“But nothing is yet clear.”
“Not true,” protested the colonel. “At least one thing is clear. The woman you love is in a dreadful situation, without hope of any kind, she needs you, and still you hesitate.”
“I want her to love me. That is what I want now. I do not want her to accept my proposal because of her situation…how many times have I told you this? Yet it is so clear, accepting me because of her situation would be degrading for her.”
“Nonsense! She is too intelligent, and she prizes herself too much to accept a man only for those reasons. I accept she may not be in love, but she has strong feelings for you; it is obvious to me. I saw you talking, I saw her smile, her blush.”
“Then it is because of me.”
“Because she is in such circumstances?”
“No. Because I have changed, and the man who asked her to marry him in Kent without caring what she felt no longer exists.”
“Leave aside such grand declarations; you are the same man still. Show her your love, win her if that is what you desire, but marry her as soon as possible, for I have the impression that she herself does not know what she ought to do.”
“So I have to profit from her insecurities?”
“Profit from any circumstance, just marry her because you were made for one another. You will understand it the moment she becomes your wife. The ball is coming—”
“Very well,” said Darcy with exasperation. “The ball is coming, and I shall attempt to discover what she feels for me.”
It was not precisely the answer the colonel had hoped for. Yet it was nearer than anything Darcy had said during the previous days.
Chapter 25
Elizabeth and Mrs Cooper set out for Pemberley on a day that was not particularly bright but perfect for grouse shooting, as Mrs Cooper had explained.
“Unfortunately, the gentlemen will be away all day tomorrow,” said Mrs Cooper with a certain sadness, making Elizabeth smile, for the unspoken question was obvious.
“I do not have an answer, but I promise to reflect with equal sincerity and earnestness upon my situation and…my feelings,” was all Elizabeth said.
Mrs Cooper nodded and fell silent, respecting her decision not to speak further on that subject. Sometimes, decisions made without much preparation proved wiser.
“I have left instructions at home for our correspondence to be brought to us each day,” she added at Elizabeth’s request, for she was waiting not so much for news from Meryton as from London.
“I should like to see Pemberley.”
“And I am certain that Mr Darcy anticipated that wish,” Mrs Cooper replied with a smile. “Indeed, he promised as much.”
It would have been far better if he had conducted the tour himself, but given the shooting party, that seemed unlikely. Still, Mrs Cooper hoped that, seeing the care with which the past was preserved, together with the warmth and beauty of the place, Elizabeth would begin to appreciate him even more. For one thing, it was clear: Mr Darcy was not indifferent to her.
They were met upon the platform by Darcy, who tried in vain to conceal his eagerness, but Elizabeth refused to believe that it was entirely on her account. After all, the ball was the first in ten years, and the master of the house had every reason to be anxious.
The colonel was there as well and, in a few words, made it clear that he would take care of them, as the hosts were occupied with preparations.
“We shall be about five-and-twenty tomorrow, and for the ball itself I truly do not know, for Darcy has invited half the county,” said he.
“We wished to invite some of our parents’ friends,” said Darcy as he led them into the drawing room, for the ladies declared that they were neither tired nor wished to refresh themselves. The journey had been very short, and both were eager to see Pemberley and to walk through the gardens and the vast park surrounding the house.
“What would the ladies wish to do?” asked the colonel.
He looked at Mrs Cooper, and words became unnecessary. A connection that had existed between them since their first meeting seemed suddenly understood. In secret, each had thought often of the other, without entirely comprehending why.
“Perhaps we might see Pemberley, if you have made no other arrangements,” said Mrs Cooper.
“At present, no,” replied Darcy. “Only you have arrived.”
The discreet surprise upon Mrs Cooper’s face was noticed only by the colonel, who gave a slight nod of approval. From that moment, they became obvious conspirators, united by a single purpose: to see Elizabeth and Darcy together. Or at least so they both believed.
