Page 36 of To Go Against Her Heart (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

The same day, after Elizabeth and the rest of her family returned to Gracechurch Street, Mrs. Gardiner received an invitation from Lady Matlock asking them to dine at the Matlock house that week, which took everyone by surprise.

“This is indeed most unexpected. I had scarcely imagined her request to be earnest when you spoke of Lady Matlock’s wish to make our acquaintance,” Mrs. Gardiner remarked to her niece.

“She appeared sincere enough, yet I did not imagine she would extend an invitation to her home before a proper introduction,” Elizabeth observed.

“I hope this is not Mr. Darcy’s doing,” her uncle said with a smile.

“I do not assume so as he did not mention anything about it today. Would you prefer to decline?” Elizabeth asked.

“Of course not, unless you want to,” Mr. Gardiner said, knowing very well what her decision would be.

Elizabeth could not help but feel that matters concerning Darcy were advancing too fast, and it unsettled her. She was certain that her aunt and uncle now suspected an attachment between them. And their doubts were put to rest when Darcy and Georgiana called on her the very next morning.

Her aunt smiled knowingly at Elizabeth as they received their guests, but she could not determine who between the two siblings was happier to see her niece.

“I hope you are well, Miss Darcy, and I am glad to see you this morning,” Elizabeth said, with warmth.

“It my pleasure indeed. Is Miss Bennet not home?” Georgiana asked.

“She is in the garden as my sister enjoys her time there in the morning. It is a custom she follows even at Longbourn.”

“And what about you?” Darcy asked.

“Well! I join her here sometimes, but I do not enjoy the occupation as much as she does.”

“I had supposed as much; I am also certain that nothing which keeps you from your morning walks could hold any attraction for you,” he remarked, and Elizabeth acknowledged with a nod, fully conscious that he observed every detail of her preferences.

Her aunt called for tea, and Jane soon joined them.

Darcy remained silent, observing his sister converse with Elizabeth and Jane.

It gave him great relief to see his sister so composed, free from the struggles he had grown accustomed to witnessing on other occasions.

He also observed Jane and could see the evident sadness in her eyes, and Darcy could sense that both his friend and Jane could not bring themselves to renew their acquaintance without dwelling on the misery inflicted by circumstances in the past. However, he was thrilled to understand that the Gardiners had accepted the supper invitation sent by his aunt.

Elizabeth could sense his eyes on her, more often than not, and half wished Georgiana had called without her brother.

When she gazed in his direction, her heart swelled with happiness and pain in equal measure.

Every thought of being in love with him gave her a deep sense of peace, immediately followed by the horrific idea of disclosing her past to him, if at all he decided to act upon his own feelings and claim her hand.

Deep down in her heart, she trusted him and did not doubt his regard for her.

She did not question the depth of his affection; yet what troubled her most was the unrest within her own heart —whether she could share a life with him without the constant burden of guilt weighing her each day.

“I am most delighted to see you at my aunt’s house, and I must thank you for graciously accepting her invitation,” Georgiana said as they took their leave.

Darcy said very little as they left, observing Elizabeth keenly, he could not mistake the emotion in her eyes when she looked at him.

In the carriage, he sat deep in thought.

I cannot allow her to leave town without expressing my sentiments.

I am certain she is trying to overcome everything that stopped her from giving me a chance before; I must not allow her to doubt my feelings.

But what if she thinks I am jumping into the act after the slightest hint of approval from her?

I do not want her to feel pressured into accepting me.

He was oblivious to the fact that Georgiana was observing him with amusement.

You are in love, and I can see that she is too, she thought and smiled to herself.

***

Elizabeth looked at her reflection in the mirror as she dressed for the evening.

“You look beautiful, Lizzy. I suggest you calm yourself; shall I call for some tea?” Jane asked as she noticed that her sister appeared restless as they dressed.

“I wish to change. Shall I wear the peach gown?” Elizabeth asked, and Jane smiled as she had never seen her sister worry about her appearance in the past.

“No, I think this shade suits you well. Now tell me, what makes you fret like this?”

