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U nable to fathom Miss Elizabeth’s presence though he was, Darcy did not stand there gaping at her, for he conceived a belated desire to avoid looking like a fool.

Thus, Darcy gathered himself and nodded to her, drinking in the sight of her pretty face, his mind at once moving to the providential nature of her sudden appearance.

“Miss Bennet, welcome to Pemberley.”

“Thank you, Mr. Darcy,” said the woman, curtseying to him as was proper. “Please accept my apologies for trespassing on your notice. We had no notion that you were in residence.”

“Not at all,” said Darcy, a reflexive response. “Until this very moment, I was not at home.”

The woman smiled and nodded. “Yes, that is apparent. Were you traveling from London, or did you visit Lambton this morning?”

“Neither,” replied Darcy. “For the past month, my sister and I were staying at my uncle’s estate in southern Derbyshire. My sister is following me in the carriage, but I determined to ride ahead to speak with my steward.”

Darcy recalled at once who else was to join him, but he opted not to speak of the Bingleys at that moment.

When Bingley learned of Miss Bennet’s presence, his thoughts would turn to her sister.

How Darcy could navigate that entanglement, he was uncertain; he needed more information before he knew what to do.

Perhaps it was late, but Darcy realized the couple he had noted first had remained silent and watchful, no doubt waiting for him to recall their presence.

Though Darcy suspected who they might be, he knew there was no way to avoid the acquaintance.

Thus, he smiled at Miss Bennet and gestured to her companions.

“Will you not introduce me to your friends?”

“Of course, Mr. Darcy. Please allow me to present my aunt and uncle from London, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Gardiner. Aunt, uncle, this is Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, the proprietor of this estate.”

“Delighted to make your acquaintance, sir,” said Darcy with a nod, gratified that his expectation had proven correct. “Delighted, Madam.”

“The pleasure is all ours,” said Mr. Gardiner. “You would know nothing of it, but not only has Elizabeth told us much of you, but my wife is also familiar with your name.”

Had it been anyone other than Miss Bennet’s relations, Darcy might have suspected them of trying to establish a connection where unwarranted.

While he knew nothing of these people, he had taken them for people of fashion before he noticed Miss Elizabeth’s presence.

There was something more to the Gardiners than Miss Bingley had intimated when she spoke of the Bennets’ mean and unfashionable relations.

Furthermore, there was no way for him to more effectively betray an excess of pride or set her against him than to greet her close relations with anything other than civility. As such, Darcy did not hesitate.

“That is curious, Mrs. Gardiner,” said Darcy, “though it has often been said that we live in a small world. Have you visited the neighborhood before?”

“I have done better than that, Mr. Darcy,” said Mrs. Gardiner, offering him a pleased smile. “When I was a girl, I spent several wonderful years living in Lambton.”

The news increased Darcy’s interest. “You lived in Lambton itself?”

“I did,” confirmed Mrs. Gardiner. “When I was young, my father was the parson at Lambton church. Though I left when I was naught but ten years old, I have fond memories of the place and badgered my husband mercilessly until he agreed to bring me here again.”

Mr. Gardiner laughed, proving his excellent disposition. “Aye, that is not an inaccurate account of my wife’s behavior.”

Darcy could not help grinning at Mr. Gardiner. “It is the duty of all men to keep their wives happy, is it not?”

Mr. Gardiner’s reply was not lacking in wryness. “If you already understand that basic truth, I suspect you will do well when you take a wife.”

It was all Darcy could do to avoid looking at Miss Bennet at that moment, for he suspected he would reveal much more than he wished if he did so.

Instead, Darcy turned back to Mrs. Gardiner and began a conversation about their impressions of and love for the town, which Mrs. Gardiner proved in every word she said.

Though by her admission, her residence in the town had ended many years before, there were even a few common acquaintances about whom they conversed.

That Mrs. Gardiner had come to Lambton intending to reacquaint herself with both the town and those who remained in it was no surprise, given the fervor about which she spoke of those scenes of her youth.

More important to Darcy, he enjoyed the conversation more than he ever thought he would.

Miss Bennet’s relations were nothing like Miss Bingley had spoken of them; if one listened to her account, it was impossible to come away with an impression of them that was any less than savage, and this without even making their acquaintance!

