Chapter 6
Christmas Day at the Gardiner residence was a joyous affair. After a brisk walk home from the local church, Elizabeth and the family were treated to a hearty feast, complete with a deliciously spiced plum pudding.
As the children played by the fire with some toys—Peter was trying to impress John with his new bandalore, whilst Alice and Imogen amused themselves with their new rag dolls—Elizabeth sat with her aunt on the sofa clutching a steaming cup of mulled wine.
“Are you going to confess what has you so quiet today, Lizzy? Do not think that your inattentiveness has escaped my notice, for it is not like you to be so reticent on such a cheerful occasion.”
Elizabeth sighed. “My apologies, Aunt. I hope my silliness has not diminished your enjoyment of the day.”
“Of course not. I am simply concerned for my dear niece,” Aunt Gardiner replied with a smile.
“The matter is quite simple, I suppose. I have been a fool—the most wretched fool who ever thought herself wise.”
“What nonsense! While I applaud introspection, I cannot believe anything so wholly grave.”
Heartened by such a spirited defence, Elizabeth sought to relieve her aunt’s confusion. “’Tis true, I fear. I mentioned my previous acquaintance with Mr Darcy, did I not?”
“Yes! I was quite surprised, for while the man we met in London may not be the most gregarious of gentlemen, he has certainly been all that is polite—if a bit reserved.”
“Although I cannot excuse his insult at the assembly—for all that I begin to suspect he may regret his words—I can allow that I have let the injury fester to an unhealthy degree. I think I also mentioned a Mr Wickham as well, the godson of the late Mr Darcy?”
“The gentleman who joined the militia, yes? You seemed rather charmed by him when you first wrote of the acquaintance, though you have not spoken of him for some time.”
Embarrassed by the recollection, Elizabeth continued her pitiable tale.
“Fortunately my fascination with the gentleman was short-lived, for you see, I have discovered that he is naught but a villain who has attempted to harm the Darcys in a terrible fashion! He gave an account of how Mr Darcy had supposedly injured him, and now I believe it all to be utter falsehoods. I do not even care to uncover the details—they matter not—but I have been faced with the dreadful revelation that I allowed my wounded vanity to completely blind myself to the truth. That I trusted a scoundrel because he flattered me, and defamed an honourable man because he would not.”
With a comforting squeeze of her hand, Aunt Gardiner said, “None of us are perfect, Lizzy. You have learned a valuable lesson—and not just about yourself but about how you view others. I daresay you will not be so quick to judge upon first impressions in the future.”
“No, I certainly shall not—though poor Mr Darcy! He may have been uncivil, but in retrospect I was no better.”
“Does he seem to hold it against you? I could not detect any resentment on his part when we met, though he did look at you a fair amount.”
“Yes—I mean no, he does not seem offended in any way, but yes, he does stare at me a great deal. In Hertfordshire I always believed he was looking to find fault, but some of his sister’s words have given me cause to reconsider.”
With a look of loving exasperation, Aunt Gardiner said with a laugh, “Men do not waste their time staring at women whom they find objectionable! Have you ever considered that perhaps you have secured his interest? He is a handsome young man, and you, my dear, are a beautiful young lady.”
“You are far too generous!” Elizabeth exclaimed with a laugh. “I thank you for the compliment, but until he does more than stare, allow me to retain my scepticism.”
“As you wish. Since we are doomed to disagree on this topic, perhaps a change is in order. Have you decided to accompany me tomorrow to the hospital?”
Two years ago, Mrs Gardiner had joined a charity committee for a local orphanage, and it was a tradition on Boxing Day to take gifts and donations for both the foundlings and those who cared for them.
As Elizabeth was disappointed to miss delivering the parcels to the tenants and servants at Longbourn, her aunt had encouraged her to take part.
“Yes, I would very much like to attend,” Elizabeth replied, cheered by the thought of offering a little Christmas joy to children in need.
“Excellent! Now why do you not help me round up the children for a good bedtime story—then you can spend the rest of your evening not thinking of a particularly tall and handsome gentleman. Perhaps one with a brooding stare and a taciturn nature?”
Laughing, Elizabeth scolded, “You are terrible—truly terrible!”
Overflowing with mirth, Elizabeth helped gather her cousins for bed—grateful to end the day on a jolly note.
“Are you sure I must go?”
Smiling wearily, Darcy glanced across the carriage and responded, “Georgie, we have been through this before. The countess has invited you to tea—it would be unwise to upset our aunt after spending a quiet Christmas at home. Besides, we have finished distributing the parcels for the servants, so there is nothing else to detain you.”
“I could go with you to the foundling hospital,” Georgiana suggested with a hopeful mien.
“As much as I would enjoy your company, I fear you cannot avoid our aunt forever. I shall see you when I return.”
“Yes, Brother,” Georgiana sighed as the vehicle rolled to a stop in front of their relations’ town home. With a fond farewell, Darcy watched his sister alight and enter the house before his carriage continued on its way.
The Darcy family had patronised a small foundling hospital near Cheapside since its establishment several decades prior.
For the last few years, Darcy and Georgiana had remained at Pemberley over Christmas; thus it had been some time since he was able to personally deliver their Yuletide alms. As a rule, Darcy preferred to keep his involvement in the charity a private matter—he had never been comfortable receiving praise for something he considered the duty of every God-fearing man.
