Chapter 46
Lady Matlock and Lady Margaret called on Mrs. Gardiner once their husbands had departed for Longbourn. It was with some difficulty that they were even allowed to say their piece.
“My husband cares deeply about Elizabeth, we both do. That she should be treated in such a scandalous manner and that too by someone of Mr. Darcy’s reputation is unconscionable,” Mrs. Gardiner said after her husband had departed the parlour rather abruptly, making it clear to the ladies that he had no wish to listen to any excuse.
He now considered the attempt at friendship by Mr. Darcy’s family as a calculated means to gain their trust.
“Mrs. Gardiner, we understand and apologise deeply. We are in the same situation as you, for we have no more information about the incident than what the gossip sheets are saying. Darcy has always been the most upright gentleman and the whole family is deeply shocked,” Lady Matlock politely answered.
“We understand your dilemma madam, for Miss Darcy was equally grieved when she visited us yesterday,” Mrs. Gardiner poured tea for her guests.
“Yes, her companion sent a note to both our households after the visit. She has not even come down after that,” Lady Margaret answered.
“Mrs. Gardiner, all we request of you is to keep from commenting on the matter till we have some news. Both my sons have departed for Hampshire and will write as soon as they have more details.”
“Mr. Gardiner means to travel to Hampshire today. I hope you understand that our niece’s well-being remains our priority.”
“Of course and to that end we were planning to write to Miss Elizabeth directly if you do not object,” Lady Matlock quietly asked.
“Lady Margaret, Lady Matlock, I would like to assure you that Elizabeth is no blushing debutante, you may write to her if you wish, and she will respond as she wishes without any concern for anyone else,” Mrs. Gardiner answered with a faint smile.
As the ladies took their leave, Mr. Bingley was announced and Mrs. Gardiner asked the servant to call for Jane.
“Mr. Bingley, I am sorry your visit yesterday did not go as planned. I hope you will excuse my husband’s abruptness; he was, as you may well understand, deeply worried about Elizabeth.”
“Mrs. Gardiner, you have nothing to apologise for; I understand that the situation is rather delicate. My sister has actually written to Miss Elizabeth to assure her of our family’s support.”
“That is kind of her, sir.” Mrs. Gardiner replied thinking that the only reason Caroline Bingley would have written to Elizabeth was due to the popularity she had gained in society.
As Jane walked in Mrs. Gardiner suggested that Mr. Bingley may accompany her for a walk as the weather was pleasant and it would help Jane clear her mind after all that had occurred. Mr. Bingley was quick to seize upon the idea and soon he and Jane were out walking.
“Mr. Bingley, please tell me about Brighton. We are already embroiled in one scandal and I am worried Lydia will do something foolish.”
Bingley was quick to recount the whole tale from Brighton.
“So you see Miss Bennet, Miss Lydia is safe though I cannot claim to be blameless in driving a wedge between Mrs. Forster and her husband.”
“But why did you push Mr. Wickham towards Mrs. Forster?”
“Colonel Forster is the commanding officer of the Militia and I had correctly assumed that he would not take a threat to his own wife’s reputation lightly. I had just meant to bring Wickham’s character to his notice, but did not realise that Mrs. Forster would actually be charmed by the man.”
“Yes, it was wrong of her to be so taken in by another man no matter how flattering, but she is young,” Jane replied.
“Miss Bennet, do you think we should get Mrs. Bennet and Miss Lydia to London or Longbourn? It will not be comfortable for them at the Colonel residence after what happened. The friendship between Miss Lydia and Mrs. Forster had already cooled.”
“You are likely right and no one would consider it unusual if Mama decides to travel back to Longbourn after the news regarding Lizzy.”
“Let me speak to your uncle, he will know the correct course of action.”
Thus, Bingley and Jane returned and applied to Mr. Gardiner for his opinion, who by then had calmed down and was ready to depart for Hampshire.
“Mr. Bingley, I am sorry for my outburst yesterday. In all the commotion I had quite forgotten about Brighton and my sister’s fears.
You are correct that the news regarding Elizabeth will soon reach Brighton, and my sister’s reaction may be unpredictable.
Let me send an express to Mrs. Bennet for her and Lydia to travel here.
” Then, turning to his wife he continued:
“Bennet is already overwhelmed with his injury, and the scandal with Elizabeth, it would be better if my sister and Lydia spent some time in town where they do not have many acquaintances and thus will not be able to gossip regarding either Elizabeth or the events in Brighton.”
“You are correct, London society is very fickle. As of now Elizabeth is the injured party but the Bennets are unknown and if there is any hint of another scandal, they may just decide that it was Lizzy who was guilty all along,” Mrs. Gardiner soberly answered.
Mr. Gardiner quickly sent an express to Brighton and was soon off for Willowmere. Bingley offered to accompany him, but the gentleman stood firm that Mr. Bingley was not required to deal with every family crisis that arose.
Jane had been feeling guilty about the way Miss Darcy’s visit had gone yesterday and thus requested her aunt’s permission to visit the young lady.
“She is so young and innocent and entirely devoted to her brother,” she said, trying to convince her aunt.
Though Mrs. Gardiner agreed, she could not spare the time.
“I have been neglecting the children and need to spend some time with them.”
Mr. Bingley quickly offered to escort her for the journey.
The gentleman had been looking for an opportune time to finally press his suit and thought that a journey in an open carriage across London was the best opportunity he might have until matters regarding Darcy and Miss Elizabeth were settled.
Mrs. Gardiner acceded to his request thinking that Jane had already suffered enough with Bingley’s desertion initially and then recently due to the debacle in Brighton.
If the gentleman was steadfast in his resolve and wished to demonstrate his sincerity, it would only bring a long anticipated joy to her niece.
Thus it was in a bustling London street with two hackney drivers arguing about a near miss, a lady berating a street urchin for spoiling her gown, and a hawker loudly pressing his candles upon anyone who would listen that Jane Bennet received her proposal.
She had loved Mr. Bingley from the very first time they had danced at Meryton assembly and could not think of a single moment over the course of her life which could eclipse the joy she felt as she smiled and accepted his proposal.
The coachman listened to every word of their conversation, and a street vendor shouted from behind.
But for the couple in the carriage, everything was just perfect.
Miss Darcy was visibly relieved on seeing a smiling Jane, and was overjoyed to be the first person informed of this monumental news and swore to keep it a secret till the happy couple spoke to Mr. Bennet.
“But will I also have to keep it a secret from my brother?” She blurted and then coloured thinking that her brother might be the last person on earth that Miss Bennet would wish to share her news with.
Jane, ever the gentle creature, could hardly have resisted such honest devotion between siblings and quickly held Miss Darcy’s hand as she answered, “I would never ask you to keep a secret from your brother, Miss Darcy. I well know the bond between siblings, for I can hardly wait to write to Elizabeth.”
Miss Darcy gave a watery smile, relaxing for the first time since the scandal and thanked Jane for her understanding.
“You know, your devotion to your brother makes me think that Mr. Darcy could never have acted so abhorrently as to compromise Elizabeth. I am sure a gentleman capable of raising such a fine sister would respect other ladies equally, especially one whom he held in such a deep regard. I now believe that we will soon hear the whole story and your brother could not possibly be a villain.”