Page 4 of Drawn to Love

“How are you, Aunt?”

“Oh dear, I feel quite foolish and undeservedly spoilt. Look at me — lying in the bed where a countess usually sleeps! I am not sure whether I should laugh or cry.”

“I am pleased to know you are comfortable. You do indeed deserve it.”

“I shall definitely laugh when my cousins arrive and find me here. I wonder if they have ever seen the inside of Pemberley.”

“Should they not have arrived by now?”

“It depends whether they were at home and if the carriage was available. Until then, we can only wait and enjoy being treated like royalty. After running around after children, I certainly know to appreciate it,” the lady joked.

Elizabeth smiled, walking around the room and stopping near the window, which offered a breathtaking view over the lake.

“The gardens cannot be seen from here,” she murmured.

“Lizzy, you are very thoughtful and quiet. And you argued about the notion of coming to Pemberley. Is there something that you wish to tell me?”

“No…I am only concerned over our predicament.”

“Mr. Darcy is nothing like you described him. Neither in appearance nor in manners, and your relationship with him is nothing like you led us to believe.”

“I described Mr. Darcy and my relationship with him based on my judgment at that time. While I discovered more of his positive traits of character when I was in Kent, I certainly did not expect such a warm reception when we met.”

“I shall only say one thing, Lizzy. Your opinion of Mr. Darcy might have been poor, but somehow, his opinion of you must be high — otherwise he would not have shown such attention to your relatives, who are so much below him in every respect.”

“My opinion of Mr. Darcy is not poor at present, Aunt. And I would not say you and my uncle are below anyone.”

“You are sweet, Lizzy, but I am sure you know I am right. As for your opinion, I am glad it changed. I can see nothing to fault in Mr. Darcy. His features are exceedingly handsome too.”

A knock on the door interrupted them, and a maid announced Dr Hodge. He was a gentleman likely of her father’s age, Elizabeth mused. He was voluble, speaking loudly and asking for privacy to examine the patient.

“I was told you are the cousin of Turner and Clarke. Well, well, what a surprise. You came all the way to Derbyshire to break your leg,” the doctor said, while Elizabeth moved to sit on a chair in the corner.

There was silence for a few moments while the doctor examined his patient.

“Well, the good news is that there does not seem to be anything broken, but your leg is badly swollen, which is good and bad at the same time. You will have to rest for a few days. I shall give you a salve for the wound, and you must not put any weight on your leg until it is healed. Hopefully, you will not have to stay in bed too long.”

The doctor’s examination was shorter than his conversation, and when he finally left, Mrs. Gardiner remained with a large smile on her face.

“Well, Lizzy, you must find a way to amuse yourself without me. Your uncle will be a good enough companion, and hopefully my cousins too.”

“Do not worry for me, Aunt. Just be cautious and patient to ensure you get well.”

“I shall. In truth, staying in bed and sleeping for a few days is not a horrible prospect. I am happy that at least I had the chance to see Pemberley.”

Their conversation continued in the same light manner until the maid entered with a tray of refreshments.

“Do you know where my husband is?” Mrs. Gardiner enquired.

“Yes, ma’am. He is with the master, in the library. Tom took them some food there. And Mr. Turner and Mr. Clarke arrived — they are in the library too.”

“Oh, how lovely! I am glad to hear that. Could you please tell Mr. Gardiner to come to speak to me, when possible?”

“Of course, ma’am.”

Elizabeth found herself strangely torn between opposing feelings.

She was relieved that they would finally reach their final destination of Lambton but regretted leaving Pemberley — or better said leaving Mr. Darcy without having the chance to talk to him.

She wondered how it had happened that he was alone; where was his sister?

Did he know anything about Mr. Bingley and his sisters?

What about Colonel Fitzwilliam? And Lady Catherine de Bourgh — was she still insisting that he marry Miss de Bourgh? Would he?

She would certainly not dare ask Mr. Darcy any of those questions directly, but she hoped she might discover at least a few answers in one way or another. If she left Pemberley, she might waste such an opportunity.

It was a while before Mr. Gardiner finally joined them. He was wearing a large grin, and his crimson cheeks betrayed his enjoyment of Mr. Darcy’s brandy.

“I can see you are having a wonderful time, Mr. Gardiner,” his wife called out to him, her eyebrow arched.

“I confess I am, my dear! I have come to ask you something. The doctor said your injury is serious, and you must rest for a few days. And your cousin Tom said the inn is full, but he has kept us the best two rooms he has — on the top floor!”

“Oh dear…”

“Yes. And you will never guess what happened! Mr. Darcy invited us to stay at Pemberley for a few days until your leg is completely healed! He said we may stay for the entire week until we return to London! I shall be able to fish tomorrow! He will lend me all the necessary equipment. He invited your cousins to join me, but they declined. They did not seem fond of that particular entertainment—”

“Uncle, please stop a moment,” Elizabeth interrupted him. “We cannot possibly stay at Pemberley for a week!” She was aware that her voice was trembling, and her hands were suddenly cold.

“Why not? Come, Lizzy dear, do not ruin my enjoyment simply because the man refused to dance with you once!”

“Uncle, that is not the reason for my hesitation. I just do not feel comfortable. We came here with no invitation, then our accident forced Mr. Darcy to offer us shelter. And when he heard there was no convenient room at the inn, of course he felt obliged to invite us to stay. I feel like we are abusing his generosity. Can you, Aunt, not stay with one of your cousins, in their house?”

“I cannot, my dear. They have only enough rooms to accommodate their families.”

“Lizzy, I understand your reluctance, but Mr. Darcy assured me it is no imposition. I truly believe he would enjoy some company since he is alone here. He only insisted I should ask your opinion. He said I should have Margaret’s approval and yours.”

“What did you tell Mr. Darcy?” Mrs. Gardiner enquired.

“That I should ask you. Your cousins are still in the library with him. By the by, your cousins barely dared to accept a glass of brandy and to take a seat.” He laughed.

“I am not surprised. You, however, look like you easily accepted more than one glass of brandy,” Mrs. Gardiner said with equal rebuke and amusement.

“I did. What do you say, my dear?”

“I am not sure. The situation is rather strange, and I cannot dismiss Lizzy’s worries.”

“It is not strange,” Mr. Gardiner insisted. “Mr. Darcy is just a kind gentleman who possesses a house with a hundred rooms he can spare. I would do exactly the same if a friend of a friend suffered an accident in my house. Would you not, my dear? And you must admit it is convenient for you.”

“In truth,” Mrs. Gardiner answered, “anyone would prefer the peace of Pemberley to a full inn and the notion of trying to climb so many stairs, under many curious gazes. What do you say, Lizzy?”

Elizabeth was far from being decided. She wished to speak to Mr. Darcy herself before accepting. But the presence of the other two men made it impossible.

“Uncle, are you certain, absolutely certain that Mr. Darcy really wished us to stay?”

“I have rarely been more certain of anything, my dear. I assure you I said nothing to force his invitation. Come, Lizzy. I find it rather ridiculous that such a man as Mr. Darcy invites us to spend a few days in his home and we hesitate to accept. I could not possibly refuse him without a sound reason. It would be a huge offence. I cannot be so ungrateful.”

Her uncle’s voice became more serious, and his enquiring gaze demanded an explanation she could not offer. Any further arguments would make things worse.

“You are right, of course, Uncle. My only concern was not to disturb Mr. Darcy. If he is in earnest, I am deeply grateful to him.”

“Excellent!” Mr. Gardiner exclaimed, and soon after, he left the room.