“I want more.” He blurted out.
Again she stared at him but her mind went blank, “I... I... I mean... we...” She looked away irritated with her lack of coherence when she needed it the most. She forced her brain to focus, “I beg your pardon sir. I thank you for your offer. I am ready to accept it but I have to consult my uncle and aunt first, I would not do them the disservice of ignoring their wishes when they are the ones paying for my pleasure.”
“But of course. Please consult them and gain their approval, for I do not think I can let you go Miss Bennet... without showing you the estate properly.”
His words caused her heart to flutter. Her insides warmed and spilled out through her face which she felt, once more, burning.
The Gardiners were consulted and their agreement given with alacrity. After taking tea with Mr Darcy they returned to theInn to collect their belongings and relocate to Pemberley for the rest of the Derbyshire tour.
Elizabeth knew not how to behave or even what to expect while she lived under his roof. His words were warm and a bit ambiguous but she suspected that he may not be as indifferent to her as she had previously believed.
They arrived at Pemberley and were shown to their bedchambers to rest and prepare for dinner. Elizabeth was in awe with the splendour around her, while she thought with good humour that the beauty of the house contributed to increase her love towards the man.
Tomorrow she would meet his sister and the rest of his very exalted family, while she and her trade connections were his guests of honour.
Chapter 22
Elizabeth had had a restless night. The comfortable bed, the freshly ironed Egyptian cotton sheets, the soft eiderdown as well as her turmoil all contributed to keep her awake trying to guess his feelings and hers.
At dinner the previous night, he had been the epitome of gentlemanly behaviour. He had treated her relatives truly as guests of honour and engaged her uncle with interesting topics of conversation such as the war, England’s dependency on successful trade and the state of the monarchy.
But he also included Mrs Gardiner and Elizabeth in the conversation. He listened to their opinion and valued their input. It seemed they all had a pleasant time throughout the dinner hour, none of them ever feeling bored or neglected.
The following day as was her wont, Elizabeth woke early and took to the gardens. But before long she was strolling far into the woods on well marked tracks. After a steep climb she arrived at an incline that gave her a good view of the house below and the surrounding area. To the west into the distance she could see what looked like a castle ruin. But it was too far to go on foot and too dense a forest to go in a phaeton. She was resolved to ask Mr Darcy about it and if possible borrow one of his horses to go and see it.
As she was musing about it she heard hoofbeats approaching from the same track she had climbed.
In a moment Mr Darcy appeared riding the most exquisite stallion Elizabeth had ever seen. He was as black as a moonless night and he seemed as tall as a horse could be.
But the rider took her breath away...
He was wearing a dark brown riding jacket that moulded onto his body showing the breath of his shoulders and the slenderness of his waist. Equally fitting were his breeches, but Elizabeth controlled her desire to feast her eyes below his waist and kept her gaze firmly locked on his.
“Miss Bennet good morning, I saw you climbing this hill and followed you knowing the vantage point is a significant one. How do you like it?” He asked her dismounting with a grace she did not believe possible.
“Good morning, Mr Darcy,” she said timidly, chastising herself for her less than maidenly thoughts about his figure. “The view from here is truly breathtaking.”
“Yes it is.” He said looking at her, but then he turned around and looked out also. “I never tire of it.” He said taking a sweep of his lands.
Elizabeth then pointed to the ruins in the distance. “Is that a castle ruin? And is it inside your boundary?”
“Yes it is. It is Mackworth Castle. A fourteenth century structure and as you can see from here the gate house is still mostly standing.
“Is it possible to visit it?”
“Yes, but you have to ride there on a sure-footed horse, for there is no open road and the track is difficult.”
“Alas I am no proficient rider. I can manage a horse on a good road at best and not at all on difficult terrain.”
“I can take you there.” He said quietly with a horse voice.
She turned around and looked at him confused, “what do you mean? I thought you just said there is no open road to it.”
“I did. I did not mean I could take you in a carriage, I meant you can ride with me... on my horse.”
Elizabeth laughed, “Do you jest, Mr Darcy?”
“Not at all Miss Bennet, it is the only way since you have just confessed you are not a proficient rider.”
