Chapter 25
The dinner at the Darcys became the most important event since their arrival in London. Mr Bennet, brought almost by force from Netherfield by the Bingleys, arrived the evening before, causing a great and pleasant surprise to everyone.
The newcomers were greeted with embraces and exclamations of delight, whilst the duchess almost forgot to breathe when she set eyes upon the younger version of her secret husband.
“This is how you looked at forty,” she murmured, her eyes full of tears. There were so many years of the man she loved that she had never seen.
“You should have stayed another week on your honeymoon,” exclaimed Mrs Bennet, addressing Mrs Jane Bingley. She sounded almost annoyed, though it was plain that she was delighted to have her family reunited.
“Yes, but it was far more interesting to be here with you,” Jane replied, looking towards the duchess. She was curious to meet the lady who, in one way or another, had become the cause of everything that had happened.
The duchess finally turned her attention from Mr Bennet to the newly married lady who seemed to shine. Her happiness was visible in every glance and smile. Such was how a bride ought to look.
Only three weeks earlier, Henrietta herself had been as happy as this young woman.
Since then, her happiness had continued to grow with each passing day beside the dear man she had once believed lost forever.
Life had punished her severely, yet in the end, it had granted her more than she had ever hoped to receive.
Looking forward to the moment when they would finally be alone, she was happy for Thomas as well.
He had found his family at last and had willingly remained amongst them, helping them understand their altered circumstances.
The duchess suspected that Mrs Bennet would have liked to govern the house herself, but that could never happen.
Mrs Bennet had Netherfield and her husband.
The London house required a young mistress.
If Thomas's hopes were fulfilled and Elizabeth married Mr Darcy, she would leave for Pemberley and become mistress of his estates.
Lydia and Catherine, whatever advantages the future might bring them, were unsuited to managing the households of dukes and duchesses.
Mary, meanwhile, possessed no interest in such responsibilities.
The future of the house had concerned the duchess a little, yet the moment Jane entered the parlour, the matter was settled in her mind.
That young woman was precisely what she needed.
Behind the soft expression and gentle eyes stood a true lady, and the duchess recognised in her exactly the spirit she sought.
Her plans extended even further. She intended to use all her influence to obtain a title for the couple.
The future Lord and Lady Bingley seemed perfectly suited to transform that melancholy house into a place governed by love and beauty.
With Thomas at her side, the future appeared clear, and nearly every difficulty had been resolved. Nearly every difficulty.
Thomas's attention had settled upon Elizabeth, who was speaking with Andrew. The duchess could not help feeling a little sorry for the young man. He would have to seek a lady more suited to his own circumstances.
“Why are you going to Mr Darcy's house an hour before dinner, Uncle Thomas?” asked Mrs Bennet.
She had already begun to understand some of the rules of the ton.
One of the strictest required a guest to arrive exactly on time.
Neither before nor after the appointed hour, even by a quarter of an hour.
“Because I have several matters to discuss with Mr Darcy. Tom will return to collect you and the duchess, whilst the young ladies will come with the Bingleys.”
As usual, Mr Bennet asked no questions, and Thomas was grateful for it. He had no desire to explain the purpose of the meeting and encourage his nephew to accuse him of interfering in family matters.
Which, in truth, he was.
Elizabeth occupied a special place in his affections, and he suspected that many of her present difficulties could be traced, however indirectly, to his own arrival.
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Mr Darcy's welcome was warm and sincere, as though he had been waiting for someone capable of bringing light back into his life.
“I am so grateful that you came, sir.”
Thomas had to remind himself that he had requested the meeting, not Darcy.
His glance travelled quickly about the room, and what he saw pleased him.
The house represented exactly what Elizabeth needed.
Elegant without ostentation, it was plainly a home that was lived in.
The impressive library contained books lying open in various places, whilst papers and letters covered the desk.
A butler brought them brandy, and silence settled between them for a few moments.
Thomas had not come to discuss ordinary matters.
“Fitzwilliam,” he said firmly.
The pleasure with which Darcy accepted the familiarity did not escape him. Thomas doubted that anyone else had addressed him by his Christian name for a very long time. “Before I retire to my estate in Luton, there remains one final task I wish to accomplish.”
Darcy nodded but remained silent, preferring to hear the elderly gentleman's purpose before speaking.
