Page 58 of Roses from Pemberley
“No, not at all,” she murmured, staring toward the flowers. “I just wished to come here, that is all.”
How idiotic that sounded.
She sniffed and began to walk away.
“Miss Elizabeth, wait!”
She turned to see that Darcy had come up behind her.
“Would you care to come in for some refreshments?” he asked. “I am certain that breakfast has been set out in the parlour by now.”
“Thank you, no. I believe I shall return to the parsonage…”
“But that is a mile away, Miss Elizabeth, and you have likely not walked that far since recovering from your illness.”
“No, I suppose I haven't…” she said absently, “not until today.”
Elizabeth suddenly realised that she had rarely left the vicinity of the parsonage except to sit in the garden, at least for the last several weeks. Thankfully, Lady Catherine had sent her carriage to bring them to Rosings the night before.
“Then you must be tired,” said Darcy, looking worriedly at her.
He is so kind, thought Elizabeth.After everything I have done, he still considers my wellbeing.And then she recalled her purpose in being here and wondered if she should still apologise. She looked at his concerned expression and decided that she would. Even if he married Diana, at least he would not think as badly of her as he would otherwise.
She was about to do so (despite Diana’s presence) when that lady suddenly said, “I really am tired from that ride, Darcy, so perhaps you will escort Elizabeth back to the parsonage? I am certain Anne would not mind if you used her phaeton.”
Still looking anxious, Darcy said, “Would that meet with your approval, Miss Elizabeth?”
“I…yes. Thank you.”
Diana smiled and walked away, leaving her alone with Darcy.
They had not been alone since he had carried her down the stairs several weeks ago and sat with her in the garden. It seemed a lifetime ago.
Darcy offered her his arm and she took it. They began to walk towards the stables, neither speaking. When they arrived there, Darcy asked the groomsman to ready the phaeton and, before long, she was sitting in the conveyance with him. She knew she would not have much time - as the parsonage was only a mile away - and thus prepared to voice her regrets.
However, after going only a few hundred yards into the woods, Darcy stopped the phaeton and turned to face her. “Miss Elizabeth, I was wondering if I might take this opportunity to share something with you…something that concerns George Wickham.”
She wondered what he meant and wished to hear what he had to say. But there was also a chance that he would tell her - everything. And then she would never have a chance to tell him that she trusted him - despite not precisely knowing what had happened between him and Wickham. She could not allow this to happen.
And so she decided to tell him first what was on her mind.
CHAPTER 25 Elizabeth and Darcy
“I would be happy to hear what you have to say,” said Elizabeth, “but…would you allow me to speak first?”
“Yes, of course. Pray, do.”
“I apologise for believing Mr. Wickham…and for mistrusting you.”
He blinked, looking surprised. “Miss Elizabeth, there is no need…”
“Oh, but thereisa need, Mr. Darcy. And I wished to say this because it has been heavy on my mind since I last saw you.” Now she turned more fully towards him. “I do not know what happened between you and Mr. Wickham, but I realise now that he was wrong to tell me something so personal and on so short an acquaintance. And there were other inconsistencies in his behaviour, for example how he said he could never betray you out of consideration for your father. And yet he did that very thing…which he said he would not do. He was good at flattering me. And indeed all the ladies I knew in Hertfordshire. His flattery was almost indiscriminate. He also began to courtMary King sometime in the late winter but only after she became an heiress with a dowry of ten thousand pounds. In short, Mr. Darcy, I have come to realise what a responsible and honorable gentleman you are, and how Wickham is the opposite…and simply wished to tell you this.”
She took a deep breath, now feeling a little self-conscious, and turned away from him.
“Elizabeth.”
“Yes?” she said, still looking at a patch of daffodils by the side of the road.
