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A Pride and Prejudice Song-Fic

Chapter Five

Elizabeth did not desire to go to Pemberley again, but she could not express a disinclination for going without exciting the concern of her sister and brother-in-law, and if she did explain her opposition, it would only make matters worse. So there she was in the carriage with Jane and Bingley, to visit Mr. Darcy one last time.

Jane sighed, looking out the window at the now familiar landscape between Lambton and Pemberley. "What is it, Jane?" asked Lizzy, eager to turn her thoughts away from herself.

"In spite of how much I miss my dear children and home, I was only thinking that it was a pity we are to return so soon. We have enjoyed ourselves so much." Lizzy made no reply, her own opinion too far from Jane's to guarantee her answer would be accordant with decorum.

Mr. Darcy welcomed them genially and they spent their morning inside, much like their first visit. It was also like the first visit in that Lizzy spoke as little as she possibly could.

"It was so positively delightful, Mr. Darcy, to stroll about the grounds. And it is just such a day to be out of doors. Would it not be pleasant to go walking again?"

Elizabeth choked. She knew exactly how this would proceed: exactly as it had before. They would all be agreeable together for a time; then Jane would grow weary and lag behind on her husband's arm, leaving Elizabeth to trudge on alone with Mr. Darcy. But the satisfaction expressed by all the rest of the party at the idea of repeating the exercise left her no room but to agree, "But if you would be so kind, let us not go very far, for I am already somewhat tired."

"But we all certainly must go by that charming spot with the woods, at the edge of the water…the narrow part. If you are laid up, then I am very sure Darcy will not object to walking slower. Will you, Darcy?"

Mr. Darcy did not protest in the slightest; Elizabeth was helpless. She was in no humor to look about at trees and water for any length of time, especially as Mr. Darcy had offered the use of his arm from the beginning, as he "would never hear of Mrs. Follows becoming more tired because of his friend's imploring."

***

Darcy looked anxiously at his companion. Her face was set in a scowl and she was staring resolutely ahead. They had just reached a quaint footbridge under the shade of the Pemberley woods, a streamlet trickling beneath them. Jane and Bingley had gone ahead.

"Mrs. Follows, would you care to rest here?"

"I make no objection," she responded coolly.

They were silent as Darcy collected his wits about him.

He took a deep breath, and plunged forward. "I can easily conjecture the foundation of your disdain…" Mrs. Follows stiffened visibly. "I am afraid my esteem for you has been too unguarded; you have detected me, and you do not approve." Pain crept into his voice slightly as he continued, "I can only say that I am sorry to have discomfited you, though I shall not and cannot apologize for my feelings." Uncomfortably, he looked down at Mrs. Follows.

She was gaping at him. "You mean to say then, Mr. Darcy, that you hold me in some…affection?" Mr. Darcy's color answered clearly. Elizabeth, feeling all the more than common awkwardness and anxiety of his situation, now forced herself to speak, and immediately, though not very fluently, gave him to understand that her sentiments were very far---exactly the opposite of, really---from being as he surmised.

"For indeed, Mr. Darcy, " she concluded quietly, " my ill-humor was borne from the idea that you had seen my feelings regarding yourself, and that you did not approve."

The happiness which this reply produced was such as Mr. Darcy had probably never felt before, and he expressed himself on the occasion as sensibly and warmly as a man violently in love can be supposed to do. Had Elizabeth been able to encounter his eyes, she might have seen how well the expression of heartfelt delight diffused over his face became him; but, though she could not look, she could listen, and he asked her for her hand. Being accepted, he told her of feelings which, in Elizabeth's learning what importance she had for so long been to him, made his affection every moment more valuable.

They walked on, without knowing what direction. There was too much to be thought, and felt and said, for attention to any other objects. After walking several miles in the said manner, and too busy to know anything about it, they found at last, on examining their watches, that it was time to be at…

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