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Elizabeth watched Darcy walk away, a bemused expression on her face. Mr. and Mr. Gardiner shared a look after noting their niece’s visage.
“What a very pleasant young man,” remarked Mrs. Gardiner. “I saw nothing that would lead me to believe him capable of the behaviors you described upon first meeting him, Lizzy.”
“Mr. Darcy was very gracious in his greeting to us and his offer to show us the park,” agreed her husband.
In a subtle tone, Mrs. Gardiner added, “Perhaps he is somewhat shy in company and feels free to be himself when at home. Many people are more comfortable in such a setting.”
Though Elizabeth heard the remarks addressed to her, she was unable to formulate a coherent reply. Towards me, Mr. Darcy behaved with such consideration, and he was not angry to find me here. Could it be he took heed of my reproofs regarding his behavior? Would he do this for me?
“Elizabeth, are you well?” Her aunt’s worried tone finally broke through her confusion.
“I am quite well, only very surprised. Mr. Darcy was more cordial than I have ever seen him.” She knew her aunt had quickly seen to the heart of the matter in suggesting that Darcy may be shy. Had he not told her so himself? Aloud she said, “You must be correct, Aunt, about what could cause such different behaviors in the gentleman.”
Mrs. Gardiner was very perceptive, and she knew Elizabeth very well. There was more to this story than her niece had yet shared. Perhaps with some gentle coaxing, she could persuade Elizabeth to confide in her. For as Helen Gardiner saw it, Mr. Darcy appeared to be attracted to Elizabeth, and it would certainly be an outstanding match for her dearest niece. She would have to pay close attention to the couple’s interactions during the remainder of the afternoon.
Once in the house and out of sight of his visitors, Darcy could not hide the smile on his face as he raced up the stairs to his suite, startling his staff by shouting orders as he went. Taking a few minutes to arrange a surprise with Mrs. Reynolds, he placed himself in the competent hands of one of the footmen. Darcy was bathed and dressed within twenty minutes and rejoined his guests in the garden.
“The carriage awaits us before the stables. Miss Elizabeth, may I now offer you a clean arm to escort you there.” Darcy offered his arm and a brilliant smile to the young lady who owned his heart.
Elizabeth was surprised that he would attempt to tease her, and with an equally bright smile, willingly accepted his arm. He led Elizabeth in the same direction from which he had come only a short time earlier, with Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner following closely behind. Darcy handed Elizabeth into the open carriage before turning to assist Mrs. Gardner. He stepped back to allow Mr. Gardiner to enter first, but the gentleman waved him off.
“I believe with your height you would be more comfortable seated across from Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy,” the gentleman said.
A pleased smile accompanied a reply of “thank you, sir.” Darcy stepped up into the carriage and settled himself across from Elizabeth. He still wore the smile that caused Elizabeth to blush with both pleasure and confusion, for she had never again expected to receive such consideration from him after the way in which she had spoken to him during their last encounter in Hunsford.
Everyone quickly settled in the carriage. It moved past the front of the house and began its exploration of the park surrounding Pemberley. Darcy pointed out several of the scenic wonders of the estate and was gratified to see the delight in Elizabeth’s expression at the natural beauty surrounding her. Through her eyes, Darcy saw his beloved home anew. He was also thrilled by her pleasure in his home, as for many months now he had pictured her there.
After about an hour, the carriage took a track that led towards the lake. Turning her head to take in more of the view, Elizabeth exclaimed, “How lovely!” In the shade of a large spreading oak sat a small iron table and chairs. She could see upon the table a pitcher of lemonade and several plates of other delicacies for the visitors to enjoy before continuing.
A footman moved forward to let down the steps and open the door. Mr. Gardiner stepped down first and turned to hand out his wife. Darcy stepped into the place Mr. Gardiner had vacated, then offered his hand to Elizabeth. Darcy was not surprised by the pleasurable feeling he experienced as he held her hand in his. However, he was pleased to note a look of delighted surprise on Elizabeth’s face as his hand encompassed hers.
