Page 19

“It does…but who could possibly find fault with such beauty? I cannot express how much I admire it.”

“I am happy to hear it,” he replied with a slight smile as their eyes met. “Come, let me lead the way. Georgiana awaits us, and there is much more to see.”

He urged his horse onward, and the coachman followed. In the full sunlight, they could see the carvings and other details of the house’s stone front.

“It is marvellous,” Elizabeth murmured to herself, and even if Darcy did not hear her words, her expression left him in no doubt of her admiration.

As they approached, they saw a wide flight of steps leading to the entrance, with neatly tended gardens on either side, full of flowers bright in the sunlight.

Darcy quickly dismounted, and a servant took his horse. Miss Darcy, accompanied by Mrs Annesley and the housekeeper, Mrs Reynolds, soon emerged.

Darcy helped the ladies out of the carriage and made the necessary introductions. “Mrs Reynolds, please have the luggage taken to our guests’ chambers.”

“Certainly, sir. Everything has been arranged, and refreshments are waiting in the drawing room. Tom and Stevens also have everything ready for the fishing.”

“Excellent,” he replied.

Mrs Gardiner exchanged a glance with her niece at this proof of his attentiveness. She saw Elizabeth blush and remain silent, but she also noticed that precious light in her face which had been there since Mr Darcy appeared.

They climbed the steps and entered a spacious hall, then followed their hosts into an elegant drawing room, where a large table held cold meats, sweets, fruit and drinks, and two maids waited to serve them.

Elizabeth sat beside Georgiana, and when all his guests had taken their places, Darcy drew a chair next to the young ladies’ settee.

“I have received another letter from Bingley,” Darcy told them. “He seems so happy that his letter is even more difficult to understand than usual. I have rarely known such a fine man with such terrible handwriting.”

“I am delighted to hear that Mr Bingley is in high spirits,” Elizabeth replied.

“Yes, so am I,” Darcy answered with a significant look.

“Well, forgive my impatience, but much as I appreciate the food and drink, I am eager to begin fishing,” Mr Gardiner admitted with a smile.

“Indeed, I had forgotten. And we have not yet shown you the house. Perhaps you would like to see it first?”

“Do not trouble yourself, brother. I shall gladly show them the house if you are eager to begin fishing,” Georgiana offered.

Darcy glanced at Elizabeth, then at Mr Gardiner, before reluctantly agreeing. Even as the gentlemen left the room, his gaze lingered on her, and she received it with delight.

He wondered whether Georgiana and the colonel were right about Elizabeth’s changed attitude and her possible interest in him. She lowered her eyes from time to time, which might suggest shyness, but he did not remember her being timid. On the contrary, she had always been ready to defend her beliefs and opinions. Yet now she often looked away when he looked at her, but when their eyes finally met, something new appeared in her expression. Was the change real, or did he merely see what he wished to see? He could not be certain of her feelings, however much he hoped.

∞∞∞

Once the gentlemen had left, Elizabeth became a little quieter, but Mrs Gardiner and Georgiana grew more animated. When Georgiana told Mrs Reynolds that Mrs Gardiner came from Lambton, the housekeeper remembered a young Maddie Green.

The gentlemen spent the afternoon fishing, but Elizabeth seemed to find something of Mr Darcy in every room. The more she saw of Pemberley, the more she grew attached to it, and the less she wished to leave.

The afternoon passed pleasantly as Georgiana showed them the house, and it was soon time to return to their rooms and dress for dinner.

Alone in her guest room, Elizabeth looked about her with pleasure and curiosity, unable to stop wondering what the mistress’s chambers might look like. She was in Mr Darcy’s home, wondering what her life would have been like had she accepted his proposal. She prepared for dinner, admiring the room and the view and imagining an ordinary day at Pemberley.

They gathered in the dining room, where the table had been elegantly laid. Since they were only among themselves, they took their places with little ceremony, Darcy and Georgiana at opposite ends, Mrs Gardiner and Mrs Annesley on one side and Elizabeth and Mr Gardiner on the other.

Dinner and the whole evening were so delightful that Elizabeth felt increasingly at ease. The food, the table and the care of the servants left nothing to be desired, but above all, she enjoyed the friendliness and warmth of their hosts. They talked and laughed, and she was surprised by Mr Darcy’s openness and good humour. His smile made him even more handsome, and although she still felt a little flustered by his attention, she was glad to meet and hold his gaze.

When dinner ended, Mr Darcy asked his sister to play for them. After a brief hesitation, Georgiana agreed. “But only if Miss Bennet will do me the favour of keeping me company.”

“Gladly,” Elizabeth replied. “But I must warn you that I cannot play as well as you. You may regret asking me.”

“I am sure I shall not. My brother has told me that he has heard you play and sing, and that it greatly pleased him.”