Chapter 6
With both Elizabeth and Georgiana at his sides, Darcy entered the house.
He questioned his sister about the Skinners and was pleased to hear the doctor had recently examined them.
He had reported that the danger had passed, and the parents would be fully recovered in less than a week.
The children were under the supervision of the eldest girl, who was almost ten, and they refused to separate from their parents even for a short while.
“I am glad to hear such favourable reports, my dear. Miss Bennet and I were worried when we heard you did not return with Mrs Annesley and Mrs Reynolds.”
“I did return but then went for a ride. I have a slight headache, and I thought some air and exercise would make it better.”
“You are still pale,” Darcy continued. “Perhaps I should call the doctor to examine you too.”
“Please, no! Dear brother, you cannot bother the doctor for mere tiredness!”
“Then you should rest a little, I am sure Miss Bennet will not mind.”
“No, not at all!” Elizabeth assured her. “And I must second Mr Darcy in this. You do look lovely as always, but pale.”
“I shall be well after a little tea. And perhaps then we could take a stroll in the garden? Or anything you wish to do, Miss Bennet. I can postpone my pianoforte practice.”
“In truth, I would be delighted to assist you in your practice. Hearing you perform is a pleasure I shall surely miss when I leave.”
“Very well then,” Georgiana answered. “I shall change my gown and return immediately.”
“And I shall call a maid to show Miss Bennet her room,” Darcy said.
“Is it in the east wing?”
“No, I thought the two rooms in the family wing would be more appropriate since the windows provide a full view of the lake and the park.”
“Yes, it sounds a perfect choice,” Georgiana agreed, while Elizabeth had to face another surprise.
A flattering one, but certainly unexpected.
While the Bingleys and the Hursts — friends of the master for a long time — stayed in the guest wing, albeit in their ‘usual apartments’, for her and her relatives, Darcy had prepared two of the family rooms. Could a gesture be more thoughtful and significant?
Even if his reason was the declared one — offering them the best view — it was still exceedingly considerate and flattering.
He had proved that he was constantly thinking of them and had made every effort to meet and exceed their expectations.
Dare she assume he had done it for her? How could she not?
“Brother, I can show Miss Bennet her chamber, it is not far from my own. And she may ring for a maid if she needs assistance.”
“Good! Excellent,” Darcy said with visible contentment.
“I shall be in the library if you need me.” He knew he should return to the other gentlemen, but he purposely delayed leaving the house, hoping for more opportunities to interact with Elizabeth.
Relieved that all was well with Georgiana, he rejoiced in reliving the brief yet significant conversation he had shared with Elizabeth in the carriage.
Her apologies, although he did not consider them necessary, proved that she had given much thought and consideration to that day which tormented her as much as it did him.
She trusted his letter completely and accepted his explanations.
The rejection had caused him tremendous pain, combined — for a while — with rage and resentment.
The anger had been long gone before he returned to Pemberley, but the pain remained, strong and unsettling.
Her genuine admission that despite everything that had been cleared up between them, she did not regret her refusal and she did not wish to have accepted him for the wrong reasons touched his heart and induced him to admire her character even more.
And the clear distinction she made between her past and present feelings offered him a lighter heart and a glimpse of hope that Elizabeth’s visit to Pemberley and her stay in the family wing — and eventually perhaps in another room altogether — might last longer.
When Darcy eventually left his library in search of the other occupants of the house, finding all but Mrs Gardiner and the gentlemen in the drawing room, talking.
Mrs Gardiner arrived and joined them, so Darcy thought better of intruding on the ladies and asked for his horse to join the gentlemen’s party.
However, before he could take his leave, his friends were returning — satisfied and boasting a little too loudly of their catch, and red-faced from the sun as well as from the wine they likely enjoyed a little too much.
The afternoon passed easily, with each spending time on their own preferences.
Elizabeth listened to Georgiana practising her instrument, and then the two of them, along with Mrs Gardiner, took a long walk around Pemberley’s park.
Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst declined such activity, claiming again they were already too well accustomed to Pemberley’s beauty.
The gentlemen withdrew to the library, discussing politics, enjoying drinks, and making plans for returning to Hertfordshire, or in Mr Hurst’s case, taking a nap on the sofa.
