Memory: Volume 1, Lasting Impressions, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (Memory: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice) (22 page)

Darcy stopped his movement and spoke quietly, “Miss Elizabeth, I am afraid that I must end this charade.  We share memories of each other, and our first impressions were clearly equally powerful to have lasted so long.  I know of your reactions to the mention of my name, and that you know of mine to yours.  Our mutual friend Bingley has made sure of that.  For the past two years I have always thought of you as Lizzy.  Your appearance has changed, but I have never forgotten you.”  He smiled to see her happiness.  “I heard your name spoken by, I believe, your sister. I heard of your love of reading and unhappiness with the city.  Will you tell me all of your loves?”  

“That is a rather impertinent question, sir.”  She raised that brow again.  He was enchanted. 

“It seems that I will be continually apologizing to you, Miss Elizabeth.”

She smiled and studied his suddenly flushed face, then became concerned.  “Are you well, sir?”

His brow creased.  “Why do you ask?”

“Your eyes try to smile, but I see such sadness there.”  She studied him and he fell into the gaze, he would never tire of those eyes, he knew it.

“I fear that I will say something that will drive you away from me.  Now that we have at last met, I cannot bear to see it end.  Your laugh and smile have teased me for far too long.”  He said softly.  “Why did you become fearful just now?  What did I do wrong?”

Elizabeth looked to her shoes.  “I . . . I thought that you might reject me.  I . . . I have been . . .I know how it feels and I . . .wished to leave before I heard you say it.  I believe that I could bear it from anyone else, but not you.”

“I am no orator, Elizabeth . . . Miss Elizabeth.”  His fears eased when he saw her blush.  “I was thinking of how beautiful you have become, not of rejecting you.  Please believe me.”

Elizabeth continued to observe his unwavering gaze and knew that she would forever remember that shade of blue, that soulful warmth.  She felt a desire to touch his face and managed to stop herself before her hand rose too far.  “I think that you should know that I am weary of observing you from afar as well.  You should also know that your smiles have brought me so much happiness.  I have compared every other man I have known to the memory of you.”

Feeling a wave of emotion come over him, he shook his head.  “You cannot know how the memory of you has carried me through so many moments of despair.”

Elizabeth drew in a sharp breath, his feelings were palpable.  “I hope that you might be happy to accept my friendship now, one of a more corporeal nature than a memory.”  She smiled, and he felt his mouth rising in return. 

“I am very happy to have the honour of your friendship, Miss Elizabeth, and hope you will accept mine.”  She nodded and his smile grew.  They both took deep breaths and laughed with relief.  “Thank God that is over.”

“What on earth does that mean?”  She laughed and squeezed his arm.  “Was that such a trial?”

“Yes, and do not tell me it was not.”  He placed his right hand over her left.  “We both have thought of this moment, I am sure.”

“Yes.”  She said and sighed.  “I do not know why, but now that it has happened, I . . .feel as if we have been friends for years.”

“We have.” 

They gazed at each other for a long silent moment and she swallowed.  “What brought you to me, today?  Do you often roam the park?” 

He chuckled and pointed behind them.  “I live just over there, on Park Lane.  I come here to walk when I am troubled.”

“Like you did the day we did not meet.”  She tilted her head to see his eyes cast down.  “What troubles you today?

“My sister.”  He said softly.

“She is the girl I saw you with here and at the gallery?”

“Yes, Georgiana.  She is thirteen.” Darcy opened up to her without hesitation.  “We just had a terrible row.  Her governess is leaving and I proposed continuing her education at a girls’ school that had been recommended to me.  I think that she dislikes the idea of being away from home, although I am not sure if her reasons are fear or if she would miss me.  I remember hating to leave home when I was her age, but attending Eton was expected of me and well  . . .” He caught himself before he blurted the truth that he was overwhelmed with responsibilities.  “I lost my temper when she began behaving very poorly.  First I demanded that she return to speak with me, and when she ran further away, I sent her to her chambers with her governess and told her that I expected her to behave as a lady and speak with me later; and I came out here to walk and think.” 

“Pardon me sir, but that will not work.” 

“Why not?”

“Threats will not work on a petulant child.  I have three younger sisters and I recognize her behaviour quite readily.”  She tilted her head and raised her brow to him, her lips twisted into a gentle smile.

Fascinated he looked at her, the sparkle in her eyes momentarily making him forget the problem of his sister.  His brow creased, “What do you suggest, then?”

