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“And these are Mr and Mrs Gardiner. Mr Gardiner is my mother’s brother.”

In that strange atmosphere, which seemed to belong to a play, with its formal speeches and perhaps little sincerity, Elizabeth’s uneasiness increased, but the colonel, Miss Darcy and Mr Darcy himself responded amiably and exchanged pleasantries with her relatives.

“Miss Darcy, Mr Darcy, it is an honour to make your acquaintance,” Mrs Gardiner said. “I remember your parents and your splendid estate from my childhood, though I never expected to meet you.”

The Darcys stared at her in astonishment.

“Were you acquainted with my parents, Mrs Gardiner?” Darcy finally asked.

“Only slightly. I was brought up in Lambton, where my family owned a shop called the Green Ribbon. I had the pleasure of seeing Lady Anne frequently. Miss Darcy, you bear a striking resemblance to your mother.”

The girl blushed, evidently pleased.

“I am most grateful for your words, Mrs Gardiner. I desire nothing more than to prove myself worthy of my dear mother’s memory, though I fear I am neither as beautiful nor as good as she was.”

“Miss Darcy, you are too modest by far.”

“How remarkable that you grew up in Lambton. Was Mr Green your father?” Darcy asked, still somewhat ill at ease. “I confess I do not remember you.”

“You were young when we left Derbyshire,” Mrs Gardiner replied with some emotion. “But I remember your mother bringing you into our shop. You were a small child then, and already fond of horses and eager to ride.”

“That fondness I certainly remember.”

“I heard of your parents’ deaths with much sadness. All who knew them mourned them deeply. And to this day, I have never seen a more beautiful house than Pemberley.”

“You are very kind, Mrs Gardiner. It is a pleasure to hear them remembered with such affection.”

Georgiana gazed at her with tears in her eyes. The colonel relieved the solemnity of the moment by turning to Elizabeth again.

“You mentioned that you have been in London for a week, Miss Bennet. When do you intend to leave for the Lakes?”

“In a few days, sir,” Elizabeth replied, surprised and moved by the unexpected exchange between her aunt and Darcy, which had changed the conversation entirely. “My uncle has promised us a holiday there, but we have yet to settle the day of our departure.”

“My business has caused the delay, I am afraid,” Mr Gardiner added.

“I am sorry your journey has been delayed, though I confess I am pleased that it has allowed us to meet,” the colonel replied cheerfully.

They were still conversing in the middle of the hall, with onlookers gazing curiously at them, when another gentleman approached hastily.

“Darcy, Richard, what on earth are you doing? We have been waiting for you. Amelia and Alicia are already growing impatient, and Amelia keeps asking for you, Darcy.”

He noticed the strangers and bowed, unaware that he was interrupting a pleasant conversation. Indeed, Darcy suddenly looked uncomfortable while the colonel grinned, but the moment had passed.

“Brother, this is Miss Elizabeth Bennet. And these are her uncle and aunt, Mr and Mrs Gardiner. Miss Bennet, may I present my brother, Viscount Wellford?”

The viscount bore a strong resemblance to his brother, and the difference in their ages appeared slight. He was tall and handsome, with genial manners and a cordial expression.

“I must take them from you,” the viscount said to the Gardiners, more politely now.

“Yes, we should go. Our party is expecting us,” Darcy said, somewhat reluctantly.

“Then we shall have the pleasure of meeting again during the interval,” the colonel assured them.

“Forgive me for interrupting,” the viscount said with a jesting air of helplessness. “My wife and sister-in-law are anxious for your company.”

“Particularly for Darcy’s,” the colonel added. “I have yet to meet a young lady who does not seek his company. I must persuade him to reveal his secret, for I am quite at a loss to explain it.”

Elizabeth felt awkward during such a conversation and glanced towards Mr Darcy, who appeared flushed and displeased. Their eyes met for a fleeting moment, increasing her embarrassment. Even Miss Darcy seemed ill at ease and tightened her hold on his arm.