As the carriage carrying Mr. and Mrs. Bingley away from Netherfield Park disappeared from sight, Elizabeth stood with her sisters while their mother again accepted congratulations from her friends.
Mrs. Long and Lady Lucas soon gave way to her sisters, Madeline Gardiner and Lucy Philips. Mrs. Gardiner was the wife of Mrs. Bennet's brother, a man of trade who lived in London. Lucy Philips was her sister who had married a lawyer, Bertram Philips, and remained in Meryton.
Elizabeth turned as Lieutenant Wickham approached her sisters with Captain Denny in tow. Mary ducked away to stand with Mr. Bennet and the Collinses, for she did not care for the company of the soldiers.
The men were met by the girlish giggles of her younger sisters and Elizabeth wished she had joined Mary and their father.
“Ladies, how lovely you are this wonderful day. I would ask that you not take offense if I say Miss Lydia is indeed the most beautiful creature in attendance.” Lieutenant Wickham took Lydia's hand and led her away from the others, not awaiting any reply from Elizabeth or Kitty.
Captain Denny watched his friend abscond with the youngest Bennet sister before turning his attention to Elizabeth and Kitty. “He has a way with words but he is very wrong. The two of you are as lovely as Miss Lydia.”
Kitty smiled and placed her hand upon his arm. “Lydia is a silly child and must have compliments from any and every gentleman she meets whether they be true or not.”
Elizabeth held back laughter at Kitty's words. She loved compliments as much as Lydia but wished to appear far more mature in front of Captain Denny.
She excused herself and looked for her father and mother. A party would continue at Netherfield Park in celebration of the wedding, but she wished to sit in the garden for a time.
The Bennets had moved back into the ballroom with Mary and Colonel Forster and his wife. Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst appeared welcoming in their hostess duties, but Elizabeth could see the country society gathered in their home would soon wear on their nerves.
She went to her father and whispered her intent to rest for a time in the garden. He kissed her cheek and warned her not to wander away. It would appear as a slight to her new sisters. Elizabeth promised, but made a face at the reminder that Mr. Bingley's sisters were now her own.
Soon, she was seated on a stone bench in a favorite part of the garden. It swept up a small hill and afforded a wonderful view. The wind chilled her a bit and the flowers were all dead, but Elizabeth dearly admired the view from her elevated perch. She pulled her spencer tighter and shivered.
“Why would a lady prefer the gusts of winter to the warmth of a festive ballroom?”
She knew the voice and was still surprised to find Mr. Darcy had come out to join her. “I might wonder the same, sir. Why have you left the party? Did they wish for you to dance?”
He moved to join her on the bench and Elizabeth reluctantly slid over. He chuckled at her question. "I suppose it was not the party nor a dance, but a need for solitude after such a momentous occasion.”
Elizabeth found she agreed. The happiness on Jane's behalf, mingled with the sadness of knowing her relationship with her beloved sister would change, left her with a feeling of melancholy. “I do understand such a desire. The beauty of nature soothes me when I find my mind is filled with worries.”
Mr. Darcy was quiet for a moment but turned to her with a small smile. “You must not worry for your sister. Mr. Bingley loves her dearly, I think, and they shall be very happy.”
“I thought you did not wish for Mr. Bingley to marry Jane?” Elizabeth could not stop herself from reminding him of his slight against her sister.
Mr. Darcy stood and turned away. Elizabeth was pricked in her heart. She had not meant to antagonize him, but his kind words about Mr. Bingley's love for Jane had made her curious. “Please do not go, sir. I will leave you to enjoy the view.”
Elizabeth stood and moved past him. He caught her arm and she turned to find herself entirely too close to the handsome gentleman who bewildered her whenever they spoke. His eyes searched hers and Elizabeth looked away as heat filled her face.
His hand fell away. “My opinion of your sister was changed when I saw her with Bingley one day in the lane before your front door. The love in her eyes when she looked at him left me with much regret.”
“But you said your opinion was changed…”
Mr. Darcy interrupted her. “My regret was that no woman had ever looked at me that way.”
Elizabeth could find no words. She had not come to the garden for such an encounter, but she felt closer to Mr. Darcy now. He had shared more of himself with her than any other gentleman of her acquaintance.
She looked at him again, a smile lighting her eyes. “Perhaps if you were as amiable as Mr. Bingley…”
Mr. Darcy laughed heartily. “I should never achieve such a feat and so I must accept I shall never marry.”
Elizabeth regretted her tease. He would make most young ladies very happy. Miss Bingley's voice startled them both and Elizabeth left Mr. Darcy at the stone bench for she did not wish to entertain Miss Bingley's curiosity or her barbs.