A Fair Prospect

by Cassandra Grafton

  “I had need of borrowing a coat. This is Serena’s.”

  “Yes, I remember it well.”

  “It is a becoming shade, do you not think?” Elizabeth laughed, before turning her attention to the waiter and placing her order. A moment passed whereby Nicholas requested a cup of coffee; yet the waiter had but turned from their table before Mrs Gardiner called him back, wishing to change her choice.

  Turning quickly to Elizabeth, Nicholas muttered under cover of the distraction, “Lizzy, I would – I must talk to you.”

  Surprised at the urgency of his tone, and indeed the seriousness of his expression, Elizabeth hesitated a moment too long, and before she could respond her aunt addressed her companion instead.

  “So - to what do we owe the honour of your presence, Nicholas? I hate to disappoint you, but we have completed our purchases, and they are safely ensconced in the carriage.”

  “I shall bear the deprivation as best I can, Ma’am.” Nicholas inclined his head in his Godmother’s direction with a smile. “But it is, indeed, most fortuitous that you are now at liberty, for I would very much enjoy some company. Would you be so good as to join me in a stroll around the gardens?”

  Mrs Gardiner eyed her Godson fondly. “We shall be delighted to join you, I dare say, but not until we have partaken of our ices! A morning’s shopping is always certain to stir a lady’s appetite!”

  Chapter Thirty Five

  On reaching the corner of Berkeley Square, the party from Mount Street paused for a moment, and Darcy once more studied the sky. Though the cloud was as thick as ever, it had not darkened and the threat of rain seemed less likely than it had earlier.

  “Do you wish for refreshment, Georgiana, or shall we walk in the gardens and call back later?”

  “Oh, a walk first, I think – do you not agree, Mr Bingley? We were having such a pleasant conversation.”

  Darcy shook his head at his sister as she threw him a guileless look, and she bit her lip before mouthing ‘forgive me’ at him. Despite his discomfort, he found himself unable to be anything but slightly amused at her persistence, and as Bingley clearly welcomed the opportunity to expound upon his favourite subject there was little he could do about it. He was quite certain that Georgiana, for all her curiosity, would not say anything inappropriate.

  They crossed the street and entered the garden, and Darcy reflected for a moment that his friend had been as good for his sister as he had been for him.

  “Shall we stroll towards the arbour?” Bingley turned to look at Darcy, who shrugged his shoulders.

  “As you wish. Lead the way.”

  Offering his arm once more to Georgiana, who took it with alacrity, they set off, with Darcy following, his pace slower and his mind elsewhere; thus it was that he failed to overhear Georgiana’s words to his friend as they rounded the corner of the path ahead.

  “So tell me about Miss Bennet’s family – and her sisters! Please tell me all about her sisters!”

  ~o0o~

  Having enjoyed their refreshments and in good spirits, the party from Gunters made their way safely across the cobbles into the gardens in the centre of Berkeley Square.

  Observing Nicholas as he fussed over Mrs Gardiner and Jane, offering to hold shawls and who knew what else as they readied themselves for their walk, Elizabeth smiled to herself. He was so kind, such a good man. Indeed, were he not like a brother to her, she would have considered a match with Nicholas to be highly desirable.

  She sighed. Perhaps holding out for love was a mistake, for what had she seen of late that hinted of that condition bringing joy and pleasure? The indications were that it brought quite the opposite. What was the worst pain of loving – bearing an unrequited love in silence or the reality of rejection?

  Rousing herself as Nicholas approached, her sister and aunt walking slowly along behind him, Elizabeth smiled, attempting to shake off her dismal thoughts.

  Taking his offered arm, they turned towards the centre of the garden, and welcoming the opportunity to talk to him without interruption she said thoughtfully, “Do you recall when we were younger, Nicholas, and we talked of the future?”

  “I believe the subject came up on more than one occasion. To which particular instance do you refer?”

  “Most particularly – of marriage.”

  He looked at her searchingly. “You had some youthful, optimistic view of the state.”

