Chapter 4 A （Secret） Courtship Begins #2
“The account you heard from Miss Bingley would differ greatly from my own. She dwells upon wealth and status, seeing only their outward trappings. Your view of the world is far more refreshing. Indeed, I daresay Pemberley would be enriched by your wit and spirit. You would inspire the household, and your children would flourish beneath your guidance.”
A soft blush crept across Elizabeth’s cheeks at the thought of not only her potential role as Mistress of Pemberley, should Mr Darcy make her an offer one day, but more so at the mention of children.
“You make it sound most appealing. But I cannot help but wonder how I would fare among all that grandeur. I would surely have to learn the intricacies of the estate. As you have said, it is very different from Longbourn.”
Darcy smiled warmly. “You would have the advantage of learning from me, should you choose to accept the challenge one day. Besides, I find the gardens particularly suited for walking and contemplation. They are often where I find my own peace amidst the demands of my responsibilities.”
“What of the library?” Elizabeth asked, a playful note creeping into her voice. Her temperament would not allow her to remain solemn for long, and just now, she craved a lighter turn after the seriousness of the previous minutes.
“I imagine I could lose myself quite happily among the books,” she continued, her eyes alight with mischief. “What a delight it must be to wander Pemberley’s halls, uncovering its many treasures.”
“Ah, the library is a sanctuary for those of us who crave knowledge,” Darcy agreed, his expression turning thoughtful. “It has become a refuge for me, filled with books that have shaped my understanding of the world. I would be pleased to share it with you, should you wish to visit one day.”
“Then I suppose I shall have to accept your invitation for a walk at Pemberley after all,” Elizabeth said, her eyes still sparkling with humour.
Seated beside her, Darcy remained still, while she fancied she detected a flicker of something—longing, perhaps—in his expression.
“Still I must warn you,” she added with a teasing smile, “I have been known to get lost when surrounded by beauty as you describe. You may have to find a way to ensure you keep my attention so I do not get lost in thoughts or in reality.”
Darcy chuckled, his heart warming at the thought of sharing such moments with her. “Then consider it a challenge I eagerly accept, Miss Elizabeth. I will look forward to our explorations there one day.”
Elizabeth sighed and then whispered, “I do as well, Mr Darcy.”
There was a brief, shared silence between the couple. Darcy’s gaze remained fixed on Elizabeth, and for a moment, they seemed entirely unaware of anyone else.
Bingley, having observed the pair lost in private conversation, attempted to pull them back into the more general conversation, thinking their exchange a little odd and not at all usual for them.
It was more reminiscent of their conversation earlier in the library, he supposed, but still he noticed that there were no traces of Darcy’s usual reserve nor of Miss Elizabeth’s typical biting wit.
“I thought I heard you mention Pemberley,” he said brightly.
“Miss Elizabeth, Darcy is far too modest when speaking of his estate. You should know that his estate is truly remarkable—far beyond anything I could ever hope to achieve.”
“Nonsense, Bingley,” Darcy replied, shaking his head. “Netherfield is quite charming in its own right, should you decide to settle here. I cannot remember, did you have the option to purchase at the end of your lease?”
Bingley laughed and nodded as he set down his wineglass.
“I will take your word for it, Darcy. I fear I may never measure up to your standards as its master.” He turned towards Jane, seated at his right hand, and added warmly, “He has tried to teach me, but I confess I have not been able to pay attention as well as I ought.”
Jane returned his smile, a touch of colour rising in her cheeks.
His compliment was kind—very kind—but she could not help noticing the difference between his gentle remarks to her and the lively engagement unfolding further down the table.
Elizabeth, seated beside Mr Darcy, was once more provoking a spirited exchange, her eyes alight in a way Jane had rarely seen since their arrival.
Her smile dimmed as she heard her sister tease him again.
“Perhaps Mr Darcy has higher standards than the rest of us, Mr Bingley,” Elizabeth said lightly, glancing towards her host. “I suspect Netherfield is more than adequate for your present needs. It is a good estate, but it does require the dedicated attention of an owner who is here more often than the current one.”
Jane’s fork paused midway to her plate. Neither gentleman looked in the least displeased; indeed, Mr Darcy inclined his head towards Elizabeth with something distressingly like admiration.
Mr Bingley chuckled, clearly amused. Jane quickly lowered her eyes and arranged her features into their usual pleasant tranquillity; inwardly, she felt anything but tranquil.
It troubled her more than she wished to admit that, beyond Mr Bingley’s brief inquiry into her health at the start of the meal, no one had mentioned her recent illness at all.
She and Mr Bingley had exchanged a few polite remarks, yet far too often she had caught him glancing down the table—not at her, but at his friend and her sister.
That would never do. She had not appreciated her mother’s insistence that she ride to Netherfield, but she had hoped that this stay might help further her acquaintance with Mr Bingley.
Instead, nothing had unfolded as she imagined, and she dearly wished Elizabeth had not drawn so much of their host’s attention so effortlessly.
Mr Darcy’s eyes flickered with amusement. “Adequacy is not something I often accept, Miss Elizabeth,” he replied. “However, in this case, I shall make an exception for Bingley. He has much yet to learn, but should he decide to purchase, he would do well enough.”
Jane forced herself to smile.
Laughter rippled from the others around the table, and the conversation continued, light and playful.
As dessert was served, Darcy found himself more at ease than he had been in some time, his usual reserve slipping away in Elizabeth’s company.
For her part, Elizabeth perceived the alteration in his demeanour, even if she was determined not to betray how greatly it pleased her.
The rest of the meal passed in similar fashion, the conversation unhurried and easy between the three couples—though Jane found it increasingly difficult to maintain her composure as she watched her sister and Mr Darcy fall into yet another effortless exchange.
When the last of the plates were cleared, Darcy stood to offer his arm to Elizabeth for their departure to the drawing room.
Elizabeth accepted with a smile, her touch light on his arm, and as they walked together, he could not help but feel that something significant had shifted between them during their conversation that evening.