Chapter 4
FOUR
The rain that had begun the previous morning persisted, although it had not been heavy enough earlier to prevent them from attending church.
Unlike the day before, Darcy had decided to spend this one in the drawing room with the ladies, rather than intrude on Lord Halsley and Mr Bennet’s discussions or seek to amuse himself in solitary pursuits, as he had for much of Saturday.
He had needed the time apart from Elizabeth to let his feelings settle.
They threatened to overwhelm him, and he worried he might find himself on his knees, begging her to give him another chance to earn her regard.
She had been compassionate when they spoke in the garden, had even apologised to him, despite his abysmal behaviour towards her!
How was any man to resist such a lady? Other than the risk of humiliating himself with her again, he truly worried that his sister or Mr Bennet would learn of his love for her; it must be obvious to anyone who saw him look at her.
But, after a day spent largely away from her, he felt stronger and more in command of himself.
That was what he told himself, but at present, in the early afternoon, he knew it had been a foolish hope.
She was standing at the window, her back to him.
The room was comfortably warm, thanks to the large fire, and quiet.
Georgiana and Mrs Annesley sat together on a settee at one end of the room, speaking about the volume his sister held, which he believed was in French.
Languages had always been challenging for her, but she was determined to become proficient.
Unable to stop himself, he stood and joined Elizabeth. She glanced at him as he said, “I am afraid it does not seem likely it will improve this afternoon.”
“The weather? No, but I do long to go for a walk.”
“I am not surprised you would rather be out of doors,” he said, wanting to extend the conversation.
She turned towards him, and he saw something in her eyes that suggested she was unsure if she should be insulted or not. Yet again, he cursed his tongue for not cooperating; it was how they had ended up misunderstanding each other in the past.
Tentatively, she said, “I do like to take exercise in the open air, as you have observed, but I am hardly incapable of amusing myself in a drawing room.” As proof, she lifted the book he had not realised was in her hand.
“O-of course. I did not mean to imply otherwise,” he said hastily, then averted his eyes and reminded himself to choose his words more carefully. “You said you have enjoyed exploring the estate. That is difficult to do when it is raining.”
She gave him a small smile and nodded. “I have been fortunate to visit both Kent and Northamptonshire this spring, two places I had not been to before.”
“I do not recall you mentioning coming to Haelthorpe when you were with Mrs Collins.”
She chuckled. “I did not know.”
When she explained about Mr Bennet arriving in London the same day she had and insisting she accompany him to Northamptonshire, it sounded vaguely familiar.
Darcy had been so dazed by seeing her again that first day that he had not recalled why she was here.
His heart whispered that it—he—was glad she was, but he would not dare say it aloud.
However, there was something else he might say that hinted at it…
“I am pleased you and Georgiana have met.” Her eyes locked on his, and he almost lost himself in them. Speaking more deliberately, he added, “And I am pleased to know your father better. We spent little time together in Hertfordshire. None, really. But he is interesting. To speak to, I mean.”
“Thank you. I have long been his favourite, and have spent a great deal of time with him, talking about any number of subjects.” Her gaze flitted between him, the window, and Georgiana and Mrs Annesley for a moment, before she continued, her eyes once again steady on his, and her voice hardly above a whisper.
“But I know he would have done well to spend more time with my sisters and mother, not just me.”
She is admitting there was some justice in my words, that evening at the parsonage!
The thought struck him forcefully, but he knew it was right.
He was in danger of making too much of it, so he gave her a small nod to indicate he understood, cleared his throat, and asked if she would like him to ring for refreshments.
“We should entice my sister and Mrs Annesley to discuss how we might amuse ourselves tomorrow. What do you think of going into Northampton?” She would relish it, he was certain, and for that reason alone, he would ensure they went.