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Sitting in the Gardiners’ drawing room and watching his companions, Darcy wondered how anyone could feel so much joy and so much sorrow at the same time.

Elizabeth had just arrived from Kent, and he, together with the colonel and Bingley, had come to call on her. Knowing he would see Elizabeth soon, having time to become accustomed to that notion, Darcy had hoped he would be able to control his emotions. But he was wrong. Chills running down his spine, his heart pounding, and a lump in his throat were only a few of the symptoms that indicated his feelings for her remained equally strong. After all, it had been less than three weeks. He had failed to forget her in three months, after he left Hertfordshire; by comparison, three weeks meant nothing.

Elizabeth was talking to the colonel and Bingley, so he had plenty of time to observe her. She seemed somehow changed; her colour was heightened — probably from her long walks — and her eyes, as she glanced at him repeatedly, carried a different sort of sparkle, just as the little smile that twisted her lips was different from before.

“I am exceedingly pleased to see you again, Miss Elizabeth,” the colonel said.

“And I you, Colonel. What a lovely surprise to see you and Mr Darcy in my uncle’s house. And Mr Bingley, of course,” she added, then laughed while casting another look at Darcy.

“I fear Miss Bennet and Mr and Mrs Gardiner are already tired of seeing me in their house, as I am here every other day,” Bingley replied joyfully.

“Oh, not at all, sir!” Miss Bennet quickly answered, blushing.

“Not at all, sir,” Mrs Gardiner repeated. “Your visits are a delight to all of us — including the children.”

“I am glad to hear that. And relieved! You may bring the children too — to dinner, I mean. It would be lovely to have them.”

“Thank you, sir, but no,” Mrs Gardiner responded. “It would be far too late at night for them. They will stay at home with their nursemaid.”

“I am looking forward to this dinner with immense pleasure,” Bingley said. “Darcy and the colonel will be there too. And Miss Darcy with her companion.”

Elizabeth looked at Darcy again, her expression one of surprise.

“It will be wonderful to finally meet Miss Darcy,” Mrs Gardiner said. “I still cannot believe the master of Pemberley has visited my house twice,” she added.

Darcy smiled. “It is a pleasure to be in your company, ma’am. And my sister greatly anticipates meeting you, Miss Bennet, and Miss Elizabeth. I am glad to have the opportunity to introduce you.”

“Miss Darcy is truly the best sister a man could hope for. Sadly, not all of us are equally fortunate,” Bingley said.

“That, I cannot argue with,” Darcy replied. “May I ask when Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth will return to Longbourn?”

“In about a week,” Bingley responded. “I shall escort them on the journey. I have already agreed it with Mr Gardiner.”

“Actually, they have expressed a desire to stay in town a week longer, so it will be a fortnight,” Mrs Gardiner interjected. “Elizabeth said she would like to spend a little more time in London, and we are happy to have her.”

Darcy looked at Elizabeth and met her gaze for a moment. She averted her eyes quickly, then looked back at him. He understood but did not dare believe it.

“I am glad to hear that,” he said briefly. Could she want to stay because of him? If so, what could she possibly intend?

The colonel sighed. “Unfortunately, I shall leave town at the end of this week and only return at the end of the month. But I hope there will be other opportunities to meet again soon.”

“I am sure there will be,” Bingley quickly said. Miss Bennet blushed, and Elizabeth smiled. “I shall re-open Netherfield, so you are welcome to visit at any time, Colonel,” Bingley added. “I hope Darcy will come and enjoy the society more this time.”

“If only Mr Darcy would smile a bit more, I am sure the society would like him very much,” Elizabeth suddenly interjected. “But, in truth, I prefer a man who smiles rarely to one who smiles all the time with the main purpose of charming people into trusting him, only to deceive them later.”

“Are you speaking of me?” Bingley asked, and Elizabeth turned pale, looking panicked.

“Dear Lord, of course not! Why would you assume that?”

“Do not worry, Bingley. Your constant smile can be annoying at times, but your kind and generous heart and honourable character are beyond a doubt to everyone who knows you. I have absolute confidence that you could never deceive anyone on purpose,” Darcy declared, trying to comfort his friend in a light tone.

“Indeed, Mr Bingley. I have the highest opinion of you — and of your smiles,” Elizabeth added, her own smile wide and warm.

“Thank you, Miss Elizabeth. And, Darcy, if we are to speak about being kind and generous, you should be the main subject.” He turned to the ladies. “Do you know that Darcy has taken a woman with two daughters and an infant grandson into his house because they are starved and ill?”

At that, all eyes turned to him, and Darcy felt a lump in his throat.

“Bingley, this is not an appropriate subject of conversation for the ladies,” he answered, slightly embarrassed. However, the others’ curiosity was apparent, so he continued. “This woman, her daughters, and her grandson were in a dire situation caused by someone I know. Since he refused to take responsibility, I assumed it myself. It was a wrong that had to be remedied.”

“That is exceedingly generous of you, Mr Darcy,” Mr Gardiner said. “Unfortunately, people like you cannot fix everything that others ruin or break.”

“True, but I shall at least try, especially when the damage is caused by someone I know and should have stopped.” At that, he looked at Elizabeth, whose face was pale and distressed. “I hope that my intervention was in time and they will heal.”

