Chapter 1.11 #3
“Oh, I am better—so much better! I have anxiously awaited your return, so tell me everything about your call. Did you have a pleasant time?”
“Yes, we did, dearest—a very pleasant time, indeed.”
“And Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth? Are they well, I hope? Do not make me ask so many questions, I beg you. Tell me everything.”
He was happy to see her so animated, and he described to her how delighted he was to meet Elizabeth and Jane Bennet and their aunt.
His voice was calm and tender as if telling a story to a child, and he was content to see his sister listening with great pleasure.
He truly cherished such moments, especially after seeing Georgiana through her battle against a dreadful illness.
It had brought them together in spite of the grief and pain.
They had the opportunity to spend more time together and, as she had begun to improve over the past fortnight, to become even closer.
Their bond of affection was further strengthened by an earnest trust in each other despite the difference in their ages.
That trust allowed them to bypass their usual reserve and share their private thoughts—even about such topics as George Wickham and Elizabeth Bennet.
“William, I am happy to see you so content. I am very sorry I shall not have the opportunity to meet Miss Elizabeth…and Miss Bennet, of course.”
“You will, I promise, as soon as you have fully recovered.”
“Oh, but that might take several weeks, and I am sure they will not remain in town so long.” Her weak voice was filled with regret, and Darcy caressed her cheek gently.
“Dearest, please do not be sad. The only important thing now is for you to be well, and I promise I shall do everything I can to help you recover.”
“I know you will. Oh, but I forgot to ask: Where is Mr Bingley? I cannot wait to hear his story. I am sure it will be even more detailed than yours.”
“He had some pressing matters of business, and then he is returning to the Gardiners’ for dinner, so I do not think he will come to see you today.”
“I am so happy for him! He must be full of joy to be receiving an invitation so soon!” Then, she turned to her brother, looking at him earnestly. “But were you not also invited?”
“Yes I was, but I have declined for this evening.”
“You have declined? Why would you do that?”
“Because I want to have dinner with you, here, as we do every day,” he answered, smiling at her.
“Oh no, you cannot do that. You must go, please. I should feel so badly if you lost this opportunity because of me. Please say you will go.”
In an instant, he became serious, and his mood was reflected in his answer.
“Georgiana, there is nothing more to say on this subject. I shall be sure to watch you eat as the doctor specifically advised us. You will oblige me, for this is the only way you can fully recover and accompany me on my next visit to Miss Elizabeth. Do we have an agreement?”
She withdrew in her shyness, intimidated by his words, and nodded in silence, but she saw him smile again as his hand caressed her hair.
“Thank you, dear sister, for your concern and support. You are a blessing to me, you know?”
She tried to regain her smile and dared to answer boldly. “There were many moments when I was more a burden than a blessing. I know it. That is why I shall always listen to you.”
“Good, I shall retire now. Try to sleep a little more, and I shall see you later. And…Georgiana…if you eat satisfactorily, you will perhaps truly feel a little better…and if you can do without me, perhaps I might go out for a few hours later in the evening.”
∞∞∞
With great effort after a long hot bath, Charles Bingley succeeded in regaining a part of his usual cheerfulness.
The thought of seeing Jane Bennet again soon helped him in this achievement.
He did not wish nor did he expect to have another conversation with either of his sisters that day, and he left the house eagerly, hurrying to Gracechurch Street.
He was somewhat worried about his hosts’ opinion of him and his sister, considering the afternoon’s revelation of Caroline’s behaviour.
But his reception was so gracious, Jane’s beautiful eyes so welcoming, and the smile on her face so radiant, that he forgot almost everything—even to express his friend’s excuse and promise to call later that evening, remembering only after Mrs Gardiner’s specific inquiry.
Mrs Gardiner placed both nieces on either side of her with Mr Bingley sitting close to Jane and Mr Gardiner at the other end of the dinner table.