  “Then you recall my assertion that I would marry for naught but love!”

  Nicholas grunted. “Indeed, though then you were but a child and could be forgiven such foolish impetuosity!”

  Elizabeth laughed as they came to a junction in the path, and Nicholas looked to her for a decision. Nodding to her left, they turned their feet in that direction before she responded.

  “I was twelve! At such an age a girl’s mind has long turned to matrimony!” Elizabeth glanced over her shoulder towards where Jane and her aunt were following. “Well, suffice it to say, I am beginning to doubt my own opinion.”

  “Upon what, precisely?”

  “That only love should induce one into matrimony – from what I have seen of late, love brings the person bold enough to feel it nothing but pain.”

  Sensing the sudden tightening of his arm under her hand, Elizabeth glanced quickly at Nicholas to surprise a strange look of consciousness upon his countenance. “If one discovers it is not returned, perhaps.”

  Thinking of her sister, Elizabeth smiled ruefully. “And even before that – the not knowing, the uncertainty before a declaration is made – whether the hopes and dreams will be answered…”

  She stopped; how was it that those words immediately brought to mind Mr Darcy and how he must have suffered? If he really had loved her as ardently as he declared – and she must assume he spoke no lie, for she certainly was no catch compared to the ladies of the ton – then was he not likely to be harbouring strong feelings of rejection?

  Conscious that her insides seemed to be tying themselves in knots, Elizabeth drew in a deep breath. Though she doubted her earnestness, she could almost believe it might be best if resentment truly had set in, that his anger might guarantee him some form of protection.

  Aware that Nicholas had turned to look at her, studying her face intently, she gave him a rueful smile.

  “Forgive me; my mind is all distracted this morning.”

  Nicholas shook his head and patted her hand where it rested on his arm. “In that you are not alone, dear girl.” He looked around. Mrs Gardiner and Jane were some distance behind and ahead there was only a stranger.

  “Lizzy, I feel you have read my mind. We must find an opportunity where I can speak – away from company or interruption. It is my sole purpose in coming to Town…” He stopped as the grip on his arm tightened, but glancing at his companion’s face he saw he had lost her attention. Following her gaze, he looked again at the stranger ahead of them on the path, but as his back was to them, he could not discern his identity.

  “Lizzy? What is it?”

  Feeling all the perversity of fate, Elizabeth let out a low, disbelieving laugh. She shook her head at Nicholas to assure him she was well, then turned back to look at the figure ahead of them. She recognised instinctively the broad set of those shoulders.

  Perfectly aware that she might be the last person he would wish to encounter, and with no clear idea of what she could possibly have to say to him, she did not stop to examine her purpose. Releasing her hold on Nicholas’ arm, she walked quickly after him, and as soon as she was sufficiently close to be heard, spoke his name with quiet authority.

  “Mr Darcy.”

  On hearing his name spoken, Darcy’s step faltered. Knowing full well whose voice had accosted him, he threw a desperate look towards the curve in the path ahead from where Georgiana and Bingley had only just disappeared from sight before drawing in a much-needed breath.

  “Mr Darcy? Sir?”

  Turning swiftly on his heel, he faced Elizabeth, startled to realise that she
was much closer than her voice had implied. Instinctively, he bowed formally, barely able to mutter a soft “Miss Bennet” in greeting as he struggled to come to terms with the fact that the very situation he had felt certain to avoid was upon them both.

  She curtseyed, and as she raised her head and met his eye, he felt a warmth invade his cheeks, unsurprised to discern the colour upon her own.

  For a moment, silence reigned; then he said quickly, “Forgive me. You are – your presence is – I did not expect to see you – here.”

  Her smile was genuine and unexpected, and he swallowed hard on the uprush of emotion evoked by such a simple gesture, so rarely had it been bestowed upon him.

  “In truth, Mr Darcy? Your memory does you a disservice. Had you so soon forgotten my destination on leaving Kent?”

