Chapter 28
Chapter twenty-eight
The next morning, after breakfast, Elizabeth took up Mr. Wilmot’s letter once more and seated herself to reply.
Darcy House, London
Mr. Wilmot,
I thank you for your letter and for the concerns you have expressed regarding the builder. I have every confidence in your judgment. Pray have the man cease all work immediately.
If you have not already done so, I would have guards placed at Longbourn both day and night, as I am uneasy lest he attempt to return without leave.
Be so good as to obtain estimates from two or three other builders, and when you have done so, I shall be obliged by your recommendations as to how we may best proceed.
I remain grateful for your diligence and attention in this matter.
Elizabeth Bennet
She set the letter aside to dry, then sanded it carefully.
Turning to Darcy, she said, “It seems so clear now, yet yesterday I was quite certain I must return at once.”
Darcy inclined his head. “After my father’s passing, I felt much the same. I believed I must prove myself, and so took upon myself tasks that properly belonged to those already entrusted with them.”
He smiled slightly. “It was not, I think, the impression I intended to give. In time, I found a better balance, one that did not leave my staff quite so tried.”
Elizabeth’s lips curved. “A valuable lesson.”
“Indeed. Though I cannot claim perfection. When I err, I endeavour to amend it and proceed.”
She folded the letter and sealed it. “May we send this express?”
Darcy returned her smile. “Certainly.”
Elizabeth felt the weight of responsibility settle more comfortably upon her shoulders, no longer pressing but borne with purpose.
***
Darcy and Elizabeth entered the drawing room, where the others were already gathered. Elizabeth seated herself beside Georgiana.
“We were planning to visit the Gardiners.”
“Oh! May I join you?” Georgiana asked.
“Of course,” Elizabeth replied with a smile.
Anne rose at once. “I should like to visit them as well.”
“And I,” Mary added.
Mrs. Bennet shook her head. “I think I shall remain here.”
Jane glanced at Elizabeth. “I will stay with Mama.”
Elizabeth gave Jane a pointed look but made no comment. “Shall we go, then?”
At the front door, the servants assisted them with hats and coats. Elizabeth turned, then paused, surprised to find Lady Catherine among them.
“You wish to visit the Gardiners?” she asked.
Lady Catherine regarded her calmly. “Is there a reason I should not?”
Elizabeth considered her. “They are not people I should wish to see you addressing with your cane.”
Lady Catherine inclined her head. “You may be assured I shall behave with propriety.”
Elizabeth studied her a moment longer, then continued on.
Inside the carriage, Elizabeth sat beside Darcy.
He leaned slightly closer. “Is something amiss?”
Elizabeth glanced toward Lady Catherine. “I am not certain.”
The journey passed mostly in silence, the carriage slowing often through the crowded streets. At last, they arrived. Darcy stepped down first and assisted the ladies from the carriage. The door was opened before they could knock.
In the drawing room, Mrs. Gardiner sat with her four children, who brightened at once at the sight of their cousins and visitors.
Emily approached Lady Catherine. “Are you a queen?” she asked, reaching out to pat her gown.
Darcy coughed. “Pray excuse me.”
Elizabeth glanced at him, smiling.
Mrs. Gardiner frowned. “Emily, we do not touch other people’s clothing.”
Emily pouted. “I am sorry.”
Lady Catherine smiled. “No, I am not a queen, though I thank you for the compliment.”
She bent slightly. “And you are Emily? How old are you?”
Emily considered this, then held up four fingers. “I was three, but now I am four,” she announced proudly.
The nanny appeared in the doorway, looking uncertain. “Shall we postpone our walk?”
Thomas shook his head. “No, I want to go.”
Darcy glanced at Elizabeth. “We might take them to the park.”
Elizabeth smiled. “I should like that. Aunt, may we take them?”
Mrs. Gardiner nodded. “If you believe you can keep up with them.”
Once they were ready and set out, Elizabeth reached for Emily’s hand, only to find her already holding Lady Catherine’s. She inclined her head and instead took Isabella’s hand as they walked on.
At the park, Lady Catherine seated herself upon a bench, observing the children as they ran about. Darcy showed Edward how to fashion a small boat from twigs, while Georgiana and Mary watched nearby.
Anne stood beside Elizabeth, observing quietly. “I do not recall ever seeing my mother like this.”
“Nor do I,” Elizabeth replied.
Thomas stood near Darcy, frowning.
