Chapter 17
The wind was still blowing, rattling the windowpanes, when Elizabeth finally woke up, confused after a troubled night with very little sleep and some disturbing dreams. She did not feel equal to facing her husband at breakfast, so she asked for something to be brought to her chamber.
As had become his habit, Mr Darcy knocked at her door to greet her, asked politely how she felt, then informed her he would be out most of the day, which would include meeting her father and uncle at his club.
“Very well, sir. I wish you a good day and hope you accomplish everything to your satisfaction.”
“Thank you. Elizabeth, I was thinking…once your father returns home, you may invite your sister to stay here with you, if you wish. This is your house, and you are entitled to have your family and friends at any time.”
“I shall think about that,” she replied, forcing a smile. “As far as I know, Jane is very comfortable with the Gardiners, but she might enjoy staying with me for a little while.”
“Good. I shall see you tonight.”
Elizabeth watched him leave, still confused by his behaviour and her response to it. He had done nothing wrong, he was polite and considerate, yet she felt uncomfortable in his presence. How was that possible?
After Mr Darcy left the house, Elizabeth relaxed somewhat.
She discussed the details of the dinner party with Mrs Green and informed her about the overnight guests; she inspected the suggested chambers for her relatives and consulted Cook about the dishes that would be served.
Their guests would be Mr Bingley’s party of four, Colonel Fitzwilliam, her father, Jane, and all six Gardiners, though the children would have their dinner in the nursery.
However, in the afternoon, she received a surprising note from Lady Matlock.
Elizabeth,
Lord Matlock and I have decided to accept Darcy’s invitation to tomorrow’s dinner. A prior engagement has been postponed, and we are now at liberty to attend.
I hope this is as agreeable to you as it is to us.
Elizabeth received the news with mixed feelings. She knew Lady Matlock had a reason to refuse the initial invitation, just as she had one to change her mind. She had probably heard Mr Bennet would be there and wished to judge him for herself.
The Matlocks’ presence made her slightly nervous. They were Mr Darcy’s closest relatives, and she knew their opinion must be important to her husband. Since she treated him — and their marriage — with respect, the Matlocks’ opinion of her, as Mrs Darcy, was important to her too.
She went over all the details with Mrs Green one more time, informing her about the new additions. The housekeeper had knowledge of the Fitzwilliams’ favourite dishes, so they were introduced, along with several others.
“Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley have dined with the master a few times,” Mrs Green said, “but I am not certain of their favourite food.”
“We owe special consideration to Lord and Lady Matlock,” Elizabeth replied. “The rest of us shall surely be satisfied with the excellent dishes we are served.”
Indeed, Mr Bingley’s sisters were not Elizabeth’s concern. Their first meeting had been irritating, and she expected the next one to be no different. In that family, Mr Bingley seemed to have inherited all the pleasant traits of character.
Busy with the dinner preparations, which occupied several hours of her day, Elizabeth forgot about her discomfort in regard to her husband and put aside her curiosity about his nightly affairs.
When he returned, she was able to greet him with relative composure and enquire about his meeting with her father and uncle.
“It was very pleasant,” he answered. “Do you wish me to tell you now, or perhaps we may discuss it over dinner?”
“At dinner, then. I would like that,” she agreed after a brief hesitation.
Unlike other evenings, she was ready before him and chose to go downstairs alone and wait for him at the table.
He arrived soon after, and she noticed he had just shaved.
When he sat, a scent of cedar and musk tickled her senses, and her cheeks burned.
She sipped a little wine while he asked how she was faring.
“I am very well, thank you. It feels like Mrs Green and I spent the entire day in consultation over the preparations for tomorrow evening. I do not think anything else has been accomplished. Lady Matlock sent me a note saying that they would attend too.”
“Yes, I know. My cousin joined us at the club, and he informed me.”
“Did he?”
“Yes, as I said, we spent a pleasant time together. Your father is a very engaging companion. His knowledge of literature, politics, and history is impressive.”
“It is.” She smiled. “When I was a child, he used to read to me, then when I was older, we read together for hours and engaged in all sorts of debates, which my stepmother did not approve of. So we stopped, and I was advised to show interest in more appropriate pursuits for accomplished young ladies. Drawing and painting, playing the pianoforte, dancing, needlework, and—”
“It has always amazed me how easily, and on what shallow criteria, people deem a woman accomplished.”
“It has? And may I ask, sir, what are your criteria for deeming a woman accomplished?” she asked with amused interest.
“You may ask, and I am not against telling you. Strength of character, loyalty, determination, and the improvement of her mind through extensive reading. Those would be some of my criteria, which, I admit, are subjective. Accomplishments are like beauty — it depends on who is the judge. Would you not agree?”
“I would. What I find truly amusing is that women are obliged to become accomplished, based on society’s criteria, much more often than men. Apparently, men are desirable and accomplished by simply being single and in possession of some fortune, if possible.”
“I agree. However, to me it is sad rather than amusing that men pretend to be the head of the family but put little effort into educating themselves.”
“How refreshing to hear a gentleman direct his criticism at his own sex rather than the opposite,” Elizabeth concluded, smiling. “I have always wondered what all the gentlemen gathered at their clubs talk about when there are no ladies around.”
“Mostly nonsense,” her husband replied so seriously that Elizabeth laughed.
“You are indeed very severe on your own sex, Fitzwilliam.”
“I hope I am fair, Elizabeth. So, is everything settled for dinner? May I help you in any way?”
“Everything is done. Your servants are perfectly trained and efficient, under Mrs Green’s supervision, and Cook is, as you are aware, very skilled. It was quite easy for me to make the arrangements.”
“I am glad, and I am happy to see you feeling better.”
“I told you there was no reason for concern, but I appreciate it all the same.”
