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Before Elizabeth could respond, the memory of Charlotte suggesting Mr. Darcy looked at her often entered her mind yet again, and along with it, her uncle’s opinion that neatly revealed Elizabeth’s contention as ridiculous.

Though she had never seen a reason to doubt her perception, Elizabeth now wondered if she was mistaken.

The Mr. Darcy before her now betrayed no such tendencies; if anything, he was attentive and showed a surprising interest in her opinions and person.

The notion of his admiration was yet a bridge too far for Elizabeth to understand, so she contented herself with a banal answer.

“That was many months ago, and you only stayed for a short time.”

“Yet, as I said, I was there for almost two months.”

When Elizabeth shrugged, the gentleman dropped the subject. “It does not signify now, given the time that has passed. I shall only say that I appreciate your actions to bring us to each other’s attention again.”

There were several interpretations of Mr. Darcy’s last comment, but most were more of the sort that Elizabeth pushed away in confusion. The most innocuous meaning was the most palatable for Elizabeth to address.

“Do you suppose I came to Pemberley hoping to put myself in your company?”

The arched eyebrow accompanying the comment provoked the desired response.

“Did you not?”

Elizabeth shook her head, but she kept the smile affixed to her face to take the sting out of her words. “That, Mr. Darcy, suggests a measure of hubris I had not expected of you.”

“Then why did you come?”

“Curiosity,” said Elizabeth, shrugging to show her indifference. “Aunt Gardiner has toured your estate before and recommended it, and my interest arose because of your praise of the place. Furthermore, I will note that our inquiries in Lambton suggested you were not in residence.”

Mr. Darcy returned to his contemplation of her.

In the distance, Elizabeth saw the house approaching and judged they would arrive within five minutes, which was welcome in her unsettled state.

The sooner they were away, the better, for Elizabeth wished to ponder what they had discussed, perhaps come to some understanding that did not unsettle her.

While Mr. Darcy’s deliberation continued for most of those five minutes to Elizabeth’s relief, he made a comment that upset her balance just before he pulled the curricle to a halt in front of the stable.

“I hope you will welcome my comment, then, for I could not be happier with our reunion.”

The gentleman did not clarify his statement, instead hopping down from the curricle when it came to a rest, then turning and extending his hand to help Elizabeth alight.

Elizabeth might have preferred to take hold of a slippery fish at that moment, but she accepted his assistance and was soon grateful to have firm ground under her feet.

The Gardiners, who had come in behind them, approached before Elizabeth could exchange anything with Mr. Darcy, and there was no further chance for any tête-à-tête.

“Thus have my wife’s assertions proven correct, Mr. Darcy,” said Mr. Gardiner, sporting a wide grin. “You have a beautiful home, and one that suits you. Thank you for your civility, sir, for the tour was well worth the effort.”

“It is no trouble at all, sir,” said Mr. Darcy, “nothing less than I would do for any acquaintance.”

“Oh?” asked Elizabeth, a sudden mischief coming into her heart. “Then I might suppose you have treated Miss Bingley to the same civility? As I recall, she spoke at length of the beauties of Pemberley.”

“Had she shown any interest, I might have,” said Mr. Darcy, catching her tone and returning her comment in the same spirit. “Miss Bingley does not possess the same love of nature, so she has seen nothing more than the woods and fields along the drive and the house itself.”

“Ah, then I understand. Given her comments about Netherfield, I must suppose such things are of far more interest to her.”

“I shall not say you are incorrect.”

Mr. Gardiner watched all this, his affection for Elizabeth and approval for Mr. Darcy unmistakable. Soon, however, he moved to more practical matters.

“While I thank you for this without reservation, Mr. Darcy, we must return to Lambton soon. Not only will your guests arrive before long, but I believe my wife wishes to rest.”

“The phaeton was lovely, Mr. Darcy,” said Aunt Gardiner, “but after so long in the sun, I should like to rest for a time before dinner.”

“Understandable,” said Mr. Darcy. “Please know that you are welcome to return to Pemberley at any time convenient.

“In fact,” continued he with nary a pause, “I should like to introduce my sister to your acquaintance if I may be so bold. Would that be acceptable?”

