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E lizabeth sat in the carriage with Lady Martha and Lady Isabella; they were on their way to Pemberley and had left the children behind. Lord Ashton was out shooting with Darcy and some other friends. They were to join the ladies later at Pemberley.

Elizabeth was apprehensive about meeting Darcy again. On the other hand, she looked forward to seeing Pemberley as she had heard much about its beauty from the Ashtons and Georgiana.

Lady Isabella was silent throughout their journey. It was ten miles between Pemberley and Ashton Park. As soon as they entered the woods surrounding the estate, Elizabeth was mesmerized by its beauty. Streams ran along the road, and wildflowers filled the area.

“Is it not beautiful?” Lady Martha asked.

“I have no words to describe the sight before me,” she said in awe.

“Well! I still remember the day I set foot in Pemberley. My husband and Mr. George Darcy were childhood friends. Anne, I mean Mrs. Darcy, and I became the thickest of friends soon after I came to Derbyshire after my marriage. I am reminded of those days when I see you and Georgiana.”

“How long has it been since Mrs. Darcy died?” she asked.

“Anne died a few months after Georgiana was born. It left the entire family devastated, and the late Mr. Darcy died about five years ago. Fitzwilliam was in his early twenties when he took over the estate, but I think he has done a remarkable job.”

Elizabeth nodded.

I must get over this feeling of being unsettled by the mention of his name or his presence.

When the carriage entered the official grounds of Pemberley, Elizabeth was dumbstruck.

The house was triple the size of Ashton Park, and there was a beautiful lake in front of the building.

Georgiana was elated to see them and received them with warmth.

They met Mrs. Reynolds in the hallway, and Elizabeth was already acquainted with the housekeeper.

“I wish you had brought the children along,” Georgiana said to Lady Isabella.

“I am sorry, Miss Darcy; we will bring them during our next visit,” Lady Isabella replied.

They sat down to have tea, and Elizabeth enjoyed the beautiful view the parlor offered as she could see the lake.

“I would love to give you a tour of the house and gardens,” Georgiana said to Elizabeth.

“Of course, I would be delighted.”

They had tea, and Georgiana took Elizabeth and Lady Isabella to show the house. Pemberley was not new to Lady Isabella, but she accompanied Georgiana.

Elizabeth was impressed with the elegance of the house as nothing seemed flamboyant. She saw a couple of portraits of the Darcy family on the wall.

“My parents,” Georgiana said with a hint of sadness.

“You look just like your mother, Miss Darcy,” Elizabeth exclaimed.

She then noticed Darcy’s portrait, which was true to his likeliness.

The smile on his face reminded her of his countenance at the bookstore, and she knew he had enjoyed taunting her.

They toured the other parts of the house and finally stopped at the library.

Elizabeth was in awe of the enormous space.

“My brother loves to read, just like you,” Georgiana exclaimed.

“I can see that very well,” Elizabeth said, impressed at the collection.

“What about the library in your townhouse? Is it big as well?” Lady Isabella asked.

“Not as big as this, but Fitzwilliam adds to the collection,” Georgiana replied.

“Shall we head to the gardens?” she asked Elizabeth.

They left outside, and Georgiana took them to the gardens that spread throughout the property. Elizabeth noticed that Lady Isabella was preoccupied, and there was a sense of discomfort on her face.

She saw Elizabeth look at her and immediately concentrated on what Georgiana said.

“My brother told me the rose gardens were my mother’s favorite.”

“And I cannot question why one can spend almost an entire day here,” Elizabeth exclaimed, drowning in the scent of the flowers.

“It was also Lady Sophia’s favorite place in Pemberley,” Georgiana said.

“Yes, it was,” Lady Isabella said, “She has mentioned many times that she wanted to plant the same kind of roses in Ashton Park.”

Elizabeth heard Lady Isabella mention her deceased friend for the first time, and there was genuine sadness in her voice.

They returned to the house, and Georgiana wanted Elizabeth to see her chambers, but she hesitated.

“Please, do come,” Georgiana pressed, and Lady Isabella looked at them disapprovingly.

Elizabeth looked at Georgiana’s eager face and could not deny her request. They headed upstairs, and Elizabeth realized how lonely it would be for her to stay in such a big property without her brother.

Georgiana’s room was located on the upper floor, elegantly furnished, and the windows had a beautiful view of the lake.

“It must be delightful to wake up to such a view, Miss Darcy,” Elizabeth said.

“It is, but my mother’s room has a better view of the entire lake,” she said.

Georgiana showed Elizabeth the books her brother had bought her recently, and Elizabeth was impressed with Darcy’s taste in books. She was reminded of her father’s library and struggled to block those memories.

“I have read all the poetry, and you could take these to Ashton Park if you like.”

Elizabeth looked at all the books and understood from Georgiana that those were the books Darcy had purchased from Lambton, but she could not spot the book she wanted to buy that day.

Maybe he felt guilty about purchasing it.

She thought, and they headed downstairs and joined the other ladies. In a short while, the men joined them. When Darcy entered the room, his eyes immediately fell on Elizabeth and his sister.

He could see the bright smile on Georgiana’s face, but Elizabeth’s expression was not the same. However, she looked composed, but he could not say the same about himself.

