Chapter 7
The days following the ball were wrought with turmoil for Elizabeth. For the rest of London, the engagement became the main subject of gossip and speculation.
Her meeting with Darcy had been disconcerting beyond anything she had imagined.
His surprise at seeing her, his astonishment at the news of her engagement, his distraught countenance, the despair in his voice when he confessed that he did not hate her—all those things were painfully vivid in her memory.
Days later, the clarity of the recollections had not faded.
Only the nature of her feelings for Darcy—now always in her thoughts—was blurred, more unsure, more distressing.
Her feelings for him had changed so many times, so drastically since they had first met, but one thing remained: they were always strong and deep, be they hatred, disdain, admiration, regret, or any other emotion.
Always strong, always deep. And any effort to keep her thoughts away from him had failed.
Georgiana and Anne sent her a letter expressing their delight to see her and inviting her to join them for tea.
However, she apologised and declined, pretending she was too busy.
Instead, Jane invited both ladies for tea and they accepted.
In Bingley’s house, Elizabeth felt safe enough and she joined them, spending a most pleasant afternoon together.
Just as before, Elizabeth felt no jealousy or grudge against Anne. Quite the contrary. Since she had no clear intentions or hopes regarding the future of her acquaintance with Darcy, she did not consider Anne an obstacle of any sort.
Elizabeth still prayed that there would be a chance for her and Darcy to gain enough composure and peace that they could consider each other friends. Time might heal their wounds, as painful as they may be. Or so she hoped.
Darcy seemed of a different opinion. Just as she avoided meeting with Georgiana and Anne after the ball, he avoided everyone—including Bingley.
They met on the second day after the ball at their club, and Bingley reported that Darcy was happy to see him.
However, he declined any future entertainments as he declared they were all to leave town in a week.
Still, he renewed the invitation for Bingley and his wife to visit them at Pemberley in late August. It was Bingley’s turn to refuse though, as by that time Jane would be in no position to travel such a distance.
With that, each family returned to their own struggles and plans. A special licence had already been acquired for Elizabeth and Lord Alveston. The solicitors were working on a long and detailed settlement that clearly stated Elizabeth’s benefits and responsibilities.
Since time was short, it was universally agreed that the wedding would take place by the end of the summer, as soon as the family returned to London.
Elizabeth agreed with whatever Lady Kendal suggested.
To her, the conversation regarding the wedding had become even more upsetting.
She fought her own torment, trying to convince herself all was well.
She had made a promise and given her word.
There was nothing to be done in that regard.
But against her heart, she could not win the argument.
∞∞∞
“Elizabeth, will your family come to Brighton directly?” Lady Kendal asked one evening at dinner.
They were joined by the Bingleys and the Gardiners, who had been invited with their children to stay the night and avoid returning to Gracechurch Street at such a late hour.
Lord Alveston enjoyed the company of the two boys and two girls exceedingly well.
After their initial puzzlement at seeing the earl in his chair, the children had given no importance to his illness and treated him with friendliness.
“Yes. It would be easier for them. Papa dreads staying in London in such hot weather. And Mama and Lydia look forward to enjoying some sea bathing.”
“I hope the house I have rented for them will be large enough. It is only five minutes’ walk from our cottage. Very close to the beach,” her ladyship said.
“I am sure it will be. As always, your ladyship has been too generous!”
“Not at all, my dear! Your family must be safe and comfortable.”
“Unfortunately, Jane and I shall be a little further away,” Bingley interjected.
“That is good. Newly married people need privacy.”
Bingley sighed at Lady Kendal then at his wife. “Not so much privacy, I fear. My sisters might join us in July. They are undecided, though. For the last four years we have spent every summer at Pemberley. Now, I am not certain what they will do.”
“Oh, but I am sure the master of the house will be able to ensure the comfort and privacy he and his wife need, regardless of the number of guests,” Lord Alveston smiled meaningfully.
Jane and Bingley both blushed. “Of course,” the young man said. Lady Kendal took pity on their uneasiness and turned to Elizabeth.
“My dear, how was your meeting with Mr Dodge and Mr Buxton? I am sorry I could not stay with you, but I felt faint the entire morning. I trust they provided you with all the details you needed. They have been our solicitors for over ten years now.”
