Chapter Fourteen
Darcy did not see Elizabeth the next day; knowing it to be the day of the Bingleys’ arrival in Sanditon, he presumed that she would be much occupied in welcoming another sister to Sanditon, and he had no wish to intrude upon what must be a tearfully happy reunion.
Instead, he and his cousin and sister occupied themselves with the Knightleys.
The friend of his youth provided easy and tranquil companionship, while his bride delighted Georgiana with warm and friendly praise, and teased Richard mercilessly about his intention to woo an heiress over the course of the summer.
As pleasant as this was, the following morning could not keep Darcy and his companions from calling on Elizabeth at the earliest acceptable hour. Lady Parker and Miss Dashwood were with Elizabeth; the ladies were on their way to call upon the Bingleys.
Elizabeth smiled warmly at Darcy as he fidgeted uncomfortably, feeling he had intruded.
“You are welcome to walk with us. In fact, we mean to surprise them with a picnic in a couple of hours; Marianne’s excellent Mrs. Jennings is arranging everything.
Oh! Georgiana and the colonel must also be invited! ”
“They are taking tea with the Knightleys, but I shall certainly send word to them. And if you like, I should be happy to convey you all to the Bingleys’ townhouse in my barouche.”
Elizabeth happily accepted Darcy’s offer and declared that the Knightleys were welcome to attend their picnic as well.
Darcy sent for his carriage and found that he was unusually at ease amongst the ladies, even sharing in their excitement to see the Bingleys and then socialize in a larger group for the afternoon.
His comfort lasted until they were on their way in the open barouche, when Miss Dashwood began an interrogation.
“I understand that your courtship is a mere performance, but I must seize the opportunity to practice my skills of inquisition, for surely your attentions, though temporary, must draw her to the notice of other suitors as the summer progresses.”
Darcy shifted in his seat but was reassured by an indulgent smile from Elizabeth. He nodded his agreement to the young lady, who reminded him as much of Georgiana as Elizabeth had predicted. “I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours.”
Miss Dashwood’s line of questioning was an unusual one, which revealed enough of her own character to endear her to Darcy; he felt Elizabeth was happy in her friends and relations, for her stepsister’s inquiries tended more to the quality of his character than his wealth and status.
She asked after his brotherly demeanor toward his sister, his preferences for hosting and attending social occasions, and his fondness for plants, animals, and the glories of nature. Appearing satisfied with these preliminary answers, she inquired about his passions and pursuits.
“What think you of music, of art and literature? Do you attend the theatre? The opera? Concerts in town? What are your favorite poets, composers, playwrights, and painters? On a cozy evening amongst intimate acquaintance, what might you select to read aloud by the fire?”
Darcy answered all of her questions to the ladies’ satisfaction, until he was obliged to admit that he was not in the habit of giving such recitations before a crowd, even a small group of persons well known to him.
Miss Dashwood was appalled. “I think it a terrible waste of such an imposing demeanor! Surely any gentleman of such stature and intellect must be a natural orator. Has he never read aloud to you, Lizzy?”
“Not once,” Elizabeth said with mischievous solemnity.
Darcy promised to remedy this terrible deficiency at the earliest opportunity. “As you both seem fond of my dear friend Bingley, who is no great reader, I hope I shall also be forgiven.”
“Mr. Bingley would be quite despondent if I made any quarrel with you in his presence,” Miss Dashwood.
Darcy briefly wondered how Miss Bingley might respond if his present companions were to point out his deficiencies in her presence; fortunately, he was spared her flattery, for she had not accompanied the Bingleys on their journey, and they seemed all the happier for her absence.
Bingley and his charming wife welcomed them warmly when Darcy and the ladies arrived at the elegant townhouse they had rented for the summer.
Darcy recalled that Elizabeth had told his sister it was her favorite of the houses along Grand Avenue, and he asked if the Bingleys would give their guests a tour.
“I have never seen the inside before, but I have long admired this house above any other visible from the beach,” Elizabeth exclaimed, linking arms with her elder sister as Bingley led them through the enfilade of rooms on the first floor.
Elizabeth’s excitement proved contagious to the rest of their party as she exclaimed over every charming detail of the parlors and music room, the advantageous view of the sea, the sunlit corridors and cheerfully frescoed walls. The Bingleys were equally pleased with the house, and Sanditon itself.
