Page 64 of Bitterness of Spirit

“I remember the same although I never had the chance to see the house inside,” Mrs. Gardiner added.

Darcy nodded. “Then let this be the opportunity, Mrs. Gardiner. My sister and I shall be delighted to have you all. Perhaps Miss Bennet or Mr. Bennet will decide to travel with you too. We can catch fish, or ride, or walk in the park, and Pemberley has an extensive library for those who enjoy reading,” Darcy said with growing enthusiasm while Elizabeth’s heart pounded and her cheeks turned crimson.

On this, there could be no doubt: his generous invitation was issued mainly for her. He still wanted her in his home after her horrible mistreatment and inconsiderate accusations.

“Thank you, Mr. Darcy; you are very kind, and I look forward to finally seeing Pemberley after everything I have heard about it,” Elizabeth whispered.

“Excellent,” he said hastily.

“We should be at Pemberley for the summer too. Am I right, Mr. Darcy?” Miss Bingley inquired.

He barely took his eyes off Elizabeth. “Yes, of course. I invited Bingley and his family to spend the summer with us,” he explained.

“I might be tempted to come too,” Colonel Fitzwilliam confessed.

“Well, do not count on me yet,” Bingley suddenly declared. “I am not sure how I shall spend the summer. I have decided to open Netherfield, and there are several things I want to take care of. So my plans are not completely settled.”

Miss Bennet turned to him, holding her breath, her lips half parted in astonishment.

Miss Bingley dropped her fork, and Mrs. Hurst choked on a piece of meat.

Mr. Wilson called the footmen to serve the next course.

***

Another three hours passed before the guests left. Their time was filled with music, card games, and talk of attendance at future meetings and common events.

Entertaining conversation was mostly carried on by Colonel Fitzwilliam, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, and the master of the house. Mr. Bennet participated more than usual, Bingley’s sisters less than in the past.

Bingley and Jane remained close together the entire time. He showed no restraint in his struggle to please her and gain absolution for abandoning her five months earlier. And he was completely oblivious to the fact that no effort was needed as she had readily granted him her forgiveness and genuine affection the moment they met in Hyde Park.

Darcy and Elizabeth barely spoke again, nor did they happen to be near one another a single time. But their gazes exchanged across the room, smiles of mutual understanding, and conversations that showed their common opinions on many subjects brought them together for the first time in their stormy acquaintance.

Chapter 16

That night, Darcy slept well for the first time in many months and felt rested when the sun shone into his room.

His valet woke him, inquiring after his health.

“I am perfectly well, perfectly well indeed. It is a beautiful day, is it not?” He walked to the window as his valet watched him with increasing concern.

Darcy smiled to himself. Yes, he was completely different from the day before; he was fully aware of that. Even his image in the mirror as he was shaved looked different.

The dinner party went better than he could have hoped—first, because Bingley easily reconciled with Miss Jane Bennet, making Darcy wonder whether he had been a complete fool or just biased and disdainful when he presumed Miss Bennet’s indifference towards Bingley; second, because Elizabeth also had taken the first timid steps towards reconciling with him.

Although he was still afraid to assume too much, her brief statements, little smiles, serene smiling eyes holding his, and—most of all—her immediate agreement to visit Pemberley left no room for misunderstanding.

He did not dare guess the nature of her feelings, but hatred and anger were long gone. At least, she was willing to accept his company—and perhaps even his friendship.

However, that was not enough for him, and it only left his soul dissatisfied and wanting more, much more. But he would not allow himself to hurry and ruin everything once again. He resolved to dedicate his strength and time to accomplish what he felt unnecessary to do before: to slowly conquer her heart, show her his admiration and affection, and let her sketch his character—as she intended last year during their dance at the Netherfield ball.

Strangely, despite her obvious closeness with his cousin, he was not jealous of the colonel. Richard’s manners towards Elizabeth appeared different from those with other women. And having the chance to see Elizabeth’s interactions with Bingley, Darcy could see the similarity. He understood there was no danger from that quarter.

The only danger lay in his manners and behaviour that still needed improvement. But he hoped he had made a few steps in the right direction—towards Elizabeth.

“Sir, Mr. Bingley is here,” the servant informed him.

So early?” he replied and then smiled, his gesture disconcerting the poor man completely. “I shall go and meet him. I shall have breakfast in the library.”