Chapter 26 Progress
Lady Matlock had barely left the establishment when Caroline Bingley recalled an appointment and hurriedly departed, leaving Miss Grantly to remain and observe the occupants of the next table.
Jane noticed Miss Bingley exiting and felt embarrassed that she had overlooked her presence due to her distraction with the countesses.
‘I wonder to what Lady Matlock referred when she addressed Miss Bingley,’ she quietly murmured to her uncle.
‘I suspect that the lady was still spreading the rumour that our relationship is more familiar rather than familial.’
That pun raised a small smile on Jane’s face as well as her spirits which had wilted somewhat when she heard Lady Matlock berate Caroline.
~T~
When Miss Bingley fled Gunter’s in embarrassment, her mind was awhirl.
How could it have happened that a country nobody such as Jane Bennet was on such familiar terms with Lady Matlock and Lady Sefton?
While Caroline was at Netherfield, there had not been the slightest hint that the Bennets could be so well connected. The only relations of whom they had heard were their uncles in trade. Yet the exceedingly handsome Mr Gardiner who had accompanied Jane, could not possibly be one of them.
Caroline could not understand that they would hide their connections. It was simply unnatural not to parade one’s lofty associations to ensure that one was shown to the best advantage.
Another thought occurred to her. Today she had seen Jane Bennet up close rather than at a distance and while Caroline had not paid attention to it at the time, she now recollected that the chit’s dress had been fashionable and of the highest quality…
expensive quality. The kind of expensive quality which Caroline insisted on for her own gowns.
The Bennets must be considerably wealthier than she had assumed, as the expense of outfitting three sisters to that level was more than even Bingley could afford.
Why had those Bennets hidden their light under a bushel?
She was now angry at having been duped.
If she had known about the Bennets’ connections and wealth, she would not have sneered at them, at least not to their faces. She would have honestly befriended Jane and encouraged her brother to court the lady instead of trying to keep them apart.
It never occurred to Caroline that her attitude and that of people like her was the reason for the Bennet’s reticence.
Miss Bingley was still fuming when her mercenary nature reasserted itself. Calming down she considered her options.
Perhaps it was not too late. Charles was still pining after Miss Bennet and there had never been a lady who could resist his boyish charm. Therefore, when he returned, she would encourage him to renew their acquaintance.
~T~
Lady Henrietta informed the Duchess and Deveril that the Queen would receive them and the Bennets the following week.
As he had the time before that event, Deveril rode to Longbourn after discussing the marriage articles with Gardiner and Jane rather than her father.
Having heard that neither parent was aware of the full extent of Jane’s dowry, Deveril agreed with Gardiner that Jane should sign the documents herself, after having them fully explained to her.
When he arrived at Longbourn, Mrs Bennet and her youngest daughters were out visiting the tenants and Bennet was in his library as usual, although instead of reading he was working on his ledgers.
Mr Bennet was surprised but grateful for the interruption when Hill announced his visitor and presented his card.
‘Lord James Deveril,’ he read. ‘I was wondering how long it would take the gentleman to come and see me,’ Bennet said with an amused smile. ‘You had better show him in and bring refreshments, he is just come from London.’
Once the introductions were complete and Bennet invited him to sit, Deveril handed over two letters which Bennet accepted but did not open. Instead, he waved the letters, saying with a grin, ‘I suppose that both Gardiner and Jane write to tell me what a remarkable young man you are.’
‘While I do not know the exact content of the letters, I was given the impression that they were to reassure you of my character and that I am completely besotted with your oldest daughter,’ Deveril answered casually without letting Bennet’s manner put him off.
‘Considering that my wife and younger daughters have been telling me for weeks what a sterling character you are, I suppose that I can dispense with reading them at the moment.’ When Deveril gave him a puzzled look, Bennet added, ‘My wife and daughters correspond and insist on telling me about it.’
Deveril look sheepish but laughed. ‘I should have realised.’ He shook his head. ‘In that case I shall come to the point. I love your daughter Jane and have asked her to marry me. She has accepted my proposal and I have come to get your blessing.’
‘My blessing but not my permission?’
‘Jane has reached her majority and is free to marry as she pleases. I simply felt it was good manners to speak to you before we make our engagement public.’
‘That is magnanimous of you. But what about the settlement papers? I may be a somewhat indolent father, but I do care what happens to my girls.’
‘Miss Bennet, being of age has signed the papers herself… after they were thoroughly vetted by Mr Gardiner.’
‘I see. What arrangements are you making about her dowry?’ Bennet asked in a casual tone of voice.
‘All of Miss Bennet’s possessions will remain in her control,’ Deveril replied just as blandly.
‘You are exceedingly generous. Most men would not be able to resist getting their hands on such a fortune as my daughter has.’
When Deveril looked only quizzical but did not respond, Bennet said, ‘My family claim that I am intelligent and yet they do not give me credit for working out where Henry Carleton’s fortune has gone.
And while I hate doing the books,’ he gestured at the offending articles, ‘I have a very good head for numbers. My estimate is that Jane’s dowry is in the vicinity of one hundred thousand pounds. How close am I?’
‘Very,’ was all Deveril would say.
Bennet nodded with a satisfied smile. ‘Good. You might as well tell Gardiner that I worked it out years ago. But since my wife stopped squandering money on excessive lace, I always had more than enough money for books and port.’ He leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers.
‘Since you respect Jane enough to manage her own affairs, I suppose you will make a good enough husband for her. You have my blessing.’
