by Brigid Huey
Seeking to distract her companion, Elizabeth kept up a lively, one-sided conversation as they made their way outside, ignoring Miss Bingley’s attempt to join them.
“What a lovely space this is!” Elizabeth exclaimed once they were in the secluded rose garden. Roses of many different colors surrounded them, a gentle breeze carrying their sweet perfume through the morning air.
When Miss Darcy made no reply, Elizabeth tried again to put her at ease.
“I hope you do not think me rude to take you away from your guests in such a way. I simply had to escape from Miss Bingley before I lost my temper.”
“Oh!” Miss Darcy said at once. “No, indeed. I was grateful for the opportunity to excuse myself.”
Elizabeth nodded her understanding. “I confess Miss Bingley and I are not the best of friends.”
“She does seem inclined to cast you in a disagreeable light,” Miss Darcy replied timidly.
“Indeed! Though please, believe not a word of her insinuations. I have no favorite in the militia.” For reasons Elizabeth did not care to examine too closely, she needed to be sure that Georgiana understood this point. Miss Darcy’s shoulders relaxed slightly with this new intelligence.
“When she kept house for Mr. Bingley in Hertfordshire,” Elizabeth went on, “the only person she did not ridicule was your brother. So, I suppose I am in good company if not one among my friends and neighbors could satisfy her.”
“Oh, but you must not believe that he returns her regard!” Miss Darcy cried. Then she covered her mouth with her delicate hand and blushed scarlet.
Elizabeth smiled and leaned in conspiratorially. “Do not worry, Miss Darcy. She will not hear this terrible news from me.”
Then she laughed freely, her merriment, at last, earning a smile from her companion.
***
Darcy marched quickly through his mother’s rose garden, intent only on finding Georgiana. Damn Miss Bingley! Her snide comments were always irritating, but she had gone too far this time. If not for Elizabeth’s timely intervention, he might well have said something he would have regretted.
He rounded the corner and stopped, arrested by a sight that was so welcome and wished for that it made his heart ache. Elizabeth was laughing, the sound like a balm to his heart, and Georgiana was smiling. He watched as his little sister put her hand up to stifle a giggle. The two were surrounded by roses in a scene so picturesque it could have been a painting.
At that moment, Elizabeth looked up, catching his gaze. He knew his face displayed open admiration, but he found he did not care. Perhaps it was time that he began to express his feelings freely. The worst that could happen had already happened. She had rejected him in the most stringent manner. He truly had nothing left to lose.
Except for her friendship. He sighed, schooling his features once more.
“Brother!” Georgiana said, turning toward him in welcome.
“Georgiana, dear, are you quite well?” He walked to her side, taking her hand in his.
“I am well, Fitzwilliam.” Though she spoke firmly enough, she cast her eyes to the ground. His heart ached for her. Every time he tried to ease her discomfort, he seemed only to make it worse.
“Your sister was merely doing me a kindness, sir,” Elizabeth said, her eyes twinkling. “I had a sudden need to vacate the drawing room, and Miss Darcy rescued me.”
“Indeed. Allow me to apologize, Miss Bennet,” Darcy said.
“Whatever for, sir?” Elizabeth looked up at him with a look of amused confusion. She was enchanting.
“For the rudeness you have endured whilst a guest in my home.”
“Think nothing of it,” Elizabeth replied with a smile. “Truly, sir, if you begin apologizing for certain persons, you may never find an end to the enterprise.”
Despite himself, Darcy smiled at her remark. Georgiana caught his attention then.
“Forgive me, Brother, but would you mind very much if I retired to my chambers? I feel rather tired.”
“Of course, my dear,” Darcy said at once. He ducked his head, trying to peer into her face. She did not seem distressed, but perhaps the mention of Wickham was too much for her. “Let me escort you.”
“No, please stay,” Georgiana replied quickly. “I do not wish to draw attention. I shall just slip upstairs if I may.”
“I understand completely, my dear,” Darcy said.
“Miss Bennet, please excuse me. I look forward to seeing you this evening.”
