Chapter 9
NINE
Darcy expected he would be awake late into the night, reflecting on everything that had happened since his arrival at Grosvenor Square that day.
Elizabeth, the lady he had secretly admired, was Lady Romsley’s niece.
And she thinks I did not believe she was good enough for me.
It stung to know she felt that way, and he was not sure why.
True, he had done his best to hide how captivating he found her, but he had assumed she understood—both that he was drawn to her and why it was impossible for them to be more than acquaintances, given what was then known of her circumstances.
Apparently, however, she had been offended by his manner.
What had he done to cause such a response? Was it possible that she disliked him?
Currently in the drawing room, his bewildering exchange with Elizabeth just concluded thanks to Bramwell’s interference, he allowed the conversation to take place about him without contributing to it. Instead, he returned to observing.
Lady Romsley mentioned that Elizabeth was staying with Mrs Bennet’s brother, who lived in the city. “For now. I plan to convince her to remove here. Soon. Once she feels she knows us well enough to be comfortable here.”
The two ladies smiled at one another, and Darcy could see affection between them, despite their having just met.
Unconsciously, he ran a hand over his mouth.
Something about the situation disturbed him, but he assumed it was simply because it was so startling.
Everything had changed too quickly to be easy for anyone to grasp.
If I find it thus, it must be even more so for Elizabeth.
He ought to remember that, to think about what she was feeling, and, for that matter, his aunt.
Although he had all but forgot it, he had known there was another Sterling brother who was estranged from his family.
Finding out there had been a child she had known nothing about must have been significant to her; the way she looked at Elizabeth certainly supported that view.
What had Elizabeth said to him? That meeting her father’s people was something she had long wished for.
And she believes I might ruin it for her because I disapprove of her.
Surreptitiously, he shook his head, determined not to let the many thoughts poking at his mind distract him.
He wanted to hear what she was saying, to watch her being part of his family circle.
The scene had a wonderful sort of rightness and peace to it.
His anxieties could be dealt with later.
And I will make her see that I would never purposely do anything to harm her.
“Have you always lived in Hertfordshire?” Georgiana asked Elizabeth.
“For as long as I can remember, yes. I was fortunate the Bennets took me in and treated me as one of their daughters. Mrs Bennet’s brother and sister consider me a niece, despite there being no ties of blood between us.
Mr and Mrs Gardiner have been especially generous, and I have spent time in town with them and their children, never knowing I had relations so nearby. ”
Georgiana turned to Darcy and said, “I recall you writing about the Bennets when you were staying with Mr Bingley. Did you meet the Gardiners too?”
Darcy experienced a moment of panic; what exactly had he written about Elizabeth and the Bennets?
While he had been attracted to her and saw nothing to criticise in her or Miss Bennet’s manners, the other Bennets often lacked propriety, as did Mrs Philips.
If he had shared his impressions with his sister…
But surely she would not tell Elizabeth.
He shook his head. “No, I did not have that pleasure.” Pleasure?
He laughed to himself. Mr Gardiner was both a tradesman and Mrs Bennet’s brother, which might mean he was as vulgar as she was.
There would be no pleasure in knowing such a man.
Lady Romsley ought to insist Elizabeth remove to Grosvenor Square at once.
Continued association with people like the Gardiners would do her no good.
Yet, Bramwell or Fitzwilliam had said the earl had discovered the man was well liked and appeared respectable.
And Elizabeth spoke highly of him and his wife.
Would she insist on maintaining her connexion to them?
If she cared for them half as much as she did the Bennets, it seemed likely she would.
It would place him and his relations in the position of having to accept the association, if they wished to make Elizabeth happy.
The sight of her, sitting between his aunt and sister, looking beautiful and delighted, deflated something within him.
It struck him that his reflections on the Gardiners—on people she valued—were part of why she was wary of him.
Yet more I must contemplate later, when I am alone.
I might have given her good reason not to think well of me.
In response to Georgiana’s question, Elizabeth said, “They had no occasion to meet, and I cannot imagine they ever will. Mr Gardiner is not the sort of person you would usually know, but I assure you, he is an excellent man. His father did not believe education was necessary for girls, thus Mrs Bennet and her sister received little, and even his son was forced to learn what he could through whatever manner was open to him rather than with the benefit of tutors or by attending school. Mr Bennet was especially helpful, from what I have heard, and Mr Gardiner is now a successful man of business.”
Her assurances about the man were likely intended to reassure his aunt.
Lord Romsley nodded as though he appreciated her words, but he said, “As long as you know that we are prepared to have you stay with us for as long as you like. Indeed, I do not believe anything would please my wife more. I shall write to Mr Bennet to assure him you will be well protected here and when we go into the country after Twelfth Night.”
“Before Christmas,” Fitzwilliam said. When he received several puzzled looks, he explained, “I am encouraging Elizabeth to remove here before Christmas.” Indicating his brother, he continued.
“We have joked about her finding us being a Christmas gift, and her coming to stay would make that even truer.”
“We shall not mind sharing our home with you, even though I suspect my mother will forget she has two sons once you do,” Bramwell added. He grinned broadly.
“Oh, Bramwell,” Lady Romsley said, shaking her head. “As though I would forget you. Either of you!”
“Please do not say such things, Mama,” Fitzwilliam said. “It will only inflate his already overly large conceit.”
As the playful exchange continued a moment longer, Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled with merriment.
She truly does fit here, Darcy thought as he watched.
She is a Sterling, and despite them not knowing one another all these years, she has found her place with them.
Had he perhaps recognised something in her when they met, some vague hint that they were connected, maybe a subtle sign, some expression or mannerism that reminded him of his cousins or his aunt, whom he loved and appreciated?
For the next while, Elizabeth engaged Georgiana in conversation, with Lady Romsley also taking part.
His attention was meant to be on the discussion his uncle and cousins were having about the news, but he was distracted by the ladies—one in particular.
From what he overheard, they spoke of music, books, and the like.
Georgiana appeared happier and more animated than usual, which made him long to thank Elizabeth and beg her to see that they might be perfectly suited, even though he had no notion what he might say to convince her to explore the possibility.
Perhaps that his sister liked her? Or that he could not stop thinking about her, even when he believed they would never see one another again?
That sitting in the same room as her, unable to be by her side, was a sort of delicious torture?
When he and his sister were preparing to leave a short time later, she said to Elizabeth, “I am so pleased for you and my aunt. It is almost like something from a novel.” She blushed deeply and bit her lower lip.
Elizabeth—always kind and generous—touched Georgiana’s arm briefly, her smile seeming to say that his sister should not be embarrassed because of what she had said.
“It is rather fantastical. But I am delighted, and I am very glad we have met. I have been told we shall often see one another, and I anticipate it.”
Her eyes wide and shining, Georgiana said, “As do I. My brother wrote of you when he was in Hertfordshire”—Elizabeth’s gaze flew to his and remained fixed on him as his sister kept speaking, seemingly unaware—“and from his description, I was sure I would like you, if we were ever to meet.”
Lady Romsley said, “The entire situation is wonderful, including that Elizabeth already knew your brother. I have no doubt that the two of you will soon be dear friends. What a wonderful Christmas we shall have!”
“That is my hope,” he said, his voice soft, still looking at Elizabeth. He saw her swallow heavily, and she tore her eyes from his and said her farewell to Georgiana before curtseying to him.