Page 105 of The Widower of Pemberley

He grinned. “I hoped that you would say that.”

“But you have missed your friends—enjoy yourself. We plan to spend the whole day with my aunt and uncle Gardiner.”

“Invite them to dine during the next week, so that I can meet them.”

A thrill of pleasure went through Elizabeth at hearing him say that, and she promised she would. He knew full well that her uncle was in trade, and he did not even seem to mind.

Georgiana would spend the day with various musical masters, so after warmly parting with her, Elizabeth, Jane, and Emily were taken by carriage to the Gardiners’ residence in Gracechurch Street.

They were happily received, and when the children were all brought in, they jumped about in delight at seeing their cousin Elizabeth returned.

A great many drawings were given over, and the eldest Miss Gardiner, who was of an age to wish very much to be treated as a lady, proudly displayed her accomplishments at needlework and asked for a screen she had painted to be duly admired.

They then went out to the market across the street so they could buy meat pies, and as was her habit, Elizabeth climbed all the 311 steps to the top of the Monument to the Great Fire—the tall edifice was only a short walk from the Gardiners’ house, and Elizabeth always liked to make the climb on her first day in London so that she could see the whole of the city.

When Mr. Gardiner finished his half day of business and came back from the warehouses, he asked Elizabeth many questions about Pemberley and her life there.

The children then threw an impromptu play, in which Emily was allowed to perform a chief role, and during it Elizabeth found her mind at leisure to wander.

The happiness between Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner was so unlike the frustration, ironic detachment, and strain that continued between her own parents.

But seeing the contentment of her aunt and uncle made Elizabeth feel great warmth towards Mr. Darcy. Despite the way that he had promised her that he would be a difficult husband, Elizabeth could not imagine wanting a different man.

He had proved to be, in every significant way, exactly the partner she had always dreamed of, and even though she still feared that she held more affection for him than he did for her, his care for her, his liking of her, and his regular desire for her company were clear.

She admired him so dearly…it was strange how her life had worked out so well. The way that they lived together was a great deal more like the connection between the Gardiners than that between her parents.

Theylikedeach other.

There were many ways that Darcy’s words, presence, and way of thinking helped her, and she believed that she made his life warmer and brighter.

As if he had been called by the thought, Darcy and Mr. Bingley suddenly entered the drawing room.

It was Mr. Bingley’s cheerful voice that announced their arrival. “Darcy met me at the club and told me that Miss Bennet and Mrs. Darcy were here, and I had to see you all. It has been too long.”

Elizabeth noticed that Jane immediately perked up, turning herself towards Mr. Bingley’s voice and smiling.

For his part, Mr. Bingley first approached Jane, gripped her hand, smiled, and talked about how much he had missed hercompany in the two weeks since he had arrived in town. Then he cheerfully greeted the Gardiners as though they were old friends, which half confused Elizabeth until she recalled that he must have met them several times when they made their usual visit to Longbourn at Christmastide.

That was enough time for Mr. Bingleyto become dear friends with anyone.

But all of that was insignificant next to Elizabeth’s happiness at seeing Darcy.

She had missed him.

She immediately went to him, though of course Emily ran faster and jumped into her father’s arms first.

Elizabeth smiled happily, and he smiled back at her with great warmth.

The introduction between Darcy and the Gardiners was made, and Elizabeth had the satisfaction of seeing that he liked them as much as she had hoped he would.

After some twenty minutes, Darcy announced that he had seen a poster for a performance of Macbeth when they had left White’s, and that he had sent a man to take a box for the evening.

“I hope,” he said to Elizabeth, “that this will make you happy. Mr. Gardiner, I would like very much if you all attended with us. Though I understand that you might already have plans.”

Mr. Gardiner waved that away. “Not of any importance. I would be delighted to see the Scottish play again. It has been five or ten years. You are most kind to include us.”

“Has Elizabeth invited you to dinner yet? I hope to see you at my home in the next week.”