Chapter 4 #3
Georgiana was surprised and pleased with how Elizabeth gently teased and debated with her brother, occasionally taking a contrasting opinion to extend the debate.
She determined this woman would be a good one to emulate and hoped they would remain friends.
While she noted her brother often watched their guest, she could not guess its meaning, but she intended to do some matchmaking since she liked the idea of Miss Bennet becoming her sister.
Mrs Annesley joined in the conversation occasionally but mostly observed the interactions between the others in the room.
She watched her employer watch their guest and smiled to think what it meant.
Perhaps the dour Mr Darcy had found love?
Much too soon, the bell rang, indicating it was time to dress for dinner. As Georgiana began to stand, Darcy spoke.
“Georgiana, since Miss Bennet did not anticipate a stay at Darcy House tonight, what would you say if we forgo dressing for dinner and remain as we are for the meal? It would also allow us to continue our conversation until dinner is ready,” Darcy suggested.
Elizabeth enjoyed the conversation and nodded her agreement, as did Mrs Annesley, so the group continued their conversation.
A short time later, they heard a knock on the front door, followed by an indistinct conversation. Darcy’s butler had instructions to admit only Colonel Fitzwilliam, and they were pleasantly surprised when his mother, the Countess of Matlock, followed him in.
“Darcy, Richard told me about your visit to Rosings, and I determined to see if my assistance was needed,” the countess said and then noticed the unknown young lady in the room. “I see ‘Catty’ has acted as unreasonably as you feared.”
Darcy stood when their visitors entered and spoke quickly, “She did. Aunt Helen, may I introduce you to Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn in Hertfordshire. Miss Bennet, my aunt, the Countess of Matlock, Helen Fitzwilliam.”
The ladies curtsied to each other, and the countess spoke again. “What exactly did Catherine do this time?”
Darcy explained the events that had transpired, ending with, “I would have included you in our plans, but Richard told me you were occupied this evening.”
“I intended to be, but after speaking with Richard and learning of the concerns the two of you have about possible repercussions from your latest refusal to bow to Catherine’s demands, I thought it necessary to determine what needed to be done sooner rather than later,” Lady Matlock said, then turned to Elizabeth.
“My dear, I am delighted to meet you and even more pleased that William has found someone he believes is worth courting.
I have quite despaired of him ever finding a woman who would meet his exacting standards—a witty woman able to converse about more than just the weather and the state of the roads.
He has encountered far too many gossipy, empty-headed debutantes interested only in his wealth and status.
“My son says you are well-educated and well-read, not to mention lively and engaging, and he believes William is quite enamoured of you. Therefore, I will do all I can to forward the match,” Lady Matlock announced.
Both Elizabeth and William blushed brightly at her words as Richard grinned. Georgiana was caught somewhere in the middle of those two reactions. Elizabeth looked at Darcy, who shook his head subtly. “Why do you believe Miss Bennet and I are courting, Aunt?” he asked quietly.
She laughed. “It is obvious, nephew. You would not have taken such extraordinary steps to protect someone you did not care about, and in the few minutes I have been in the room, you have barely taken your eyes off her. Catherine is vindictive but not stupid and would not have acted as she did without some evidence of your admiration. You are too relaxed not to have at least some measure of understanding with the lady—if things were still undecided between you, you would still be fretting.”
Richard guffawed, causing William to scowl at him.
“She knows you well, cousin! You have been entirely too serious for a long time, and everyone in the family—except for our mutual aunt—will be pleased to see you looking as happy as you currently do.” Turning to Miss Bennet, he spoke cautiously.
“I do hope he can persuade you to accept him soon. You have influenced my cousin for the better in a very short time. I have rarely seen him smile as much as he has the last day or two, even after dealing with Aunt Catherine.”
Elizabeth blushed, and William’s scowl deepened. “I hardly think this is the most appropriate conversation. Please do not pressure Miss Bennet in this and allow our relationship to progress as we see fit,” he growled at Richard.
Lady Matlock, however, was not finished.
“I understand why you brought Miss Bennet here, William, but it is inappropriate for her to stay in the same house as you. I suggest Miss Bennet come to my house after dinner and stay as my guest until her relatives return to London. No one will be able to accuse you of anything scandalous or accuse Miss Bennet of compromising you with her in my home, and it will give you time to seek out her father to ask his permission. Her stay at my home will allow me to get to know her before the two of you are wed.”
Darcy scowled slightly at his aunt’s officiousness.
Elizabeth winked at him before nodding her agreement to his aunt, causing his countenance to lighten and relax.
The two lost themselves in the other’s eyes for a moment.
Observing this exchange, Richard chuckled and nudged Darcy in the ribs to draw his attention back to the room.
“I guess I should invite you both to join us for dinner, then,” Darcy said after a moment. “We decided not to dress for dinner in light of Miss Bennet’s unplanned arrival.”
Lady Matlock nodded, accepting the invitation before sitting next to Elizabeth and engaging her in conversation. Darcy watched momentarily before the Colonel caught his eye and indicated that he needed to speak privately. They excused themselves and headed into his study.
