Page 3 of Near Pemberley

It was a mere matter of convenience. Nothing more.

When her uncle re-entered, she faced him at once.

“Well?” said Mrs. Gardiner.

“Mr. Darcy,” he replied, “is expected shortly with guests. Miss Georgiana is there already. It seems they may already have returned or will do so within the day.”

Elizabeth’s composure faltered, if only for a moment. “Already?” she said.

“So I am informed. In any case, they are not absent in the way we had supposed. The man says that visitors are usually welcome even when the Darcys are home. People are rarely turned back without at least being shown the garden. The housekeeper will know what areas to avoid.”

“Oh, how lovely. This was not the case in his parents’ time.” Mrs. Gardiner glanced briefly towards Elizabeth. “That does not quite accord with the character you once described. Did you not say he was proud and unpleasant?”

There was a brief pause.

“You could send a note that you are in the neighbourhood,” her aunt offered.

Elizabeth looked up quickly. “Certainly not.”

The answer escaped her with more haste than she intended.

Mrs. Gardiner smiled slightly. “My dear, I meant no more than a civil acknowledgement.”

“Mr. Darcy can have no interest in knowing that I am in Derbyshire.”

“I dare say he would not think so.”

“I should think so enough for both of us,” Elizabeth replied.

Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner shared a worried glance. Mr. Gardiner then said, “Then just come with us as visitors. We do not have to meet him or his guests.”

Elizabeth lowered her gaze and, after a moment, said with quiet firmness, “I would rather not go.”

***

Later, after a short walk, her aunt tried to reason with Elizabeth. “Lizzy, you even know the man.”

“Precisely so,” Elizabeth replied. Her voice was steady, though she did not immediately raise her eyes. “I have met him more than once. That is reason enough.”

Mrs. Gardiner regarded her with mild surprise.

“Do you not recall, Maddie, that she even danced with him?” Mr. Gardiner said lightly.

Her aunt looked back at her. “Reason against it, you mean? I should have thought the opposite.”

Elizabeth forced a small smile, though it did not quite reach her eyes. “I cannot agree. It would place us in a very awkward situation. To arrive there as mere sightseers, and then be recognised… I should not like it.”

“You need not suppose it will happen,” said her aunt gently. “We might see the grounds only and quit the place before any meeting could occur.”

Elizabeth shook her head. There was a moment’s pause before she spoke, as though ashamed to have hesitated at all. “That is a chance I would rather avoid.”

Mr. Gardiner, who had listened with some curiosity, now spoke. “My dear Lizzy, we would not willingly place you in discomfort. Yet I confess I am disappointed. It is said to be a place of uncommon beauty, and we are so near. You have borne all the inconveniences of our journey with such patience that I had hoped you would not refuse yourself what may prove its greatest reward.”

Elizabeth hesitated. She felt the justice of his wish and would not appear selfish. Yet the thought of going troubled her. To refuse appeared ungracious; to consent, for reasons she could not own even to herself, worse still.

“I would not prevent you,” she said at last. “If you and my aunt wish to go, you must by all means do so. Only do not expect me to accompany you.”

Mrs. Gardiner studied her for a moment, her expression softening. “You are fairly decided, then?”