Chapter 7
“I cannot understand what these women hope to accomplish,” said Aunt Gardiner in a tête-à-tête with Elizabeth after dinner.
“What was the purpose of their visit? And why suggest Mr Bingley’s interest in another lady?
Are they not aware that their schemes will be discovered as soon as their brother returns? ”
“I cannot imagine their purpose, nor do I give them much consideration, Aunt. I believe they are desperately trying to keep Mr Bingley away from Jane by any means. Oh, but where can he be? This will not do; he cannot simply disappear! I will certainly speak to Mr Darcy about him at the first opportunity!”
“But was not Mr Darcy to blame for his departure in the first place? Would it be wise to raise such a delicate subject with Mr Darcy? After all, you are not the best of friends, and he might be displeased with such familiarity.”
Elizabeth could read the inquiring irony in her aunt’s voice despite Mrs Gardiner’s genuine smile.
Indeed, with everything Elizabeth said about Mr Darcy in the recent past, it would be unthinkable to approach him about his friend’s whereabouts and return—just as it was unthinkable that Mr Darcy had knelt before her to clear snow from her dress and shoes and to warm her hands…
“Mr Darcy has expressed his intention of finding Mr Bingley and informing him of…recent events, so I believe such an inquiry would not upset him.”
“I am sure you are right, my dear. How was your sleigh ride? Did you and Miss Darcy have a pleasant day?”
“It was wonderful, Aunt! Miss Darcy is the most pleasant company. She is so amiable that she actually invited me to visit Pemberley.” Elizabeth laughed with a trace of uneasiness that did not escape her aunt’s notice.
“That is quite astonishing, considering your brief acquaintance. Then again, I would expect Miss Darcy to be a remarkable young lady, just as remarkable as her parents. And I dare say, any qualities Miss Darcy possesses at her young age must be the result of her brother’s influence. Would you not agree?”
“I do agree. Miss Darcy was but an infant when her mother passed away and still a child when her father died. How painful it must have been for Mr Darcy to lose his parents and be alone with such a young sister! He was almost a boy himself at the time.”
“True, my dear. I am glad you have found something positive in Mr Darcy, after all.”
“I never denied Mr Darcy’s qualities as I could not ignore his faults. But I was surprised to observe his warm behaviour towards his sister. You should have seen him in the sleigh cleaning the snow from her clothes. I never would imagine his being so kind and tender.”
“Did Mr Darcy keep you company today?”
“Yes he did, but it was not a previous arrangement. Georgiana decided to stop at her house for a few moments, and Mr Darcy had finished his businesses earlier and decided to join us. He said he wanted to be certain we did not put ourselves in danger.”
“That was thoughtful of him,” Mrs Gardiner concluded just before Jane returned. The conversation moved to the subject of the ball until they retired for the night.
∞∞∞
The earl’s unannounced visit was a surprise for Mrs Gardiner; she invited him to sit, but the earl declined the invitation. Mrs Gardiner was even more perplexed.
“I will be happy to stay for tea later today, Mrs Gardiner. I come now to fetch Miss Elizabeth for our secret stroll in the park,” he said well humoured.
Mrs Gardiner turned to her niece for an explanation. Elizabeth blushed, hesitated a moment, and tried to form an answer for her aunt; then suddenly, she declared she would be ready in a moment and ran to her room. Mrs Gardiner followed her.
“Elizabeth?” Her aunt’s voice was gentle but determined as was the lady’s inquiring gaze. Elizabeth twisted the bonnet in her hands, forcing a smile.
“Lord Matlock invited me for a short walk when we were at Lady Brightmore’s party.”
“That is lovely…but also quite unexpected. Just you and the earl? I know he enjoys your company, but you barely know each other. And why is this stroll so ‘secret’?”
Elizabeth sat on the bed, breathed deeply, and held her aunt’s gaze.
“Lord Matlock will meet Mr Wickham. He thought I might enjoy seeing him, too, but he did not want his family to know about it. None of them is fond of Mr Wickham, and they disapprove the earl’s affection for him.
They are clearly partial to Mr Darcy, so they share his opinion…
and his feelings.” Her animation increased with every word while her aunt’s countenance darkened.
“Let me see if I understand: you secretly planned with a gentleman of your father’s age to deceive his family and yours in order to meet another gentleman with a questionable reputation and behaviour. Is that correct?”
