24. Chapter 24
E lizabeth could see he was relieved, and so was she.
“I know we are only courting, but would you be agreeable to calling each other by our given names in private? I admit that I always think of you as Elizabeth, and many times I have nearly addressed you as such.”
She laughed. “I do not mind at all. What would you like me to call you?”
“Fitzwilliam.”
“It is interesting that your given name is your cousin’s surname,” she said.
“Yes, it is a Darcy tradition to give the firstborn son his mother’s family name.”
“What a lovely gesture.”
“I am glad you think so,” he said, his tone and smile both teasing and insinuating.
Elizabeth smiled and quickly lowered her eyes as heat suffused her face.
“Before I go to your uncle, I want to explain about Bingley. I knew the decision he made to not pursue your sister was difficult for him. Therefore, I was reluctant to confess my own feelings for you. Bingley truly admired Miss Bennet, but he was uncertain in his choice of her. Because of that uncertainty, I cautioned him about being so free with his attentions to her. I believe he gave it further consideration and ultimately decided it was best to cease his attentions to her.”
“Was it her lack of dowry? I neglected to mention . . . but I assumed you knew that I do not have much of a dowry,” Elizabeth said, her brow creased with worry.
Fitzwilliam squeezed her hands with his own. “I did, Elizabeth. I knew that. I appreciate your diligence and care on my behalf, but it is of no concern to me, and I do not want you to be concerned with it either.”
Elizabeth held his gaze with soft, glowing eyes. He was so considerate! She could have cried in that moment at his thoughtful words. Instead, she squeezed his hands in return.
“In answer to your question, I do not believe it was that simple,” Fitzwilliam said.
“Bingley’s late father desired to raise the family’s social status.
He had acquired wealth, and his next step was to purchase an estate.
Since he died before accomplishing that, Bingley has been taking steps in that direction.
His father also had matrimonial aspirations for his children.
He wanted them to make advantageous marriages as high in society as they could manage.
Miss Bingley has every intention of doing just that.
Bingley wants to do his part to fulfill his father’s wishes, but he does not want a cold, society marriage.
Though he found what he wanted in a wife in your sister, it was difficult for him to go against his family’s expectations. ”
“I see.”
“So, while we were in Hertfordshire, Bingley was unaware of my interest in you. And since we returned to town, he and I have not been in each other’s company except for twice now that our paths have crossed briefly in public. However, I do mean to inform him right away that we are courting.”
Fitzwilliam smiled and kissed her hands again, drawing a smile and another blush from Elizabeth.
“This brings me to another important matter—Miss Bingley.”
“Yes,” Elizabeth said, her brow wrinkling, “I believe she thinks you belong to her.”
He sighed. “I believe you are correct. I have decided to drop all association with her, which is another thing I shall inform Bingley of right away. And I think we should be on our guard with her. I plan to explain the situation to your uncle, but I wanted to tell you first.”
“Are you certain you wish to drop the acquaintance?” Elizabeth asked.
“I am. I will not tolerate such treatment of you, Elizabeth. It will also send a clear message to her that she should cease all hope of becoming the next mistress of Pemberley, since I do not even wish for her to speak to me. I will let Bingley know that if she does attempt to speak to either of us or anyone in my family, she will receive the cut direct whether we are in public or not. It galled me to stand there and let that happen yesterday. I did not wish to usurp Bingley’s place as her brother, and I did not have an official relationship with you.
However, that has changed now. If she causes you anymore problems, I will not hesitate to step in, nor will I defer to Bingley. ”
“Thank you, Fitzwilliam, for your care of me, but I assure you I am quite capable of dealing with Miss Bingley.”
He smiled. “Of course you are. Forgive me.”
“After you speak with my uncle, must you return home?”
“No, I do not need to return,” he replied.
“Then I hope you will remain here as long as it is convenient for you.”
He grinned. “I will ask your uncle if I may do so."
Elizabeth grinned as well. Rising from the couch, she walked over to ring the bell.
Fitzwilliam followed, coming to stand in front of her. They were gazing at one another when the drawing room door opened and Fletcher appeared.
“Yes, Miss Elizabeth?”
“Fletcher, Mr. Darcy would like to speak with my uncle.”
“Of course. If you will follow me, sir.”
Fitzwilliam looked back at her once more before he left the room.
