“He is never humble,” Elizabeth said with a smile in her voice. She looked at Darcy with shining eyes. “He mistakes himself.”
Darcy laughed, and he felt like he was floating up above the clouds, like a bird, effortlessly swooping round and round in circles.
“That would delight us all very much.” Mrs. Gardiner expressively looked towards Elizabeth, whose countenance was pink but pleased. “I spent my girlhood near your estate, at Lambton, and I have seen the grounds a few times — I’d swear there is no prettier park in all of England.”
“Lambton! Do you know that large chestnut on the green? I used to climb it as a child,” Darcy replied.
“Did you? I think every child who sees that tree feels such a need. I certainly did.”
They all laughed.
Darcy and his party stayed for dinner that night, and it was full of conversation, noise, children running about, people speaking, and happiness. Colonel Fitzwilliam sat near Jane and engaged her in conversation at every opportunity he had. Georgiana found herself happily surrounded by the Gardiner children who had quickly learned that she could be convinced into participating in any of their games, and that she was more than merely willing to work scissors, cut ribbons and help to trim little bonnets for their dolls.
Other guests came to the house, the Lucases,sansthe daughter who had married Mr. Collins, the Gouldingss, and several of the officers. More tumult than Darcy liked, and he was still tired after days and days of travel, but he was happy just watching Elizabeth no matter what the environment.
After dinner he sat in the corner of the drawing room and politely made conversation with Sir William. The good knight was too garrulous, but also very good natured. Elizabeth came and sat next to him, and possessed his hand, and they discussed the most recent letters from Charlotte Lucas about how she was setting the parsonage at Hunsford into a shape that she was happy with.
Mr. Gardiner for another half hour came by, and after establishing that he likelywouldvisit them in the summer, perhaps as part of an extended trip where they would also visit the Lakes, they discussed matters of politics, and the provision of the army — which touched on his business. Darcy found him an astute observer upon matters, and he castigated himself once more for his foolishness in having refused to meet the gentleman earlier.
When Mr. Gardiner left to enter another conversation, Elizabeth stayed seated next to him, variously talking to the Miss Gouldings, Miss Maria Lucas, and her sisters. Slowly, enjoying the warmth, a bit of mulled wine, and ample food Darcy dozed off into a sleep.
Chapter Twenty Three
Mr. Darcy looked… young, sweet, defenseless, and… adorable when he had fallen asleep next to her.
Elizabeth understood quite well from what Darcy had said in his letters and in conversation during the course of the afternoonwhyhe had been sleepy enough to fall asleep in company.
She still enjoyed seeing it.
Her heart was full of both happiness and worry.
Every time she glanced away from his face for a moment, and then looked back, she felt anew that little shock in her stomach at how handsome he looked. She felt anew that sense of adoration, that need for him.
She had missed him very much, and she had not even realized how much until she saw him stepping out of the carriage.
A part of Elizabeth wished to simply forget everything, to have no further conversation — but sheknew,knewthat she must speak seriously with Darcy once more before they could marry… before she could even count with entire confidence upon the marriage.
Everything he said or did filled her with hope.
He invited her aunt and uncle to dine with them in London, and then beyond that he invited them to Pemberley.
Each time she thought upon it, Elizabeth felt a thrill of joy go through her. It was impossible for her to not see this as a compliment to herself.
Later in the evening, Elizabeth noted with an equally deep satisfaction that Darcy’s evident enjoyment of a conversation with Mr. Gardiner about how the army in Spain was supplied with gold for its salary and operations wasnota compliment to her. Darcy actually liked her uncle for his own sake.
She was happy that she had been able to introduce him to those of her connections whose manners and mind she had no reason to blush for.
In truth, despite the anxiety of knowing that they must still speak seriously, Elizabeth had never enjoyed an evening so much.
Darcy called early the next morning to ride with Elizabeth.
Their pace was sedate and careful, and they were followed by Mr. Brown who called out orders for her to shift her posture, sit up straighter, keep the heels pointed correctly, thumbs up with the reins, loose elbows and arms. Day by day both the soreness of riding and the frequency of corrections lessened.
And Mr. Darcy’s smile as he rode next to her thrilled her. She could envision years and years of riding together, enjoying the trails and pathways oftheirestate.
She had already realized how mucheasierit was to reach everywhere on horseback than it was on foot. The extra speed changed Oakham Mount from the furthest extent that she might go in a morning, to simply a stopping point on the way to other vistas.
Once they returned to Longbourn, Elizabeth found another domestic scene that she enjoyed.
