Chapter 26 #2
“But … but…” Pausing to fashion his thoughts, Ben bit his lower lip. “I have a new uncle? Does this mean that we no longer hate him?”
“Hate is a very strong emotion, Ben. Dislike, distrust—I feel both of these sentiments are more fitting.”
“No—I was rather certain we hated him.”
“It is complicated, Ben. You know that George Wickham and I were the closest of friends at one time. However, as we grew older he proved himself to be deplorable. I never wanted anything to do with him, and I certainly never wanted him anywhere near our family.”
“Now he is my uncle. He is our family.”
“Your uncle and my brother.” Darcy nearly choked on the appellations. “We must endeavour to tolerate him.” The prospects of which are tenable with the promise that it will be a long time before we lay eyes on him again.
“Da, may I ask you a question?”
“Of course you may, son.”
“You said that you and the lieutenant were the best of friends when you were young, but then he did something to cause you to hate him. Is that the reason you do not like Samuel?”
“Ben, I do not dislike Samuel.”
“Well, you do not like him either.”
“No … well, yes…” After a couple of starts and stops attempting to clarify his stance, Darcy said, “Samuel is nothing at all like my former friend. He is a good person—honest and trustworthy—and I am sorry I gave you the impression I felt otherwise.”
“But do you like him?”
“Yes, Ben. I like him very much. You are fortunate to have such a friend.”
“Oh, Da! I am delighted to hear you say that, for I have missed Samuel more and more each day. I am so sad he will never see my fortress.”
“It is not too late for you to share all this with Samuel.”
“Do you mean to say that the next time we visit Hertfordshire Samuel will come with us?”
“Actually, I was thinking we might reconstruct all this at Pemberley—the three of us.”
Ben’s brightened countenance reminded Darcy of that which he had missed most over the past weeks.
“That is the greatest news, ever! Oh, I can hardly wait,” said Ben.
Ben’s enthusiasm also reminded Darcy of another thing that he longed for: returning to his beloved home with his family. They had been away for far too long. Darcy and Ben embraced. “Neither can I, son. Neither can I.”
Elizabeth was not at Netherfield Park when Darcy arrived with Ben in tow.
He rightly supposed she was at Longbourn.
When she arrived, hearing the news of all that had transpired while he was away was uppermost in her mind.
The subject of the newlyweds and all the disapprobation their situation entailed nearly exhausted, Elizabeth sought a more agreeable discussion.
“You mentioned that the colonel was involved in your recovery of my sister.”
“Indeed, Richard proved quite instrumental in helping to persuade Wickham to remain in town as his wedding day approached.”
“Then I must express my gratitude to him as well. Did he say whether his plans would bring him back to Hertfordshire?”
“No. I imagine we will not see him again until Christmas.”
“Oh, dear! How does that affect your hopes for an alliance between him and Anne?”
Widening his eyes, Darcy said, “Were my wishes in that regard so obvious?”
“Indeed, my dear husband. I am afraid you are an unabashed matchmaker.”
“One might argue I am not a very good matchmaker.”
“Do you speak of your unsuccessful attempt with Anne and Richard, or your disappointment as regards Georgiana and Bingley?”
“I do not deny that both matches would have suited me but, alas, it seems neither is destined to be. Georgiana and Bingley scarcely acknowledge the other exists, and while I believe Anne may have welcomed Richard’s attention, he does not feel the same. He never has, and I doubt he ever will.”
“If it helps you recover from your disappointed hopes, I would say that any disappointment that Anne may have suffered in that regard is a thing of the past.”
“Did she tell you that?”
“Indeed, soon after Richard took his leave of Hertfordshire, she and I discussed the matter at length.”
“It warms my heart that you and Cousin Anne can speak freely on such matters. While she is at liberty to remain a part of our family circle for as long as she wishes, I do hope that she will find the happiness that comes with being the mistress of her own home.”
Elizabeth placed her hand against his cheek. “Fear not, my love, for you have next Season to make matches for all four of them—Anne, Georgiana, Richard, and Bingley.”
Darcy took Elizabeth’s hand in his and brushed a kiss against her knuckles. “I think not. From this point on, I shall think only of my own advantageous alliance, if it is all the same to you.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Indeed, I like the sound of that.”
He led his wife to the sofa and persuaded her to sit beside him. He swept his fingers through her loosened hair. “The Gardiners asked me to give you their best wishes.”
“Thank you, my love. I have not kept up with my writing to them as I ought. I do miss them so.”
“Then you will be delighted by my next pronouncement.”
“Oh, do tell.”
“You will recall that your aunt has acquaintances in Lambton.”
“I did not know you were aware of that.”
“Indeed. I had ample opportunity to visit with the Gardiners, what with the part they had in accommodating your sister during the days leading up to the wedding.”
“Again, you must allow me to thank you for the mortification that must have attended the task of recovering my sister.”
“You have no need to thank me. You are my wife, which makes Lydia my sister.”
Elizabeth placed her hand upon his and squeezed it gently.
Darcy said, “You have not heard my happy news.”
“Pray proceed, and this time I shall not interrupt you. I promise.”
“Mrs. Gardiner informed me that they planned a trip to the Lakes later in the summer when her husband’s business will allow for travel.
She said they planned to call on acquaintances in Lambton as well.
Once I was in company with Mr. Gardiner, I prevailed upon him to visit Pemberley.
I knew not what to expect in light of our prior disagreement over the financial management of your trust, but he accepted my invitation. ”
“How wonderful! This means my aunt and uncle will finally have an opportunity to see Pemberley and to be welcomed there as members of the family and not merely tourists. Oh, how I wish they would bring the children and perhaps even allow them to stay with us while they continue on to the Lakes. Can you imagine what that would mean to Ben to have so many people of his own age running about the halls with him?”
“I should imagine he would love the chance to do just that.”
“On the other hand, I can well imagine what a challenge it would be for my aunt and uncle to travel all that way with four small children.”
“Well, do not rule out the possibility based solely upon conjecture.”
“You raise a valid point. I must write to my aunt at once to ascertain her thoughts on the scheme.” Elizabeth stood and then immediately returned to her seat. “Of course, all this means that we shall soon be leaving Hertfordshire.”
“Your father is much recovered, and the situation is resolved with your sister. I do feel the time has come for us to return to Derbyshire; although I have no wish to rush you into anything.”
“My father is indeed recovering. It meant so much to me to be here during the time when he needed me most. I take comfort in the fact that all of our past differences have been cast aside, and he and I have both embraced my philosophy to only think of the past as its remembrance brings us pleasure.”
“It is a wise philosophy, indeed. In fact, I believe Collins and I are of the same mind. I believe he and I made great strides in understanding each other when we were forced to be in each other’s company in town.”
“That is wonderful, especially as he has my father’s blessing to take over the active management of the Longbourn estate.”
“How do you truly feel about that situation?”
“I believe it is for the best. As much as I love and revere Papa, if I am to be completely honest, I would have to say he did not govern the estate as well as he ought, and now he need not give such matters any further thought. Already I have seen positive evidence of Geoffrey’s stewardship of Longbourn.
I am sure my family’s future is in good hands. ”