Chapter 39: Dinner with Darcy

Elizabeth smiled at him; she waited until he was gone before she let out a small sigh, "If only things could be different," she mumbled to herself as she headed off towards his private quarters. She was feeling apprehensive before about being in his room, but now that he was at Pemberley she felt even more uncomfortable. She decided the best thing to do would be to focus on her work then move on to another room as quickly as she could. It was the sound of someone behind her that caught her attention; she turned to see Mrs. Reynolds coming toward her. "Mrs. Reynolds, would you mind terribly pointing me in the right direction to Mr. Darcy's rooms?"

"Oh, of course, Miss Bennet," she smiled, and motioned for her to follow her down another long hallway and up a small flight of stairs. "Mr. Darcy's quarters are in here," she said as she opened one of the double doors.

Elizabeth walked in; she couldn't believe her eyes, it was a beautifully situated room. There were two large windows, one on the eastern side and another the western side. The huge four-poster bed sat against the middle wall with a large stone fireplace across from it. Above the fireplace was a beautiful painting of an old English church. Near the western window was another set of French doors that led outside onto the balcony. "This is a gorgeous room," she said as she noticed the hand-carved wood moldings and the beautifully adorned wooden doors that were on either side of the fireplace. She assumed they must lead to his private bath and closets.

"Yes, it is one of the nicest in all of Pemberley," Mrs. Reynolds told her as she stepped in.

"I can just imagine how beautiful it must be to watch the sun come up in the morning," she said then added, "And watching it go down in the evening."

"When Lady Anne was alive she helped design this room for the younger Mr. Darcy before he was even born. She took great pains and effort to ensure the windows would be placed just right so that the room would always be filled with the sunshine," Mrs. Reynolds told her.

Elizabeth was intrigued, "This part of the house was an added extension to the main house?"

"Yes Miss, it was," she answered.

"You can't tell," Elizabeth told her. "The detail in the woodwork, the floors, the doorways, and arches, they all seem to match up perfectly."

"That's because my mother was a perfectionist," Darcy told her as he came into the room.

Elizabeth spun around, surprised that he finished his business call so quickly. "Will..." she started to call him but corrected herself quickly, "Mr. Darcy, you startled me...again," she told him.

Darcy laughed, "Sorry about that. I promise it wasn't my intention to frighten you," he told her. He turned to Mrs. Reynolds, "I can help Miss. Bennet now."

Mrs. Reynolds smiled, "Very well then, if you need anything I will be in the kitchen helping Lucy."

Darcy left both doors open and walked over to the fireplace, he turned toward her and smiled. Seeing her here in his room caused a rush of both emotion and apprehension to well up inside of him. He struggled to keep his control. He didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable. "My mother took great care when it came to having the work done to this addition to the house. She had contractors from all over the country come and do the work so that it would appear as if it had always been here," he explained then added thoughtfully. "It was an extravagant endeavor, but my father loved her dearly, and he indulged many of her wishes when it came to remodeling Pemberley."

Elizabeth continued taking pictures of the windows, and French doors. "They did a magnificent job. I had no idea that this room was an addition," she told him. "It must have been wonderful to spend time here as you were growing up," she said as she turned to photograph the fireplace.

Darcy nodded. "Yes, it was actually," his voice sounded far away for a moment as he looked off toward the balcony. "I have many fond memories of time spent with my mother in these rooms."

Elizabeth had the sudden urge to wrap her arms around him and comfort him. At that moment, he seemed vulnerable to her. She watched him, and without his knowing took a picture of him standing there. Darcy was quiet for several moments as she continued to take her photos.

"These will be some of the best shots. The way the light floods the room, it seems so inviting and warm," she told him finally breaking the silence between them.

"In the wintertime, the added sunlight is very nice because it does help to warm the room a great deal, but I will admit that in the summers hottest months, it can at times be a little too much sunshine," he told her. "Especially if there is no breeze."

