Elizabeth woke to the gentle pattering of rain along the panes of glass. Gingerly, she stretched and observed the movement of the water as it slid down the windows in lazy patterns against the morning sun. Her whole body felt alive yet soft, much like the rain. The tension she unknowingly held since Spring melted away from last night's declarations.
She could scarcely believe it! Her feelings had evolved slowly, then all at once. How unexpected for Mr. Darcy, the Grand Master of Pemberley, to retain the same fervor she had seen during his proposal.
There were so many facets left to discover of him; he had revealed a part of himself last eve that was completely unexpected. His lack of restraint…she blushed.
She began her toilette. Staring at herself in the mirror, Elizabeth wondered at a future she had only briefly dared to imagine. If she understood Mr. Darcy (and she notoriously misunderstood him!), a future here at Pemberley could very well be in her near future.
With these musings, she hastily finished her morning toilette in pursuit of breaking her fast with Mr. Darcy. Heading for the door, she let out a rather unladylike "oomph!" as the door collided with her person.
"Oh Lizzie, forgive me!" Mrs. Gardiner exclaimed, " I did not expect you so near the door."
Rubbing her shoulder, Elizabeth appraised her aunt. Noticing the uncharacteristic furrow of her brow, Elizabeth feared the worst.
"What has happened?" Elizabeth questioned fervently, "Is Uncle-?"
"Oh, Elizabeth, be calmed. Mr. Gardiner is much improved, and he had a plate brought up this morning."
The use of her full Christian name gave Elizabeth pause again. Truly, her aunt was behaving quite unlike herself. "Something else then?" Elizabeth inquired. Though she was curious about her aunt's worries, she was most curious about a certain gentleman who promised a walk in the meadow today.
"Shall we sit?" Aunt Gardiner requested, already nearing the settee.
"Such haste!" Elizabeth teased, but her aunt paid little notice. Elizabeth sat down promptly after the lack of reaction, a sense of foreboding diffusing her person.
Quite settled (as one can be in the circumstance), Mrs. Gardiner faced Lizzie with as severe a look as she was capable.
"Last night, Mr. Gardiner requested a book be brought up before bed. He is prone to fidget when stuck in one attitude for too long, as you well know." steeling her nerves, her aunt continued, "However, as I set to the library, it seemed I was not the only one in pursuit of a tome at such a grave hour."
Elizabeth's mouth slightly agape, she struggled to formulate the words to remove herself from her aunt's fears. But what could she truly say? There were promises declared, naturally, but nothing solid enough to assuage her aunt.
"I have long suspected that your quarrel with Mr. Darcy was not as disastrously finite as you made it seem, Lizzie…"
"I rejected him soundly, Aunt!"
"But I had no idea things had progressed so quickly as for you to compromise yourself in his own home, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth beheld her aunt with the burden of shame. Aunt Gardiner's flushed countenance, roving eyes, and pursed lips spoke to Mrs. Gardiner's uncharacteristic anger towards her niece. The fears Elizabeth whispered since she awoke this morn grew louder.
With a lack of response from her wayward niece, Mrs. Gardiner pushed further.
"Tell me there is good news to share, Lizzie?"
Elizabeth, unsettled, began to pace the room properly.
"Aunt, let me assure you that good news is nigh. Mr. Darcy…"
"Is not half the gentleman I suspected if he permitted such a– a dalliance – as the one I encountered last night!"
Elizabeth, perhaps for the first time, warmed in anger for Mr. Darcy's character–not against it.
"I can assure you, nothing truly untoward occurred. We have a meeting this morning to arrange what I am quite certain will bring good news, Aunt."
Remembering herself, she placed her hand gently on Mrs. Gardiner's arm. Truly, she had learned in recent weeks how fickle a woman's reputation could be. Poor Georgiana!
