Chapter Four #4
“Oh, dear. Your uncle will not be happy. He was quite vocal in his displeasure with what happened during the first set. Furthermore, he was witness to Miss Lydia Bennet’s shameless flirtation with a militia colonel. Good heavens, did her parents never rein her in?”
“Apparently not.” William took a deep breath and momentarily closed his eyes before responding. “Aunt, when I started this quest for a marriage of convenience, I never expected to find something more. Is it so wrong for me to want what my parents had?”
She squeezed his arm, smiling sympathetically.
“No, Nephew, it is not. Unlike so many of the ton, theirs was truly a love match. Regardless of that fact, this situation with the Bennet family is hardly the same. Prior to this evening, I was willing to support you, despite Miss Elizabeth’s meagre portion.
Nevertheless, people in our circle will not be so forgiving with what has happened here tonight.
Why, you would be censured, and Georgiana would not have an easy time making a match of her own when she is ready for her come out.
Not to mention, there is Lady Catherine to contend with. ”
“Aunt, I am well aware of all you have said. Frankly, I had planned to meet with Miss Elizabeth tomorrow with the intention of asking for a courtship. Now, however, I have decided to postpone that meeting while I determine how to address the situation with her mother and youngest sister. Instead, I shall go to Kent and visit Anna for a few days. She had a bit of a cold when I last saw her, and I would like to personally see that she has recovered, since I have heard nothing from Lady Catherine.”
“Very well; if she is your choice, then I will do my best to stand by you. I only hope your decision to pursue Miss Elizabeth Bennet is one we can all live with.”
“I understand. Aunt, forgive me; Miss Elizabeth has just stepped onto the portico. I must not keep her waiting. May I escort you back inside?”
“Yes, please, if you would be so kind. I should like to have one of the footmen give some attention to these stairs since they are a bit slick and I would not wish for someone to take a tumble. We have had enough of that this evening.”
Pausing at the top of the stairs, Elizabeth saw William standing next to his aunt.
Appearing in serious conversation, she instinctively knew they were speaking of her and her family.
Why did her mother and Lydia not heed the warnings of the Gardiners?
The tepid smile she gave William was anything but genuine, and her palms grew damp beneath her gloves while her heart raced in anticipation of what he might say to her when they had the opportunity to speak privately.
Though their acquaintance was short, she had come to care deeply for him and did not know how she could bear his loss if he wished to end their relationship.
Continuing to watch nephew and aunt, Elizabeth paid little attention to where she was stepping and nearly lost her footing on the first stair.
Catching herself, she was able to regain her balance, but lost it again when her cousin Eliza hurriedly came through the opening of the French doors and bumped into her from behind.
With nothing to hold on to, she precariously turned her ankle on the next step and continued to stumble.
Calling out Elizabeth’s name, William rushed forward in alarm, attempting to break her fall.
Even though she was engulfed by his strong arms, the impact of their bodies colliding with one another momentarily caused him to lose his balance and he, too, slipped on the wet stairs as he struggled to keep her safe.
By the time William managed to steady the two of them at the bottom of the stairs, the damage had been done, for Mrs. Bennet had come forth from the ballroom, waving her arms and screaming from the portico.
“Compromise! Compromise! Just look at the two of them! I tell you, my daughter, Elizabeth Bennet, has been compromised by Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, and I insist that he do his duty by her. This is not to be borne!”
“Mama, no!” Elizabeth adamantly said while clinging to William’s arm and trying to stand on her own.
Her right foot was badly injured and she was in pain.
“Mama, I promise you there is no compromise. As you can see, I can barely stand. I slipped on the stairs and Mr. Darcy has merely prevented me from badly injuring myself. Just ask Eliza; she was right behind me and must have seen it all.”
“Eliza? What has your cousin to do with any of this? Eliza Deming is not here, and I know what I saw, Elizabeth Bennet. I will not have your reputation ruined by some rich man who took advantage of the situation.”
Lady Eleanor was aghast at what was taking place.
While she and her nephew were moving towards the stairs, she had watched Eliza Deming hurry through the open doorway and purposely push Elizabeth from behind.
She had no idea how Mrs. Bennet had come upon the scene so quickly, but it was obvious that her goddaughter’s younger sister had orchestrated the entire catastrophe.
Moreover, Eliza did not even bother to see if her cousin was hurt, but instead hurried back into the ballroom.
Listening to Mrs. Bennet wail from where she stood on the portico had shaken Lady Eleanor to her core, and she might have fainted had not Richard and Mrs. Walden come forward to take her arms and steady her.
Explaining what she had seen, she begged her son to assist the couple in any way he could.
The spread of an ugly rumour had to be stopped at all costs.