“I have not been so delighted by a new place since I first travelled to Netherfield! Indeed, I believe I must call this journey even more pleasant, for it has brought joy to my darling wife—and of course we have been promised every imaginable diversion. Breathtaking vistas, culinary wonders, healthful sea-bathing, familial reunions, first-rate society—what marvels await us!” Bingley spread his arms wide as he led his wife and their guests out into the back garden.
Though she could not hope to best her husband’s ebullient effusions, Jane Bingley beamed at her sister. “To see you here, so happy and so valued, shall be the greatest joy, dear Lizzy.”
“Aye, and to see Darcy enjoying himself so well, this is the greatest wonder! You look positively carefree, Darcy!” Bingley clapped him on the shoulder, glancing between Darcy and Elizabeth with a knowing look. “Well, capital!”
“You must prepare yourself for something very shocking,” Elizabeth said to Bingley. “Tomorrow evening at the ball, your friend shall actually scruple to dance.”
Bingley guffawed. “This sea air must be curative indeed! Yes, look how rosy your complexion has grown! Well, Darcy, I hope I shall see you stand up with all the ladies.”
“Certainly those present shall make excellent partners.” Darcy nodded graciously at Lady Parker, Mrs. Bingley and Miss Dashwood. At his side, Darcy could see Elizabeth smile approvingly as he asked for dances from her friend and both of her sisters.
They admired the verdant garden for a quarter hour, ambling along the circuitous path and relishing the tranquil view afforded from the clifftop.
At the back of the garden was a small gazebo, and Darcy followed Elizabeth up the three little steps as she stood in the center of the quaint little structure, staring out at the sea and the village that arced along the clifftop.
She moved to the edge, leaning on the railing and drawing in a long, slow breath of sea air.
Darcy mirrored her gesture, moving to her side and resting his hands on the freshly painted wooden railing. When he looked over at Elizabeth, there were tears in her eyes. She blushed as he silently offered her his handkerchief.
She dabbed at her eyes, her other hand sliding closer to his as she smiled up at him.
“Forgive me—I was overcome by how perfectly happy I am. Jane’s absence has been Sanditon’s only imperfection.
I am fond of my other sisters, and Papa and his new wife and son, of course—though I know not what it shall take to persuade them to visit.
But to have Jane here, to know that it will cheer my uncle, who is still so forlorn, and to have so many happy events to look forward to… . And is it not exquisitely beautiful?”
Darcy had nearly worked up the nerve to rest his hand atop her own when she raised it in a sweeping gesture at the idyllic landscape before them.
He took in the vibrant coastal vista, the air fragrant with the blossoms of the garden and laden with the distant sounds of the seabirds that dipped in the wind over the water.
Sunlight glittered on the undulating waves and cast a golden sheen on the colorful pastel edifices along the cliff.
Beyond all this, the Tremont Hotel rose above the village like a beacon, as if reminding him where home was.
It was where he had met Elizabeth—where he had properly come to know her. And it was all utterly glorious.
“You and Sanditon are one and the same,” he said, feeling his eyes crinkle with affection as his gaze landed back on Elizabeth. “Full of light and energy and warm cheer.”
“My goodness, Mr. Darcy, what a lovely thing to say. I shall cherish that compliment all the more because you do not say it to perform to our usual audience.”
“As I told Miss Dashwood, I seldom give my best performances before an audience.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Tomorrow’s assembly will be just the opportunity to do so. I hope you truly do intend to dance with Charlotte and Marianne and Jane, for I believe gentlemen may be scarce if the guest register at the hotel is any indicator.”
“Of course I shall; I am a man of my word, even if I am no great orator. Besides, it will be an impish sort of delight for me to shock Bingley and Knightley by taking to the floor so often. Like my cousin Richard, they have often wished to see me more sociable and prone to merriment. Our play-acting is the liveliest they have ever seen me.”
“Then I suppose it is an accomplishment of sorts, that I have induced you to such frivolity where they have failed.”
“And it is miraculous that I am so eagerly anticipating an evening of dancing. Do they do anything as scandalous as waltzing here in Sanditon?” Darcy felt the question spill out of his mouth before he could think about it.
“I would only disappoint you if they did, for I do not know the steps. At Longbourn I had my sisters to practice with, but here….”