’I will see him, Ravenshaw.’ ’Yes sir.’ #2
All nodded at the uncomfortable assertion, though they knew it was most likely true. Removing one blight was not likely to redeem the rest.
His companions rose. “I thank you, Mr Darcy. You have been most helpful. Would you like to know the results of my intervention?”
“I would, sir.”
“I shall see to it,” the man said, then more brightly, “I suppose if Wroxton and I are to Meryton in the morning, there are things to arrange.”
They bowed and exchanged leave-taking, assuming they might meet once or twice in future to report on the results of the gentleman’s actions, although a note was just as likely.
As they neared the door, with whispered instructions from his employer, Mr Wroxton stepped ahead while his employer turned back to Darcy.
“Sir… it is not my place to say this, but as a noticeably older man and a father, will you allow me to offer you a piece of advice you will not like very much, but which might be to your benefit eventually?”
Darcy did not like the sound of that but prided himself on facing his obstacles like a gentleman. “Say what you must.”
The man looked as if he were steeling himself for something unpleasant; and considering that he would watch a hanging without qualms, Darcy expected it to be very unpleasant indeed.
“I fear my wife will know some disappointment. She was born and raised in Lambton and will not like it when she learns the details of this affair.”
“How so?” Darcy asked sharply.
“All her life, she has held the highest opinion of the Darcys, and this episode will disturb her.”
He paused a moment to gauge his companion’s reaction.
“Regardless of how little you thought of my nieces or Meryton society in general—you owed them a warning.
They welcomed you into their community with open arms and you repaid it with disdain.
You could easily have spoken to Mr Bennet, Sir William, or even Colonel Forster without involving your family in any way.
Like it or not, this Wickham fellow is a creation of your father, and your basic duty as a gentleman demanded a warning.
It was badly done, sir. Having said that, I shall bid you adieu.
Forgive me for having taken up so much of your time, and accept my best wishes for your health and happiness. "
“Wait!” Darcy cried in alarm, and watched the man turn around in resignation as if he regretted the last statement, though honour obviously demanded he deliver it.
“Pray, take a seat and let us discuss this as men, if you will,” Darcy said, almost desperate.
They sat, and Darcy poured brandy for both. Once they had a sip, Darcy finally mastered his agitation.
“Upon what basis do you assert that your nieces think I hold them in disdain? I do not even know who they are.”
“Ah… my mistake. I suppose my statement made no sense. I thought you knew. As to their opinion… well… my niece Lizzy has more faith in that assertion than in the rising and setting of the sun. Part of that, I assume, is because this Wickham fellow has been spreading rumours about you. Once I correct that, she will eventually go from despising you to only disliking you.”
“Why?” Darcy asked with a hint of desperation.
“You slighted her before you even met. Called her tolerable, and ‘not handsome enough to tempt you’. Such words are an unforgivable slight to a young lady, and they would be fighting words if she had a brother. Then of course, you seemed to mostly agree with Mr Bingley’s pernicious sisters on the general unworthiness of the company and did not trouble yourself to converse with much of anyone. ”
Darcy put his head in his hands in consternation, unable to contradict a single accusation, while Mr Gardiner continued blithely on.
“Mary has no opinion whatsoever. The two youngest cannot be bothered with any man without a red coat. Jane has spent the last two months crying herself to sleep over your inconstant friend practically drooling over her for six weeks then leaving without a word, but she is such a kind-hearted soul she still absolves he and his sisters of any wrongdoing—though I assure you that I do not.”
Darcy leaned back and groaned, then swallowed his brandy in one go while Gardiner looked on calmly. He seemed as if he might be enjoying the show, and Darcy admitted that, given a reversal of situations he would be equally entertained.
He finally asked sheepishly, “May I presume Miss Bennet is crying her eyes out because she had serious feelings for Bingley?”
“Of course, little though the boy deserves it. You need not worry about her. She will recover, and once I have her mother out of the way, I shall help her find a worthier man.”
“You think that will be difficult?”
“To be honest, I could pick a man at random from my acquaintance and find one worthier than your friend.”
“What if I admitted I told him I could detect no sign of admiration from the lady, but her mother seemed likely to have him trussed up like a Christmas goose, whether the young lady liked him or not, and he was as likely as not to end up supporting a widow and four sisters-in-law?”
Gardiner sighed. “I suspect you need to order your thoughts, young man. I realise you took on the responsibility of your estate young, but you seem overly interfering in Mr Bingley’s affairs and lax in Mr Wickham’s.”
Darcy groaned inwardly but finally nodded in resignation.
“I suspect I have done wrong in nearly all my relations this year!”
Gardiner tsk-tsked with a fatherly chuckle.
