With his daughter in his arms, Bingley retraced his steps to where Elizabeth and Jane still stood. “Miss Bennet, Mrs Carrington, may I introduce my daughter to you?”
“Please do, sir.”
“This is Miss Isabelle Bingley, Isabelle, this is Miss Bennet and Mrs Carrington. Your papa met this lovely lady in the park with Miss Darcy.”
Isabelle’s blue eyes peered at Jane, as she leant her head on Bingley’s shoulder.
“She is charming, sir.” Jane now wore one of her serene smiles, and Elizabeth relaxed.
As a group they walked in the direction of the rugs. Dorothy sat with Alex in the shade of a tree watching the Gardiner children play. When Isabelle spied him, she said, “Babah, Pop, babah.”
Bingley laughed. “Indeed, Poppet. A little baby. He shall need to do some growing before he is big enough to play.”
Elizabeth sat down near Dorothy and her son. Jane was beckoned by Esther, so she went to join the children. Bingley trailed behind her with Isabelle in his arms.
A short time later, everyone was called to partake of the fine feast arranged by Georgiana.
The children were excited to enjoy such a relaxed meal, but their parents kept a stern eye on them to make sure they behaved.
Darcy approached Elizabeth and asked if he could prepare her a plate. “Thank you, sir. That is kind of you.”
She took Alex from Dorothy so the woman could eat her own meal before returning to take Alex again. When Darcy came back, he saw her hands were full. Crouching down, he laid her plate down on the rug, then looking at Elizabeth he held his hands out to Alex, “May I?”
Her eyes widened before schooled her expression, “You may.” Darcy took Alex into his arms and peered down at the delightful boy. “I have not held a babe this small since Georgiana was this age. Not counting brief moments in the days after he was born.”
Darcy held out a finger and Alex latched onto it pulling it to him, making soft ‘ooh’ noises. Seeing the little one was content, he sat down and encouraged Elizabeth to begin eating. “But what about you, Mr Darcy?”
“I shall eat when you are finished.” He gave her a stern look. “You are not to rush.”
Her tinkling laugh made him smile.
While Darcy shared some of his attention with everyone around him, he focused mainly on Elizabeth. They discussed an interesting article which had been published earlier that week and the potential end to the war with France. It was the most they had spoken together since the carriage ride following Alex’s birth.
Elizabeth had forgotten how expressive Darcy could be on subjects he was enthusiastic about.
Dorothy had returned and Darcy handed Alex to her. Elizabeth exclaimed, “Oh dear, I am afraid he may have ruined your coat.”
A spot of drool made a dark, wet patch on Darcy’s sleeve. “It is no matter. I am sure my valet shall deal with it.” He smiled down at her, and she blushed. There was something so intimate about sitting down to a meal with him while he paid her and Alex so much attention.
With warm cheeks, Elizabeth allowed her eyes to roam to give herself time to regulate her sensibilities. Nearly everyone had doneeating. They were all relatively quiet, resting after the bounty of the meal.
One interesting development was of Jane holding Isabelle on her lap. The little girl was snuggled into her, seeming content to burrow into her feminine curves.
Soon enough the children were wishing to play again. Elizabeth left Alex with Dorothy, happy to join them.
Darcy never saw this side of her. She was energetic and joyful, laughing just as much as the children did. He could not look away.
It took Mr Gardiner’s loud cough to recall him to his surroundings. He noticed Bingley looked embarrassed as he turned away from staring at Jane.
“My nieces are both of age and can make their own decisions, but I will say this,” he faced Darcy, “Elizabeth will be in mourning for another six months and faces daunting changes in her life.” He turned to Bingley, “I do not know you, sir, but I can only assume you are a good man, being a friend of Mr Darcy’s. Jane has endured much pain over the past couple of years. I will not see her trifled with or pressured into something too quickly. You will be respectful at all times.”
His tone was not harsh, but it was clear he meant every word of his warning. At his concluding nod the younger men exhaled and relaxed their stiff postures. “Now,” Gardiner smiled and clapped his hands together once, “What say you to more dessert?”
At length, the children grew tired and not a little vexatious. Mrs Gardiner decided it was time to take the children home.
Goodbyes and best wishes were exchanged, creating a cacophony of sound. Under the cover of the clamour, Darcy took a moment with Elizabeth to bow low over her hand, wishing her a good night. “I shall see you soon.” He rumbled in a deep, slow voice.
Elizabeth’s insides nearly melted. “G–good bye, Mr Darcy.”