Darcy watched as Elizabeth smiled at Georgiana, his sister then giving them a slight curtsy. She walked quickly out of the garden. His eyes followed her until she had disappeared into the house.
“It so rare to see her laugh in company,” he said, still looking at the door that Miss Darcy had just entered. He turned back to Elizabeth, his eyes seeking hers. “Thank you, Miss Bennet.”
She held his gaze for a moment. “It is nothing, sir.”
How badly he wanted her—her whole self here with him at Pemberley, completing his family! She would bring life and warmth where there was but little. Having her here had solidified in his mind what his heart had known these many months: he would love none but her.
“Miss Bennet, may I take this opportunity to speak with you about something that is troubling me?”
“Of course, Mr. Darcy,” she replied, her brow furrowed.
“Earlier, in my library, you seemed…surprised when I told you I was to adopt Daisy as my ward. May I ask…does this plan displease you?”
Her eyes flew to his face. “Displease me? Not at all, I assure you.”
“Then you approve of it?” His anxiety on this matter was acute. He had acted with his heart, trusting his instincts, but he was loath to disappoint Elizabeth—not now especially when he was hopeful that they might indeed become friends.
Elizabeth looked away, turning her head to look out across the beautiful landscape. “I was surprised,” she said softly, her eyes still surveying the rolling hills, “though I know not why. You are not the sort of man to shirk his responsibility. And yet, this is so much more than that. Perhaps it is your duty to care for the child, to find her a home, but this…” She turned toward him, her eyes holding his. “Mr. Darcy, I can think of no better life for Daisy than to grow up with you as her guardian.”
Darcy blinked, her response bringing forth a riot of emotions. She might not return his affections, but it seemed he had earned her respect. Could it be possible for regard to build from such a foundation? He knew not. But until such time as this could be known, he would treasure her words.
“Thank you, Miss Bennet.”
***
Elizabeth felt unable to look at Mr. Darcy and yet equally unable to look away. The depth of emotion she found within his response to her words was quite overwhelming. He had seemed genuinely moved by her assessment of the situation. When she had arrived at Pemberley, she felt certain that he could hold no regard for her. Yet now he solicited her opinion—even seemed to wish for her approval.
All her assumptions seemed to exist only to be proven false. Indeed, she was beginning to doubt her capacity for discernment. Mr. Darcy had not treated her relations with contempt as she had feared. And he had clearly taken her words regarding Jane as truth, judging by the hasty departure of Mr. Bingley for Netherfield.
“Shall we return to the drawing room, Miss Bennet?” Darcy said.
“Of course,” she replied, still preoccupied with her thoughts.
Mr. Darcy did not offer his arm, and Elizabeth found to her amazement that she was disappointed. What had become of her implacable dislike? That it had diminished beyond recognition she could clearly comprehend. But she could not make sense of the feelings that replaced her previous opinions.
Elizabeth, feeling they must have conversation, started upon the subject they had most recently been discussing. “May I ask, sir, what you plan to name Daisy? That is, what her Christian name will be?”
Mr. Darcy hesitated. “I am not certain, Miss B
ennet. Do you have any ideas?”
“Oh no, sir,” she said with an arch look, “I have given her one name already! This responsibility is yours, I fear.”
She watched Mr. Darcy’s face soften as he smiled down at her.
“Too right, Miss Bennet. I shall endeavor to give her a name worthy of her spirit.”
“I am sure you will do a fine job of it, Mr. Darcy,” she said. “I should like to see her this afternoon if I may.”
“Of course, Miss Bennet. You need not ask permission. The nursery is always open to you.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“I know you and your aunt and uncle are planning on removing to Matlock within a day or two. I hope very much that you will be comfortable here in the interim.”
“I am sure we shall be quite comfortable. Although, with the delay caused by Daisy’s arrival, I am not sure whether we shall travel to Matlock at all.”
“I hope you will be able to tour Matlock, Miss Bennet. It is beautiful, though not as beautiful as Lambton.”
