He rode into his stables at midmorning, scattering servantssurprised to see the master. The ride left Darcy covered in road dust and perspiration, but he dismounted the horse with the self-confidence he always displayed. Handing over the reins, Mr. Howard’s approach from the back of the house startled Darcy.
“Mr. Darcy, Sir, we did not expect you until later today at the earliest,” he stammered.
“The rest of the party will arrive tomorrow,” he offered, shaking hands with his steward. “I hoped we could address our business later this afternoon; then I can be at my sister’s disposal to help with our guests.”
“Yes, Sir,” Mr. Howard offered.“Whenever you are ready, Sir.”
“I will send word once I freshen my clothing,” Darcy turned toward the house.
“Mr. Darcy, Sir,” Mr. Howard continued, “Mrs. Reynolds reports there are visitors in the main house.”
“Visitors—I will try to avoid them. Thank you, Mr. Howard,” Darcy stared toward the house trying to see where the visitors might currently be.“I am not quite attired for social calls, am I?”
“No, Sir,” Mr. Howard mumbled.
Darcy thought the visitors would still be in the main corridors of the house so he followed the road from behind the stables to make a side entrance. Coming forward from the road, he encountered the visitors standing on the lawn leading down to the stream; they still looked toward the house, and, at first, he thought he would step back into the bushes until they passed him by when his eyes alighted on a figure he many times envisioned standing in this exact place; it was Elizabeth, and she was within twenty yards of him. His heart leapt at the sight of her, and Darcy momentarily froze. Her eyes met his, and they both blushed with the initial embarrassment of seeing each other for the first time since he left her at Hunsford.
Darcy’s prayer was answered; Elizabeth was here at Pemberley, and he had a second chance. He recovered quickly and advanced to where her party stood; she instinctively turned away from him, butwhen he called her name, she stopped and received his greetings. Although not as composed as he wanted to be at that moment, Darcy made a point of speaking calmly and with civility. “Miss Elizabeth, what a surprise to find you at Pemberley,” he blurted out while trying to steady his voice and his composure. He made her the obligatory bow, but he could not take his eyes from her face. It had been months since he had seen her, and hehadto observe how she reacted to his presence.
Blushing, she curtsied and addressed him, her voice more composed than his. Elizabeth did not raise her eyes but said,“Mr. Darcy, we understood you were away.”
“No, no, I am not,” he answered as evenly as his composure would allow.
Elizabeth did not respond; obviously, her embarrassment was intense; she was a woman who was never at a loss for words. Darcy realized how she must feel at his finding her at Pemberley; she wouldneverbe here if she thought he was here. He had to let her know her choosing to come tohishouse pleased him. “I returned early; I have business with my steward. None of the household staff knew of my change of plans.”
“Your housekeeper assured us of as much,” she nearly whispered.
“Forgive me,” he said haltingly,“are your parents in health?”
She half smiled,“They are, Sir.Thank you for asking.”
The start of the smile sent his mind spinning with hope for some renewal of their acquaintance. She continued to be embarrassed, but no disdain showed in her being.
“And your sisters are in health, too?”
“They were, Sir, when we left Longbourn,” her voice had more volume.
“How long have you been in Derbyshire?” he must keep her talking; Darcy could not walk away from her.
“Two days,” she stumbled over the words.
“Your parents are in health?” he chuckled at his own discomposure. “Where are you staying?”Oh, God, should he have said that?
“In Lambton—at the Royal Crown,” her uneasiness stillremained. She lifted her eyes briefly to him, evidently still expecting him to take some sort of revenge for their last meeting, but Darcy’s mind was more pleasantly engaged. “We should not have disturbed your privacy, Mr. Darcy,” she faltered. “I can only offer my apologies.”
“Miss Elizabeth,” he stammered through the words, “you are always welcome at Pemberley.” He wanted to say more, but he realized how his unkempt appearance must betray the sedateness he hoped to present. “Please enjoy the grounds at your leisure.” With that, he made his bow and left her standing on the lawn.
He walked away quickly knowing once he propelled himself forward, he could not stop. If he paused even briefly, Darcy thought his legs would buckle under him.Elizabeth was here at Pemberley.If Hurst’s carriage had not broken down, Darcy would still be in a village twenty miles away keeping Caroline Bingley company. Instead, he had a chance, although slim it may be, to show Elizabeth Bennet he learned from her accusations; Darcy was not the same man she refused at Hunsford.
Entering Pemberley, he took the staircase two steps at a time. He knew not what he would do, but he knew he must engage Elizabeth again before she left the grounds. Servants rushed about as he barked out orders for fresh water to be brought up to his dressing area immediately. He luckily sent Henry ahead last evening with some of the trunks to lighten the load of both coaches. He prayed as he ascended the stairs he would find Henry and fresh clothing awaiting him in his chambers.
At the top of the stairs, Darcy nearly ran into Mrs. Reynolds. “Mr. Darcy,” she exclaimed.“You were not expected.”
He did not acknowledge her remark, but he made his inquiry. “Mrs. Reynolds, the visitors—were they treated well?”
“Yes, Sir, I showed them the house myself.”
“Send word to the gardener to delay their leaving as long as possible. I wish to greet them properly,” he rushed by her.