Arriving at his destination, Darcy entrusted the celebratory bounty to the direction of his servants before entering the building. After greeting the matron, he set foot in the main room, pleased to see some Christmas greenery adorning the rather stark walls.
As he surveyed the festivities taking place, his eyes widened in shock—for there in the corner, sitting on a chair with a little girl in her lap, was Elizabeth.
Making his way towards her with a determined stride, Darcy gave a polite bow before greeting her with a smile. “Miss Bennet, what an unexpected joy it is to see you today.”
While her features indicated her surprise, she was obviously not displeased—much to Darcy’s relief.
“Mr Darcy! What a fine chance this is! Have you met my young friend Julia? Julia, this is Mr Darcy.”
“A pleasure, miss.”
Looking at him with astonishment as she clutched her paper doll, little Julia exclaimed, “Oh! But I know all about you, sir! Tabitha tells me every night to remember you in my prayers, for she says you is the reason we have a roof over our heads and food in our bellies.”
His cheeks warming slightly, Darcy replied, “Yes, well—’tis not all my doing, I assure you, but I am much obliged for the prayers.”
Just then, Darcy’s servants entered the room with baskets of simple toys and various sweetmeats—distracting the children and providing Darcy with a chance to regain his composure.
As all in attendance were swept up in the bustle of merry gift-giving, Darcy and Elizabeth joined in distributing the presents to grateful children.
Their genuine smiles and appreciation lent a jolly atmosphere to a place that housed some of the most unfortunate of souls.
When the last of the gifts had been offered and the children had gone off to play, Elizabeth turned to him. “I confess, my aunt never mentioned you were involved with the hospital.” Her tone was friendly as she came to stand by Darcy’s side.
“My family has long been attached to the institution, though I have not visited as often as I should.”
“You must have inherited many responsibilities after your father died—surely no one would fault you for your absence.”
Elizabeth’s warm and reassuring look was a balm to Darcy’s heart.
After everything he had done to warrant her justified dislike, here she stood, convivial and welcoming.
There was nothing for it then—he simply had to win her.
For what would all his wealth and privileges matter if he had not love or happiness?
If he missed out on wooing the one woman who had ever captivated him so completely?
“Do I ask too much—that is, would you mind taking a walk with me?”
Darcy could see his question had caught her off guard, but after only a moment Elizabeth replied, “Certainly. Just let me fetch my coat and inform my aunt—I would not want her to be concerned.”
“Of course.”
Once they were properly dressed, Darcy and Elizabeth stepped onto the pavement, a light snowfall dusting their clothes as Elizabeth took his arm. With her warm palm resting in the crook of his elbow, Darcy found the courage to begin making apologies that were long due.
“Miss Bennet, you must allow me to tell you how heartily sorry I am for my behaviour in Hertfordshire. A recent conversation with Georgiana has opened my eyes to my own callous actions—a humbling but altogether necessary experience.”
“Pray, Mr Darcy, do not chastise yourself too severely, for I fear none of us are completely without fault,” Elizabeth replied.
“As I am sure you are now aware through my horribly impertinent tease the other day, I overheard your remark at the assembly. I am ashamed to admit that I allowed it to prejudice every conversation between us that followed.”
“I cannot allow you to take the blame, for your response was entirely warranted.”
“You cannot truly believe that—even I can admit I was wholly unreasonable. What was it you said at Netherfield? That I had a penchant for wilfully misunderstanding everyone? It might surprise you to learn how correct those words turned out to be.”
His confusion must have been apparent, for she continued with some reluctance.
“Your sister…she…she told me of Mr Wickham. Well, she did not say his name, but she said enough for me to discern the truth, and I—I am simply so ashamed that I championed such a horrible scoundrel. To think that I chastised you during our dance at the Netherfield ball! What a fool I have been.”
Once the shock of her outburst had diminished, Darcy rushed to offer consolation.
“Pray do not be distressed. You had no knowledge of his predilections, and I was not particularly forthcoming. It would have taken very little to warn the neighbourhood of his general unworthiness, yet I remained silent. The fault is mine, and mine alone.”
“You take too much upon yourself, sir.”
“Perhaps, but the truth remains that it was my conduct, my arrogance and conceit that wounded you. Ironic, is it not?”
As she looked up at him, seeming bewildered, he placed his free hand over the small one resting on his arm.
“That the one person I desire to think well of me—the one thoroughly tempting and beguiling woman who has long captured my thoughts—would be the very same whom I so unfeelingly dismissed.”
Her beautifully expressive eyes widened in astonishment.
“You—you admire me?”
“Yes, though to call it admiration seems terribly inadequate.” At her continued silence, Darcy stuttered, “I have shocked you—please, forgive my presumption—”
“Mr Darcy,” Elizabeth interrupted, a slow smile rendering her all the more beautiful in his eyes, “while I admit I was not expecting such a declaration, I find I am not opposed—that is—”
“May I call on you?” Darcy interjected, wonderfully relieved by her stumbling, though apparently happy, ineloquence.
Laughing, Elizabeth replied, “I shall never hear the end of this from my aunt, but yes—yes, I believe I would like that very much!”