Chapter 10 A Heartfelt Re
Knight's Manor
Elizabeth
Despite the best efforts of Uncle Barton and Noah to cajole Cassie out of her resentment towards me, I endured two full days of avoidance and thinly veiled enmity from her.
This morning, though, I entered the breakfast-parlour to find her seated at the table alone, and she did not flee when I settled in the chair next to her.
“Good morning, Cassie.”
“Good morning.” She used a dull monotone, staring into her partially eaten soft-boiled egg.
“You cannot remain incensed with me forever.” I moved the toast rack closer, selected a slice, and added it to my plate.
“Can I not?” With a heavy exhalation, she pushed the egg away from her. “You must be very pleased with yourself. Despite your lack of fortune, you have managed to attract the richest gentleman in the area. That is quite a feat.”
“No one is more surprised at that than I. But I do not care whether or not Mr. Darcy is rich. I admire him for the strength of his character.”
She shifted to face me. “Papa told me that you refused his proposal. How could you be so foolish? He has a respected name, a grand estate, and an earl for an uncle! If you have any sense, you will secure him as soon as may be!”
A twinge vexed me from deep inside my chest. Maybe I had acted as a simpleton.
By now, I had eliminated all but the tiniest shred of doubt that I loved Mr. Darcy.
I treasured every moment spent with him, and the thought of being separated from him filled me with dread.
“Suppose I did become Mrs. Darcy. Would you be happy for me?”
Her features constricted, her lip protruding in a pout. “Oh, good gracious! Of course I should be happy for you. But you must give me leave to be disappointed. You know that I wanted to be mistress of Mr. Darcy’s estate.”
“Yes, but you never loved him.”
“You do not know that.” Cassie’s fingers drummed upon the table. By and by, she groaned. “Oh, very well. In truth, Mr. Darcy is not the person who has been on my mind of late.” Her chin lowered. “I think you can guess to whom I refer.”
Thank goodness. “Mr. Stephen Ware.”
She bobbed her head in assent. “For weeks I have refused to admit even to myself how much I miss him. Now I am filled with regret, yet there is nothing to be done. Michaelmas Term has already begun, and he will not return home until December. By then, he may already be engaged to someone else. I have ruined my life!”
I took her hand. “I am certain all will be well. He loves you.”
Cassie sniffed and raised her handkerchief to her nose. “I have been…um…composing a letter to him. But I do not know whether I dare to send it. Do you think I ought to write to him?”
“Well, it is not strictly proper. Yet in light of your former understanding, I think the infraction is lessened. Rather than use the post, it would be more discreet to employ Bill or another trusted groom to act as messenger.”
A familiar sparkle lit her eyes. “Yes, that is what I shall do. Thank you.” She leaned closer and embraced me. “Pray forgive me for the wretched accusations I made on Sunday.”
“You are forgiven.” I patted her back before releasing her. “Shall we call upon a couple of our tenants today?”
“Yes, I should be pleased to go.” She reached for her plate and tucked into her egg with gusto.
Saturday, 19 October
Knight's Manor
Elizabeth
“Lizzy!” Cassie knocked once and burst into my chamber before I could utter a response. She ran to me waving a piece of paper. “I can scarcely believe this!”
“My goodness!” I stood from my chair, dropped my book upon the table, and went to her. “What has happened?”
“Stephen still loves me! He received my express and wrote me a beautiful letter.” She pressed the missive against her bosom. “He has forgiven me for the unreasonable demands I made and for refusing to see him. He has apologised as well.”
“I am very happy for you, Cassie.” With a forward step, I took her in my arms. After a few moments, I drew back to view her, arching an eyebrow. “To my knowledge, Mr. Ware’s conduct has been faultless, so I am curious to know why he felt the need to apologise.”
“Well, he stands by his decision, yet he regrets that he did not explain his reasons in a more sympathetic manner.”
“I see.”
She paused for a deep inhalation. “And he will travel home on Monday for a short stay. He is coming to see me!”
“That is wonderful. I know Noah and Uncle Barton will be delighted as well.” Despite this pleasing news, a degree of tension remained in my shoulders.
One day soon, my uncle would have to answer for his falsehoods; once that occurred, my association with the Bartons could become fractured, perhaps forever.
Wednesday, 23 October
Springvale
Elizabeth
I fidgeted in my seat for most of the ride to the Haywards’ estate.
At long last, I should see my uncle Gardiner again and meet his wife!
To my disappointment, they did not bring their children on this visit; according to the express Uncle Gardiner sent me via Mr. Hayward, he and his wife had not wanted to burden Dame Hayward.
