Page 64 of Bitterness of Spirit & The Painting

“I shall join them too,” said Mr Wilson. “And I shall make sure we have plenty of time to admire Pemberley. It is the place in England I missed the most while I was away. From what I remember, there is no more beautiful park or more handsome manor, so perfectly situated beside its lake.”

“I remember the same although I never had the chance to see the house inside,” Mrs Gardiner added.

Darcy nodded. “Then let this be the opportunity, Mrs Gardiner. My sister and I shall be delighted to have you all. Perhaps Miss Bennet or Mr Bennet will decide to travel with you. We can fish, or ride, or walk in the park, and Pemberley has an extensive library for those who enjoy reading,” Darcy said with growing enthusiasm while Elizabeth’s heart pounded and her cheeks turned crimson.

On this, there could be no doubt: his generous invitation was issued mainly for her. He still wanted her in his home after her horrible mistreatment and inconsiderate accusations.

“Thank you, Mr Darcy; you are very kind, and I look forward to finally seeing Pemberley after everything I have heard about it,” Elizabeth whispered.

“Excellent,” he said hastily.

“We should be at Pemberley for the summer too. Am I right, Mr Darcy?” Miss Bingley inquired.

He barely took his eyes off Elizabeth. “Yes, of course. I invited Bingley and his family to spend the summer with us,” he explained.

“I might be tempted to come too,” Colonel Fitzwilliam confessed.

“Well, do not count on me yet,” Bingley suddenly declared. “I am not sure how I shall spend the summer. I have decided to open Netherfield, and there are several things I want to take care of. So my plans are not completely settled.”

Miss Bennet turned to him, holding her breath, her lips half parted in astonishment.

Miss Bingley dropped her fork, and Mrs Hurst choked on a piece of meat.

Mr Wilson called the footmen to serve the next course.

∞∞∞

Another three hours passed before the guests left. Their time was filled with music, card games, and talk of attendance at future meetings and common events.

Entertaining conversation was mostly carried on by Colonel Fitzwilliam, Mr and Mrs Gardiner, and the master of the house. Mr Bennet participated more than usual, Bingley’s sisters less than in the past.

Bingley and Jane remained close together the entire time. He showed no restraint in his attempt to please her and gain absolution for abandoning her five months earlier. And he was completely oblivious to the fact that no effort was needed as she had readily granted him her forgiveness and genuine affection the moment they met in Hyde Park.

Darcy and Elizabeth barely spoke, nor did they happen to be near one another again. But their gazes exchanged across the room, smiles of mutual understanding, and conversations that showed their common opinions on many subjects brought them together for the first time in their stormy acquaintance.

Chapter 16

That night, Darcy slept well for the first time in many months and felt rested when the sun shone into his room.

His valet woke him, inquiring after his health.

“I am well, perfectly well indeed. It is a beautiful day, is it not?” He walked to the window as his valet watched him with increasing concern.

Darcy smiled to himself. Yes, he was completely different from the day before; he was fully aware of that. Even his image in the mirror as he was shaved looked different.

The dinner party went better than he could have hoped—first, because Bingley easily reconciled with Miss Bennet, making Darcy wonder whether he had been a complete fool or just biased and disdainful when he presumed her indifference towards Bingley; second, because Elizabeth also had taken the first timid steps towards reconciling with him.

Although he was still afraid to assume too much, her brief statements, little smiles, serene smiling eyes holding his, and—most of all—her immediate agreement to visit Pemberley left no room for misunderstanding.

He did not dare guess the nature of her feelings, but hatred and anger were long gone. At least, she was willing to accept his company—and perhaps even his friendship.

However, that was not enough for him, and it only left his soul dissatisfied and wanting more, much more. But he would not allow himself to hurry and ruin everything once again. He resolved to dedicate his energy and time to accomplish what he felt was unnecessary to do before: to slowly conquer her heart, show her his admiration and affection, and let her sketch his character—as she intended last year during their dance at the Netherfield ball.

Strangely, despite her obvious closeness with his cousin, he was not jealous of the colonel. Richard’s manners towards Elizabeth appeared different from those with other women. And having the chance to see Elizabeth’s interactions with Bingley, Darcy could see the similarity. He understood there was no danger from that quarter.

The only danger lay in his manners and behaviour that still needed improvement. But he hoped he had made a few steps in the right direction—towards Elizabeth.

“Sir, Mr Bingley is here,” a servant informed him.