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Darcy grinned when he saw her pluck the latter from a shelf. “I hadn’t realized that you had any particular interest in fishing.”

Elizabeth smiled. “Actually, Papa would take me when I was little; with no son, he treated me as the next best thing. In fact, he recommended Charles Cotton’s book to me when I told him that we would be visiting Derbyshire; he said that it was a true nature lover’s description of the Peak District.

I did not know that there had been a revision. ”

“Indeed—your father is absolutely right about Cotton’s narration of his travels.

I admit that it is an old favorite of mine; I have a copy in London that I pick up whenever I find myself longing for the country.

” Darcy took the book from her hand and flipped it open.

“This newer edition is prefaced with a short biography of Charles Cotton by William Oldys. It is fairly well done though Oldys seems to have been more fascinated by Cotton’s flair for the burlesque than his love of Derbyshire. ”

Fitzwilliam handed the volume back to her and their gloveless fingers brushed. His breath caught but he quickly gathered his wits and inquired, “ Do you ride, Miss Bennet?”

Realizing from her raised eyebrows that his question might have sounded disconnected from the previous topic, he rushed to add, “I merely meant that, having witnessed your love of the outdoors and your interest in the written descriptions of the Peaks… there are many prospects that are too far to reach on foot and cannot be accessed by any wheeled vehicle. I would be happy to show you, or Georgiana could…”

Elizabeth smiled broadly and touched his arm.

She was still unsure why such a man would be so desirous of her good opinion, but she had to admit that his occasional babbling in her presence was endearing.

“Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I should very much appreciate your guidance. My sisters and I all learned to ride when we were young, but I admit that I’ve not sat on a horse in quite some time.

Longbourn has only one palfrey in the stable—my father does not like us to ride his gelding—and old Nelly has been growing increasingly…

elderly. To be honest, I feel guilty even mounting her—she groans in such agony as if she is about to collapse! ”

“Well, we have several horses that might suit you. Shall I give you a tour of the stables?”

Elizabeth beamed at his boyish enthusiasm. “I should like that very much.” Then she nodded toward the approaching Gardiners who were now accompanied by both Georgiana and Mrs. Reynolds. “However, I suspect that we will have to delay our outing for another day.”

“Mr. Darcy?” Though phrased as a question, Mrs. Reynolds tone was one he remembered from the schoolroom.

“Ah, Mrs. Reynolds. Have I lost track of the clock again? Is it time for us to dress for dinner already?”

“Yes, sir. Cook has a special menu planned and it would be best if it is not kept waiting.”

Mr. Gardiner chuckled good-naturedly. “Well friends, it sounds like we have our marching orders.” He smiled at Pemberley’s housekeeper. “What time are we to assemble, ma’am?”

Mrs. Reynolds pursed her lips and assumed a serious demeanor, though her eyes twinkled with amusement. “Half-past seven, sir.”

With some joking, the group obediently dispersed to their rooms.

Having dressed for dinner with her usual efficiency, Elizabeth was directed by a footman to the parlor on the first floor. Her eyes betrayed her surprise when she realized that they were to dine in Pemberley’s most stately dining room.

“So formal, sir? You do us great honor.”

Darcy saw the question in her tease and shrugged self-consciously, explaining, “We use it so rarely… and I thought that it would be appropriate for your first dinner at Pemberley.”

Not quite certain if he was using ‘your’ in the singular or plural sense of the word, Elizabeth blushed slightly.

In a flash, the import of her visit struck her.

The man standing before her wished to spend his life with her…

of all the ladies he must have met in London and beyond, he had chosen her… fallen in love with her .

For Elizabeth could no longer doubt that the gentleman was deeply, ardently in love with her; a love that encompassed both passion and friendship, just as she had always dreamed.

She sighed and a little shiver ran through her when she realized that they had been staring silently at one another for several moments.

Before either could say anything, the Gardiners were led in by Miss Darcy.

After some easy conversation about the comfort of their chambers and satisfaction with the care being shown to their children, dinner was signaled.

Mrs. Gardiner moved cunningly to her husband’s side and, taking his arm, she was pleased to see Mr. Darcy obediently offer his own to his sister and Elizabeth.