Elizabeth smiled, she found herself imagining what it would be like to spend a summer's night here, with the windows open blowing in the cool breeze. She thought about what it would be like to stand out on the balcony underneath the stars with his strong arms wrapped around her. She looked over in his direction and found him staring at her, she blushed at her own thoughts and went back to taking pictures.

Darcy found himself more attracted to her than before if that were possible. A part of him was in torment, he desperately wanted to take her in his arms, tell her how deeply he loved her and kiss her, but he knew that he couldn't give into those passionate feelings. He needed more time to demonstrate to her that he was not the cold, heartless cad she thought him to be. There were still so many words left unspoken between them from that last day at Rosings. He struggled with deciding if he should bring it up or not.

After several more shots, Elizabeth put her camera down. "I think I have what I need," she told him as she walked over to her bag and pulled out her laptop. "I want to download these really quick and see how they look," she told him as she sat up her computer on the small table near the fireplace.

Darcy wasn't sure what he should do. He knew he should leave her to her work, but a part of him wanted to stay with her. "May I see how they came out?" he asked trying to think of a reason not to leave.

"If you like," she motioned for him to come over to her. "Of course, these are rough. I will spend the time to fix any glare or lighting problems in post-processing before they are submitted to the magazine."

Darcy stood next to her and looked down over her shoulder. "I should have you do all my pictures from now on, they look wonderful. Perhaps you should become Darcy Industries exclusive photographer."

Elizabeth felt her heart racing with him being so near to her. She felt her cheeks go flush and she took in a small breath to steady herself, "Well Pemberley is a very beautiful home, capturing it is not difficult," she said softly.

"You don't give yourself enough credit. You're an amazing photographer, and your work is a testimony to your dedication and love to what you do," he told her. "I can honestly say I was never so comfortable having my picture taken before as when you did mine at Rosings."

Elizabeth turned and looked up into his eyes, "Thank you, Will."

Darcy wanted more than anything to lean down the few inches that separated them and capture her lips with his own, but once again he forced himself to stay in control. "Do you have all the photos you need?" He asked her. He couldn't help but stare into her beautiful brown eyes.

"Yes, I do thank you," she told him. She was suddenly very aware that they were alone in his bedroom and as innocent as the situation was she found that she couldn't calm her racing heart or keep her thoughts from remembering their kiss. She took in a deep breath and gathered up her things, then she quickly headed for the door, with Darcy following her out into the hall. He stopped briefly to close the door behind him. "I think I will be heading outside now to photograph the front of the house. I also want to get some shots of the house from the gardens as well as near the lake."

"I will be happy to show you around if you like," he offered.

"No, that won't be necessary, I don't want to impose on you," she told him then added, "But thank you for your offer."

"It really is no trouble; besides I have no pressing business that I must attend to so I really am at your disposal. Unless you prefer to work alone, I would not want to get in your way," Darcy told her, he didn't want to force her to spend time with him, try as hard as he could he just couldn't figure out what she was feeling at that moment.

"Thank you," she told him. "If you really are not busy, it will save me some time to have you show me the area since you know the grounds so well," Elizabeth told him politely. It wasn't that she didn't want him to go with her, it was just more the awkward, uneasy feeling of how to behave that made her so uncomfortable. Darcy led the way out toward the front gardens. The entire estate was beautiful, and she found herself growing very fond of it. She also found herself feeling much more at ease with him than she had before. She stopped just before the lake. "This is such a beautiful spot. I'm so glad that you decided not to add any artificial landscaping in this area. It's so wonderful just as it is."

Darcy was very pleased to hear that she liked Pemberley so much. He smiled, "My great, great grandfather strictly forbid that any changes be made to this part of the property. This lake was what drew him here to this area, and he was very fond of fishing and hunting all through this area."

"It's such a peaceful spot. I can imagine that it is very beautiful in the winter," she told him as she snapped some more pictures.

