Chapter 15 Mondays Are for Meetings #2
Darcy nodded, not knowing how to speak to Mrs. Gardiner. She was a kind woman, and a good hostess, that much was clear, but he did not know what he could have in common with her. They shared no acquaintance, did not move in the same circles, and never attended the same events. Or did they?
“Are you fond of the theater, Mrs. Gardiner?”
“I am. I enjoy a well-performed opera and Shakespearean comedies best. What are your preferences?”
They spoke for some time on the various shows they had seen and which performers they favored.
“Of course, it is no surprise he is a favorite,” said Mrs. Gardiner with a sly smile. “He is from Derbyshire.”
“Are you from Derbyshire, Mrs. Gardiner?” asked Darcy with interest.
“From five years of age until I turned seventeen. My father was the doctor in Lambton until he retired and moved us to the coast.”
“Your father was Mr. Holly?”
“Yes! Did you know him?”
“He set my arm when I broke it in a riding accident when I was ten.”
Mrs. Gardiner made a sympathetic face. “I imagine you did not think too fondly of him after that.”
“Not immediately, no,” he chuckled. “But I soon learned what a service he had done me.” He sipped his tea and shook his head. “Miss Elizabeth mentioned she had an aunt from Derbyshire, but I did not remember it until just now. Forgive me, Mrs. Gardiner. I am not usually so absentminded.”
“That is quite all right, Mr. Darcy. It is understandable under the circumstances.”
Darcy flushed under her knowing smile and laughing eyes. He cleared his throat. “Have you returned to Derbyshire often since moving away?”
“Only once, though I maintain a correspondence with a few friends there. We are taking a trip to the Lakes this summer and plan to stop in Lambton for a few days. Elizabeth shall accompany us, I believe.”
“Yes, I recall her mentioning it. When you come to Lambton, I would be pleased for you all to stay at Pemberley. My sister and I generally spend the summer there—we would be delighted to have you.”
“That is very generous of you, Mr. Darcy. I shall speak to my husband and let you know.”
He nodded and was spared further comment by the sound of children running into the house.
Their nurse scolded them into removing their outerwear before running up the stairs.
Darcy took the moment of distraction to think about his impromptu invitation.
Mrs. Gardiner was genteel, and Elizabeth was everything perfect, but would Mr. Gardiner be an appropriate guest for Pemberley?
He was in trade and his sister was Mrs. Bennet.
He felt a tiny bit of shame that the latter disturbed him more than the former.
There was nothing to be done for it now.
The invitation had been given. He would just have to hope Mr. Gardiner was as genteel as his wife.
He could hardly be a worse guest than Mr. Hurst, who spent the entire time he was in residence anywhere eating, drinking, or sleeping when he was not playing cards and losing money he could ill afford.
“Mr. Darcy!” Elizabeth entered the room and smiled at him brightly. “I did not expect to see you again today.”
He bowed over her hand. “I hope the surprise is not unwelcome.”
“Not at all. I shall have to dress for dinner soon, but would you like to take a walk while the sun is still bright?”
“I should be delighted.”
Elizabeth looked to her aunt who nodded and then addressed Darcy. “I hope you will join us for dinner, Mr. Darcy. Mr. Bingley will be joining us as well, and I know my husband is anxious to meet you.”
He looked to Elizabeth and saw her hopeful expression. “I would be delighted. But I have not time to return home to change.”
“Do not worry about that. None of us shall faint if you are not formally attired for dinner.”
Elizabeth laughed and tugged his hand. “Come!”
Mrs. Gardiner handed her niece the letter from Mr. Bennet before sending them on their way.
“I am glad your aunt did not insist on accompanying us as chaperone,” he said as he pulled her arm closer and walked toward the small park a few streets over.
“My aunt is a discerning woman. She trusts my judgment and thinks highly of you. She knows we will not do anything untoward. Besides, what could we get up to on a busy city street?”
She smiled in such a way that Darcy wanted to kiss her and show her just what they could accomplish swiftly in the middle of a bustling street, but he refrained. They made it to the park and he led her to a bench.
