Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
William’s knock on the Gardiner’s door was quickly answered by the housekeeper, who was surprised to see the master’s niece standing there. “Miss Elizabeth! We did not expect you for several more days,” she exclaimed.
“My plans changed, and I hope to visit my aunt and uncle if they are home,” Elizabeth informed her. The housekeeper stepped aside so they could enter and informed her the Gardiners had arrived home only a few hours ago and were taking tea in the drawing room.
“Lizzy!” Jane cried when Elizabeth entered the room. She rushed to hug her and paused when she saw Mr Darcy standing behind her. “Mr Darcy!” she cried in surprise.
Mr and Mrs Gardiner stood more calmly when Elizabeth entered the room but were also surprised to see the tall, handsome man standing behind her. They were reassured by the broad smile on Elizabeth’s face but wondered what brought the two to their door several days before Elizabeth was expected.
Elizabeth first hugged Jane, then moved to her aunt and uncle to greet them in the same fashion before she spoke. “Mr Darcy, my uncle, Mr Edward Gardiner, and his wife, Madeline Gardiner. Aunt, Uncle, Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley, in Derbyshire.”
With introductions out of the way, Mrs Gardiner invited everyone to sit and called for additional cups and fresh tea.
All noted the courteous way Mr Darcy treated Elizabeth and that he stayed close to her.
Mrs Gardiner particularly noticed the frequent looks between them as they exchanged pleasantries while waiting for tea.
Finally, after everyone had been served their tea and pastries, the discussion turned to more serious matters.
“Elizabeth, I have been patient, but can you tell us why you are in London already? You were not to arrive until early next week?” her aunt enquired, a hint of impatience in her tone.
“I confess I am quite surprised at you and Mr Darcy turning up on our doorstep without a chaperone accompanying you.”
Elizabeth and Darcy flushed slightly, and Elizabeth patted his arm as she took a deep breath and began her story: “Much has happened in the last few days and weeks, Aunt. I met Mr Darcy again in Kent—he was visiting his aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who resides at Rosings Park, next to the parsonage, and is Mr Collins’ patroness.
” She explained the events of the last several days, ending with Mr Darcy’s visit to Hertfordshire and Mr Bennet’s letter to Elizabeth recommending they marry as soon as it could be arranged.
Mr Darcy then took up the story. “My great-uncle is a bishop and helped me obtain a special licence that should be delivered tomorrow. My aunt took Elizabeth shopping this morning to order clothes for her trousseau. They even found a dress for the wedding that will be ready tomorrow afternoon. She is planning to host the wedding and wedding breakfast from Matlock House. Given Mr Bennet’s letter, we hoped to hold the wedding on Saturday morning if you are available then. ”
Mr and Mrs Gardiner looked at each other for a long moment. “Elizabeth, this is sudden and quite a change from when we last saw you. Gentlemen, may we ladies have a few minutes to speak privately?” Aunt Gardiner said.
“Let us go into my study, Mr Darcy,” Mr Gardiner suggested.
The gentlemen stood and exited, but not before Darcy took Elizabeth’s hand, kissing it and then squeezing it gently in encouragement.
Neither gesture was missed by the sharp eyes of Mr or Mrs Gardiner, who were watching the couple carefully.
As soon as the door closed behind them, Mrs Gardiner turned to Elizabeth. “Elizabeth, in December, you could barely stand the man. Now, you appear eager to marry him. What has changed between then and now?” she demanded.
“Oh, Aunt, I was so wrong about him before. He truly is the best of men; you should not worry about that,” she said.
“We met many times in Kent and discussed all manner of things. I misunderstood him in Hertfordshire and allowed others to prejudice me against him. Honestly, I was already upset with him and perfectly willing to believe the worst of him. However, we were able to discuss these matters calmly and clearly, and I do love him very dearly now. He has been patient and kind with me, and we have much in common.”
“What changed?” her aunt persisted.