"It is, you must come and see it for yourself," Darcy told her. "Georgiana and I would love to share it with you. You could come as our guest and stay as long as you like."

Elizabeth smiled, "Perhaps I will."

Darcy looked down at his watch. "Elizabeth, would you stay and have dinner with me this evening?"

Elizabeth glanced down at her own watch. "Oh I didn't realize it was so late," she told him. "I should get back to the inn."

He looked disappointed. "I would very much enjoy your company, and I really don't like eating alone."

Elizabeth hesitated for a moment then smiled. "All right then," she said softly as she walked back toward the house with him.

Darcy led her to the formal dining room, he pulled out her chair and waited until she was seated before he took his own place. Moments later Mrs. Reynolds came into the room pushing a small cart with a large soup terrine. Elizabeth didn't say much as the first course of their meal was served. Mrs. Reynolds served her first and then proceeded to Mr. Darcy next. "Thank you, Mrs. Reynolds," Darcy said as she headed back into the kitchen.

Elizabeth picked up her spoon and carefully took her first taste of the piping hot liquid. It was delicious, unlike anything she had ever tasted before. "Oh, this is so good."

Darcy smiled, "Lucy is our head chef. She's a wonderful cook and always takes particular care to create the most healthy and tasty meals."

"Do you have a very large staff here at Pemberley?" she asked hoping that didn't come out sounding too much like one of her mother's questions. She watched his reaction and was relieved when he answered.

"Not really, Rupert takes care of all household business as well as helping me to manage and keep my schedule straight. As I said, Lucy is our head chef and works full-time for us running the kitchen. I believe she has two ladies that come to help, but don't live on the premises. We do take on additional staff that she manages when we have guests or a large party. Mrs. Reynolds is our head housekeeper, but she has a crew that comes every other week for heavy cleaning. Then there is Sam who handles the gardens and generally fixes things when they break down," he explained. "Mr. Reynolds was my father's driver and still drives for me on occasions."

"Have they worked for you for a long time?" she asked.

Darcy smiled, "My father and mother hired most of the staff when they did the renovations, and they have been with us since then."

Elizabeth smiled, "Hill has been with us so long, she's a wonderful person and has put up with my family for a long time. I sometimes think she deserves a medal."

"I know Georgiana, and I couldn't manage without the people here with us," he told her. "In many ways, they are very much a part of our family."

Elizabeth was a bit surprised to hear him talk about his employees in such a way. She found herself amazed at the things she was learning about him; she realized that in many things she had misjudged him and his character. After dinner, Darcy escorted her to the living room. "This is where Georgiana and I spend a good deal of time. We both enjoy reading so we often end up in here reading," he told her. "As children when the weather was bad we both would spend a great deal of time in the library getting caught up in our favorites books."

Elizabeth smiled, "I love to read, so does my father," she commented. "I love a good historical romance as well as a really thrilling mystery."

"Oh, I use to love to read Sherlock Holmes," Darcy told her. "As a boy, I read every one of them. Have you read the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle?

Elizabeth stared at him for a moment intently; she wondered what he looked like as a young boy. She imagined him to be very serious as a child. He was probably someone who spent hours reading, and studying for his future. She didn't realize that several moments had passed and she didn't answer his last question.

"Are you all right Elizabeth?" Darcy asked her.

Elizabeth laughed and shook her head, "I am so sorry Will, my mind was a million miles away just then."

"I asked which of the Sherlock homes mysteries was your favorite, but I'm more curious to know what had you so deep in thought just then?" he asked her.

Elizabeth blushed red and smiled, "Actually I was thinking about you," she said feeling just a bit embarrassed.

Darcy smiled, "Me... why were you thinking of me?" he asked hoping it was not that he was boring her.

"I was trying to imagine what you were like as a small boy," she admitted.

"Oh," he said smiling at her. "I suppose you think that I was a stuffy child who never played or went out-of-doors."