Darcy sensed that she was not pleased to see him quite opposite to how he felt about her. He found her uncommonly beautiful. She wore a simple gown, but the lilac color complimented her skin beautifully.

They bowed formally to each other, and Darcy sat beside his sister. Elizabeth sat on the other side of Georgiana.

She felt the same feeling when she saw Darcy as he reminded her about the horrific decision on the cliff.

Georgiana conversed amiably with her, and Darcy could not understand how his shy sister found it so easy to be around Elizabeth.

Her position as an employee may be less intimidating for Georgiana .

He thought, and the next moment, he criticized himself for such a cruel thought.

He could see that Elizabeth differed from any other woman acquainted with Georgiana.

He always felt uncomfortable when the women who conversed with his sister flattered him.

Some did the opposite and praised Georgiana relentlessly amidst his company, but both siblings felt uncomfortable in such situations.

But Elizabeth seldom mentioned Darcy when she spoke with his sister. It was Georgiana who looked at her brother often, and Darcy realized she wanted him to join the conversation. He did not know how to converse with Elizabeth or understand how she felt about him.

“I hope Georgiana gave you a tour of the house, Miss Smith,” he said formally.

“Yes, sir, she did, and you have a beautiful estate.”

They locked eyes, and Elizabeth felt unsettled by his gaze.

I am certain that he has invited me here only for his sister’s sake.

“In which part of town did you grow up?” he asked.

“Gracechurch Street,” she replied, inwardly dreading his next question.

Fortunately for Elizabeth, he did not ask anything related to her past.

“How do you like Derbyshire? Do you like the country better?”

“I do. I love to be outdoors, and the trails are beautiful here,” she said, biting her lip.

Darcy nodded knowingly, and Elizabeth noticed a slight smile on his lips. As for Darcy, he could not forget their first meeting. He sensed that her thoughts were on the same subject from her expression.

“Won’t you play for us, Georgiana?” Lord Ashton asked.

Georgiana looked at her brother, and he could sense that he was eager to hear her. She played a few of her favorite songs, and everyone was impressed.

Darcy applauded heartily, and Elizabeth could see the adoration in his eyes whenever he looked at his sister.

“Miss Smith, it is your turn,” Georgiana said, and Elizabeth hesitated.

She had not played before anyone except Lady Martha and Georgiana at Ashton Park.

“Yes, dear! You must,” Lady Martha insisted.

She reluctantly got up and walked to the pianoforte and browsed through several songs. Elizabeth looked at the books and found them too refined for her skills.

“These are too complex for my skill, Miss Darcy,” Elizabeth said with a laugh.

“Oh! If you do not prefer these, then please play whatever you like. I am eager to hear you, and you play beautifully,” Georgiana said with warmth.

She could sense Darcy’s critical gaze upon her and did not care what he would think of her performance. She played one of her favorite songs.

Her performance was not as skilled as Georgiana’s, but there was something soulful in her music, and Darcy had not heard the particular piece before. He was intrigued by her performance.

There seemed to be perfect harmony between her fingers and the keys, and Darcy found her performance riveting. He had seen numerous women perform but never appreciated anyone except Georgiana genuinely.

There is something soulful in her performance, and she did not once look in my direction.

When Elizabeth ended her song, there was a stunning round of applause. Even Mrs. Annesley, who was never open with her appreciation, gave praise.

“You play well, Miss Smith. I really enjoyed your performance,” she said to Elizabeth.

“Thank you, madam,” Elizabeth replied.

She sat down next to Georgiana, and Darcy was surprised that she did not even look in his direction, and he cleared his throat.

“You play remarkably well, Miss Smith.”

And Elizabeth was surprised by his praise.

“Thank you,” she said, concluding that he praised her for his sister’s sake.

“How is Richard doing, Fitzwilliam?” Lady Martha asked.

“He is well.”

“It has been ages since I saw him. Would he join you here before Christmas?”

“I have asked him to come, and I hope he can visit soon.”

Georgiana explained to Elizabeth how Richard was related to them.

“My cousin Richard shares my custody with my brother,” she said.

“I see.”

She does not have parents, but I am certain her brother takes care of her welfare remarkably well .

She wished she had someone like that to support her.

You did have a choice, Elizabeth. Aunt Gardiner wanted you to stay with her. Uncle Gardiner wanted to take you back. But I could not go. I could never go there. He despised my mother for her choices.

The evening ended in good spirits for everyone.

“I am so glad you came,” Georgiana said gratefully. When they left, Georgiana and Darcy were invited to dine at Ashton Park the following week. Darcy handed them into the carriage.

“Thank you for being our guest, Miss Smith,” he said to her as he assisted her.

“The pleasure is mine,” she replied.

As the carriage left, Darcy could sense sadness on his sister’s face.

“Georgi, you will see your friend in a few days; do not be so forlorn.”

“Yes, of course,” Georgiana said and looked forward to her next visit to Ashton Park.

In the carriage, Elizabeth sat in deep thought.

He seems perfectly cordial to me. Why did he behave like that at the bookstore? Maybe he is just acting for the sake of his sister.

She contemplated Darcy’s character till they reached Ashton Park until she got tired of her own thoughts .