Page 33 of To Go Against Her Heart (Pride and Prejudice Variation)
Just as they spoke, the Gardiner carriage arrived, and Darcy and Georgiana welcomed their guests with warmth.
Elizabeth could not mistake the emotion in Darcy’s eyes as she stepped into his home, and she slowly began to understand the depth of his feelings toward her.
For the first time in many months, she yearned to break free from the cage her heart had been trapped in.
She deeply regretted her words to him on the mount and longed to convey her sentiments, yet feared that, should she do so, she would lose all command over her own heart.
Elizabeth feared the outcome of such a disclosure and doubted whether she was ever capable of forgetting the past.
They settled down to have tea and were joined by Richard and Mr. Bingley shortly.
Jane had very much anticipated seeing Mr. Bingley, and this time, she was well prepared for the encounter; however, it was Mr. Bingley who struggled in her presence.
As for Richard, he easily slipped into a conversation with Elizabeth, much to Darcy’s annoyance.
Since he knew his cousin well since childhood, Darcy perceived that Richard’s intention was to tease him.
“It is indeed a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, and I assure you; Georgiana was quite worried that she would never get a chance to meet you,” Richard said.
“The pleasure is mine, Colonel Fitzwilliam; I am honored to make your acquaintance,” Elizabeth replied.
“Pray tell me, did my cousin live up to my expectations and make no friends in Hertfordshire during his stay, or did he prove me wrong?” he asked, winking at Darcy, who sat across them.
Had anyone else asked her such a question, Elizabeth might have been very uncomfortable, but Richard’s honest, unaffected manner made her smile.
“I assure you he proved you wrong and made quite many friends; Mr. Bingley would agree with me,” she replied directing her gaze at Darcy.
Mr. Bingley, who had his attention fixed on Jane, found himself forced to join their conversation.
“Oh! Yes, I must say that he has formed a good friendship with several of our acquaintances there,” he said, diverting his attention back to Jane.
As much as Darcy was irritated with Richard for using him for his amusement, Elizabeth’s words gave him nothing but reassurance.
The Gardiners watched their nieces closely and harbored no doubt about the intentions of the two gentlemen who sat quietly, their eyes fixed on the young ladies. Elizabeth noticed that Darcy made an effort to converse with her aunt about her acquaintances in Derbyshire.
“I am very familiar with Mr. Andrews; he tutored us during childhood,” Darcy said.
“It is surprising indeed, Mr. Darcy; he was one of my brother’s tutors, and I assure you he could never forget his classes. Mr. Andrews was quite strict, I presume.”
“I cannot disagree on that. My mother was quite adamant that he teach me, and I often mention him to my sister. We visit Lambton weekly, Mrs. Gardiner; it is a delightful village. Have you been to Derbyshire recently?”
“I have not had the pleasure. Our family settled in town after my father took up his business here while I was young.”
“You must visit Pemberley then; we would be delighted to have you as guests,” he said, mentioning the same to Elizabeth’s uncle.
If, at all, Mr. Gardiner had any doubts in his mind about Darcy’s intentions toward his niece, those were now erased.
Everything Darcy had done since meeting Elizabeth at the bookstore had proved his partiality; whether she reciprocated the same was a puzzle to him.
When tea had concluded, Georgiana offered to show Elizabeth and Jane around the house.
Jane followed her, relieved to be momentarily spared from Mr. Bingley’s company.
Darcy internally wished he had shown Elizabeth around the house rather than leaving the task to his sister.
He could not believe that she was finally in his home and could not stop imagining her being a part of the household permanently.
As Georgiana gave Elizabeth and Jane a tour, they stopped briefly in the music room.
“This is a beautiful room, Miss Darcy, and the windows provide a view of the garden so elegantly,” Jane mentioned.
“Oh! Yes! I love it in summer when I can look at the roses while I play. Would you like a tour of the orangery?” she asked, and Jane agreed.
Elizabeth decided to return to the drawing room to see if her aunt wanted to join them. In the hallway, she encountered Darcy, who stopped abruptly as he spotted her.
“I assumed Georgiana was giving you a tour,” he asked, looking around for his sister.
“She was; my sister wished to see the orangery,” she said, explaining that she desired to escort her aunt there.
Darcy nodded.
“Did you happen to see the library?” he asked.
“Yes! I did. You have a vast selection of books, and I am certain you spend much time there.”
“I do,” he replied, wanting to use the opportunity to express how pleased he was to have her visit his home.
“Mr. Darcy…I thank you for resolving this misunderstanding with Mr. Bingley. If not for you, we may have assumed that he had cut off our acquaintance willingly.”
“You do not have to thank me. I am so glad I met you at Hatchard’s that day, and now Georgiana has a chance to get to know you. I hope you are not planning to leave town soon.”
“We still haven’t decided on a date, but my aunt wishes us to stay until the end of March,” she said. Darcy felt awkward about keeping her in the hallway and reluctantly moved, allowing her to leave.
The visit ended soon, and Mr. Bingley cursed himself as he found no opportunity to converse with Jane in private.
As much as he wanted to, he understood very well that if he invited her to his house, she would never visit because of his sister.
He tried to openly state to her that Miss Bingley would no longer be an obstacle between them, but the subject was too difficult to discuss openly.
As Elizabeth left, Georgiana looked at her brother regretfully, wishing to spend more time with her.
“Do you think I could call on her soon?”
Darcy nodded, and Richard teased Georgiana about the same.
“Why, Mr. Bingley, you may have to return to Hertfordshire for Georgiana’s sake, as I firmly believe she may want to follow Miss Elizabeth if she returns home soon.”
Mr. Bingley smiled, sincerely wishing he had never left Hertfordshire after the ball and regretted his hasty actions. However, he failed to understand that Jane felt the same way about her actions in the carriage that sped away.