CHAPTER 20 – Sisterly Re
Five days later, Elizabeth and Darcy set out for London, accompanied by Charlotte Collins. With Mr. Bennet’s consent obtained and their plans settled, express letters were dispatched, announcing Elizabeth’s engagement and the couple’s imminent arrival in town to purchase her wedding clothes.
Most of the journey passed in quiet anticipation.
To be reunited with Jane and share her newfound happiness with her beloved sister had been Elizabeth’s most enduring thought since her betrothal.
Yet, as the carriage neared Gracechurch Street, old apprehensions began to stir.
As much as her wishes laid in another direction, not everything ahead would consist of pleasant walks in the park or attending glittering assemblies with her betrothed.
The inevitable introductions to Darcy’s distinguished family must take place, and some of them might regard with suspicion her entrance into a sphere so far removed from her own.
And then she had to consider her London relatives.
The Bingley sisters had made no secret of their disdain for the Gardiners, but Elizabeth trusted—indeed, she was certain—that Darcy was made of sterner, fairer stuff.
After all, her aunt and uncle were the only relations of whom she would never be ashamed.
The carriage rolled to a stop before the Gardiner residence, and within moments, the household door swung open.
Elizabeth had scarcely set foot on the cobblestones before Jane was in her arms. Dear Jane!
How she had missed the warmth of that embrace.
Eyes glistening, she drew back just enough to study her sister’s face—and blinked in astonishment!
Radiant! Elizabeth had braced herself to find her sister subdued, still mourning the loss of her dearest hope.
Instead, joy shone in Jane’s eyes. Relief flooded Elizabeth’s chest so swiftly her heart seemed to leap, for now her own happiness would not feel so unjust.
The hubbub quieted somewhat when Elizabeth introduced Darcy to her aunt and young cousins.
He greeted them with a civility that exceeded her every hope—cordial, attentive, even smiling amidst the flurry of chatter.
Elizabeth’s heart swelled with a secret pride.
Her Darcy, at ease among her relations, his manner unstudied and kind, was showing her—without a single declaration—that he was indeed capable of change.
But the greatest surprise awaited her in the drawing room.
“Mr. Bingley?”
Her breath caught. There he was, comfortably engaged in conversation with Uncle Gardiner, as though he had always belonged there.
At their entrance, Mr. Bingley rose at once and greeted them with his usual good humour.
Elizabeth’s eyes flew to Darcy. He met her glance with a half-smile and a slight shake of his head, as if dismissing the meeting as mere chance.
Was it? Or had Darcy played a hand in this? She suspected the latter, and if so, she would have much to thank him for.
Darcy, in excellent spirits, extended an invitation to dine at his house in two days’ time.
He left half an hour later, promising to call on Elizabeth in the morning and take her and Jane for a drive through Hyde Park.
Bingley, enthusiastic as ever, expressed his desire to join them, and plans were soon made.
Charlotte, still observing strict mourning, declined the invitation but seemed genuinely pleased at the happiness of both couples.
***
Once they were alone, Jane turned to Elizabeth, her expression shifting from delight to astonishment.
“I cannot believe what you are telling me—our cousin, a murderer?” she exclaimed, her fair brow furrowing. “He always seemed such a peaceful man.”
“That was the constable’s conclusion, though Mr. Darcy still has doubts,” Elizabeth replied, settling on the bed.
Jane shuddered. “Poor Charlotte. And poor you, to have lived through such horrid events. I would have been terrified.”
“They were difficult times,” Elizabeth said, “but I was never in danger. Mr. Darcy ensured that.”
Jane shook her head. Her sister was still trying to grasp the enormity of it all. “And Lady Catherine, threatening him! And Mr. Wickham—such a libertine! Lizzy, this sounds like something from a gothic novel.”
“Does it not?” Elizabeth laughed lightly, eager to steer the conversation away from such grim topics. “But enough of these horrors. Tell me about Mr. Bingley. How did you meet again? He seems quite taken with you.”
Jane’s cheeks tinged pink. “He visited more than a week ago, as soon as he heard I was in London, and has come every day since. I wrote to you about it just a few days ago. The letter must still be on its way to Longbourn.”
“Jane, I am so happy for you!” Elizabeth clasped her sister’s hands. “You too will soon be engaged.”