Darcy bent slightly. “Would you like to build a boat as well?”
Thomas shook his head. “Are you going to take away our Lizzy?”
Darcy crouched beside him. “Why do you ask that?”
“I heard my parents say if you married her, you would take her to some Pember-place."
Darcy’s expression softened. “You are concerned you would not see her?”
Thomas nodded.
Darcy straightened. “Perhaps you might come to visit us at Pemberley. Would you like that?”
Thomas brightened. “Yes, I would.”
When the nanny suggested they return, the children agreed at once to the promise of a snack.
As they walked back, Thomas held Darcy’s hand.
Elizabeth watched him, her expression softening.
***
Lady Catherine had just seated herself in the drawing room when the butler appeared.
“Miss Bingley.”
Lady Catherine straightened slightly, her expression settling into composed authority.
“Good afternoon, Miss Bingley.”
Miss Bingley’s smile held as she entered the room, though it faltered when she perceived that Lady Catherine was the only occupant.
Lady Catherine’s hand tightened upon the head of her cane.
Miss Bingley inclined her head, recovering herself with practiced ease.
“I had thought to see dear Georgiana as well.”
Her gaze moved about the room, as though Georgiana might yet appear.
“Georgiana is much occupied at present,” Lady Catherine replied. Then, with a slight pause, “I believe congratulations are in order.”
Miss Bingley tilted her head, a look of polite confusion crossing her face.
“I do not have the pleasure of understanding your meaning.”
“I refer, of course, to the engagement of your brother to Miss Bennet.”
Miss Bingley gave a small, dismissive huff.
“Yes, Charles mentioned it. He appears happy, though I cannot but wonder how long that will continue, once he fully considers the family to which he has attached himself.”
Lady Catherine’s eyes widened, and she regarded Miss Bingley in steady astonishment.
“Are you suggesting that Miss Bennet is not a suitable match for your brother?”
Miss Bingley shrugged lightly.
“I am sure Miss Bennet is a very sweet young woman, but I cannot consider the connection an advantageous one. He might have done considerably better.”
“Better,” Lady Catherine repeated, her tone sharpening, “than a gentlewoman whose family has held their estate for generations, and who have lately come into possession of another? Pray tell me, Miss Bingley, how many estates does your own family possess? And for how many years have they held them?”
Miss Bingley’s complexion rose to a most unbecoming shade of crimson.
Lady Catherine observed her with a brief look of concern, as though she feared she might expire on the spot.
She inclined her head toward the maid who had appeared in the doorway. “Tea.”
Miss Bingley at last recovered her voice. “I am quite certain Mr. Darcy would never form such an alliance.”
Lady Catherine sighed, almost thoughtfully. “I once believed the same. I had long intended him for my daughter. Yet neither Darcy nor Anne ever wished it, and Darcy has always maintained that cousin marriages are not to be encouraged.”
She paused, considering. “However, I have since revised my opinion. Miss Elizabeth Bennet is not so unworthy as I first supposed.”
Miss Bingley stared at her in open disbelief. “She would have done far better to marry your clergyman.”
Lady Catherine gave a small shake of her head. “Miss Elizabeth is not a woman to be wasted on Mr. Collins.”
“Not so unworthy,” Miss Bingley repeated, the words clearly displeasing her.
Lady Catherine regarded her with measured patience. “Miss Bingley, I think it best you understand the matter plainly. My nephew was never likely to form such an attachment as you suppose.”
She adjusted her grip upon her cane. “Setting aside your family’s connection to trade, which he might overlook if sufficiently inclined, you would not suit him.
You delight in society, in assemblies, in being observed.
My nephew attends such things only from necessity.
Left to his own preference, he would remain at Pemberley the greater part of the year. ”
Miss Bingley lifted her chin slightly. “Surely a wife might persuade him otherwise.”
Lady Catherine considered this. “Perhaps. But I do not think you would succeed.”
She leaned back. “No. It is far better you understand this now than persist in a mistaken expectation. Tomorrow evening is Lady Harcourt’s ball. I am acquainted with several very eligible gentlemen who would admire a lady of your energy and determination.”
Miss Bingley sank back in her chair, her composure at last giving way to something quieter. She inclined her head, though without enthusiasm.
“Now,” Lady Catherine continued, as though the matter were entirely settled, “we shall see you very well matched yet.”
She regarded her for a moment longer. “You will thank me for my honesty one day.”