“Do not be overly distressed. You are young, and your errors are mostly correctable, or at least you can dedicate yourself to doing better in future even if they are not. The issue of Mr Wickham will be resolved within the fortnight. I will have strong words for my sister. They will not change her behaviour, but it will allow me to finally have my way in bringing my eldest nieces to London to find husbands. It is high time they cease waiting for lightning to strike. I know plenty of honourable and well-off tradesmen who would snap up Jane or Lizzy in a heartbeat. With their mother’s interference neutralised, I doubt it will take a year to find them both decent husbands. ”
Darcy gulped in consternation. “What if Miss Elizabeth already has a suitable candidate?”
“I suppose if she likes him on first acquaintance, it might proceed faster.”
“What if she despises him?” he asked, afraid of the answer.
Gardiner stared as steady as a lizard long enough to make him sweat, but neither man was willing to break eye contact.
Gardiner finally chuckled. “That seems less than ideal.”
“But not insurmountable?” he asked breathlessly.
“Hard to say. Lizzy is very enamoured of her first opinions, but I think learning she thought the world of Wickham—who is so evil he will finish his life at the end of a rope—might shake her confidence. I cannot say where she will go after that.”
Darcy sighed, while Gardiner continued relentlessly.
“Are you implying you are in love with my tolerable niece, have considered lending consequence to a lady slighted by other men, and abandoned the area without taking leave or knowing her well enough to detect her disdain?”
Darcy hung his head. “I am stating it outright, much to my chagrin.”
Gardiner leaned back and reflected a while, sipping his admittedly excellent brandy.
“Why did you depart, if I might ask?”
“I thought her beneath me and did not wish to raise expectations.”
Gardiner had a tough time resisting a snort and was only partially successful. “You achieved that admirably!”
Darcy sighed long and loud. “Now, I believe I had it backwards. Considering how badly I bungled my sister’s upbringing, advising Bingley, and bringing Wickham to justice—I am unconvinced I am worthy of her.”
“Do not make the mistake of placing her on a pedestal! She is a lady with good and bad traits, as are we all. She is high strung, opinionated, and far too impressed with her ability to sketch characters. She rarely alters her first impressions, though they are right only about half the time. Her father is an odd mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humour, reserve, and caprice—and as much as I love my niece, I can assure you that she has more of her father’s cynicism than is healthy.
Her mother is hard-headed and stubborn, and Lizzy has inherited her fair share.
If you are interested in her, know what you are about.
Do not pursue her unless you are aware of her defects and willing to tolerate them, nor should you pursue her if you cannot embrace her family as she will never give them up. ”
Darcy chuckled. “Well, my pedestal is covered in bird droppings, as you well know.”
“That is true,” Gardiner laughed, then poured a little more of the good brandy.
They sat in contemplative silence for some time.
Merely to avoid the most painful topic, Darcy asked, “Since Bingley abandoned Miss Bennet on my advice—if I fell on my sword and admitted my error to both, do you think Miss Bennet would welcome his suit?”
Gardiner reflected a little. “You mistake the path for your friend. Mr Bingley’s greatest challenge will not be courting Jane’s good opinion—it will be courting mine.
He will have to both prove himself and do something about those atrocious sisters of his before I even allow him to call.
Naturally, he could avoid all that by simply returning to Netherfield, at which point it would be out of my hands, but in the short term, he will not be allowed to speak to her. ”
“That is fair,” Darcy said. “I owe him an explanation—and Miss Bennet as well.”
“If you wish my advice, explain your error, and then let him proceed to make his own mistakes in life. He needs to grow up. As for Jane, I see no point in her knowing the whole story. Your friend made his own mistake, so let him own up to it or not.”
“Agreed,” Darcy said, then sipped a little more. “I shall see to it.”
They sat in companionable silence a few more minutes.
He finally asked, “Do you suppose I might travel with you to Meryton to see to Wickham’s disposition? You would both be welcome in my coach.”
“I would not have argued your right to apprehend him earlier, but he is my business now and I shall not relinquish it.”
“I would not expect you to. I have another purpose in mind.”
“Which is?”
“I am hoping I can prevail on you to assist me in persuading Miss Elizabeth to listen to an apology.”
“For what purpose?”
Darcy sighed and considered his answer a moment. “I would like her to cease hating me, befriend her, court her, and ultimately earn her love and her hand.”
Gardiner chuckled. “You may not be able to accomplish it in such an orderly fashion.”
“I understand the challenges. I feel equal to the task.”
Gardiner chuckled, then laughed openly for a minute, then rose to take his leave.
“Upon your own head be it! Be at thirty-two Gracechurch Street before nine.”
~~ Finis ~~