Chapter 12 #4
"Since Mr Gardiner and my father are both here, I shall speak to them at once.
I shall ask your uncle's permission to write to you, and nothing would make me happier than knowing you would answer my letters.
When I return, I shall travel to Hertfordshire to request your father's permission as well. "
"I shall be delighted to receive your letters," Jane replied softly.
After speaking first with Mr Gardiner and then with his father, Matthew asked Lady Campbell if he might have a private word with her.
"My dear Lady Campbell," he said, "I have just received Mr Gardiner's permission to pay my addresses to Miss Bennet. Miss Bennet has done me the honour of accepting my suit, and I wished you to be among the first to know."
A warm smile spread across Eleanor's face.
"My dear Mr Andrews de la Garza, you have made me exceedingly happy. Jane deserves a gentleman of honour and good character, and I sincerely believe she has found one."
"You are too generous, my lady."
"Not at all. Now come with me. Such happy news cannot be kept secret."
A few minutes later, once everyone had gathered in the drawing room, Eleanor rose from her chair and gently tapped her glass.
"My dear friends," she began, her eyes shining with happiness, "Mr Andrews de la Garza has something to celebrate. With Mr Gardiner's approval, he has obtained Jane's permission to pay his addresses to her."
For a brief moment, the room fell silent.
Then Elizabeth gave a joyful cry.
"Jane!"
She hurried across the room and embraced her sister.
"I knew it!" she whispered. "I have never seen you so happy."
Jane laughed softly through her blushes.
"I do not believe I have ever been so happy."
Kitty was the next to throw her arms around Jane.
"Oh, Jane, I am so glad! Mr Andrews de la Garza is so kind. I always hoped he admired you."
Mary approached more quietly, but her smile was no less sincere.
"My dear Jane," she said, taking her sister's hand, "you deserve every happiness. I believe Mr Andrews de la Garza is a gentleman of excellent principles, and I am truly delighted for you."
"Thank you, Mary."
Elizabeth looked at Matthew with affectionate approval.
"You had better take very good care of my sister, Mr Andrews de la Garza."
"I shall devote my whole life to trying to deserve her," Matthew replied earnestly.
"I believe you will," Elizabeth said with a smile.
Mr Andrews raised his glass.
"To Jane and Matthew."
"To Jane and Matthew!" everyone echoed.
Glasses were raised, and the room filled with smiles, laughter, and heartfelt congratulations as they celebrated the happy understanding that had been formed between the young couple.
Half an hour later, it was time for Matthew and his father to take their leave. Before departing, he took the opportunity to speak with Jane alone for a few moments.
"I shall miss you, my dear Miss Bennet."
Jane smiled, though her eyes betrayed how difficult she found the parting.
"And I shall miss you too, Mr Andrews de la Garza."
He kissed her hand and finally left the house, accompanied by his father.
On the journey home, Mr James Andrews glanced at his son.
"When do you intend to tell Miss Bennet the whole truth about yourself, my son?"
Matthew remained silent for a moment before answering.
"After we are married."
His father looked at him thoughtfully.
"Do you truly believe it is wise to conceal such an important part of who you are?"
Matthew kept his eyes fixed on the passing countryside.
"I am simply your son, Father."
There was such quiet finality in his voice that Mr Andrews knew better than to pursue the subject.
The following morning, father and son left London at dawn.
◆◆◆
"Aunt Eleanor, you look so beautiful this evening," Kitty said with admiration.
In little more than half an hour, Eleanor, Elizabeth, and Mary would leave for the ball. Kitty, however, would remain at home with John and Laura, as Aunt and Uncle Gardiner were also attending the evening's festivities.
She did not mind in the least.
Indeed, she was relieved. She now understood that she was not yet ready to enter society.
Her own Season would come the following year, and she intended to be properly prepared for it.
Besides, she was looking forward to an evening of cards with John and Laura.
John was endlessly amusing and never failed to make her laugh, while Laura did her utmost to imitate her brother, which Kitty found utterly adorable.
"Thank you, my dear," Eleanor replied warmly. "But just wait until you see your sisters."
At that moment, Elizabeth and Mary entered the drawing room.
Kitty could only stare.
