Sorry it's been so long everyone. This is only a short chapter, but I have the next one half written already. Hope you enjoy.
The journey to London was uneventful. Maria was a pleasant enough companion, although a little silly at times. Elizabeth's preoccupation over the upcoming conversation with her father left her indisposed to idle chatter, and Maria soon drifted off into sleep, leaving Elizabeth to her thoughts.
As they finally pulled into the street where her uncle's house stood, and saw her favourite aunt and her cousins coming out to greet them, Elizabeth felt a wave of melancholy sweep over her. Once she was married, it would be unlikely that she would see her aunt and uncle often. She did not doubt that Mr Darcy would not want her to invite them to Pemberley, nor would he want his wife much in company with those in trade when they were staying in town. At least she would have some uninterrupted time with them before she went onto Longbourn, for, despite the invitation to her fiancé to visit her in Cheapside, she had no doubt he would refuse to come to such a place.
She therefore couldn't have been more surprised during visiting hours the next day, when there was a knock on the door, and both gentlemen whom she'd recently taken leave of were admitted to the parlour. Mr Darcy manoeuvred himself quickly into the chair next to Elizabeth, who was so shocked at his appearance she could barely say more than the expected introductions. Colonel Fitzwilliam was his usual jovial self, and immediately after the usual pleasantries, settled into easy conversation with Mrs Gardiner and Jane. At first Elizabeth wondered why Mr Darcy had come at all, for at first he looked around himself with his usual disdain, not lowering himself to speak to anyone beyond a simple greeting for the first five minutes.
Due to a discreet message from her aunt when ordering tea, it wasn't many minutes before her uncle appeared, called from his warehouse a street over to greet such illustrious and unexpected guests. Introductions were made once again, and it wasn't long before the refreshments also arrived. Mrs Gardiner enlisted Elizabeth's help to serve, and she busied herself with handing out tea and delicate lavender and lemon biscuits, all the while avoiding the questioning gaze of her aunt.
When everyone had been served, Elizabeth returned to her seat, but was so conscious of the admiring glances of the gentleman next to her that she felt unequal to join in the conversation. Luckily, her aunt and uncle were more than equal to the task of entertaining the Colonel, aided occasionally by Jane. Elizabeth could not be more grateful for having at least a few relatives for whom there was no need to blush. Mr and Mrs Gardiner, while not possessing anything like the wealth of Mr Darcy, had furnished their home in the latest fashion, tastefully and comfortably. While both gentlemen were surely used to far more opulent surroundings, they should not be able to find fault with the simple elegance of the Gardiner's decorations. Their manners also, were everything that was correct, and their conversation, especially with the affable Colonel, was easy and pleasant.
Clearly neither her aunt nor her uncle knew not what to make of two such unexpected visitors. Mr Darcy did not converse easily with those not his intimate friends, and Elizabeth could only be embarrassed by his usual disinclination to speak. She could tell, however, that they approved of the Colonel. At first they had wondered whether it was he that had formed an attachment to their niece, but it did not take the Gardiners long to notice the way Mr Darcy paid almost all his attention to their niece, despite the fact she barely spoke, while the colonel was much taken by Jane's beauty. Nothing had ever suggested it before, but they now felt there was no other way of accounting for such attentions than by supposing a partiality for their niece. While these newly born notions were passing in their heads, the perturbation of Elizabeth's feelings was every moment increasing. She was quite amazed at her discomposure, and found herself completely unequal to the task of holding her end of the conversation.
The suspicion which had just arisen of Mr Darcy and their niece, directed their observation towards each with an earnest, though guarded, enquiry; and they soon drew from those enquiries the full conviction that one of them at least knew what it was to love. Of the lady's sensations they remained in doubt, but that the gentleman was overflowing with admiration was evident enough. Alert to the possibility that he felt something for her, an invitation to dinner that evening was issued, which was quickly accepted by both gentlemen.
Elizabeth was astonished not only that Mr Darcy was willing to dine with a family in trade, but as the visit progressed, by the sight of him being gradually drawn into conversation with her uncle, and the expression of disdain slowly disappearing from his face. Despite being at the same end of the room, Elizabeth was so occupied with her own thoughts and the awareness of at least 4 sets of eyes upon her, that by the time the gentlemen stood up to leave, she would have been hard pressed to repeat any of the conversation that she had nominally been a part of.
A time was arranged for the gentlemen to return for dinner. Mr Darcy lingered a moment by her side, but seemed to be unable to say whatever he wished in front of company. Colonel Fitzwilliam casually mentioned his delight at being able to spend more time in furthering their acquaintance, and so soon after leaving Rosings. The significant look he gave her as he bid her a friendly adieu told Elizabeth that he suspected his cousin's preference for her company, even if he did not yet know of their engagement.
Mr Gardiner accompanied the gentlemen to the door, and upon his return their observation of both gentlemen began. They expressed surprise at the courtesy of the call, having never been aware of any great acquaintance between Mr Darcy and their nieces. They expressed their admiration of both gentlemen, of the Colonel's manners more than his figure. Elizabeth was both eager and apprehensive to hear their opinion of the other gentleman, but was gratified to hear his aunt pronounce his features to be handsome, and his person very fine indeed. They wondered a little at his coming to call, when he had seemed so little inclined to converse, at least at first. This was said with a significant glance from her aunt toward Elizabeth, which she chose to ignore, although she was unable to keep her cheeks from reddening slightly.
Her uncle soon left to return to his warehouse, and her aunt soon after asked Jane and Maria to check on the children. With a curious look at Elizabeth, Jane led the younger girl out of the room, leaving Elizabeth alone with her aunt.
Dreading an inquisition, Elizabeth was glad to find her aunt was not inclined to force a confidence. She had a few questions for her niece about their recently departed guests, but none that Elizabeth did not feel able to answer with equanimity. It was clear Mrs Gardiner suspected an attachment between them, and hoped to be enlightened as to its nature, but as her father had not yet given permission, and due to the circumstances of the engagement, Elizabeth was not yet ready to speak with ease of Mr Darcy. It was a relief to be released from the tete a tete to go and help her sister with her young cousins. A walk in the park was just what she needed, and the children were more than happy to oblige her, thus distracting her from her thoughts for a few hours.