Chapter 23
23
UNTIL MR DARCY
T heir journey from Oakwood to London had not ended as auspiciously as it had begun.
After the ‘erf’ dispute, Mr Darcy had become an altered creature, reverting to the reticent gentleman with whom Elizabeth first had been acquainted in Hertfordshire. Rather than aloofness, though, he seemed to have been deep in thought or mired in melancholy, and she had no notion what had caused such a change in him.
When Mr Darcy’s carriage stopped in front of the Gardiners’ house on Gracechurch Street, the attorney hopped out to assist the ladies to alight. Mr Darcy was the last to step down; but when he did, he smiled and offered his arm to Elizabeth, who said, “I am pleased to see the return of your smile, sir.”
“I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours, madam,” he responded with a wider grin.
Her joy could have no moderation when three of her favourite people, who must have been watching for their arrival, appeared at the door. “Aunt Gardiner! Uncle Gardiner! Papa!” She flew into the latter’s embrace, and it took several minutes to give any degree of tranquillity to her heart.
“Congratulations, my dear Lizzy,” said her father. “I knew you could not be so intelligent for nothing.” He looked over her shoulder. “But I see you have brought guests with you. Including Mr Darcy, of all people.”
Once Elizabeth had made the necessary introductions and received congratulations from her relations, everyone was invited into the pretty parlour that Mrs Gardiner had made so warm and welcoming.
Mr Darcy spoke of how pleased he was to meet her relations, and he even complimented her aunt on the lovely room. Unprepared for such civility, Elizabeth barely suppressed a smirk at his acceptance of the very people against whom his pride had revolted during his offer to her at Hunsford.
As he entered into conversation with Mr Gardiner, she could not but be exulted to claim some relations for whom there was no need to blush. She listened most attentively to all that passed between them and gloried in her dear uncle’s every expression and sentence. Each utterance marked his intelligence, his sense, taste, and manners, all superior to his sister’s. For a man who lived by trade and within view of his own warehouses, he was more of a gentleman than many who could claim that title by birth.
Meanwhile, Mr Bennet and Mr Monroe were immersed in a tête-à-tête that she assumed involved her inheritance. Although Elizabeth longed to be included in their conversation, she trusted she would hear the gist of it from her father once the guests were gone.
Settled upon the sofa with her aunt and Miss Rigby, she again glowed with pride. Mrs Gardiner was an amiable, intelligent, and elegant woman as well as a consummate hostess. Already, after ensuring everyone was comfortably situated, she had ordered tea, sweetmeats, and fruit.
When Miss Rigby momentarily turned away to answer a question posed by Mr Monroe, Mrs Gardiner took that opportunity to lean in and say, “So, Lizzy, the infamous Mr Darcy also was a beneficiary, was he? Goodness, I trust his presence at Oakwood was not too unpleasant for you.” She gazed at the gentleman with evident admiration. “I must say he seems perfectly amiable to me. And terribly handsome.”
“Indeed, he is,” whispered Elizabeth, also leaning in. “I was utterly mistaken about him, Aunt, and for that reason I have been duly ashamed of myself for some time now. Truth be told, Mr Darcy had more reason to be disgusted by my behaviour in Hertfordshire and Kent than I by his. Fortunately, we have forgiven one another, and I fully expect—” Mrs Gardiner elbowed her, and Elizabeth’s eyes grew wide upon noticing the subject of their discourse standing before them.
“I beg your pardon, Miss Bennet,” said he. “Mrs Gardiner, I have just learnt from your husband that you once resided in Lambton. I also understand you have seen Pemberley and that you knew my father by character.”
The difference between Mr Darcy’s animated air at that moment and what it had been for the last hour in the carriage was striking, and Elizabeth was heartened by the further improvement in his spirits.
He and her aunt spoke at length about Derbyshire and about mutual acquaintances until a blur of blond hair, blue clothing, chubby little arms and legs, and bare feet flew into the room.
“Mama, Mama!” Stopping short upon seeing what must have seemed a roomful of strangers, the child buried his head in Mrs Gardiner’s skirts and whimpered.
Setting aside her teacup and crouching down beside her cousin, Elizabeth stroked his fine flaxen hair. “Jonathan, where is your nurse? Never mind, angel. I shall take you to the nursery while your mama speaks with her guests. Or…you could stay and sit quietly with me. I do love cuddling you, you know.” She nuzzled his neck and tickled his ribs. “Would you like me to read a story? Would that make you feel better? We could snuggle together over there in that cosy armchair and share a cake and some strawberries.” Standing, she held out her hand for him to take.
As she and the burbling Jonathan walked away, Elizabeth heard her aunt remark to Miss Rigby and Mr Darcy, “Lizzy will be a wonderful mother some day.”