“Would you like to read your father’s letter?”
“Yes, thank you.” She settled on the bench and broke the seal.
Dear Lizzy,
Very well, my dear. I have given your young man my blessing and did not toy with him overmuch in the process. I have remembered my promise, there was no need to remind me. He is not the sort of man one would refuse anyhow, but I am glad there was no need to contemplate such an action.
He is an interesting character, your Mr. Darcy. He assures me his library is very fine and that I may visit whenever I have need of your company. He is a serious young man—you must remember to tease him regularly. He is in dire need of it.
I have told Mr. Darcy you may stay another fortnight if the Gardiners will have you and have sent your uncle a note. Use your time wisely, my child, for once you are home, you will have little peace from your mother.
Your Father,
Thomas Bennet
Elizabeth smiled and tucked the letter into her reticule. “He likes you.”
“Does he?”
“He does. I can tell.” She rose and took his arm, walking slowly around the pond in the center of the park. “I am glad. I would not like the two most important men in my life to dislike one another.”
Darcy could not answer such a statement and pressed his hand over hers where it rested on his arm.
Bingley arrived for dinner while the ladies were still upstairs preparing.
Darcy was a little nervous about how their meeting would go.
Less than two weeks ago, Bingley had called him an ass and left what looked like an angry blot on the page.
Darcy knew he had deserved it, but it did not make him any less apprehensive.
“Darcy!” cried Bingley. “I did not know you would be here.”
“It was an impromptu decision.” They asked after each other’s family and health, and Darcy’s concerns began to dissipate. Bingley seemed prepared to continue their friendship as it had always been—all would be well.
“How goes your courtship of Miss Bennet?” Darcy asked.
“Oh, she is an angel!”
Darcy rolled his eyes fondly and Bingley smirked at him.
“You think I refer to her beauty, which is as perfect as it ever was, but Miss Bennet is angelic because she was willing to forgive my boorish behavior. I cannot believe I ever thought I could live without her! I must have been mad.”
“Yes, the heart will have its way.”
Bingley nodded enthusiastically. “Yes! I would have been miserable without Jane.”
“Do you have an understanding then?”
“Not as yet. I wanted to give her time to trust me again. She has not said because she is too good, but I know my abandonment was very hard on her.” He leaned towards Darcy and lowered his voice. “The first time I was invited for dinner, Mr. Gardiner spoke to me privately.”
Darcy’s brows rose in interest.
“Told me he was inclined to think me foolish and capricious, but because Jane liked me, he would give me a chance to prove I could be worthy of her.”
Darcy’s brows were at his hairline now. Miss Bennet was a worthy woman, of course, but for Mr. Gardiner, a man in trade, to say such to a gentleman—it did not sit well. “What was your response?”
“I told him I had been mistaken to leave as I had and that my intentions were honorable. He hinted that Jane had been morose all winter over my leaving. Can you imagine?”
Darcy could not.
“I am usually the one with my heart blown about thither and yon. To think I did such a thing to my angel—I shall never forgive myself.”
Darcy knew Bingley was likely being his usual hyperbolic self, but he could not help but think that Bingley seemed to genuinely mean it.
“When will you make your proposals?” Darcy asked.
“When I know she no longer doubts me.”
Darcy nodded. He could certainly understand that.
After sitting together quietly for a few minutes, Bingley burst out with, “I did not know you were acquainted with the Gardiners, Darcy.”
“I was not until yesterday when I met Mrs. Gardiner. I have yet to meet Mr. Gardiner.”
Bingley’s face wrinkled in confusion. “Then what are you doing here?”
Suddenly, Darcy realized he had not told Bingley he was courting Miss Elizabeth.
Their most recent letters had been about Miss Bennet, and he had not written since Darcy began courting Miss Elizabeth in earnest. He had planned to tell Bingley in person, but in the activity of the last days, he had completely forgotten.
Darcy’s mouth hung open for a second before the drawing room door opened and Mrs. Gardiner, Miss Bennet, and Miss Elizabeth walked in, smiling and dressed for dinner.