Pride and Prejudice — Chapter Forty-Four (Abrideged)

Elizabeth had expected Mr. Darcy to bring his sister to visit the day after her Pemberley visit. Instead, they arrived even sooner — the very next morning, right after Elizabeth and the Gardiners returned to the inn at Lambton. When Elizabeth saw the carriage approaching, she immediately recognized it and nervously told her aunt and uncle who was coming. Her obvious anxiety, combined with everything that had happened the day before, made the Gardiners begin to suspect that Mr. Darcy had real feelings for their niece.

Elizabeth stepped back from the window, worried about being seen, and paced nervously around the room, feeling even more embarrassed under her aunt and uncle's curious looks.

When Georgiana and her brother entered, Elizabeth was surprised to see that Georgiana seemed just as nervous as she felt. Elizabeth had heard that Georgiana was very proud, but she quickly realized the truth — Georgiana was simply extremely shy. She barely said more than a word or two the entire visit.

Georgiana was tall, graceful, and only sixteen, though she looked older. She wasn't as attractive as her brother, but her face showed kindness and good humor, and her manners were gentle and modest. Elizabeth had expected someone confident and observant, like her brother — instead, she found someone even more anxious than herself, which was strangely comforting.

Soon after, Mr. Bingley arrived as well. Elizabeth's old anger toward him had faded completely, and his friendly, warm greeting made her feel instantly at ease. He asked politely about her family, speaking with the same cheerful, easy manner she remembered.

The Gardiners watched everyone closely, especially Darcy and Elizabeth, and quickly suspected that at least one of them was in love. Darcy's admiration for Elizabeth was obvious to everyone.

Elizabeth tried her best to be pleasant to all her visitors, though her mind was full of questions. Watching Bingley, she couldn't help thinking of Jane, hoping he still had feelings for her sister. She noticed nothing romantic between Bingley and Georgiana, easing her earlier worries. At one point, Bingley mentioned quietly that it had been over eight months since they'd last met — at a dance in Netherfield — showing he remembered the exact date perfectly.

Throughout the visit, Elizabeth noticed something new in Darcy's behavior — he was polite, warm, and eager to please everyone, especially her aunt and uncle, people he once looked down upon. This dramatic change amazed her deeply.

Before leaving, Darcy and Georgiana invited the Gardiners and Elizabeth to have dinner at Pemberley in two days. Elizabeth, embarrassed, avoided answering directly, but her aunt happily accepted on everyone's behalf.

After the visitors left, Elizabeth quickly excused herself, eager to be alone with her thoughts. She realized the Gardiners now clearly saw how much Darcy admired her, though they were too polite to ask questions directly.

That night, lying awake, Elizabeth tried to understand her true feelings for Darcy. She realized she no longer disliked him at all. Instead, she now respected, admired, and felt deeply grateful toward him — especially since he still seemed to care for her, even after she had once rejected him so harshly. She wondered exactly how far these new feelings might go.