‘We would be delighted,’ said Mrs Gardiner.
‘Shall we say the day after tomorrow?’
‘The day after tomorrow it is.’
‘I will look forward to it,’ said Elizabeth.
She caught my eye as she said it, and I smiled. I saw an answering smile rise to her own lips, and I was satisfied.
‘I am also looking forward to it,’ said Bingley to Elizabeth. ‘We have a great deal to talk about. I would like to hear about all my Hertfordshire friends.’
We departed, and returned to Pemberley.
Georgiana returned to her room to remove her pelisse and bonnet. I went into the morning room with Bingley, to find Caroline and Louisa there.
‘You have been out?’ asked Caroline.
‘Yes, visiting Miss Bennet,’ said Bingley.
‘Jane Bennet is here?’ asked Caroline in surprise.
‘I should have said, Miss Elizabeth Bennet.’
Even worse, said Caroline’s expression. She quickly schooled it, however.
‘Dear me, what a coincidence that she just happens to be in Derbyshire when you return, Mr Darcy.’
‘Yes. It is fortunate, is it not?’ I asked.
She looked as though she would like to say something satirical, but thought better of it.
‘I would like to see her again. I think I will pay her a call. What do you say, Louisa? Will you come with me?’
‘There is no need,’ said her brother. ‘She is coming here.’
‘Here?’ Caroline sounded horrified.
‘Darcy invited her to dinner.’
‘With her aunt and uncle,’ I added.
‘Not the attorney from Meryton?’ she asked in a droll voice.
‘No, the uncle who lives in Cheapside,’ I replied, removing her sting.
She looked annoyed. ‘And is he very vulgar?’ she asked.
‘He must be. My dear! Cheapside,’ said Louisa with a shudder.
‘He is in fact a gentleman-like man, and his wife is a lady of fashion.’
‘And are we to meet these paragons?’ said Caroline, with a flash in her eyes. ‘How entertaining.’
I listened with complaisance as she ran on in a similar fashion. Nothing she could say could pierce my happiness. I thought only of Elizabeth. She had not repulsed me. She had not spoken to me with disgust and contempt. She had been polite, and agreeable, and there had been that in her manner which led me to hope she was not indifferent to me.
When I think how once I had taken it for granted that she would marry me! That I had not even considered the possibility that she might refuse me. And now, though I felt hope rising inside me, I cautioned myself that my feelings might not be returned.
But I will not think so far ahead. I am to see her the day after tomorrow. It is enough.
Mr Gardiner arrived here early this morning and I took him down to the river, together with some other of my house-guests. He is knowledgeable about fishing, and I provided him with tackle so that he might try his luck at catching something. My other guests had brought their own. I was about to join them when a chance remark of Mr Gardiner’s made me change my mind.
‘It was very civil of your sister to pay us a visit yesterday, Mr Darcy. My wife and niece were much struck by the attention,’ he said. ‘They have resolved to return the call this morning.’
‘That is very good of them,’ I said, when I could master my surprise.
‘They did not want to be backward in any attention.’
‘I hope you enjoy your fishing,’ I said to the gentlemen. ‘If you will excuse me, I have to return to the house.’
My house-guests murmured civilities, assuming I had business to attend to, but I saw a look of comprehension on Mr Gardiner’s face. So he knows. I am not surprised.
I took no care to guard my feelings when I visited his niece. I am beyond feigning a lack of interest.
I returned to the house and went into the saloon. My eyes went immediately to Elizabeth. I knew instantly that she belonged there. As I watched her, I saw a future stretching out in front of me, a future in which I saw Elizabeth and myself living at Pemberley. I wanted it more than I have ever wanted anything, and I can only hope she wants the same.
‘Miss Bennet, Mrs Gardiner, it is very good of you to call on my sister so soon,’ I said.
‘Oh, yes, very good,’ said Georgiana, blushing. ‘I did not expect it.’
‘We could not do otherwise, after your kindness in welcoming us,’ said Mrs Gardiner to Georgiana.
Georgiana blushed again, but I had eyes only for Elizabeth. Her gaze met mine. She looked away, embarrassed, and yet I thought I saw a welcome in her eyes before she turned away.
Caroline and Louisa were sitting silently, making no contribution to the conversation and leaving Georgiana to perform her duties as a hostess alone.
Mrs Annesley helped her, saying to Elizabeth: ‘The grounds at Pemberley are very fine. I believe you saw them a few days ago?’
‘Yes, we enjoyed walking round them very much,’ said Elizabeth. ‘The trees are very handsome. ’ She glanced out of the window at some specimens.
‘They are Spanish chestnuts,’ Georgiana said softly, pleased to be able to add something to the conversation.
‘Have they been here long?’ asked Elizabeth, turning towards her encouragingly.
‘Oh, yes, they are very old.’
Georgiana looked at me for approval and I smiled at her. She has not had much experience of welcoming guests, and none at all of welcoming people whom she does not know, but she acquitted herself very well.
Caroline evidently felt she had been silent long enough.
‘Pray, Miss Eliza, are not the militia removed from Meryton? They must be a great loss to your family.’
I had never heard her speak with such venom. Her satirical comments were usually uttered with some semblance of a smile, but there was nothing humorous about them today, and I realized for the first time how truly poisonous Caroline can be.
I saw Elizabeth’s distress. A thousand recollections flooded my mind. My own ungenerous remarks concerning her younger sisters; her face as she flung an accusation of ruining Wickham at me; my angry retaliation; and then my letter.
I felt for her, but she had no need of my assistance in repelling the attack. After a moment’s distress she replied:
‘It is always sad to lose the company of intelligent and good-natured people. There are those who enter a neighbourhood with a view of mocking all they see, or an intention of forming false friendships with which to while away their time whilst giving no thought to the feelings of those who must remain. But we were fortunate with the officers. They were polite and well-bred.
They gave us pleasure when they were with us, and left nothing but pleasant memories behind when they went.’
I caught Elizabeth’s eye and smiled. Caroline was silenced, and my sister was relieved from the acute embarrassment she had experienced when Caroline’s words had reminded her of George Wickham. I was relieved of a great burden. By her calm manner I believed Elizabeth’s infatuation with Wickham to be over.
The visit came to an end, but I could not bear to let Elizabeth go.
‘You must let me see you to the carriage,’ I said, as Mrs Gardiner rose to take her leave.
‘Thank you,’ she said.
I walked with them, glad of the opportunity it afforded me to be with Elizabeth. Her aunt walked a little ahead, so that I could talk to her alone.
‘I hope you have enjoyed your morning.’
‘Yes, thank you, I have.’
‘I hope I will see you here again.’
We had reached the carriage, I could say no more. But my feelings were in my glance. She blushed, and looked down, from confusion, I hope. There is still some little awkwardness between us, but that will pass, and then I will discover if her feelings towards me are still what they were at Easter.