Darcy led the way to the table, assisting Elizabeth into a seat. Once everyone was comfortably settled, Darcy poured a refreshing glass of the cold drink for everyone before passing around the plates. There were strawberries and cream, biscuits, fruit tarts, and a sweet almond cake. Elizabeth teasingly asked, “Mr. Darcy, this was a delightful surprise. Do you treat all of the guests who tour your estate in such a grand fashion?”
“Indeed not, Miss Elizabeth. Though Pemberley is renowned for its hospitality, only the most special of visitors receive my personal attentions.” Darcy gave her a warm smile and hoped she understood his meaning. He hoped she could see an improvement in his manners and behavior.
Seeing Elizabeth blush at the gentleman’s words, Mrs. Gardiner nudged her husband.
“With the size of this lake and the number of streams we have observed, you must have good fishing in the area,” Mr. Gardiner said.
Darcy tore his gaze from Elizabeth to answer her uncle’s question. “There are some excellent fishing spots here at Pemberley. Do you enjoy fishing, Mr. Gardiner?”
“Very much so, Mr. Darcy, though I do not often get the chance to indulge my passion as much as I would like, residing in the city as I do.”
“I would be happy to have you join me here one morning while you are in the area. My sister and some friends are due to arrive in the area tomorrow, so I would be unable to join you. Perhaps you would care to come the following morning?”
“I would be delighted, sir.”
Darcy then turned to Elizabeth and spoke again. “Miss Elizabeth, there is one among the party tomorrow who would greatly like to make your acquaintance. Would you permit me to introduce my sister to you while you are in the area?”
A shy smile met his request. “I would very much like to meet Miss Darcy.”
“Might we call on you tomorrow afternoon? You are staying at the inn in Lambton, I believe?”
Mrs. Gardiner nodded in response to Darcy's second question before replying, “We should be delighted to have you join us for tea. Would four o’clock suit you, Mr. Darcy?”
“That should be perfect, Mrs. Gardiner. Now, if everyone has finished their refreshments, perhaps we should resume our circuit of the park.”
Darcy stood and assisted Elizabeth from her chair before offering his arm to lead her back to the carriage. The remainder of the drive passed very pleasantly for everyone in the party. Elizabeth began to relax and was able to join in the conversation more often. She even teased her host a time or two, bringing a smile to his face.
When they arrived back at the house, it was late afternoon. The Gardiner party needed to return to the inn to prepare for dinner at the home of one of Mrs. Gardiner’s friends.
“It was a true pleasure to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. I am very glad you chose to visit Pemberley today, thereby giving me the opportunity to make your acquaintance and renew my association with Miss Elizabeth.”
“The pleasure was truly ours, Mr. Darcy. You have a magnificent estate, and we received the best hospitality we have encountered during our travels.” Mr. Gardiner took his wife’s arm and moved to enter their waiting carriage.
Darcy turned to Elizabeth to take his leave of her, but she spoke before he had an opportunity.
“Mr. Darcy, when I first saw you this afternoon, I was mortified. I could not imagine what you must have thought, finding me here after our last encounter. Please allow me to apologize for my dreadful behavior in Hunsford. You did not deserve many of the rude remarks I directed towards you.”
She looked as if she would say more, but Darcy interrupted her. “Miss Elizabeth, please do not apologize. Though I was at first insulted by your words, when that feeling wore off, I realized that much of what you said was the truth and well deserved. My parents taught me better, but for so long I used my haughty mannerisms to keep simpering debutantes and their matchmaking mothers away from me. Unfortunately, it changed from a mask to my real behavior. As I reflect back, I am appalled at my conduct in Hertfordshire as well as my thoughtlessly chosen words and misplaced anger at our last meeting. I pray that you can forgive me.”
“Only if you will grant me forgiveness as well, sir.”
“That is the easiest request I have ever received. Perhaps with our misconceptions corrected and our manners improved, we could start anew while you are in the area?”
