Chapter 10 #3
“That would be lovely.” Elizabeth’s voice trembled slightly as the recollected Lambton was only a few miles from Pemberley. Her mind made the connection, and her distress increased.
“Perhaps you will have a chance to finally see Pemberley too.” Mrs Gardiner smiled at her, causing Elizabeth’s heart to beat faster. She glanced at Jane, who was sharing her torment and tried to encourage her with a tentative smile.
“One cannot be in the neighbourhood and miss seeing Pemberley. It is a place one cannot easily forget,” Mr Wilson declared.
“I plan to see it too, and certainly I plan to speak to the young master. Sadly, I have not heard favourable things about him, but since he is the son of George Darcy, he deserves the consideration of introducing myself.”
A few minutes passed before Elizabeth spoke. “It is difficult to form a correct opinion about someone you have only met a few times. Things you hear about someone can be reliable or not.”
“True. That is why I am reluctant to trust anything that I cannot testify to myself. Well, anyway—until then, we shall surely have many opportunities to settle this matter too. I look forward to Mr Bennet’s arrival. I wonder how he prefers to amuse himself when in London.”
“Reading in the library,” Elizabeth and Mr Gardiner replied together; then both laughed.
To Elizabeth, it was a relief that the subject had changed. She concealed her torment and struggled not to think of Pemberley and its master again. At least for the present.
∞∞∞
The third day began as poorly as the previous ones, rainy and windy.
In the afternoon, though, while the gentlemen were at their club and Mrs Gardiner supervised the children for an afternoon nap, the rain suddenly stopped.
The clouds dissipated, and the sun appeared.
Within half an hour, the weather turned mild, warm, and bright—perfect for a walk.
“I am going out,” Elizabeth told Jane and Maria.
“I cannot spend a single moment longer inside. Will you join me? Hyde Park must be wonderful. I heard the Regent’s Park was designed last year, and I have dreamed of seeing it since then.
It must be lovely already, but I am sure it will be spectacular in the summer. ”
Her invitation was quickly accepted as her enthusiasm was contagious. Maria declared herself interested in Regent’s Park too and wondered whether anyone else in Meryton had seen it.
The three of them cheerfully left the house. Within minutes, they were inside the park, and Elizabeth’s spirits rose along with her widening smile. Beauty, animation, and liveliness surrounded her.
Phaetons and horses, ladies and gentlemen, children and dogs, voices and laugher—all gathered together, enjoying the perfect weather.
They walked together along the edge of the lake, admiring the superb view and savouring the scent of the flowers.
“Lizzy, look at all these people. They are so elegant and fashionable. I believe at least half of them must be titled. I bet half the ton is here,” Maria whispered.
Elizabeth smiled. “Perhaps not half the ton, but they are elegant and fashionable indeed. But look at this garden of flowers! Is it not spectacular? I could walk along these paths every morning and every afternoon—and spend the rest of the time reading in Mr Wilson’s library.”
“I wonder whether we shall meet anyone we know,” Maria continued.
“I doubt that very much,” Elizabeth answered. “We know very few people who live near Hyde Park. And of the few we know, it is unlikely they might walk along the same paths we do. It would be too much of a coincidence.”
She, too, looked around as she spoke, secretly distressed by the same thought.
Mr Darcy lived on Park Lane, as did the colonel’s family.
And Mr Bingley had a house several blocks away on Grosvenor Street.
It was not impossible to happen upon any of them.
But, as she said, too much of a coincidence for it to be anticipated.
She compelled herself to cease such ridiculous musings and to rejoice in the walk, the pleasant company, and the wondrous surroundings. It was time to overcome useless remorse and put the past behind her.
For another hour, she did everything in her power to reach that goal. She congratulated herself on her success and was happy to watch Jane smiling at Maria’s jokes. A soft breeze cooled their cheeks, and they decided to stop for a cup of tea at a small shop by the lake.
As they moved in that direction, Elizabeth’s heart almost stopped, and her breathing caught in her throat.
She prayed she was wrong in guessing the identity of a gentleman walking toward them at a slow pace.
She stopped reluctantly as the man approached.
Jane touched her arm to make her pay attention to the unexpected encounter.
Maria gasped and whispered with apparent despair, “Lizzy, look; it is Mr Darcy! He is coming towards us!”
Her heartbeat and the pain in her temple told her it was true—moments before she finally gathered the courage to meet his eyes.