Chapter Sixteen #2
He had to fix this. He must secure her affections, somehow without making it seem as if he only now considered her because of the money.
He couldn’t appear suddenly eager, but he must court her and win her before she could come to love another.
He pressed a hand over his heart, pain blooming there at the idea of losing Elizabeth.
But he couldn’t do any of those things now. He rose and went to change for dinner.
Darcy dined with his sister and worked to be an affable older brother.
He asked Georgiana about her doings and interests, and honestly answered her questions about Elizabeth.
All the while, he plotted out when next he might see her.
How many days to wait to call so he would appear attentive, but not too eager.
It drove him mad to decide that number was greater than one.
With Christmas so near, he had to wait nearly a week before making the call.
Darcy and Georgiana spent Christmas with Lady Catherine, who had a houseful of guests whose sole reason for being invited seemed to be their bloodlines.
Richard, unaccountably, was not there, although one could hardly miss one guest in the crowd.
Darcy had never before resented spending Christmas with family.
After the Yuletide, Darcy finally called on the Gardiners on Gracechurch Street.
His carriage halted before a well-kept, respectable looking house, to his immediate relief.
He alighted, went up the steps, and shortly entered an airy entrance hall, followed by a parlor made cramped not by the size, but the number of people.
Among them, Darcy’s gaze immediately found Elizabeth.
She looked well. Rested. Her gown was simple but obviously new, likely something the modiste had on hand, requiring only minor alterations.
Her hand, when she lifted it to press glossy curls back from her face, showed only a trace of yellowing now.
To his pleasure, she stood and crossed to meet him.
Elizabeth introduced him to a handsome, calm, kind looking woman, her Aunt Gardiner.
A hoard of children occupied the room too, and all bobbed and dipped appropriately as being greeted.
And, of course, Miss Mary, whom he ended up seated next to, with Elizabeth on his other side, while an elegant tea was served.
“Have you both enjoyed shopping with Lady Catherine?” Darcy asked once the general topic of the weather was exhausted, addressing both sisters so he wouldn’t be seen to overly favor Elizabeth.
“Yes, and meeting Miss de Bourgh,” Elizabeth said.
Darcy assumed she was being kind. Anne didn’t display enough personality for anyone to enjoy or not enjoy meeting her.
“I’m enjoying both as well,” Miss Mary said cheerfully. “Lady Catherine is kind enough to encourage me to buy the simpler gowns I want.”
Darcy wondered at that interpretation of what he could guess was his aunt telling Miss Mary not to get above her station, but Mary seemed sincere in her statement.
“Why do you want simpler gowns?” Mrs. Gardiner asked while allotting a second small cake to each of her children.
“Living in Goldfinch Cottage, I should not put on airs. It is more suited to my station to dress simply. Elizabeth is an heiress and thus it is appropriate for her to have finer gowns.”
Darcy glanced at Elizabeth to see her flush.
“I believe the green you picked for your first gown will look lovely on you,” Mrs. Gardiner said.
“You joined them?” Darcy asked, wondering what his aunt thought of the very respectable seeming Mrs. Gardiner.
“I did and thank your aunt for sharing their time with me.”
The children, exceedingly well behaved, nibbled on their cakes and watched their elders.
“It really is a lovely green on you, Mary,” Elizabeth said before addressing Darcy. “You’ll see once the gown is ready. I’d never realized before how green Mary’s eyes are. She chose the perfect color to display them fully.”
“I’m certain you’re correct,” Darcy said carefully.
“Perhaps,” Miss Mary said, “but that’s not why I selected it. I wanted something suitable for my unwed state, but as dark as possible so it will wear well. That green won’t show dirt like that one white you selected, Elizabeth.”
“I hadn’t thought of it that way,” Elizabeth admitted.
Miss Mary shrugged. “That’s because you haven’t considered the problem of doing laundry in Goldfinch Cottage.”
“You won’t have to consider it either, Mary, if you find a suitable gentleman, and that lovely green will help you do so,” Mrs. Gardiner said, but without the avarice that would accompany a similar statement by Mrs. Bennet.
Elizabeth, appearing slightly uncomfortable, said, “Miss de Bourgh encouraged me in my choice of white.”
“She what?” Darcy asked, surprised his cousin had offered an opinion.
“She said the fabric would look nice on me and had some suggestions as to what kind of pattern to use.”
“Was she echoing Lady Catherine?” he asked, confused.
Miss Mary shook her head. “No. She was disagreeing with her mother.”
