“Have a seat, Allen. If Lizzy has been in tears, it may be some minutes before she joins us.”
They sat, and Mr. Bennet offered him brandy, which he accepted.
When Elizabeth entered, she paused in the doorway, her appearance weary, her eyes swollen and rimmed with red.
“Are you well enough to meet with Mr. Allen, Elizabeth? He returns to London and wishes to take his leave of you.”
“Yes, Papa, I am well.”
She curtsied to Mr. Allen. Mr. Bennet moved to the door.
“Allen, I shall remain in the hall so that you may have a moment of privacy to take your leave.” He stepped out and closed the door behind him.
Allen took her hand and bowed over it. “Miss Bennet, it has been my pleasure to be in your company these past three weeks. They have been among the happiest of my life. Darcy spoke with me today upon the mount, and has made me to understand that you have loved him for many months. I had hoped to win your heart away from him, but I see now that it is not so. I wish you to know that when we meet again in London, I shall not hold this againstyou, for you shall always possess that portion of my heart which I placed in your keeping here.”
Tears fell down her cheeks. She raised his hand to her lips and kissed his bare knuckles.
“Had Mr. Darcy not returned, sir, my heart would have been entirely in your care. I would have married you and been very happy.”
“I know it, for I saw it in your eyes. But it was not to be.”
Then he, in his turn, lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her bare knuckles.
“Au revoir, Miss Bennet. I wish you every happiness.”
He released her hand and departed.
Elizabeth sank into a chair and wept.
Chapter 48: Reconciliation
Darcy stood in the drawing room, looking out the window as he awaited the Bennet carriage. The Bingleys were seated together upon a couch near the hearth, engaged in quiet conversation. Darcy felt a pang of envy as he observed how well-suited they were to one another, and how content they appeared in each other’s company. His thoughts spun in his head. How am I to reach Elizabeth?
She had reason enough to distrust him, and even to resent him.
The sound of wheels upon the drive reached him, and he went out to hand the ladies from the carriage. Mr. Bennet descended first, and Darcy handed Kitty down. They proceeded into the house, while he remained to assist Georgiana. She threw herself into his arms.
“Fitzwilliam, I have missed you. What a lovely surprise to see you here this evening.”
He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Georgie, have you grown? You reach my chin.”
“I have. We let down my hems an entire inch.”
“Where is Miss Bennet?”
Georgiana’s countenance fell. “Lizzy is unwell this evening, with a headache. She took to her bed, but her father promised to bring her a custard. It is her favorite, and perhaps she will feel equal to eating it when we return.”
Cold disappointment took hold of him. He would not see Elizabeth that night.
He escorted Georgiana into the house and took his seat beside her, listening as she related her news. During dinner, he observed every expected civility and propriety, though his attention strayed, for his thoughts remained fixed upon Elizabeth. Perhaps he would find her upon Oakham Mount. He determined to rise early and wait for her, even if it took up the entire day.
It was still dark when Darcy rode his horse the three miles to Oakham Mount the next morning. When he reached the summit, he dropped the reins and left Ares to graze while he paced the height, considering what he might say to Elizabeth to incline her heart toward him, to obtain her forgiveness, and to begin again.
At daybreak, he spotted her walking up the path from her home. He remained where he was, wondering whether she would turn back when she saw him. Elizabeth did not attend to her surroundings, for she kept her eyes on the path, minding her footing in the dim light. He saw her dog running in and out of the wood that bordered the path, but it raised no alarm.
When she reached the summit, she turned to watch the sunrise. Darcy did the same. The sky was streaked with purple and maroon, then shifted to orange and at last to a deep gold. It was a magnificent sight, and he stood absorbed in it. As the day began to brighten, he turned to Elizabeth, who stood some twelve yards from him.
“Elizabeth.” He called in a low, imploring voice.
