Chapter Five #2
“Mama!” Elizabeth emphatically said. “Mr. Darcy is NOT coming today. He has gone to Kent. His daughter is very ill, and he sent a note to Uncle saying as much.”
“What!” she screeched. “What nonsense is this?! He cannot possibly have gone to Kent! Why, your marriage and the fate of our futures are far more important than a sick child. We do not know how long Mr. Bennet will be with us, and all of you must secure husbands as soon as possible if we are to survive after his demise.” Mrs. Bennet started fanning herself with her handkerchief, staggering to the nearest chair as though she would faint.
“It must be settled today, or we shall all be ruined with the scandal.
“Sister, Sister, is this true? Please, tell me Lizzy is mistaken.”
“I am sorry, Fanny, but everything Elizabeth says is true. The note from Mr. Darcy was delivered before dawn. He will notify us when he is able to return. Come; let me help you to your room.” She extended her hand. “It will not do to become overly excited.”
“Oh, Sister, I am truly unwell. Please, could you help me with my salts? They are in my pocket.”
Mrs. Gardiner looked sympathetically at her niece before assisting Mrs. Bennet. “Here you are. Yes, breathe deeply. Now, that is much better. Fanny, let us go back to your room. You need to rest, and Mr. Gardiner will address the situation before long.
“Lizzy, as soon as I take care of your mother, I shall have a tray sent in with Sophia and ask her to help you dress. Your uncle should be up a little later with Mr. Darcy’s letter and will address your concerns at that time.”
“Thank you, Aunt.”
Mid-Morning
Elizabeth was beside herself having learned the truth of what happened at the ball.
How could her mother and Eliza have been so foolish and insensitive?
William is a man of principle, and to trick him in such a manner was unconscionable.
Elizabeth knew William was hesitant after meeting Mrs. Bennet and Lydia, but now she could not imagine he would have any interest in marrying her once he realised what her relations had done to force his hand.
When Mr. Gardiner was finally able to join Elizabeth, he informed her that the scandal had indeed been mentioned in the morning papers, just as they had feared.
In addition, he had received a letter from Lord Nicholas who apologised profusely for the part his sister, Eliza, played in the whole affair.
Although her name did not appear in the papers, because of her imprudence, she would not be allowed partake in the remainder of the current season.
Lord Nicholas and his sister, Eleanor, would wait to resume their activities until well after Elizabeth’s wedding to Mr. Darcy had taken place, allowing for some of the gossip to die down.
From that respect, Jane was told she would be welcome to stay on with the Deming family and resume her season with her cousins at that time if she so wished.
Even so, it was unlikely any of them would be well-received by the ton for some time because of the scandal.
With all of this in mind, Jane voluntarily decided she would no longer impose upon the Demings, but would instead join her family at the Gardiners’ residence where she could be a comfort to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth was dismayed after hearing all her uncle shared, though it came as no surprise. Foremost on her mind, however, was what William had to say in his note. Asking if she might read it now, Mr. Gardiner handed it over to her.
Mr. Gardiner:
I regret to inform you that I will not be able to keep our appointment later today.
By the time you read this, I shall have gone to Rosings Park, where my daughter is residing with her grandmother.
When I arrived home earlier this morning, I was handed an express from my aunt informing me that Anna is seriously ill.
What had been a simple cold a few days ago has got progressively worse.
Anna is now confined to bed with a high fever and what my aunt believes are the symptoms of some respiratory ailment, possibly influenza.
I must leave at once to attend her. I shall keep you apprised of her progress by express and at my earliest opportunity will endeavour to return so that we may address our business in person.
Please extend my apologies to Miss Elizabeth.
Yours sincerely,
Fitzwilliam Darcy
In Elizabeth’s opinion it was informative and to the point, but hardly satisfying.
“Uncle, I realise Mr. Darcy is preoccupied with his daughter’s illness, and rightfully so.
Still, considering what happened at the ball, he gives no indication of his wishes or expectations. I fear he must be very disgruntled.”
Gardiner sighed, rubbing his chin in thought. “I suspect he is; I know I would be, finding myself in a similar situation.”
