Georgiana accosted her brother down by the lake. He had walked down there to escape the hustle and bustle of staff busily preparing for the arrival of numerous guests and the wedding itself. He was also needing time to compose his thoughts. He was determined to show Elizabeth that he no longer held any reserves toward her family. He knew they would always see differently, but he could still be amiable towards them. He was not one whom small talk came easily, so he was attempting to think of some appropriate topics when Georgiana approached.
"How long have you been in love with Elizabeth Bennet?"
Darcy blinked and looked astonished at his sister. "Sorry?"
Georgiana's gaze softened. "She is the one you were talking of, is she not."
Darcy began to deny any knowledge of what she was saying, but upon seeing Georgiana's disbelieving face, he dropped his head and let out a long, low sigh. "She is, indeed. I hardly know the duration, but I have been captivated by her since I first saw her at Mr Bingley's wedding. The more I interacted with her, the more enamoured I became. Unfortunately, the more we interacted, the worse her opinion of me. I believe she thought differently of me at one point, but I insulted her horrifically and cannot think of that without abhorrence. We have never properly spoken in depth of that incident again, though every time I look at her, I see the hurt written there once more. I spend every waking moment trying to think how I might make amends for what happened and let her fall in love with me again. Futile as that may be." He smiled sadly, then looked at her directly. "I trust I do need to remind you that this remains strictly confidential. There is already enough turmoil between Miss Elizabeth and myself without whispers and plotting from other sources."
"Of course, brother. I shall not breathe a word to anyone."
"Thank you." His chest heaved out, as though he was relieved to finally lift a burden from it, then looked across to his sister. "How did you know? Have I really been that transparent?"
"She was holding our family history book in her hands this morning. At first I thought she'd found it in the library, but then she told me you had let her read it." Georgiana lowered her voice. "I don't know much about your books, Fitzwilliam, but I know the difference between the books available to guests, and the books that are precious and only for close family to peruse. You entrusted her with one of our most valued family heirlooms, so I knew she must be special to you. She might as well have been wearing mother's jewels!"
Georgiana smiled at her brother who winced. "Fear not, Fitzwilliam. She does not know the significance. Incidentally, the book is returned to your study, so that my marriage might be recorded in it." She looked directly at her brother. "Why ever did you loan it to her? Was she specifically asking after our family?"
Darcy shook his head slightly. "She wanted to learn of Derbyshire. I hoped that meant that she was interested in learning about myself too. I gave her books on the geography and nature of Derbyshire, and on the spur of the moment, I included our family history. I suppose I hoped she would see where my marriage and family will be recorded and might prompt her to consider whether she could see her name alongside mine. Foolish I know" he said, as he spied Georgiana's thoughtful expression.
"That is one way she may have taken it," said Georgiana carefully, "but have you ever properly read the book? Elizabeth commented on how illustrious our family is, and pointed out all the noble born men and women who have married into our family and woven their families amongst ours. She was implying that Henry was marrying exceedingly well, but I wonder if she was thinking of herself too. Fitzwilliam, she looked distant as she went to return that book, and I'm wondering if she's sad? What if she thinks you gave the book to her as proof of how well you must marry?"
Darcy paled. "That is what I told her at the Netherfield ball," his voice cracked. "Oh what have I done?!"
"Find her, Fitzwilliam. Find her and talk to her. You have been cryptic for long enough." Urged Georgiana.
Darcy nodded and strode back to the house, determined to fix this once and for all.
He searched high and low throughout Pemberley, but could not find her. Darcy supposed she was in her room, and could hardly approach her there.
Darcy waited impatiently for luncheon to be called, and sat at the table until Elizabeth finally ventured in.
No sooner had she sat down to eat when Mr Darcy took the seat next to her and whispered "may I speak to you in private, Miss Bennet? I have been made aware of an urgent matter I need to discuss with you."
Elizabeth's eyes widened in surprise, both at the request and the fact that he was so close she could feel his breath on her neck. She could not refuse the mans request.
"I thank you. I shall adjourn to the library and await you there following your lunch."
He rose from the table, bowed and exited the room.
Elizabeth was too astonished to eat a great deal. Whatever would he wish to discuss? She willed herself to be calm as she rose from the table. She walked from the parlour, and crossed the threshold to the front door just as the butler was opening it. There stood her mother, father, two sisters and Miss Bingley. Mr Darcy would have to wait.
Darcy paced in the library, rehearsing what he would say to Miss Bennet. After what seemed like an eternity, someone entered the library.
