Darcy had wanted to land a fist in Wickham’s mocking face. He might even have done it, heaven help him, if he had not heard a sound outside and turned in time to see Georgiana fleeing.
Running out, he had drawn her into his arms, wiping her tears, and trying to hold the breaking pieces of her heart together.From the corner of his eye, he saw Wickham sneaking away like the slippery eel he was.
Bingley abruptly sat up and peered out of the window. “Are we almost there?” he said, echoing his sister.
It was a relief to be distracted from his memories. “Almost,” he said. “We will soon reach the crest of the hill, where we will be able to see Pemberley in the distance.
“There it is!” said Miss Bingley enthusiastically. “I can see it through the trees.”
It was impossible to see Pemberley from this angle, but he was too busy looking out for the turn in the road before it came into sight to correct her.
Then finally, there it was, sitting on the side of the hill, overlooking the meandering path leading to it. It was a magnificent sight.
“How beautiful!” exclaimed Miss Bingley.
It was beautiful. It was a point of pride for him to keep it that way. He had been in charge of its upkeep since he was two and twenty. He had overseen the installation of several modern conveniences, while doing his best to preserve the essence of its prestigious past. He gazed on it with the satisfaction of knowing it was a job well done.
“Oh, look, the sun is coming out,” said Bingley, cheerfully. “Shall we go for a gallop across the fields?”
“I need to spend some time with Georgiana,” said Darcy. “I am sure she misses me.”
“I am sure she does,” replied Miss Bingley. “You are an example of what a brother should be. She will be jumping with joy to see you.”
“I very much doubt it. As I explained earlier, now that she has left school, she is having a fit of the doldrums. It will take her some time to adapt to her new life. Do not expect her to beas inclined to seek your company as she usually is. She is quite withdrawn.”
“Well, you need not have any concerns about that,” said Miss Bingley, shooting him an artful look from beneath her eyelashes. “I will set her right in no time. Leave it to me, Mr. Darcy.”
Darcy sighed, asking himself if he had done the right thing to bring Miss Bingley here. She was already beginning to grate on him, and they had not even arrived.
Well, there was no second-guessing himself now. He could only hope that all would go well, and that Georgiana’s spirits would indeed rally, and she would find the strength to move on from her ordeal.
Though he had the feeling it would not be that easy.
Chapter 1
It had been drizzling lightly on and off all morning, but now the sun had finally broken through, and the ground was starting to dry. Not that it had hindered Elizabeth Bennet and her companions from going out. Her uncle, Mr. Gardiner, had gone to look at some horseflesh the innkeeper had told him was for sale. Mrs. Gardiner had used the morning productively to call on a few of her old friends. Elizabeth had accompanied her willingly, eager to learn more about Mrs. Gardiner’s childhood. She enjoyed listening to the ladies as they reminisced and gossiped, and she had learned a few surprising things about her aunt’s past.
Now that the sun had come out, however, and they had convened in the private parlor of the inn, Elizabeth was longingfor some fresh air. She had spotted a picturesque path that was perfect for a long walk. Through the open window, her eyes followed the path as it crossed the little stone bridge and passed through open fields towards the majestic manor house that was tantalizingly visible amongst the trees.
“What did you say the manor was called, Aunt Gardiner?”
“Pemberley, my dear. It is owned by Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. He lives there with his sister.”
“Do you think we will be able to take a tour of it?”
Her uncle walked into the inn, just in time to overhear the last part of the conversation.
“I do not see why not,” he replied. “I will talk to the innkeeper. I am sure he could arrange something for us if you would like to do it.”
“I would very much like to,” said Elizabeth.
Her uncle sat down next to her aunt and leaned over to pat Elizabeth’s hand indulgently. “Then consider it done. Unless there is some great objection, that is, I will arrange for a visit in the next two days.”
Meanwhile, the path leading away from the village was calling to her. “Do you have any objection if I walk in the direction of Pemberley? I will stick to the main footpath, of course.”
“Not at all. In fact, I am not averse to going on a walk myself. What do you think, Madeleine?” said Mr. Gardiner.
“I am willing to walk part of the way with you, Lizzy, but certainly not all the way, especially if you are thinking of walking close to Pemberley. It is a good three miles to the estate at the very least.”
