Meeting at Pemberley
No wonder, if someone described Pemberley as something marvellous. Both my uncle and aunt were amazed by its beauty, though she said she knew this part of county. But maybe she did not know all about it – and I did not know anything.
As we were sitting in the phaeton, we got the beautiful view of all the beauties of Pemberley estate. I secretly felt sorry for everything what had happened between us and felt uncomfortable. But there was their large gallery, in which I had lost and found myself standing and staring at the marble bust of Mr Darcy. I was only able to stare and think about how anyone could capture his handsome features as if I stared onto his real lively face.
My aunt definitely knew what I was thinking about and I could not say more than a truth as an answer to the housekeeper's question. How could I lie about something what was clearly written on my face?
They let me go my own way and I started to discover all the treasures of the house. I knew that I had no right to enter into private chambers, but I could not resist it. I was looking at the surrounding beauty and felt somehow jealous towards the future mistress of Pemberley. Oh, and this all could be mine, if there were no prejudices of mine which blinded my mind.
Suddenly I knew that I am not all alone here, because I heard noises coming from the nearest chamber. Besides of going out I stepped closer to the doors and looked through it. I saw nice young lady with angel – like curly hair sitting in front of pianoforte with fingers flying around the keys. Her style and talent were a lot better than mine but I just stood there and listened as she played. She played with such a beauty common for young ladies in the age of sixteen or something. It was something like a bird song in the summer day full of sun shining on a tree.
But – was not there a shadow? Oh God, it is Mr Darcy himself! And where should I go now? No, he saw me and I needed to run away. What must he think of me? I rejected him and now I am taking excursion around his estate! God, run, run, run...
How it was possible that I heard his voice calling my name outside at the terrace? It is impervious – but it is too late... I heard his steps as I stopped at the end of that terrace. There was no time to turn back – I saw him standing not so far from me. It was like a nightmare – we were not able to tell one single sentence – we acted like children in the play pit. I felt colour rose in my cheeks as we tried to talk.
I had no idea about telling him about our stay at The Rose & Crown. But there was no other way how to escape as in my usual way of walking. I just walked and walked without knowing where I was going. The only thing was sure – we both changed and that scared me.
But this was not enough – Darcy came to talk with the Gardiners – how this could be possible? God, do not let him meet me, please. When I came from my hiding place, they got another surprise for me; our invitation to dine with him and his sister... And, and – did she want to make my acquaintance? Where had that insufferable and proud man disappeared? The Gardiners surely noticed that he is not that Mr Darcy as I described him to them.