Page 74

Netherfield Park, Drawing Room- Darcy

D arcy paced the length of Netherfield’s morning room, too restless to settle to any occupation.

So much had changed over these past months, yet he found himself in an impossible position - knowing Elizabeth’s heart might be his, but unable to speak of it.

The conventions of mourning would keep them apart for months to come, first for her father and then for William Collins.

Even when he could finally propose, their marriage would have to wait still longer.

It could not appear hasty, not after everything that had happened.

The forced silence and waiting were nearly unbearable. Every glimpse of her only strengthened his conviction of her regard, while simultaneously reminding him of the propriety that must keep them apart.

His restless pacing brought him near the window just as Georgiana spoke. “Brother, Mr Bingley, the Miss Bennets have come.”

Bingley immediately abandoned his newspaper, hurrying to join Georgiana.

“Excellent! I have not seen my dear Jane in two days.” His friend’s unrestrained enthusiasm only highlighted Darcy’s need to maintain his own composure.

Though he longed to rush to the window like Bingley, he forced himself to remain where he was, despite his certainty that Elizabeth would be with her sister - they had agreed, after all, that she would call this morning.

He had dressed with particular care, choosing his navy coat that morning with deliberate attention. The day promised to be fine, not too warm - perfect for the garden walk he hoped to suggest. It would give them a chance to speak privately, away from Caroline Bingley’s ever-watchful eyes.

Caroline Bingley chose this moment to rise from her seat, stretching with calculated elegance, her eyes fixed on Darcy. He was painfully aware of her attention but refused to be drawn from his thoughts of Elizabeth.

“Shall I ring for some tea, Charles?” Her voice held that particular note of assumed authority that always reminded Darcy of a poor imitation of his aunt Lady Catherine.

“Please, Caroline,” Bingley replied absently, not taking his eyes from the approaching carriage. His friend’s complete indifference to his sister’s attempts at managing the household brought Darcy a moment of grim amusement.

“For heaven’s sake come and sit down, Charles,” Caroline snapped, her composure slipping in her irritation. “You are acting like a lovesick fool.”

The irony of her words was not lost on Darcy - he who had spent the morning pacing like a caged animal at the prospect of seeing Elizabeth. Bingley merely grinned, completely immune to his sister’s censure, and turned from the window just as the butler appeared to announce their guests.

“Mrs Gardiner, Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth Bennet,” the butler announced with proper gravity.

Darcy forced himself to remain still as the ladies entered, though every fibre of his being urged him forward.

Elizabeth appeared last, and the sight of her - no longer in full mourning black - nearly undid his careful composure.

“Ladies, you are very welcome,” Bingley said, immediately claiming Jane’s hand and leading her to a seat.

Darcy envied his friend’s freedom to show such open affection, even as he forced himself to maintain proper distance from Elizabeth.

He managed the expected polite greetings, though he barely registered what was said.

His attention was caught by the way the morning light caught the hints of auburn in Elizabeth’s hair.

For a moment, Darcy wavered - every instinct urged him to claim the seat beside Elizabeth, as Bingley had done with Jane.

But propriety and the weight of Caroline’s watchful gaze made him choose the safer option of sitting beside Georgiana.

At least from his position opposite Elizabeth, he could observe her without drawing attention.

His sister’s presence beside him would help him maintain his composure, though it did nothing to lessen the effect of Elizabeth’s direct gaze when their eyes met.

“So Mr Collins’ brother has arrived at Longbourn,” Caroline said, her voice dripping with false sympathy. Darcy tensed as she leaned toward Elizabeth, lowering her voice to a stage whisper clearly meant to be heard. “How difficult it must be for you, Miss Eliza, to meet the brother of your fiancé.”

Darcy’s hands clenched involuntarily at this deliberate reminder of William Collins, though he noticed Elizabeth remained remarkably composed. Indeed, there was a glint in her eye that suggested Miss Bingley might soon regret her attempt at malice .

Though Darcy couldn’t catch Elizabeth’s exact words, the flash of discomfort across Caroline’s face and her forced, humourless laugh told him Elizabeth had managed to deflect the barb with her usual wit. He found himself having to suppress a smile of his own.

Mrs Gardiner’s diplomatic intervention provided welcome relief from the tension.