“Simply ignore her, sir.”  Her smile widened and her eyes danced with humour.

“Ignore her?  But I cannot just let it go!” He noticed her shaking her head, gently disagreeing.  “I have to maintain my authority!”  He insisted.

“Sir, I assure you, this young lady wants attention and does not concern herself with what method she uses to achieve it.  I am willing to wager that even now, she is sitting at a window staring out at the park to see what has become of you.  She will come to you when she realizes you will not chase after her.”  She observed the disbelief on his face, “She does not wish to leave home, that tells me that she is missing something.”  Before he could respond, he heard a woman’s voice calling.  Elizabeth turned and waved to the women she had indicated before.  She noticed his attention and smiled gently.  “Your parents have much to discuss with Miss Darcy.” 

“Our parents have passed.  I am afraid that I am quite alone in this.”  His expression hardened as he controlled the emotion that his parent’s loss always inspired.

“Forgive me sir, I did not mean to offend you!”  Elizabeth blushed, and looked to her shoes with embarrassment, and wondered if a parent is who they had mourned a year ago.

“Miss Elizabeth,” he said softly.  “There is no way that you could have known.”  He found her movement from confidence to shyness endearing.

Elizabeth looked bashfully up at him, then glanced to the woman she had acknowledged before.  “My aunt tells me I am far too outspoken and it will lead me into trouble one day.”  Then returning to good humour she continued, “But one is only young once!”  She laughed.

He gladly laughed with her.  “And just how young is that, Miss Elizabeth?” 

She raised her brows at the direct question but smiled and tilted her head.  “Nearly eighteen sir; but rapidly aging.” 

Lizzy, Lizzy, Lizzy . . . eyes, laughter, smiles, joy . . .my Lizzy, my Elizabeth is a beautiful woman!
  He was captivated when she blushed with his words, “I believe that you shall be forever young.  Please accept my sincere appreciation for my lesson today.”

“In the proper handling of petulant young girls?”  She laughed, and his face lit up as he laughed with her, delighting again in the welcome notes, and feeling a lightness he had never experienced before. 

“Yes, that is it precisely.  You should perhaps pen a book on the subject.”  He suggested, biting his lip and trying his hand in the very unfamiliar territory of flirtation.

“Sir, a woman writing?  Scandalous!” 

“I prefer poetry, and am especially fond of Shakespeare.”

“Oh.”  Elizabeth bit her lip as well and looked up to see his warm gaze.  “I am so very glad.”

“Fitzwilliam!”  They both startled to see Georgiana approaching with Mrs. Somers.  She could not help noticing the young woman on his arm, or the way that her brother’s hand was clasped over hers.  “Forgive me, I . . .I wished to apologize and . . .I will go back home and wait for you.”

Darcy looked at his sister then to the raised brow of his companion and shook his head at Elizabeth and smiled.  “No dear, we will speak later but first,” He drew a deep breath, and spoke warmly; using a tone that Georgiana had not heard since their father had died, “Miss Elizabeth Bennet, may I introduce you to my sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy?” 

Elizabeth curtseyed and smiled.  “I am pleased to meet you, Miss Darcy.”  

“I . . .I am pleased to meet you as well, Miss Bennet.”

“Miss Elizabeth.”  Darcy and Elizabeth said simultaneously and smiled at each other.  Georgiana blushed and they all looked up upon Mrs. Gardiner’s approach.  Darcy glanced at Mrs. Somers and she nodded, and left to return to the house.

Elizabeth noticed her aunt’s eyes on Darcy’s arm and reluctantly let him go. “Aunt, this is Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire.  Sir, this is my aunt, Mrs. Edward Gardiner.”

“It is a pleasure, madam.  I am grateful for Miss Elizabeth’s assistance today.”  He smiled first at her then back down to Elizabeth, and looked at her hand, wishing it was back on his arm.

Mrs. Gardiner watched his gaze with appreciation and nodded.  “Well, I suppose that it was destiny, sir.  Lizzy has wanted to walk here for weeks, and finally I acquiesced after her insistence this morning.  She has been quite determined to come here, as she is every time she comes to town.”  Darcy looked to Elizabeth quickly and saw her blush.  His heart beat faster, knowing instinctively that it was he that she sought.  Mrs. Gardiner continued, “I am afraid that she misses the freedom she has at home at her father’s estate.”

“You often walk in Hertfordshire, Miss Elizabeth?”  He smiled again at her, already knowing the answer.

