Chapter Fifteen
The carriage entered through the gates of Pemberley and Eden smiled at the parkland. It was wild and rocky; deer grazed the grass while rooks flew high in the sky. There was a sense of freedom and liberation about the place.
As the carriage drove over the top of a hill, Eden heard her Aunt and Uncle gasp in surprise. Her eyes followed theirs to the grand manor that was Pemberley House. It was vast, breathtakingly beautiful. It was a mansion built of golden stone, practically glowing in the sunlight.
"Imagine," Mrs. Gardiner said, "being mistress of all this. It is as big as all Cheapside."
"But less picturesque," Mr. Gardiner remarked.
"I don't think so," Eden said. "I think it is very picturesque."
They were shown inside by the housekeeper, Mrs. Reynolds who conducted their tour. She spoke constantly on the descriptions of each room as their party toured. They traveled up a grand staircase, Eden falling behind to look up at an exquisite painted ceiling.
"Eden, do keep up," Mrs. Gardiner called, causing the girl to pick up her pace.
Entering a sculpture gallery, Eden took her time wandering through the stunning collection of marble sculptures.
"Is your master much at Pemberley?" she heard Mr. Gardiner ask.
"Not as much as I would wish, sir, for he dearly loves it here," Mrs. Reynolds sighed.
"If he should marry, you might see more of him," Mrs. Gardiner supposed.
"Yes, madam, but I do not know when that will be. I know not a lady who is good enough for him."
"What do you mean?" asked Mr. Gardiner.
Hoping to hear the housekeeper's response, Eden stopped in front of a marble bust. She startled at the sight of Mr. Darcy's carved face.
"I've known Mr. Darcy since he was a boy. He was always a kind and generous person even then. Note everyone can see it, because he does not make a meal of it like a lot of young men nowadays. But he is the most sweet-tempered and kind-hearted man I have ever known."
Eden was once more startled as the Gardiners and Mrs. Reynolds appeared at her side.
"This is my master, Mr. Darcy."
"A handsome face," Mrs. Gardiner said."Eden, is it a true likeness of him?"
"Does the young lady know Mr. Darcy?"
"Only a little," Eden said, smiling weakly.
"And do you not think him a handsome man, Miss?"
She said she did, which wasn't a lie. She had though Mr. Darcy handsome even when they first met. He had always been handsome on her eyes, even when his other qualities seemed to dimmish his person, she had not thought his looks any less than nearly perfect.
Mrs. Reynolds moved the Gardiners to another sculpture as Eden stayed, staring at Mr. Darcy's likeness. She started to hear music and lifted her head. "Is anyone home?" she asked. But within moments she realized she had spoken in an empty room. The Gardiners and Mrs. Reynolds had disappeared.
She left the statues, looking for her party. She stopped outside a room where someone was playing the piano. She looked through the crack in the door, smiling when she saw a blonde girl sitting at the pianoforte. She played with great fluency and passion.
Someone stepped into the room behind the girl, covering her eyes. The blonde immediately stopped playing and shrieked happily before standing to throw her arms around the person.
As they embraced, the sunlight hit the stranger's face and it was none other than the master of the house himself. As he turned, he caught sight of Eden standing in the doorway and they both froze.
Eden was the first to react, taking off at a fast pace from the room. She exited out of large beautiful French doors and hurried along a huge porch before descending a flight of stairs. She could hear his footsteps behind her and didn't stop until he called her name.
She stopped, spinning around as he came to stand a few feet away from her. They didn't speak right away, both of them not knowing what to do.
"I thought you were in London," she murmured.
"No. I-I'm not."
"I see that."
They were quiet once more before speaking together.
"I came here a day early—"
"We wouldn't have come—"
"—some business with my steward—"
"—had we known you were here…"
Trailing off, Eden laughed lightly at their rushed conversation. Mr. Darcy managed a small smile at her.
"I'm visiting Derbyshire with my aunt and uncle," she told him.
"And are you having a pleasant trip?" he asked.
"Very pleasant. Tomorrow, we go to Matlock."
"Tomorrow?"
There was a disappointed tint to Mr. Darcy's voice, but he managed to overcome it.
"Are you staying at Lambton?"
"Yes, at the Rose and Crown." She looked away from him for a moment, then looked back. "I'm so sorry to intrude. They said the house was open for visitors. I did not expect to see you."
"So, I've gathered… may I see you to the village?"
"I-I… No, I'm very fond of walking."
"Yes. Yes, I know."
"Goodbye Mr. Darcy," she whispered before walking away. Unbeknownst to her, Mr. Darcy watched her go until she disappeared from his sight.
When she was out of sight, Eden collapsed against a stone wall. She tried to compose herself, tried to draw breath into her winded soul. She needed a distraction. A glass of wine maybe? She had never once cared for the taste of soured grapes, but maybe it would help clear her mind.
How truly dreadful, for her to have come across Mr. Darcy. She had been correct in assuming that old wounds would reopen. For in that moment, she realized the true depth of her feelings for him, and those feelings would never be for she had made her bed and laid in it.
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