Elizabeth nodded her head yes, "It's just that you're so serious all the time. I cannot imagine you ever being anything, but as you are now."

Darcy laughed, "Well there was a time when I was very different. When I was younger, I use to climb trees and race through the house terrifying the staff and making my poor mother fearful that I would never live to see my next birthday."

Elizabeth laughed. "I would never have guessed it of you. What brought about the change?" she asked then realized how rude that sounded. "What I mean is..." she searched for a way to ask how he came to be so different without it sounding insulting.

Darcy smiled, "Don't worry about it Elizabeth, I'm not offended by the question. I'm very different from when I was a child. My mother grew very ill after Georgiana's birth, there was little the doctors could do, and after she died my father grew more and more serious. He was a good man and an excellent father, but it was almost as if a part of him had died with her and I guess it had its effects on me as well. Perhaps more than I realized," he continued. "After my father's death, I found myself not only in charge of my entire family estate, and all his business dealings, I was also given charge of my sister as well. Although I do share Georgiana's guardianship with my cousin Richard."

Elizabeth suddenly felt as if she better understood him. "That must have been very hard having to grow up so fast and take on so much responsibility."

Darcy took in a deep breath, "It was difficult...I have always tried to do my best to see to all of Georgina's needs and to protect her as much as I possibly could. Hopefully, I have lived up to the trust that my father placed in me."

She knew he was thinking of Wickham and how he attempted to use Georgina for his own selfish ends. She wanted to assure him that he didn't fail his sister or his father, but she didn't know if it would be wise to bring back up the topic and she could think of no way to avoid discussing their fight and the letter that followed if she did speak about it. She smiled and whispered softly, "You have done very well where Georgiana is concerned, she's a truly wonderful young woman."

Darcy's heart beat faster at the kindness of her words. "Thank you," he told her simply, then laughed a bit nervously, "It has been challenging at times." After a few moments of awkward silence, he searched for a way to change the subject. "So now that you have seen most of Pemberley, what do you think of it?"

"I like it very much, I think you would be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn't like it," she told him.

"Yes, but yours is the opinion that I value the most," Darcy told her.

Elizabeth smiled, she was not sure how to respond so she chose to say nothing at all. The large clock in the main hallway chimed 8:00 o'clock. She realized how late it was getting. "I think I should be going."

Darcy took in a deep breath, "Yes of course," he said as they walked out together. "My offer for you to stay at Pemberley still stands," he told her hoping she would change her mind.

"No I think I should go, besides all my things are at the Inn," she told him.

"Will I see you in the morning then?" he asked. "You may come as early as you like I remember how you like the early morning pictures. I could show you around, and then we could have breakfast together."

"I would like that," she told him as they walked out to her rental car. She put away her gear in the back seat then turned to him, "Good night."

He smiled, "Good night," he said as he stepped back so she could get into the car.

Elizabeth reached into her pocket, but her keys were not there. She began searching all her pockets when she heard him ask her.

"Is everything all right?" Darcy asked.

"I seem to have lost my keys," she told him feeling somewhat embarrassed.

"I can ask the staff to help look for them," he suggested. "Do you remember when you last had them?"

Elizabeth looked back over toward the house and laughed, "That could be like trying to find a needle in a haystack."

"I suppose you're right," he laughed. "If you really are determined I can drive you into town. But my offer for you to stay here still stands."

Elizabeth began searching through her gear, but she still couldn't find her keys. "I can't believe I have lost them. I was sure I left them in my backpack," she sighed. "And the key card to my room was attached to them as well," she told him as the first few drops of rain began to fall. Elizabeth looked up at the sky, "Is it raining?"

Darcy nodded his head. "Yes, I believe it is," he told her as he took her hand and pulled her along with him inside the house.

"I don't want to be a bother to anyone," she told him feeling embarrassed by the situation.

