Wedding at Pemberley Read online

  Mrs Gardiner, surprised and honoured by the invitation, did not formulate an immediate answer. Elizabeth was equally astonished and concerned, wondering if the master of the house was in agreement with his sister, as he seemed taken aback too.

  As if guessing their worry, Darcy interjected. “I am glad my sister offered you this invitation, Mrs Gardiner, Miss Bennet. And if you are not otherwise engaged, I would be glad to share a glass of brandy and some more conversation with you, Mr Gardiner.”

  Their shock was now complete, and both Gardiners nodded in acceptance.

  The siblings looked equally enchanted.

  “Would tomorrow be acceptable?” Darcy asked further with an eagerness that thrilled Elizabeth.

  “Tomorrow is perfect. I only have some business to attend early in the morning,” Mr Gardiner approved, while Darcy provided his address on Park Lane.

  The moments passed as in a dream to Elizabeth while they said goodbye with hopes to see them again the following day. As if suddenly awakened, Elizabeth gathered herself and recollected the basic rules of decorum, curtsying properly.

  “It will be a pleasure to see you again tomorrow, Miss Darcy, Mr Darcy. I look forward to it.”

  ∞∞∞

  Dinner in Gracechurch Street was more exciting than ever before. Mr and Mrs Gardiner, thrilled to share their impressions about the astonishing encounter and about each of the actors outside the stage, declared it was one of the best moments of the summer.

  The Viscount and his wife were appreciated as very elegant in both appearance and manners. Their unaffected behaviour and tendency for teasing were much appreciated. Of Lady Amelia, they had not much to say, but the Colonel became an immediate favourite. His admiration for Elizabeth was evident and Mrs Gardiner jested about it, but Elizabeth’s reaction was somewhat restrained. She did, however, admit that the Colonel was one of the most pleasant gentlemen of her acquaintance.

  Miss Darcy drew their admiration for her beauty and gentleness. As for her brother, the Gardiners quickly deemed him as “perfectly well-behaved, polite, and unassuming.”

  “Elizabeth, I cannot imagine what caused you to speak so ill of him last December. There is something a little stately in Mr Darcy, to be sure,” said her aunt, “but it is not unbecoming. He is not as open in manners as the Colonel or the Viscount, but he is pleasant and gives me an impression of steadiness and security. And he is very handsome, indeed.”

  Mr Gardiner agreed. “They were all more than civil to us – I would never expect this from such illustrious persons. To invite us into their box on such a trifling acquaintance was amazing and very gracious. It must be the Viscount’s vivid admiration for your aunt,” he mocked them, raising his eyebrow in a challenge to his wife.

  Mrs Gardiner laughed wholeheartedly, while Elizabeth struggled to appear diverted.

  “And to invite us to visit them tomorrow – this is almost unheard of. But I suspect it is in regard to Miss Darcy’s desire to talk about her parents and they did not want to miss the opportunity before we leave.”

  “Very likely,” Mr Gardiner agreed and the dinner continued in the same manner until midnight.

  Finally alone in the seclusion of her chamber, Elizabeth spent the next hours lying in bed, with the window wide open. As much as she tried, she could not make sense of what happened, and she was too frightened to accept any explanation that would give her unreasonable hopes. Even more so, she did not know what her expectations were – except that she was happy to be in Darcy’s company and witness his improved manners.

  Her turmoil grew as she knew she would see him again – and in his own home – already wondering what would happen after that.

  She fell asleep later in the night, but hardly found any rest and she woke up the next morning tired, with a headache and icy feeling in her chest despite the hot, sunny summer day.

  Chapter 2

  Mr Gardiner attended his business immediately after breakfast and returned home at noon. The waiting was heavy on Elizabeth as she found nothing to employ her time with. She prepared herself with much care, choosing a gown that she thought would fit her best, and then turned angry with her silliness. She would likely see Darcy but a few moments before he retired to the library with her uncle. He might not even notice the dress she was wearing.

  Finally, the carriage arrived, and after a long ride, it stopped in front of an impressive, elegant white building.

