There were four richly appointed bed chambers, but Darcy was surprised when Georgiana asked if she might share a room with Elizabeth. “Lizzy thinks it is a wonderful idea,” Georgiana said.
“Of course I approve, Georgie, but you must ask Mr and Mrs Gardiner for permission.”
Gardiner seemed pleased with the arrangement, because of course that meant that he was able to share a room with his wife.
That evening, everyone retired to bed relatively early. Darcy, who found it harder to sleep uninterrupted, now that he was resurrected, read until midnight in his private sitting room. As he finally moved to his bed chamber, he could hear from across the corridor murmurs and giggles such as he had never before heard from Georgiana. A little bit more of the past year’s ravages healed with the sound, and he opened the doorslightly to the corridor to better enjoy the laughter. Of course the ladies spoke too quietly to be overheard, but he felt a zing of joy to hear Elizabeth’s deeper, bubbling laughter accompanying Georgiana’s higher-pitched giggles.
Again, Darcy thought to himself,I would wish to hear such many times in my future life.
Four
The outingto Poole’s Cavern was even more exciting for Elizabeth, if Darcy could accurately read her expressions. Of course, in the cavern, she could not dash about nor see for miles; instead, she was constrained to walk quite slowly with the guides, keeping her steps to the spots of lantern light, as the rough, uneven, ground inside the cavern would otherwise trip her up.
Darcy took turns with Gardiner carefully lending hands and arms for stability to the ladies until they could all stand still at a designated spot while the guides held their lanterns aloft and revealed cave formations. Her eyes widened to see what looked like a large rock chair, named after the robber-outlaw John Poole, who was said to hide in the cave between robberies. She gasped when the Flitch of Bacon was illuminated; it was a huge stalactite, with folds of rock that resembled the meat. She covered her mouth, possibly stifling laughter, as one of the guides related an apocryphal story explaining why an impressive stalagmite was named Mary Queen of Scots Pillar.
It was the first visit for all other than Mrs Gardiner and Darcy, but everyone—not just Darcy—seemed to focus moreon Elizabeth than on anyone else. She was so lively and expressive, her own enjoyment added to everyone else’s. Both of the Gardiners oohed and ahhed at each new revelation, but then rapidly turned to enjoy Elizabeth’s transfixed stares and beautiful smiles. Georgiana, too, turned to her with her own eager gazes, as if Elizabeth’s joy increased her own. Even the older guide, who spoke about the geology of the cave formations, praised Elizabeth’s questions, and at the end of the tour asked how she had come to know so much of geology.
“Extensive reading,” was her answer. She shot a smile at Darcy as she said the words.
The other guide was such a young man that he likely qualified as a boy. He stared at Elizabeth as though she was a goddess, and Darcy felt quite irritated that the boy hovered so near to her. The good news was that the guide solicitously ensured that she had enough light to walk safely. Unfortunately, he seemed unaware that he was making her uncomfortable. Darcy stepped up every time the boy encroached enough that Elizabeth cast nervous glances at him, and Elizabeth seemed very happy to have Darcy step between herself and the guide.
When they emerged from the cavern, everyone had to stand still for a few long moments before their eyes became once again used to sunlit environs. They took a short carriage ride to one of Buxton’s public houses, which was located near the southern road they would take back to Pemberley. During their luncheon, Elizabeth happily discussed her favourite parts of the cavern and asked several questions about Devil’s Arse, another cave they planned to visit during their second outing.
The road from Buxton back to Pemberley went quite close to Mam Tor, and Darcy asked if anyone wanted to take a walk up or partway up the mountain. “The alternative, of course, is for us to make only short stops to refresh ourselves and return backto Pemberley more quickly. However, Mam Tor does not fit well with the other sightseeing trip we have planned.”
Elizabeth said, “I would love a walk to break up the carriage ride, although I am of course willing to go without if others do not wish it.”
But there was a general murmur of agreement, and at Darcy’s rap on the carriage roof, the driver pulled out near a trail. “From here it is far enough to the very top that only the very quickest walkers would have time to walk all the way.” He glanced at Elizabeth, and then he said, “But I have done this walk before, and there are lovely views from every elevation.”
Mr Gardiner asked, “Should we try to assemble back at the carriage in two hours? Then we will have plenty of time to reach Pemberley before it is dark, given the current length of day.”
Darcy nodded.
Elizabeth stepped up to him and said, “I believe you threw a glance at me as you said,only the very quickest walkers. Sir, am I to take those words as a gauntlet thrown down? If so, I assure you that I will take the challenge, and I shall conquer.”
“Well said, madam. I will be by your side every step.”
He wrapped a bag around one shoulder and his chest, and he put a bottle of water into the bag and said, “After you.”
They did not speak as they walked, but their hurried strides quickly gained them some privacy. They did not slacken as the slope steepened, but Elizabeth began to breathe more heavily. “Are you well? Should we slow down?” Darcy asked her.
“Of course I am well. And you may certainly reduce your speed; I will not.”
Georgiana strolled with Mr and Mrs Gardiner, and they returned to the carriage to eat a small snack even as Darcy and Elizabeth reached the top, enjoyed the sights, and started down again. When they finally reached the carriage, the two were laughing and teasing about who had reached the top first,offering the last sips of water to one another, chattering to the others that, not only were they able to better enjoy the high moorland of Kinder Scout, but they were also able to spot the Welsh mountains and the ruins of Peveril Castle.
Darcy thought that Elizabeth had never looked better. He was reminded of noticing how beautiful Elizabeth was when she had walked to Netherfield to care for her ill sister, months ago; now, as then, many of her curls had been blown from their restraining pins, her cheeks were flushed with exertion, and her eyes sparkled with challenge.
Oh, how he longed to be assured of seeing Elizabeth thus many more times in a shared future!
Naturally, Darcy had duties to perform the following day at Pemberley; he dove into his work with every motivation to do well by his estate and his tenants, but also to accomplish all that needed doing at speed. He was delighted to see that Georgiana exerted herself to attend to Elizabeth and the Gardiners while he worked. The group took advantage of another beautiful day to tour the rose garden and to walk around the lake. Every time he caught a glimpse of his guests from a window, or when he consulted with his steward near the stables, Darcy longed to be walking alongside Elizabeth, seeing her face as she discovered each new viewpoint. However, he did not begrudge the growing happiness his sister enjoyed in acting as the hostess of a beautiful estate rather than as the nearly-ruined young lady who hid from society in her rooms.
Pemberley is large enough that I will be able to introduce Elizabeth to many more prospects. I hope.
When his duties had been met, Darcy joined his sister and guests in the green parlour for afternoon tea. Elizabeth had stored up several questions for him, and he delighted in answering them:
He explained that Pemberley’s lake was man-made, constructed by his grandfather, and that the depth varied from seven to ten feet. He shared that his mother not only loved roses, as Georgiana had said, but she had hybridised several varieties; those all had “Lady Anne” as part of their names. He listed the various gardens Pemberley offered in addition to the parkland and pleasure grounds. They included the rose garden, the American garden—which featured plants that required peaty soil, such as rhododendrons—the rock garden, the kitchen garden, and the walled sculpture garden; there were also fruit orchards, a conservatory, an orangery, and the home farm.
Darcy was delighted when Elizabeth voiced his own wish: “I certainly hope, Mr Darcy, that your duties will allow you time to show me some of what you describe!”