Though Mr Bingley was seated near Mr Gardiner and anxious to make the best impression on that gentleman, he proved to be a dreadful conversationalist that evening.
In truth, the constant smiles and blushes exchanged between Mr Bingley and Jane, the regretful glances towards the empty place at the table beside Elizabeth, and the understanding smiles of Mr and Mrs Gardiner made conversation at the table rather sparse.
Happily, after the second course was served, the servant entered and announced Mr Darcy, whose presence was received with great interest and no little pleasure.
Unconsciously and completely impolitely, his eyes rested on Elizabeth’s glowing face the moment he entered the room, ignoring the rest of the party.
Quickly regaining his composure, he was introduced to Mr Gardiner.
Darcy expressed his apologies for disturbing them at dinnertime and received hearty assurances that he was most welcome.
He was invited to take his place next to Elizabeth and Mr Gardiner, a situation that pleased him exceedingly.
He answered their compassionate questions about Georgiana with sincere gratitude.
With Mr and Mrs Gardiner fulfilling their duties as hosts with elegance and with Darcy’s surrender of his usual reserve, the dinner became more animated and pleasant.
Elizabeth did not often turn her eyes to Mr Darcy, but she listened most attentively to all that passed between him and Uncle Gardiner, and gloried in every expression and sentence that marked her uncle’s intelligence, taste, and good manners.
She saw Mr Darcy desirous to please and more animated than she had ever seen him in company.
Elizabeth felt relieved, happy, and contented—though not particularly relaxed—and was completely unsuccessful in concealing the blushes caused by Mr Darcy’s close proximity.
After dinner, the gentlemen retired to Mr Gardiner’s library but soon rejoined the ladies. Mr Gardiner seemed in particularly good spirits and went directly to his wife.
“My dear, I have delightful news: Mr Darcy has invited us to dinner at his home the day after tomorrow on the first day of the New Year. I must confess I accepted as I knew we had no fixed engagements.”
Mrs Gardiner looked at Elizabeth, desirous to know how she, whom the invitation most concerned, felt disposed as to its acceptance, and seeing her evidently pleased and her husband so fond of the gentlemen’s society, she expressed her delight and acceptance.
“Mr Darcy, this is indeed a pleasant surprise, and we happily accept your invitation, but are you sure we would not be intruding, considering the particular situation of your family?”
“Mrs Gardiner, please be assured that it would be an honour to have you as my guests. There will be no other guests except Mr Bingley and his family; my aunt and uncle had other plans that could not be changed. Your presence would be a welcome addition to our little party.”
Elizabeth could not help but feel pleased and triumphant. She said nothing, but it gratified her exceedingly, for she knew the compliment was mostly for her sake.
The rest of the evening passed in the same pleasant manner, Mr Gardiner finding many reasons to be pleased with both gentlemen, especially upon realising their mutual pleasure in the sport of fishing.
If for Mr Bingley and Jane the evening was everything they could have hoped, being perfectly content to be in each other’s company, the same could not be said for Elizabeth and Mr Darcy.
Although both enjoyed the company and the evening, they hoped eagerly for a few moments alone together to put behind them a long month of grief, sorrow, and misunderstandings.
However, no opportunity of the kind arose until the last moment of the gentlemen’s departure.
∞∞∞
All four Gardiner children, two girls and two boys, were excessively attached to their older cousins although their various personalities led them to express their affection in different ways.
Thomas, aged nine, and Henry, seven and one-half, were very gentlemanlike and well mannered when in company.
The two were attracted to books and everything new but also restless and willing to play.
Their quick minds and overflowing energy more than once made for hard times for their governess, Mrs Burton, and many of their mischievous practical jokes were sources of anxiety for their mother and younger sisters.
While the boys were much alike, the girls were a different matter entirely. Margaret, at the age of six, was already a complete young lady, attentive to her looks and clothes, inclined to try her mother’s jewels and reticules, and exceedingly talented at the pianoforte.