Elizabeth looked as beautiful as ever; no one who knew her would have expected otherwise. Mary, however, seemed transformed. It was as though she had become an entirely different young lady.
"You both look beautiful," Kitty said at last.
While Kitty eagerly complimented Mary, Eleanor beckoned Elizabeth to her side.
"My dear," she said softly, opening a small velvet case, "this necklace and these pearl earrings were Daniel's wedding gift to me. I am certain he would have been delighted to see you wearing them this evening. Will you do me the honour?"
Elizabeth looked at the jewels with surprise.
Knowing how precious they must be to her aunt, she could not refuse such a generous gift.
"Thank you, Aunt Eleanor. It would be an honour."
With gentle hands, Eleanor fastened the necklace around Elizabeth's neck before placing the pearl earrings in her hands.
For a long moment, she simply looked at her.
The dark hair, the fair complexion, the vivid green eyes, the confidence with which she spoke, her love of nature...
It was as though the past had returned to stand before her once again.
Yet Eleanor would not allow herself to dwell upon those thoughts.
For twenty years, she had spent countless nights grieving what she had lost. She had finally found a measure of peace, and she would not surrender it now.
Instead, she chose to look at what Providence had placed before her.
She had never been blessed with children of her own, yet she had been given four wonderful nieces who had filled her home with laughter, affection, and purpose.
That was enough.
When the Gardiners arrived with Jane, John, and Laura, the party set out together for Lady Westcliff's ball.
◆◆◆
Lillian Campbell could not have been more pleased with herself. The ballroom looked magnificent. She did not doubt that, by the following morning, everyone in London would be talking about her ball.
More than anything, she hoped Eleanor would enjoy the evening.
She had grown sincerely fond of Lady Campbell.
Although they had met in person only a few months before, they had corresponded regularly for years.
Eleanor had always written with warmth and kindness, never once objecting to Daniel's generous support of his brother's family.
Quite the contrary—she had encouraged it.
When they finally met, Lillian had discovered the same gracious lady she had known through her letters.
Eleanor had never made her feel inferior for lacking the refinement or education that Daniel's wife had.
Instead, she listened attentively, drew her into every conversation, and treated her with unfailing affection.
Yet affection did not entirely silence self-interest.
Eleanor was still an attractive and wealthy woman.
Lillian had no wish to see her marry a gentleman whose children might one day inherit Lady Campbell's considerable fortune.
General Marcus Sinclair, however, seemed an ideal choice.
He was handsome, honourable, intelligent, and, above all, had neither a wife nor children.
Better still, Lady Samantha had set her cap at him, and Lillian derived no small satisfaction from frustrating her oldest rival.
Should Eleanor marry, her nieces would naturally return to their own family, and Lillian's children would once again become those nearest to her heart.
It was an outcome she would do nothing to discourage.
Eleanor arrived with her nieces and the Gardiners before the other guests.
She embraced Lady Westcliff warmly.
"Lillian, everything looks beautiful. Thank you for the immense trouble you have taken on my account."
"It has been my greatest pleasure, my dear. Welcome—and I hope all of you enjoy the evening."
Lady Westcliff and her husband soon returned to the entrance hall to receive their remaining guests.
Eleanor excused herself.
As she knew almost no one present, she preferred to wait until Lady Westcliff formally welcomed everyone and introduced her during supper.
Half an hour later, the ballroom was full, though the dancing had not yet begun. The musicians were making their final preparations while guests continued to arrive.
Eleanor conversed with everyone in her usual gracious manner, and before long, many were hoping for the opportunity of making her better acquainted.
Lord Westcliff was to lead the first set with Lady Campbell, while Lady Westcliff had reserved it for her son, Viscount Blackwood, who had not yet arrived.
"Charles," Caroline said in an excited whisper, "the wisest thing you have ever done was to invite Lady Campbell to stay with us at Netherfield.
Otherwise, we should never have found ourselves at such a splendid gathering.
According to this morning's paper, Lord Matlock and Lord Rockwell are both expected to attend. "
“You are welcome, sister,” replied Mr Bingley absently. His only concern at the moment was to see Miss Bennet.
Caroline was delighted. At last, she felt she was beginning to enter the highest circles of society.
Mr Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam arrived only moments before the first set was due to begin and immediately crossed the room to greet Lord Matlock and the rest of the family.