Page 26 of Near Pemberley

“Well, Lizzy?”

Elizabeth attempted composure, though not entirely successfully.

“I hardly know what to think of him now.”

And perhaps, though she did not yet fully know it herself, that uncertainty was no longer entirely painful.

Chapter VIII

That evening, at supper, the conversation could not settle upon any subject unrelated to Pemberley.

Mr. Gardiner, who had intended merely to eat in comfort after the fatigues of the day, found himself repeatedly returning to the same topic with increasing animation. The stream below the western lawn, the management of the grounds, the ease and propriety visible throughout the estate – all appeared, upon recollection, even more deserving of admiration than they had seemed at first sight.

“I declare,” said he, helping himself once more, though with less attention to his plate than to his reflections, “I do not remember when I have been more pleasantly surprised by any gentleman. There was nothing studied in Mr. Darcy’s civility. Many men know how to be polite when they choose, but very few possess that sort of attentiveness which seems entirely without effort.”

“Indeed,” replied Mrs. Gardiner, “and what struck me still more was the evident sincerity of it. One could not suppose him acting merely from form. Had he wished only to satisfy propriety, a much smaller degree of attention would have sufficed.”

Elizabeth, who had thus far applied herself very diligently to arranging fruit upon her plate without consuming any of it – with such elaborate care, indeed, that her uncle might reasonably have supposed the arrangement itself part of the meal – felt her aunt’s eyes rest upon her for a moment longer than usual.

“I confess,” continued Mrs. Gardiner thoughtfully, “I am now very curious, Lizzy, to know by what misfortune you and Mr. Darcy ever came to dislike one another.”

Elizabeth looked up quickly. “Dislike is perhaps too strong a word.”

“Was it?” asked her aunt gently. “You certainly never encouraged us to think well of him.”

Elizabeth coloured slightly.

“You described him,” said Mr. Gardiner with good humour, “as proud, disagreeable, and excessively reserved. I expected a man scarcely capable of enduring his fellow creatures.”

“And instead,” added Mrs. Gardiner, smiling, “we find a gentleman anxious that we should remain another day solely because his stream might better reward your uncle’s fishing ambitions.”

Mr. Gardiner laughed. “A temptation,” said Mr. Gardiner, “against which I have never possessed much moral strength.”

Elizabeth attempted to smile also, though not entirely successfully. “Mr. Darcy is… not always the same in every company.”

“No,” said Mrs. Gardiner quietly, “that is very apparent.”

Her aunt spoke too deliberately for Elizabeth’s comfort.

Her aunt continued after a short pause. “And yet I cannot persuade myself that his attentions today proceeded merely from general civility.”

Elizabeth’s hand stilled upon the table.

“Indeed,” said Mr. Gardiner, leaning back in his chair, “the invitation itself was extraordinary. For a man of his consequence to press the acquaintance of comparative strangers so warmly would already be remarkable. But to insist upon prolonging our stay – and with such evident earnestness – is not easily explained.”

Mrs. Gardiner now looked directly at her niece, though with perfect kindness. “I believe, Lizzy,” she said gently, “that the explanation may have more to do with you than with us.”

Elizabeth felt the colour rise to her cheeks.

“My aunt!”

“My dear, you need not look so distressed. I do not mean to tease you.” Her expression softened further. “But surely you must perceive it yourself. Mr. Darcy appeared particularly desirous of your good opinion.”

Elizabeth lowered her eyes at once. “He was attentive to all of us,” she said quietly.

“Yes,” replied Mrs. Gardiner, “but not equally.”

A short silence followed.