Page 54 of To Go Against Her Heart
“If at all you want to win her heart, there is no chance to do so by distancing yourself from her.”
Mr. Bingley nodded, deeply regretting all his past actions. He knew he had nothing else to do but hope that Jane would see his true feelings and forgive him.
***
The next day, Darcy waited impatiently for Elizabeth’s arrival and stood by the window, anticipating the arrival of their carriage.
“Brother, is Miss Elizabeth leaving town soon?” Georgiana asked once again.
“As I said, that is what she informed me at the bookstore.”
“But we just met, and I would love to spend more time with her,” Georgiana pleaded.
“I hope she can extend her stay, and I think her uncle desires the same. Do you like her?” he asked finally.
“Of course I do; I have never felt this comfortable in anyone’s company before.”
Just as they spoke, the Gardiner carriage arrived, and Darcy and Georgiana welcomed their guests with warmth. Elizabeth could not mistake the emotion in Darcy’s eyes as she stepped into his home, and she slowly began to understand the depth of his feelings toward her. For the first time in many months, she yearned to break free from the cage her heart had been trapped in. She deeply regretted her words to him on the mount and longed to convey her sentiments, yet feared that, should she do so, she would lose all command over her own heart. Elizabeth feared the outcome of such a disclosure and doubted whether she was ever capable of forgetting the past.
They settled down to have tea and were joined by Richard and Mr. Bingley shortly. Jane had very much anticipated seeing Mr. Bingley, and this time, she was well prepared for the encounter;however, it was Mr. Bingley who struggled in her presence. As for Richard, he easily slipped into a conversation with Elizabeth, much to Darcy’s annoyance. Since he knew his cousin well since childhood, Darcy perceived that Richard’s intention was to tease him.
“It is indeed a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, and I assure you; Georgiana was quite worried that she would never get a chance to meet you,” Richard said.
“The pleasure is mine, Colonel Fitzwilliam; I am honored to make your acquaintance,” Elizabeth replied.
“Pray tell me, did my cousin live up to my expectations and make no friends in Hertfordshire during his stay, or did he prove me wrong?” he asked, winking at Darcy, who sat across them.
Had anyone else asked her such a question, Elizabeth might have been very uncomfortable, but Richard’s honest, unaffected manner made her smile.
“I assure you he proved you wrong and made quite many friends; Mr. Bingley would agree with me,” she replied directing her gaze at Darcy.
Mr. Bingley, who had his attention fixed on Jane, found himself forced to join their conversation.
“Oh! Yes, I must say that he has formed a good friendship with several of our acquaintances there,” he said, diverting his attention back to Jane.
As much as Darcy was irritated with Richard for using him for his amusement, Elizabeth’s words gave him nothing but reassurance.
The Gardiners watched their nieces closely and harbored no doubt about the intentions of the two gentlemen who sat quietly, their eyes fixed on the young ladies. Elizabeth noticed that Darcy made an effort to converse with her aunt about her acquaintances in Derbyshire.
“I am very familiar with Mr. Andrews; he tutored us during childhood,” Darcy said.
“It is surprising indeed, Mr. Darcy; he was one of my brother’s tutors, and I assure you he could never forget his classes. Mr. Andrews was quite strict, I presume.”
“I cannot disagree on that. My mother was quite adamant that he teach me, and I often mention him to my sister. We visit Lambton weekly, Mrs. Gardiner; it is a delightful village. Have you been to Derbyshire recently?”
“I have not had the pleasure. Our family settled in town after my father took up his business here while I was young.”
“You must visit Pemberley then; we would be delighted to have you as guests,” he said, mentioning the same to Elizabeth’s uncle. If, at all, Mr. Gardiner had any doubts in his mind about Darcy’s intentions toward his niece, those were now erased. Everything Darcy had done since meeting Elizabeth at the bookstore had proved his partiality; whether she reciprocated the same was a puzzle to him.
When tea had concluded, Georgiana offered to show Elizabeth and Jane around the house. Jane followed her, relieved to be momentarily spared from Mr. Bingley’s company. Darcy internally wished he had shown Elizabeth around the house rather than leaving the task to his sister. He could not believe that she was finally in his home and could not stop imagining her being a part of the household permanently.
As Georgiana gave Elizabeth and Jane a tour, they stopped briefly in the music room.
“This is a beautiful room, Miss Darcy, and the windows provide a view of the garden so elegantly,” Jane mentioned.
“Oh! Yes! I love it in summer when I can look at the roses while I play. Would you like a tour of the orangery?” she asked, and Jane agreed.
Elizabeth decided to return to the drawing room to see if her aunt wanted to join them. In the hallway, she encountered Darcy, who stopped abruptly as he spotted her.