  “No – no, I had not. I meant...” He paused and studied her face for a moment. “You do, of course, completely comprehend my meaning.” He was rewarded with another smile, and he quickly cleared his throat. “Err – and did you – how was your journey?”

  “Much as one would expect; and yourself and the Colonel, Sir? I can see that you arrived safely, though I do not see your cousin accompanying you?”

  “He had some business to attend out of Town, but will return directly.”

  “And thus you are obliged to walk alone?”

  “No – no, I am not. I am escorting my sister…” Darcy stopped as Elizabeth raised a questioning brow, her glance moving to his left and then his right before her eyes met his once more.

  “Are you quite certain, Sir?”

  In spite of the unexpectedness of her presence and the agitation within his breast, the edges of a smile touched his lips.

  “I am. I do assure you that Miss Darcy is hereabouts – only she has walked on ahead of me with Bingley-” he broke off suddenly, conscious of the last time they had discussed that particular gentleman. “I – err… I must have been keeping a slower pace; they will wonder what has become of me.”

  “Then I trust you will excuse me for having detained you further.”

  There was a slight pause, during which they eyed each other warily; then, she spoke again with a light laugh, “Indeed, I am hampering my own party’s progress likewise!”

  He cast a quick glance beyond where she stood and observed a small group of people some way down the path, one of whom he determined to be Miss Bennet.

  Following his gaze, Elizabeth looked over her shoulder briefly before turning back to face him. “As you see, I too am accompanying family. We could not resist the temptation of taking the air as the rain seemed to be holding off.”

  This mention of relatives roused Darcy somewhat and conscious that, despite his recent defamation of them, such common civility should have been some of the first words out of his mouth, spoke now to atone.

  “Forgive me for not asking sooner. Your family – I trust they are in good health?”

  She looked somewhat startled at this courtesy, and a twinge of guilt stole through him.

  “Oh! Yes, I thank you. From their letters I must assume that they are, and of course, for my eldest sister, I have the proof of my own eyes.” She paused. “Indeed, she is in much improved spirits of late, for which I offer my deepest gratitude.”

  A silence fell between them once more as he absorbed what she had said, their eyes fastened upon each other. That he could adequately surmise whence her gratitude stemmed, he could not deny; why was it, then, that the notion gave him little pleasure?

  A sudden movement then caught Darcy’s eye, and his gaze was drawn once more to Elizabeth’s walking companions. As he glanced in their direction, Miss Bennet happened to look up and, detaching herself from their company, she walked up to where they stood.

  “Miss Bennet.”

  “Mr Darcy.”

  He greeted Jane Bennet with as much composure as possible, unable to keep at bay the remembrance of Elizabeth’s heated avowal of her sister’s feelings. Despite his attempt to put matters to rights, he felt all the guilt of causing her distress and, as a consequence, struggled to find words other than the commonplace, and once he had enquired after her health and stay in Town, fell silent.

  Fortunately, his companions were more adept at pleasantries, and as Elizabeth acquainted Miss Bennet with the knowledge that Darcy walked with his sister and Bingley, he found his attention wandering to their companions who remained in quiet discourse further down the path.

  That the lady might be the aunt, he could not deny, but she was quite contrary to his expectations. Not only was the frippery of dress observed in Mrs Bennet lacking, but he would have expected her to be putting herself forward, making an introduction inevitable. His gaze rested briefly on the young man engaging her in conversation, and he frowned. This must be the elusive Harington, the man whose name had begun to haunt him, the man who was considered a good match for Elizabeth. He was unsure whether or not he wished to put a face to the man; picturing Elizabeth on the arm of another, of him, would be all too easy if he did.

  Conscious of a surge of longing towards her, combined with a twist of pain that he could accredit to nothing but envy, he drew in a sharp breath, and in so doing, earned the attention of both of the ladies before him.

  Elizabeth’s expression was unreadable, but before he could raise any conjecture as to its meaning, she spoke. “Forgive us, Mr Darcy. We must importune no longer upon your time. You must be anxious to re-join your sister and your friend.”