“It is not my habit to interfere in other people's affairs. Lately, however, I have discovered that having a family sometimes requires one to improve matters for those one loves. Elizabeth stands so high in my affections that I have come to think of her almost as a daughter.”
“In my affections too, sir, if you will permit me to add—though certainly not as a daughter.”
“Yes, I have found you to be a trustworthy gentleman, one who knows his duty and also appreciates a rare lady like Elizabeth.”
To Thomas's considerable surprise, the gentleman whom he considered composed under every circumstance immediately lost his composure.
“I do not trust him, sir!”
Thomas made a great effort to suppress the laughter threatening to ruin the dramatic moment. Instead, he nodded whilst Darcy continued. “I can accept that Miss Bennet might love a worthy and honourable man, but Mr Kendall…I simply cannot trust.”
“Then, when do you intend to propose, Fitzwilliam? She will be here within the hour. I shall send her to you in this room, and you will have half an hour in which to ask for her hand.”
“Yes, that is my intention, sir. I badly need those moments alone with her.”
Thomas agreed. Darcy's agitation only strengthened his conviction that he was doing the right thing.
There was something deeply moving in the young man's love for his niece.
It carried him back to his own youth, to the memory of Henrietta's face filling his thoughts, bringing him happiness and giving shape to his dreams. He wanted Elizabeth to be happy.
If she loved Darcy, she required no further time to decide.
If she did not, it was only fair that he should continue with his life.
Thomas possessed no certainties, only hopes.
“I shall postpone dinner as long as necessary. Only do me one favour. When you join us at table, make certain that you are betrothed.”
Darcy almost sighed; so intense were the feelings that tormented him. “I desire nothing more, yet I am terrified. Just as I was at Netherfield, I fear she may repeat that dreadful rejection.”
“Then make a proposal she cannot refuse.”
“But Mr Kendall will also be there. Did he…”
“Propose to Elizabeth?” Thomas asked. “No. And please forget Mr Kendall. Do you truly think I would allow her to marry a man I scarcely know merely because he declared himself?”
Darcy took a sip of brandy before continuing.
“I…” The words would not come.
Thomas was deeply impressed by how troubled he appeared. It was a measure of the depth of his love for Elizabeth.
“You, Fitzwilliam?” he asked kindly.
“I sent someone to Scotland a few days ago.”
Darcy spoke with evident embarrassment, yet his determination was equally apparent, strengthened by the depth of his feelings. Darcy kept his eyes fixed elsewhere, but the laughter that suddenly erupted from the opposite armchair forced him to look up. Thomas Bennet was laughing with all his heart.
“My man has just returned from Scotland, my son!”
“And?” Darcy asked impatiently.
“And nothing. You will marry my grandniece because she loves you, not because we discover something unpleasant about your rival.
“I want Elizabeth to choose in the name of love. A glorious and passionate love that will last a lifetime. Mr Kendall has no place in this story so long as you and Elizabeth love one another. She will decide. And I hope that her choice will be you.”
“Thank you, sir,” said Darcy.
Thomas felt entirely at ease in that house and in the company of that young man. Whatever faults he possessed, they were not serious ones.
“Do not concern yourself. The duchess and I shall help your gracious sister receive the guests and entertain them until you arrive with the happy news…I hope.”
“Yes, sir. Hopefully,” Darcy murmured.
Thomas finished the last of his brandy just as voices became audible in the hall.
Less than half an hour later, the guests were assembled in the parlour, where the duchess assisted Georgiana in welcoming them and making the necessary introductions. The Matlocks and Colonel Fitzwilliam arrived shortly after the Bennets and the Bingley party. The Gardiners entered last.
Only Andrew Kendall noticed that Elizabeth and Darcy were absent.
He approached the parlour door and glanced into the hall, but in a house of that size they could be anywhere.
He had little difficulty guessing why Thomas Bennet had departed an hour before the rest of the party.
Dropping into a chair, he found himself unable to share in the general happiness.
When he caught the duchess's glance directed towards him, he discovered that her eyes were no longer as kind as they had once been.
He rose immediately and mingled amongst the guests to escape her scrutiny.
Before long, he found Kitty and Lydia, and the exuberance of the two young ladies gradually improved his spirits.