Chapter 27

The days grew chill as autumn slowly gave way to winter. Darcy lost no time in seeking a larger house to rent. Quite apart from his own desire to have space for guests and the liberty of a manor, Darcy rather suspected that Georgiana's comfort would be improved by leaving the house she had shared with Mrs Younge. She wished to stay in Meryton with her new friends, but some memories were better left behind them.

As it transpired, the estate Elizabeth had suggested seemed ideal for them. Nor was the manager laggard in coming to an agreement. The only difficulty was in persuading him he wished only to lease Netherfield Park, not to purchase it. That point did not admit of a doubt. Darcy was not of a mind to keep up with two large estates. No, renting Netherfield was quite enough.

His friends arrived, and Bingley was instantly enchanted with the house. Nor was it the only thing that caught his fancy. Almost as soon as he had been introduced to Miss Jane Bennet, he fell under her spell.

Darcy came into breakfast and heard Bingley voicing his sentiments about staying in the vicinity as well. "I could settle here very happily," he was saying to his sister. His face lit up as Darcy joined them. "Do you not agree, Darcy? I find, even after such a short stay, that I could live here for the rest of my life and be quite happy."

Darcy glanced at Miss Bingley and saw she was not pleased. No doubt Hertfordshire was not exciting enough for her tastes, and Jane Bennet neither well-connected nor well-dowered enough. It was strange to think that he might once have agreed with her. If Bingley wished to move up in society, he would do better to choose a woman of unquestionable family and refined education.

Such concerns seemed absurd to him now. If Jane Bennet was the equal of her sister in character and heart, his friend could not do better.

"It is a capital place to settle, I must agree. Are you looking to purchase a country home?" Darcy asked.

"I am, although Caroline says it is a waste since we have such a large house in London. But I tire of the noise and stench of Town. I would much rather have the great outdoors surrounding me than an endless string of shouting hackney cab drivers, not to mention their horses fouling up the streets."

"There is nothing to entertain here, though," Miss Bingley said sharply. "Do you not agree that there is no city as diverting as London, Mr Darcy?"

"On the contrary. I am of the same mind as Bingley." Darcy took a sip of his tea. "Besides, there is the upcoming ball that we are to hold. That will be most diverting."

"Yes. Especially if a certain Miss Elizabeth Bennet can be prevailed upon to come," Bingley said under his breath, dancing his eyebrows knowingly at Darcy.

He tried to ignore his friend but felt his heartbeat race at the thought of asking Elizabeth to attend.

It was to that end that he ventured out of the confines of the house with Bingley to ride into Meryton. The past few days had been nothing but rain, and Darcy felt his impatience rising at each day that followed without a glimpse of Elizabeth. Nor did Bingley seem more sanguine at the interruption of his acquaintance with Miss Jane Bennet. At last, there was a bit of sun peeking through the gloom on the horizon. As they rode into town, they seemed to chase it, hoping that the weather would not keep the Bennet sisters trapped at Longbourn.

Just as he had hoped, he spotted Elizabeth walking among the market stalls as they entered town, her sisters trailing behind her to look at the pretty trinkets the salespeople had for purchase — or if the item was right — to barter.

Darcy's heart lifted whenever he saw her. She was a vision, dressed in a dark navy day dress, and sporting a bonnet of the same colour. She smiled up at him as soon as she sensed his eyes upon her. Darcy's eyes lit upon a nearby hitching post. He fastened his horse's reins and hurried to her side.

"Hello, Mr Darcy," she greeted as he joined her at one of the market stalls. "I was hoping I would see you today."

"I was hoping the same," he said.

Her cheeks coloured prettily, and he offered her his arm. She took it with a flattering lack of hesitation.

"What brings you out on a such a glum day?"

"It is not glum anymore. See? The sun is shining." And you are here.

She smiled. "It never stays for long in the winter, I'm afraid. But I had a feeling the weather would hold for our walk to Meryton. And I'm so glad we took the chance to venture out."

"As am I," he replied.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Bingley offering his arm to Miss Jane Bennet. Darcy smiled to himself. When he had invited his friend to Hertfordshire, Darcy had assumed that a little hunting and riding in the countryside would be the primary amusements available. He had not anticipated that Bingley's eye would fall on the golden Miss Bennet — though, in retrospect, perhaps it should have. His friend always had an eye for a pretty blonde. Better still, he had the sense and judgement to appreciate Miss Jane Bennet's sense and good temper.

Indeed, he would not be surprised if he soon made her an offer. Never had he seen his friend so besotted. True, he had an eye for pretty young ladies. But things were different this time. Bingley could hardly think, let alone eat or drink when he was not with Jane Bennet.

When the time came, she would make him a fine wife.

Before he knew it, he had led Elizabeth a little outside of Meryton to a narrow bridge that ran over a stream. The rains had swelled the stream almost to burst its banks, but it remained a pretty place where they might talk and still be seen by passersby.

"I had another motive in coming to see you today, Miss Bennet," he began. "Bingley says it is high time I held a ball, to further acquaint ourselves with people in the neighbourhood. I should like to ask you to come. Naturally, the invitation includes all your family."

Her face brightened. "Oh, I should be very happy to attend. As you know, I missed the last assembly. An opportunity to dance would be delightful. I am very fond of the amusement."

"Excellent. Naturally, I shall send a written invitation as well." They talked pleasantly of the ball, Darcy naming the day on which it was to occur, and Elizabeth delighting him with stories of how long it had been since there had been a ball at Netherfield, and surmises of what arrangements might be made.

"Perhaps you will honour us with your opinion. Georgiana will want me to hire the very best musicians I can find, of course."

Elizabeth smiled at him, and Darcy felt he would have done anything for that smile. "For that, you must talk to Sir Lucas," she said. "I believed he hired the musicians for the assembly before last, and I thought they were very fine." With that, she walked down the other side of the bridge, then turned back toward town as he followed a pace behind her.

Darcy loved to watch her. She was so graceful, carrying herself with a confidence that made each movement almost a dance. Each moment he spent with her made her even more beautiful in his eyes. He could not imagine a woman with more wit, not to mention courage and generosity. Each meeting since he had learned her real character had only deepened his regard. Elizabeth was truly the woman with whom he wished to share his heart, the partner of his future life — but could she ever feel the same?

Yes, they were friends. Her generosity had seen to that. Whether she might feel more — whether she might feel any of the same devotion that had overtaken his heart — remained to be seen.

It had never been his forte, but he had resolved to ask her to dance at the ball. If she accepted, it would serve as a sign that he had a chance of winning over her heart. And that meant that for Darcy, the ball could not come quickly enough.