“Of course I would never begrudge him tending his daughter, but somehow I hoped his letter might say more about our situation. Uncle, is there nothing you can do to remedy this catastrophe?”
“No, Lizzy, I am sorry; there is not. I have thought of everything short of bribing each and every person who was in attendance at the ball to remain silent. It is hardly fair, but the damage has been done, and we must make the best of this situation.”
Elizabeth bit her lip, trying to stave off another round of tears. “I know you are right, Uncle, but that does not make me feel any better.”
Mr. Gardiner patted her hand. “Do not worry, my dear. Even though we cannot proceed today, I am sure Mr. Darcy will communicate with us as soon as he is able. He is not one to shirk his responsibilities. And once he has made his wishes known, we shall proceed from there.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
Mr. Gardiner’s Study
After speaking with Elizabeth, Mr. Gardiner requested Mrs. Bennet and her younger daughters to join him and Mrs. Gardiner in his study for a private conversation.
He informed the three women of all he had related to Elizabeth concerning the scandal and reiterated his sentiments about their involvement.
“A compromise is never something to be taken lightly, whether it involves a man of Colonel Foster’s status or a man of the ton such as Mr. Darcy. The repercussions must be faced and weathered by all parties which unfortunately include extended relations.
“I care not who first came forth with the idea of a compromise since it is now far too late to remedy this situation.
And as for you, Kitty, while your name has not been specifically mentioned, I believe you were fully aware of what your mother, Lydia and Eliza had planned for Colonel Forester.
In my opinion, all four of you are equally guilty.
“I have notified Mr. Bennet by express of everything which has taken place, and my first inclination is to send the three of you back to Longbourn without further discussion. For the time being, however, you may remain here while I wait to settle this business with Mr. Darcy. As you know we have been invited for a luncheon following services on Sunday with the Williams family. And though Peter Williams is one of our relations, there will be no excuse for objectionable behaviour while his family is entertaining us. I shall expect the three of you to comport yourselves with better regulation than you have displayed in the past few days. Moreover, regardless of how long I allow you to stay, there will be no further outings, assemblies or shopping. Do I make myself clear?”
The women demurely responded in the affirmative for fear of angering Mr. Gardiner any further.
“Now, it would be best if all of you returned to your quarters until it is time for Lady Deming and Eliza to visit.”
The Parlour
A few hours later, Elizabeth insisted on leaving her room in anticipation of Lady Deming’s arrival with Eliza and Jane.
As much as her foot pained her, she was determined not to remain apart when it came to discussing the predicament she found herself in.
With the help of Sophia and her aunt, she made her way down the stairs and was situated in the front parlour with her foot propped up by the time the women arrived.
Mrs. Gardiner gave her consent for Kitty and Lydia to join the women, providing they remained respectful and did not try to dominate the conversation.
Mr. Gardiner would not be available, as he had some important business which needed his attention at one of his warehouses.
Mrs. Bennet insisted on remaining upstairs, too upset to leave her chambers.
On entering the parlour, Jane rushed to Elizabeth’s side and took her hands.
Lady Deming and Eliza sat on the sofa near Mrs. Gardiner, who had ordered tea and biscuits to be served.
“Oh, Lizzy,” Jane said with compassion. “I am so sorry I did not come to you last night before you left the ball. I was unaware of what took place until after the rumours began to spread.”
“Jane, was it quite awful?”
“I am afraid so. The dancing had not yet resumed, and everyone was preoccupied with wanting to know what took place out in the garden. The countess had rushed through the ballroom, refusing to speak with anyone, and went directly to her rooms. By the time the musicians resumed playing, many were no longer interested in dancing. I was speaking with Mr. Bingley and his sisters, and when Miss Bingley heard the news, she nearly swooned, insisting that she be taken home at once. Mr. Bingley apologised, and I have not heard from any of them since that time. From what I gather, Miss Bingley had her hopes set on Mr. Darcy.”
“I had thought as much. I fear my misfortune will discourage Mr. Bingley’s attentions towards you.”
“That may be, but I am still hopeful he will call in the next few days, once everything is sorted out,” she quietly said.
“Oh, Jane. It is all so dreadful. None of this need have happened but for Mama and Eliza.”