Taking command, Richard barked, “Please, all of you stand back! Stand back and give the lady some privacy. There is no compromise. Miss Bennet has injured her foot in a nasty fall and needs to sit down. It would be best if all of you would have some consideration for the lady and return to the ballroom.”
William helped Elizabeth to a nearby bench and asked if he might get her anything for her comfort, though she declined.
Lady Eleanor had sent a footman to locate the Gardiners and she along with Mrs. Walden continued into the house.
It was imperative that this situation be set to rights before the rumour of an ugly compromise took hold.
Inevitably, this was not to be, for Eliza Deming had begun to spread the unfortunate tale while making the rounds of all the known gossips.
Entering the ballroom, Lady Eleanor and Mrs. Walden were besieged by guests who wanted to know if the rumours were true.
Distraught, Lady Eleanor refused to acknowledge any inquiries and went directly to her rooms, asking another footman to have Lady Deming and Miss Eliza join her there.
Meanwhile Lydia, who had been in the garden with Colonel Forster when the incident took place, appeared at Elizabeth’s side, a broad smirk on her face.
“La, Lizzy! What has happened here?”
“‘Tis nothing, Lydia. I twisted my ankle on the stairs and there is little more to be said.”
Mrs. Bennet, doing her best to command a small audience of guests who remained behind declared, “Oh Lydia, I have been ill used this evening. Your sister has been compromised by Mr. Darcy, and I fear we shall all be ruined if he does not step forward and do his duty. My dear, please, help me with my salts. I must sit down.”
Lydia laughed with abandon as she helped her mother sit next to Elizabeth and handed her the smelling salts.
“What a good joke! Seeing that Mr. Darcy is in such a mood, it would have been far better to have been compromised by an officer like my dear colonel.” She winked at her mother.
“La, to be stuck with someone as droll as Mr. Darcy! Why, I would rather die!”
“ENOUGH!” William boomed. “With the exception of Miss Elizabeth’s mother, I will thank all of you to leave the garden this instant and allow the young lady a few moments of privacy. NOW!”
With that, everyone else left the area. Moments later the Gardiners descended the stairs and joined the others.
As soon as Elizabeth saw her aunt and uncle, she could no longer control her tears.
What might have been a beautiful evening had metaphorically turned into a bad dream; and one which she feared she might never awaken.
“Aunt Maddie,” Elizabeth sobbed when Mrs. Gardiner sat beside her and reached for her hand.
“There, there, my dear.” She gave Elizabeth her handkerchief. “You need not fear; your uncle will sort it all out.”
“Mr. Darcy,” said Gardiner. “I appreciate you assisting my niece. Hopefully we can defuse the rumours which have started circulating inside.”
“You are kind to offer.” His face was grim. “Considering Mrs. Bennet’s protests, I doubt anything can be done.”
“Brother,” Mrs. Bennet wailed. “I saw everything, and believe me….”
“Fanny!” Mr. Gardiner immediately interrupted her ranting. “Considering what has just taken place, it would be best if you went inside and collected Kitty and Lydia. I have already sent for the carriage.”
“But Brother,” she pleaded, “what about Lydia and Colonel Forster? And there is Jane and Mr. Bingley to consider.”
“Fanny, there will be no discussion. Elizabeth is not well, and we are leaving.”
“Oh, bother.” Mrs. Bennet dejectedly rose, grumbling to herself as she left her relations and went inside.
“Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth said with more tears in her eyes. “I am so sorry for everything. I never meant to put you in such an unthinkable position.”
“Miss Elizabeth,” he kindly answered, unable to comfort her as he might have wished. “None of this was your fault. Others are to blame.”
“Uncle, it is as Mr. Darcy says. There was no compromise. One moment I was standing on the stairs, and had not Eliza bumped into me, this never would have happened. Mr. Darcy did everything within his power to protect me from a terrible fall.”
“Eliza?” Gardiner frowned. “That is not the way she has been telling it inside. Good God, what has that girl done now!?”
Turning to William, he continued, “Mr. Darcy, forgive me. Although I have attempted to curb my relations, it appears I have failed miserably. We had best leave now. Since I would rather not carry my niece through a crowded ballroom, would you please direct us towards the street?”
“Of course. There is a side entrance just over here which you may use.”
“Madeline, perhaps it would be best if you went back inside and retrieved Lizzy’s reticule and shawl. Should you see Jane, please tell her that we are leaving. I am sure Lizzy would appreciate it if she came by the house on the morrow.”
“Yes, Edward, right away.” Mrs. Gardiner gave Elizabeth a tender look, and then did as she was bid.
It was agreed that the two gentlemen would meet on the following afternoon to discuss the situation.
William directed Mr. Gardiner to the exit and watched as he carried his niece and left the garden area.
Not wanting to return to the ballroom, he sent a footman inside to retrieve his belongings and immediately left for Darcy House.