“I confess, I do not quite understand why Lady Matlock has shown us such attention. For a lady of her rank, she was surprisingly warm and unassuming, yet to receive an invitation to her home prior to a proper introduction with our aunt and uncle makes me restless.”

“Do not make yourself uneasy; maybe she wants to know you better.”

“That does not make any sense, why would she want to?”

“I am convinced she wishes to know you better because she can plainly perceive the attachment Mr. Darcy bears toward you,” Jane declared, adding to her sister’s unease.

Elizabeth remained silent as she felt agitated about the evening. Every encounter with Darcy seemed to draw her closer to all she had once opposed, and she no longer trusted her own resolve in the matter.

Meanwhile, at Matlock House, Darcy’s manner betrayed the same discomposure, and it was evident to his family what unsettled him.

“I am certain Mrs. Kingston and her sister will be curious to know about your newfound friendship with Miss Elizabeth once they return from Bath,” Lady Matlock said to Georgiana.

“When are they to return?”

“Within a couple of weeks, I assume, Miss Elizabeth might return to Hertfordshire by then.”

“Oh no! I hope not. Are you aware of the exact date she plans to leave, Brother?” Georgiana asked Darcy with worry.

“I do not know, although she mentioned that it should be soon.”

“Well, I wonder who among my cousins will be at an utter loss after she leaves,” Richard said with a wink, much to Darcy’s irritation.

As much as Darcy wanted to propose to Elizabeth before she left, he was still worried about how she would perceive his intentions. It had been just a couple of weeks since they had become reacquainted, and he did not want her to misunderstand him as rushing to secure her hand.

From the little he had seen between his aunt and Elizabeth, he did not doubt that she approved of her, and there was also no doubt in his mind about how Georgiana would feel to have Elizabeth as her sister.

But above all, what truly mattered to him were Elizabeth’s feelings.

He wished her to know that her past was of no consequence to him, and that his sole desire was to be the reason for her future happiness.

Should she return to Hertfordshire, Darcy was resolved to follow her there and, in this matter, he was determined to be patient.

Elizabeth and her family arrived promptly.

Lord Matlock and his wife received their guests with warmth as Darcy made the introductions.

Much to Elizabeth’s ease, Lord Matlock resembled his wife in his manners and demeanor and slipped into a comfortable conversation with her uncle.

Darcy was utterly enchanted by her appearance that evening as her simple, elegant gown complemented her complexion beautifully, and her eyes seemed to shine with the delicate luster of the satin embroidery adorning her dress.

However, he was impatient to converse with her in private, as she was wholly occupied with Georgiana since her arrival. What vexed him was Richard’s confidence as he joined their conversation, casting a sly smile in Darcy’s direction.

Finally, as the party left to dine, Darcy took the opportunity and led Elizabeth and Georgiana towards the dining room.

“I hope you are well, Miss Elizabeth,” he said to her.

“As well as you saw me a few days ago, sir,” she replied with a smile, and their conversation continued as they were seated next to each other during supper.

Though all present at supper were curious to observe the couple in scrutiny, none of them made it obvious.

Mrs. Gardiner and Lady Matlock got along very well as they shared their mutual interests.

Richard sat quietly, observing his cousin, and he found Elizabeth to be the perfect match for him.

According to him, Darcy seemed to be a different person around her, as though a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

“I hope Mr. Bingley is well,” Elizabeth said to Darcy.

“He is; I met him yesterday. Has he called on your sister lately?” he asked and suddenly felt he had trodden on a subject not meant to be discussed during supper, at least not with her.

“Forgive me; I did not mean to intrude into your sister’s affairs,” he said in a low voice.

“Mr. Darcy, if I may speak plainly, it is unfortunate as to what transpired because of Miss Bingley. I do not know about your friend, but my sister is hurt because of whatever happened, though she does not hold anyone in contempt for it.”

“She is entitled to feel that way, and I assure you, my friend feels very guilty about allowing someone to meddle with his affairs as such. I do not generally interfere in others’ affairs, but Miss Bennet must know that he is the last man on earth who would willfully cause pain to someone in his acquaintance, let alone your sister. ”