∞∞∞
“You have been walking with the colonel,” said Elizabeth with a knowing smile.
She had seen them approaching the steps from the terrace and had waited for them there.
“The colonel and I would both like your relationship with Mr Darcy to continue and develop.”
Elizabeth laughed as she took her arm.
“My dear Agnes, you would do better to think of yourself. I see you have acquired a rose.”
She pointed to the flower Mrs Cooper had placed at her corsage.
“And what makes you so certain that I did not pick it myself?”
Elizabeth laughed again.
“A beautiful woman is not expected to pick her own red rose. And I am glad that at last you have discovered subjects other than Mr Darcy and myself.”
“Not today, I fear. But who knows…perhaps we shall.”
Chapter 28
Retired to the terrace, Darcy watched Elizabeth through the wide open glass doors. The room was full of activity. People laughed and talked, and above it all, the orchestra played in sourdine, announcing that the dancing would soon commence. He had seen her enter the ballroom, and his heart had tightened painfully. There was no point in deceiving himself. Elizabeth Bennet was the love of his life.
He followed her amongst the guests. She appeared and disappeared, at times illuminated by the thousands of lights, at others hidden amongst the moving crowd. Yet she was always speaking with someone, most likely gentlemen seeking a place in her dance card, for there could be no doubt that she was the most charming young lady in his ballroom.
He resolved to ask her to dance, but as he made his way towards her, he was repeatedly stopped by people who wished to speak to him, delighted by the first ball held at Pemberley in ten years.
And he lost sight of her.
He searched everywhere. She was not in the library, nor on the first floor. For a moment, he wondered whether she hadretired to her room, yet he had seen a smile on her countenance, and she had not appeared distressed or unhappy.
The only person who could discreetly find her was his valet, and before long, the man informed him that Miss Bennet was in the greenhouse.
He found her seated upon a bench outside, hidden from view on the side which, during the summer months, opened onto the garden.
“Miss Elizabeth,” he called from a distance, unwilling to startle her.
“Mr Darcy,” she replied, looking at him with surprise, though without rising. Instead, she gestured for him to sit beside her. “Are you seeking a little peace as well?”
“Not at all. I am looking for you,” he replied with a smile. “Why are you hiding here?”
He thought she would not answer, as the silence between them lengthened. Yet, at last she spoke. “I feel so guilty.”
The sadness in her voice pierced him. “Good heavens, no. Why should you feel guilty?”
“Because I am here, in this paradise, surrounded by pleasant people who—”
“Wish to dance with you,” he supplied in as light a tone as he could manage, hoping to dispel her melancholy.
“Yes, that too. How can I dance when—”
She broke off and looked around her. In truth, his mother’s greenhouse was a paradise, which he had endeavoured to preserve as luxuriant and beautiful as it had been in her day.
“It is not even about my father,” she murmured. “Being here, so far from Meryton, I can almost imagine that he is still alive.”
“I used to do the same. When I was in London, I imagined my mother was here at Pemberley, and when I was here, Iimagined her in London. But if this is not about your father, why do you feel guilty?”