Mrs. Gardiner, fanning herself, concluded her own love story, the romance of youth, and the wisdom of her years. "As long as all is done properly, Lizzie. It must be done properly! Mr. Gardiner could not handle a scandal, nor could I! Our dearest niece!"
With that, her aunt's uncharacteristic show of nerves righted itself, and they set to breakfast.
Elizabeth's hands shook as they descended down the banister. She could scarcely fathom how quickly one's fortunes could change. She giggled softly to herself and quieted as a stern look from her aunt shot through her. But, oh, how she wanted to laugh throughout the grounds in her happiness!
The rain did little to dampen the happiness of the pair as they entered the breakfast room. Mr. Darcy stood immediately, brow furrowed and eyes sharp upon Elizabeth. Challenged, she met his stare with as much directness as his. What was the meaning of his gaze? Lizzie realized with a start how little success she had achieved in understanding those looks of Mr. Darcy.
She studied further. Ah, nervousness! Mr. Darcy looked hesitant, shy, perhaps a little shamed even. All masked so naturally to an air of superiority. She graced him with a smile, hoping perhaps that love had softened her conclusions.
The smile she received dazzled her in return.
A gentle cough reminded the couple of their surroundings. Elizabeth flushed in shame to remember all of the knowledge her aunt possessed of their previous evening. As the footmen settled them, Elizabeth once more felt a bubble of nerves and laughter threaten to escape. If only they could have walked before they broke their fast! But then, how often could they truly meet during the unfashionable hours of early morning?
Georgiana, recognizing the atmosphere of anticipation (and the raised brows of Mrs. Gardnier – despite her attempts of equanimity), decided to let the nearly happy couple lead their small party out of this awkwardness.
The clock chimed the top of the hour as everyone sipped surreptitiously on their tea. Mr. Darcy, ill-equipped for social situations when the person next to him was not the woman he was about to propose marriage to (for a second time), struggled to find a suitable topic.
"Mrs. Gardiner-" He finally addressed, ignorant to Mrs. Gardinar's accidental sleuthing last eve, "how is Mr. Gardiner? I trust he is in better health this morning."
Mrs. Gardiner offered a pursed lip and quizzical brow that greatly reminded Mr. Darcy of her dear niece.
"He has improved from yesterday. Certainly enough to wish to take a turn about the grounds, which I strongly advised against."
"If he is feeling anxious to move, perhaps Doctor Colborn might permit him to move about the house when he visits today."
Mrs. Gardiner could only nod and offer the barest of smiles. She could well remember Mr. Darcy's countenance last evening as he exited the library, as the fire in his eyes and his slowed gait suggested a man in a passionate mind. She anticipated a far worse account from Lizzie this morn, and yet she still struggled to meet eyes with the Master of Pemberley.
Elizabeth could hardly stand the pangs of awkwardness and was mortified to discover a bubble of laughter desperate to break loose. How long must one endure a breakfast? She endeavored to draw Miss Darcy into conversation, but managed only the politest of conversations, as Georgiana absorbed the unique atmosphere of the table.
"Miss Bennet, a letter for you" a footman announced.
Jane! The sisters' lack of communication lately was only the rarest of occurrences. Lizzie supposed the Rose & Crown had neglected to forward her letters to Pemberley and was determined to seek out any missing letters before Mr. Gardiner's collapse. And Mr. Darcy's attentions, of course.
Elizabeth eagerly accepted the missives from the footman but turned hesitant eyes to Mr. Darcy. The anticipation of their conversation warred greatly with the desire to assuage her concerns regarding Jane and her family.
"Perhaps you'd like to read your letters in the library, Miss Bennet?" Mr. Darcy's soft voice and gaze overwhelmed her. Their most important appointment to date paled in the wake of Mr. Darcy's consideration of her. Of course, he understood her well enough to know she would wish to confirm her family was well to truly enjoy their special moment.
"That would be ideal, Mr. Darcy. I thank you." And with a slight curtsy, Elizabeth retired to the library.
And then her world broke.