His Uncle's Favorite (36 page)

“How is your room, dear Miss Bennet? Are you comfortable?” asked Lord Matlock.

“Surely your lordship is mocking me. I do not think the mere word ‘comfortable’ could be fairly used in regard to your estate. My room is magnificent, thank you.”

“I am glad you like it,” the earl replied, pleased by the compliment. “I confess I love my home, and I am glad my children seem to maintain a strong affection for it.”

“I have rarely seen a place so beautiful. I saw Rosings, too, and it is impressive, but Matlock is much more…alive. I do not know if you understand my meaning.”

“I do understand your meaning, Miss Bennet. I thank you; your words bring me joy.”

“It is beautiful,” she repeated while turning around.

“You must see Pemberley; you will absolutely love it,” Lady Selina intervened. “I love my home, but I have to admit, Pemberley is the most perfectly situated place I have ever seen. Besides all the care my uncle and my cousin have put in it, nature has given it everything one could hope…perfectly situated, indeed.”

“I cannot deny that,” the earl admitted, and Elizabeth had little to reply. She saw Mr. Darcy watching them with interest, but she was not certain whether he heard their words.

“Will the children not disturb the other guests?” Mrs. Gardiner inquired. “I know they are resting before dinner; perhaps we should take the children inside until—”

“The other guests have rooms in the opposite wing; their windows are to the back gardens. This wing is for family only,” the earl explained.

Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner quickly looked at each other, their surprise obvious while trying to properly comprehend the earl’s words, neither of them finding anything to say.

Lord Brightmore approached together with Mr. Darcy. The children had been taken off the ponies to resume their play in the grass.

“Darcy, when do you plan to go to Pemberley? We were just talking with Miss Elizabeth Bennet about it,” asked the earl.

He hesitated a moment, then answered as his eyes turned instantly to Elizabeth.

“I am not certain yet. I promised Bingley I would stay at Netherfield for a while. I have some business to discuss with Mr. Bennet, and I think this would be a perfect time. It is likely that we will go to Pemberley for the summer.”

“Seems a well thought plan, indeed. Bingley will be thrilled that someone finally accepted his invitation. That is—if he does not decide to take the step in the mean time.”

The conversation stopped abruptly as the children became tired and restless. Mrs. Gardiner and Lady Selina, together with the governess, retired to their rooms. Lord Matlock had some business to attend to, while Lord Brightmore followed his wife.

As there were only the three of them, the moment turned slightly awkward. Elizabeth needed to gather herself after the revelation that he planned to return to Netherfield. He had business with her father?

“Ladies, would you care to join me for a short walk? If you are not very tired, I mean.”

“I am not tired, but it depends on Georgiana. If she wishes to…” Elizabeth said.

The girl hesitated a little then looked from Elizabeth to her brother.

“I am a little tired, I confess. I would rather rest before dinner. But you should not abandon the walk because of me.”

There was another moment of silence; Darcy looked at her, but Elizabeth was unable to decide. She wished to have a few moments with him, but the house was full of people. If they were seen, the gossip and speculations would never end—especially from Miss Bingley and Lady Sinclair.

“Perhaps I should go and rest, too. Maybe another time would be better,” she said.

The expression of disappointment on his face was unmistakable, and she immediately regretted her decision, though she knew it was the only acceptable one. Before realising her own words, she continued.

“I am sorry; it would have been lovely to…but I think another time would be better.”

“Then I shall come,” said Miss Darcy.

“Pardon me?”

“I know you wished to go for a walk, but you cannot because of my absence. I shall go.”

Stunned, Elizabeth looked at the girl who barely dared to express her opinion only a few months ago. The determination in her voice was equally touching and amusing.

“Georgiana, you may go and rest, dearest. Miss Bennet and I will go for a walk. We will return shortly,” Darcy said with a voice that admitted no contradiction, and before any of them had time to reply, he put Elizabeth’s hand on his arm and started walking.

