Chapter 4. Elizabeth’s Meeting in the Park
The morning following the arrival of Jane’s letter, Elizabeth found she could not rally her spirits, and she retreated to her room to write to Jane but could not find the proper words and rather than waste valuable paper, she withdrew further to a chair by the window where she could watch the traffic on the street.
The sun came out in London, a rare thing in November, and by afternoon, the weather was warm enough to tempt Mrs Gardiner to take her children and niece for an outing in the park one-quarter mile from their Grace Church Street home.
Mr Gardiner remained home after luncheon to accompany his family and so with their nanny and footman, the Gardiners set out for the park with their three children and their niece.
The sun was bright and improved everyone’s spirits, including Elizabeth’s. After a goodly time of play with her young cousins, Elizabeth approached her aunt and uncle for permission to walk the circuit of the park alone.
“I wish for a few minutes to consider our conversation last night as well as the letter I received from Jane,” she explained.
Nodding his head, her uncle gave his permission. “But there is one restriction; you must remain within my sight the entire time. That confines you to the pathway around the pond and the fountain.”
Smiling, Elizabeth thanked her uncle and began her walk at a pace that took her past other families and couples enjoying the November sunshine. She found herself watching the men and women; wondering if they were married couples who had fallen in love or if their families had arranged the marriage.
‘I understand that arranged marriages can be happy ones,’ Elizabeth decided. ‘My uncle and aunt have an arranged marriage, and they obviously love each other.’
Watching a man and woman walking arm in arm without saying a word to each other, she decided they were not a happily married couple.
‘If only I knew Jane had a chance at happiness with this Mr Collins,’ Elizabeth decided. ‘Mamma knew what she was about sending me to town. I am certain that Papa would never have agreed to this marriage if I had been at home.’
Turning the corner once again, Elizabeth approached the fountain where several benches offered respite for the footsore pedestrian. On one of the benches near the fountain, she saw a young woman–a girl only the age of Lydia–with her head in her hands crying.
“Whatever is the matter?” Elizabeth asked stopping and sitting beside the girl. “May I be of assistance?”
Wiping her nose on a handkerchief, the girl replied between hiccups, “My companion has deserted me! She left me here in the park!”
“Who is your companion? A friend?”
Shaking her head, the girl said, “She is my lady’s companion, hired by my brother to chaperone me everywhere I go.
We were to go shopping for new gowns but after we left the house, she decided that we should come to the park, and she dismissed the carriage.
My brother will be very upset when he learns the carriage returned home without us. ”
“With the sunshine, the lady must have wanted to enjoy a walk here in the park.” Elizabeth looked around, “It is a pleasant afternoon and there are quite a lot of people here today. Perhaps she just got separated from you.”
Wiping her nose yet again, the girl shook her head and insisted, “My companion deserted me–she has not been satisfied with the position for several months since my brother decided that I should not have a vacation by the sea last summer. He kept me here in town and Mrs Young urged him several times to allow us to separate from him for a time, but he repeatedly responded that I am too young to have an establishment of my own even for a time.”
“I would think that means your brother cares a great deal for you,” Elizabeth responded. “My name is Elizabeth Bennet, and I am just twenty years, so I remain at home with my father, mother and four sisters. The notion of a quiet establishment is attractive, but I remain with my family.”
“I am Georgiana Darcy. My brother and I are all we have–our parents have both passed,” the young girl responded.
“There–he cannot bear the idea of you leaving him,” Elizabeth assured the girl. “How old are you–six-and-ten years?”
“I am five-and-ten years.”
“Of course, you are too young to have your own establishment. Now, why are you crying?”
“My brother will be very angry with me for losing Mrs Young. He insists that I keep to the appointments that we have agreed upon.”
Elizabeth squeezed the girl’s hand gently, “And your companion knows this as well, so I am certain she is searching for you this very moment.”
Now the blond head shook back and forth before she replied, “No, she is not looking for me. I saw her climb into a carriage with George and he kissed her.”
Elizabeth was shocked for a moment before she asked, “They kissed in public? Here in the park? Is George her husband?”
“Oh no, Mrs Young is a widow and George is ‘George Wickham’, son of the man who once was my family’s steward,” Georgiana replied. “I have not seen him in three years.”
“Are you certain the man was Mr Wickham?”