For the rest of the evening, they carried on a light conversation. Elizabeth was tempted to enquire after Mr and Mrs Wickham, but she refrained from doing so. Her curiosity must be kept under good regulation until such a time as he decided to satisfy it.
***
Unlike the previous night, Elizabeth slept well and rested enough to wake in good spirits. She put aside all her other concerns and concentrated her mind upon turning that evening into a successful and delightful time for their families and friends.
She met Mr Darcy at breakfast, then each attended to their own duties until the evening, when they were reunited to receive their guests.
Elizabeth had chosen one of her newly made gowns — maybe a little bit too fashionable and formal for a family dinner, in her opinion, but likely agreeable to Lady Matlock.
“You look beautiful,” Mr Darcy told her, and her cheeks grew hot, even though she knew he was just being polite.
“And I shall take this opportunity to give you something that is long due,” he added.
Her eyes widened as he pulled a box from his pocket and handed it to her.
“I believe this set is perfect for this gown and this occasion. And for your complexion.”
Flushed and nervous, she took the box, still looking at him. Hesitantly, she opened it to reveal a set with a necklace and bracelet of gold and small diamonds.
“It is beautiful,” she whispered.
“I am glad you like it. It is just one of several sets Mrs Darcy should have. I am sorry for being so late in offering it to you.”
“You are not late. There has been no occasion for me to wear such exquisite jewellery in any case.”
“Regardless, they belong to you — among others, both here and at Pemberley. Georgiana has already taken what she inherited from our mother. The rest is Mrs Darcy’s. You may pass them on to your daughter if… You know…if we have children one day. If you would like, we can look over them.”
“I would certainly love to look at them, but do not feel you must give me access to them,” Elizabeth replied, hot and confounded at the sudden explanations and discussion about children.
“May I help you?” he asked, taking the box and holding up the necklace.
She nodded, so he stepped behind her and delicately placed it around her neck, his fingers gently brushing over her nape when closing the clasp.
He then took her hand in his and put on the matching bracelet.
In doing so, for a few long moments, he was only inches away from her, and the scent of musk made her dizzy.
When he had finished, he stepped back, and she walked to the mirror, admiring the result.
“It is beautiful, and it suits this gown perfectly. You have a remarkable taste, sir.” She hoped her statement sounded like a jest, though her musings were very serious, wondering how and when he had learnt to match gowns and jewellery.
Such thoughts embarrassed her, and she tried to dismiss them, with little success.
“You give me more credit than I deserve, madam. Fashion is the last thing I know anything about. I knew this jewellery would be the most suitable because the other sets were too ostentatious for a family dinner.”
“Oh…” she replied, again annoyed by her unreasonable response. What was happening to her that she continued to question his actions and his words? She used to have some sense and sensibility, but lately she seemed to have lost both in regard to her husband.
“They are beautiful,” she repeated.
“You certainly look beautiful wearing them, Mrs Darcy. Now, may I escort you downstairs? Our guests should arrive soon.”
She nodded again and took his left arm. As they walked together, he suddenly placed his right palm over her hand.
His gesture was friendly and polite, but it gave her shivers and set her heart racing.
When they entered the dining room, she was relieved to be able to withdraw her hand, but she still felt his gentle touch on it.
“Mrs Green, the table looks lovely,” she addressed the housekeeper, who was waiting for their opinion. “It is elegantly decorated but not overdone, just as I imagined it. Please tell everyone they have done an excellent job and I thank them all.”
“Thank you, Mrs Darcy. The first course will be ready in half an hour, but it can be put on hold, so we may begin serving it whenever you require.”
“Perfect,” Elizabeth replied with a glance at her husband; his expression, brightened by a little smile, left no doubt about his approval.
The first to arrive was the Gracechurch Street party, in two separate carriages.
The children immediately burst into the house, greeting everyone — from the butler to the footman who took their coats, from the housekeeper to the maid who helped with their bonnets and hats — a clear sign they were familiar with the household.
They were followed by Mr and Mrs Gardiner, Mr Bennet, and Jane.
They were all invited into the drawing room, and drinks were offered.
“I shall take the children to their chambers before the other guests arrive,” Mrs Gardiner said. “I would rather they ate in there and then prepared for the night.”
“But we shall breakfast tomorrow morning with all the grown ups, shall we not, Mama?”
“Yes, my darlings, just as we discussed at home. Now, say good night and let us go. Mrs Green, do we have the usual rooms?”
“Yes, Mrs Gardiner. I shall accompany you upstairs. We have prepared the children’s favourites for their dinner, and maybe some extra surprises for dessert. Mary and Betsey will attend them, like last time.”
“You are spoiling them, Mrs Green! But this is so very thoughtful! Thank you,” Mrs Gardiner answered, while the children, giddy with the anticipation of having a party of their own, said a quick good night and immediately followed their mother.
Elizabeth was tempted to accompany her aunt and cousins, but the butler announced more guests, and she had to welcome them.
Mr Bingley, Mrs and Mr Hurst, and Miss Bingley entered, and introductions were performed.
Shortly after, the arrival of Lord and Lady Matlock, together with the colonel, completed the list of guests.
Pleasantries were exchanged in the drawing room, then Mrs Gardiner returned and the entire party rose to move to the dining room.
Surprisingly, the knocker was heard again, startling them, and Elizabeth glanced at her husband, puzzled.
The butler entered and whispered something to Mr Darcy. The master nodded, then addressed his guests, “Please excuse me for a moment. There is someone I must speak to briefly. Please follow Mrs Darcy into the dining room — I shall join you shortly.”
Perplexed, Elizabeth stared at him, meeting his eyes for an instant, before he hurried out of the room. She struggled to regain her composure, smile, and take care of the guests.