Mr. Darcy's Diary, Amanda Grange [elon musk reading list TXT] 📗

But I

was restless. I decided to go ahead, meaning to see Johnson and put some of the estate business out of the way

before my guests arrived.

I rode on to Pemberley. It was a beautiful afternoon,

and I enjoyed the ride. I was just leaving the stables and

walking round to the front of the house when I stopped

short. I wondered if I was hallucinating.The day was hot,

and I wondered if I had caught the sun. For there in front

of me was a figure I knew well. It was Elizabeth.

She was walking across the lawn to the river, in the

company of two people whom I did not know. At that

moment she turned to look back. She saw me. I stood

rooted to the spot.We were within twenty yards of each

other.There was no question of avoiding her, even had I

wished it. Our eyes met and I saw her blush. I felt my

own countenance grow hot.

At last I recovered myself. I advanced towards the

party. She had instinctively turned away, but stopping on

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my approach, she received my compliments with great

embarrassment. I felt for her, and would have made it

easier for her if I could.

As I spoke to her I could not help wondering what

she was doing there. To be at Pemberley! It seemed so

strange, and yet at the same time so right.

‘I hope you are well?’ I asked.

‘Yes, thank you,’ she said, flushing, and unable to meet

my gaze.

‘And your family?’

As soon as I said it I saw her flush more deeply, and I

felt an answering flush cross my face. I had no right to

ask after her family, having abused them so roundly to

her face, but she answered me civilly enough.

‘They are well, thank you.’

‘How long ago did you quit Longbourn?’

‘Almost a month.’

‘You have been travelling?’

‘Yes.’

‘You are enjoying it, I hope?’

‘Yes.’

I repeated myself thrice more, asking her if she had

enjoyed herself, until I felt it was better if I remain silent,

since I could think of nothing sensible to say. After a few

moments I recollected myself and took my leave.

To find Elizabeth, here, at Pemberley! And to find her

willing to talk to me. She had been embarrassed, but she

had not turned away. She had answered every question

with more civility than I deserved.

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What was she thinking? I wondered. Was she pleased

to have met me? Mortified? Indifferent? No, not that last.

She had blushed when I approached. She had been

angry, perhaps, but not indifferent.

The thought gave me hope.

I went into the house, but instead of making for the

steward’s room I found myself going into the drawingroom.

She had not been at ease, that much was clear, and I

had done nothing to help her. I had been so overcome

with surprise, and a range of other emotions I dare not

put a name to, that I had been incoherent.

A gentleman would have set her at ease. A gentleman

would have made her feel at home. A gentleman would

have asked to be introduced to her companions. How far

below this mark I had fallen! I resolved to mend matters

at once.

Going out into the grounds, I enquired of one of the

gardeners which way the visitors had gone, and set off

after them.

I saw them down by the river. I approached. Never

had a walk seemed so long. Would she be pleased to see

me? I hoped, at least, she would not be displeased.

I came upon her. She began speaking at once, with

something more of ease than previously.

‘Mr Darcy. You have a delightful estate here. The

house is charming, and the grounds are very pleasant.’

She seemed about to go on, then coloured. I believe

we both thought the same: the house could now be hers,

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if she had accepted my hand.

To help her over her distress, I said: ‘Will you do me

the honour of introducing me to your friends?’

She looked surprised, then smiled. There was a trace

of mischief in it, and as soon as I saw it, I realized how

much I had missed her.

‘Mr Darcy, may I introduce my aunt and uncle, Mr

and Mrs Gardiner,’ she said.

I understood the cause of her mischievous smile at

once. These were the very relatives I had railed against,

and yet I had been wrong to despise them.They were not

the low connections I had been fearing. Indeed, before

she had introduced them I had taken them to be people

of fashion.

‘We were just returning to the house,’ said Mr Gardiner. ‘The walk has tired my wife.’

‘Allow me to walk back with you.’

We fell into step.

‘You have a fine estate here, Mr Darcy.’

‘Thank you. I believe it to be one of the finest in England – but then I am partial!’

Mr and Mrs Gardiner laughed.

‘Your man has been showing me the trout in the

river,’ said Mr Gardiner.

‘Do you enjoy fishing?’

‘Yes, when I have the opportunity.’

‘Then you must fish here as often as you choose.’

‘That is very kind of you, but I have not brought my

tackle.’

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‘There is plenty here. You must use it when you

come.’ I stopped. ‘That is a good stretch of the river,’ I

said, pointing out one of the best stretches for trout.

I saw Elizabeth and her aunt exchange glances, and

I could not help but notice Elizabeth’s look of astonishment. Did she think me incapable of being polite?

Perhaps. I had given little evidence of it in Hertfordshire.

I could not help looking at her, though I talked to her

uncle. Her face, her eyes, her mouth, all held me. I

thought she looked well, and though she seemed embarrassed, I saw no hostility in her expression.

After a little time, Mrs Gardiner took her husband’s

arm, and I was left to walk by Elizabeth.

‘I did not know you would be here,’ she began at

once.‘My aunt had