Chapter I #3
She could see at once that Mr. Darcy understood the drawbacks of such a situation, though he was too much of a gentleman to point them out. “Then the rest of your sisters are all at home?”
“They are minding my aunt and uncle’s children,” said Elizabeth, “while I am gadding around the country with my relations.”
Mr. Darcy’s features softened. “And I am pleased that you are, Miss Bennet. Your presence here has allowed us the opportunity to renew our acquaintance.”
Though she knew she should let the comment stand, Elizabeth could not help but say: “Is my presence a matter of such pleasure for you, Mr. Darcy?”
The gentleman caught her hand and bowed over it. “More than I can say.”
Then he turned businesslike. “My sister will return to Pemberley within the hour, Miss Elizabeth. If it pleases you, may I bring her to introduce you later this afternoon?”
“That is precipitous, Mr. Darcy,” said Elizabeth, her heart fluttering at this evidence of his eagerness.
“I hope you will forgive my impatience.”
“Will Miss Darcy not wish to rest from her travels?”
Mr. Darcy nodded. “If she does, I shall send a note to your uncle of the change in plans. To own the truth, I suspect Georgiana will not oppose it, and may even wish for a little distance from her present company.”
Elizabeth’s laughter came freely. “Then I shall await your arrival and shall in no wise absent myself from the inn this afternoon.”
“Excellent,” replied Mr. Darcy. “Until then, Miss Bennet.”
Then he bowed again, and this time he kissed her hand.
When he released it, she allowed it to fall to her side as he gave her a brilliant smile.
A moment later, he excused himself, mounted his horse, and rode away, though not without meeting her eyes again.
Something seemed to pass between them, some unspoken understanding Elizabeth could not even name.
Several things stood out to her. Mr. Darcy was eager to introduce his sister, impatient for them to become known to each other and, he clearly hoped, friends.
More importantly than that, however, he had ridden to Lambton a half an hour after she had departed Pemberley, and the question foremost in his mind had clearly been whether she had read his letter and believed his account.
Elizabeth could only think of one reason for such attention—the gentleman had wished to know if she were still as opposed to him now as she had been in April.
How far he meant to take it Elizabeth did not know, but she could not deny the obvious.
Mr. Darcy still admired her. How it would all play out was more than she could guess, but the notion was not so onerous as it had been only a few weeks ago.
Suddenly, Elizabeth was impatient to learn what the future held.
AS DARCY GUIDED HIS mount away from Lambton and reached the road back to Pemberley, his thoughts remained fixed on his meeting with Miss Bennet. Had he been able to look into her mind, the alignment of their thoughts would have astonished him.
Darcy was not only thinking of Miss Bennet and their exchange, but considering the future—a lifetime in her company, even the possibility of a successful proposal. Only the previous day, any such thought would have been lunacy.
Miss Bennet had read his letter. Of greater importance, she had believed him.
Darcy no longer needed to fear that Wickham’s lies stood between them, and even the situation with Miss Jane Bennet and Bingley was not beyond salvage.
Bingley would arrive within the hour, and Darcy’s intention to introduce Georgiana to Miss Bennet would inevitably bring her elder sister into the conversation. It was inevitable.
Given what Darcy had seen of his friend, Bingley still thought of Miss Bennet often.
Bingley had lately displayed far more reflection than was usual for him, and he suspected that his friend had considered returning to Netherfield of his own accord.
When they met, Darcy was certain Bingley would wish to know more of Miss Bennet’s situation.
That would require an uncomfortable confession from Darcy himself, but he owed it to his friend. It was long overdue.
Far more important to Darcy was Miss Bennet’s altered opinion of him.
Darcy had never been more hopeful than he was now, even at Hunsford, which he had approached with more certainty than hope.
Miss Bennet’s regard, which he had longed for since the moment he left that wretched meeting, no longer seemed beyond his reach.
Thus, Darcy squared his shoulders and urged his mount toward Pemberley. It would not do to return after his guests arrived—it was not good manners, and he did not wish to give Miss Bingley any knowledge of Miss Bennet’s presence in Derbyshire until it became necessary.
One thought rose above all others in his mind.
Miss Bennet was a rare woman, a woman who deserved the full devotion of the man who paid court to her.
For the first time, Darcy understood that loving her was not enough; he must give her reason to love him in return.
He would show her the man he truly was and prove himself worthy of her regard.
Darcy was resolved to win her affections.