Page 63 of A Most Favourable Match

Darcy paused and swallowed hard, waiting for Elizabeth’s reaction. Georgiana could have no idea ofhow matters lay between the two of them. Elizabeth also seemed temporarily struck dumb, but recovered herself more quickly, her eyes glancing kindly over Georgiana’s face and then her sister’s before she answered.

“What a good idea, Miss Darcy. I fear that I have been tiring Jane unduly, and she is too sweet to tell me. Mr Darcy, I warn you that even though you might be nearly a foot taller, I have an unusual turn of speed.”

Not trusting himself to speak, Darcy only bowed his head and offered his arm.

As Georgiana had foreseen, Darcy and Elizabeth were soon well in front of their companions. Neither of them spoke at first, for Darcy thought glumly that it was probably least offensive to her if he held his tongue.

It was Elizabeth who eventually broke the silence, her tone measured and serious. “I must thank you for your letter, Mr Darcy. The intelligence about Mr Wickham was most valuable and places me better to take care of my younger sisters. On matters concerning Jane and Lord Grantchester, I cannot agree with you, but you already know that.”

“That is all over and done with now,” Darcy replied, hoping that she would at least agree with him on the futility of further argument between them now that the engagement was broken. “There is nothing more to be said.”

If Elizabeth was still angry on that account, she did not show it. Silence descended a second time, coinciding with their ascent of a steepish hill. While herhand remained on Darcy’s arm, his energetic companion required no assistance on even on the more challenging terrain. Behind them, Georgiana and Miss Bennet proceeded more slowly, laughing and talking as they walked.

“I shall forget any of our past conversations, if you wish, Mr Darcy,” Elizabeth offered once they reached the top of the hill and stood waiting there. “I see now that you are a man of principle, even if your principles are not always mine. We might both wish to forget certain things.”

Was she talking about Darcy’s intervention in Lord Grantchester’s engagement? Or was she speaking of those moments of madness at the Suttonfield ball, culminating in his proposal? Either way, his answer would be the same. Darcy did not want to forget. He could regret none of the few precious moments they had shared, however painful the recollection.

Elizabeth looked at him expectantly, waiting for some answer. Darcy feared that any reply he might give could only anger or offend her, and yet he could hardly ignore her either. He was never willing to tell outright lies. The only remaining option was to turn the conversation aside.

“If you or your family are ever in the region of Pemberley, Miss Elizabeth, you must call upon us,” he said. “You will always be welcome.”

Elizabeth stared at him, more astonished and confused by this side-step than Darcy had reckoned with. Her small, gloved hand seemed to tighten its hold a little on his arm. Was it really such a strange offer forhim to make? Perhaps after all that had passed between the two of them, it was, but the invitation was sincerely meant and well-intended.

“I…Well, I…I can only thank you, Mr Darcy. We have no plans in that direction at present, but I shall be sure to pass your kind invitation on to my family. I have heard that Pemberley is a most beautiful estate.”

“It is beautiful to me,” Darcy answered. “I hope that any visitor will find it the same.”

To his surprise, Elizabeth smiled at him, and he found himself staring, captivated, into her eyes. To Darcy’s mingled regret and relief, the spell was broken only a moment later as Georgiana and Jane Bennet reached the top of the hill, still laughing and talking happily together. Only then did Elizabeth withdraw her hand from his arm. He felt its absence keenly, a small and surprisingly sharp loss.

“Miss Elizabeth, will you be at the Meryton assembly tomorrow evening?” Georgiana asked breathlessly, coming to his side. “Your sister says your family’s plans are not yet decided and much depends upon you. My brother has promised to take me, but I have not been to many dances yet and I will not know anyone else there. Mr Bingley will be happier, too, if your family is there.”

Darcy had not expected Georgiana to make the appeal, but he supposed it was natural enough. He could not expect a young girl to be satisfied with his company and Bingley’s for the whole night.

Elizabeth gave a little laugh and shared a smilewith her sister. “It depends upon me? Well, perhaps it does. You see, Father will only let my younger sisters attend the assembly again if Jane and I are there to help Mother supervise them, and Jane has not been well…”

“I am well again now,” Miss Bennet put in. “I believe that if I can climb that hill, I can certainly dance a quadrille and chase Lydia, but I will be easier in my heart if you are there too, Lizzy.”

“In that case, in the interests of sisterly harmony and not making our youngest sisters cry until Christmas, I must attend the assembly tomorrow night,” Elizabeth said, her eyes twinkling merrily. “I was always going to, but I held off my answer so that Lydia and Kitty would behave themselves in anticipation.”

Darcy laughed, amused by and approving of Elizabeth’s simple method of keeping her unruly young siblings in line. From the direction of Meryton, a church clock struck eleven.

“We ought to get back home, Lizzy,” Miss Bennet reminded her sister. “We told Mother we would return before noon, as Lady Lucas may call with Charlotte.”

“Yes, we ought,” Elizabeth agreed with a sigh. “You must excuse us, Mr Darcy, Miss Darcy. I am glad that we met you here, and I suppose we shall see you both again tomorrow night.”

“I am looking forward to it,” Georgiana returned happily, as Darcy bowed his head, and they all took their leave.

With longing in his heart, Darcy watched Elizabeth and her sister walk away on the path towardsLongbourn. Jane Bennet’s slightly taller, graceful form leaned a little on the shorter but stronger figure beside her as they went. Her blonde hair and Elizabeth’s chestnut curls whipped together in the wind as their heads touched in close conversation on some unknown topic.

They might be talking of the assembly, or of their sisters. They might also be talking of Darcy, for good or ill, and that thought made his heart jump uncertainly in his chest. Ah, if only he could be gone from Netherfield this very day and be spared further torment…He had promised Georgina an evening at the assembly, however, and must go through with it.

It was some moments before Darcy realised that his young sister was looking at him with curious eyes. He hoped Georgiana would not ask him the subject of his thoughts, presently lingering on the question of whether Elizabeth’s civility today meant that she now regarded him less severely, or only acted out of respect to Georgiana and Miss Bennet.

It would be too much to hope that Elizabeth thought well of him, surely.

“I am glad to see that Miss Bennet has so recovered her health,” Darcy remarked after clearing his throat. “Miss Elizabeth, too, is in good health.”

Georgiana only smiled at him and took his arm. “I like her very much, Fitzwilliam,” she said quietly.