Once he was off the phone, he turned to her. "It is no bother, truly now that it is beginning to storm I'm glad you were unable to locate your keys," he admitted to her. "I would have been very worried about you driving into town during the storm; we can get some very heavy rainfall here during the late summer months."

"I don't like heavy rainstorms," she mumbled out loud as she looked out the window.

He walked over to her. "I remember," he said softly as the first booming of thunder could be heard in the distance. Elizabeth jumped a little as Darcy took her hand in his to help calm her.

She looked up at him and shrugged her shoulders. "I guess I'm staying here after all then," she said as they went back into the main living room.

Darcy called for Mrs. Reynolds, then turned back to Elizabeth, "If you don't mind I will have Mrs. Reynolds make up one of the guest rooms near Georgiana's room."

She nodded her head, "That would be fine. Thank you," she told him as tried to keep her nerves calm. The storm was moving in she could hear the rain getting heavier. "Do you get many of these sudden storms here in Derbyshire?" she asked as she walked over and sat down on the couch.

"Usually we get a bit more warning, but there are times when the storms pop up in late summer like this," he told her. "Do you mind if I ask what happened to cause you to become so fearful of thunderstorms?"

Elizabeth shrugged her shoulders. "It was nothing particularly traumatic. When I was a little girl, I would often wander off from home and go on very long walks just to find time to be on my own. One afternoon my mother, who didn't like my wandering ways warned me not to go too far because a storm was coming. I, of course, dismissed her warnings and set out anyway. What no one in my family knew was that I discovered this wonderful old abandoned house buried deep within the woods on my father's property. It wasn't much just really a little cabin of sorts, but I spent so many weekends cleaning the place up and making it my own little hideaway. I loved going there to read and to just be on my own. That afternoon my mother was right, and a storm did come up. I found myself stuck while it rained and poured all the rest of that afternoon and into the evening hours. I should also mention I'm very afraid of being alone in the dark, that fear comes from too many ghostly stories read before bedtime," she explained. "I remember looking out the window and seeing how dark it was, then the thunder came followed by the lightning. As the wind began howling my imagination went to work, suddenly every tree was a specter, and every sound was some monstrous creature coming to bring me to my untimely death. I remember sitting there, in the dark and cold little house wishing I would have listened to my mother," she laughed. "And that's not something that happens often."

"What happened that night?" he asked as he sat down next to her.

Elizabeth looked out the window, then back over to him. "Sometime just before the sun came up my father found me. He was soaked to the bone as he came through the door. I remember seeing him standing there, and the look on his face said it all. He wasn't angry he wasn't even upset with me; no, the look I saw was one of relief. He opened his arms, and I ran to him, tear-stained cheeks, and all. The storm was passing by that time, and he bundled me up and carried me all the way home. I remember feeling so safe with him," she told him then she said, "Since then I've hated storms."

"I will be happy to keep you company until the storm passes if you like and I think I know just the perfect way to spend our time," he told her as he stood up and took her hand in his. Elizabeth followed him down the long hallway and into the most beautiful library she had ever seen in a private collection.

She smiled as she walked over and began thumbing through the many volumes of books, "Will, this is an amazing collection," she told him as she discovered some of her favorite classics.

"I think the Darcys have always been avid readers," he told her as he walked over and stoked the fire then sat down in one of the chairs.

"Oh, my father would love this room," she told him. "He has his own collection, but nothing as amazing as this."

"Perhaps that's where you get your love of reading from," Darcy suggested.

She nodded her head as she found her very favorite book. "I think it is," she told him. "Would you think me terribly rude if I spent some time reading?"

"Not at all." He was just happy to have found something to take her mind off the storm raging all around them.

She found herself the perfect reading spot just a little ways away from the fire. It was a rather large oversized chair with a small table and antique lamp sitting on it. She opened the book and began reading of her favorite hero and heroine. As she read she imagined herself lost in a world where love could overcome any obstacle, but instead of seeing Amelia in the arms of her beloved, she pictured herself in the arms of Will.