Chapter 10
Saturday morning brought the Darcys to Gardiner House on Portman Square.
They had been invited for nuncheon, an invitation that was accepted with all haste.
Both Darcys were happy; Darcy because it would be more time spent with the lady that he was head over heels and irrevocably in love with, and Georgie because the more she got to know the Bennet sisters, the more she liked them.
She was very much looking forward to meeting the younger Bennet sisters when they arrived at Bennet House on the Monday coming.
After being shown into a family sitting room and greeting the family and Mrs Collins, the Darcys took their seats after offering condolences to the widow.
Georgie sat on a settee between Miss Bennet and her cousin Lily, while Darcy sat in an armchair next to the settee where Miss Elizabeth, Mrs Collins, and Mrs Gardiner sat.
James Gardiner was entertaining his younger sister and brother sitting on the rug nearby.
“Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy requested her attention so she turned to look at him, “I have received information about the schooling you had asked me about for Miss Catherine and Miss Lydia.
The headmistress of Greenlake School for Young Ladies, Mrs Cecilia Ponsonby, has a spot for Miss Catherine and she can start as soon as your father wishes, should the school be acceptable to your parents.
“Mrs Ponsonby’s cousin, a Mrs Hesperia Gilbert, runs a school for more ‘challenging’ young ladies.
She inherited an estate, Dark Hollow in Wiltshire, which she had turned into the Dark Hollow School for Girls.
With the remote nature of the estate and the closest town more than twenty miles away, she has never had a girl successfully run away.
Mrs Ponsonby tells me that the school is very strict but fair, and she has never heard of a young lady that Mrs Gilbert and her staff have not been able to reform.
There are a number of families willing to attest to the efficacy of the programme at Dark Hollow if your father needs some references.
Mrs Gilbert has a spot for Miss Lydia, if your parents want to take it.
” He provided her with the requested information and was gratified that she did not seem like she had to force herself to be in his company.
“I thank you for your effort on my family’s behalf, Mr Darcy. You have gone above and beyond what I requested and for that you have my gratitude.” Elizabeth blushed some as she thanked Darcy. ‘Yes, he is certainly reforming himself in my eyes,’ she thought as she watched him.
“It is not your gratitude that I seek, Miss Elizabeth; but it was my pleasure.”
The possible interpretation of Mr Darcy’s answer caused some further blushing by Lizzy, but now for the second time since making his acquaintance she did not feel disgust at the thought of more than friendship with the enigmatic Mr Darcy.
Before Lizzy thought of a witty or teasing retort, Jane Bennet addressed Darcy.
“I understand from Georgie and Tiffany that you have broken with Mr Bingley, Mr Darcy. I hope that it is not for me that you have done this.” She met his eyes and he was surprised at the calm she outwardly showed while her eyes were deadlocked on his.
“It is with all the assurance that you may require, Miss Bennet, I can honestly tell you that although I had pointed out his culpability in losing your regard, no matter the wrongheaded advice that I gave him.” Darcy still felt embarrassed whenever he thought of his officious interference.
Seeing her control when such a sensitive subject was addressed, he saw again how wrong he had been to think he could read her.
“The break was caused by his inability to control his family, chiefly his sister, Miss Bingley. After everything that I had told him when I informed him of his sister’s behaviour and that she would not be recognised by me again, he had the temerity to ask me if I would marry the woman to make his life easier! ” Darcy pronounced with disgust.
“Oh my, the man is worse than even I ascribed to him,” Lizzy frowned at the effrontery to both Darcy and his sister while thinking back to her conversation with Darcy in the grove at Rosings Park.
“As long as it was not because of me, I am made easy,” Jane nodded her head in appreciation of his explanation.
“It seems that he has a hard time learning. If he cannot control Miss Bingley, then he cannot be surprised when she is put in her place if she behaves badly at my godmother’s and Aunt Rose’s ball in less than a fortnight. ”
“Before I forget,” he winked at Jane, amused that it caused her eyes to flare breaking her serene facade. He then turned to his Elizabeth, “Miss Elizabeth, may I request the pleasure of your company for the opening set at the ball?”
“You may, Mr Darcy,” Lizzy replied and was relieved and equally surprised to realise she was happy he had asked.