“If someone caused such damage, they should suffer appropriate punishment,” Elizabeth uttered. “Generosity and kindness should not apply to people with no character, no honour, and no decency.”

“I am glad we are in agreement, Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy answered.

“How could we not be, Mr Darcy. I said once that one should admit one’s own errors and make amends for them. That was meant for everybody, including, or especially, myself.”

“I am glad you are in agreement since you two used to disagree on almost everything,” Bingley said. Darcy smiled, and so did Elizabeth, and shortly after, the visit ended.

***

Darcy’s feelings were still conflicted after the visit, but they had changed significantly. Those few bits of conversation with Elizabeth had been enjoyable, tormenting, and revealing. As much as he doubted his judgment, her attempts to show her change of mind and her desire to spend more time in his company were beyond a doubt. What her purpose and wishes were remained a mystery. But at least she seemed not to despise him any longer.

Being in her company was not easy, but the reward was worth the effort. He would see her again at Bingley’s dinner, and perhaps he could invite the Gardiners and their nieces to visit him too. What his purpose and wishes were, he did not dare admit either — it was too soon and too painful for that.

Progress in his other endeavour proceeded well too. The men he had hired had succeeded in finding many of Wickham’s creditors, and with the information he had collected, Darcy could have the reprobate sent to debtors’ prison at any time. However, he first wrote to the scoundrel in Meryton, demanding a private meeting at Mrs Younge’s establishment to discuss the matter at length. Colonel Fitzwilliam opposed such an act of charity and demanded to attend the meeting with Darcy.

Two days before the dinner at Bingley’s house, Darcy was out at his club. When he returned, he was stunned to discover that Georgiana and Mrs Annesley had gone for a walk with Bingley, two young ladies, and an older one.

Shocked and bewildered, Darcy’s first instinct was to go and search for them, but he refrained from such an impulsive action. They might be anywhere, and chasing about town after them was silly. Therefore, he chose to wait at home, speculating and gazing through the window until he finally spotted the group: Bingley, Mrs Gardiner and her two nieces, Mrs Annesley, and his sister. He hurried out to greet them, trying to overlook Elizabeth’s crimson cheeks.

“Brother, I am so happy you have returned. Mr Bingley was so kind as to invite me to join his party for a walk. We went to Hyde Park — it is beautiful at this time of year.”

“I am pleased to see you looking so joyful, Georgiana,” he replied. “Mrs Gardiner, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth — it is a pleasure to see you again. Would you like to come in for a moment?” As he spoke, he glanced at Elizabeth, but it was Mrs Gardiner who answered.

“We would be honoured, Mr Darcy, but it is impossible. We must return home — it is already late, and the children are waiting.”

“I understand, of course.”

“Brother, could we go to the theatre next week?” Georgiana asked suddenly. “There is a play we would all like to see.”

Such a request from Georgiana was rare, and it took Darcy by surprise. “Of course, what a lovely idea! I shall make the necessary arrangements,” he said, glancing at Elizabeth.

“Thank you, sir,” she whispered.

“No need to thank me for something that gives me great pleasure, Miss Elizabeth. I love theatre too, and I am pleased to have such enjoyable company.”

With that, the group separated. Darcy entered the house with Georgiana, who continued to speak cheerfully.

“Brother, it was such a lovely walk, though tiring.” She laughed. “Poor Mrs Annesley and Mrs Gardiner stopped halfway and waited for us on a bench.”

“I am glad you enjoyed it, dearest.”

“Oh, I did. I have to tell you a secret. Miss Elizabeth and I walked together most of the time, and Mr Bingley remained behind with Miss Bennet. I suspect we might hear some news soon.”

“Really?” He smiled, enchanted by her joy.

“Oh yes. I hope so. They are such a beautiful couple!”

“So you spent most of the time with Miss Elizabeth?”

“Yes, I remember you mentioned her in a few letters from Netherfield, and now I understand why. She is different from most young ladies. I mean, there is nothing false about her. I felt comfortable in her company.”

“I am glad to hear that. Truly glad.”

“And Mrs Gardiner is so kind. She spoke so highly of Mama and Papa and of Pemberley. Do you know she has never visited the house? I mean — inside?”

“I did not know that.”

“She said I look very much like Mama, but I know I am not as beautiful as she was.”

“Yes you are. Mrs Gardiner is right. Dearest, I shall say it again — I am truly content to see you so happy. I hope to never see pain in your eyes again.”

Georgiana frowned.

“The pain is still there, but the shame is even stronger. I was a fool, and I shall never forgive myself for that. But today I am happy, indeed. Do you have any news about George, Brother?”

“I do,” he said after a brief hesitation. “Georgiana, I intend to send him to debtors’ prison for a while. He needs to experience an ordeal such as that to understand the gravity of his actions. I hope you understand my reason.”

“I trust you will do what is right, Brother. It is fair that he should suffer the consequences of his actions since so many others do. Now, please excuse me, I am going to see Janey. She asked me what she should name the boy. I shall think about it. If he recovers, I would like to take him as my protégé, if you do not oppose it.”

“I trust you will do what is right, dearest,” he said, repeating her earlier statement. “You have my support in anything you decide.”