Chapter 11
ELEVEN
Monday afternoon, Elizabeth sat with Mrs Gardiner in the parlour.
She had always liked the Gardiners’ home.
It was cosy, in part because of the couple, who were intelligent, accepting, and caring.
Their children were delightful, and she had no doubt they would grow into estimable young ladies and gentlemen under their parents’ wise guidance.
Just that morning, Elizabeth had accompanied the family on an excursion.
Lady Romsley had asked her to spend the day with her, but she had declined, having already promised the Gardiner children she would remain with them; not even the oldest quite grasped Elizabeth’s situation and why she was gone so often.
As Elizabeth was taking a sip of tea, Mrs Gardiner said, “I am glad you came with us. The children appreciated it, as you must be aware.” She chuckled, likely at her sons and daughters’ lively antics.
“But, Lizzy, you should not feel obligated to remain here. I know how keen Lady Romsley is to have you with her, which I find entirely understandable. Who better than I knows the joy of having you as a niece?”
Elizabeth smiled and, after a final mouthful of tea, set her cup on the side table.
“She has been so generous already, so welcoming. The way all of them have embraced me as a niece and cousin is more than I expected.” She shook her head in wonder, little bubbles of humour floating inside of her as she recalled various moments from her time with them—the earl recounting tales from his travels when he discovered she longed to see more of the world, even just of England, and her new cousins joking that she was a Christmas gift.
She did not know which of them had first referred to her in that way, but presently they seemed unwilling to give it up.
Then there was the countess. Not only did she speak freely of her brother Thomas, she told Elizabeth about the Sterling family and was keen to know all about her.
“I am so pleased for you,” Mrs Gardiner said.
Elizabeth felt a little heat in her cheeks as she admitted, “I do not have the words to express how happy I am to know them. Being with them, after the first awkwardness—and it did not last nearly as long as I feared it would—I cannot describe what it feels like, but it is as though I belong. Do you understand?” Her brow creased as she watched Mrs Gardiner, a lady she had always considered an aunt and still did, trusting she would not take offence; after all, Elizabeth’s words might be interpreted as meaning she was more comfortable with her blood relations than with the Gardiners.
“You feel a connexion, perhaps? I think that is natural,” Mrs Gardiner said reassuringly.
“I do not mean that it always happens when long-separated family members find one another, but it can, and when it does, it should be nurtured to establish the bonds one should have with their relations. You have the opportunity to know your father’s people, and you would be a fool not to take it. ”
Without volition, Elizabeth sighed and lowered her eyes.
Mr Darcy’s image came to mind, and whenever it did, it seemed to gather up a large portion of her contentment and hide it away.
Georgiana Darcy was a delightful young woman, and she would be glad to know her better.
As for Mr Darcy, it had been odd to meet him at her family’s house, and there had been something different in his demeanour that puzzled her.
She understood his initial shock—she had experienced the same when she had learnt the name of Lord and Lady Romsley’s nephew—but once that had dissipated, what was left?
The way he had talked to her appeared to be an incongruent combination of suspicion, which was insulting, and friendliness, which was also insulting, but in a different manner.
She had not missed that, although he had not spoken much, he had looked at her a great deal.
Additionally, she was certain he had encouraged his sister to talk to her, as though he wished for them to become friends.
“Lizzy?”
Mrs Gardiner’s voice pulled her from her reveries. “Oh, excuse me, Aunt.”
“You were very far away. Is there something amiss, some concern you have about the countess or her family? You know I am always willing to listen and, if it is wanted, provide my perspective.”
After a brief pause, Elizabeth said, “You recall that her nephew and niece—the children of the earl’s sister—dined with us?” Mrs Gardiner nodded. “What I have not told you is that I had met him before. It was Mr Darcy, the friend Mr Bingley had staying with him at Netherfield.”
Mrs Gardiner’s eyes were wide, and her lips formed a small O.
“I wrote about him, I believe, soon after they came to Hertfordshire.”
“If I remember correctly, you did not like him.”
Elizabeth gave a humourless laugh. “I believe the only member of that party I did like was Mr Bingley, and, since he has left Netherfield, apparently with no thought of returning, my opinion of him has diminished greatly. As for Mr Darcy, liking him was impossible! He was rude and arrogant and gave every indication that he felt himself superior to everyone he met. At the assembly in October, the night we first met, he insulted me, and when I was at Netherfield during Jane’s illness, he acted as though I were invisible.
Yet, at the Bingleys’ ball, he asked me for a set.
He hardly danced at all, so why would he single me out?
He spoke then of my having been adopted.
It was…strange. I was glad to think I would never see him again.
I barely managed not to groan in annoyance when I learnt that he was connected to the countess. ”
“I suppose it was quite the surprise to him to see you there,” Mrs Gardiner said.
“Did he make you uncomfortable? What was his sister like?” Suddenly, she sat back, and her hand flew to her mouth.
“Oh my goodness! Darcy, two children, father and mother both dead. Do you know if he is from Derbyshire?”
“He is. His estate is called Pemberley.”
“Why did I not think of it before? Lizzy, Pemberley is but five miles from Lambton, the town in which I passed my youth. I did not know the Darcys, of course, but I knew of them. Lady Anne died many years ago—fourteen or fifteen—and I heard from a friend I still correspond with that Mr Hugh Darcy, father to your Mr Darcy, died about five years ago. They are a highly respected family, and Pemberley is magnificent.”
Elizabeth listened with a sense of dismay.
It seemed as though Mr Darcy was being firmly placed within her life.
She supposed that was inevitable, given his relationship with her father’s connexions, but even knowing Mrs Gardiner had lived near his home was another link to him she did not appreciate.
“To answer your questions, Miss Darcy is a sweet girl. Very shy but amiable. I shall not object to knowing her further, but I do not know what to make of him. Certainly, he was shocked to see me, but once that faded, I almost have the impression that he finds me tolerable company, now that I can claim relations he finds more respectable than the Bennets. And I am no longer the orphaned girl who knew nothing about her true father.”
“It sounds like it was an awkward situation. It will become easier with time.”
Elizabeth nodded, although she was not convinced. “I am determined that nothing, not even his presence, will spoil these next weeks or months or however long I spend knowing my Sterling family.”
“Good! Now, about you accepting Lady Romsley’s invitation.”
The ladies discussed the possibility further, including how it might affect the Gardiners’ plans to go to Longbourn for Christmas.
Elizabeth had been unsure how long she would remain in town, but, while she would miss being with the Bennets, she wanted to remain with the countess and accompany her to the country in January.
She had no doubt that Mr Bennet would not object to her staying with them for as long as she liked.
The rest of the day was spent writing to Mr Bennet and Jane.
She included a note to Mrs Bennet with the former and one for her younger cousins with the latter—to inform them of all that had happened.