Richard spoke the moment the door closed behind them.
“I have dealt with Wickham. Tomorrow, he will be escorted to London and offered the choice of a regiment in the Regulars scheduled to head to the peninsula within the month or debtors’ prison.
He has run up considerable debts in Meryton, and the other notes you hold will see him in prison until he is a very old man.
If he chooses the Regulars, it is unlikely he will ever return to England,” he said.
Darcy was relieved but also slightly sorry for his former friend. Richard saw this and spent a few minutes reminding him of how Wickham abused their family, particularly Georgiana. Ultimately, Darcy accepted that Wickham earned this punishment through his behaviour.
When they rejoined the ladies, Darcy found Elizabeth engaged in lively conversation with his aunt and sister. His face reddened when he realised she was telling the story of the assembly in Meryton.
“Darcy,” his aunt scolded as he walked into the room. “I am quite surprised at your antisocial behaviour. I know you have been reluctant to participate in society much of the time, but this is an extreme reaction, even for you.”
“He apologised very nicely, Lady Matlock, and all has been forgiven, although I reserve the right to tease him about it occasionally,” Elizabeth said in his defence.
“I told the story because you insisted I do, not so you could chastise Mr Darcy. And I said before I began, the whole of it is best left behind us.”
Darcy felt a rush of affection at her defence of him and smiled broadly at her. “It was very wrong of me to behave in such a way, and I did apologise to Miss Bennet. She has kindly forgiven me. It was a hard lesson, but one I have learned thoroughly.”
She smiled back at him, and, once again, they were lost in each other’s gaze until the butler came in to announce that dinner was ready. Since it was an informal dinner, William offered his arm to Elizabeth and led her to the dining room, where he seated her to his right.
Richard followed behind with his mother and cousin, grinning broadly behind his cousin’s back and exchanging a knowing glance with his mother.
Elizabeth was good for his dour cousin. Since his uncle’s death, his cousin was too serious, having been saddled with the care of a much younger sister, a large estate and all that it entailed, many investments, and some smaller properties.
He was viewed as a prize stallion amongst the ton and was sought after by many, not for himself but for what he possessed—his wealth and position in society.
This hardened him, making him wary of people and even more reticent in company than before his father’s death.
Darcy often worried about raising expectations to the point that he paid no lady any attention, and his demeanour put off all but the most intrepid fortune hunters, like Caroline Bingley, who pursued Darcy relentlessly.
Too often, friends like Bingley turned so they could get what they could out of him, which left Darcy even more closed off and disillusioned.
They were quickly seated at Darcy’s end of the table so the five of them could converse easily.
Lady Matlock asked Elizabeth about her home, family, and accomplishments.
It felt intrusive when Lady Catherine asked these same questions; however, Lady Matlock’s questioning was gentler and made her seem interested in getting to know Elizabeth rather than evaluating her and looking for areas to criticise.
“Since you and Darcy are courting, Miss Bennet, I would like to ask your father to allow you to stay with me for a time so I might introduce you to society before you become engaged,” she finally decreed.
“I realise you may prefer to marry from your home, but it would be beneficial if you could spend some time in society first so you will not be wholly unknown when you marry. Darcy has always been reluctant to participate in too many events of the ton, but he knows it is his duty. I will help introduce you around to make your entrance easier.”
Once again, both Darcy and Elizabeth coloured at Lady Matlock’s implications about the eventual path of their relationship.
“Aunt, please desist from embarrassing Miss Bennet. She has accepted a courtship with me, but I have not yet convinced her to marry me and might refuse out of sheer stubbornness given your continued insistence on making the match,” Darcy scolded his aunt.
The Fitzwilliams laughed at his comment but kindly moved the conversation to a different topic.
They discussed some events they would like William to escort Miss Bennet to during her stay in London.
After several minutes, Elizabeth laughed and said, “Before we make too many plans, we should speak to my father. I should write him tonight to inform him of my removal to Matlock House after Lady Catherine’s accusations.
Mr Darcy, could you send it express, perhaps along with a request of your own? ”
He smiled at her. “I would be happy to do so, Miss Bennet,” he said. “What time do you think you could have your letter ready?”
“I am accustomed to country hours, and I dare say I will continue that even while in town,” she replied, smiling happily. “I am sure the letter will be ready by eight in the morning, and you could retrieve it any time after that.”
He grinned back. “I am the same and typically wake earlier than is fashionable in town. Aunt, may I bring Georgiana over early so we might break our fast with you, and I can arrange to send our letters to Hertfordshire?”
Lady Matlock agreed, and they finished dinner and returned to the drawing room, having decided to forgo the separation of the sexes with such a small party. Georgiana and Elizabeth played the piano; however, it was not long before Lady Matlock decided it was time for her and Elizabeth to leave.
Georgiana was disappointed to see Elizabeth go, as she hoped for more conversation that night with her new friend.
Darcy was likewise disappointed Elizabeth was leaving his home, but he escorted her to the carriage, pressing a lingering kiss to her hand and caressing it before releasing her into the carriage, looking after her longingly.