Page 23 of Hidden Desires
“Why not talk about this in the house, where we can sit and be comfortable? I have a bottle of port that suits conversations like this.”
At the suggestion, Darcy’s unease returned. For a moment he considered thanking Bennet and offering an excuse to leave, but that would be cowardice. He would be returning for supper on Friday regardless, and he saw no harm in beginning the work of softening Miss Elizabeth’s opinion now.
“She will not attack you the moment you come through the door,” Bennet said with a laugh, to which Darcy forced a smile.
“She prefers to wait until you show any weakness. That way, her chances of victory improve.”
Darcy grimaced and narrowed his eyes. “You are not making this easier,” he said, earning another round of his companion’s vigorous laughter.
“Do you enjoy watching my discomfort?”
Bennet shrugged and laughed again, and this time Darcy joined him.
Why am I so concerned? I know my remarks were careless and ill-advised, but that does not mean she will reject my apology.
Miss Elizabeth is a gentleman’s daughter, and if she resembles her sister in temperament, she will forgive me.
All I need to do is gather my courage and tell her the truth.
If she refuses to hear it, I can always throw myself at her feet and wash her shoes with my tears.
With luck, it will not come to that. Or perhaps I can enjoy a glass of Bennet’s port and leave before Miss Elizabeth knows I am here.
If he keeps his bottles in the library, as I do at Pemberley, I might reach it unseen.
He smiled and, waving toward the house, set off in that direction. “Let us get this over with,” he said as Bennet caught up. “Just promise me you have not taught her to fight with a sword or load a pistol.”
“You are in luck,” Bennet said, leading him to the entrance and placing a hand on the latch. “Those lessons are scheduled for next week. Would you prefer to wait a few days and make this more entertaining?”
Darcy glanced at the other from the corner of his eye. The man was enjoying himself far too much, but nothing could be done about it now. Revenge would come, though not today. When it did, it would be delivered at the time of Darcy’s choosing.
Bennet stood at the door as though waiting for a response. When none came, he engaged the latch and swung the door wide.
Darcy’s hopes of slipping off to the library vanished the moment he stepped inside. Standing across the room were Bennet’s two eldest daughters.
“It appears your arrival did not go unnoticed,” Bennet said, nodding toward the young women.
“Please, permit me to introduce my two eldest children,” he said, gesturing to the familiar faces, one of which did not seem pleased to see him. “This is my eldest, Jane, and her sister, Elizabeth.”
Although he had admired her from afar at the assembly, Darcy’s breath caught when his gaze settled on Jane. Sunlight streamed through the windows, catching her hair and casting a halo around her head. Her fair complexion enhanced the gentle curve of her cheek and the softness of her lips.
But her eyes held him still. They shone with warmth and kindness, drawing him in. Time seemed to stop as the sight of her struck him with the force of a physical blow.
He struggled to maintain composure as the mask of indifference slipped.
Once he regained control, he nodded and spoke with care.
“Although we did not meet at the assembly, I am pleased to make your acquaintance now. When I saw you dancing with Bingley, you appeared to be the happiest couple in the room.”
“Thank you, Mr. Darcy,” she replied, offering a quick giggle.
With those pleasantries complete, he shifted his attention to her sister and saw the remnants of his offense still burning in her expression.
“Hello, Miss Elizabeth,” he said with a smile he hoped she would see as friendly. “I am honored to make your acquaintance.”
“Mr. Darcy,” she replied, her tone cool and formal. “Welcome to Longbourn.”
Miss Elizabeth
stood an inch or two taller than her sister, with a slender figure and a natural elegance that must draw attention wherever she went. Her ruddy complexion marked her as someone who spent much time out of doors.
Hazel eyes shone with intelligence, and he wondered how they might look with a smile instead of disapproval. Dark curls framed her face in loose, undisciplined waves, hinting at a spirit that refused to yield to fashion or expectation.
Although not a classic beauty, her features held a quiet power that stirred him; she appeared governed by principle, aware of society’s demands but not ruled by them.
She had made no effort to soften her dislike and wore no mask to gain favor. If he hoped to earn her respect, he must first prove himself worthy.
Darcy swallowed and drew a careful breath before speaking.
“I apologize for insulting you at the assembly,” he said, forcing himself to meet her eyes, though his shame urged him to look away.