Unable to help herself, she glanced over her shoulder and caught the gentleman staring after her with a fond smile upon his face. All of a sudden, the child’s hand in hers was not that of a blond cousin but of a dark-haired, dark-eyed son or daughter. The warmth then emanating from within Elizabeth’s heart set her face aflame. She despised blushing. And embarrassment because of it only served to increase its intensity.
Minutes later, with Jonathan curled contently upon her lap, she watched Mr Darcy approach her father. The two spoke quietly, had a quick word with Mr Gardiner, then excused themselves. As they left the room, Elizabeth craned her neck and saw them entering her uncle’s study. Immediately offended that her father’s consent was being sought before her own, she hugged her cousin and attempted to remain calm while her pulse pounded. The audacity of the man! But she grinned and had every expectation of being engaged to marry Mr Darcy by day’s end .
Rather than abating, Elizabeth’s anxiety increased a quarter of an hour later when the Gardiners’ guests— all three of them! —politely took their leave and her father called her into the book-room.
Seated behind her uncle’s desk, Mr Bennet succinctly explained exactly why Mr Darcy had requested a moment of his time. “I was taken aback when the arrogant gentleman admitted responsibility for not making Mr Wickham’s proclivities known to us last autumn. And, while I appreciated the recommendation that my youngest daughter be removed—hopefully, in the nick of time—from a scoundrel’s influence, I cannot comprehend why a mere acquaintance came to be involved at all in our family’s private concerns. Perhaps you can explain it to me.”
So, Mr Darcy’s conference with her father had not been about her at all but about her silliest sister. While pleased that belated action was being taken, Elizabeth was disappointed her own concerns were being swept aside and that she would not be made an offer of marriage that day.
“Lydia’s being in Brighton with the Forsters arose in a conversation Mr Darcy and I had at Oakwood. You should be grateful that he has shown us such benevolence.”
“Yes, yes. And so, my dear, I shall be bound for the south coast in the morning. I realise you are eager to have matters settled regarding your fortune. However, we must consider the unthinkable consequences should Lydia not be rescued from both Mr Wickham’s clutches and her own stupidity. I shall stay the night either with the Forsters or at an inn, then Lydia and I shall leave early Saturday morning and travel all day, stopping only as necessary to change horses or have a bite to eat. Our meeting with Pemberton & Monroe must be postponed until my return. ”
Mr Bennet’s expression quickly shifted from unalloyed amusement to annoyance.
“By the bye, Lizzy, Mr Darcy subtly hinted at a romantic interest…in you . Ha! Let me congratulate you on a very impressive conquest. But rest assured that I wished him much good luck should marriage be his intention. He will need it, eh? Can you imagine it? Mr Darcy! The haughty gentleman who never looks at any woman but to discover whether there is an exalted title or princely fortune behind a pretty face and form. What makes it all so delightfully absurd is your pointed dislike of the man.”
“I do not dislike Mr Darcy. He and I became friends at Oakwood, where he gained my respect and esteem. Admiration gradually swelled to deep affection. If he makes me an offer of marriage, I shall accept.”
“You will what ? Lizzy, you greatly disappoint me. Think , my dear! He was not clever enough to win Miss Armstrong’s legacy himself, so he intends to have it by another means. Unless I can be convinced otherwise, I shall refuse my permission for that man to have you as his wife and your wealth as his own.”
Remembering Mr Darcy’s whispered words at Oakwood— I am trying to woo you, Elizabeth, but not because you are an heiress —she was resolved to soften her father’s resentment. “I promise you, Papa, he is not at all like that. He is a gentleman of complete integrity.”
“Do you not remember he said you were not handsome enough to tempt him? Have you forgotten about his disdain of your family, your relations, friends, and neighbours? Do you think his opinion would change so rapidly? How can you not share my suspicion? No, Lizzy. I am sorry to say so, but that proud Mr Darcy is more interested in your inheritance than in your person. ”
How earnestly then did Elizabeth wish her former opinions had been more reasonable, her expressions more moderate. “He has no improper pride, Papa. In fact, although he is reserved and fastidious, Mr Darcy can be perfectly amiable. Even Aunt Gardiner thinks so. And, yes, his opinion of me did change over time, as did mine of him.”
“Mere infatuation on your part, my dear, and avarice on his. So let us not be hasty.” Mr Bennet rose and kissed the top of her head. “Now I must send a note to Mr Monroe. We had arranged to meet on the morrow, so I shall inform him of the change in plans and fix a time on Monday morning. I wish to leave here as near to midday as possible.”