“Thank you, Miss Elizabeth. Would you also grant me the supper set please?” he asked pushing his luck.
“If you can deal with the gossips that will wag their chins when they see you open the ball with me and then dance a second set, the all-important supper set with me, then yes Mr Darcy, I accept,” she agreed playfully.
Elizabeth stayed him with a raise of her hand as he started to request a third set.
“No Mr Darcy, although I would not object to a third set, I will not grant more than two to anyone until I have an understanding, betrothed, or married. That much gossip I do not want to cause, especially as we are new to Town.”
“As disappointed as I am, I do understand,” Darcy said graciously. “When will you, Miss Bennet, and Mrs Collins be residents at Bennet House? Will you wait for your family to arrive on Monday?”
“We will be at Bennet House after church on Sunday. Mrs O’Grady, our housekeeper, has the house fully staffed and as we have our personal footmen, who double as guards, with us, we will not be alone.” Miss Bennet answered for her sister and Charlotte.
“You know you would have been welcome to stay with us on Sunday as well Jane. Edward, your cousins, and I love having you with us,” Aunt Maddie again tried to change their minds.
“Thank you, Aunt Maddie, we do know that and we will be only a short carriage ride away from Gardiner House. Being so close to Hyde Park, my cousins will have many opportunities to spend time with us in the park,” Jane teased her cousins to their delight.
“Both Tiffany and I are looking so very forward to having you Jane, and you Lizzy, so close to us on the square,” Georgiana offered excitedly.
“Brother and I saw your horses arrive the other day. What magnificent animals they are. I hope you will go riding with us once you move in and the rest of your family arrive. How nice it will be to have so many young ladies living around the square.”
“We will be happy to ride with you, Georgie. If I am not mistaken, Mary will be bringing her horse, Callisto, with her,” Lizzy agreed for all her sisters.
“Would Georgie’s older, arrogant hypocritical brother be able to join the rides as well Miss Elizabeth?” Darcy teased her.
“As long as he is not arrogant or hypocritical when we ride, then yes sir, he would be welcome,” she said laughingly. Lizzy loved that he could laugh at himself.
Darcy, too, thought of Elizabeth, wishing she would tease him for a lifetime.
“How did you choose the names for your horses Lizzy, Jane?” Georgiana looked from one to the other, anxious to know anything she could about all of them.
“My Papa is enamoured with the study of the heavens, so we named them after planets and moons. When we run out of celestial bodies, we will have to think of something else,” Lizzy answered playfully.
“We have used Greek gods so far. William’s is Zeus and my mare is named Aphrodite.
Zeus is well named; he is a very powerful and fast horse and will allow none other than William to ride him,” Georgiana explained, enjoying the conversation.
She prayed William would be able to win the lady’s heart, to gift her Lizzy as a sister.
“Mama, will we be able to take our ponies and ride in Hyde Park when our cousins accompany us?” asked a hopeful Lily, immediately seconded by James.
“I promise nothing to either of you, but if your cousins do not object and your father agrees, I do not see why not,” Mrs Gardiner answered, knowing full well that neither her husband nor her nieces would object.
After receiving a nod of approval from her brother, Georgiana issued an invitation she had been waiting to offer since she arrived.
“My brother and I would be very pleased if the Gardiners and the Bennets would join us and the Fitzwilliams for a family dinner on Wednesday. We would expect that Mrs Collins and her sister would be part of the Bennet party, of course,” Georgiana asked in her sweet voice full of hope as she so wanted them to come.
“As far as I know, we have no prior commitments. Edward and I will be happy to attend Miss Darcy,” Mrs Gardiner responded.
“The invitation includes your children as well,” Darcy stated, amused at her arched brow and nodding once that he meant it.
“Why thank you, Mr Darcy. That is most gracious. I never assume the children are included, but I know that they are always very happy when they are.” Mrs Gardiner offered a genuine smile, to the true display of how much he intended to win their Lizzy and call them all family.
‘Another point in his favour,’ Lizzy admitted to herself. “I will inform my parents of the invitation. I do not believe that there will be a conflict, but we will not be able to give a definite answer until Jane and I have spoken to them,” Miss Elizabeth replied.