by Nancy Kelley
After the order had been given, he turned to see Bingley rocking back and forth on his feet. "I say, Darcy, do you suppose you have room for one more?"
Bingley's interest in seeing Elizabeth could only come from a desire to hear something of her sister, and guilt smote Darcy. "There is not room in the curricle, Bingley, but you may ride along beside us. I am sure Miss Bennet would be glad to see you again."
The animals set off at a brisk pace, and soon the small party left the park and was on the main road. "Fitzwilliam," Georgiana said at this point, "do you think Miss Bennet will like me?"
Darcy glanced over at her, startled. "Whatever makes you wonder such a thing, dearest?"
Georgiana twisted her hands together in her lap. "I know what people say about me. They say I am proud, but I simply--I do not always know what to say."
The uncertainty in her voice tugged at his heart, and holding the reins in one hand, he pressed his other on her arm. "Do not fret yourself overmuch, Georgiana. Miss Bennet is the most amiable lady of my acquaintance. I am sure she will give you the credit you deserve, if you allow her the time."
Earnestness shone in his sister's eyes. "Oh yes, I will!"
Very soon, they were driving down the narrow streets of Lambton that led to the inn. Darcy glanced up at the window and he caught a glimpse of Elizabeth looking down at them. The hope that her eagerness might match his own did much to brighten his mood, and he hopped out of the curricle with more than his usual energy. Georgiana took his hand, and they entered the inn.
"Are Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner and Miss Bennet available?" he queried.
"Aye, sir, they are in the sitting room above stairs."
He smiled his thanks to the maid and they walked upstairs. Mr. Gardiner opened the door with such alacrity that he knew they were expected, and they walked into a pleasant parlor.
"Good morning, Mr. Gardiner, Mrs. Gardiner... Miss Bennet."
Darcy watched with fascination as color rose in Elizabeth's cheeks. He almost missed Mrs. Gardiner's reply, but subtle pressure on his arm from Georgiana reminded him of his surroundings. "Good morning, Mr. Darcy. I say, we did not expect to see you so early."
"My sister was very eager to meet Miss Bennet. May I introduce you? Georgiana, this is Mr. Edward Gardiner, Mrs. Gardiner, and this is Miss Elizabeth Bennet."
"I am very pleased to meet all of you," Georgiana said, her voice soft.
"It is a pleasure to meet you as well," Elizabeth said warmly. "We heard such wonderful things about you yesterday." Elizabeth held out her hand, which Georgiana gladly took, but still she hardly looked up.
Darcy, eager that his sister and his beloved should get along, had to stop himself from interjecting. At some point Georgiana must learn to do for herself. He stood aside and watched with pleasure as Elizabeth patiently asked question after question, with a few additional asides from her aunt. There was nothing in her expression that indicated she felt the same disgust of Georgiana that she had shown toward Darcy in Kent, nothing that said she was found to be overly proud. He relaxed enough to recall that Bingley was still waiting downstairs.
"Miss Bennet, there is someone else who came with us. Mr. Bingley is downstairs, and most eager to meet you again. May I call him up?"
Her quick smile was the only answer he needed, and he felt a brief pang that his own presence did not inspire such ready warmth. Bingley soon joined them, and as always, his affability threw Darcy's reserve in sharp relief. "Miss Elizabeth Bennet! It is so good to see you once more."
"And you, Mr. Bingley."
"You are in good health, I trust."
"Indeed, we are. Travel can be so invigorating, and we have not been gone long enough to grow weary of each other." Elizabeth and her aunt shared a quick smile at the joke.
Bingley, however, did not seem inclined to ask after their journey or the sites they had seen. "And... your family?" There was the barest hesitation. "Are they all well?"
She smiled ever so slightly, but her response was measured. "I believe so, or they were a week ago when we left Hertfordshire."
"You have not been traveling long then."
Elizabeth shook her head. "Not at all. My aunt grew up in Lambton, and this was the first place she wished to see."
"It is a very fine part of the country, I have always thought."
"Oh yes. There something in the wildness of the rocks and peaks that is far grander than anything I had anticipated."
Darcy felt a ridiculous pride in his county. He had not put those rocks there himself, and they had no more connection to him than being the landscape he was most used to. However, it was suddenly of the utmost importance that they should please Elizabeth.
He turned his own attention to Mr. Gardiner, though he followed the other conversation with half an ear. "Mr. Gardner, I hope you have not forgotten your promise to come fish with us."
Mr. Gardiner raised his eyebrows. Darcy had so often received such a look from Elizabeth that he read it in an instant. "Do not tell me you doubted my offer."
His companion gave a quick negative. "Indeed I have not, sir, though I confess I was not sure you would find time, once your guests arrived."
"I assure you, sir," Darcy said dryly, "we have nothing but time. There is little to occupy us beside the idle occupations that make the summer so enjoyable. Will you join us then tomorrow morning?"
"At what time?"
"Shall we say noon? I am afraid some of my guests are still accustomed to town hours."
Mr. Gardiner chuckled. "No need to make excuses, Mr. Darcy. I shall be delighted to join you, whatever the time. So, noon it is then."