  He blinked, realising that she had perhaps interpreted his behaviour as impatience and, despite his desire to find Georgiana and remove with her rapidly, away from such temptation as Elizabeth’s company, he faltered. To part from her now leaving behind the impression that he had been anxious to quit her company, regardless of how much she might well be desiring such a release, was beyond him. Determined to show her that he had listened to her and had begun to acknowledge the mistakes he had made throughout their acquaintance, he broke hurriedly into speech.

  “It is no inconvenience, I assure you. My sister is in good hands. Bingley has been as good as a brother to her these many years.”

  Elizabeth threw a lightning glance towards her sister, before meeting his eye once more.

  “It is very generous of you to say so, Sir. But we must also take our leave; unlike the other members of your party, ours have been obliged to stand still these few minutes which is somewhat contradictory to their professed desire for exercise!”

  Darcy wished to cause no further offence towards Elizabeth, nor to her family and connections. It would take but a moment to affect an introduction, and the courtesy of requesting it would, he trusted, bear longer approval from Elizabeth, which was all that he desired.

  “I would not wish to intrude upon your outing, but I would request a few moments further of your time. Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth – would you do me the honour of introducing me to your companions?”

  Chapter Thirty Six

  Wandering slowly along the path towards the arbour, Georgiana smiled to herself. She had encouraged Mr Bingley to talk of his time in Hertfordshire, her ears anxiously awaiting any mention of a certain Miss Elizabeth Bennet, yet she presently endured a further monologue on the virtues and beauty of her elder sister.

  Hiding the smile as best she could, Georgiana began to wonder why Mr Bingley had left his manor for Town in the first place, but then suddenly she sensed they were no longer being followed by her brother. A quick glance over her shoulder confirmed her suspicion, and she came to an abrupt halt, causing her companion to stop also and throw her an enquiring look.

  “Fitzwilliam – he is no longer with us!”

  Releasing the arm of her escort, Georgiana walked a few steps back down the path. “It is most odd. What could have become of him?”

  Bingley shrugged. “He was not five paces behind us when we last spoke.” He threw a glance at the sky, laden with grey cloud. “We had best continue – perchance he took another way to the arbour.”

  G
eorgiana held her ground, shaking her head. “But he would not desert us – something must have delayed him.”

  She threw Bingley a beseeching look, and he laughed. “Come then. We shall retrace our steps and track him down,” and offering her his arm again, they walked back down the path they had followed not moments earlier and turned the corner where they had last seen Darcy following them.

  They had barely taken two paces further before they spotted their quarry, and on this occasion it was Bingley who came to a halt. “Why, it is Miss Bennet!”

  Georgiana’s eyes widened as she stared at her brother’s back ahead of them; he did indeed appear to have encountered some acquaintances. That one of the party was Miss Bennet drew interest enough, but the incidence of other ladies in the group caused Georgiana to drop her grip on the gentleman’s arm and, heedless of his attempt to stall her, hurry forward as fast as she could without defying all decorum and breaking into a run.

  Avidly, her eyes scanned the small party as she hurried along. A young lady dressed in a dark blue pelisse stood next to her brother, and as she came closer she saw a gentleman facing them, another young lady at his side, and an older lady, who just then noticed Georgiana’s presence and gave her a warm smile.

  Suddenly recalling the inappropriateness of putting herself forward, Georgiana’s step faltered, and with embarrassment she stopped and lowered her gaze, wondering how she would justify her actions to her brother.

  Having heard the rapidly approaching footsteps, Darcy glanced over his shoulder.

  His sister stood a mere two paces away, a deep colour on her cheeks and her eyes cast down, as Bingley fetched up beside her, a wide smile overspreading his face.

  Darcy’s immediate concern at now having to force the acquaintance upon Elizabeth was overridden by Georgiana’s clear embarrassment at having thrust herself into a situation involving so many strangers. Conscious that Bingley, who was previously known to those present, would cause sufficient distraction for now, he bowed briefly and stepped away as his friend took his place and, putting an arm around his sister, they walked a few paces back along the footpath.