From time to time, Darcy reverted to his old habit of approaching the window, but now it was only to stare through it, watching the ladies stroll in the garden.
The image of Elizabeth and Georgiana side by side, smiling and talking animatedly, was one that he wished deeply imprinted in his mind, so he could recollect it in the upcoming days and nights when he — and Pemberley — would be lonely and alone again.
∞∞∞
That she had never been in a more elegant, large, and comfortable bedchamber meant little to Elizabeth compared to the spectacular sight that lay in front of her eyes.
He had been so generous as to allow her a place in his home, despite her calling him the last man in the world, and his generous and forgiving character added more pain to her feeling of loss.
As she had told him already, she did not regret refusing him then, as her feelings for him had not been appropriate at that time.
But she deeply regretted misjudging him so utterly and missing the chance to even recognise and understand his true character.
She had denied herself a chance at happiness which might or might not be offered to her again.
If he did ever propose to her a second time, it would be further proof of his many qualities, to which the steadiness of his feelings would be added, but that would not absolve her of lack of wit and faulty reasoning.
A knock on the door interrupted her musings, and Mrs Gardiner entered, elegantly attired and glowing with delight.
“Oh Lizzy, my dear, I still cannot believe this is happening! I am staying in the family wing at Pemberley! Have you seen the view? As a child, in Lambton, I often wondered about the people in these rooms, and now I am one of them. If it never happens again, I shall still treasure these days for the rest of my life.”
“I confess that was the subject of my reflections too. I am a little overwhelmed.”
“Lizzy, my love, you must tell us the truth! We have been meaning to ask you since the first day we happened upon Mr Darcy. Do you and Mr Darcy have some sort of understanding? Such peculiar attention cannot come from mere friendship, and you cannot continue to pretend that it does.”
“My dear aunt, I assure you that there is no understanding between us. But I shall not deny that Mr Darcy and I had a conversation about our friendship, and I am grateful that he holds me in high regard. But we cannot speak of anything more than friendship yet! And please do not even mention it in writing to my mother or father, as there is nothing to say!”
“Oh my dear, you may depend on my secrecy. And your uncle’s. But Lizzy, what about you? What are your feelings?”
“My feelings? Oh, this is so complicated! I am ashamed of everything I have said about Mr Darcy in the past and even more so of what I believed about him. And I am thrilled and grateful for everything that is happening now,” she admitted.
The words expressed little of her feelings, but it was not the time for a longer discussion. Nor did Mrs Gardiner need more.
“I am so happy to hear that, my love. There is nothing I would like more than to see you and Jane happy in blissful marriages of love, as you deserve!” Mrs Gardiner concluded while taking Elizabeth’s arm to walk downstairs.
At dinner, Mr Bingley immediately secured a seat near Elizabeth, eager to speak more to her about his own agenda.
Darcy sat at one end of the table, with Miss Darcy on his right as always, and Mr Gardiner on his left.
Mrs Gardiner and Mrs Annesley followed, and Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst towards the other end of the table, of their own choice.
Mr Hurst sat between his wife and Mr Bingley, as silent and as preoccupied with his glass and dishes as always.
“Miss Bennet, have you heard from your family recently?” Mr Bingley asked.
“No, I have not. I wrote to Jane before we arrived in Derbyshire, and I should receive her reply soon.”
“Well, it might have already arrived, and you will find it tomorrow when you return to the inn,” Miss Bingley said with feigned politeness.
“Will you stay longer in Derbyshire?” Mrs Hurst enquired. “It would be a shame to leave without receiving your letter.”
Elizabeth smiled, amused by the sisters’ rather obvious sting, and replied accordingly.
“We are not sure of our plans yet. Derbyshire proved to be even more beautiful, more agreeable than we expected, and for the moment, we are fully enjoying our time here.”
“Speaking about plans,” Mr Bingley interjected, “I spoke to Mr Gardiner today, and I might change mine. Darcy, would you mind if I left Pemberley sooner?”
“Leave Pemberley? What on earth for?” Miss Bingley cried.
“Because I want to return to Netherfield, of course. As I have already decided and informed you.”