This was it—the moment when she would learn Mr. Darcy’s fate.
Breathing deeply, Elizabeth replied, “My family estate is only three miles from Netherfield Park, where Mr. Darcy was a guest of Mr. Bingley and his family last autumn. I saw him again in Kent this spring.”
The housekeeper’s hands flew to her cheeks. In almost a whisper, she asked, “What did you say the name of your family estate is, miss?”
She had not said, of course. But there was no harm in sharing the information, so she said, “Longbourn.”
The housekeeper asked for her name.
“Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
The elderly woman gasped. “Thank the Lord!” Grabbing Elizabeth’s hand, she glanced at Mr. Gardiner. “Come with me, all of you. I beg you.”
Pulling on Elizabeth’s hand, they hurried down the grand staircase, through an arched doorway, down a long corridor only to stop in front of a set of heavy French doors.
“My name is Maude Reynolds. I have been employed at Pemberley since the master was four years old. I have never had a cross word from him in my life. If I had traveled throughout the world, I could not have met with a better master. I have always observed that those who are good-natured when young are good-natured when they grow up. Mr. Darcy was always the sweetest-tempered, most generous-hearted boy in the world. I would do anything for him. The rest of the servants here and at Darcy House in London feel the same.”
Elizabeth was astounded. What happened to cause this loyal servant to plead for her assistance, for in every way, that is how matters felt to Elizabeth. Before she could gather her composure, Mrs. Reynolds rapped on the door.
“Enter.”
Her breath caught. It was him.
9
Blinking, he stared at the woman in the doorway, afraid she was an apparition.
His housekeeper’s voice sounded as if she was speaking from a distance. “Sir, I believe this young lady is known to you.”
“Yes. She is known to me.” Was that croaking sound coming from his mouth?
Her loveliness robbed him of his breath. She looked wonderful. But everything about her appearance in his home mortified him. For as much as he wanted to be in Elizabeth’s presence, he wished to be more composed. Healthier. Stronger. Able to stand on his own two feet without a cane.
There is nothing for it, man.
Clasping the handle of his cane, pushing against the chair’s arm with his other hand, he stood slowly, the sounds of the leather fastenings on his knee brace echoing in the room.
Would she shrink away from him now that she saw how much less of a man he was since his accident? Would she only look upon him with pity? He could not look at her eyes because they would reveal the truth. It was difficult enoughwith Georgiana fussing over him like he was an invalid. Bitterly, he admitted that in comparison with his activities prior to the accident, he was debilitated.
“Mr. Darcy.” She curtsied.
He was afraid to bow too deeply, fearful that he would lose his balance and fall on his face in front of her.
Darcy felt like an insect under a microscope when her gaze started at the floor and stopped at his knee. He looked away, not able to stomach the disgust he assumed he would see.
The carpets and her inherent gracefulness muted her approach. The softness of her touch, her fingers brushing his temple like they did in Rosings’ glen, stunned him. He closed his eyes, his breathing far too rapid for her not to be aware.
“Thank God that you are alive. I heard nothing. Not one report. I worried that something dreadful happened to you. I am pleased to see you looking so well, Mr. Darcy.”
His eyes shot open. “You think I look well, Elizabeth?” Every ounce of his pain cloaked each syllable. “I am barely able to walk. I can no longer sit a horse. I cannot dance. I am only half…”
Although her eyes filled with tears, she chuckled softly, boldly interrupting him. “And we both know how much you enjoy dancing, do we not?”
Her smile was genuine, as was the single tear trailing down her cheek, sending a message to his heart that she was not being flippant.
He touched her sleeve. She was real.
“Miss Bennet, are you…did you…will you…stay? At Pemberley? With your friends, of course?” He had not meant to ask, at least not yet. Her surprise said more than words that he was precipitous. But he needed to know if he had hope.He refused to believe that she would not think him good enough for her, despite that fear churning in his gut.