Elizabeth could not believe how unburdened, hopeful, and happy she felt! Within a few minutes, her aunt and sisters entered the room.
“You look very happy, Elizabeth," Aunt Madeleine observed. "I assume your conversation with Mr. Darcy went well?”
“It did, Aunt,” Elizabeth replied, smiling. “We resolved everything. He also asked to court me, and I said yes.”
They gasped at her words.
“Oh, Elizabeth! I knew it, I knew it!” Aunt Madeleine exclaimed.
Elizabeth laughed. “Yes, you did, Aunt.”
“He has gone to your uncle?”
“He has.”
“Come, tell us how Mr. Darcy explained himself,” Aunt Madeleine said, taking Elizabeth’s hand and leading her to the couch.
The butler opened the study door for Darcy to walk through.
“Mr. Darcy!” Mr. Gardiner greeted him.
“Mr. Gardiner.”
They shook hands.
“Please come in, have a seat.”
“Thank you.”
“Can I offer you a drink?” Mr. Gardiner asked.
“No, thank you, sir.”
Mr. Gardiner nodded. “So, how was your conversation with my niece?”
“It went very well. I assuaged her concerns and resolved the misunderstandings,” Darcy replied.
“Good. Now, from what I understand, your friend Mr. Bingley was arguing with his sister regarding his interest in Jane. He then announced that neither he nor you were pursuing my nieces. You did not contradict him, and Lizzy was witness to it all.”
Darcy nodded.
“Tell me, Mr. Darcy, why did you not contradict your friend’s words?”
“It was mainly because I had not yet spoken to Miss Elizabeth of my feelings, so I did not feel at liberty to contradict Bingley.”
“You say mainly. Was there another reason?”
Darcy explained his disinclination to speak of such matters in front of Miss Bingley.
Mr. Gardiner nodded in understanding. “And what are your feelings for my niece?”
“I care for her. I think she is a remarkable young woman, and I have not met her equal. Not only is she beautiful, she is clever, vivacious, and kind. I asked Miss Elizabeth for a courtship, and she said 'yes.'” Mr. Darcy smiled. “May I have your consent to court her?”
Mr. Gardiner smiled and looked at Darcy for a moment. Finally, with a nod, he said, “You have it.”
Darcy grinned and shook his hand. “Thank you!”
“I think, under the circumstances, you should call me Gardiner.”
“Please call me Darcy.”
Gardiner nodded in acknowledgement.
“There are some things I should make you aware of,” Darcy said.
“Oh?”
“Yes. Though Bingley and I have been friends since my last year at Cambridge, it was only a few years ago that I was introduced to his sisters. Miss Bingley has always been rather obvious about her interest in me. At the same time, I have always made it quite clear that I do not reciprocate her interest and never shall. Recently, Bingley expressed to me his frustration that, for some time, his sister has been rejecting suitors because she hopes to marry me. You can imagine how shocked I was.”
“Indeed,” Gardiner replied, a slight frown on his face.
“He and his elder sister have not been able to get her to see reason. Bingley tries to avoid confrontation as much as possible, and his sister is extremely . . . quarrelsome when things are not exactly to her liking. Needless to say, he is eager to marry her off. He may issue her an ultimatum very soon. Regardless, after the scene she made yesterday, I feel it would be best if both Miss Elizabeth and I were on our guard with her. I believe that scene was also very much about my interest in Miss Elizabeth. Of course, she would never dare presume to say so to me.”
Gardiner considered Darcy’s words, then asked, “What do you have in mind?”
“I intend to drop the acquaintance. I do not trust Miss Bingley, and I think it best to limit her access to us. I shall ask Bingley to impress upon her the absolute certainty that she will receive the cut direct if she dares to speak to me, Miss Elizabeth, or any member of my family.”
“Considering her obsession with you, I believe these measures are indeed prudent. I will make sure that Madeleine and the girls take care to avoid her as well.”
Now that he and Gardiner had discussed everything, Darcy was eager to return to Elizabeth. “May I remain to spend time with Miss Elizabeth?”
“Of course! You have an open invitation to visit or dine as often as you like,” Gardiner said with a smile.
“Thank you! I appreciate that.”
Gardiner nodded. “Shall we join the ladies?”
Darcy agreed and followed him from the room.