Darcy and Elizabeth’s Valentine’s Meet Cute (Holidays with Darcy and Elizabeth)

2. Questions

CHAPTER 2

Questions

E lizabeth departed Hatchards a few moments after Darcy. She purchased two of the books she had selected, including the one she had discussed with Mr Darcy since she had been undecided about it until he confirmed its worth. The second was an agricultural treatise her father had requested she purchase, ostensibly for him to read, but in reality, Elizabeth knew she would be the one to read it and then inform her father what it said. Her father loved to read, but he rarely read books on estate matters, preferring Elizabeth to read them and then tell him what he ought to do.

Gratefully, he listened to most of her suggestions, and through this, they had raised the estate’s income by twenty-five per cent over the last several years. With luck, this number would continue to increase, for Elizabeth intended to see what she could do to raise her family’s fortunes. The excess funds had been turned over to her Uncle Gardiner to invest on behalf of her and her sisters without her mother’s knowledge. Longbourn, their estate, was entailed upon the male line, and Elizabeth intended to ensure there were funds to care for her mother and her sisters should their father die before they were all wed. Since there were few men in and around Meryton, the village nearest their estate, it seemed unlikely any would marry well, and it would be unfair to expect whichever sister did marry to care for the rest.

She set the other books she wanted to the side, asking the clerk to hold them for her until the next day since she had only enough funds with her to purchase the two books. Elizabeth hoped she could speak to her aunt about earning a few more coins to purchase the others.

It was generally frowned upon for a gently bred woman to work, but Elizabeth had an arrangement with her aunt that sometimes allowed her to earn a small amount of coins. A few women who worked for her uncle sought to improve their reading and writing skills, and Elizabeth discreetly tutored them in exchange for modest compensation. Her aunt, who managed the household finances skillfully, occasionally found other means for Elizabeth to earn money without compromising her respectability.

Uncle Gardiner could also be counted on to give her a few pounds for assisting him since he relied on her help during her annual visits to town. It was the only time of the year when his office was well organised and his papers filed correctly. He employed a man for this, but he preferred when Elizabeth did the task, and that was why he convinced her father to send her twice a year for a month or so each time.

As she walked along the bustling streets towards Gracechurch Street, Elizabeth’s thoughts kept returning to Mr. Darcy. She had heard his name before, although spoken only in passing. His connection to Lord Matlock intrigued her, especially since the man had not bragged about it, and the way he had spoken of his sister warmed her heart. A man who cared deeply for his family could not be entirely unpleasant despite his somewhat reserved manner.

And then there had been that moment—the brief touch of hands as they exchanged books. Elizabeth shivered even now in memory of it. The sensation had startled her; she had met other gentlemen, yet none had caused such an odd flutter in her chest. But the slightest touch of this man had caused her to feel things she had never felt for any man.

Her aunt greeted her warmly upon her return, quickly noting the distant expression on Elizabeth’s face.

“Lizzy, my dear, you seem preoccupied. Was your visit to Hatchards eventful?” her aunt asked kindly, inviting her niece to sit beside her.

Elizabeth hesitated before allowing a small smile and moving to sit on the settee next to her aunt. “You could say that. I had an unexpected encounter with a rather intriguing gentleman.”

Mrs. Gardiner’s eyes twinkled with alarm. “Indeed? And who might this gentleman be? Did someone accost you? Do I need to send a note to your uncle?”

Elizabeth took a breath, wondering how much to say. “No, Aunt, nothing like that. I…I met Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley. We collided in the bookshop and spoke for a few moments.”

Her aunt’s brows lifted in surprise. “Mr. Darcy? Now that is interesting.”

“You know of him? He said he knew of Uncle,” Elizabeth remarked thoughtfully.

“I have heard of him, yes. I grew up in Lambton, which is near his estate of Pemberley. He is considered quite wealthy and is rumoured to be rather reserved, bordering on haughty. But if you have met and liked him, I would rather hear your impression than rely on gossip,” Mrs. Gardiner encouraged.

Elizabeth chuckled softly. “His manner is certainly reserved, though not unpleasant or arrogant. He has a dry wit and a great appreciation for books. And he asked for the supper set at Lady Matlock’s ball.”

Mrs. Gardiner’s astonishment was evident. “That is quite a mark of favour, Lizzy.”

Elizabeth only smiled in response. His request had also astonished her; the possibility of him changing his mind before the event lingered in the back of her mind. If that happened, she would be disappointed but would not resent him. Their meeting had been unusual, and he might decide that he had acted precipitously.

