Author's Note:
Hi, guys! Since this chapter is shorter and I'm running out of time, you get two chapters today!
Stay safe!
Jen
As he held her hand in his own and saw her standing on his grounds, he realised that she looked at home here. She belonged here at Pemberley. He would court her openly and he would not hide his feelings for her anymore. She deserved to know she was loved and admired. He knew all too well what had happened the last time he had courted her discreetly, even without her knowledge. This time, no one would doubt his love. For his own wellbeing, he needed to be aware that he might not succeed, but he could not throw away this opportunity and spend the rest of his life wondering what could have been had he been braver. No. He knew he had to try, even if it killed him.
16.
Fitzwilliam spent as much time as he could engaging Elizabeth in conversation before dinner and when they retired to the dining room, Elizabeth was surprised that he had her sit on his right. Elizabeth's place as a guest of honour was noted by her aunt and uncle who exchanged a puzzled look. They had been quite surprised by Mr. Darcy's desire to speak with Elizabeth alone and his civility towards them was more than they could have expected.
Whenever Fitzwilliam was not speaking to Elizabeth, he enjoyed watching her converse with Georgiana. The change in his sister's disposition was so great that he felt his heart swell with more love for Elizabeth each time Georgie laughed. The look of complete adoration in his face as he gazed at her could not be mistaken by anyone and Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner were now sure that the great Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley was madly in love with their Lizzy.
"Miss Bennet, I had planned a visit to the milliner tomorrow morning," Georgiana said to her new friend. "Would you like to come with me?"
"I would be delighted, but only if you cease this formality at once and call me Elizabeth or Lizzy."
Georgiana's bright smile could have lit the whole room at that moment.
"Of course! You must call me Georgiana, then, or Georgie."
Upon hearing his sister's plans the next day, Fitzwilliam determined to accompany her on her trip to Lambton to which Georgiana could not but comment.
"You are rarely so excited about going shopping with me, Brother," she teased him.
"It is a beautiful day and I do not wish to spend it in my study," he argued, offering his arm to her.
"You are in better spirits lately."
"I am," he simply said and walked her outside with a smile.
Mr. Darcy and Lady Anne smiled as they saw the carriage driving away. Their relief could not be expressed with words. Things were not completely settled and Elizabeth had not even hinted that she would welcome a proposal, but she had offered her hand in friendship. Her gesture, so much like the one in Fitzwilliam's dream, did not go unnoticed by the couple, nor did the pallor on their son's face upon seeing it. They were, however, hopeful and extremely proud of Fitzwilliam for having confessed his mistakes and apologised to whom he had insulted the most. The change in him was even more drastic than Georgiana's. The fog of sorrow in his eyes was lifted and his good-humour, amiability, and liveliness had been noticed by everyone. They had certainly never heard him tease and laugh and they were delighted by this change.
Yes. Miss Bennet would be good for both Darcys and they were determined to find a way to push their son towards his happiness.
Fitzwilliam noticed that Elizabeth was surprised upon seeing him with Georgiana, but he was relieved when he did not detect any animosity from her.
"I hope you do not mind my presence, Miss Bennet," he offered, just in case. "I could not help but accompany two such lovely ladies, but I shall keep my distance if you prefer to speak in privacy with Georgiana."
"I do not mind at all, Mr. Darcy," she said, blushing at his compliment. "But I thank you for your thoughtful offer. You may remain with us only if you promise not to complain about our shopping," she teased.
"I would never dare, my lady," he bowed and offered his free arm to her. "I asked our driver to wait for us here, for I know you prefer walking, but we can take the carriage if you wish."
"You were perfectly right, sir, I would prefer to walk there and enjoy the view."
They walked around Lambton for some time, as both Darcys showed Elizabeth their favourite shops. Several times, they could feel people's curious eyes on them and Fitzwilliam knew the reason. For many years, he had sent his servants to Lambton when he was in need of something and it was only in the last couple of months, after Elizabeth's reproofs, that he had started to reach out to these people and to mingle among them. He knew Elizabeth was popular in Meryton and realised that the people in Lambton knew him mostly by reputation. Speaking to strangers had always been a challenge for him and to speak to shopkeepers and merchants he did not know was only worse, especially when he knew that Elizabeth would never know that he was trying. Now he was extremely glad that he had, for his presence here was less strange than it would have been only four months ago.
However, he knew that people were staring at them because of the unknown lady on his arm. He prepared himself for the feeling of discomfort and anxiety at being the centre of attention but found only pride and joy in his chest. He was the one walking with Elizabeth Bennet on his arm and he felt as if he were the most powerful man in the world. Now if I could only put my ring on her finger, my life would be perfect, he thought and tried to stop himself from hoping so much. Still, he indulged briefly in a fantasy in which people approached them and greeted them as 'Mr and Mrs. Darcy, and Miss Darcy.'