Yes, let us not be hasty. If Mr Darcy proposes, Papa will change his mind and give his consent. He must! Coldness gripped Elizabeth’s heart. Fingernails biting into her palms, she gave her father a long, pained look and came to a shocking realisation: she would give up Oakwood Manor and the fifty thousand pounds in a moment if it meant she could have Mr Darcy.
But the moment passed. She had her mother and four sisters to consider before her own hopes and needs.
A tiny voice inside her head asked why she felt responsible for remedying her father’s dereliction of duty. And did she not have to make provision for her own future children? As those considerations occurred to her in quick succession, Elizabeth climbed the stairs to her guest room in a state of uncertainty and anxiety.
Nevertheless, she thought she could—even then, under the first sharp twinges of disappointment and trepidation—command herself well enough to join the others at dinner only two hours after she had learnt of her father’s dissent. No one would have supposed from her appearance that Elizabeth was fretting over obstacles that might divide her from the object of her love.
At least until I turn twenty-one. But, once she reached her majority in less than a month, she might be compelled to sow dissension with the one man she had loved with her whole heart for her entire life. Never had she even dared to rebel against her father’s authority. Estrangement had been unthinkable.
Until Mr Darcy.
On Friday, at first light, Mr Bennet had set off to fetch Lydia.
No doubt she will leave Brighton kicking and screaming . Elizabeth did not envy her father for having to listen to a querulous sixteen-year-old for endless hours on the road. But she, too, could be petulant. It will serve Papa right for being so hard-hearted where Mr Darcy is concerned.
That thought seemed to have summoned the gentleman, for at that very moment, at the stroke of eleven o’clock, Mr Darcy presented himself at the Gardiners’ front door, and Elizabeth was summoned. Fleeing to a mirror, she was relieved her eyes were neither red nor puffy, although there would have been nothing to be done about it had they shown evidence of her having cried herself to sleep the previous night.
He had come, he told Mrs Gardiner and her, in the hope they might join Georgiana and him for a ride round the park. “It is a fine day, and I have a barouche with its hood folded down.”
Mrs Gardiner’s eyes grew wide as she looked from Elizabeth to their caller. “We shall be delighted, sir.” She summoned her maid to fetch their bonnets, gloves, and reticules.
It was with astonishment that Elizabeth beheld a luxurious black barouche at the kerb. The carriage was drawn by two sleek black horses, driven by a liveried coachman, and it sported a noble crest upon its door. Pointing at it, she cast Mr Darcy a puzzled look. “Have you gained a title overnight, sir?”
He smiled and shook his head, then spoke to the young lady perched upon the rear-facing cream leather seat. “Georgiana, may I present to you Mrs Gardiner and her niece, Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Ladies, I am pleased and proud to introduce my beloved sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy. I fetched her this morning from her residence on North Audley Street. And, from our relations’ town house on Park Lane, I fetched this equipage”—he paused to catch Elizabeth’s eye—“which belongs to my uncle, the Earl of Matlock, Colonel Fitzwilliam’s father.”
As she and her aunt were being assisted into the carriage, Elizabeth remembered hearing from Mr Wickham that Miss Darcy was exceedingly proud. She knew, however, from Mr Darcy’s letter and by the sweet girl’s shy demeanour that the lieutenant’s information had been false.
There was sense, good humour, and a becoming blush upon Miss Darcy’s face as Elizabeth smiled at her and began a conversation. “I have heard much good of you from the Bingleys, Lady Catherine, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and, of course”—she glanced at Mr Darcy—“a proud brother who absolutely dotes on you.”
“You are too kind, Miss Bennet.” The young lady’s manners were perfectly unassuming and gentle, and she spoke softly and in monosyllables. She would do exceedingly well in the game of Short Answers .
Less than an hour later, in a nobleman’s fancy barouche, with Elizabeth and her aunt seated opposite Mr Darcy and his sister, the four of them smoothly glided round the gravelled carriageway known as ‘the Ring’. While the Darcys received many greetings and warm salutations, their two guests attracted unwanted attention—mostly consisting of jealous looks from the fine ladies of the ton , young and old alike. Elizabeth realised that being with her and Mrs Gardiner in Hyde Park demonstrated Mr Darcy was not ashamed to be seen with two females not of the beau monde .
At one point he said, “How fortunate I am this morning to be in the company of the three most handsome ladies in the entire park.”
It had been hyperbole as far as Elizabeth was concerned, but his outrageous comment had brought a bit of a smile to her face. I am the fortunate one. Mr Darcy is a much sought-after marriage prospect. Of course, he would be fortunate to gain me as his wife…should he ever propose again.
For several hours, she almost had been able to forget the troubling conundrum looming overhead. And, in Miss Georgiana Darcy, she had gained a new friend. And, I hope, a future fifth sister.