When Elizabeth did not respond, her aunt laid a hand on her arm. “What is it, Lizzy?” she asked.

“What if he speaks to his uncle and realises I am not worth knowing? I know that Lord Matlock has never met my parents, but what if he tells his nephew that he cannot dance with me because my uncle is in trade? Mr. Darcy is obviously intelligent, his clothes are very fine, and he is related to an earl. He probably is very wealthy, and when he learns I have nothing, he will no longer wish to dance with me. To have asked me for the supper set—he will surely realise he has asked too hastily and will change his mind,” Elizabeth said in a rush of words that left her aunt struggling to keep up.

“Stop this, Elizabeth,” her aunt scolded. “You cannot assume the worst. Lord Matlock likes you, and I cannot imagine he would warn his nephew off on the sole basis that your uncle is in trade. He has known your uncle for many years and has attempted to introduce your uncle to his nephew on several occasions, but circumstances have always prevented it. I cannot imagine the earl is such a social snob, given that he has dined with us on more than one occasion. And his wife invited us to a ball, which she would not have allowed had she not been pleased to forward the connection.”

“Inviting you to a ball is quite different from encouraging a relationship between a tradesman’s niece and an earl’s nephew,” Elizabeth protested, though weakly. However, her aunt’s glare silenced any further conversation on the matter.

“What is this about, Elizabeth?” her aunt asked after a moment, her tone gentle.

Elizabeth sighed heavily and slumped back into her seat in an unladylike manner. “I do not know, Aunt—not truly. It was only a brief meeting, yet I… I cannot explain what I felt. I have never experienced anything like it and do not know what to do with myself. And then, for him to have honoured me in such a way—it feels unreal, as though I am in a dream.”

Mrs. Gardiner chuckled softly, patting Elizabeth’s arm. “You will be well, Lizzy. I believe you have, for the first time, felt a spark of attraction to a man. Something about Mr. Darcy has stirred your heart or mind, and you wish to understand him better. Give it time and see what comes of it. If he seeks you out, you will know he felt something as well,” she reassured her niece.

At times, Mrs. Gardiner forgot that, despite Elizabeth’s maturity in many ways, she was still quite sheltered—especially regarding matters of the heart.

When Gardiner returned home that afternoon, he was surprised when his wife met him in his study. “Is there something you need, my dear?” he asked, before pulling his wife towards him for a kiss. His wife rarely met him in his study when he arrived home, but he intended to take advantage of it.

They straightened their clothing a few moments later, and Mrs. Gardiner shared her purpose. “Lizzy met Mr. Darcy today at Hatchards. The footman had waited for her outside, so he had little to report, and Lizzy was too unsettled to say much. Suffice it to say, the two introduced themselves and initiated a conversation regarding books. Somehow, it came up that they would both be attending the Matlock’s ball on St. Valentine’s Day, and Mr. Darcy requested her supper set,” Mrs. Gardiner said, placing subtle emphasis on the set he requested.

Gardiner raised his eyebrow. “He is known for avoiding dancing, much less any significant sets. I am uncertain what this reveals—though it obviously reveals that he wished to spend more time in her presence than a mere dance would have allowed. You will also find it interesting that I received a note from Lord Matlock today informing me that his nephew will accompany him to our meeting tomorrow. Admittedly, that is not strange in and of itself, but I find it telling that he is finally finding the time to join us the day after he met my niece. I will have to try to speak to Henry privately to see what might have been said.”

“Lizzy is concerned he will change his mind about dancing with her once he realises what he has committed himself to. She did not say as much, but I suspect her mother’s comments about her have had more impact than she is willing to admit, even to herself. We will need to do something to encourage her. Additionally, we had already planned to have a new dress made for this ball and had ordered one that would have been fine, but now, I wish to order her a different dress. I already sent a note around to my modiste to see if she can work on something different for Lizzy and will pray she can have it ready in time,” Mrs. Gardiner said to her husband, kissing him lightly on the chin, as she usually did when she spoke of spending more money than initially planned on a gown.

“If, by some chance, she marries Darcy, we can consider the funds an investment. I know you, Madeline—you would not spend our money frivolously. If you believe this is important, I will not complain,” he said, then playfully pinched her bottom and added with a grin, “Too much.”

Both husband and wife laughed at his remark, savouring the rare moment of quiet together, free from the company of others.