"Do you often accompany your sister when she goes shopping, Mr. Darcy?" Elizabeth teased him when she noticed so many eyes on them.
"I confess not," he replied, and she was surprised to notice a faint blush on his cheeks.
Seeing her brother's discomfort, Georgiana tried to help him.
"We used to shop in London mainly, Elizabeth, but lately, we have started visiting the shops here in Lambton more often."
Fortunately for Fitzwilliam, the milliner's shop was near and once inside, the young women amused themselves by comparing bonnets and hats. Fitzwilliam was as far from his element as he could have been and yet, he did not care. There, among caps and turbans, hats and bonnets, bandeaux and toques, he watched the women he loved laughing over an orange bonnet full of feathers they found hideous. He thought he heard the name Miss Bingley and could not help but chuckle with them. He followed them silently, trying not to disturb them and saw that his sister acquired three bonnets while Elizabeth chose two for her youngest sisters.
"What about you, Elizabeth?" Georgiana asked her.
"Oh, I do not mind. Kitty and Lydia are quite unhappy now for they dearly wished to travel to Brighton, but my father did not allow them. I hope that a gift shall make them happier."
Before they left, Fitzwilliam saw Elizabeth stopping near a straw bonnet trimmed with green satin ribbons and white lace around the brim. It was very simple but quite pretty and he realised it was exactly what he would have expected to draw her attention. She touched the ribbons gently with her fingers and he thought they were the same green as her eyes. After she walked past it, he approached the shopkeeper and on impulse, asked for that bonnet to be sent to Pemberley. He did not know if he would ever be able to offer it to her, but if not, he would at least have something of the same shade as her eyes.
As they walked back to the inn, he tried to plan their next meeting. And knowing about her love for nature and the outdoors, he thought he might have the perfect excuse.
"Miss Bennet, Georgiana and I enjoy eating outside in the summer. Would you be interested in a picnic?"
"A picnic?" she smiled. "Yes! That sounds delightful!"
"Would tomorrow be convenient?" he asked, hopeful. "Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner are, of course, invited."
"I shall have to ask them. They were visiting friends this morning, but they should be at the inn by now. Come in for tea and we can ask them."
After Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner accepted the invitation to the picnic, the Darcys returned to Pemberley where they spoke at length with Mrs. Reynolds to make the arrangements. The housekeeper was not blind. She had never seen Mr. Darcy act in such a way towards a lady. His sudden affability and good-humour had started the moment he learnt that Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner were Miss Bennet's relatives and had only increased each time he saw her.
She was exceedingly pleased with both the idea of Miss Bennet as her future mistress and the change in Mr. Darcy's demeanour. She loved him dearly and was glad that his sorrow and despondency seemed to be gone. She was intelligent enough to realise that Miss Bennet must have been the cause.
"Everything must be perfect," she told Mr. Reynolds that day as they planned the picnic.
"And it shall be as always," her husband replied.
Mr. Darcy and Lady Anne watched amused as Mrs. Reynolds fretted over each detail. The last few months had given them the opportunity to watch the servants when they believed they were unobserved and it showed them an aspect of them that a servant as Mrs. Reynolds would never show her employers. She was always professional and efficient but it was touching to see how she actually cared so much for their children.
"Yes, of course, but you must know that this picnic is extremely important."
"How so, my dear?" he asked. "Mr. Darcy has entertained the aristocracy several times and our old master and mistress, may they rest in peace, entertained even more often."
"Surely you can see that it is imperative that both Pemberley and the master are shown in their best light possible each time that Miss Bennet visits!"
"Miss Bennet?" he asked, confused.
"For such an intelligent man, you are sometimes slow, my dear!" Mrs. Reynolds said, making her old master and mistress laugh. "Surely you can see," she whispered so low her husband could barely hear her, "that Mr. Darcy is in love with Miss Bennet. She might be our future mistress and I must say I like her very much. She seems to be an intelligent and kind lady. Our master would be quite happy with her."
"Mrs. Reynolds, I hope you do not plan to play matchmaker."
"Of course not! I would never dream to intervene! But I can certainly hope and make Pemberley as beautiful as possible for our master."
"Well, I agree with you on that."
"Oh, I have been so worried about Master Fitzwilliam." Her address and the emotion in her voice showed the sincerity of her words. "But it shall be all right now, I simply know it! And how wonderful it will be to have children at Pemberley again! An heir!"
"My dear, let us not be too hasty," he warned her and they decided to concentrate on planning the picnic, hoping it would encourage Mr. Darcy and Miss Bennet's courtship.
I do not own any Pride and Prejudice properties, nor do I make any money from the writing of this story.
Characters and situations, created by Jane Austen, are taken from Pride and Prejudice and from the Pride and Prejudice (1995) adaptation created by Simon Langton and distributed by BBC.
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