"Mr Darcy." Said the butler, as Darcy tried to hide his disappointed face. "The Bennet party has arrived.. Along with Miss Bingley." The butler crinkled his nose as he said her name. The staff had obviously remembered Bingleys sister in unfavourable light. Darcy nodded, and followed his Butler out to greet his guests. His discussion with Elizabeth would have to wait.
"Mr Darcy!" Cried Mrs Bennet rushing towards him. "What a beautiful home! And so generous to let us stay here! Oh my Henry HAS done well!" She proceeded to compliment virtually everything she saw, until Henry suggested that he and Georgiana show everyone to their rooms. Elizabeth looked mortified at her mother's exuberance, prompting Darcy to again reiterate how welcome they all were, and issued a personal invitation to explore the house and grounds at their leisure. He specifically made mention of the library, which piqued Mr Bennets interest, and Elizabeth flashed him a grateful smile.
That smile was like sun shining through the rain for Darcy. They shared an unspoken message that made his heart sing. Soon, he thought. I must make my feelings known soon.
Miss Bingley loudly stated that she already knew where the guest wing was, having been a guest at Pemberley before. "I shall be up later, but will first visit with Mr Darcy" she crooned, threading her arm through his. Elizabeth raised a quizzical eyebrow and turned to follow the rest of her family upstairs.
"Mr Darcy! At last we see each other again! It really has been too long." Caroline simpered.
"Indeed?" Said Mr Darcy, distracted. Caroline was most disconcerted to watch him trail his eyes after the Bennet family going upstairs.
"Yes indeed!" She cried "why, I have not seen you since the Netherfield ball just prior to Christmas, and now it is nearly March! I confess being quite surprised not to have seen you sooner!"
"I apologise, Miss Bingley, I did not realise I was expected back in Hertfordshire." Darcy replied dryly.
Caroline looked confused. "I would have thought you would want to return there?" She asked in a small voice.
Darcy looked equally puzzled. "My sister needed my presence here, Miss Bingley. There was no where else I'd rather be."
Caroline was flummoxed. She was giving the man leave to express his admiration and regret for not calling sooner, but he was being deliberately vague. Sometimes men are so obtuse! She thought.
"Tell me, Miss Bingley. How are your brother and Mrs Bingley faring? It is indeed a shame they could not join us, but quite understandable."
Caroline beamed. He was making conversation! "Oh, Mrs Bingley is quite well. Confinement is so taxing, as you will no doubt discover yourself soon enough, but she bears it with a great deal of patience. Charles is most excited for fatherhood, and caters to his wife's every whim."
"Good, good." Said Darcy, perplexed by Miss Bingleys mention of his own impending fatherhood. "Glad to hear it. If you'll excuse me," he said and untangled his arm from Caroline's. It had been a most frustrating day for Fitzwilliam Darcy, and it was only half through.
Darcy desperately wished to talk with Elizabeth, but knew she needed to reconnect with her family, and he himself wanted to keep a watchful eye as Georgiana acquainted herself with her new family. It warmed Darcy's heart to see Georgiana so well accepted and welcomed into her new family. She was showered with compliments from her new mother and sisters, and even Mr Bennet commented on what a fine girl his son was marrying. He heartily approved of the next mistress of Longbourn. Georgiana was overwhelmed with the attention paid to her, but daily contact with both Henry and Elizabeth had allowed her enough confidence to take it in her stride.
Due to the large party at Pemberley now, dinner was more formal than it had grown to be with just the Darcy's and Henry and Elizabeth. The party adjourned to the music room where each of the ladies were granted the chance to exhibit. Mrs Bennet and the two youngest Bennets were quick to decline the invitation, but Miss Bingley siezed upon it. Her singing and playing were technically perfect, but had no feeling. Despite the warm gazes Miss Bingley kept directing at him, Mr Darcy was left cold.
Georgiana approached the piano next, bolstered by the encouraging smiles of both her brother and her intended. She declined singing, but her piano playing was beautiful. Technically well executed and full of emotion, Georgiana barely took her eyes off Henry as she played. Darcy glanced across to his friend and found him with a look of pure wonder and joy across his face. "They will be happy indeed" thought Darcy, contented.
Elizabeth's turn was next, and as she sat down at the piano, Darcy was mesmerised. He could not say what else was happening in the room, so fixated on her he was. She mixed up her notes, and altered the words, but she played and sang with a passion that eclipsed technique. To Darcy, her playing was perfect. She was perfect. Oh to have her play for him, and only him.