“I confess that he drew my eye from the first moment I saw him. However, his comment at the assembly angered me and insulted my vanity. From that point, I believed him to be contrary in every word he spoke, but at Rosings, after he apologised for the comment he made, I truly began to reconsider each of our interactions and realised I was determined to see the worst in him. That, and the conversations we had while walking at Rosings and in various drawing rooms here in London, have shown me that he truly is my perfect match. I cannot imagine loving anyone as much as I love William,” Elizabeth enthused.
“I have found much to admire in him; he is so very good and kind.”
Her aunt nodded, carefully considering all her niece told her.
“I cannot say that I am thrilled about a wedding happening in mere days, but since your father did not see fit to give us any more details about why a quick wedding is preferable, we will support it. I hope you will stay in London for some time after the wedding, my dear. Your uncle and I will want to see you and be assured of your happiness and well-being.”
“Aunt Helen, that is Lady Matlock, suggested we take a honeymoon period of a week or two and then participate in the remainder of the season so I may be introduced to society. She intends to throw a ball to celebrate our wedding a few weeks after and plans to imply to the gossips that we have been engaged since we met in Hertfordshire, and William preferred a small, private wedding due to his quiet nature,” Elizabeth told him.
“So, yes, we will be in town until late May or early June before we go to Pemberley for the summer. We will decide then if we should visit Longbourn on the way there since Papa was unclear about whether it would be wise.”
She pondered for a moment. “I do not know what Papa was thinking in insisting on a quick wedding. He said nothing to William about it when he was there, only mentioning it in a letter he had William deliver to me. I do not understand it.”
Mrs Gardiner nodded at Elizabeth’s comments.
“Despite the speed of everything, it is evident you have given considerable thought to the matter, which makes me feel more content, as does his obvious care and concern for you. However, my dear, if he looked at you in Hertfordshire the way he looks at you now, I do not know how you could misconstrue that as finding fault.”
Elizabeth laughed. “He is more open in his regard for me now and definitely smiles more than he did in Hertfordshire. There, he always seemed to glower at me, but now I know he was fighting his attraction to me.” Elizabeth coloured as she said this.
“And, perhaps most importantly, I understand him better now, which significantly affects how I interpret his expressions.”
“Will you stay with us until the wedding or remain at Matlock House since you will marry from there?” Jane finally spoke up to ask.
She was hoping for some time alone with Lizzy so they might talk in greater detail.
She read the letter Elizabeth sent with Darcy from Rosings and wanted more information about what changed Elizabeth’s feelings towards Mr Darcy so drastically.
“You do know Mama will have a fit of nerves when she hears about all this and the special licence.” All three women laughed at that comment.
“We were not certain you would be home tonight,” Elizabeth said after the laughter subsided.
“Since you are, I will ask William to have his aunt send me my things so I may stay here until the wedding. We need to do some more shopping tomorrow morning, and I do hope the two of you will join us. I am to be fitted for my wedding dress and some other items for my trousseau.”
Jane looked pleased and leaned over to hug his sister. “I am so happy for you, Lizzy. I was so surprised when you told us of your engagement that I neglected to congratulate you and Mr Darcy. You seem rather pleased, and he seems to care for you quite a bit.”
Laughing, Elizabeth accepted their congratulations. When the gentlemen returned to the room, William sat down beside Elizabeth and took her hand, kissing it briefly. Aunt Gardiner smiled in approval at the evidence of his care.
“William,” Elizabeth said quietly to him.
“I hope Aunt Helen will not be offended if I do not return to Matlock House with you this evening. Since the Gardiners are home, I would like to stay here until the wedding on Saturday. Jane and Aunt Maddie can join us for the final fitting of my wedding dress and escort me to Matlock House for the wedding on Saturday. I have not seen Jane in several weeks and would like to spend some time with her before we marry in two days.” She blushed again at the reminder of how her life would change in such a short time.
“I cannot imagine her minding the change, my love,” he replied.
“I will greatly miss your company, but soon enough, we will not be separated again.” Their eyes locked, and they were lost to the rest of the group until a throat clearing drew their attention back to the group.
Mr and Mrs Gardiner smiled understandingly at the couple and were further reassured by the affection the young couple clearly shared.
“Mr Darcy, will you join us for dinner tonight?” Mr Gardiner asked.