Page 49 of The Sole Love

Elizabeth was wondering much the same thing. What kind of woman would Lady Anne have desired for her beloved son? After seeing the importance of the Pemberley estate, Elizabeth continually asked herself whether she was prepared to manage such a place, with dozens of servants and a life so different from the one she was accustomed to at Longbourn.

The Bennets and Gardiners retired to rest after dinner, while the others, except Jane, went to the music room. Like every other room in the vast manor, it was splendid. The walls were covered in precious wood, and when they entered, Georgiana explained that it was alder.

“Alder panels improve the sound,” she said, and again Elizabeth marvelled at her manner: neither emphasis nor pride. She had always lived like a princess, but she behaved like a simple girl.

They looked at the different instruments in the room, and the colonel stroked the harp strings.

“Lady Anne played the harp,” he said.

“Yes, Mama enjoyed being different. While all her friends learned to play the pianoforte, she wanted an organ, and then her father brought her a harp.” Georgiana smiled, remembering how special their mother had been.

As Elizabeth and Darcy stood on the balcony of the music room, he said, “I see worry on your face.” There was a strong scent of roses from the garden before them, adding to the splendour of the night. Every trace of the previous day’s rain had passed, leaving behind a sky full of stars and a delicate crescent moon.

“I am overwhelmed by your house, the way you live. I am a simple country girl with a mud-stained petticoat…”

“Oh, my God, Elizabeth, how I wish I could take you in my arms.”

Yet it was impossible; the little balcony offered no privacy, as anyone in the room could see them.

“You are as far from being simple as the moon is from the earth. Your unique qualities attracted me, along with the freedom you exude and even the flaws that, in you, are desirable. You will be a perfect mistress of this house…my housekeeper…” he teased, and she gently swatted his arm.

“Look around, my love.” But she could not. On the contrary, she closed her eyes, revelling in hearing those words from his lips for the first time: my love. “You do not need any special qualities to manage a place that is already well run by our servants. The decision is yours: learn how Pemberley is managed or pass your days in the library or with me on the estate. But I am sure you will discover many things to change.”

“Thank you,” she murmured.

“You are welcome, madam. Now, you need to tell me why you chose me.”

“Because you are rich…” Elizabeth said, and he burst into laughter.

“Finally, I am told the truth,” he said, and they joined the others. They found the colonel playing the harp, the young ladies laughing as they enjoyed his performance. Georgiana played the pianoforte as he punctuated her perfect notes with a solitary pluck of a string from time to time.

“You have a real talent, cousin,” Darcy said, “for entertaining the ladies.”

They chatted and played, even Mary attempting the harp, in such a joyful atmosphere that none of them seemed willing to retire.

“I promise tomorrow will also be a glorious day full of fun,” Darcy said with a bright smile that surprised Elizabeth. The house seemed to have a marvellous effect on him, revealing a man she did not know but was beginning to love even more.

Reluctantly, they left for their rooms, still laughing and talking loudly.

Georgiana and Mary departed together, while Darcy invited Elizabeth to discover a beautiful terrace on the first floor.

“It will take a long time to know this place,” Elizabeth said, looking around.

“You will have all the time in the world.”

“I have not yet agreed to be your wife,” she said teasingly in the darkness.

“And I have not decided whether I shall propose to you again,” he replied in the same tone, taking her into his arms.

“I am so happy about Mary and Georgiana’s friendship. My middle sister has been quite lonely. It is a joy to see her laughing and amusing herself.”

It seemed that the girl who had hidden behind a book at Longbourn had decided to change her life too. And Elizabeth was happy to see it.

But as she walked beside Darcy, her heart ached just remembering the possible arrival of Mr Haskett.

“I hope Mr Bingley will arrive,” Elizabeth said, seeing in him their only chance to resolve the terrible situation without revealing the truth.

“Why is his being here so important?”