Expectations ~ by Rita

He had business in town, was expected there a week ago in fact, and would have been there now had there been no sign from the lady. Until recently he had received more looks of encouragement from her friend Mrs. Collins than from the lovely Miss Bennet herself – more looks than he cared to acknowledge while he still remained in doubt. Mr. Darcy did not want to be an object of speculation, especially if his hopes were in vain.

Then finally one morning he chanced upon Miss Bennet – Elizabeth – in the grove. That was when she had made a point of telling him where she could be found – alone – on a daily basis, for she walked regularly in that part of the park. What more assurance of her regard did he need? He knew then that she more than hoped for his addresses, she was expecting them.

He spoke little on that encounter. He told himself he was content just to be in her company, but deep down he knew it was because of his own insecurities. No wonder his cousin teased him so much - a grown man turning into a tongue-tied boy whenever she was near. His second encounter went little better, but at least Elizabeth seemed to be content with the companionable silence they had established. Still, he determined that on his next encounter he would speak more.

So it was that Mr. Darcy found himself leaning against a tree in the grove one morning waiting for Elizabeth’s appearance. He did not have long to wait, for within the half-hour he saw her approaching on her preferred path.

She paused as she stepped into a shaft of sunlight that fell between the trees, raising her face to the midmorning sun. She had removed her bonnet and her hair shimmered; framed in a halo of light, she gave every appearance of a vision from heaven. That thought caused Mr. Darcy a pang of guilt over his friend Bingley’s loss, but he reassured himself that Bingley’s angel had shown no sign of affection for his friend; thus he relieved himself of any burden he may have felt in that quarter. He just hoped Bingley would understand that his situation with Elizabeth was clearly different.

As she continued her walk, Mr. Darcy stepped from the shadows and hailed her.

"Good morning, Miss Bennet."

She seemed startled by his greeting, but recovered herself quickly.

"Mr. Darcy," she said archly, "It seems our paths have crossed again."

As arranged, Madam, he thought, but replied with a hint of a smile, "Indeed."

They walked in silence for a time. Mr. Darcy cursed himself for being nervous, but having prepared a number of topics in advanced, finally found his resolve to speak.

"I trust you have been enjoying your time in Kent."

"Yes, very much so. I had missed Mrs. Collins’ company these last few months. It has been a pleasure to see her again."

"Mr. and Mrs. Collins seem quite happy in their marriage, despite the differences in their … dispositions."

Mr. Darcy was rewarded by a smile from Elizabeth, obviously understanding the implication of her cousin’s shortcomings, but not offended by it. As much as he had enjoyed their past verbal sparing, it heartened him to know that they could also have shared opinions.

"As I may have mentioned before," she responded, "my cousin was fortunate in my friend’s acceptance and she, for her part, is quite content with her situation. Perhaps it could be said that their different … dispositions… complement each other."

Just as you and I would complement each other, thought Mr. Darcy with a smile.

"She has the added benefit," Elizabeth continued, "of sharing in your aunt’s kind patronage, and the proximity to her lovely grounds"

"The country is fine for walking," Mr. Darcy agreed.

"It is a very beautiful Park, and the views are magnificent."

"My favorite vantage is from the guest wing of the house, particularly at day break."

"The guest wing? Why so?"

Mr. Darcy recalled that Elizabeth had no way of knowing which side of the house the guest quarters were on, so provided an explanation. "That is the east wing of Rosings. The sunrise over the gardens is particularly lovely."

"I shall have to take your word on that, sir," she smiled. "I have not had the pleasure of calling on your aunt so early in the day. I trust your Aunt finds them to her liking?"

"Aunt Catherine’s suite is in the west wing. Even so, she is rarely down early enough to enjoy the break of day. From your habit of early rising, Miss Bennet, I have no doubt of you taking advantage of the sunrise views on you next visit. There are few that stay at Rosings that do not delight in them."

He saw her color slightly, and she said little more before they reached the parsonage; she seemed … almost shy. He guessed she had picked up on his implication that in time she would be staying in Rosing’s east wing. Perhaps he had hinted too much, but he wanted her to understand his intentions – that when next she came into Kent, she would be there as his wife.

The fact that the outspoken Elizabeth Bennet had been affected by the thought of marriage to him reassured Mr. Darcy of her regard. She would be expecting it now. He resolved before he left Kent he would end both their anxiety and make her the offer he knew she would welcome.

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