Page 155 of Bitterness of Spirit & The Painting

While Darcy knew the meaning of falling in love quite well, and had suffered from it for months, Elizabeth had only just begun to learn it. But the strength of their feelings was mutual, although not a word was said about it.

The second time they met, Darcy was already sitting on the shore and Elizabeth walked towards him. They exchanged only a smile and he invited her to sit next to him, placing his coat on the wet pebbles.

They sat in silence for a while, waiting for the sun to rise, until Elizabeth could not restrain herself any longer from speaking her mind.

“Mr Darcy, I have long wished to apologise,” she began.

“Apologise? Why would you?”

“Why? Because I have been uncivil and foolish and prejudiced, and I have accused you most undeservedly. To think of all the words I said—”

“Miss Bennet, I am begging you to stop. I am the one who should apologise and I have avoided doing so until now, as I feared the recollection of my dreadful behaviour might upset you.”

“No, it was not your behaviour that upset me, but mine. I shall not be so hypocritical as to deny that the manner of your address angered me… You well know that already. And I did blame you for the harm caused to my sister—”

“I deserved that, Miss Bennet. As it is plain to see, you were right and I was completely wrong. If not for you, my friend would have lost his chance for happiness—”

“No, I deserve no credit for Mr Bingley’s present happiness. It was you who admitted your fault and remedied it.”

“But it was you who forced me to see my error, from behind my foolish arrogance, selfishness and conceit.”

“I was guilty of arrogance and prejudice too, Mr Darcy. All the other offences I threw at you so undeservedly were the result of my misjudgement and silly misplaced trust. I was blinded by the appearance of goodness and flattered by attentions that were deceptive and harmful.”

“Your prejudice, if there was any, was the result of my manners and actions during the time I spent in Hertfordshire. I am appalled remembering my behaviour.”

“So am I, sir.”

He turned his head to her and she looked at him, meeting his gaze. The little smile was there, pressed between his lips, exposing his dimples again.

“Should we continue to argue over who owns the greatest share of guilt, Miss Bennet? You should know I am decided not to change my opinion on this matter,” he teased her in a flirtatious tone.

“So am I, sir. You said I was determined, and I am ready to prove it.”

“Then we will need many other meetings to carry on this debate.”

“So it seems…”

“Perhaps we may continue during your journey to Derbyshire. I would be honoured and happy to have you all as my guests at Pemberley. My sister would be delighted to make your acquaintance.”

She forgot to breathe and her heart skipped a beat, while she struggled to understand his meaning.

“My aunt has long desired to see Pemberley again,” she whispered. “She would be honoured by such an invitation.”

“I am glad to hear it…” he paused a moment, then continued. “And you?”

“I would be happy to see Pemberley. And to meet Miss Darcy. Very happy indeed,” she managed to reply.

“We will eagerly wait for you…and your relatives, of course. I hope you will approve of Pemberley.”

“I am sure I will, from everything I have heard of it. Everyone who has seen it praises Pemberley.”

“Perhaps. But your opinion is most important to me. I hope you do not mind me saying so, Miss Bennet.”

“I do not mind, sir. Quite the opposite,” she admitted, then turned her eyes away from him to look ahead of her.

“Look!” she exclaimed, briefly touching his hand with hers.

He reluctantly averted his gaze from admiring her face, at the perfect moment to watch together the first appearance of the sun, as though it had been resting deep in the sea and was now painting the sky bright colours.