She laughed, surprised by his honest reply. She glanced up to find him smiling down at her again—an open, warm smile. How charming he could be! She scarcely knew how to credit that this man was the same Mr. Darcy who had offended her in Meryton.
“Elizabeth, there you are!” Her aunt stood in the doorway that led to the sitting room.
“Forgive me, Aunt,” Elizabeth said. “The roses were so beautiful; I had to tarry a little longer.”
“I can well believe it,” her aunt replied. “It is a truly beautiful display, Mr. Darcy.”
“Thank you, ma’am. My mother designed it when I was but a child.”
“Well, it is clear that she had a natural talent for it,” Aunt Gardiner said approvingly.
“She did indeed, ma’am. I must show you both her rotunda down by the lake. She had it surrounded by lavender and roses.”
“It sounds lovely,” Elizabeth said brightly. “Lavender is my favorite flower, you know.”
“I shall endeavor to remember that, Miss Bennet.”
He bowed to them both, excusing himself to attend to his sister. Elizabeth watched him retreat into the house, noticing as she did that he seemed almost to shake himself. What could he be about now? Really, the man was becoming rather fascinating.
If her Aunt Gardiner noticed the direction of her gaze, she said nothing. But after a moment, she encouraged Elizabeth to retire.
“For dinner is not far off, and we must dress,” she said as they walked inside.
“And what of Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst?” Elizabeth enquired.
“Oh! They left the sitting room shortly after Mr. Darcy. I was left with Mrs. Annesley, who is a delightful woman.”
“I am very pleased to hear it.”
It had been an interesting visit so far. She wondered whether Miss Darcy truly would join them for dinner. If so, Elizabeth would make every effort to protect her from Miss Bingley!
Chapter Five
Elizabeth was ready far sooner than she had anticipated. Mrs. Reynolds had provided her with a lady’s maid, a luxury to which Elizabeth was unaccustomed. Even in her favorite evening gown, Elizabeth knew that she would be dressed far more simply than Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst.
Though she cared little for those ladies’ opinions, she did hope her attire would be elegant enough for Mr. Darcy’s table. She found that his opinion mattered to her more than it had in the past. She knew herself well enough to be sure that, were he to cast a disapproving look upon her, she might say something impertinent, which would never do.
No, she mused as she pulled on her long gloves and walked the short way down the hall toward her aunt’s room, it would not do to behave rudely tonight. Her understanding of Mr. Darcy was unclear at present, yet she knew in her heart that he was a good man.
She respected him, not only for his inordinate generosity toward Daisy but also for his conduct regarding Wickham and even Mr. Bingley. Lizzy knew that Bingley’s sudden departure from Pemberley could not be a coincidence. Mr. Darcy must have told the gentleman the truth about Jane’s feelings.
Arriving at her aunt’s chambers, she knocked softly, entering after she heard her summons.
“Oh, my dear Lizzy, how lovely you look!” Aunt Gardiner said as Elizabeth crossed the room toward the vanity. Her aunt wore a charming yellow dress trimmed with lace. Her lady’s maid, also assigned by Mrs. Reynolds, was only just beginning to put up her hair.
“Thank you, Aunt.” She walked to the tall mirror and looked again at her reflection. Her cream-colored gown of silk and lace was simple but elegant. Elizabeth particularly enjoyed the light gossamer silk overlay. It was so thin, it floated about her waist and feet as she moved, giving her an almost ethereal look.
“I shall be a while yet, Lizzy. Will you wait for me or venture down on your own?”
“Dinner is nearly an hour off,” Elizabeth replied, deliberately turning away from the mirror. “I fear the drawing room will be empty.” A thought occurred to her, and she smiled. “Perhaps I shall run up and visit Daisy.”
“That sounds much more pleasant,” Aunt Gardiner replied. “Only take care that you do not soil your dress.”
“I shall, Aunt. And I shall see you shortly.”
Her aunt smiled gaily and waved as Elizabeth left the room.
After a few false starts, Elizabeth finally succeeded in finding the wing that contained the nursery. She had only ever been escorted here before, and Pemberley was vast.
