Page 70 of The Crown’s Gift

When the fishermen returned, Mr Gardiner carried two trout and enthusiasm for Pemberley's master.

"He asked my advice about a mill lease," he told Elizabeth privately. "Not politely and then ignored. He listened."

"Mr Darcy is capable of it."

Her uncle smiled. "You sound pleased."

Elizabeth looked across the lawn where Darcy walked beside Georgiana. "I am."

That afternoon a letter arrived from Sir Thomas. Wickham had been committed for trial. The forged drafts carried enough evidence that Georgiana would not be called. Lydia had composed a heroic account of her attic observation and been required by Miss Harwood to remove three invented shots and a rope ladder.

Darcy read the letter twice, then handed it to Georgiana.

She sat in silence.

"It is over," he said.

"Not entirely. But it no longer waits outside every door."

He knelt before her chair. "What do you need?"

Georgiana put both arms around his neck.

Elizabeth left the room with Mrs Annesley, giving them privacy. In the corridor she met Mrs Reynolds.

"He has carried that worry a long while," the housekeeper said.

"So has she."

"They may put it down now."

Elizabeth hoped they could. She wondered whether Darcy had also put down the hope he once held for her—and whether she had arrived at Pemberley too late to ask him to lift it again.

* * *

Rain kept the party indoors on the Gardiners' final day.

Pemberley did not feel confined. The library offered long windows, deep chairs, and shelves whose contents bore evidence of use. The door stood open to the breakfast room, where Mrs Gardiner could be heard speaking with Mrs Reynolds. Elizabeth found Darcy there before breakfast, writing at the great desk.

"Am I intruding?"

He rose. "No. I was answering your father."

"That can occupy an entire morning if he asks about drainage."

"Wickham, the trial, and Georgiana. The drainage is confined to a postscript."

She wandered toward the shelves. "Your library is magnificent."

"It is the work of generations."

"And you add to it?"

"Constantly."

"Miss Bingley once implied you purchase books principally to improve the collection's reputation."

"Miss Bingley purchases books to improve the appearance of her table."