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“Mr Darcy! Miss Darcy! What an honour!” Mr Gardiner exclaimed, hurrying down the staircase and bowing formally but joyfully. “I intended to send you a note to announce our arrival!”

“I asked Mr Wood, the innkeeper, to inform me when you arrived,” Darcy explained, and Elizabeth blushed in astonishment. So he had wished to know!

He continued, looking from Elizabeth to her uncle. “As I told Miss Bennet, we do not intend to disturb you after your long journey.”

“Oh, no, you do not disturb us. We are honoured by your visit and happy to receive you. Mrs Gardiner is waiting upstairs. Could you stay awhile? Perhaps take tea and refreshments? Or a drink?”

Mr Gardiner seemed unusually anxious, more so than Elizabeth had ever seen him. Darcy looked at her again, making her wonder what his gaze concealed. In the past, she could read looks and expressions, but in his presence she seemed to have lost that ability.

“A drink would be most welcome,” Darcy replied. The innkeeper immediately summoned a servant to bring a tray of drinks and refreshments.

Together they went upstairs and entered the Gardiners’ parlour, with some difficulty finding seats for everyone. Further greetings and accounts of their journey followed in a cheerful but somewhat formal manner. For the first time in her life, those rules of decorum amused Elizabeth instead of irritating her. She was content to listen and wonder about their unexpected visit, turning her attention from Darcy to his sister.

“Bingley sent me a letter,” Darcy told Elizabeth. “He seems quite content at Netherfield and informs me that your family are well. He also tells me he has been hunting with Mr Bennet.”

“Indeed, Jane wrote to me too,” Elizabeth replied. “It seems Mr Bingley is alone. I confess I was surprised that his sisters did not join him.”

“They are accustomed to visiting Pemberley at this time of year and doubtless had other plans when Bingley changed his,” Darcy explained.

“Yes, I imagine they must be disappointed to have missed a visit to Pemberley. But Mr Bingley has no reason to be dissatisfied, I hope?”

“I am certain he has no cause for concern,” Darcy replied.

They looked at one another for a long moment before Darcy turned to Elizabeth’s aunt. “Mrs Gardiner, how did you find Lambton? Do you remember it?”

“I have scarcely seen it. I look forward to seeing more tomorrow. I am sure I shall love it just as much as before.”

“Have you decided how long you will stay in Derbyshire?” Darcy asked.

“Most likely a fortnight,” Mr Gardiner replied.

“Excellent. That should give us time for some fishing parties. Everything has been arranged. I merely lacked another gentleman to join me.”

“You need not fear on that account, sir,” Mr Gardiner replied eagerly. “Few things delight me more than fishing!”

“Then I am certain you will enjoy fishing around Pemberley. As for the ladies, Georgiana will help them find some entertainment while we are wandering about the lakes and streams,” Darcy concluded, looking at Elizabeth as if he wanted her approval.

“Oh yes!” Miss Darcy exclaimed. “We have the phaeton ready for a drive through Pemberley Park. But what we do afterwards I shall leave entirely to you.”

“And if you have no other engagements, we should be very pleased to receive you at Pemberley tomorrow morning and have you stay for dinner,” Darcy added.

“That would be an honour…well, in fact, it will be a great pleasure,” Mrs Gardiner replied with a smile, those few words suddenly making them all more at ease.

“Thank you, Mrs Gardiner. I assure you that we feel the same,” he replied, gesturing affectionately towards his smiling sister, who nodded in agreement.

His manners and tone were now so friendly that the entire party was surprised. He took genuine pleasure in their company, finally at ease and eager to know them better.

“To visit Pemberley is something I have long wished for,” Mrs Gardiner said delightedly.

“Well…” Darcy paused, looking at each of them. “I do not wish to interfere with your plans, but please remember that we have several rooms prepared for you at Pemberley, should you be willing to stay. Dining there and returning to the inn afterwards may be inconvenient. However, the invitation remains whenever you wish to accept it. I imagine you have many friends and relations eager to see you. As for us, you need not concern yourselves. You are welcome at any time.”

His consideration and that extraordinary offer left Mr and Mrs Gardiner silent with astonishment. Such an honour was beyond anything they had expected, and they had no doubt he was doing all this for Elizabeth.

“Thank you,” she said. “Much depends upon my aunt and uncle.”

Her words were ordinary, but her voice betrayed her happiness. She ceased trying to conceal her feelings and allowed herself to enjoy the newly discovered pleasure of being the object of his interest. On that point, she had no doubts left. What else he intended, she dared not presume. For the moment, it was more than enough.

“Mr Darcy, we scarcely know how to thank you for your generosity. I desire nothing more than to fish and perhaps spend some time in your library during our stay in this part of the country. We shall therefore accept your kind invitation as often as possible. You are very generous to make us so welcome.”