Was it the third door or the second? She wished she had paid better attention. Reasoning that no one would be housed in this wing, she decided to risk trying the second door.
She found herself in a large room that was evidently the playroom for it was well stocked with toys. There was a small bookcase and a chest that held all sorts of dolls and games. What the room did not have, unfortunately, was a baby.
Elizabeth noticed that the door on the other side of the room was ajar. Supposing this to be the location of the nursery, she entered quietly so as not to wake Daisy should she be sleeping. What she found, however, quite took her breath away.
Mr. Darcy sat in the rocking chair next to the crib, holding a sleeping Daisy. He had fallen asleep as well, his chin resting on his chest.
Elizabeth’s heart started to pound. His coat was off, his long legs stretched out in front of him as he dozed. He was obviously dressed for dinner though his attire was a bit disheveled at the moment. She knew she ought to leave but could not seem to move.
As she stood rooted to the spot in confusion and embarrassment, he stirred, opening his eyes slightly. Elizabeth thought he was still asleep, but then he spoke.
“Dearest,” he murmured.
Her astonishment was beyond anything she had known. Had he…could he possibly be…speaking to her?
In another moment, Mr. Darcy opened his eyes fully, and a look of extreme discomfort came upon his features.
“Forgive me, Miss Bennet,” he whispered. He stood, gently repositioning Daisy as he did so. He settled the child comfortably in her crib.
“It is no consequence, Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth replied with a forced smile. She could not look at him, so acute was her embarrassment. “I am sorry to disturb your…your slumber.” She lowered her eyes to the floor, wishing only to make a hasty escape.
“No, indeed,” he said at once. “I thought I was dreaming when you…that is, I simply fell asleep while rocking Daisy.”
Elizabeth felt her heart give an unfamiliar flip. Dreaming of her? Or had he been dreaming of someone else? The thought was distinctly unpleasant.
“I am sorry, sir. I…I came to check on Daisy.”
“Of course. She is, as you see, doing quite well,” Mr. Darcy replied. “And you did not disturb me, Miss Bennet,” he added in a low voice.
***
Darcy watched her out of the corner of his eye as she bent over the crib to gaze at the child. His mortification was complete. To be found in such a way by Elizabeth when
he was trying so desperately hard to impress her! It was intolerable.
A moment of reflection taught him that such a state of undress and lack of decorum was indeed a change, yet he could have no idea of her true reaction to his admission of dreaming of her. He had no wish to make her uncomfortable, but the truth had slipped out before he could catch himself. He shrugged into his coat and straightened his cravat while she continued to focus on Daisy.
She seemed to be taking an awfully long time admiring the babe. If he did not know better, he might say she was afraid to look at him. But she had never been intimidated by him; that much he knew for certain. He smiled to himself, remembering her former way of challenging him. He found her almost unsure of herself now, here at Pemberley. He understood. They had not parted well, and she had been thrust into a strange situation.
Elizabeth reached a delicate gloved hand toward Daisy’s cheek, as if to stroke it, but then seemed to reconsider and tucked the soft blanket closer about the child.
Darcy could not help it; he stared at her, drinking her in. She was wearing a gown all covered with a filmy sort of fabric that made her look like nothing less than an angel. She peeked up at him, catching his admiring gaze. Coloring most becomingly, she stepped back from the crib.
“I should leave her to sleep,” she said. “My aunt expects me in the drawing room.”
He moved forward slowly, closing the small distance between them. There was so much more when Elizabeth was near—more light, more feeling, more…happiness. Life held more meaning when she was with him.
“Shall I escort you, Miss Bennet?”
She turned startled eyes to his. He knew the implications of escorting her in such a fashion. How could she be surprised that he still wished for such a privilege? He decided to try a different tack.
“I, too, was on my way to dinner when I thought to check on Daisy. Shall we go together, then?”
“I had not…that is…” Elizabeth stammered. She was either intensely uncomfortable or she still thought of him with contempt. He watched as her lovely skin flushed an even deeper shade of crimson. She was embarrassed. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy. That is most polite of you.”
