The Storm by Frederick Buechner

Author:Frederick Buechner
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Fiction
ISBN: 9780783886053
Publisher: HarperOne
Published: 1998-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

“Lizzy, do not lean so far out of the window,” Mrs. Gardiner pleaded. “I am afraid that the door may open and you will tumble out onto the road.”

“Yes, Aunt,” Elizabeth said, pulling back a bit. “I am just eager to see the landscape.”

“Patience, dear. You will have plenty of opportunity to see the views of Derbyshire in the coming weeks, especially now that we will not be going to the Lakes as was initially planned.”

“I am certain that Mr. Darcy will be more than willing to show you his homeland,” Mr. Gardiner added good-naturedly.

Mrs. Gardiner clasped her hands together, her expression elated as she spoke. “I still find it difficult to believe that my very own niece is engaged to a Darcy of Pemberley. I remember visiting the manor with my father a few times when I was a little girl. He discussed business with Mr. Darcy senior, but never in my life did I think that one day I would be a guest there.”

“Life often takes the most surprising turns when we least expect them,” Mr. Gardiner noted.

“Indeed, it does,” Mrs. Gardiner agreed before turning her gaze to Elizabeth. “Your Mr. Darcy, Lizzy, is such a gentleman. It was so very thoughtful of him to send a letter inviting us to stay at his home when he does not know us at all.”

“He knows how highly I regard you,” Elizabeth explained. “It was solely his initiative to invite you.”

Mr. Gardiner smirked. “I think that Mr. Darcy thinks highly of you as well, Lizzy, and this is the main reason behind his generosity to us.”

Elizabeth looked down modestly, blushing prettily and unable to stop the smile that crossed her face.

“And, I must say that both your mother and father are certainly enchanted with their future son,” Mrs. Gardiner said.

“I am not surprised with regard to my sister, but Thomas is not so easy to please as his wife,” Mr. Gardiner pointed out.

Elizabeth focused on the countryside beyond the window while the older couple discussed Darcy further. Derbyshire, indeed, looked much different from the south of England, and she could barely wait to explore the area.

“Aunt Madeline, look!” Elizabeth pointed at something. “Is that Pemberley?”

Mrs. Gardiner leaned forward, squinting. “Indeed it is,” she agreed, before turning to her husband. “Let us stop, Edward. I think that Lizzy would like to admire the house from this view for a moment. When we enter the park, it will be hidden behind the trees.”

As soon as the carriage came to a stop, Elizabeth opened the carriage door by herself and jumped down to the road, not waiting to be helped. She ran to the very edge of the cliff, staring at the manor, which was nestled in the valley among lakes, mountains and forest.

“Well, Lizzy?” Mrs. Gardiner asked, coming to stand beside her. “What is your impression?”

Elizabeth let out a nervous laugh. “I can hardly believe my own eyes. It is very grand.”

“Indeed, it is.”

“I have never seen such an illustrious,” she cleared her throat, “well,.

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