Chapter 17
“Elizabeth, you have awakened early again,” Mr Wilson greeted her. “You slept poorly, I assume?”
“Quite the contrary—I slept very well.” She smiled.
“We had a lovely time at Bingley’s.”
“Indeed.”
“I also had a chance to speak to them about the ball. I shall send them an invitation in a couple of days, but they have already accepted.”
“I am glad to hear it. Although, once you mentioned the duke’s presence, it was unlikely that Miss Bingley or Mrs Hurst would refuse.”
“I agree. As for the gentlemen, I dare say they would attend regardless, just for the chance of dancing with you,” Mr Wilson teased.
Elizabeth laughed, flustered. “You should be grateful for their presence and assistance, sir. As a host, you will be obliged to make sure every lady is properly entertained and to dance every set with anyone who is unattended. Mr Bingley and the colonel might support you in this daunting task. As for Mr Darcy, from what I know, he is not fond of balls and large gatherings.”
“I am an old man, Elizabeth. Nobody will expect me to dance a single set, let alone all of them. I shall be sure the number of ladies and gentlemen is equal to avoid any awkward moments. As for Mr Darcy, I am surprised that you are so knowledgeable about his likes and dislikes.”
“Not that knowledgeable—but I know him well enough to possess some information on the subject. As for you, you are not old at all, sir.”
“Be it as you say… so, do you have plans for today?”
She hesitated a moment, wondering whether she should tell him. But Darcy did not request her secrecy, so she saw no reason to conceal her plans.
“Mr Darcy told me that Miss de Bourgh would be in Hyde Park around noon and would like to meet me. I hope Jane will keep me company for a walk.”
Mr Wilson seemed surprised and interested. “I did not know you and Miss de Bourgh were on friendly terms.”
“Not really friendly—but we spent some time in conversation at Rosings. She is a lovely person if you come to know her. I enjoyed her company very much, and I am glad to see her again.”
“Will you not invite her for tea?”
“No…I was left to understand that Lady Catherine would oppose that, so we shall only meet in the park. Miss de Bourgh will be with her companion and her cousins.”
“Of course Lady Catherine would oppose your friendship with her daughter. Well, I shall send them an invitation to the ball. I hope Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam will help me convince them and the Matlocks to attend. Lady Jersey—one of Almack’s patronesses—will also be among the guests and, hopefully, several others.
That should be a strong inducement to participate, would you not agree? ”
“Perhaps…however…Mr Wilson, I do not know the Matlocks well enough to judge, but I am sure Lady Catherine would be neither joyful nor pleasant company at the ball. She might even ruin it from what I know of her. As for Anne, I am not sure whether she has ever attended any ball in Town.”
“Well, we shall see. Now excuse me; I have some urgent business related to the ball. I shall return around noon. Please enjoy your breakfast.”
When Jane came downstairs, she was wearing a large smile, and she seemed oblivious to everything around her.
Kitty, Lydia, and Mary were hungry, as well as the Gardiner children.
Mrs Gardiner tried to keep the entire party under good regulation while Mr Gardiner and Mr Bennet choose to eat in the library.
It was not a surprise that, shortly after Jane finished breakfast, Mr Bingley—their usual guest—called. Elizabeth was somewhat concerned that her sister would not join her on her walk, but fortunately, Mr Bingley suggested it.
“Such a lovely day—might you enjoy a walk? I know it is Miss Elizabeth’s favourite pastime, and I would be happy to keep you company.”
“You are very considerate, sir,” Jane replied with a blush.
“In fact, you read my mind, Mr Bingley, as I intended to propose a walk to my sisters.”
“I have had enough of parks,” Lydia responded. “Aunt Madeleine promised to take us shopping. I hope she will not take back her word in favour of a stroll.”
“And I would like to look for music sheets,” Mary added.
“I shall keep my word,” Mrs Gardiner assured them. “I think Lizzy and Jane might very well amuse themselves with a walk while we go ahead with our plans.”
“That would be perfect,” Elizabeth responded with genuine gratitude for her aunt’s arrangement. Having her younger sisters along would have made her meeting with Miss de Bourgh more difficult and less peaceful.
“Excellent!” Bingley said with such a large smile that one might think he had received a valuable gift. “I shall greet the gentlemen while you ladies prepare yourselves. Excellent,” he repeated as he left with such a familiarity that it might have been his own home.
Mrs Gardiner and Elizabeth smiled at each other with contentment while Jane gazed after him, lost in her thoughts.