“I am aware it is not a proper situation, but it was somehow difficult to refuse the earl. And I do not think Mr Wickham’s reputation or behaviour is ‘questionable.’ He has done nothing to us to deserve that.”
“Lizzy, you were always a smart girl, and I trust you grew up a wise lady, so I shall not forbid your meeting Mr Wickham if you wish. But please allow me to question the behaviour of a man who does not hesitate to share with you intimate and painful information about his life at your very first meeting and prefers to meet the earl during the early morning in the park because he has not enough courage to stand up for himself and confront the earl’s family. ”
For several moments after her aunt left the room, Elizabeth still could not decide what to do.
She heard the earl’s voice, and she wondered whether Lord Matlock would be the recipient of Mrs Gardiner’s displeasure.
Elizabeth finally returned to the living room and, to her surprise, found the others quite relaxed.
“I must beg your forgiveness, your lordship, but I cannot join you. I am sorry I made you come all the way here.”
The earl looked obviously surprised by the sudden change of events. He glanced at Mrs Gardiner, who returned a proper smile, then back at Elizabeth.
“I see. I am sorry to miss your pleasant company this morning, and I am sure our friend will be disappointed, too. But certainly there will be other opportunities.”
“I would be delighted to keep you company on another occasion. And please send my regards to Mr Wickham. I hope he is well and enjoying his time in Town.”
“I am sure he is well enough. He has the ability to enjoy himself most of the time—maybe too much on occasion.” Lord Matlock laughed, taking a proper farewell of the ladies.
“I shall share the news with you later tonight, Miss Elizabeth,” he promised, and all three ladies answered with only a polite smile.
The two sisters spent the next hours preparing for the ball, but Elizabeth remained unsatisfied with her own behaviour regarding Mr Wickham and the meeting with him.
Two days before, she was excited at the possibility of seeing the gentleman again.
She had only pleasant memories of him and no reason to doubt his character.
After the previous day—and the ride with Miss Darcy—her interest subsided to the point where she could see the impropriety of such a meeting.
She had felt almost relieved when her aunt discovered and disapproved the plan.
Nevertheless, she could not accept her aunt’s reproaches.
Mr Wickham surely could not be blamed for his trust in her when he shared his misfortunes.
If such behaviour was wrong, what could be said about another gentleman who spent his time offending those around him, a gentleman who did not have the least courtesy of dancing at a ball even if the lady was ‘barely tolerable’?
Mrs Gardiner did not witness either behaviour, or she would surely not be so inclined against Mr Wickham to the benefit of Mr Darcy.
It could not be denied, however, that Mr Darcy was the sort of man who improved on further acquaintance.
Among his friends and family, he showed amiability, kindness, and a tender care that seemed unlike him.
Even the friendly way he addressed his housekeeper was uncommon.
Elizabeth never would have believed he was a kind master; fair, maybe, if someone did not ‘lose his good opinion’ forever, but kind—never.
Yet, he appeared to be so. It was also true that he refused—quite rudely—to dance with her at the Meryton assembly but knelt beside her and brushed the snow from her clothes.
Elizabeth felt her cheeks grow warm and returned her attention to arranging Jane’s hair quickly. The ball was approaching, and Lady Selina surely would not admit any delay.
Inside the carriage, three ladies shared the same anxiety, though for different reasons.
Elizabeth knew her aunt was not completely at ease with attending the ball; it was her first in two years, and her heart must still be burdened with sadness.
It was unlikely that Mrs Gardiner could enjoy herself with music and dancing.
Jane’s nervousness was equally apparent; she was staring out the window with great interest, as though trying to find someone special.
On Elizabeth’s part, it was childish to feel anxiety of any kind.
She had always found pleasure in making new acquaintances, and there was nothing new or special for her at this particular ball.
Lady Selina was the hostess, and her entire family would be there.
In addition, the colonel had already invited her for the first set, so she would have at least two dances secured.
For the rest, if she were fortunate, she might dance another set or two.
Any anxiety the ladies might have experienced vanished the moment they entered the house and saw the friendly faces of the earl, his sons, Lord Brightmore, and especially, Lady Selina.
In the entrance of the elegant ballroom, Elizabeth and Jane glanced around. What was assumed to be a small, family affair had become an event with at least 50 people in attendance.