He assumed she must be exhausted from the excitement of the day and everything of the past weeks and decided to save further topics for after she had rested.
That evening, after they had enjoyed a late supper in a private room at the inn, he escorted her to her room. He only wished her a good night, planning to leave her undisturbed in her chambers, but when he leant to kiss her, she turned her cheek to him. Thatslight movement filled him with dread, and he said in a hushed voice, “Good night, my dear.”
The following day, Darcy attempted other topics that he thought might engage her, but every effort met with brief civility. She remained reserved, answering in brief syllables if at all. Her countenance, once so lively, bore restrained disdain that stung far more than words.
“Elizabeth, I know how much you enjoy walking and how much you enjoyed your walks at Rosings, but at Pemberley, I would ask you to have a footman accompany you when I cannot.”
Her entire mien stiffened at his words.
“It is only that the grounds are vast, and you are unacquainted with them,” he said quickly. “I would not have you lost or injured with no one to assist you. Should you remain near the house, it will not be necessary, but Pemberley is nearly ten miles around. Until you know the estate better, I must insist upon it.”
Her acquiescence relieved him.
“I do see your wisdom in this, MrDarcy. For the present, I will do as you bid. At Longbourn, I have walked my father’s grounds since childhood and know every path, but at Pemberley, I must own, I am a stranger.”
“Do you ride at all?”
“No, Papa never thought to teach us.” She lifted one shoulder in a slight shrug. “A neighbour taught Jane, but their family moved before I had my chance.”
“I would be glad to teach you, if you should wish it,” Darcy offered, hoping they could find a common interest; riding would open a wealth of possibilities.
Elizabeth inclined her head, though her assent appeared more a concession than pleasure. Darcy could not be certainwhether the prospect interested her or whether she merely wished to avoid further disagreement.
“Very well. I should like that, MrDarcy.”
“Will you not call me by my Christian name, Elizabeth?”
She raised her brow. “It is Fitzwilliam, is it not? Has anyone ever called you anything else?”
“Georgiana calls me Brother, and most others use Darcy. My mother favoured my full name, while my father most often called me ‘Son.’”
“Do you like being called Fitzwilliam?”
Darcy only gave a small shrug. “It is my mother’s family’s name.”
“Very well. If it is your wish.” She twisted the wedding band around her finger.
He nodded to the ring. “It belonged to my mother.”
She stopped turning the ring and clasped her hands together in her lap. “It’s lovely. Thank you.” But said no more.
He considered the gold band he now wore and what it symbolised. He wondered how long it would take her to adjust to wearing the ring, the very weight of it on her hand.
Darcy continued to broach other interests but found her unforthcoming, appearing to be entirely absorbed in her own thoughts. At length, Darcy ceased these efforts, wounded that she continued to resist his overtures.
He expected that Elizabeth’s arrival at her new home might ease the tension that had grown between them as they sat confined in the carriage. He was unused to Elizabeth being so guarded, her silence sharper than any reproach; yet, as a man unpractised in such a situation as theirs, he had no notion how to bridge the distance.
Early on the third day, Darcy was all anticipation for the sight of Pemberley, which would surely buoy her spirits.Elizabeth cannot deny the splendour of Pemberley.
Indeed, upon seeing the house, she seemed to awaken in delight. When their eyes met, her pleasure faded.
“Welcome to Pemberley, MrsDarcy.” Hesitating, as though the right words might elude him if not chosen with care, he asked, “And how do you like Pemberley?”
“It is lovely.” Her voice was polite but distant; the warmth of her old self was but a faint echo. “I shall enjoy learning more about the estate and discovering its footpaths and walks, even if a footman must accompany me.”
“It is only for your safety,” he repeated. “Pemberley is vast.”
She nodded.