“My remarks were cruel, and I regret the pain they caused. I hope you can allow me the chance, in time, to explain.”
Her eyes flashed as he spoke, though not in anger. He thought, for a moment, that he saw a glimmer of amusement before she recovered her composure, and the possibility steadied him. She might not forgive him yet, but perhaps she had not dismissed him altogether either.
Miss Elizabeth tilted her head and studied him, arms crossed, her brows drawn in frank appraisal.
“You speak of regret, but I wonder if you understand the cause. You treated me with contempt before you knew me, and you spoke to Mr. Bingley as though his regard for me were a failing to be corrected. It was not only unkind, it was also arrogant.”
He opened his mouth to reply, but she went on, her tone calm.
“I cannot say whether you are a gentleman in any sense that matters, as I do not know your family or your position and have no interest in hearing a list of your connections. From what I have seen, you are a man who believes his opinion requires no justification, no matter whom it wounds.”
Her mouth firmed as she looked him over. “That gives me leave to do the same.”
Darcy felt heat rising in his face but inclined his head in acknowledgment.
“You say you regret your words. In time I may believe you. Until then, I will judge you by what I see, not by what you claim to feel.”
“I could not ask for more,” Darcy said, his heart lighter.
“If you permit,” he said, turning to Bennet, “I should return to Netherfield. Georgiana is waiting, and I promised her I would not spend the afternoon here.”
“By all means,” Bennet said, rising to walk him out. “Return when you wish, whether to speak of Netherfield, orchards, or women unafraid to handle a pistol.”
Darcy smiled at Miss Elizabeth, whose confusion made the remark more amusing, then opened the door. “I hope to see you again soon,” he said, pleased by the private jest.
“And next time, I will bring my sister,” he added, pausing at the threshold for a final glance at the two women. “She was not happy with remaining behind today, and I will not test her patience again.”
“Please bring her,” Elizabeth said, a smile softening her features. “Jane and I look forward to the introduction.”
A faint, cool smile curved her mouth, though her eyes remained steady. “We can ask her all sorts of questions about your behavior at assemblies near your home. Who knows what secrets she might reveal?”
“I am sorry, but she has none. My life is an open book, without guilty pleasures or shameful conduct. Ask her anything you like. You will uncover nothing questionable in my past.”
Elizabeth nodded at the claim. She studied him, her gaze narrowing as if to search for some trace of deceit. Her smile deepened. “We shall see,” she said as he stepped outside.
“I’ll walk with you to the stable,” Bennet said, falling in beside him.
“A beautiful day,” Darcy said as they left the house.
His companion nodded, amusement showing in his face.
“It is, and a productive one for you, I think. If you follow my advice, Netherfield’s orchard should yield fruit again within two years.
The gardener must prune with care and root out the weeds choking the soil.
Some trees may be past saving, but most should recover. ”
“I am grateful for your guidance, both in the orchard and in urging me to apologize. For the first time since arriving, I can see what might be done with the place. This day has given me more than I expected.”
Bennet nodded. “And Elizabeth granted you permission to return,” he said, pausing before adding, “so long as you bring your sister.”
He laughed at the scowl that crossed Darcy’s face.
“She will be pleased when I tell her,” Darcy replied, accepting the reins from the groom and mounting his horse. “I should have brought her with me, but I was uncertain how Miss Elizabeth might receive her.”
“Lizzy is always polite to strangers,” Bennet said, his smile turning sly, “even when she is angry at their brothers.”
“That is good to know,” Darcy said, settling into the saddle. “Please tell her to expect us tomorrow.”
“I will,” Bennet called as the horse responded to the pressure of Darcy’s knees and moved down the path.
Darcy reached the lane, then turned and pointed back toward the house. “It appears you have company.”
Bennet followed his gaze to three young women approaching from the opposite direction, walking at a brisk pace with bonnets askew and cheeks flushed from exertion.
Without comment, he moved toward the manor door, his stride quickening and mouth set in a grim line.
Darcy watched him go, noting the tension in his posture and the absence of parting pleasantries. Something about the girls’ return had disturbed him, though Darcy could not guess what. He turned his horse toward the road and continued on, the image of Miss Elizabeth lingering in his thoughts.