  Elizabeth could see her uncle and aunt were somewhat nervous, too. Even to them, the invitation was intimidating, while to her, it became overwhelming.

  When they exited the carriage, Darcy appeared and again, Elizabeth’s heart raced while she wondered if he was expecting them.

  “Mrs Gardiner, Mr Gardiner, Miss Bennet, welcome to our home.”

  “Thank you, sir.” He led them in while the servant opened the door. Miss Darcy, waiting for them in the large hall, greeted them warmly. The Gardiners expressed their pleasure and gratitude, but their words soon faded to Elizabeth.

  She froze, unable to move or to hear. A sense of panic trapped her while chills ran down her spine. She had no right to be there. Not after she had offended him so deeply. Not after she had accused him of so many faults.

  ‘You are the last man in the world’... ‘your manners, impressed me with the fullest belief of your arrogance, your conceit, and your selfish disdain of the feelings of others…’

  What was she doing in his house? How did she dare to be there? How could she accept his kindness after the horrible things she said to him? Did she have no shame?

  She heard Georgiana and her aunt and uncle walking inside, yet startled when she felt Darcy’s presence near her, as she forgot he remained behind.

  “Miss Bennet?”

  She looked at him, lost for words.

  “Are you unwell?” he asked with concern.

  “I am fine,” she whispered. “It is just… I should not be here… You were very generous to invite us, but I should not be here…”

  She averted her eyes, but his intense gaze made her look at him again. Their eyes met and her cheeks burned.

  “Miss Bennet, do you not wish to be here? If you accepted the invitation for my sister’s benefit, but you are not comfortable in my presence, please let me know…”

  Before she could answer, he took a step forward, then continued.

  “I may find a reason to leave, so you can enjoy my sister’s company. Or if you prefer to leave yourself, we will find a way to accomplish that. I want you to consider your wellbeing only.”

  Elizabeth felt herself trembling from his nearness and from the meaning of his offer. She tried to swallow the sudden lump in her throat and whispered,

  “I want neither you nor I to leave. But I know I should not be here.”

  The expression of his eyes softened in a way she had never seen before.

  “Do you not wish to be here?”

  She shook her head.

  “It is not my wish, but my belief that I do not deserve your politeness. I have been so unfair to you, so prejudicial, so mean and accusatory, that I do not deserve your generosity.”

  “Miss Bennet, I am neither generous nor kind; quite the contrary. I invited you and your family out of selfishness. I thought only of the joy of being in your company, while I still have a chance. I did it for myself only. It now depends on you to accept or to reject it.”

  The words sounded torturous to them both, bringing back terrible recollections. He paled and she blushed, then she breathed a few times and finally met his eyes again, smiling.

  “Mr Darcy, I am very grateful to Miss Darcy for the invitation and to you, for your concern. My worry about being here does not affect my delight and I am sure we will enjoy our time very much.”

  “Elizabeth, is anything wrong?” Mrs Gardiner asked from the doorframe.

  “Everything is fine,” she replied, then hurried inside with the burden slowly falling from her shoulders.

  Inside, tea and sweets were ord
ered for the ladies while the gentlemen retired to the library.

  Alone with the ladies, Elizabeth could breathe normally once again. She was so ashamed of her past behaviour yet surprised by the way he was treating her. He was generous and forgiving and she could hardly understand how she had been so wrong in judging him. She looked around at his house so bright and elegant, his sister who liked her, and finally, Hunsford faded away, not in oblivion but in acceptance.

  The conversation began making Elizabeth’s spirit rise enough to be able to enjoy the beauty that surrounded her. The drawing-room, as well as the rest of the house that she could see, spoke of the owner’s exquisite taste.

  “Mrs Gardiner, if I am not asking too much, could you please tell me a few more things about my mother?” Miss Darcy finally pleaded.

  “I will tell you everything I remember, Miss Darcy. It is a subject that gives me much pleasure,” For the following hour, the conversations centred on Mrs Darcy, Derbyshire and Pemberley.

  In the middle of it, Mr Darcy and Mr Gardiner returned, and they joined in the recollections.