After a short glance at them, Miss Darcy returned to the house at a slow pace with a contented smile that lit her eyes. She was not tired at all.

***

Both of them looked straight ahead while the path took them towards a small grove at the end of the side garden.

“Are you upset?” he asked. “That I forced you to come?”

She smiled. “You did not force me, sir. And no, I am not upset.”

“I will come to Netherfield after we return to town.” His tone was hesitant. “I hope it is not an inconvenience for you?”

“No, no…I am just a little surprised. My father did not mention—”

“We discussed this possibility, but it was not settled until recently. And…there is another thing I would like to ask you. I have wanted to ask you for some time now. I shall write to Mr. Bennet, too, but I need to be certain of your answer first.”

He stopped, and she had to do the same; they faced each other for a moment, and she felt all her strength abandon her. Her knees were unable to support her, and she briefly looked around for a support. Did he intend to propose to her again? Was it possible? So hastily? It never crossed her mind that he might do that. How did it happen? She looked at him, searching for the proper words.

“I would be honoured if you accept my invitation to spend the summer at Pemberley…in July and August. Georgiana and I would be happy for you to be our guest. Not just you alone— I shall send an invitation to Mr. Bennet…for the entire family. It will be his decision… I hope Mrs. Gardiner will be there too. I wished to be certain that this idea would be agreeable to you before asking Mr. Bennet.”

She had already stopped breathing, so when he finished his question, she continued to look at him in disbelief. He invited her to spend the summer at Pemberley. And she thought— She was such a simpleton! If he only knew how ridiculous she had been…

She needed some time to regain her composure before she was able to reply.

“I thank you. I would be very happy to accept your invitation if my father agrees to it.”

“Excellent.” All the time they spoke, his gaze never abandoned her face; she could feel his eyes searching for her feelings, and the fear that he understood her foolish thoughts embarrassed her deeply.

He resumed their walk at a slow pace; she still held his arm, but her hand barely touched it.

As they walked, she noticed they were tracing a circle. They had departed a little, but now the path was taking them back. She startled again when he spoke.

“We shall be back in a few minutes. I thought it would be best if we do not go too far…today. It is quite late, and we should prepare for dinner.”

“It is for the best, indeed.”

He pointed out another path that left the grove and seemed to go towards a hill.

“That road would make a wonderful walk. This path travels up to the hill in front of us—there—see? It goes along up to the peak; you cannot see it very well from here because the hill is covered in woods. But the view from the top of the hill is spectacular. I could not describe it to you. You must see for yourself someday.”

Elizabeth leaned her head and tried to follow the path with her eyes. Mr. Darcy tried to show her where to look, and in doing so, their heads almost touched. He gently put his arm around her shoulders for a moment.

“I would like very much to see it…someday…” she whispered.

He said nothing, only took her hand and placed it properly back on his arm, continuing to walk to the house. When they almost reached the main gate, he said sternly.

“At these kinds of parties, people are used to staying up very late in the evening and sleeping late in the mornings. If one woke around seven, there would be plenty of time for a walk before breakfast.”

Silence fell again, as she did not know how to answer.

“I rarely sleep after seven,” she eventually replied just before they entered the house, and she hurried to her room to prepare for dinner.

Chapter 15

“You are beautiful, Lizzy,” Mrs. Gardiner said from the doorway.

Elizabeth abandoned her image in the mirror and glanced at her aunt.

“
You
look beautiful, Aunt. I really believe this trip suits you very well indeed.”

“Thank you, dear. I am just enjoying the pleasant company, and I am glad to see my children so happy.”

“I am grateful to know you have good friends like Lord Matlock and Lady Selina. I am well aware that your situation is perfectly safe and there is no need to worry for your and my cousins’ well-being, but the comfort of a close friend is more valuable than anything.”