Due to his business obligations, their stay would be limited to one se’nnight.
Earlier, I had fibbed to Noah, telling him that I had been bound for the circulating library.
So, I breathed a bit easier when the carriage entered the avenue without passing anyone on the road who might remark upon having seen me.
When we neared Springvale House, I caught sight of Mr. Darcy striding towards the vehicle.
Since his proposal ten days ago, we had continued our morning rides and dined together each evening, either at Knight’s Manor or at Springvale. My love for him could no longer be questioned. I could not contemplate a future that did not include him.
The door opened to reveal Mr. Darcy, every bit as handsome as the image that so often dominated my thoughts. “Miss Bennet, it is a pleasure to see you again.”
“And you, Mr. Darcy.” I clasped his proffered hand, and he assisted me to the ground. I took his arm, an act that had become second nature to me.
He bent his head near mine. “Are you nervous? You appear a little pale.”
“Yes, I suppose I am.”
“You have no reason to be. All will be well.”
His soothing baritone lent me a new burst of confidence, and I straightened my posture.
“The Gardiners have made a fine impression upon Mrs. Hayward, my sister, and Mrs. Annesley, and they are eager to see you.”
“The feeling is mutual.” When we reached an area that afforded a modicum of privacy, I tugged on his arm, halted, and moved to face him. “I have felicitous news. Although for now, you must keep this information to yourself.”
“Very well. I shall take part in your intrigue.” His playful reply inspired my grin.
“As of yesterday, my cousin Cassie is engaged to Mr. Stephen Ware.” Following a great deal of pleading on Cassie’s part, Uncle Barton had relented his former resolve that she wait until her next birthday to become betrothed.
He acknowledged that the two of them had endured enough strife, and Aunt Barton would have approved of the match.
“That is splendid. I am happy for them.”
“As am I. They truly belong together.” Tonight, the Haywards, the Wares, the Darcys, and Mrs. Annesley would dine at Knight’s Manor.
In the drawing-room, I exchanged salutations with Mr. and Mrs. Hayward, Miss Darcy, and Mrs. Annesley.
All the while, though, my attention strayed to my uncle Gardiner and the attractive lady at his side; with their elegant attire and graceful presence, the pair manifested refinement. The two of them came towards me.
Dame Hayward indicated the couple before she addressed me.
“Miss Bennet, I believe you may remember Mr. Edward Gardiner.” As I held still and stared, a clear image of him as a younger man superimposed upon his more mature features.
Although he had grown stouter and his hair arched higher over his forehead, he wore the same amicable, unaffected visage he had back then.
I took a step closer to him and offered my hand. “It is a great pleasure to see you again, Uncle Gardiner.”
He took my hand and covered it with his other palm. “Elizabeth, if I may use so familiar a term, I have anticipated this moment for many years now. You have grown to be a beautiful lady.”
My gaze lowered, and no doubt my face reddened. “You are too kind, Uncle.”
“I assure you, I am only being honest.”
“You are welcome to call me Elizabeth or Lizzy.”
His smile widened. He released me to touch his wife’s hand. “Mrs. Gardiner, I am delighted to introduce my niece, Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
Mrs. Gardiner grinned at me, her brown eyes crinkling. “Miss Bennet, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” Her cordial air and dulcet voice put me at ease.
“I am happy to meet you, Mrs. Gardiner.”
At Dame Hayward’s urging, we all took seats, and she served the tea. Uncle Gardiner asked after my favourite interests, my association with my cousins, and my opinion of the Wiltshire area. Based upon his cheerful demeanour, my replies pleased him.
My uncle cleared his throat and glanced at Mr. and Mrs. Hayward before his attention returned to me. “If you are willing, Elizabeth, I thought you, Mrs. Gardiner, and I should remove to the garden. The weather is ideal, and I noticed a lovely area with benches where we could sit and talk.”
“Yes, by all means.”
The three of us quit the drawing-room for the garden, and I sat opposite the couple.
Uncle Gardiner shifted closer to the edge of the bench. “Based on what you have told me, I should presume you have had an agreeable upbringing. Is that correct?”
“Yes, I should say so. With the exception of the months that followed my aunt Barton’s death, my life at Knight’s Manor has been content.”
“I doubt that I could ever forgive Mr. Barton for causing our estrangement over these past fifteen years.” He shifted into a taut position. “However, if you have been happy, then he must have been a tolerable guardian to you.”
“Yes, that is the case.”