  Elizabeth watched both siblings listening with sorrow and pride to reports about their mother from a stranger unconnected to their family, whose memories were even more valuable.

  Miss Darcy’s loving and longing expression melted Elizabeth’s heartache in grief and remorse for her trusting Wickham’s words so easily. He had called Miss Darcy proud and cold and Elizabeth never took the trouble of doubting him.

  After a while, the conversation changed briefly and turned lighter, as Darcy asked about their travelling plans.

  “We are leaving for Pemberley in a week,” he confessed.

  “I look forward to returning home,” Georgiana said enthusiastically.

  “Talking to you, I suddenly feel a strong desire to see my childhood village too. Who knows, perhaps our journey will allow us to take a short detour to Derbyshire and to visit my old friends and relatives in Lambton,’ Mrs Gardiner said, with a meaningful glance to her husband.

  “I will do everything I can to adjust to your wish,” Mr Gardiner responded. “If you wish to, we will find a way.”

  “Oh, but you must come to visit us too! At Pemberley!” Georgiana said enthusiastically. “Would you?”

  “My dear, let us not impose on their plans that are not even settled,” Darcy attempted to temper her.

  “Oh, I am sorry, I did not mean to…” Georgiana said with apparent distress. “I do not want to impose, I just…”

  The girl’s uneasiness impressed Mrs Gardiner, who replied kindly.

  “Miss Darcy, such an invitation honours us, and there is nothing I would like more than to visit Pemberley. I have never been inside the house. So, if the opportunity should arise, I will selfishly take advantage of your invitation.”

  “Oh, will you? How wonderful!” The girl replied, relieved and joyful.

  “Please take the invitation as it was meant – from the heart,” Darcy added, much to Elizabeth’s disbelief. “If you happen to be in the neighbourhood and do not have other plans, we would dearly like to have you as our guests.”

  Such honour seemed difficult to believe and the Gardiners needed a few moments of comprehension. Guests at Pemberley?

  Elizabeth’s mind was spinning and her heart beat violently, her eyes never leaving Darcy’s face.

  “This will be wonderful,” Mrs Gardiner finally responded, wholeheartedly.

  “Mr Darcy, there is only one more favour I would like to ask you if this is not too much,” Mr Gardiner asked, just as they were ready to end the call.

  “Of course. What would that be?”

  “May I show Lizzy the library for a moment? She likes books as much as I do and I think she will appreciate it as it deserves.”

  Elizabeth was astonished by such a request − and so was Darcy, whose face was immediately lit by a smile.

  “Of course. How did I not think of that myself? Forgive me, I am a poor host,” he said, inviting Elizabeth and her aunt to follow him.

  The entire party moved to the library now, Elizabeth’s knees shaking weakly as she realised she could have been the mistress of all this. And the wife of that man.

  Darcy opened the library door widely, and the view took Elizabeth’s breath away.

  The richness of the volumes was perfectly mixed with the elegance of the furniture, giving the room an air of greatness and comfort. Elizabeth stepped in hesitantly, looking around. She moved from one wall to another, admiring, wondering, touching the books with her fingers. Her heart filled with joy, but sorrow soon defeated it as again she felt she did not deserve to be there, nor did she deserve to benefit from his friendship.

  Yet, he seemed willing to offer it to her anyway.

  The visit lasted longer than two hours and its ending was still met with regret. Darcy promised he would return the call with his sister and his cousin before leaving Town.

  “Miss Bennet – I forgot to mention that I wrote Bingley about your presence in Town. I know he would be happy to meet you. If he returns on time, would it be agreeable to you if he joins us?”

  Again, Elizabeth was taken aback, while she lost count of his generous gestures.

  “Thank you; Mr Bingley’s presence would be most welcome, I assure you.”

  He only bowed as they exchanged a meaningful glance, then Darcy handed both ladies into the carriage.

  When her hand touched his, Elizabeth’s skin burned even through the gloves. She felt his fingers lingering over hers only a moment longer than they should have, then the carriage door closed.