Jane laughed. “I dare not assume too much. And what of your engagement to Mr. Darcy? To have found love amidst such tragedy. I always suspected he might admire you, but I never thought you would accept his addresses.”
“We came to a better understanding in the end. Though to be truthful, he confessed his admiration for me before I ever considered him with anything but disdain.”
Her sister’s eyes widened. “Lizzy! Poor man. He must have been heartbroken.”
“For a time, I think he was. But you know me, Jane—I spoke my mind quite plainly. In hindsight, perhaps too plainly.”
Jane covered her mouth, both amused and appalled. “I cannot imagine how he must have felt.”
“Neither can I. But he bore it well, and eventually, I saw the attributes in him that I had overlooked before—his kindness, his bravery, and the depth of his regard. He has changed much, or rather, perhaps it is I who have changed, for I see him far better now.”
***
Upon arriving at the Darcy residence, Elizabeth was met with a delightful surprise: Miss Darcy had arrived in London from Bath that same morning.
To her astonishment, she discovered that her future sister was just as embarrassed as she was, and that the young lady who had been described to her as overly proud was, in truth, exceedingly shy.
Initial attempts at conversation with Miss Darcy were not entirely fruitful: Elizabeth could elicit little more than monosyllabic replies.
However, as the evening progressed, and encouraged by her companion and Aunt Gardiner, the young lady began to relax and participate more freely.
Darcy, ever attentive, did his part to foster their growing attachment, offering gentle support to his sister with every glance.
“You did not tell me your sister was in town and would be joining us for dinner tonight,” Elizabeth whispered as they moved towards the dining room.
“No?” Darcy glanced down at her, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. “I must have forgotten.”
“You could have warned me.”
“And miss your expression whenever I catch you off guard?” he teased. “’Tis too precious, Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth gave him a light nudge. “You, sir, should be chastised. I shall have my revenge when you least expect it.”
He leaned down, his voice warm against her ear. “I look forward to it, my dear.”
Her cheeks heated up. She said no more on the subject lest she provoke his wickedness further. She was unused to being the object of his teasing, but seeing him so happy was such a pleasant thing that she could not find it in her heart to be truly vexed.
The Gardiners, gracious as ever, soon engaged their host in discussions of trade and the shifting landscape of commerce in England. Uncle Gardiner, whose knowledge of business was extensive, found in Darcy a surprisingly attentive and well-informed listener.
At one point in the conversation, her aunt mentioned her childhood in Derbyshire, reminiscing fondly about Lambton and the surrounding countryside.
Darcy brightened. “You are from Lambton, madam?”
“Indeed, sir,” she replied with a smile. “I lived there for many years before my marriage. I know Pemberley well, or at least, I used to.”
“Then I hope we shall have the pleasure of welcoming you back to Derbyshire. I should be most delighted to receive you and Mr. Gardiner at Pemberley.”
Elizabeth, taken slightly by surprise at the warmth in his voice, glanced at him with quiet admiration.
Uncle Gardiner chuckled. “You must be careful with such invitations, Mr. Darcy. I am quite the keen angler, and if your lakes are as fine as reported, you may never be rid of me.”
“Then I shall see to it that the best fishing spots are prepared for your arrival, sir. I confess I have had little time to fish in recent years, but I should greatly enjoy the excuse to take it up again.”
“Indeed,” Miss Darcy added with a shy smile. “We shall all be delighted to receive you at Pemberley.”
The invitation was met with warm enthusiasm, and the conversation soon turned to the natural beauty of Derbyshire. Aunt Gardiner fondly recalled her walks near Pemberley and the grandeur of the estate’s grounds, her voice coloured with nostalgia.
What a delightful revelation! This was a different side of Darcy, one she had glimpsed once or twice before but never seen so openly displayed.
He was not merely civil to her relations, he was welcoming them, encouraging their presence in his—soon to be their—home.
It was a silent reassurance, more eloquent than any speech, that their future together could be harmonious.
As the evening progressed, Darcy, despite his evident enjoyment of the company, seemed somewhat fatigued. Although as courteous as ever, there was a heaviness about him, a distracted air that did not escape her observation.
It was not until they were preparing to leave that she finally broached the subject.
As she stepped into the carriage, she turned to him. “Shall I see you tomorrow?”
“I must visit my aunt’s attorney in the morning. There are matters regarding Rosings and Sir Lewis’s will that require my attention. It is a mere formality.”