Yet trust and respect did not seem sufficient to describe her feelings. There was yet something more, something Elizabeth could not define, yet felt obscurely to be dangerous. Mr Darcy had alwaysthought himself far above her. There was no reason that should have changed. Indeed, in wealth and consequence, their lives were worlds apart.
Elizabeth let out a long breath, pushing the confusing feelings away. She was pleased to see him again. She looked forward to their next meeting. For now, she would let that be enough.
Chapter 16
The gardens at Rosings Park, though extensive and carefully maintained, possessed less of natural beauty than of deliberate arrangement. Every path appeared to have been planned with a particular effect in mind, and even the trees, though grown to maturity, seemed placed rather than discovered. It was a landscape designed to impress, and while it could not be denied that it succeeded, the impression it produced was not always one of ease.
Nonetheless, Darcy walked there often during his visits to Rosings. On one morning early in their stay, the pleasures of the grounds were added to considerably by the company of Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam.
Fitzwilliam, who rarely allowed formality to govern his enjoyment of anything, had already adapted himself to the surroundings with complete indifference to their grandeur. As they turned along one of the broader walks, he cast a look toward Georgiana that carried amusement as well as sympathy.
“Well, my dear cousin,” he said, “you have now seen Rosings under its most favourable conditions. I think it only fair to ask whether you regret your decision.”
Georgiana looked at him, a slight colour rising to her cheeks. “My decision?”
“To come at all,” he said. “We warned you, after all. You were not misled as to what you might expect.”
“Georgiana has acquitted herself very well,” Darcy said, glancing toward her with quiet approval. “There is no reason to suppose my sister regrets joining the visit.”
Fitzwilliam smiled. “I am not so certain. There are trials yet to come. Our aunt is not always content to exhaust herself in a single day.”
Georgiana’s lips curved, though she did not immediately answer. “It has been difficult,” she said at last, choosing her words with care, “but I am glad that I came.”
Fitzwilliam raised his brows slightly. “Glad?”
“Yes,” she said, more steadily. “I should regret it now if I had been too cowardly to join you. I am glad that I tried, however difficult our aunt may be.”
Darcy looked at her more directly. There was still hesitation in her manner, but it no longer governed her entirely. “You are right,” he said. “It isbetter to discover what one can endure than to avoid the trial altogether.”
Georgiana seemed to take comfort in this. “It makes me feel,” she added after a moment, “as though I have grown a little.”
Fitzwilliam gave a small laugh. “Then Rosings may be said to have some use after all.”
Darcy smiled warmly at his sister. “I believe you are growing up, Georgiana.”
Georgiana glanced between them, her expression softening. “You are both very kind.”
“Not kind,” Fitzwilliam said. “Merely observant. It is no small thing to withstand our aunt without retreat.”
“I have not always been composed,” she said.
“You have been composed enough,” Darcy replied. “And more importantly, you have not allowed discomfort to determine your conduct.”
She considered this, then inclined her head as though accepting the distinction.
They walked on for a short distance without speaking; in the absence of conversation, the gravel crunched audibly beneath their steps. The morning was mild, and though the season had not yet fully declared itself, there was a sense of change in the air.
Georgiana’s attention, which had beendirected ahead, shifted after a few moments as though some thought had occurred to her which she was not entirely certain how to express. She walked on in silence for several steps, then glanced toward Darcy with a hesitation that did not escape him.
“Brother,” she said, “may I ask you something?”
“You may always ask me anything,” he replied.
Georgiana seemed reassured by this, though she still spoke with care. “It concerns our cousin.”
Darcy understood her immediately. “You are speaking of Anne?”
“Yes.” Georgiana lowered her eyes briefly before continuing. “I do not think I have ever seen her walk as we are doing now. She always appears…so still. I wondered whether she is unwell, or whether she is not permitted to do more.”
