Elizabeth gleefully traipsed through the gardens of Pemberley. She enjoyed a lovely breakfast with Miss Darcy–Georgiana– and Miss Annesley in the sunroom. Her uncle had shown signs of movement this morning, though they were small. Mrs. Gardiner swore she had seen a fluttering of lashes and a quiver of his hands. The physician would be in shortly and could confirm such good news. She had sat with her aunt after breakfast until Mrs. Gardiner felt fatigued. She wished to rest before the doctor arrived.
Elizabeth had slipped away from the grand house to enjoy being out of doors once more once she was dismissed. Here, she felt free to discover the natural delights of Pemberley and could sort her feelings clearly. A hastily scribbled letter to Jane in the night also helped assuage the unusual angst that developed within Elizabeth. Jane would also want to know about her uncle's turn in health.
A heavy fog had descended over the grounds this morning, but Elizabeth took particular delight in the way the fog would hide and then illuminate the little delights of Pemberley. Lizzie discovered a fountain sequestered in blooming flowers, a stunning marble gazebo near the lake, and a family of robins hidden in the bushes. She could spend hours here! But she would only indulge until the doctor arrived.
Elizabeth carried on up a hill and into the denser woods of Pemberley. The woods were fragrant with the smells of summertime and noisy with life within. Elizabeth's senses were alight with Pemberley's offerings, and she was utterly charmed. Drifting her head back to fully bask in the morning light, she breathed deeply, feeling her soul settle.
Until she heard the sound of approaching hooves from an expeditious rider. She sought shelter amongst the thicket, suddenly aware of how unfamiliar she was with the terrain surrounding her. Elizabeth was ill-prepared to meet a stranger this morning.
A man traveled towards her atop a black stallion, skilled in maneuvering the turns of the forest. The horse sparked recognition, and flutterings erupted in her belly in growing recognition. As the rider steered closer, she could make out just enough of his features to realize it was Mr. Darcy!
She tried to overcome her sudden desire to flee deeper into the forest, knowing with the mist she was unlikely to find her way back to Pemberley if she veered off course. But he would certainly spot her if she did not move.
Deciding such a fate was well worth the avoidance of Mr. Darcy discovering her in his home, she went to move just a breath more into the shadows when she saw the master of Pemberley slow his horse and dismount.
"Miss Elizabeth!" Mr. Darcy cried, fairly certain he had conjured her from the mist. He had set out at once whenever he read Georgiana's missive. Elizabeth Bennet and her relations at Pemberley! He could not have dreamt of such a circumstance happening.
He had battled greatly these past few months to overcome his feelings for her, just as he had before his ugly proposal. All in vain once more. The unrequitedness of his affections seemed to be his penance for his poor behavior in adulthood. He had struggled deeply with her estimate of his character. She, a country miss, to degrade him, a man of such status and principles. He could not fathom how he was found so deeply wanting. He had never been told he was so before. But as the anger eased and the regret stirred, Mr. Darcy slowly realized just how astute his love was in her estimations of his character. He concluded that his behavior did indeed require refinement.
He struggled with his inaction, for he could not determine how to make amends. Mr. Darcy realized how unlikely it was that he would ever see her again since he convinced his only connection to Meryton a hasty retreat to London. And now she stood before him in the woods at Pemberley! He resolved to show her and her family every courtesy he could offer.
Elizabeth knew none of this, naturally. She curtsied and stared determinedly at a tree to his left, feeling all the pangs of awkwardness she expected in his presence. She fully expected a properly uncivil conversation.
Mr. Darcy drank in the sight of her. Her hair struggled to be free of its confines, and wisps danced tantalizingly around her face. Her cheeks and eyes were bright from her recent exercise. How could she be even lovelier than his remembrance? He was determined to remember her properly.
"Mr. Darcy, I must thank you for your hospitality," Elizabeth started, "We had no idea of my uncle's poor health or how Miss Darcy was in residence. We would not have wanted to intrude."
"Think nothing of it, Miss Bennet. You and your family are not an intrusion at all. I am grateful you were at Pemberley when your uncle fell ill. We are at your family's disposal, of course. How does he fare today?"
Elizabeth blinked slowly, hardly understanding the man before her. Mr. Darcy was uncharacteristically solicitous to her relations from Cheapside!
"He is much the same, though my aunt believes she saw a small improvement. Doctor Colborn is hopeful he will wake soon, but we do not yet know precisely what ails him."
"Doctor Colborn is skilled indeed, but if he cannot treat him we can procure a specialist from London. I will speak with him to see if your uncle might benefit from a specialist."