So entranced was Darcy that he was completely unaware that virtually the entire room was watching him as he watched Elizabeth. Both Henry and Georgiana knew he loved her, and wished to see how well the inscrutable Mr Darcy hid his feelings. Mrs Bennet watched in satisfaction to confirm her hopes of having another child wed a Darcy, and Caroline Bingley watched heartbroken as the man she so desperately loved looked so longingly at another.
Mr Bennet enjoyed observing people, and had a most enjoyable evening. He quickly discerned that his son and Miss Darcy married for love. They could barely keep their eyes away from one another. Indeed, there were lots of loving looks being thrown around the room, he chuckled to himself. Miss Bingley looked forlornly at Mr Darcy, who openly admired his Lizzy. His Lizzy was more guarded, but he watched her keenly and saw her furtive but tender glances in Mr Darcy's direction. It was going to be an interesting week, thought Mr Thomas Bennet in amusement.
Caroline Bennet sat awake for a long time. The look on Mr Darcy's face haunted her. Never before had she seen such a tender, loving expression on a man's face, and the fact that it was worn by a man so reserved as Mr Darcy was testament to his depth of feelings. If only it was directed at me, Caroline thought sadly. How unfair that his love is bestowed upon someone who does not appreciate it, she sniffed. She looked around the room that would never be her home, and had never felt so alone. Her siblings had married and begun families of their own, whilst she held on to the idea that she would one day be mistress of Pemberley and simply needed to be patient. Now that dream had slipped through her fingers and been passed onto another. It was too much to bear, and Caroline felt hot scalding tears spill down her cheeks. She knew she could no longer stay at Pemberley, and resolved to set off to visit her sister Louisa at first light.
Caroline entered the breakfast parlour far earlier than she would have ordinarily. She drew in a deep breath when she saw Mr Darcy already seated at the table. He looked up with a bright smile, and then recognised Caroline. The look on his face changed, and Caroline's heart twisted. His smile was still there, but it no longer reached his eyes. It seemed forced and empty, and Caroline wondered that she had not noticed it before.
"Miss Bingley." He said stiffly, "I did not recall you being such a morning person. I trust you slept well?"
Mr Darcy was always all politeness, Caroline thought with a fond smile. She steeled herself to look into his eyes.
"I am afraid I did not, Mr Darcy. No please- let me continue." She interrupted as Darcy was about to summon a maid to ascertain why a guest slept less than well.
"I could not sleep because I have realised that I have been labouring under a misapprehension. You see, I believed a certain gentleman - let's not say names- harboured tender feelings for me. I even believed he desired my hand in marriage. I left Hertfordshire with the assumption he would offer for me, and instead I find that he is heartbreakingly smitten with another." She paused as Darcy began to realise what she was telling him. In a soft voice, she continued. "I am intruding upon a family occasion, and fear that I am a most unwelcome addition to your party. I offer you my apologies for the misunderstanding, and if you would be so obliging as to provide me with a carriage to the post, I shall travel to my sister immediately."
It took every ounce of strength Caroline had to maintain her dignity and not cry in front of the man she loved. Darcy had the utmost respect for her in that regard.
"Miss Bingley, I feel that it is I who should apologise. If I have in any way led you to believe I had designs on you, I apologise with all my heart. It was not consciously done, but I am afraid I am not good at considering how my behaviour may appear to others. I concede that you are correct, my heart does belong to another. I too, know the feeling of unrequited love. It is a tough burden to bear, is it not?" He looked at her with gentle sympathetic eyes.
Caroline merely nodded, she was too choked up with tears.
"I may not have been very good to you, Miss Bingley, but please allow me to offer you my coach to travel to London. If I have broken your heart, it is the least I can do."
At this, Caroline burst into tears. It was the final straw- he was finally being courteous to her, and it was in order to send her away.
Mr Darcy felt wretched. Although Miss Bingley was not a favourite, she was an acquaintance and a lady at that. He could not let her cry without trying to be of some assistance. He offered her wine, which she gladly received. He offered her his handkerchief, which she thanked him for. He sat with her for several minutes without saying anything whilst she dried her tears and composed herself.
"Thank you, Mr Darcy, you have been a gentleman, as always,"
"Not at all Miss Bingley." Said Darcy, and he strode over and took Miss Bingleys arm and tucked it into his own.
"I will be well, Mr Darcy, just give me time."
Darcy smiled at her. "I believe you shall, Miss Bingley. Would you allow me to escort you to the carriage house? I imagine you would wish to leave now in order to make good time. "
"Thank you mr Darcy, I would be most obliged."
Together they exited the breakfast parlour, neither one noticing Elizabeth observing them from the stairs, angst filling her lovely brown eyes.