Tuesday, March 2, 1813 – Pemberley

As Elizabeth came trippingly down the stairs, she could see Darcy waiting for her by the main entrance. "I hope you are dressed for the cold, Miss Elizabeth. It can be quite chilly this early in the morning."

"I am, and the chill will not be a problem if we walk briskly."

"Where would you like to walk first?"

Elizabeth looked around and pointed to a path that appeared to lead down to the pond and then along the stream. "That appears quite interesting." At which she set off at a brisk pace, her breath visible in the cold air. Darcy was quick to catch up and walk beside her. They continued this way for several minutes and let the exercise gradually warm their bodies. Conversation seemed unimportant and Darcy was content to let the silence continue. After a quarter hour had passed, he ventured to say, "Miss Bennet, one of my mistakes at Rosings was, during our walks, to fail to take advantage of the opportunity they provided to get to know you better and to allow you to know me better as well. I would like to avoid repeating that mistake if you are willing." Elizabeth looked at him with a question on her lips but he continued before she could utter it. "What I had in mind was for us to take walks like this daily and talk about those things that have created misunderstandings in the past and perhaps about our own past. I am willing to try and answer honestly any question you might have, as hard as that might be on occasion. In essence, I want to get to know you and have you know me."

Elizabeth pondered his words. She knew her feelings for the man beside her had changed markedly over the past year. She believed herself to be falling in love with him and certainly her uncle and aunt seemed to think so. She had come to know him better through his letter, her observations and their few talks. But did she really know him well enough to be confident that the changes she could see would last? The difference between the man at the Meryton assembly and the man who walked beside her were such that the opportunity to explore his character must be taken. "I indeed would like the opportunity to get to know you better, Mr. Darcy." She paused and asked, "How do you propose we proceed, sir?"

Darcy grinned at her, "I had in mind giving you the opportunity to expose my faults first. Each day we will seek the answer to a question from the other. Since a single question may be insufficient to explore the issue, additional questions as necessary seem reasonable. I will allow you the privilege of asking first."

"May I suggest we start this tomorrow? I would like to consider my questions carefully."

"By all means, tomorrow is quite satisfactory. Let us enjoy this walk. I would also hope that our discussions do not prevent us from enjoying the grounds. I could only wish that it were May or June when the paths are truly beautiful."

They walked briskly for an hour with Darcy showing points of interest or describing alternate paths that could be of interest.

That evening Jane and Amos joined them for dinner. Conversation was cheerful and plans for the following day were discussed. Darcy would be required to meet with his steward for several hours following breakfast but promised to conduct them on a tour of the grounds after luncheon. When they had finished the meal, they moved to the music room where first Elizabeth and then Georgiana were induced to play for them.

Elizabeth played for a half hour with Darcy turning the pages. She found it difficult to concentrate due to his closeness, and the casual brush of his arm as he turned the pages seriously discomposed her. She hardly knew whether he was deliberately brushing her shoulder or whether she was leaning towards him and encouraging the contact. She did know she wanted it to stop and yet to continue. With no conscious action on either part they reduced the space between them until they were sitting nearly hip to hip with Elizabeth occasionally brushing against him as she swayed while playing.

Darcy found himself wishing for her full attention and abruptly rose from the bench when Elizabeth finished the piece she was playing. Taking her hand, he softly suggested, "Come, let us sit over there," nodding towards a settee behind the pianoforte. "Georgiana, would you favour us with some music?"

"Of course, Brother." and a smiling Georgiana moved quietly to the instrument. Before she had begun however, Amos whispered in Jane's ear and then observed to the room, "Jane is rather tired. I think we will retire early." They rose and quickly left the room to hidden smiles from both Elizabeth and Darcy. As Georgiana began to play, Darcy took Elizabeth's hand and murmured softly, "You have no idea how much I enjoy listening to you play. To sit beside you while you do so, just enhances my pleasure."

"You derive pleasure from discomposing me, sir? That is most unkindly done."

"So my presence discomposes you. I find I can tolerate your censure quite well while enjoying your blushes." As he spoke his thumb was stroking the back of her hand causing her to shiver as goosebumps ran up her arm.

"Are you chilled? Let me get you a shawl." Darcy made as if to rise but her grasp of his hand tightened. "No sir, I am fine. Please do not bother yourself." As he settled back beside, she relaxed and placed her other hand atop his and intertwined their fingers. "Please, let us listen to your sister. I have so rarely heard anyone play so well and with such feeling. It is a joy to listen to her perform."

They sat in a comfortable silence, hands entwined, with Elizabeth gradually relaxing and her head resting on Darcy's shoulder. He realized the impropriety of their position but could not bear to disturb her comfort, or the feel of her body against his, or lose the scent of her hair. He was very aware of his arousal and only his strictest control and Georgiana's presence prevented him from kissing those lips that were so close to his own. He shifted slightly to ease the discomfort. Elizabeth felt the increasing rigidity of his body and thought he was uncomfortable with the contact. She knew it was most improper but it felt so comfortable that she was reluctant to move, but murmured to him, "I am making you uncomfortable. I should move."

"No, please. I do not wish you to move. If I am tense, Miss Bennet, it is simply to avoid doing that which would merit your strongest reproofs. You do not know the effect that you have on me and I cannot tell you."

"Oh!" Elizabeth blushed deeply. She was pretty sure she knew exactly what Darcy wanted to do and was also sure she should disapprove even as she wished for him to act on his desires. She simply squeezed his hands gently and straightened her body a little without breaking contact with his.

Darcy recognized her desire to maintain contact but reduce his tension and chose to change the subject of conversation. "Miss Bennet, I was planning to visit some of my tenants over the next week or so and was wondering if you would be interested in joining me. Georgiana would accompany us and it would give you a chance to see more of the estate."

"I think that would be most interesting." She looked at him with a question in her eyes, "How would we travel? Surely it is too far to walk."

"Most definitely! I have a gentle horse that you could ride or we could go by carriage. I think the horseback ride would be more enjoyable for you since we would not be restricted to the roads."

"I have ridden very little and not for some time. Perhaps a carriage would be best."

"Would you allow me to give you a few lessons before we venture off?"

Elizabeth thought for a minute or two, "I suspect you are quite determined on this, are you not?" Her smile robbed her words of any censure.

"I am, but your enjoyment is my first concern. I truly think you would enjoy the ride."

"I have no riding clothes."

"I am sure Georgiana can find some that might not fit you too ill. Shall I ask her?"

"Very well. When are these lessons to begin?"

"We are engaged to tour the grounds tomorrow after luncheon. Perhaps the following day, should the weather permit."

"Very well, sir. You shall walk with me in the mornings and I shall ride with you in the afternoons. You will grow tired of my company quite quickly, I fear."

"Who is fishing for compliments now?" Hearing them laugh together drew Georgiana's attention and she left the pianoforte to join their conversation. Apprised of their plans, she readily agreed to find a riding outfit for Elizabeth and to accompany them on their rides to visit the tenants. She also assured Elizabeth as to Darcy's competence as an instructor.