Page 69 of Mr. Darcy's Complex Courtship

“The pleasure is mine. I am happy you are pleased.”

I rang the servants’ bell. “I am for Gracechurch Street.”

“May luck be with you.”

“Thank you.” I gave a silent prayer that she still loved me and would forgive me.

By the time I reached the Gardiner residence, the surrounding trees cast long shadows upon the front of the house. Barnet opened the door and bowed. “Good afternoon, Mr. Darcy.”

“I am here to see Miss Bennet.”

Rather than step back to allow me in, he remained in position, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. “She returned to Hertfordshire on Saturday.”

Damn, of course she had. Why would she stay if she believed I no longer loved her?

“Mr. Darcy, this is a surprise.” At Mrs. Gardiner’s frosty words, Barnet moved aside. Elizabeth’s aunt drew herself erect and glared at me.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Gardiner. I had hoped to see Miss Bennet. It seems I am too late.”

With her slight nod to Barnet, he departed. Her hand fluttered, urging me forwards. “Come in for a moment. I should like a word.”

“Yes, of course.” I entered and followed Mrs. Gardiner to the sitting room.

She turned towards me. “I have a vague idea of what happened between you and my niece. Despite what she believes, you do not strike me as the sort to be fickle in matters of the heart.”

“No, not in the least. Nevertheless, I now realise I may have led her to think otherwise. When I last saw Miss Bennet, I had been operating under a misconception. I intend to explain myself and repair the damage I have wrought.”

Her lips edged upwards, lightening her countenance. “Then you are for Hertfordshire?”

“Yes, at first light tomorrow.”

“Then God speed to you, sir. And the next time I see Lizzy, I expect her smile to be restored.”

“I shall do whatever is in my power to make that happen.”

Thursday, 2 July

Longbourn, Hertfordshire

Darcy

Hill stood in the entrance and beheld me. His grip on the door tensed along with his deportment. “Good day, Mr. Darcy.”

“Good day. I am here to see Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”

“Please wait in here, sir.” Hill stepped back and directed me to a room off the vestibule. He took my hat and coat and disappeared down the hall.

Too restless to sit, I paced in the small room. I dug out my pocket watch, which showed five minutes past one. What would Elizabeth have to say? I almost hoped she would rail at me—I deserved no less.

Hill returned and beckoned to me. “Please come this way.” He led me to the study. Had Mr. Bennet granted her the use of the room? But Elizabeth’s father and no one else occupied the study. At Mr. Bennet’s nod, Hill left, closing the door behind him.

Mr. Bennet’s cold, steely eyes settled upon me. “Mr. Darcy, I cannot imagine why you are here.”

I bowed. “Good day, Mr. Bennet. It is of the utmost importance I speak to Miss Elizabeth—or rather Miss Bennet. I must rectify a momentous misunderstanding from our last meeting.”

“There is no need for that. The two of you were mismatched from the beginning. My first instinct had been to deny your suit rather than postpone your engagement. If I had refused you, though, Lizzy would have fought for the betrothment all the harder. Now, everything is as it ought to be. She is at home where she belongs, among those who love her.”

“Ilove her! And I believe she loves me. If you would allow me to—”

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