“It was informative. Overwhelming, though. So much information that I can hardly remember everything. I shall have to look through the books carefully. I confess I never imagined I would have to learn the management of five estates, two hospitals, two schools, and three townhouses,” Elizabeth laughed, trying to joke.
“Lizzy dear, I could never do this. But you are so clever, you can do anything,” Jane whispered.
“Indeed. I know nobody who manages such a large fortune by himself, except Darcy. He has Pemberley, another estate he inherited from his grandmother, then another one for Georgiana, and he also oversees Rosings’ business,” Bingley added.
“Nobody manages such a large fortune by himself,” Lady Kendal interrupted him with a trace of severity.
“I am sure Mr Darcy has a good steward for each estate—just as we have—and at least two solicitors. We have four: Mr Dodge, Mr Buxton, Mr Banfield, and Mr Hoskins—who is a lawyer with great experience in trade.”
“I know all four of them, and I can testify as to their professional expertise,” Mr Gardiner said.
“And we also have Mr Gardiner to guide and advise, Elizabeth,” Lady Kendal added.
“I shall gladly do whatever I can, your ladyship. All my knowledge and experience belong to you and Elizabeth. But I know nothing about managing an estate. And sadly, neither does my brother Bennet, who always prides himself in letting Longbourn manage itself.”
“Neither do I,” Bingley shrugged in apology.
“Oh, do not worry, I was only joking. I shall cope…eventually.” Elizabeth laughed again.
Lord Alveston tenderly kissed her hand. “Elizabeth, please do not believe we are oblivious to your extraordinary effort in learning so many new things in such a short time. You are outstanding, just as we guessed from the beginning.”
“You are too generous in your praise.”
“Not at all. Other people benefit from a lifetime of education, and they cannot take care of one property. I admit I did not excel in this area at all. And for many years, I did not even consider I might need it. But you seem to have such a quick and deep understanding of everything. Of course, you will have people to help you with all you need, but the final decision will be yours.”
The earl’s commendation and admiration were so visible on his adoring face that he impressed the whole audience, and Elizabeth the most.
She squeezed his hand in return. “As I said, you are too generous with your compliments. I have only just begun to understand a little—if any—of what I have been told. Now I am hoping not to forget by tomorrow what I learnt today. I am doing my best. Of that, I have no doubt.”
“Neither do we, dearest,” Mrs Gardiner assured her.
“Thank you. Besides, I am less distressed knowing that Lord Alveston and Lady Kendal will be here to guide me for many years. I am not doing this alone,” Elizabeth said.
Although her voice was easy, her words immediately affected the two people she had mentioned. They glanced at each other with apparent concern, then at her, and each forced a smile as a response.
“We are here with you,” Lady Kendal answered.
“It is fortunate that you have so many trusted people to help you and Elizabeth in the future. If they were dishonest, they could have easily misled you,” Mr Gardiner said.
“I have seen many unfortunate situations where people have been deceived by those taking care of their business and have lost everything. But here this is surely not the case.”
“Dear uncle, really? This is what you say to encourage me?” Elizabeth laughed loudly to conceal her nervousness.
“Oh, forgive me, my dear. I surely did not mean to imply that would be the case.”
They returned to their food and drinks and the conversation changed.
“Might Mr Gardiner review the ledgers and confirm what our solicitors and stewards assert? I know this is laborious work, but it will of course be properly remunerated,” Lord Alveston enquired sometime later, clearly preoccupied with the matter.
“Me? Of course! I am honoured by your trust! I will gladly be of assistance. But as I said, some things will be outside my circle of knowledge and experience.” Mr Gardiner looked overwhelmed and even troubled by the responsibilities they expected of him.
“We understand. But still, it would be of great help. Philip’s suggestion is excellent,” Lady Kendal declared.
“I could start tomorrow?” Mr Gardiner offered.
“I shall ask my solicitors to put all the books in order. I shall also request the books from the estates to be immediately delivered to me. I shall inform you as soon as we have everything in order,” Lady Kendal said, and Mr Gardiner agreed.
The discussion then moved onto their journey to Brighton and their plans for the summer.