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“That is a matter for another time. As grateful as I am to welcome you to Pemberley after all these years, I suppose what I really am trying to say is I would not expect too much to become of your trip.”

“You know your son better than I do, of course. However, I would not be so quick to wager that young Darcy’s heart is not easily touched. Surely you have observed how he looks at my daughter when he supposes no one is looking.”

“I will neither deny nor confirm your point, however I would ask you this. Of which of your two lovely daughters do you speak?”

“That, my friend, is indeed the question. You know me too well not to take my meaning, and thus I shall say no more. Besides, it is my turn to pose a question.”

“Oh? What is that?”

“This matter that you wish to speak of at a later time, might it have anything to do with your health?”

Darcy pursed his lips. “Your powers of perception have never failed to impress me, my old friend. Indeed, it has everything to do with my health. Pray you will join me for a walk about the grounds, and I shall confide in you that which I have yet to speak of with my own flesh and blood.”

The two gentlemen set off for a long, leisurely stroll. One talked. The other listened. When almost everything that could be said was said and compassionate sentiments and sympathetic words were all but exhausted, the latter said, “And you have told no one about this? Not even your own son?”

The other man nodded. “Indeed, I have not.”

“But why in heavens not—if I may be allowed to ask?”

“I am a proud man. More than that, I am a private man. I will not have people making a fuss over me. Heaven forbid I should be subjected to anyone’s pity. I have lived life to the fullest, my friend—each and every day, on my own terms.

“If I could change but one thing, my dearest wife, Lady Anne, would not have preceded me in death.” Here, he could not help but smile in remembrance of his lady. “How I wish the events of our respective lives had not conspired to keep us apart for so long, my friend. I believe you would have loved her. She was nothing at all like her sister, Lady Catherine—let me assure you.”

Bennet nodded. “By the sound of it, the two of you were very much in love,” he said, wishing he could espouse similar sentiments regarding his own situation.

“A love match in the truest sense of the word, which is precisely why neither of us would wish for anything less for our children, I am sure.”

“No less, indeed,” Bennet replied. “No less, indeed.”

And this from a man who had married a woman who possessed far more beauty than intellect. The fact of the matter was for a man whose property consisted almost entirely in an estate of two thousand a year, he had done a poor job of managing his affairs—both personal as well as financial. Were he to precede his wife in death, the unfortunate lady might very well be thrown out of Longbourn into the hedgerows. An advantageous marriage by one or more of his five daughters would be just the thing to make up for his own lapses. But having witnessed first-hand the results of an alliance not based on a true meeting of the minds, one that lacked mutual admiration and respect, he honestly did not wish for such a union for either of his girls. Not even an alliance with the most eligible young man in Derbyshire.

CHAPTER 13

SOLE COMPANION

Miss Georgiana Darcy was set to return to Pemberley within a few days. Already Elizabeth had heard a great deal about the young lady, for no one boasted more of the young woman’s accomplishments than Miss Bingley. The young lady’s eager commendations echoed in Elizabeth mind: “I never met with anybody who delighted me so much. Such a countenance, such manners! And so extremely accomplished for her age! Her performance on the pianoforte is exquisite.”

With such accomplishments as all these and not yet sixteen, Elizabeth could hardly wait to meet young Miss Darcy.

On the other hand, if the two of them are so intimate as Miss Bingley suggests, I wonder how Miss Darcy will react to our being here, Elizabeth silently reflected. Despite the difference in the ages of the Darcy siblings, Elizabeth surmised based upon her earlier conversation with Mr. Darcy regarding his sister that he must surely hold her in great esteem. Despite having never seen the two of them together, Elizabeth surmised he would do everything in his power to see to his sister’s happiness.

Closing her book, Elizabeth shook her head. Must my every thought lead me back to Fitzwilliam Darcy? She set her book aside and stood. Smoothing her dress, she said aloud, “I think I shall seek out my sister. She and I do not spend nearly so much time together as we ought. She is, after all, the reason I am here.”

A casual glance out the window, put an end to that particular scheme of spending a few hours or so before dinner with her sister, for she espied Jane and Mr. Bingley sitting in the garden, no doubt engaged in pleasant repartee, were Elizabeth to judge by Bingley’s animated manner. Not quite knowing what to make of the gentleman’s eager attention toward her sister, she began to wonder if the young man was even aware of the reason for the Bennets’ presence at Pemberley.

Unless, I am mistaken, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy are close friends. Surely the latter would have spoken to his friend about his own intentions toward my sister.

Or lack thereof, another part of her whispered. Before she could chastise herself for doubting Mr. Darcy’s intentions, the gentleman appeared just ahead on the path. Although, not alone, for he was heading in Jane and Bingley’s direction with Miss Bingley attached to his arm.

The looming spectacle of it all was too much for Elizabeth to ignore, and she staked out a spot by the window to watch the unfolding events. What a relief it was to see Mr. Darcy free himself from his tenacious walking companion and attend Jane. What a pleasure it was to espy Miss Bingley’s unmitigated dismay. Elizabeth might have suffered an occasional doubt from time to time about the gentleman’s affections for her sister, but she was utterly and completely satisfied that he had absolutely no intentions toward Miss Bingley. Watching the lady pretend otherwise proved quite entertaining indeed.

As entertaining as it was watching the four of them, Elizabeth’s diversion was soon ended. Miss Caroline, no doubt in her eagerness to get Jane as far away from Mr. Darcy as she could, reached for Jane’s arm and not so subtly coaxed her away from the gentlemen, who then set off in the direction of the stables. It seemed horseback riding was the order of the day for the men and a leisurely stroll for the ladies.

Not content to see her sister spend any time alone with the pernicious Miss Bingley, Elizabeth surrendered her spot by the window. If I am quick about it, I will reach Jane and her cunning companion before they get very far.

Eagerly, Elizabeth headed down the grand staircase with the intention of joining Jane and Miss Bingley. In her haste, she nearly collided with none other than Fitzwilliam Darcy. Once again, she found herself in his arms. Her heart slammed against her chest. Her embarrassment almost complete, she uttered, “Mr. Darcy!”

His hands resting on either of her arms, he said, “Miss Elizabeth.” As if remembering himself, he dropped his hands to his sides and then clasped them behind his back.