“I have come to see you, Mr Bingley, to tell you that my husband, children and I are returning to London in the next few days. After Mr Collins’ funeral, of course.

” Darcy noted the shadow that crossed Elizabeth’s face at this reminder of both her aunt’s imminent departure and the upcoming funeral.

“You have been in Hertfordshire for quite some time now, have you not?” Bingley asked, his tone gentle. Darcy recognised his friend’s attempt to acknowledge the Gardiners’ support of their nieces during this difficult period without directly mentioning their losses.

“Indeed, and we would be staying longer for the sake of our dear nieces, and of course Mrs Bennet,” Mrs Gardiner replied with the quiet dignity Darcy had come to admire in her. “But Mr Gardiner has been away from his business for too long now.”

Darcy found himself wondering if there might be some way to delay their departure - surely his influence in London’s business circles could help arrange matters for Mr Gardiner. But no, that would be overstepping, and Elizabeth’s pride would never allow such interference.

“We shall be very sad to see them go,” Miss Bennet said softly. “You have been such a comfort to us, Aunt, in such a difficult time.” Darcy watched Elizabeth reach for her sister’s hand, the gesture speaking volumes about their shared grief and gratitude.

“You will indeed be missed, Mrs Gardiner,” Caroline added with what Darcy recognised as her company manners - polite words that held no real warmth. He noticed Elizabeth’s barely perceptible flinch at her aunt’s imminent departure being reduced to such empty pleasantries.

“It will be some months before we will see Jane and Elizabeth again,” Mrs Gardiner continued, her words catching Darcy’s full attention. “We have been planning a trip to the lakes in June, but as the girls will still be in mourning, we intend to go in October, so that they might join us.”

October. Darcy’s mind immediately began calculating.

Elizabeth would be out of mourning by then.

The thought of her travelling through his beloved Derbyshire, seeing the peaks he had explored since childhood, visiting places that held such meaning for him - it stirred something deep within his chest. Perhaps by then…

“Why, that does sound delightful!” Bingley exclaimed with his usual enthusiasm. Darcy barely heard his friend’s words, his mind already racing ahead to possibilities.

“Where are you planning to visit on your trip?” he asked, trying to keep his voice steady and casual, though his heart quickened at the thought of Elizabeth potentially visiting Pemberley.

“Dovedale, Chatsworth, the peaks, Duddon Valley and several other places,” Mrs Gardiner said. “I would like to see Lambton again. It has been many years since I was there.”

Darcy’s pulse quickened at the mention of Lambton - merely five miles from Pemberley. He found himself watching Elizabeth’s face as she smiled slightly.

“Our plans are not yet settled,” she said, her eyes meeting his for a brief moment. “We had planned to travel around and see where we ended up, rather than having a particular plan.”

The hint of mischief in her expression made him wonder if she knew exactly what effect the mention of travelling through his home county was having on him.

“How delightful to travel around the countryside aimlessly, not knowing where you will be staying,” Caroline said with her usual condescension.

Darcy bristled at her attempt to diminish Elizabeth’s pleasure in the proposed journey, though he noticed Elizabeth seemed more amused than offended by the barb.

Mrs Hurst’s affected laugh behind her handkerchief only heightened his irritation.

Bingley, bless him, seemed to sense the tension. Turning toward Darcy with deliberate cheerfulness, he asked, “Are you still planning to go to Pemberley over the summer?”

The question presented an opportunity Darcy had scarcely dared hope for.

Darcy forced himself to pause before answering, though his heart was racing. He allowed himself one glance at Elizabeth, catching her eye for a moment, before carefully choosing his words.

“Rather like the Miss Bennets and Mrs Gardiner, my plans are not fully settled yet either,” he said, striving to keep his voice casual.

“I do intend to spend some time in Derbyshire this summer, but maybe we should do it later in the year.” He hoped his meaning was clear to Elizabeth, while appearing merely a general comment to the others.

The image of Elizabeth walking Pemberley’s paths, exploring its woods, standing in its library - it threatened to overwhelm him completely.

She would be out of mourning by then, free from the shadow of William Collins.

He forced his thoughts back to the present moment before his expression could betray him.

“How would you like to see some of the lakes, Georgiana?” he asked, grateful for his sister’s steady presence. “We have not been to see them in several years now.”