“True, dearest; Lady Selina and her family have been of great help. I could never thank them enough,” Mrs. Gardiner replied, and Elizabeth saw that her aunt was slightly embarrassed.

“And I have to say, aunt, I felt honoured and a little overwhelmed that Lord Matlock offered us rooms in the family wing. It is quite astonishing.”

“I was surprised, too. I never thought that… It is an honour, indeed. Lord Matlock is very kind, and he is truly fond of you, dearest. I wonder whether he still tries to marry you to his sons,” Mrs. Gardiner tried to joke. “Did you speak with Jane? How is she?”

“Yes, I did. I visited a little earlier. She has a splendid apartment on the corner, just at the end of this wing. I thought we easily could have stayed together; there was no need to have separate rooms. I miss talking to Jane. I think she has a lot to share, and I have not spent enough time with her these last few days.”

“Well, you will have plenty of time to spend together when you return to Hertfordshire. And, with God’s will, perhaps she will have even more things to share then. I wonder when Mr. Bingley will take the plunge.”

“Mr. Bingley seems completely bewitched, poor man. I think he cannot even breathe without her. He must do something sometime soon; I am certain of that.”

“And what about you, Lizzy, do you not have anything to share?”

“No…nothing to share at the moment. I think we are expected at dinner; it is quite late.”

Elizabeth’s estimation about being late proved correct. By the time they arrived, the entire party was gathered in the drawing room.

Their hosts greeted them and then seated them near Jane and Georgiana. Elizabeth cast a quick glance to Darcy; he was seated in a corner next to the colonel and the viscount.

“Lady Selina was so kind as to offer me one of her horses,” Jane whispered to Elizabeth.

“I have one for Mrs. Gardiner, too.” Lady Selina smiled. “Tomorrow we shall go for a long ride to become accustomed to the horses. We do not want surprises during the hunt.”

“What about you, Miss Elizabeth? Did you bring your own mount?” Lady Sinclair asked.

“Oh, Eliza does not ride. She is much fonder of walking,” Miss Bingley replied.

“Walking? What do you mean walking? Surely you cannot pretend to walk on country roads—any farther than the back garden!”

“Eliza is quite fond of walking on country roads. I remember one time she walked more than three miles to Netherfield, and it was just a day after rain,” Miss Bingley continued.

“You cannot be serious,” Lady Sinclair replied, looking straight at Elizabeth, her tone as contemptuous as her gaze.

“I am perfectly serious, I assure you,” Miss Bingley insisted. “Eliza is here; she can tell you all the details.”

Both women looked at her, but Elizabeth remained silent, holding their stares. From the corner of her eye, she could see Darcy and the young Matlocks obviously on edge. She turned to Darcy for a moment, and their eyes met enough to share a smile. He took a gulp from his wine. She did not need his help; her smile told him as much.

“Well, Miss Elizabeth?” asked Lady Sinclair impatiently. “What have you to say? Is it true you do not ride? And did you really walk three miles?”

“I could say quite a lot, but I will restrain myself from doing so. I have learned that it is a lady’s virtue not to say everything that crosses her mind,” Elizabeth said with sharp mockery. “As for whether I prefer riding or walking, Miss Bingley seems excessively familiar with my likes and dislikes; it must be a proof of her affection and friendship—for which I am grateful.”

“But if you do not ride, I am certain you do not hunt either. Why did you come to a hunting party?” Lady Sinclair asked impatiently. The rudeness of her question made Georgiana and Jane turn pale and took Elizabeth by surprise.

“That is not—” Darcy began firmly, but Elizabeth interrupted him as she replied.

“I do not ride and certainly do not hunt, but I can still enjoy the beauties of Matlock, and I dare say that is sufficient reason to accept Lord Matlock’s generous invitation. I am certain I will find other pleasant ways to employ my time. Besides, though your ladyship enjoys riding and hunting, I am certain those are not the only reasons you decided to join the party, Lady Sinclair,” Elizabeth said, her expression light and amused.