“You certainly do not intrude, sir,” Elizabeth said, glancing at her uncle and aunt. “You probably have other engagements, or we would gladly insist you join us for the evening.”
He paused a moment, somehow confused, looked at the Gardiners and said, “I have no other engagements.”
Elizabeth sighed, relieved, fearful to even express her joy.
“Excellent!” Mr. Gardiner interjected. “Truly wonderful! Please come in, gentlemen. What a wonderful evening for our family! Please allow me to offer you both a drink.”
Mr. Darcy glanced at Elizabeth again, then followed his host. Their eyes met for an instant, and in that brief exchange of glances lay all the memories of Kent — the grove, their confessions, the tentative accord that had begun to bloom between them. She wondered whether he felt the same disquieting flutter, the same unspoken question that lingered in the air.
As the party moved towards the dining-room, Elizabeth found herself both eager and apprehensive for what the evening might reveal. The road from Kent had brought her to London, and Mr. Darcy’s presence had followed her heart all the way.
Chapter 9
Dinner proceeded with an ease that astonished Elizabeth more with every passing moment. She and Mr. Darcy exchanged frequent glances across the table — glances full of the memory of their last conversation in the grove yet softened by the warmth of the candlelight and the genial company. She was both pleased and surprised to observe how readily he conversed with her aunt and uncle, his usual reserve giving way to quiet civility that bespoke genuine interest rather than mere obligation. How different this Mr. Darcy appeared from the proud gentleman she had once known!
Jane, ever gentle and sincere, seized a moment when the conversation turned towards recent events.
“Mr. Darcy,” she said, her voice soft, “I must thank you most sincerely for informing Mr. Bingley of my presence in town. We were all so very happy to receive his visit!”
The gentleman inclined his head, a touch of colour rising to his cheeks.
“You are generous in your thanks, Miss Bennet, but I do not deserve them. Indeed, I must confess I was one of those who did not encourage Bingley to return to Netherfield. Seeing his present felicity, however, I understand full well how mistaken I was. A friend’s happiness should never be sacrificed to another’s judgment, however well-intentioned.”
Mr. Bingley looked slightly uneasy, then he said, “Darcy is not always right, but he always makes amends for his errors. I cannot blame anyone for my decision not to return to Netherfield except myself, and I shall remedy that fault soon. I shall reopen Netherfield! I have already written to my solicitor and my housekeeper. Darcy has promised he will instruct me inthe business of estate management. I could not hope for a better friend.”
Elizabeth’s heart swelled with restrained joy, touched beyond measure and deeply impressed by such candid humility. She met Mr. Darcy’s eye with a look of warm approval and offered a little smile, which he readily returned.
Emboldened by the cordial atmosphere, she ventured, “And how fare your family, sir? I hope Miss de Bourgh continues to improve and that Miss Darcy and the colonel are well?”
Mr. Darcy’s expression softened.
“The colonel is away on regimental business, but Georgiana is very well, I thank you. As for Anne, she improves daily. She even took a carriage ride in the park with Lady Matlock and Georgiana yesterday — a most encouraging sign.”
“I am glad to hear it,” Elizabeth replied sincerely.
“By the by, I was surprised to learn Mr. Collins had come to town,” Mr. Darcy said.
“Indeed,” replied Elizabeth with the faintest hint of amusement. “He offered to convey me and Maria here, a decision his wife did not approve of. But who can change Mr. Collins’s mind? Especially when he is determined to offer support to Lady Catherine de Bourgh, even if she rejects it.”
“Mr. Collins seems the perfect companion for my aunt,” Mr. Darcy said. “She might need his support soon when she returns to Rosings since Anne will stay in London for at least a few months.”
“So, is her ladyship still in London?”
“She is, residing in Anne’s house. She visits Lady Matlock every day without reaching an agreement. Just like Mr. Collins, nobody can change Lady Catherine’s mind.”
“Oh…I did not realise Miss de Bourgh owned a house in London too,” Elizabeth continued, mostly from the pleasure of conversing with Mr. Darcy.
“Anne has a comfortable home on Grosvenor Street and a cottage about a mile away, which has stood empty for almost twenty years. She prefers to live with Lady Matlock, though, where she is under the care of several excellent physicians.”
Elizabeth’s curiosity stirred. “And Dr Rease? Does he attend her still?”
“He visits regularly, though he is also much occupied with other patients. His dedication does him credit.”
The conversation paused until Mrs. Gardiner turned to Mr. Darcy with a hint of shyness.
“I hope you will forgive my mentioning it, sir, but I grew up near Lambton and remember your parents with great affection. I have always believed Pemberley to be the most beautiful place I have ever seen.”
Mr. Darcy’s countenance brightened with evident pleasure.