Soon after their younger sisters left with Aunt Gardiner, the elder were ready to walk. Mr Bingley took his role as a protector seriously, but he had to share that privilege. By a lucky coincidence, Mr Wilson finished his business early and returned just as they walked through the gate.
“You seem to have a smaller party than I expected,” he said.
“Only one sister was interested in spending time outdoors. The others went with Aunt Madeline to employ their time making purchases,” Elizabeth explained.
“Well then, would you care for company? I could benefit from a stroll,” the gentleman said, much to Elizabeth’s surprise.
“Yes, of course. It would be our pleasure,” she replied, slightly puzzled.
Bingley offered his arm, and Jane took it. Immediately, Elizabeth understood Mr Wilson’s thoughtful gesture. Since she had a companion, the happy couple might take a few steps ahead and enjoy a little privacy in the park.
“You are a wise and considerate gentleman, Mr Wilson,” she declared with a meaningful glance.
“Hardly, my dear Elizabeth. I would simply enjoy your company on a lovely warm day.”
For a while, they spoke of the ball, of the Gardiners’ upcoming return to Gracechurch Street, and the planned trip north.
Ahead of them, Bingley and Jane seemed to have a shy interaction, a little conversation, then a long silence and again a brief discussion.
All the time, her hand was on his arm and they walked close enough for their garments to touch with each step.
Elizabeth turned when she heard a voice calling her and—with pretended astonishment—saw the carriage she was expecting. It was the colonel’s voice, and when the carriage stopped, he was the first to leave. Darcy followed him, helped Anne down, and then Mrs Jenkinson.
Elizabeth curtseyed. “Miss de Bourgh, what a pleasure to see you again.”
“A pleasure indeed,” Anne replied.
“And a wonderful coincidence,” the colonel added.
Elizabeth glanced at Anne then at Darcy; their arrangement appeared to be a secret shared only by three.
Miss de Bourgh, Jane, and Mr Wilson were introduced, and their ramble continued in a larger group.
“Mr Wilson, I did not expect to see you,” Darcy said. “I know you are usually very busy in the mornings.”
“I am. And I was today too, but luckily, I finished in time to keep Elizabeth company. It was necessary as three is never a good number for walking or any other activity,” Wilson responded.
A smile spread on every face as Jane’s turned red.
“Besides, I could not miss the chance to meet Miss de Bourgh. I have heard so many things of you that making your acquaintance was a pleasure I did not wish to miss.”
“Me?” Anne inquired incredulously. “What could you have heard of me, sir? From whom?”
“From Elizabeth. She has spoken highly of you since she returned from Kent.”
“Oh…” Anne looked at Elizabeth as though attempting to see the truth behind such an unexpected compliment.
“I admit I did,” Elizabeth declared. “Seeing you again is a pleasure I have eagerly anticipated and hope to repeat in the future.”
“Miss Elizabeth is too kind,” Anne answered. “I have heard quite a few things about you too, Mr Wilson, from my cousins.”
“Well, I am at peace that they know too little about me to slander me. But I am curious to know what they said.” Mr Wilson’s sharp and slightly improper statement disconcerted Anne as much as it amused the others.
Finally, she gathered her courage and continued. “I understand you spent most of your life abroad and fought in several wars. You sound like a war hero returned in glory.”
Wilson laughed then stopped and bowed to her.
“Miss de Bourgh, that is the kindest thing anyone has ever said about me, although it is completely untrue. I spent many years wandering the wide world, but I did nothing heroic, and I deserve no glory—none at all. However, I must repay your cousins in some way for their generous description that provided you with such an undeserved image of me.”
“Mr Wilson is too modest,” Elizabeth intervened. “I am sure he has done many remarkable things of which he does not wish to speak.”
“Let us speak of something else, shall we?” Wilson concluded, and the conversation turned to other topics.
Anne was neither voluble nor self-confident, nor was she as restrained as at Rosings.
She held both her cousins’ arms, as though seeking support and protection.
She willingly entered into the conversation and even debated on occasion.
An entire hour passed before Mrs Jenkinson politely reminded them it was time for Miss de Bourgh to return home and rest before a family dinner Lady Catherine had arranged for that evening.
Elizabeth exchanged few words with Darcy directly, but their involvement in the little walking scheme and occasional shared glances made her feel light-hearted.
He was caring and protective of Anne, but strangely, Elizabeth’s fears about a marriage forced by Lady Catherine vanished. There was nothing specific—nothing she could prove—but his entire being somehow told her he was still there for her.