This was not at all unsurprising, given Miss Bingley’s eagerness to have nothing further to do with the Bennets when they left Hertfordshire.

This was no positive representation of Miss Bingley’s character, but it was also not inaccurate.

Again, Darcy’s thoughts returned to the scene at Bingley’s townhouse when he had joined with the sisters to persuade Bingley against returning to Hertfordshire.

Darcy had long wondered if he had been correct to take such a stance, and whether it was officious of him to have done so.

Even now, as Darcy had considered only that morning, Bingley had changed from the man that he had been.

Would it not have been better to allow him to do as he wished and make his own choices?

Now was not the time to consider such subjects, as Miss Bennet and her family were still before him.

Darcy would not give them anything other than the fullest of his attention.

As such, he considered what he might say to them.

The most significant detail he wished to know was the details of their itinerary.

“Tell me, Mr. Gardiner, how long do you expect to be in the neighborhood?”

Mr. Gardiner looked to his wife, who returned it with a look that was no less than knowing. “We shall remain here yet for some days. After we leave Lambton, we will travel further north, for I have reserved a lodge in the Lake District.”

“The lakes are a worthy destination to be sure. My family has long owned a lodge on Lake Windermere, so I am well acquainted with the quality of the locale.”

“Perhaps we should depart soon, Uncle,” interjected Miss Bennet. “We would not wish to intrude on your visit with your sister, Mr. Darcy.”

Though Darcy had not thought to mention the coming of the Bingley party, he made a snap decision to the contrary.

After all, he had no intention of allowing this opportunity to be in Miss Bennet’s company to go to waste, and as they were to remain in Lambton for a few days, he knew she would learn of their presence soon enough.

If this brought Bingley into Miss Bennet’s presence and reminded him of her elder sister, then so be it.

Darcy would involve himself in Bingley’s affairs no further.

“Not at all, Miss Bennet, for there are those in the company whom you call acquaintances. My sister Georgiana is to join me here, and Bingley and his family are also part of the party.”

Miss Bennet’s diversion was unmistakable in her bright grin. “And you suppose that my presence will be welcome to all your visitors?”

Delighted with her perception, Darcy nodded.

“Perhaps there may be some among my guests who will deplore your presence, but those who matter to me will welcome you, Georgiana among their number. Bingley, too, will be eager to restore his acquaintance with you, for to my certain knowledge he recalls our time in Hertfordshire with fondness.”

“Miss Bingley would deplore such language, sir,” replied Miss Bennet with a delighted grin. “Why, she owns her quality to all and sundry.”

“You make me quite envious, Lizzy,” said Mrs. Gardiner. “Should the occasion arise, I might wish for an introduction to this lady, for she sounds like a most diverting acquaintance.”

“That, Mrs. Gardiner, I can arrange.”

The sight of Miss Bennet’s sudden frown caught Darcy’s attention, though he supposed it was a pensive look rather than a glower.

It was as if she had just recalled something.

Miss Bingley, he knew, would not display behavior that would do her family any credit, but there was no reason for her to object to the woman’s presence.

Unless, of course, there was something Darcy did not know, though, again, he was at a loss about what it might be.

“Should the opportunity present itself,” said Mr. Gardiner, “we would be happy to agree. For the moment, however, I suspect we should allow you to be about your business while we return to Lambton.”

The notion of Miss Elizabeth departing Pemberley now was not palatable to Darcy’s feelings, for he wished for nothing more than to keep her company.

Darcy did a quick calculation in his head: the Bingleys would not arrive for at least another two hours, which would give them time to further tour the estate.

As he recalled, Miss Bennet was a lover of nature, and such an offer would bring her pleasure.

While she was a walker, Darcy had several conveyances that would offer a more thorough examination of his property and, perhaps of equal importance, it would give Darcy some time alone with her.

A quick word with Granger, his steward, should tell Darcy if there was anything pressing that needed his attention.

As he suspected, there was not—nothing that prevented him from enjoying her company.

“I have a proposal, if you will listen,” said Darcy.

“And that is?” asked Mr. Gardiner.