Bingley and Elizabeth continued to talk, and rather than join them, Darcy simply observed, enjoying the chance to see her smile and hear her laughter. After believing her lost to him forever, it was enough to be in the same room with her, to see her once more without the dreadful look of contempt she had worn when she told him she could never be prevailed upon to marry him.
The recollection pained him, and he closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them, he heard Bingley say, "It was a very long time since I have had the pleasure of seeing you, Miss Bennet. Why, it is above eight months. We have not met since the twenty-sixth of November, when we were all dancing together at Netherfield."
Darcy saw Elizabeth's smile and knew she had interpreted this comment the same way he had. With every moment, he was surer that Bingley's attachment to Miss Bennet was more permanent than he had believed. He tried to imagine how he would feel if some well-meaning friend tried to divide himself from Elizabeth, were he ever lucky enough to be the recipient of her affection. Can Bingley ever forgive my interference?
But Darcy's attention could not wander long from Elizabeth. "I understand you live primarily in town," she said to Georgiana.
"Yes, but I prefer to remain at Pemberley."
Elizabeth laughed, and the rich sound shot straight to Darcy's heart. "Indeed, I could easily understand why. Pemberley is so lovely; I cannot imagine ever wishing to leave. To borrow a phrase, what are shops compared to rocks and nature?"
Loath as Darcy was to interrupt this intercourse, they had now been with the family above half an hour. "Georgiana, will you not invite Miss Bennet and the Gardiners to dine with us?"
She blinked, but obediently said, "Oh yes, of course. I do hope you will join us for dinner at Pemberley while you are in the area."
Anxiety to be accepted made her sound diffident and proud. Darcy saw the look of understanding on all three faces and blessed them for their patience. In time, Georgiana would become accustomed to giving invitations, and he hoped her performance would improve with practice. He remembered Elizabeth's dictates to him and smiled briefly before formalizing the invitation.
"Indeed, we should be very glad to see you at Pemberley for dinner. Perhaps the day after tomorrow?"
Mrs. Gardiner glanced at Elizabeth, but rather than answer, she turned her head away. He caught a glimpse of her expression, though, and knew he
r to be merely confused and perhaps embarrassed by the attention. For a brief moment he wondered if he was being too particular in his attentions. Surely she must know I still love her.
In the end, it was Mrs. Gardiner who accepted the invitation, leaving Darcy with little insight into Elizabeth's mind or affections.
Chapter Twenty-nine
The ladies were still in bed when Darcy and Bingley rose at ten o'clock for breakfast. Bingley was unusually quiet, and Darcy could only guess from the pensive look on his face that his mind was filled with questions he could ask Mr. Gardiner--questions that might lead to discussion of his fair niece, perhaps?
A footman showed Mr. Gardiner into the breakfast room promptly at noon. "Good morning, sir," Darcy said solicitously. "I trust the day finds you well?"
"Indeed, who would not be well on a morning like this?" Mr. Gardiner asked. "It is a fine day to be out of doors."
"Indeed you are right, sir," Darcy agreed. "I believe we will find the servants waiting with tackle and a hamper packed with provisions for the late afternoon, if you will follow me."
Darcy led the way out of the house and gestured for the servants waiting on the lawn to join them. More familiar than anyone with his own land, he took them down a small, little-known path to his own favorite fishing hole.
"Why, Darcy, I do not think I have ever seen this part of Pemberley," Bingley remarked.
"Mr. Bingley, I would venture to guess there is more you have not seen of Pemberley than that you have," Mr. Gardiner said.
"You are likely right, sir," Bingley agreed. "However, I did expect to have seen the best places for sport."
"Surely a gentleman may be allowed some secrets at his own home," Darcy protested. "Now, choose a pole and let us enjoy this fine morning."
Darcy sought in vain for a topic they could discuss without revealing Miss Bennet's London visit, and in the end, it was Mr. Gardiner who broke the silence. "It was very good of you to invite me to fish with you this morning, Mr. Darcy. I am not insensitive to the fact that you must wish to be with your private party while you are at home, and I am hardly more than a stranger to you."
"Indeed, sir, you must not think so. Both Bingley and I became well enough acquainted with your nieces last fall that I daresay we feel we know you as well."
Mr. Gardiner finally looked away from the water, and Darcy flushed at the comprehension in his eyes. However, he did not flinch from his steady gaze. If I am to be deemed worthy of Elizabeth, I must first reveal my intentions.
After a long moment, Mr. Gardiner smiled. "My niece did not tell us she was so well acquainted with you, Mr. Darcy."
Darcy did not know how to answer the question, but for once, Bingley's innocence proved useful. He laughed and said, "My friend is so very reserved, it takes twice as long to get to know him as it takes him to get to know you. I declare, during the first year of our acquaintance, I lived in fear of that keen, penetrating eye."
Darcy huffed and rolled his eyes. "Bingley, you will make me sound like some dreaded arbiter."
"As well you might seem to one who does not know you," Bingley retorted frankly. He turned back to Mr. Gardiner. "But lest I give you a false impression, Mr. Darcy is the best and most loyal of friends. Once he does decide to trust you, his friendship is absolutely unwavering. I have never seen him turn from anyone in his own circle."