“That’s right,” Mrs. Gardiner said. “Lady Catherine suggested that spotted muslin.”
Sure he misunderstood, Darcy attempted to gain clarity, asking, “There was an argument?”
“Not at all,” Mrs. Gardiner assured him. “Once Miss de Bourgh showed the fabric to her, Lady Catherine agreed with her daughter’s suggestion.”
A woman appeared in the doorway. “Missus, it’s time for their lessons.”
Mrs. Gardiner stood. “Don’t get up,” she said to Darcy as he began to, then addressed the woman in the doorway. “My apologies. I lost track of time.” She turned to Darcy and her nieces. “I’ll be back in a moment, after I help Mrs. Sauder corral this lot.”
Miss Mary stood as well, bringing Darcy to his feet.
“I’ll assist you, Aunt Gardiner,” Miss Mary said. “I need to collect some supplies from the schoolroom.”
Mrs. Gardiner nodded, but she turned back to study Darcy and Elizabeth, who stood side by side. She pursed her lips slightly. “I will not be gone long.”
Darcy would be offended, if every fiber of his being hadn’t wanted to take Elizabeth into his arms and kiss her since the moment he entered the room.
Elizabeth chuckled. “You’ve nothing to worry over. I’m well acquainted with Mr. Darcy. He’s a very dependable gentleman.”
“I’m certain he is. I’ll send more cakes in.” With that she, the children and Miss Mary left the room, Mrs. Gardiner calling for a maid.
Elizabeth retook her seat, eyes mirthful. “Please don’t take insult. My aunt takes her role as my protector very seriously.”
“As well she should,” Darcy said, sitting back down beside Elizabeth. He was torn between pleasure at being alone with her and worry that Mrs. Gardiner might permit another man the same leniency. “You seemed upset that Miss Mary said you should wear finer gowns.”
A flush pinked Elizabeth’s cheeks again. “I don’t want my family to feel that I think I’m above them.”
“Not above, precisely,” Darcy said, though she was and always had been, in so many ways. “You’re more, in a situation where something different is expected of you.”
“That seems a fine distinction.”
“Would you rather think you’re above them?”
Elizabeth shook her head. A maid came in with a plate of cakes.
She deposited them, then moved to stand by the parlor door, which seemed to restore Elizabeth’s good humor.
Darcy couldn’t decide if it boded well for his cause that the idea of him taking liberties with her amused Elizabeth.
He wished to be reliable, but did he want to be that safe?
“You seemed surprised at the interaction between Lady Catherine and her daughter,” Elizabeth said.
“For Anne to put herself forward and give an opinion is unusual. I have never seen her disagree with her mother.”
Elizabeth’s eyes were bright with mirth. “I disagree with Lady Catherine.”
“But you are much braver than Anne.”
“I don’t believe it’s a question of bravery.”
He could sit thus, listening to Elizabeth talk, forever. “Tell me a way in which anyone disagreed. Aside from the fabric for one of your gowns.”
Elizabeth considered, finally saying, “Lady Catherine suggested Mary should keep up her pianoforte lessons in London. Mary said she wasn’t interested in doing so, but would rather take drawing lessons, if lessons were being offered.
” Elizabeth quirked a smile. “To which your aunt replied that Mary would never become good at drawing because she hadn’t started young enough. ”
“That sounds like Lady Catherine,” Darcy said dryly, glad Elizabeth found his aunt’s behavior amusing rather than an affront. “What did you reply?”
“I said, Mary will be better with lessons than without them.”
Darcy nodded. “True enough, but I doubt that swayed her.
Elizabeth laughed. “Then you, sir, do not appreciate how persuasive I am.”
“Miss Mary is taking drawing lessons at Lady Catherine’s expense?” Darcy asked, surprised yet again.
“Yes, she is.”
“I’m astonished. I didn’t think Lady Catherine would support something of which she didn’t approve.” Let alone change her mind on anything.
Elizabeth shook her head. “In truth, I doubt it was my argument or Mary’s desires that had any impact. Miss de Bourgh expressed an interest in learning how to draw, to which Lady Catherine readily agreed. Mary shares the drawing master with Miss de Bourgh.”
Elizabeth may demur, but Darcy suspected she’d somehow brought the drawing lessons about.
She obviously had a positive effect on Anne, and on Lady Catherine.
He wondered if she could instill bravery in Georgiana.
He’d have to bring his sister over to meet her, and then keep an eye out for any changes.
If anyone could help, Elizabeth could. She held a nearly supernatural ability to bring out the best in people.