father refused to join us…until the summer when he was very ill and demanded that William bring him here. The doctors decidedly opposed it, but my brother obeyed his request; my father refused to leave here for an entire day. He asked me to stay with him, and he spoke to me about my mother for hours.” She paused as the tears flowed over her cheeks, and Elizabeth wiped them gently away with her handkerchief.
“A week later my father died…” She struggled against her emotions with no success.
Elizabeth moved closer and embraced her, caressing her hair.
“Please forgive me, Elizabeth,” whispered Georgiana when she finally stopped crying.
“My dear, please do not apologise. There is nothing to forgive.”
“Yes there is! There are many things for which I have to apologise. If you only knew how silly I acted and how badly I betrayed my brother’s confidence, you would not be so kind to me.
It was my behaviour that forced William not to come to this place last year, and he likely would not come now if not for you. ”
Elizabeth blushed again while she tried to smile and caressed her friend’s hand. “Oh, I think you are too harsh on yourself and give me much more credit than I deserve.”
“No, I am not. I know the truth of what I am saying. I almost ruined myself and my family name last year with my inconsiderate behaviour. I grieved and disappointed my brother. I do not deserve his forgiveness.” Elizabeth’s worry turned into distress as she could easily guess the reason for the girl’s disturbance and desperately wondered how to react.
Should she confess that she knew about Ramsgate?
Would that be a betrayal of Mr Darcy’s confidence in her?
“Georgiana, from what I have witnessed every time I was in your company, I am convinced beyond any doubt that your brother has nothing but the deepest affection and love for you.”