May to June 1812
Darcy and Elizabeth's informal courtship was going smoothly but a bit too slowly for Darcy's liking. Unfortunately, as harvest time approached, he was able to take the two and a half hours trip to Sandstone only twice a week and stay for very few hours.
Mr. Thompson gave them permission to stroll unchaperoned through the different paths of Sandstone. They took advantage of that time to talk about everyday things: like Darcy's life at Pemberley and Elizabeth's life at Sandstone, their plans for the future, the books they were reading, music, and they even enjoyed walking together in silence. They spoke only once briefly of Jane Bennet, and was when Elizabeth told him that Jane would visit Sandstone in July.
With each passing day, Darcy was more in love with Elizabeth and it was harder for him to return to Pemberley and concentrate on his many duties as master of a great estate. Before returning to Pemberley, Elizabeth always played the piano for him.
He felt that every day he was making progress and that it was only a matter of time before Elizabeth finally agreed to be his wife.
On this particular day, Elizabeth was coming with her grandfather to visit Pemberley for the first time, and they were staying for two days. Mrs. Reynolds had seen to it that everything in the house was perfect and resplendent. Darcy had even ordered the piano to be tuned since he hoped Elizabeth would play for him. He also hoped that she would like Pemberly and never want to leave.
Darcy was impatiently pacing back in the foyer of the house, looking out the window, hoping to spot the carriage.
Mr. Thompson was looking at his granddaughter with an amused expression on his face while Elizabeth was looking expectantly out of both windows. As always happened when she was anxious, she moved her hands a lot and bit her lip.
In the last six weeks, Mr. Darcy had completely won the older gentleman's approval, particularly since Mr. Thompson realized that the younger gentleman was deeply in love with his granddaughter and Elizabeth little by little was falling in love with him.
Although Mr. Thompson own marriage had been very short, he had had the good fortune to have been very much in love with his wife; and Elizabeth's relationship with Darcy reminded him in many ways of his relationship with his beloved late wife.
The young couple had similar tastes, and in many important aspects were complementary. They were both avid readers and lovers of music and country life. They spent hours chatting on any subject - sometimes topics related to Pemberley and Sandstone- they played chess, and they enjoyed walking through the gardens and paths of the estate. After several years of not riding, Elizabeth had recently started again.
"Grandfather, look! I can see Pemberley's manor from this window." Elizabeth looked at the landscape with a big smile on her face, "The house itself is beautiful and harmonious with the rest of the landscape. I cannot wait to get there!"
Her grandfather laughed, "I have noticed because you haven't stopped moving for the last half an hour."
"I am sorry, Grandfather. I am a little nervous."
Mr. Thompson squeezed her hand and smiled. "You shouldn't be nervous, Lizzy. But surely Mr. Darcy is more nervous than you."
"Do you think he is nervous?" Elizabeth asked curiously.
"Of course, he is nervous, Lizzy! It is very important to Mr. Darcy that you like his house as he loves you and wants you to live with him."
Elizabeth smiled and nodded slightly. "You are right, Grandfather. Mr. Darcy is very lucky since there's no way anyone wouldn't like Pemberley!"
Some minutes later, Darcy was helping Elizabeth out of the carriage and welcoming them to Pemberley…