“I gratefully agree.”
Darcy held out his arm to Elizabeth and escorted her to the Gardiners’ carriage, where he handed her up into the vehicle beside her aunt. Looking at his departing guests, Darcy said, “It was a pleasure to have you here today.” He turned to look more closely at Elizabeth as he added, “I eagerly anticipate our next meeting.”
Darcy watched until the Gardiner carriage was out of sight. Then, turning into the house, he called for Mrs. Reynolds.
“You wished to speak with me, Mr. Darcy?”
“Mrs. Reynolds, please tell me of the tour you gave to the group that just left. I hope you were most welcoming to them.”
Worried the master was displeased with her for showing the library to visitors, she said, “I tried to impress them with Pemberley’s grandeur as I do all visitors, sir. I am sorry if showing them the library displeases you. The young lady indicated a slight acquaintance and requested to see the room. They did not enter the library, sir, only observed it from the doorway. The young miss indicated she could not imagine a finer personal library. From the look on her face, it had enthralled her.”
“What else did she say?” asked Darcy eagerly. “Did she make any particular remarks about the house?”
“Only that she thought it was perfect as it is. She seemed to appreciate the simple elegance of the furnishings and lack of ostentation.”
Darcy smiled. It did not surprise him that Elizabeth was pleased with Pemberley; he had seen her distaste for the opulence of Rosings Park. One of the things he most admired about Elizabeth was her taste in gowns. Darcy much preferred the simplicity of her style to the frills and furbelows with which Miss Bingley bedecked herself. Elizabeth possessed the same classic elegance as his home.
Mrs. Reynolds was astonished to see the smile on her master’s face. It had been some time since she had seen such an expression, and she wondered if the young lady was the cause of it.
“Tomorrow Mr. Bingley and his family will be arriving. They will be staying at least a fortnight. However, tomorrow afternoon I have made plans to have tea in Lambton, where I will introduce Georgiana to Miss Elizabeth. I will attempt to arrange things so that we may leave without the notice of our guests, but please see to them should they need something in our absence, and I would prefer they remain ignorant of our whereabouts.”
“Certainly, Mr. Darcy. Do you expect today’s visitors will be returning to Pemberley, sir?”
“I plan to have Georgiana issue an invitation tomorrow during tea. Mr. Gardiner has a love of fishing, and I have invited him to join the gentlemen. I wish for the ladies to spend the day with Georgiana and remain to dine with us in the evening. Please plan something special for the evening meal and seat Miss Elizabeth and Mr. Gardiner next to me, with Mrs. Gardiner and Mr. Bingley next to Georgiana. Please place Miss Bingley at a distance from Miss Elizabeth. They met when Mr. Bingley resided in Hertfordshire and for some inexplicable reason Miss Bingley has taken Miss Bennet in dislike.” The grin on her master’s face told Mrs. Reynolds that he knew the exact cause of Miss Bingley’s dislike.
Mrs. Reynolds bowed her head to hide the smile on her face. Her opinion of Miss Bennet improved if Miss Bingley disliked the young lady. “I will arrange everything as requested, Mr. Darcy, you need not worry.”
Before dismissing Mrs. Reynolds, Darcy asked to have his steward sent to his study. For the remainder of the afternoon and evening, he worked with his steward on the problem that had required his early return to Pemberley.
When he finally retired for the night, Darcy was tired but extremely happy. In his mind’s eye, he could see Elizabeth’s face as he sat across from her during the tour of the park. Her face had glowed as she observed the grounds and sights of Pemberley. Then he recalled her generous acceptance of his apology, having seen the truthfulness of her words in her eyes. The relief he had felt at obtaining that forgiveness was overwhelming. Darcy had been surprised that she felt she owed him an apology. He felt he deserved most of what she had said to him in April, but if she felt the need of his forgiveness he was more than happy to give it to her.
Tomorrow could not come soon enough!