Mr. Gardiner's eyes widened, and Darcy felt his cheeks heat once more. Still, this sort of constancy was the very image he wanted Elizabeth's uncle to have of him. "I take my time making a decision, sir, but once I do, my... opinions remain unchanged."
A silent exchange passed between the two gentlemen: Mr. Gardiner questioning, Darcy promising. Finally, Mr. Gardiner looked up at the sun as it rose higher in the sky. "I imagine Mrs. Gardiner and my niece have arrived at Pemberley by now."
Darcy jerked on his pole and the line flew out of the water. He cast again, then said, "I was not aware they intended to visit today."
Mr. Gardiner tended to his own line and did not look away from the stream. "Yes, they were much impressed by Miss Darcy's courtesy yesterday morn and wished to return the favor as early as they could."
Darcy smiled; this was very like Elizabeth, and one of the things he loved about her. Her understanding of what was appropriate was unerring, her courtesy flawless. His own interest in the sport faded now that he knew she was nearby, and after a few minutes he said, "If there are guests at the house, perhaps I should go welcome them. Bingley, Mr. Gardiner, feel free to stay as long as you wish. When you are ready to leave, my servants will direct you and Bingley back to the house."
Mr. Gardiner bowed, and Darcy saw a hint of a smile on his face, but it did not bother him to be seen through so easily. He strode quickly through the trees and saw that the Gardiner's carriage was indeed parked in the drive. Thus assured that Elizabeth was inside, his pace quickened even more. Once inside the house, an inquiry of Mrs. Reynolds gave him the location of the ladies.
When he joined them in the large salon his sister favored, tea had just been set out. He quickly took in the seating arrangements and sighed; Elizabeth and his sister were seated on opposite sides of the room. Miss Bingley and Mrs. Annesley sat on either side of Georgiana, and Mrs. Hurst and Mrs. Gardiner beside Elizabeth.
How am I to encourage their conversation? He took a plate for himself and sat down near his sister. He soon saw that with his presence, her own reserve eased and she was able to present herself to better advantage. He equally saw that Elizabeth and her aunt were very much impressed with her.
Miss Bingley had sat up quite straight when he walked in and her glance over at Elizabeth did not need any interpretation. He immediately realized that his actions made his intentions clear to more than just Mr. Gardiner, and he wondered if he should have been more discreet. A quick look over at Elizabeth showed no discomposure on her part, however, a fact which eased his mind as much as it quickened his pulse. If she did not object to his intentions, then perhaps her feelings toward him were not as wholly set as they had been in months past. Perhaps...
Conversation started once more and did not allow him to ponder these thoughts any longer. Darcy sought a topic that would lead to conversation between Georgiana and Elizabeth, and eventually he turned to his sister and said, "Have you told Miss Bennet of your new pianoforte?"
She smiled and said, "No, we had not gotten to music yet. Do you play, Miss Bennet?"
"Not as well as I should like--I ought to take the time to practice." The smile she offered Darcy held no reprimand, and he took it as an olive branch.
"I am sure you do not give yourself enough credit. I confess, music is one of my greatest joys. My brother was good enough to have a new instrument sent to me this last week. Perhaps when you are with us for dinner tomorrow night you might play for us."
"If you would like."
"Oh yes, very much so."
Darcy leaned back in his chair, a smile on his face. Even if his dreams did not come true and Elizabeth never accepted his hand, he could not think of a better friend for Georgiana. Elizabeth was as open and vibrant as his sister was quiet and reserved, and she had a quick understanding of people and their motives that would do his innocent sister well.
Before he could congratulate himself too greatly on securing their friendship, Caroline Bingley's voice ruined the moment. "Pray, Miss Eliza, are not the -shire militia removed from Meryton? They must be a great loss to your family."
Georgiana paled, and Darcy cursed the impulse that had led him to disclose Wickham's membership in that corps. However, before he could deliver a stunning retort to Caroline, Elizabeth took the matter calmly in her own hands. "Of course we were as sorry as any family to find the diversity of the company materially diminished, but I daresay we have been able to cope well enough. After all, we managed without the militia for many years, and we shall continue to do so."
Her answer quickly put paid to any notion on Miss Bingley's side that she missed Wickham, and that lady c
olored when her insult was so easily rebuffed. Darcy could easily guess what her intent had been--to cast Elizabeth as a lady with poor discernment, who was not above befriending a common soldier. A year ago, that might have made a difference in my opinion of her, but today, nothing Caroline Bingley says could sway my affections. Were Elizabeth to tell me her own sister had actually married a soldier, I would not love her any less.
It was but a few minutes later when Mrs. Gardiner indicated to Elizabeth that they would soon need to return to Lambton in order to meet their afternoon appointments. Darcy rose when they did and offered to escort them to their carriage.
After he had handed them up into the carriage, Mrs. Gardiner smiled down at him. "Thank you very much for your hospitality, sir. If you would be so kind as to tell Mr. Gardiner we have returned to the village, I would appreciate it."