“Yes, I suppose you danced adequately. Continue to practise, and by the Season, you will do tolerably well.” Lady Catherine rose from her chair and started out of the room. “Now, it is time for my rest. Come along, Anne.”
Miss de Bourgh cast them a reluctant glance, but there was nothing either of them could say to get Lady Catherine to change her mind. Once she had decided on a course of action, no one could gainsay her. In the present instance, Elizabeth had little wish to try. Some time to herself would be very welcome.
Mr Darcy turned to her as soon as they were alone in the grand salon. “You did very well. Do not let her words make you doubt yourself. Nothing is ever good enough for my aunt.” He turned to her and offered her his hand. Though his intentions were unclear to her, Elizabeth hesitantly extended hers in turn. Taking her hand, Mr Darcy led her across the grand salon, then out the double doors that led to the terrace. She had not been on this side of the house since arriving at Pemberley, and had only peeked into the grand salon once during her explorations.
The terrace looked out over the western side of the house, toward the hills. There was a small stone church perched on the hilltop, painted gold by the late afternoon sunshine. She admired the view for a moment, taking a few deep breaths to calm her racing heart. “Will we really go to London for the Season?” Elizabeth asked at last.
Mr Darcy joined her at the railing after he had closed the doors. He dropped his chin, then looked out over the landscape. “I had planned to take my sister to London next year, to bring her out. I thought it was a little early, but my aunts persuaded me otherwise.” He halted, shaking his head. “All of those plans are obsolete now.”
Elizabeth reached over and touched his arm gently. “I am sorry,” she said. He turned toward her, flexing his hand ever so slightly. His arm muscles tensed under her hand, and she quickly took it away, unsure what it meant. Had she offended him by such an intimate gesture? “I have never been to London.”
“It is quite different from Meryton. I cannot say I enjoy myself whenever I travel to the city, but it has its diversions, I suppose.”
“Such as?” Elizabeth asked.
“There is the theatre, of course, and fine museums. And then there are the galas and various social functions.” He met her gaze. His eyes swept over her person, then rested on her face again. She gulped.
He went on, leaning an elbow against the railing so he could face her. “I think you would enjoy the Royal Conservatory. Or Vauxhall Gardens. You seem to be more of a nature enthusiast, rather than a devotee of the theatre.”
“I do not know; I should like to go to the theatre at least once.”
“The theatre can be diverting, but I prefer the opera. It is easier to hear,” he explained. “But there is talking all the way through, no matter whether you attend a play or an opera. It seems sometimes as though the only reason people go to the theatre is to see each other and share the latest gossip.”
That seemed very odd. “Is it not to watch the production?” she asked. “It seems a scandalous waste of time and money if one is not to enjoy the piece that the actors and singers worked so diligently to prepare for their enjoyment.”
“High society is a mass of contradictions, Miss Elizabeth,” he said. He stopped, giving her a knowing look. “That is, Elizabeth.”
She felt the heat climbing into her cheeks again whenever he looked at her. There was something fierce about his stare, and yet gentle. How was it that he could make her feel these things without saying a word? “My aunt and uncle live in London,” she said, trying to change the subject to safer places.
“Indeed? I believe your father mentioned them. Mr and Mrs Gardiner, is it not?” He motioned that they should walk along the edge of the railing, and she gladly followed his lead.
“Yes. They have a house on Gracechurch Street, but I have never been to see it. They have four children, all under the age of eight. They are very dear,” she said.
“I would very much like to meet them,” Mr Darcy said.
She stopped, looking at him in surprise. She would not have thought her husband one to express empty pleasantries he did not mean. Quite the opposite, in fact. Elizabeth bit her lower lip, then stepped quickly to catch up with her husband, falling into stride beside him. “My uncle is in trade,” she said slowly. It was not a secret. He must have known that, no doubt, by his talk with her father. Yet she still felt a twinge of embarrassment at saying the words. She was not ashamed of her uncle. But the gulf between her relations and his still remained.
It was, perhaps, too great to expect him to bridge entirely. Cheapside was no place for Mr Darcy, and it would surely be too much to expect him to make an appearance there. “I am sure they would be very happy to meet us at a teahouse, or even the theatre,” Elizabeth attempted to say brightly. “My aunt is a great supporter of the arts.”
“Either would be delightful. Or perhaps they would accept an invitation to supper at our townhouse? The children might enjoy the old nursery and schoolroom.” Mr Darcy did not seem at all as if he were only trying to appease her. He genuinely seemed to want to meet her relations.
“Truly? You would want to invite all of them?” she asked. That he would want to invite a merchant to his home, one who lived in Cheapside, no less, was a welcome surprise. Perhaps Mr Darcy was not so very proud as she had thought — or at least his pride was under good regulation. “What would Lady Catherine have to say about that?”
“I am not in the habit of consulting my aunt in the question of who I invite to my own home,” Mr Darcy said dryly. “She may think she has the right to order everyone else’s lives, but she will not do so with ours.” He stopped when they came to the end of the railing, which turned and led down the steps into the side garden at the side of the house. “I hope she did not upset you today with her lessons. You must know that you can quit them at any time you like, Elizabeth.”
She warmed at the sound of her name on his lips. “No, I want to continue. I —” She faltered when she looked into his eyes. In so strong and stern a man, the discovery of gentleness surprised her every time. “Difficult as Lady Catherine can be, I think this is for the best. Her wisdom will be invaluable as I start my life here. And I believe she is warming to me.”
“Very well, then,” Mr Darcy said with a nod. “But let us speak of more interesting things than my obstinate relative. Is your uncle away on business much?”
“Yes, I believe he travels to the continent two or three times a year. My aunt often comes to Meryton to visit with thechildren when he is gone on especially long trips,” Elizabeth replied. “However, his business is doing so well now that he can send an agent in his place most of the time. He is a brilliant businessman.”
Mr Darcy nodded. “And your aunt. Where did she hail from?”
“You will never guess, and I cannot think why I did not tell you before,” Elizabeth said with a small laugh. “Lambton, in fact! My aunt and uncle often take their holidays in this area.”
“Truly? How very interesting. I may have seen them growing up and never knew that one day I would be married to their charming niece.”
His compliment caught Elizabeth off guard. She had not thought Mr Darcy one for idle compliments, yet here they were. She resolved not to let his words affect her so, not when he meant them only to be polite. “Yes, well, it is a small world, is it not? You never know how you might find a connection with someone.”
