Elizabeth wasn’t sure WHAT she was doing; she certainly didn’t know what would cause a man like Mr. Darcy ( who’s pride was evident ) to want to be in her company after she so harshly and adamantly denied his hand. Perhaps it was just the surprise of seeing her IN HIS HOME that made him offer to walk her to the village – – Maybe his manners and his need to keep up societal appearances outweighed his own humiliation and desire never to see her again.
It seemed probable, but the smile that hinted in his features told otherwise.
At his gesture, Lizzy offered a polite smile in return and descended the stone stairs into the gardens of Pemberley, and unsure of what to say Lizzy settled on what was, perhaps, the worst thing she could have said: “Your home is lovely, Mr. Darcy.”
darcy followed shortly after, closing the distance between them in a long stride. respectable space, however, remained betwixt their shoulders as they walked, despite his desire to reach for her. his hands, instead, clasped firmly together at the base of his spine behind him and he kept his gaze forward, for fear of giving her the wrong impression with his eyes.
his mouth, though, could certainly do the job. “ my father would be most content to hear you say so, miss bennet. ” it would not bring pride in his son, only in pemberley. sensing the drop in his own mood, darcy lifted his chin deliberately higher. “ you would not suggest any changes? i am open to constructive criticism, should you possess it. ”