The following morningdawned sunny and warm. Lizzy was taking her exercise in the park across from the Gardiner’s home when she rounded a corner hedge and nearly bumped into Colonel Fitzwilliam.
“Colonel! What brings you to Cheapside?”
“Miss Bennet! This is a pleasant surprise! I am here on business for my father and thought to stretch my legs. Might I accompany you?”
“Why certainly.” Lizzy turned to her maid. “Hannah, you may return to the Gardiners. Colonel Fitzwilliam will see me back to Gracechurch Street.”
As they strolled down the path, he said, “I have had the pleasure of being in company with your sister of late. She is quite a charming, young woman.”
“Yes, Kitty has made it past the most trying time and seems to now settle into her role as a young lady. Georgiana has been quite a positive influence.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam nodded. “I believe that my young cousin owes a great deal to Miss Katherine. And we are grateful for her goodwill.”
Lizzy bent to smell the last of a late blooming rose. “I am grateful she chose to follow the correct principles which she had been taught and not allow a sense of silliness to guide her. I assure you, if my father saw Kitty now, he would not recognize her.”
“You truly know not how your family has rescued the Darcys. My cousin will be forever in your debt.”
“Mr. Darcy owes us nothing.” Lizzy considered the small stream meandering through the park. “He is preparing for his marriage to Miss de Bourgh, is he not? I am sure that the gentleman has more pressing concerns than the family of a country squire.”
“You believe that Miss Bennet?”
“Why, every new groom is always attentive to his new bride. And with the affection evident between the two… Surely after the wedding tour, Georgiana will reside with her new sister and brother and Kitty’s companionship will not be as necessary.”
He paused for a moment before responding. “I am in no doubt that my cousin has affection for Anne, however, as you know, marriages are not often formed from love. Surely, you must know theirs is not a love match.”
“I apologize, Colonel, if I have spoken out of turn.”
“No, no. I am just surprised my taciturn cousin has somehow allowed his affections to be so…forthcoming.”
“Well, I have only seen them together once. Yesterday afternoon for chocolate and cakes. After a dress fitting. However, I know how much Mr. Darcy values her…gift. I have seen him looking at it fondly. In fact, he has actually told me how it is one of his favorite possessions. I think you have misjudged his affection for his cousin. Any man who would place so much value on an item must be in love.”
“A gift, you say?”
“Yes, a gift. His watch. I only know of it because it was left in the library. At Ashby Park. When Mr. Darcy and I were confined there for several days. Because of the weather. And I happened to read the inscription. Attempting to discover the owner.”
His eyebrows raised at this extraordinary speech. “Excuse me, Miss Bennet. Did you say when you were both confined at Ashby Park? Together?”
She felt herself blush at her uneasy explanation. “Yes. We were both trapped there in the storm. With my maid. And Mr. Hamilton’s servants. I was unable to leave. And Mr. Darcy arrived in the downpour. Later I found my sister’s note about Georgiana…”
“Yes, yes. Now that you mention it, I do recall Darcy informing me ofsomethinglike that. But this gift?” Elizabeth turned her head and bit her lip but before she could respond, he said, “Would it be his gold watch? With Pemberley engraved on the front?”
“Yes. It is lovely. Since seeing it, I have wondered about the craftsmanship.”
He clasped his hands behind his back. “It is lovely, Miss Bennet. You should ask my dear cousin.”
“Ask your cousin?”
“Ask about the craftsmanship of the watch. At the engagement ball.”
“Yes, yes, of course.” She walked a few more steps before continuing. “And it was so kind of Miss de Bourgh to extend the invitation to my aunt and uncle. We are aware of the honor.”
“Pish-posh. It was Darcy’s wish that your family attend.” As they approached the gates to the park, the colonel said, “I understand that Darcy received an express this morning from Bingley that Miss Bingley, Miss Jane Bennet, and he would arrive tomorrow.”
“Jane is coming to London?” Lizzy asked brightening at the thought. “How marvelous. I did not know.”
“I hope it was not meant as a surprise.”
“I wonder if my aunt and uncle know. Oh, Colonel, you have brought much sunshine to my already sunny day.”