“Oh yes. George is beautiful–no woman can forget his face.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Is he a demigod from Greece?”
A small smile came to Georgiana’s face, and she nodded her head. “I have heard some of the maids and ladies back home say he is...”
“Tell me, where is home?”
Now the tears ceased, and the young lady answered, “Derbyshire–our family is from Derbyshire.”
“A county to the north I believe,” Elizabeth said attempting to draw out the young girl. “I have never been to Derbyshire. My aunt who lives in town was born in Derbyshire in a small town named Lambton.”
Brightening at the familiar subject, Georgiana explained, “Lambton is only a few miles from our home. My brother and I attend Sunday services there when the weather is fine.”
Now Elizabeth noticed her uncle and aunt walking toward her and she drew Georgiana to her feet. “Come, my family approaches and my uncle will return you to your home.”
As Elizabeth rose from the bench, Uncle Gardiner asked, “Lizzy, have you had enough time for reflection?”
“Thank you, I believe I have. And I have met this young lady who needs our assistance. Her companion deserted her here in the park and she needs to return home to her brother.”
“Deserted you in the park?” her aunt asked before approaching the girl on the bench and taking her hand as her two oldest children followed. “All will be well my dear! I am certain of it. My name is Mrs Edward Gardiner, and my husband will return you to your family.”
“What is your name child?” Uncle Gardiner asked kindly.
“Georgiana Darcy, sir.”
“Are you related to the Darcy family of Pemberley in Derbyshire?”
“Yes sir, my brother is Fitzwilliam Darcy,”
“Then I know your brother–I act as his factor selling Pemberley wool each year. We are investing together in mills to spin the wool into yarn and then into cloth in nearby Derby.”
“Mr Gardiner, please!” fussed Mrs Gardiner. “Miss Darcy is distressed and must be returned to her brother. She cares little for factories or yarn.”
“Where is your home, Miss Darcy?” asked Elizabeth.
“In Mayfair,” Miss Darcy replied.
“That is almost two miles from here,” Uncle Gardiner announced. He glanced at his niece and said, “While that is a suitable distance for you Lizzy, none of the rest of us can walk four miles. I shall hire a cab so that you and I can return Miss Darcy to her home.”
The man turned to his wife and asked, “Mrs Gardiner, are you agreeable to returning home with Nanny and the footman to escort you and the children?”
“Certainly, Mr Gardiner,” his wife replied with a smile. “Children say goodbye to the young lady. When we return home, there will be biscuits and hot cider.”
Mr Gardiner watched his wife surrounded by his children and their servants begin the short walk back to their home before he turned to his niece and the young lady.
“Miss Darcy, shall we walk to the street?” he asked offering his arm. “I shall hail a carriage and return you to your brother.”
With the young girl on one arm and his niece on the other, Edward Gardiner navigated the pathway to the entrance to the park and when they came to the street, he was able to flag down a for-hire carriage quickly.
He waved for the driver to remain on his seat and asked the young lady for the direction to her home that he then relayed to the driver.
Then Mr Gardiner opened the door and handed first his niece and then Miss Darcy inside.
When he climbed inside himself and everyone was settled on the seats, he knocked on the roof of the carriage and the driver flicked the reins to set the horses to walking again.
After almost thirty minutes of traffic on London’s streets, the driver halted the team in front of a large, four-story brick house.
Mr Gardiner stepped down from the carriage and reached in to help Miss Darcy down.
Before Miss Darcy was on the street, the front door of the house flew open and a tall, dark-haired man rushed down the stairs to the girl’s side, taking her in his arms for a moment.
“Georgiana, where have you been? Where is Mrs Young? You were to be home an hour ago!”
When the older brother released the young woman, he turned to Elizabeth’s uncle who tipped his hat, bowed and said, “Mr Darcy, my niece found Miss Darcy deserted in the park and after calming her, brought her to me and I immediately brought her to your home.”
Darcy frowned. “I imagine you expect a reward...”
Having joined the others on the sidewalk Elizabeth was silent at the man’s words. Uncle Gardiner frowned only so slightly but replied, “Mr Darcy sir, I am your business partner, Edward Gardiner.”
“And is this some scheme to draw my favour for your proposals?”
“A scheme, sir?” Uncle Gardiner asked, surprised and offended.