“It is strange,” she said, straightening, “to think that the same water which touches our feet here has touched lands I shall never see.”
“I have often thought the same. When I was a child, I imagined that if I followed the tide long enough, I might come to those distant shores myself. Later I understood it was a dream, yet it has never wholly left me.”
Her lips curved. “I think it is a dream worth keeping.”
A wave broke closer than the last, and they both stepped back from the waterline without speaking, adjusting their course up the sand. The footman behind them did the same.
Darcy was silent a moment before saying, “Your uncle must be satisfied with Brinmouth, to have chosen it for his business. He has conducted himself with remarkable prudence in this venture.”
Elizabeth's expression brightened. “Yes. My uncle has a talent for seeing both sides of a question, and he never presses beyond what is fair. He is very much respected in town.”
“I do not doubt it. It is a quality not always found, even among those who pride themselves on judgment.”
Before he could think of anything further to say, Elizabeth spoke again. “My aunt is happy to be in your presence once more. She told me a little of her time with your mother, and of you as a boy.”
“Did she? She and my mother were often together. I was much in her company in those years.”
“She said you were like a younger brother to her.”
A shadow of warmth crossed his expression. “Madeline was very good to me. I owed her more than I ever had words to say. It is a satisfaction to see her well settled, and to know she is surrounded by so much affection.”
“She deserves it.”
Darcy inclined his head, and for some time they walked on without speaking. At length the footman, with the discretion proper to his station, drew somewhat nearer, and Darcy, understanding the caution, slackened his pace.
“I will not intrude further upon your walk, Miss Bennet.”
“You are not intruding, sir. The sea is wide enough for us both.”
He bowed, but she added, “My aunt is pleased that you accepted her invitation for tea. She looks forward to speaking further.”
“The pleasure will be mine. There is much to discuss.”
Chapter Ten
Mr. Gardiner had just laid aside his papers when Madeline looked up from her work.
“It began just as such a night ought,” she said. “A knock, a name, and there stood Fitzwilliam Darcy. I knew him at once, though the boy I remember was shy, and happiest when his mother bade me play. He would listen quietly beside us, and light up when Aunt Anne praised a passage.” Her smile softened. “I never thought to hear my maiden name spoken in my own parlour.”
Edward returned her smile. “Nor he, I think, to discover that Miss Madeline Pembroke is become Mrs. Gardiner. His surprise did him credit.”
“He recovered very well,” she agreed. “There was surprise, certainly, but I would not press him. Cousins should not feel themselves strangers.” She paused a moment. “It was Elizabeth's entrance that struck me more. My cousin's reserve is no novelty; Amelia has often complained of it. But Elizabeth looked startled, and I thought she coloured.”
Mr. Gardiner leaned back, considering. “Elizabeth’s blush, yes, I saw it too. You know her well enough to say whether it was surprise, or something more. I cannot believe they ever met, but she looked as though she had, and he as though he wished to hide it. That was what struck me.” He glanced across at his wife. “You, my dear, may read romances into such things if you like, but I would rather believe it was only her fancy stirred by a solemn stranger. Though you do seem very ready to place a gentleman at her side.”
Madeline coloured and bent to her work. “If I had such thoughts, I would say she spoke more easily with Captain Mountjoy than with my cousin. He is lively, gallant, and her replies had a spark in them.”
Edward laughed. “Gallant indeed; yet one sees the sea has shaped him. Even on half-pay, he speaks as though the tide were forever at his shoulder, calling him out again. I fancy he would never be entirely content without it.” His eyes twinkled. “Though if I listened to you, I should believe you meant to bestow Lizzy upon every gentleman in the room.”
She shook her head, smiling despite herself. “If I were such a matchmaker, why should I have seated Mr. Hargrave near her? He spoke more to her than either of the others.”
“True,” Edward said, “yet your cousin Darcy was set opposite, where he could not escape her notice.”
“And where else should I have placed him?” Madeline replied with quiet dignity. “He was my cousin, and I wished him at ease. Besides, the table has but two sides; I could not place three beside you, though I daresay you would have accused me of matchmaking if I had set the Captain there instead.”
At that moment the latch lifted, and Elizabeth entered, her cheeks touched with sea-air, a folded bonnet in her hand. The Gardiners’ talk ceased, and they greeted her with smiles as the maid stepped forward to announce that breakfast was served.
They passed together into the small dining parlour, where the table was laid with its simple abundance. Mrs. Gardiner took her place at the urn and began to pour, while her husband saw to the dishes and Elizabeth, with a thoughtful air, removed her gloves. The covers were drawn back, the toast passed, and soon the quiet order of the meal settled about them.