In a day full of surprises, that was perhaps the greatest shock, though not unwelcome. Before, when he had surprised her, Elizabeth had allowed it to still her tongue; on this occasion, she spoke up at once to prevent her aunt and uncle from looking to her.

“We should be pleased to meet her, Mr. Darcy.”

“Excellent. Georgiana will wish to rest when she arrives at Pemberley, but I shall speak to her and attend you tomorrow morning.”

“Very well,” said Mr. Gardiner. “We shall wait at the inn for your arrival. Shall we say nine o’clock?”

The appointment made, Elizabeth and her relations made their farewells to Mr. Darcy and boarded the carriage to return to Lambton.

As they departed, Elizabeth could not help but look back at the gentleman as he watched the carriage leave, wondering about these changes that had come over Mr. Darcy.

Though she suspected they might wait until they returned to Lambton, her aunt and uncle would have much to say to her, enough to make their previous interrogation nothing by comparison.

To her chagrin, her supposition was incorrect.

“ That was no less than shocking, considering what you have told us of the gentleman,” said Uncle Gardiner.

“If you ask me,” said Mrs. Gardiner, “Mr. Darcy admires our Lizzy.”

“Yet if you recall,” said Elizabeth, “I was not handsome enough for him.”

“Perhaps he said that, Lizzy,” replied her aunt. “The only thing I can say at present is that Mr. Darcy appears to find you agreeable now .”

“He is as fine a fellow as ever I met,” opined Mr. Gardiner. “There is no hint of false pride about him at all, though I am not discounting what you told us of him, Lizzy.”

“What of Mr. Wickham?” asked Elizabeth in desperation.

Her relations regarded her, seeming to sense something of Elizabeth’s feelings.

“Lizzy,” said her aunt, “I will remind you that you only have Mr. Wickham’s side of the story. While I found Mr. Wickham to be an engaging man, you cannot truly judge on that alone.”

“Moreover,” said her uncle, “You must confess that it is more than a little strange for a man to speak to a new acquaintance about such significant matters. It is more than a little improper, do you not agree?”

Elizabeth sighed, acknowledging defeat. “That has occurred to me. It is impossible to know the truth, for I cannot ask Mr. Darcy.”

Uncle Gardiner studied her, then gave her a slow nod. “No, that would be an impertinence.”

“I suggest you put thoughts of Mr. Wickham to the side,” said Aunt Gardiner. “See the gentleman as he is and not as Mr. Wickham wished you to see him. You will have at least tomorrow morning to judge, and unless I am mistaken, I suspect you will have more than that.”

There was no way to dispute her relations’ words, nor did Elizabeth wish to do so.

Elizabeth could not but own to more than a little curiosity, such that she wondered what Mr. Darcy meant.

As for what he said to her before they alighted from the curricle, Elizabeth had said nothing, nor did she mean to.

It was an intimacy that she had no desire to share with anyone, even her most beloved relations.

Why she felt that way, she could not say, but she could not deny it all the same.

As a final cap on the afternoon, the Gardiners passed through the lodge on Pemberley’s borders and turned toward Lambton in the distance.

As they were passing, she noticed several carriages approaching, though they never came close enough to see the occupants.

When she looked back, she saw them pass the lodge and enter the road to the estate, and she was certain that Georgiana Darcy and the Bingleys rode in those coaches.

The notion of what Miss Bingley would say when she learned Elizabeth was in the neighborhood came to her, and she stifled a snicker.

Given the attention Mr. Darcy had paid to her that day and Miss Bingley’s ambitions, she could not suppose the woman would welcome the news with any equanimity.

LITTLE THOUGH HE HAD considered it before—though only a simpleton would not understand it—there were certain drawbacks to his meeting with Miss Bennet.

Or, to own the truth, Darcy supposed she was more properly termed a drawback, singular rather than plural.

Not only did this drawback make herself known the moment she descended from the carriage, but Darcy found himself wishing for her absence.

That eventuality was not surprising, for Darcy did not care for Miss Bingley’s company, but to desire her absence the moment she arrived was more expeditious than usual.

“Every time I visit this magnificent estate, I cannot help but wonder how it can become more beautiful.” Miss Bingley directed a coquettish sort of leer at him.

“How grateful we are to you for opening your home to us yet again, Mr. Darcy, for I cannot imagine any place on earth I would rather be than Pemberley. We shall be a merry party, indeed!”