Elizabeth, remembering Mrs. Gardiner's worry about costs already, was quick to intervene. "Think not of it, sir. I believe my aunt has everything well in hand." She smiled to ease the sting she was sure he felt.
Mr. Darcy was stung. Her accusations of his character months ago resurfaced. He realized at once he overstepped, too familiar in his speech. He needed to tread carefully with her to not appear overbearing. But how he wished to care for her and ease her burdens!
"Of course, I am sure your aunt is the best expert to care for her husband. I am just now headed home. May we walk back together?"
Elizabeth felt a negative response rise within her then realized she would seem uncharitable towards her host. But it seemed unbearable to walk here with him upon the grounds of Pemberley. She could only give the barest of nods, and so together they began to walk back.
Mr. Darcy felt every inch of her reluctance, but he wanted her to feel like a welcomed guest in his home. He relished the thought of them walking towards Pemberley together and was eager to hear her thoughts on his estate. He knew her fondness for walking could not keep her indoors for long.
"How have you found Pemberley so far, Miss Bennet?"
Elizabeth nodded at once; it seemed the only response she could make quickly.
"The grounds are just wonderful! As is the rest of the house, of course. I particularly loved the gardens. It's not often you witness such an unkempt garden! Not unkempt, of course, I suppose natural is better. It is a compliment, I assure you." She rambled and then cursed herself for her ramblings. He would think her presumptuous to wax lyrical of a home she inadvertently rejected!
Mr. Darcy felt a stirring of pride at her appraisal. Of course, she would pay little heed to the expensive furnishings meant to impress. Her first love was the natural beauty of the world, and so too would her love of Pemberley be.
"I am pleased you like it so well. The gardens which you speak of were my mother's design. It was one of her greatest passions. I believe it is difficult for the gardeners to maintain her vision of wildness, but they do so admirably. The lands are vast, and there is much to explore. I'd be happy to show you more."
Realizing the impropriety of such a statement, he amended, "Georgiana and I would be pleased, of course."
"I would be delighted." And Elizabeth realized at that moment that she would indeed be delighted, "I must be at my aunt and uncle's disposal first, but I am sure there is only so much I can do for them."
Mr. Darcy cursed inwardly, feeling callous for forgetting her desire to tend to others. "How is your aunt? Does she have everything she requires?"
Elizabeth turned to him, daring to stare at him in perplexity. He must not recall these were her relatives in Cheapside. He would find out their connections eventually, and she was quick to defend her beloved aunt and uncle.
"She is worried but as well as she can be. My Aunt Gardiner is very even-tempered, you see. So she will be of no trouble, I assure you."
He nodded as he struggled to accept her censure. She had every right to assume he would cast judgment upon her relations. He would not make such a mistake again.
"I look forward to meeting her when she is able. She is a most welcome guest, as is your uncle."
Elizabeth swallowed. She was pleased with his kindness, but could not help but note she was not included in such a statement. And how could she be? He must feel every pain to suffer her presence in the home he hoped would be theirs.
They neared the house and a footman rushed to greet them.
He bowed severely. "Mr. Darcy, welcome home, sir."
"Thank you, James. Could you take Midnight to the stables?"
"Of course, sir." After a fond pat, Mr. Darcy handed the reins to James.
Elizabeth could not resist the arch in her brow.
"Midnight?"
She noted with amusement Mr. Darcy's heightened color.
"Ah, yes, you see one should never extend the honor of naming a new horse to one's ten-year-old sister, especially when one has a history-"
"Georgie!" He called, and Elizabeth discovered Georgiana racing from the threshold to Mr. Darcy's outstretched hands. He picked her up and twirled her, laughing all the while, heedless of Elizabeth's shock.
She did not know him capable of such unbridled affection. Elizabeth wondered what else she had to learn from the Master of the Pemberley.
"Lizzie," Georgiana remembered, "the physician is here. I came in search of you."
"I will go up at once. Thank you, Georgie." And Elizabeth fairly fled from the Darcys.
Mr. Darcy could barely hide his disbelief. "You are Georgie already, sister?"
Miss Darcy ignored his question, "Oh, Fitzwilliam, I am sorry that Mr. Gardiner has taken ill, but I am so pleased to have made Miss Bennet's acquaintance!"
Mr. Darcy was indeed grateful that such an event had occurred as well. "As am I, Georgie. As am I."
He looked away suddenly to recover his senses. Though he had tried to prepare, he had not anticipated how moved he would feel to have Miss Elizabeth here.
"Come, I will freshen up and then you can tell me all about our unexpected guests."