Chapter 43 #2
Elizabeth felt an unfamiliar warmth. Of course, Lady Matlock could know nothing of her father and would certainly not have singled her out had she known, but it felt good to be the recipient of respect for once.
On Monday, when Elizabeth returned home from the Foundling Hospital, Jane told her she had received a note from Miss Bingley with a change of plans.
Instead of another ball that Elizabeth had intended to forgo, the Bingleys, Hursts, and Gardiners all intended to meet at Hyde Park at half past five to stroll through the grounds at the fashionable hour.
As much as she liked walking in the parks on the west side of London, she had always avoided the evening crowds.
“We have all been invited to Mr. Darcy’s home to dine afterward.”
That certainly changed everything. Of course she would go. She had not seen Mr. Darcy since his return, which she knew was to have been several days earlier.
“Will one of Miss Bingley’s suitors be invited, as well?” Elizabeth chuckled to draw attention from her feelings. She wondered how long Miss Bingley would take to decide whom she wished to marry.
“Lizzy, do not be unkind.”
“I am sorry. I do not mean to be. Do you prefer one over the other for her? I confess, I like Mr. Hillyerd more, but I do not know either man well.”
“I also prefer Mr. Hillyerd, but it may be because he is so much younger than Sir Abraham.”
“It is not only that. They both give her proper attention, but Mr. Hillyerd seems more sincere. I get the feeling Sir Abraham is in a hurry to produce an heir, whereas the younger man really seems to care for her.”
Jane nodded and turned the conversation back to their evening ahead.
They were a large party meeting at Hyde Park Corner.
The Hursts and Bingleys arrived in what turned out to be Mr. Hillyerd’s carriage, but Mr. Darcy had not yet arrived.
Elizabeth wondered if she had misunderstood.
Perhaps they would meet him at his home.
She was anxious to see him and had hoped to walk with him, but she acknowledged that it would not be best to be seen together.
At this time of day, they certainly would have been.
Elizabeth stood talking with her aunt and uncle, facing the east. She could not help the smile that overtook her face when she spotted Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam approaching on foot.
She turned back to the rest of the group to avoid looking too eager, but the gentlemen came directly to her and the Gardiners.
“Gardiner, Mrs. Gardiner. I am glad you were able to make it tonight.”
“This is a perfect evening for a stroll, Darcy, and we appreciate the invitation to dine with you. It is good to have you back in the city. Elizabeth has been wearing out the pianoforte in your absence.”
Elizabeth had been watching the two men converse but looked away and tried to hide her blush.
Had she played the instrument more while Mr. Darcy had been away?
She had not noticed. But surely, she had to fill her time somehow.
Honestly, she and Mr. Darcy did not spend all that much time together, did they?
They saw each other only every few days, for several hours at a time.
Hmm. No wonder she had felt adrift while he had been away.
“Miss Elizabeth, I understand you met my mother.”
She snapped her head up at Colonel Fitzwilliam’s words and noted that Mr. Darcy also looked curiously at her.
“Yes, I met her on Wednesday at a ladies musical salon.”
“You met Lady Matlock? Did you speak with her?” Mr. Darcy seemed even more surprised than she had been at the time.
“She asked to have a word with me and drew me aside. It was for naught but a moment, and she was extremely kind. I liked her.”
“She liked you, too. My mother praised your courage, wit, and loyalty to your friends.”
Elizabeth felt her cheeks heat and turned away from Mr. Darcy’s curious gaze.
“Lizzy, come. Everyone else has already begun walking.”
Elizabeth stepped away from Mr. Darcy and his cousin with a nod and walked beside her aunt and uncle for a while. In the hour or so that the group promenaded through Hyde Park, she walked alternately with them, with Jane and Mr. Bingley, and with the colonel.
Mr. Bingley and Jane mostly spoke privately together, giving her freedom to look around at the well-dressed ladies in phaetons, the dandies on horseback, and fashionable couples and groups walking as they were.
Colonel Fitzwilliam asked her how she had found the music at the salon and told her of his recent visit to Kent.
“On his annual visit, Darcy reviews our aunt’s ledgers and advises her steward; I keep him company when I am available, as Rosings can be a dreary place. I help him by inspecting the fence lines and such.”
“I understand Miss Darcy accompanied you on this visit. How did she like it?”
“I believe she liked it very well, indeed.” The colonel turned behind them to where his cousin was carrying on a lively discussion with her uncle.
“Darcy, if I may interrupt, Miss Elizabeth asked after your sister’s time at Rosings, and I thought to allow you to tell her of Georgiana’s recent developments. ”