Chapter 43 #3
Thus it was that her walking partners were exchanged again and Elizabeth was finally beside Mr. Darcy. She took his offered arm and forgot about her question until he began to speak.
“My aunt has convinced us to allow Georgiana to go to the seaside for the summer after all.” He glanced at her. “You have still not seen the ocean, I think.”
“I have not, but I did undertake to paint it this winter from bookplates and my imagination. I will paint a real seascape if I ever do see the ocean.”
“Of course you shall see the ocean.”
“Perhaps.” Elizabeth looked at the path ahead and thought of her own likely path as a governess. It was possible she could one day visit the sea, but it was by no means guaranteed as he assumed. “Did you feel pressured to allow Miss Darcy to visit the sea?”
“I confess I withstood my aunt quite well, as I generally must do when she attaches herself to a strong opinion, but over time, Richard and I both changed our minds. My sister has worked hard in school, and she has lost both of her parents. This is one small boon we felt capable of allowing her. I will join her for a fortnight or so at the end of July, for her birthday.”
“Miss Darcy will surely have a memorable experience. Does this mean she gets on well with her new companion?”
“She does. Mrs. Younge appears to be both kind and exacting. She requires my sister to act with absolute propriety but in a way that my sister does not mind complying.”
“An ideal companion, then.”
“An ideal companion.” Mr. Darcy looked down at her, and her breath hitched at the intensity in his gaze.
She may have stumbled were it not for his increased grip on her arm when someone greeted him.
She had not fully emerged from the slight daze he had put her in when she realized Mr. Darcy was introducing her to two gentlemen beside them, and she curtsied.
The men passed on, and Elizabeth tried to recall their discussion.
“Miss Elizabeth, were you satisfied by the musical salon last week?”
“I was. The conversation was sometimes lacking, but the musical selections were worth the trouble. And of course, it was an honor to meet your aunt.”
“I am glad you had the opportunity.”
They had walked throughout much of the park by now and stopped to look over the Serpentine River.
Jane was with Mr. Bingley and the Hursts farther along the water, and she saw that Miss Bingley appeared content with Mr. Hillyerd in the shade of a tree.
Colonel Fitzwilliam had slowed to keep pace with the Gardiners, who would likely join them within a few minutes, though she could not see them at present.
Elizabeth felt a new awkwardness beside Mr. Darcy and could not decide whether it was due to their time apart or her own consciousness of her hopeless feelings for him.
She tried to think of something to say to bring back a playful mood when she felt Mr. Darcy pull her slightly closer to his side.
She looked up at him, startled, and was surprised to see his jaw clenched, his eyes closed.
It was not until he opened them that she heard the comments behind them.
It was like Vauxhall Gardens all over again.
“I am sorry, Mr. Darcy. Perhaps I should…” She tried to pull her arm from his, but he put his other hand atop hers to keep her close.
“No.” His word was firm, and he looked at her again with those stormy eyes she had seen before.
“I have no wish to harm your reputation. I will go to my uncle.” She whispered, but he shook his head.
“Please stay.” He whispered, as well, but she felt the full force of his statement.
She did not understand. Not at all. How could he willingly subject himself to abuse of his reputation when it would be so simple to avoid her?
Still, she nodded and remained beside him, looking down at the water in front of them.
The snickers and vulgarity increased, though, and he pulled her back toward her uncle.
As they walked, she realized she was shaking, and he gently rubbed the hand on his arm.
“Forgive me, Miss Elizabeth. I should have drawn you away sooner. I did not expect they would stop directly behind us and…Forgive me.”
“You need not be painted with my brush, Mr. Darcy. I have no desire for you to lose friends or standing due to our acquaintance. It is not worth the trouble…”
Mr. Darcy smiled tightly and continued to guide her through the crowd back toward her relations.
Of course, he would never be so ungentlemanly as to have abandoned her to the hateful group behind them.
He would deliver her to her uncle and then distance himself from her.
And that is what he did. Once she was safely beside her aunt and uncle, he spoke.
“Gardiner, if you and Mrs. Gardiner would like to return to your carriage, I will gather the others. Miss Bennet may travel in the other carriage, I am sure, so you are welcome to drive to my home immediately.”
Her aunt expressed her thanks, as she had walked far enough this evening. Mr. Darcy drew his cousin away and was soon lost in the crowd.