Page 61 of To Go Against Her Heart
The same day, after Elizabeth and the rest of her family returned to Gracechurch Street, Mrs. Gardiner received an invitation from Lady Matlock asking them to dine at the Matlock house that week, which took everyone by surprise.
“This is indeed most unexpected. I had scarcely imagined her request to be earnest when you spoke of Lady Matlock’s wish to make our acquaintance,” Mrs. Gardiner remarked to her niece.
“She appeared sincere enough, yet I did not imagine she would extend an invitation to her home before a proper introduction,” Elizabeth observed.
“I hope this is not Mr. Darcy’s doing,” her uncle said with a smile.
“I do not assume so as he did not mention anything about it today. Would you prefer to decline?” Elizabeth asked.
“Of course not, unless you want to,” Mr. Gardiner said, knowing very well what her decision would be.
Elizabeth could not help but feel that matters concerning Darcy were advancing too fast, and it unsettled her. She was certain that her aunt and uncle now suspected an attachment between them. And their doubts were put to rest when Darcy and Georgiana called on her the very next morning.
Her aunt smiled knowingly at Elizabeth as they received their guests, but she could not determine who between the two siblings was happier to see her niece.
“I hope you are well, Miss Darcy, and I am glad to see you this morning,” Elizabeth said, with warmth.
“It my pleasure indeed. Is Miss Bennet not home?” Georgiana asked.
“She is in the garden as my sister enjoys her time there in the morning. It is a custom she follows even at Longbourn.”
“And what about you?” Darcy asked.
“Well! I join her here sometimes, but I do not enjoy the occupation as much as she does.”
“I had supposed as much; I am also certain that nothing which keeps you from your morning walks could hold any attraction for you,” he remarked, and Elizabeth acknowledged with a nod, fully conscious that he observed every detail of her preferences.
Her aunt called for tea, and Jane soon joined them. Darcy remained silent, observing his sister converse with Elizabeth and Jane. It gave him great relief to see his sister so composed, free from the struggles he had grown accustomed to witnessing on other occasions. He also observed Jane and could see the evident sadness in her eyes, and Darcy could sense that both his friend and Jane could not bring themselves to renew their acquaintance without dwelling on the misery inflicted by circumstances in the past. However, he was thrilled to understand that the Gardiners had accepted the supper invitation sent by his aunt.
Elizabeth could sense his eyes on her, more often than not, and half wished Georgiana had called without her brother. When she gazed in his direction, her heart swelled with happiness and pain in equal measure. Every thought of being in love with him gave her a deep sense of peace, immediately followed by the horrific idea of disclosing her past to him, if at all he decided to act upon his own feelings and claim her hand. Deep down in her heart, she trusted him and did not doubt his regard for her. She did not question the depth of his affection; yet what troubled her most was the unrest within her own heart—whether she could share a life with him without the constant burden of guilt weighing her each day.
“I am most delighted to see you at my aunt’s house, and I must thank you for graciously accepting her invitation,” Georgiana said as they took their leave.
Darcy said very little as they left, observing Elizabeth keenly, he could not mistake the emotion in her eyes when she looked at him.
In the carriage, he sat deep in thought.
I cannot allow her to leave town without expressing my sentiments. I am certain she is trying to overcome everything that stopped her from giving me a chance before; I must not allow her to doubt my feelings. But what if she thinks I am jumping into the act after the slightest hint of approval from her? I do not want her to feel pressured into acceptingme.
He was oblivious to the fact that Georgiana was observing him with amusement.
You are in love, and I can see that she is too,she thought and smiled to herself.
***
Elizabeth looked at her reflection in the mirror as she dressed for the evening.
“You look beautiful, Lizzy. I suggest you calm yourself; shall I call for some tea?” Jane asked as she noticed that her sister appeared restless as they dressed.
“I wish to change. Shall I wear the peach gown?” Elizabeth asked, and Jane smiled as she had never seen her sister worry about her appearance in the past.
“No, I think this shade suits you well. Now tell me, what makes you fret like this?”
“I confess, I do not quite understand why Lady Matlock has shown us such attention. For a lady of her rank, she was surprisingly warm and unassuming, yet to receive an invitationto her home prior to a proper introduction with our aunt and uncle makes me restless.”
“Do not make yourself uneasy; maybe she wants to know you better.”
“That does not make any sense, why would she want to?”
