“Then we shall take up the matter at Pemberley,” said Elizabeth. “While I cannot promise anything at present, I believe I may safely say I am not opposed to the notion.”
“That, Miss Elizabeth, is sufficient for the moment. The rest is my responsibility to ensure you can accept with a clear conscience.”
Elizabeth nodded and smiled and changed the subject. Anticipation for the summer in Pemberley now filled her breast. It seemed she would find something greater than the hills and valleys, the peaks and lakes of which she had spoken to her aunt.
Chapter XV
“L
izzy!”
As Elizabeth entered the room, she noted Lydia’s wild excitement and her rush toward the door where Elizabeth stood. At a more sedate pace, Georgiana, Kitty, and Mary followed, the last showing her usual disapproval for Lydia’s exuberant manners. At present, however, that censure was tempered with more than a hint of amusement.
“What a lovely place Pemberley is!” exclaimed Lydia when she came to a halt before Elizabeth. “Georgiana showed us the loveliest little nook in the formal gardens this morning. Oh, how I wishIcould live in such a place as Pemberley!”
Then the girl colored and stammered: “Of course, I should not wish to steal Mr. Darcy from you!”
“At present, Lydia,” said Elizabeth with a fond smile for the girl, “Mr. Darcy is notmineto steal.”
“But he will be soon enough,” chorused Kitty and Georgiana in a singsong tone.
The three younger girls giggled together and Mary, showing she was not so severe as she had been before, looked on, indulgence in her manner. There was little reason to reprimand the girls, for Elizabeth knew they were correct, though they did not knowhowcorrect they were. Lydia was the most interesting of the three in Elizabeth’s opinion, for these past weeks she had often behaved thus, blurting something without thinking, and retracting it soon after, whereas before she might have proceeded with an even more mortifying comment. Understanding when she might have spoken out of turn was an improvement, even if Elizabeth fervently hoped the girl would eventually progress to thinkingbeforeshe spoke.
“I cannot say you are incorrect,” said Elizabeth. “Pemberley is the loveliest estate I have ever beheld. You are fortunate to have been raised in such a place, Georgiana.”
“Should I take offense?” asked Mr. Bennet. “A few weeks in Derbyshire and the place of your birth is now of little apparent consequence.”
“Oh, Papa,” said Elizabeth, looking at him with fondness. “Idolove Longbourn, but even you must own there is something wonderful about Pemberley.”
“Yes, I suppose you must be correct,” said Mr. Bennet. “For my part, however, I think I shall confine my praise for Mr. Darcy’s excellent library. There is no room in my heart to do anything else justice.”
The book in her father’s hands attested to Mr. Bennet’s affinity for that room, as did his constant comments about how he intended to pass Longbourn off to Mr. Collins so he could while his hours away in Mr. Darcy’s library. Itdidsurprise Elizabeth that he did not spend all his time there, for while he was rarely without a book in his possession, he spent as much time reading in the sitting-room or music room as he did in the library. Whether this was because of a change in perspective or because the large house defused the noise he found so trying in his own home Elizabeth could not say. That day, she suspected he was present because of the promise of amusement.
“Well, be that as it may,” said Lydia, “I suspect you are a simpleton if you do not accept Mr. Darcy. As I know you are not, I shall expect to be his sister before long.”
“Then you may stay here with me!” exclaimed Georgiana. “For my brother and Elizabeth shall be engrossed in each other, and I shall require companions!”
The girls giggled together and moved to another part of the room, carrying on a whispered conversation between them. Mary, who often swung between the younger girls and the adults, gave Elizabeth a wry look and followed them away. If she was not as vocal or animated in their company, Elizabeth noted she inserted her opinions as often as the others.
“Somehow,” said Mr. Bennet, watching the younger girls fondly, “I doubt Darcy would wish to have a gaggle of girls underfoot for the first months of his marriage.”
Then he turned to Elizabeth and added: “What say you, Lizzy? Would you like to share the first few months of wedded bliss with all your younger sisters?”
“Perhaps not,” confessed Elizabeth. “But that is something we may resolve later.”
“If you wish it, I am certain your mother would be happy to host Georgiana at Longbourn for a time.”
Mrs. Bennet, who was seated nearby, assumed an expression of delighted contentment at the notion, proving her husband’s supposition. Elizabeth nodded at her mother and said: “Georgiana would appreciate the opportunity to stay close to her new friends. Mr. Darcy’s aunt has also spoken of hosting them for a time.”
As it always did, the mention of Mr. Darcy’s titled relations and the notion of the exalted circles in which her daughters might someday move brought an expression of stupefaction to her mother’s features. None of them had yet met the earl or the countess, though Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam both had spoken of their interest in meeting the Bennets. Elizabeth could not speak to their opinion of Mr. Darcy’s intentions toward a country miss, but those theyhadmet spoke of their liberality and kindness.
“Lady Susanisan excellent lady,” said Mrs. Gardiner. “I have known her for several years and have never found her anything less than amiable and gracious.”
“It is still a shock to know you claim an acquaintance with such people,” exclaimed Mrs. Bennet.
“I have many acquaintances,” said Mr. Gardiner. “Lord Matlock is higher than most but not the highest I can claim. I shall echo my wife’s statement—I have found few men I esteem more than Lord Matlock.”
“I am more surprised by the connection, Uncle,” said Elizabeth. “That you know many people of various levels of society I already comprehended. That you should share a friendship with Mr. Darcy’s uncle was a shock.”
