Page 92 of His Pride and His Prejudice

“Mr. Darcy,” Elliot said after a moment, and if Darcy had feared that he would hear rejection and reproach in the other man’s voice, he was mistaken. Those emotions were entirely absent.

“I did not expect to see you today,” Darcy said and then cursed himself for such a nonsensical comment! Of course, he had not expected to see him!

“We had not expected you either,” Elliot said, the blush still staining his cheeks. “I mean, we were told you were away for the day. We did not come here expecting…that is…we came to tour Pemberley…and…”

“Charles and I have been walking,” Darcy said because he understood then that Elliot had not come here to see him particularly but that mattered not. He was here and that was wondrous regardless, and Darcy was going to take advantage of the fact.

“Mr. Bingley?”

“He has repaired away to ready himself for a journey,” Darcy said, and he longed to tell Elliot of all that had happened since they last met the day of his aborted proposal, but Darcy was also conscious of the fact that they were not alone. Apart from Mr. Cartwright, behind Elliot, looking quite curious indeed, were two gentlemen. One in particular looked quite intrigued. He was a good-looking, very fashionably dressed man.

“Would you be so good as to introduce me to your companions?” Darcy asked and Elliot did so in a flurry of flushes and apologies, introducing his uncles.

“It is a pleasure to meet you both,” Darcy said.

“The pleasure is ours. Your home is quite beautiful,” the younger Gardiner said.

“Indeed. I am very fortunate,” Darcy said. “You are here for a tour of the estate?”

The older Mr. Gardiner nodded before describing the extent of their tour of Derbyshire and then complimenting Darcy on the interior of the house and the style of furnishings. Mr. Gardiner’s trade was the importing of such furnishings from abroad and whilst he did not say as much his extensive knowledge came across in his words.

“I confess,” Darcy said. “I have changed very little since my mama’s passing except where Georgiana has requested me to do so.” He paused. “I lack the skills I believe to truly understand the latest interior fashions! I would welcome your advice at some point on the furnishings in the lower apartments, as I feel they are sadly in need of an update!”

Darcy saw surprise flash across Elliot’s face at those words. Not just surprise but perhaps some pleasure too?

“I would be honoured,” the older Gardiner said.

Darcy inclined his head before gesturing to the grounds. “I am interrupting your tour though, am I not? I must allow you to get on.”

Mr. Gardiner smiled. “A tour made all the more enjoyable by this meeting.”

“Then perhaps you would allow me to accompany you on the rest of it?” Darcy asked, knowing full well that the Gardiners would not refuse him. It would be the height of rudeness to do so. Still, Darcy did not direct his words at them but at Elliot who gave him a tentative smile.

Darcy’s chest swelled.

Was there cause to hope already?

The four of them set off, Mr. Cartwright having been given leave to pick up his other duties. He grinned as he left them, and Darcy knew that rather than returning to his tasks he would be off to gossip with Mrs. Reynolds and the rest of the household staff. Before long the entirety of the servants would be aware that Darcy had bowed to an omega, and they would beyond delighted if that meant that he had met someone he cared for!

They cared for him.

Darcy was very fortunate in that regard.

“Allow me to be your guide then,” Darcy said, and he gestured in front of him, and they began. Their tour took them along the valley and into the walled gardens which Darcy knew would interest Elliot. Indeed, before making his proposal, he had spent not an inconsiderable amount of time considering how delighted Elliot would be when Darcy presented them to him. Pemberley’s herb gardens had specimens that were not to be found anywhere else in the county.

The Gardiners were hugely impressed with the estate. They described their living situation in London, how they were obliged to visit Longbourn when wishing for some country air, though they had also leased a country residence for a few weeks when needed. They had also taken some recent trips abroad and Darcy found areas in common to discuss with them.

An hour passed in this way, and Darcy was surprised how enjoyable he found the Gardiners’ conversation. In truth, this was because he had not found any such ease with any of Elliot’s other relatives including the Phillipses who he had met at the Netherfield ball.

At one point the Gardiners wandered ahead to explore one of the mazes the gardener had recently created. The two men laughed as they followed one another along the paths. Darcy found himself next to Elliot, gestured for him to go ahead, and was beyond pleased when Elliot chose instead to walk next to him.

“Are you well, Mr. Bennet?” Darcy asked softly.

The hedges that made up the maze were taller than Darcy. He had requested that Mr. Cartwright lower them a little but had been thoroughly ignored, probably because Georgiana had gone behind his back and insisted. The staff of Pemberley rarely refused her.

“I am on tour with my uncles,” Elliot said.

“Yes, and are you enjoying it?” Darcy asked even as he gave great thanks to the Gardiners for transporting Elliot north.

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