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“I beg your pardon for Colonel Fitzwilliam’s jests,” Darcy said to the Gardiners, giving his cousin a stern glance. “He is generally better behaved, but occasionally forgets himself.”

“I hope I have caused no offence,” the colonel replied with sincere concern.

“Not at all. Do not trouble yourself,” Mrs Gardiner replied with a broad smile. “Even the most proper gentleman may misbehave on occasion. And you bear a strong resemblance to your father, Mr Darcy. He was a very fine gentleman.”

Darcy received the compliment with a slight bow, though he still seemed displeased.

“Did you know my late uncle, madam?” the viscount asked, suddenly interested.

Mrs Gardiner smiled politely while Darcy explained, “Mrs Gardiner grew up in Lambton. She is the daughter of Mr Green, who owned the Green Ribbon shop. I doubt you remember it.”

Surprise spread over the viscount’s face. He looked from one member of the party to another, then studied Mrs Gardiner more closely.

“Are you Maddie? Maddie Green?”

Mrs Gardiner nodded, amused, while the others looked on in disbelief.

“I am Arthur! Arthur Fitzwilliam!”

“Yes, I understood that when the colonel introduced you.”

“I am pleased to see you again. I have thought of your family many times. How glad I am to find you well!”

“Thank you for your warm welcome and your concern. I am deeply touched,” Mrs Gardiner replied, half in earnest and half in jest. “The pleasure of meeting you is mutual, I assure you.”

The viscount appeared delighted. He turned to the others, who were still looking on in astonishment, with the same pleasure his younger brother had shown.

“Maddie was the first girl whose hand I held. And the first to slap me.”

Mrs Gardiner laughed while her husband frowned, but the viscount continued.

“I was seven years old at the time. She was a few years older, and I was completely smitten with her. I was sadly disappointed when I visited Pemberley the following year and found that the Green family had left.”

“Well, the coincidences seem endless today,” Mr Gardiner remarked, feeling a little uneasy.

The familiarity between the viscount and Mrs Gardiner was puzzling and somewhat awkward for the others. A brief, uneasy silence fell, broken only by the voices of people passing nearby.

“We should go. The play will begin shortly,” Darcy announced.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

“We shall meet again soon,” the colonel repeated.

They departed, the viscount casting one last glance towards Mrs Gardiner.

Chapter 2

Elizabeth lagged behind her uncle and aunt, striving to compose herself. Only then did she comprehend the full significance of that meeting in the middle of the Little Theatre’s hall.

Her first encounter with Mr Darcy after the disastrous proposal at Hunsford had been nothing like what she had expected. He had been exceedingly polite and even amiable. He might have avoided the meeting had he been given a choice, yet, since it had taken place, he had conducted himself with exceptional propriety. His sister had been introduced to their party, and although the colonel had made the introduction, Darcy had seemed to approve. Then, she had to admit, he had shown much consideration for her relatives.

For the present, he had departed to join the rest of his party, perhaps relieved that the meeting was over. Yet it was she, Elizabeth Bennet, whom Mr Darcy had proposed to, and she had known nothing of his affection until he declared it. She had refused him for reasons she believed just, but she could no longer defend all the accusations she had made. Her father had often told her that she was too quick to judge and ought to think more before speaking, but she had never paid much attention. Now she had to admit he had been right, and she was embarrassed to remember how certain she had been.

His conduct that evening had given her little reason to expect resentment. However, she wondered whether he would seek another meeting or prefer to avoid her.

Elizabeth and the Gardiners took their seats in a small box on the second tier, far from the stage yet much more comfortable than the seats below, where most of the audience sat. The theatre was indeed crowded despite the heat, and people awaited the performance with evident impatience. Elizabeth could not resist looking about her and admiring the theatre.

Through the small opera glass her aunt lent her, she discovered Mr Darcy and his party in a large, elegant box close to the stage. Two lovely ladies sat beside Miss Darcy, one repeatedly whispering in Mr Darcy’s ear and resting her hand on his arm. Elizabeth thought he too was looking towards her and hastily turned away, drawing her uncle and aunt into conversation, but at that distance he could hardly see her clearly.