She felt like crying and to avoid her aunt’s inquisitive stare she fled to the gardens. She made her way towards the lake which, for some odd reason, conveyed a measure of peace to her troubled heart. As she was walking around lost in thoughtshe heard the neighing of a horse and then she turned and nearly lost her balance at the figure that appeared before her, so suddenly, from behind the trees.
Mr Darcy was walking slowly towards her holding his horse's reins loosely. He had his eyes cast down and did not see her immediately.
The day was of such oppressive heat and humidity that the very air seemed to press upon one’s spirits, rendering every movement an exertion. He appeared to have but that moment exited the depths of the lake, for he was entirely soaked from crown to heel. His dark hair hung in damp disarray, clustering in unruly curls, as though he had made some ineffectual attempt to shake off the water, much in the manner of a spirited bloodhound.
His shirt, once of a respectable white, clung most indecorously to his person, being open at the throat and wholly abandoned by its cravat. The linen, rendered nearly transparent by its wet condition, adhered so faithfully to his frame that it betrayed the strength and symmetry beneath with alarming clarity.
Yet it was his breeches that occasioned Elizabeth the deepest mortification. Darkened by the water and moulded too precisely to the form they encased, they left scarcely anything to conjecture. The outline of a vigorous and well-proportioned gentleman was rendered in such bold explicitness as to defy every principle of modesty.
Elizabeth, though resolutely determined to avert her gaze, found that the effort came a moment too late; the impression, once formed, was not so easily dismissed.
When Darcy finally lifted his eyes, he was only a few feet away from her. He blushed crimson and opened his mouth in disbelief before he could compose himself, “Miss Bennet!” He said both surprised and embarrassed.
“Mr Darcy,” she whispered his name in deep mortification.
“What a surprise.” He exclaimed, “I did not know you were in this part of the country.”
“No.” She responded feeling equally inadequate for the occasion.
“How long have you been in Derbyshire?”
“About two days, sir.”
“And where are you staying?”
“At the Pemberley Arms Inn in Lambton.”
“Ah!” He looked to the distance trying to find something intelligent to say, to ease the very awkward situation, knowing he was less than decent, “and your parents are in good health... and all your sisters?”
“Yes sir they are all in very good health thank you.”
He nodded. At length every idea seemed to fail him and after standing a few moments without saying a word, he bowed and excused himself, leaving her behind feeling utter mortification.
What must he think of me?She thought dejectedly. As she turned to go and find her uncle and aunt she saw them coming hurriedly towards her.
“Was that the man himself? What a specimen!” Mrs Gardiner said mischievously.
“Madeleine... behave.” Mr Gardiner said teasing his wife.
“We must leave immediately.” Elizabeth blurted out.
“Yes of course if you wish.” Mrs Gardiner said looking alarmed.
“Was he displeased? What did he say?” Mr Gardiner asked equally worried.
“No, he enquired about my parents and... he did not seem displeased just surprised to find me here.”
“Well I would be surprised if he was not surprised.” Mr Gardiner chuckled, “did he know we had plans to visit hiscounty?
“No I do not believe so.”
“In that case Elizabeth there is no reason to worry. We visited an estate that is opened for tours, and so we did nothing reprehensible.”
Elizabeth sped her way towards their carriage parked in the driveway as fast as her legs could carry her. She had been day-dreaming about Mr Darcy and quite forgot to consider that the man himself might descend upon his own house and find her there, uninvited and roaming his grounds as if she quite belonged there.
What must he think of me?She repeated it in her head like a mantra.
As she reached the carriage and was about to board it, the manor's front door a few yards away burst open and Mr Darcy bounded down, hastily adjusting his coat.
