Chapter 35

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

D arcy half-listened as the story of the ancient building was told. Fascinating as it was, his attention had drifted to Elizabeth.

"…that is when I abandoned my plans to build a new warehouse on the property and instead decided to restore the chapterhouse. It was an unequalled opportunity to reconstruct a piece of history."

"We thought it would be unseemly to turn it into any kind of business enterprise or earn a profit from it, yet it seems a shame to have it sit idle. Gerhard's concerts are an experiment of sorts, to see if it would serve as a venue for music or lectures," Sir Alexander explained. "And of course it is always open to those who have an interest in its history."

"My wife and nieces are planning a reception after the first concert, so the audience can learn more about the building," Mr Gardiner added.

Darcy quietly manoeuvred himself to Elizabeth's side. He leant close to her ear and said softly, "I wondered at your response when I mentioned this concert series to you. Now I find that you are very much a part of it all."

Elizabeth blushed and turned slightly towards him, angling her head so she could speak quietly into his ear. "I beg your pardon. At the time it seemed easier to agree than to explain how this all came about. It is rather a long story."

Lady Magnussen was making her farewells. "Mary and I have been away from the children for too long, I fear." She curtseyed to Georgiana, Fielding, and Darcy. "It has been a pleasure to see you again. I hope to see you at the concerts."

Mrs Gardiner announced her imminent departure as well, and her husband needed to return to his offices, but Fielding and Georgiana had yet to view the chapterhouse. They would stay a little longer with Sir Alexander and Herr Heidemann.

"Gracechurch Street is but half a mile away, and it is a fine day. May I walk you to your uncle's house, Mrs Bancroft?" Darcy asked Elizabeth.

She studied him for moment and then agreed, smiling. "I shall inform my aunt." Darcy did the same with his sister, and the two set off, her arm in his.

Elizabeth found herself a bit breathless. Not because she was walking quickly; Mr Darcy had adjusted his stride to compensate for her smaller stature. Indeed, he seemed to be deliberately slowing their pace and taking a longer, more indirect route.

No, it seemed she was in such a state simply being by the side of an intelligent, amiable, handsome man. She almost giggled aloud at the thought of describing Mr Darcy as amiable. Had she been so mistaken about him all those years ago, or had he changed in some fundamental way? She knew she had changed, so perhaps that was the answer. Was his current cordiality who he truly was, or would he revert to the proud sort of man she had thought him in the past? Her instincts argued that he would not.

He was asking her about her family. Tread carefully, Lizzy , she told herself. She did not want to allude to her family's disgraceful past. She was enjoying his company far too much to risk his censure.

"Jane and Alexander have three children, two sons and a daughter. Mary and Gerhard have one of each, a son and a daughter. When they are in town, they stay at Jane's home, where there is more space for the children, and their nurse can accompany them. My sister Catherine, you may remember we call her Kitty among family, was not with us today as she has recently entered her second confinement. She is married to a Mr Henry Newfield, who is a barrister with offices in the Inner Temple, and they already have a daughter. My youngest sister, sadly, perished in an accident a few years ago."

"My condolences, Mrs Bancroft. I am very sorry for your family's loss." He did not enquire further, much to her relief. "And your father has remarried, I believe you said?"

She smiled. "Yes, and has, later in life, two small sons to care for. The elder, Francis, is two years old, and the younger, Hugh, is six months old. The entail has been broken at last."

"I am sure that is a great relief for your family." Mr Darcy then changed the subject. "What are your favourite things to do while in London? I know you spend a great deal of time with your family, as I do with my family on my visits."

"Usually, I attend the opera and see as many performances, whether plays or concerts, as I am able. Now that it is summer and Parliament is soon to go into recess, I expect there will be fewer diversions of that sort, but I always enjoy museums and lectures as well. Yet before you get the impression of me as a cultivated, serious person, I must inform you that I also take great delight in shopping for silly things like hats and parasols, and eating ices and confectionaries whenever I can."

"And walking?"

Elizabeth savoured the comfortable, teasing note in his voice. It made her feel pleasantly warm, soft, and sweet, like a blancmange. "Yes, and walking. Not as well as I enjoy a country walk, but yes indeed."

They strolled along in silence for a while. Elizabeth knew they were shortly to round the corner onto Gracechurch Street and wanted to turn in the opposite direction, to prolong their walk.

Mr Darcy spoke again. "Might I accompany you on one of your silly expeditions?"

Elizabeth laughed, more freely than was her wont, surprised at the relief she felt. "Yes, that would be a pleasure, sir. I shall try not to frighten you with my capacity for silliness or sweetmeats."

They had reached the door of the Gardiners' home. "Since I have just seen your family, I shall say my farewells here."

She held out her hand. He took it and stood there for a long moment, gazing down at her with a slight smile playing about his lips. "Until later, then, Mrs Bancroft." He bowed over her hand and gave it a slight squeeze before he released it, then turned to make his way back to the chapterhouse.

Elizabeth stood and watched him walk away, turn the corner, and disappear from her sight.

"Lizzy, why are you standing there on the doorstep with your hand hanging in mid-air?"

Elizabeth jumped, and her hand, which had been suspended exactly where Mr Darcy released it, fell to her side.

Her aunt, standing on the threshold, chuckled. "Come inside, my dear girl. Let us have something cooling to drink, and you may tell me about your walk."