Her brow creased, not recalling mentioning her county to him, but then laughed.  “Oh yes, I know that it is not fashionable, but I much prefer nature to sewing.” 

Darcy nodded to Georgiana.  “I believe that my sister would agree with you.  She prefers nearly anything to sewing.” 

“We would get along famously then!”  Elizabeth tilted her head to catch Georgiana’s eye and saw her peek up at her and nod.

Realizing that the shy girl would say no more, Mrs. Gardiner wanted to pursue her own line of inquiry.  “Mr. Darcy, I hope that you do not mind my asking, but my niece said that you are from Pemberley?”

He looked at her with surprise.  “Yes, madam, do you know it?”

“Indeed, I grew up in Lambton, but have not been back for several years.  Have there been many changes in the area?”

“Lambton!  No, I would say other than a few new roofs it is as it has been since I was a child, a pleasant market town.  I will pass through there when I return home.”

“Someday I hope to return, London has much to offer, but I am sure you agree sir, there is no scenery like the Peaks.”  Mrs. Gardiner nodded and he smiled.

“I see that I have met someone who shares my enthusiasm, yes I agree, if it were not for business, I would never leave.  I have not been home for months, and it will be good to see it again.”

“You have been in London all of that time?”  Elizabeth asked.

“No, I spent some time in Kent, visiting our aunt.”  He looked to Georgiana who stared down at her feet.  “It was a short journey, unlike the day that we first spied each other.  I had only that afternoon returned home from my Grand Tour.” 

“Oh, how wonderful that you had such an opportunity to experience the world!  What did you see?”  Her eyes were bright and clearly her imagination was working.  “Surely you could not have gone through France.  If not, then how ever did you cross the Alps?  Did you take your carriage apart?  Did you walk or did they carry you?”  Darcy started to answer and laughed to see her still thinking out loud.  “What a memorable experience you must have had to visit Italy and see the artwork, and actually practice your languages!” 

Darcy grinned widely and laughed.  “It seems that you are quite a student, Miss Elizabeth!”

“My niece is curious of many things, sir.  She is a voracious learner.”  Mrs. Gardiner smiled at her burst of girlish behaviour.

“That is very admirable and refreshing to see, Miss Elizabeth.  I hope that my sister will emulate you.”  He looked at Georgiana who had been watching Elizabeth’s guileless enthusiasm with awe.

“Forgive me; I am afraid that I let my excitement run away with me, sir.” She said apologetically.  “I have only been able to glean a little from books; it is rare that I actually meet someone who can give me the details of what I have only imagined before.”

“Hopefully the true tales do not prove to be disappointing in comparison.”

“I suppose that we will have to find that out.”  Her eyes danced and he drank in the sight.

Darcy glanced at Mrs. Gardiner, who was watching her children becoming increasingly restive with the maid.  He did not want to leave, he wanted to sit with Elizabeth and regale her with stories of his trip, then listen to her questions and hope to entertain her, and . . .  He wanted so many other things, but clearly it was time to go.  “Well, we should return to our home.  It was a pleasure to meet all of you.”  He looked at Elizabeth and she locked her eyes with his.  They both seemed to be making a new memory of the other’s face.  “I especially enjoyed meeting you at last, Miss Elizabeth.  I hope that you might accept a call from me?”

Elizabeth blushed.  “I would enjoy that, Mr. Darcy.”  He nodded and started to step away then turned. 

“Mrs. Gardiner, would your husband have any objections to my calling?  I imagine that he is Miss Elizabeth’s guardian while she is in town.”

“Yes sir, he is, and please be assured of your welcome in our home.”  She smiled and met his happy eyes.  “We look forward to seeing you.” 

“Thank you.”  He bowed, first to Mrs. Gardiner, then a slow bow to Elizabeth who laughed at his solemnity.  He rose and found a smile on his lips.  “Until we meet again.”  He turned with Georgiana and walked back down the path and towards their home.

“Lizzy, you certainly charmed Mr. Darcy.”  Mrs. Gardiner said speculatively, at last she knew the source of her niece’s smiles, and remembered her confessions of the unnamed man from the summer before.

“I believe that he has charmed me.”  She laughed at her aunt’s raised brows and watched his tall retreating figure, then gasped when he stopped and turned, looking back at her.  He raised his hand and bowed again.  Elizabeth raised her hand and could just see the smile that formed on his lips, then she turned and walked away.