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An hour later, the carriage stopped before an elegant white house of three storeys, causing a stir among its occupants, who had been quite silent until then. Mr and Mrs Gardiner were somewhat nervous at the unexpected honour, while Elizabeth looked at the house with interest. Only a few days earlier, she had not imagined that she would ever visit him.

Unexpectedly, Darcy appeared on the steps as they arrived. Elizabeth’s heart missed a beat at his smile as she wondered, with elation and some amusement, whether he had waited near a window for them to come.

“Mrs Gardiner, Mr Gardiner, Miss Bennet, welcome to our home,” Darcy said, leading them into the spacious hall where Miss Darcy cordially greeted them. Only then did Elizabeth observe how much she resembled her brother, missing the moment when the Gardiners expressed their appreciation and gratitude, somehow happy to be there yet still wondering if it was real. But that lasted only a moment.

She looked around, admiring the hall, then turned towards Darcy again. His welcome was as polite and cheerful as the evening before, and she found herself smiling in return.

Georgiana led the Gardiners into the drawing room, speaking merrily about their journey and the beautiful summer weather. Elizabeth was about to follow when she noticed that Darcy had remained beside her and heard him ask, “Miss Bennet, are you well?”

“Perfectly well, thank you. I was admiring your house,” she replied, turning towards him.

“I am glad it pleases you,” he answered with a satisfaction he made no attempt to hide. Mrs Gardiner appeared in the doorway to ask whether everything was well. Far from being worried, she was just curious to see why her niece was still in the hall with Mr Darcy.

Tea and sweets were served to the ladies in the elegant drawing room while the gentlemen, with a simple excuse, withdrew to the library. The drawing room was a masterpiece of elegance and simplicity. A room where a king could come, yet in every corner Elizabeth could see signs that a family lived there. Delighted, she let Georgiana turn their conversation to memories of Lady Anne, Derbyshire, and Pemberley.

“Mrs Gardiner,” Miss Darcy said, “if it is not too much to ask, could you tell me more about my mother?”

“I shall be delighted to tell you everything I remember, Miss Darcy,” Mrs Gardiner replied. For the next hour, their conversation centred on Lady Anne.

Midway through the conversation, Mr Darcy and Mr Gardiner returned and joined in the recollections. Elizabeth watched the brother and sister listen, with a mixture of sadness and pride, as someone outside their family shared cherished memories of their mother.

Genuinely touched by Miss Darcy’s loving and wistful expression, Elizabeth also listened with growing interest to her aunt’s account.

After a while, the conversation took a lighter turn as they began discussing their summer plans.

“We shall depart for Pemberley in a week,” Darcy revealed.

“And I cannot wait to return home,” Georgiana exclaimed.

Everyone smiled at her enthusiastic exclamation, which made Mrs Gardiner, giving her husband a significant glance, say, “Speaking with you has also made me eager to visit my childhood village. Who knows, perhaps we may take a short detour to Derbyshire and visit my old friends and relatives in Lambton.”

“I shall do my utmost to fulfil your wishes,” Mr Gardiner gallantly responded. “If it is your desire, we shall find a way.”

“Oh, but you must also visit us at Pemberley!” Georgiana cried with growing enthusiasm. “Would you?”

“My dear, let us not meddle with their plans, which are not yet settled,” Darcy replied, endeavouring to temper his sister’s excitement.

“I beg your pardon, I did not mean to—” Georgiana replied with apparent distress. “I do not want to impose. I just—”

The girl’s uneasiness made Mrs Gardiner reply in haste, “Miss Darcy, your invitation is a great honour to us. I would enjoy nothing more than visiting Pemberley, and I have never had the chance to see the inside of the house. If the opportunity arises, I shall selfishly accept your invitation.”

And again they all smiled at Georgiana’s relief. “Oh, how wonderful!” She was so kind and unaffected that Elizabeth decided, with a bit of amusement, that she liked her more than the brother.

“We both sincerely hope you will visit us at Pemberley,” Darcy added, surprising Elizabeth, who for a moment thought that after all Mr Darcy was also pleasant, not only polite…or honest. “If you find yourselves in the neighbourhood without other plans, we would be delighted to have you as our guests.”

Momentarily astonished by such a turn, Elizabeth let her aunt or uncle answer, certain that they would accept.

“This is a most gracious invitation, and we are honoured to accept it,” Mrs Gardiner finally responded with sincerity.

“Mr Darcy, may I ask for one more favour, if it is not too much?” Mr Gardiner interjected just as the conversation was about to end.

“Of course. What is it?” Darcy replied.

“May I show Lizzy the library? She loves books more than anyone I know, and I believe she would appreciate it.”

Surprised by her uncle’s request, she looked at Darcy, who immediately smiled and replied, “Of course! How did I not think of that myself? Please forgive me. I am a poor host.”

He invited Elizabeth and her aunt to follow him to the library, and the entire party moved there.