They were served with all the pomp and circumstance possible for a party of five, none of whom had much preference for the pretensions of formal dining in general.

It was clear that Pemberley’s staff, having been without their master for some months, were eager to please.

The food was superb, wine glasses were refilled instantly, and, when the dessert course was brought out, both Darcys sighed with contentment.

The guests began laughing as the siblings eagerly examined the dishes; Georgiana colored slightly but it was a sign of her comfort in their company that she also managed to smile.

Fitzwilliam grinned widely, showing his dimples. “You may laugh all you like but I shall not apologize for our eagerness. Our cook knows that shortcake with strawberries and cream is our favorite.”

Georgiana added. “It is a simple, country dish but I am convinced that there are no better berries on Earth than those at Pemberley.” She took a bite and sighed with contentment.

Moving his spoon towards Elizabeth’s plate, Darcy offered puckishly, “I would be happy to eat your portion if you don’t want it.”

Laughing, the young lady slapped away his hand. “Oh no, your assistance is quite unnecessary, sir.” With one eyebrow raised, she brought her hands protectively over the dish. “And do not forget that I have four sisters; I am well practiced in defending my sweets, Mr. Darcy!”

The dinner ended in good humor, the guests easily agreeing with the Darcys’ assessment of the dessert.

The evening ended soon after. The travelers were tired from their time on the road and Darcy was feeling the effects of his morning’s travails.

Although both he and Elizabeth had separately expected to lay awake thinking of the other, both fell asleep (also separately) within moments of their head touching the pillow.

Sunday passed quietly. After breakfast, the party divided among two carriages and made the scenic drive to Lambton.

At Mrs. Gardiner’s inquiry, Darcy admitted that Pemberley’s chapel was currently vacant.

“Mr. Venton passed away last year and I was not satisfied with any of the candidates who applied for the position.” Seeing the question in Elizabeth’s eyes, he explained further.

“Our family supports a rector at Lambton and a vicar in Kympton, a small market town to the north of the estate that you have not yet seen. There is also a chapel associated with Pemberley House. However, the curate there occupies such an intimate position within the household that I am perhaps over-careful in my requirements for a replacement.” He shrugged helplessly but the other occupants of the carriage expressed their approval.

Madeleine spoke with authority; “That sounds like a perfectly reasonable course of action. You are absolutely correct; it is one thing to take on a cleric for the local parish and another entirely to invite a stranger in who will be ministering to your servants and staff every Sunday, often without your presence.”

Fitzwilliam appreciated her reassurance and was happier than ever that he had had the opportunity to become acquainted with the Gardiners. He could easily understand why Elizabeth loved them so.

After the carriage stopped at a pretty, well-kept stone church and they were handed down, Elizabeth noticed several wagons with servants that she recognized.

When she questioned him, Darcy explained that arrangements had been made for the staff to be transported to town for services until a new curate was found for the Pemberley chapel.

He shrugged modestly when she praised his thoughtfulness.

“They can return in the wagon directly after services, or a second is sent out at five so that those who wish to visit family or so forth can stay the day. It is nearly eight miles back to the main house; when I was a boy, I used to race my cousins to the horse chestnut tree on the green,” he grinned in remembrance.

“I decided that I shouldn’t expect that from some of our older staff, however. ”

Elizabeth grinned. “Distances are rather different here. At Longbourn, it is but a mile to the church; even Mama would not consider calling for the carriage. And of course we girls think nothing of walking in to Meryton, as you are well aware.”

Darcy smiled but his sister approached with the Gardiner children before he could reply. Elizabeth turned to the younger woman. “Miss Darcy; you have become quite a favorite, it appears!”

Little Amelia tugged on her cousin’s skirt to get her attention. “Lizzy! Lizzy—look! Miss Darcy let me wear her hair ribbons! Aren’t they pretty?”

Elizabeth was just agreeing when Mrs. Gardiner appeared at their side, taking charge of her flock with the easy composure of an experienced mother. “Now Amelia, we are about to go to church. What does the bible say about little girls fishing for compliments?”

The youngest Miss Gardiner scrunched her face in serious concentration for a moment before brightening. “But Mama, I wasn’t being vain… I was telling Lizzy of Miss Darcy’s great sacrifice!”