  The horses started to move, and Elizabeth looked back, watching Darcy still standing in the street, their eyes locked until the distance broke their gazes apart.

  Chapter 3

  Two days had passed since the visit to Park Lane, and Elizabeth’s tumult found no relief.

  Those two days seemed distant, sometimes unreal when only conversations with her aunt and uncle proved to her that everything truly occurred.

  She kept musing when Darcy might call and looked out the window countless times every day.

  By the third restless night, she could not deceive herself any longer and she admitted she missed Darcy; she wished to see him again, to know him better, to remedy her wrongs in judging him. More, she was not brave enough to consider their relationship closed forever.

  The preparation for the vacation to the Lakes was finished, but her eagerness had diminished. Still, she was grateful that her aunt insisted on visiting Lambton and so Elizabeth’s excitement grew almost unbearable at the thought of seeing Pemberley. And Darcy.

  On the afternoon of the third day, a carriage stopped in front of the house and two gentlemen accompanied Miss Darcy inside.

  Mr and Mrs Gardiner hurried to greet their guests, while Elizabeth did not know what to do with the book she was reading. She tried to hide it under a cushion, but then she realised it was not about the book but about herself; she wanted to hide yet she yearned to see him again.

  It was Bingley to enter first with his usual joviality, taking her hand enthusiastically with the same smile shadowed by a trace of embarrassment.

  “Miss Bennet! I cannot say how happy I am to see you again! You look so well! You are well, I hope? And your family? I am so happy to see you!”

  Elizabeth laughed and greeted him with pleasure. “I am happy to see you too, Mr Bingley. Please do sit down,” she invited him, then she welcomed Darcy and his sister.

  “My cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, expressed his regrets that he could not join us. He was ordered to leave Town as he prepares to return to his regiment. He asked me to convey to you his best wishes,” Darcy said.

  “We are sorry not to see the Colonel again and we only hope he reaches his regiment safely,” Mrs Gardiner replied, while she ordered refreshments and drinks for the guests.

  ∞∞∞

  Miss Darcy took a place on the settee near Elizabeth while Mr Darcy chose to sit across the room, close to Mr Gardiner
. Mr Bingley sat on a chair, grinning yet slightly uneasy.

  “Mrs Gardiner, Mr Gardiner, you have a lovely home.” Mr Darcy spoke with a friendly voice that drew Elizabeth’s eyes to him.

  “Yes, lovely, indeed!” Bingley said with his usual benevolent smile and a trace of shyness. “I am sorry I could not visit you in January when Miss Bennet was in London. I… I was unaware of her presence… I just found out… Darcy told me yesterday… I….”

  Bingley became so distressed that he emptied his drink in one gulp. Elizabeth struggled not to look at Darcy but with little success. The silence became awkward until Darcy interjected again.

  “I invited Bingley to join us at Pemberley, as he has in the last four years. But he is considering returning to Hertfordshire instead and opening Netherfield again. He is uncertain if the neighbours would welcome such a decision and he intended to ask for your advice, Miss Bennet.”

  Elizabeth stared at him, dumbfounded. Was he asking her what she thought about that delicate matter?

  She hesitated, glancing from Darcy to Bingley, and back and finally said, “I am sure all the neighbours will be happy to welcome Mr Bingley back if he intends to stay longer. If he only plans to return for a brief stay, it would be perhaps best to give it up entirely.”

  “Oh, I do not plan to stay briefly. I plan to stay as long as is needed. I mean… to stay there! It was such a poor decision to leave in the first place,” Bingley mumbled, much to the others’ amusement. He was red-faced, his grin now even broader.

  “Well then, I am counting on you to visit us at Pemberley, as it seems I will be alone with Georgiana,” Darcy addressed the others. Elizabeth only blushed, while Mr Gardiner assured him they had adjusted their plans accordingly.

  “Mr Bingley, when do you plan to return to Hertfordshire?” Elizabeth inquired.

  “The day after tomorrow! I already wrote to my men to open the house.”

  “I see… Would you do me the favour of informing my father that we are all well and ready to leave Town?” Elizabeth continued.