Chapter 7 #3
“As tomorrow is the Sabbath, we will not call at Longbourn, but we shall on Monday,” Mr Darcy said at last. “I hope to speak with your father then. You did say that he knows of our prior meeting.”
“He does.” Elizabeth hesitated before lowering her gaze once more.
“I confess I have no idea how Mama will receive your request. My aunt spoke to her about you, though I cannot be certain precisely what was said. Whatever it was, Lydia was returned to the schoolroom, while Kitty went back to London with my aunt so that she might learn a little more about how a young lady ought to behave in society.”
Her lips twitched despite herself as she looked up at him.
“I fear Mama’s reaction when she learns of your intentions may be… exuberant.”
Something in Mr Darcy’s expression eased, and she thought it was perhaps meant to reassure her.
“I believe your father already attempted to warn me when we first met.”
He paused, and Elizabeth wondered what he might say next.
“Regardless, I will not allow your mother’s reaction to discourage me, Miss Elizabeth. I am quite determined in this. Unless you tell me that you do not wish it, I mean to see where this may lead us.”
“Very well, Mr Darcy,” Elizabeth answered, her smile still firmly fixed.
“However—” She paused and glanced towards the gathering.
“I believe it is time we returned, or we shall soon be missed. It is nearly time for the landholders to depart and leave the tenants to enjoy the remainder of their celebration.”
“Of course,” he said in that same low tone that always seemed to affect her in the most peculiar way. It delighted her, and for the first time, she allowed herself to wonder what it might be like to hear that voice for the rest of her life.
He offered her his arm, and Elizabeth placed her hand upon it with considerably less hesitation than she might have done only an hour before.
They made their way back towards the others at an unhurried pace.
Although Elizabeth remained acutely aware of the gentleman at her side, much of the uncertainty she had felt in his presence was now gone.
Before tonight, she had not been entirely certain what she felt for him—or whether it would be wiser to guard against allowing those feelings to deepen.
Above all, she had been convinced that he could never seriously consider courting her.
But he did.
He had asked to call upon her and intended to speak to her father about his intentions. The thought was still so extraordinary that Elizabeth suspected it might be some time before she became accustomed to it.
They found Mary and Georgiana precisely where they had left them. Neither girl appeared particularly concerned by their absence, although something in the look Georgiana gave Elizabeth made her wonder whether she knew—or at least suspected—something.
Still, Georgiana said nothing, and Elizabeth merely joined the two girls in conversation.
They had not been speaking long before Jane and Mr Bingley approached.
Mr Bingley appeared every bit as taken with her eldest sister as he had during his first call at Longbourn.
Jane plainly enjoyed his company as well, though Elizabeth would have to discover later that evening precisely what her sister thought of the gentleman.
Soon afterwards, her parents joined them with a decidedly petulant Lydia.
Her youngest sister had not accepted her changed circumstances with anything resembling good grace.
Elizabeth could sympathise with her to a point.
Lydia had been permitted a great deal of freedom and then had it abruptly withdrawn, and Mama had done little until now to ensure that any of her daughters were properly instructed in what was expected of them.
Still, Lydia had brought at least some of her present difficulties upon herself.
With their parents’ arrival, the Bennets began making their way towards the carriages, accompanied by Mr Bingley, Mr Darcy, and Georgiana.
Mr Darcy remained beside Elizabeth while the rest of her family climbed into the carriage.
“Will I see you at church tomorrow?” Elizabeth asked.
He nodded. “Yes.”
“And then you will call at Longbourn on Monday.”
“I will.”
For a moment, his gaze held hers, and Elizabeth suddenly remembered another parting scarcely a se’nnight before, when they had stood beside her aunt’s carriage at the Falcon, neither of them knowing what their acquaintance might become.
“Then I suppose I shall see you again very soon,” she said, her tone teasing.
Recognition flickered in his expression.
His dimples appeared once more.
“I shall look forward to it,” he said in that same grave tone.
Then he offered his hand to assist her into the carriage. Elizabeth placed hers in it, lingering perhaps a moment longer than was necessary before taking her seat.
As the carriage pulled away, Elizabeth glanced back once and saw Mr Darcy turn towards Georgiana before the darkness swallowed the scene.
Scarcely a se’nnight ago, Elizabeth had thought it wiser to enjoy Mr Darcy’s company only while she could.
Now, for the first time, she allowed herself to look forward to what might come next.