‘Thank you, sir.’
‘You are welcome, and you may as well call me Bennet, Deveril. But I would like you to answer a question to satisfy my curiosity. Since you obviously spent time with my daughters, do you think Darcy and Lizzy will make a match?’
Deveril almost asked how Bennet could know about this since Darcy and Elizabeth started off badly, but then he remembered the comment about correspondence.
‘Quite likely, Bennet. And before you ask, I am not certain about Fitzwilliam and Mary. I thought so for a while, but lately he has pulled back.’
‘Do you think he was toying with my girl?’
‘No. I believe he has second thoughts because he does not wish to be a fortune hunter.’
‘It speaks well of him that he has scruples.’ Bennet shrugged. ‘I shall be interested to see which of the young men will be next to visit me.’
They talked for a few minutes more while Deveril finished the tea and sandwiches which Hill had provided, and Bennet discovered the current address of his daughters.
Soon Deveril was on his way back to London, thinking that the sisters might have to revise their opinion of their father.
~T~
As they had become closer, Darcy was pleased when Elizabeth agreed that he could accompany her on her early morning walks in Hyde Park, displacing his cousin who went back to exercising Thor.
Even though Darcy declared himself perfectly capable of protecting Elizabeth, Gardiner still insisted that Susan and John should accompany them. While the maid and footman trailed along behind the couple just out of earshot, Darcy and Elizabeth discussed a variety of subjects.
This particular morning Elizabeth mentioned her aunts and how fond she was of both despite their very different characters.
‘Aunt Phillips is such a dear. While she is unsophisticated, she has a most generous heart. It is tragic that she and Uncle Phillips were never blessed with children. I believe that she would have been a wonderful mother. Instead of her own children she spoiled my sisters and me quite shamelessly.’
‘You are fortunate indeed in your relations. My aunts are rather more formidable.’
‘Surely you have no issue with Lady Matlock,’ exclaimed Elizabeth. ‘I find her exceedingly pleasant and caring.’
‘That is true, but she can also be quite fearsome when crossed.’
Elizabeth gave a small chuckle. ‘According to Jane, she quite put the fear of god into Miss Bingley.’
A dimpled smile graced Darcy’s features as he said, ‘At least Aunt Matlock is selective in her advice and censure. My mother’s sister, Lady Catherine de Bourgh is an entirely different matter. She has an inflated opinion of her omniscience and insists on meddling in everyone’s lives.’
‘Lady Catherine de Bourgh is your aunt?’ exclaimed Elizabeth in horror.
‘You speak as if you had the misfortune to meet her.’
‘No, I have not met her, but our cousin Mr Collins holds the living at Hunsford and has been most vocal about the many sterling qualities of his revered patroness.’
‘Good heavens,’ exclaimed Darcy. ‘I had forgotten about that connection. I encountered him when I went to Longbourn to make my apologies, and he gave me directions to find your estate. He mentioned at the time that he was the heir,’ Darcy explained when he saw the confusion on Elizabeth’s face.
‘Yes, Mr Collins is indeed the heir presumptive, as our estate is entailed to heirs male. He had come to Longbourn on the advice of Lady Catherine to select a bride from amongst us sisters.’
A chuckle escaped Darcy’s lips. ‘Pardon me, but I cannot imagine that he could have been successful. You and your sisters seem much too sensible to accept such a man.’
‘While it is impolite of you to judge our cousin so harshly… I cannot help but agree… and I thank you for the compliment as to our sensibility,’ Elizabeth teased.
The tips of Darcy’s ears coloured, and he sighed.
‘I am afraid that excessive honesty has always been my besetting sin. But I must admit that I am not surprised at Lady Catherine’s advice to your cousin.
For years she has claimed that my cousin Anne and I were engaged due to an agreement between herself and my mother. ’
‘Based on your wording, I gather that there is some doubt as to her claims?’
‘Let us just say that her wishes and reality are very different matters. While I love Anne as a cousin, she and I are completely unsuited. Lady Catherine has exercised absolute control over my cousin all her life and prevented Anne from learning anything, making her meek and colourless.’
While Darcy explained, he realised what he truly wished for in a wife and made a decision.
He stopped walking and turned to Elizabeth.
‘I desire a strong woman as my partner. One who is intelligent and can converse on many subjects. But one who is also kind and loyal to her family. A lady who is lively and witty and who refuses to be intimidated.’
Elizabeth was stunned at this speech and wondered where he was heading. Was he going to propose? Was she ready to consider giving an answer in the affirmative? She was so busy worrying, that she almost missed his next words.
‘A lady who is beautiful… inside and out. Someone just like you Miss Elizabeth. I know that we have not known each other for very long and we had a rather shaky start due to my stupidity, but I am hoping that in time you might feel that I have become worthy of you and deserve your love. Therefore, would you allow me to court you?’
‘You are asking for a courtship?’ Elizabeth exclaimed in relief.
Darcy’s face fell as he misunderstood her reaction. ‘I had hoped that you had forgiven me for my early transgressions and had come to like me at least a little, but if the idea of a courtship is so abhorrent to you…’
‘No Mr Darcy, you misunderstand. I was afraid that your speech was leading up to a proposal and I am not ready for that yet.’
At those words, especially the word yet, Darcy broke into an ecstatic smile. ‘Does that mean that you might be so inclined sometime in the future?’
‘Since a courtship is designed to allow us to reach such a decision, I will happily allow you to court me.’
Darcy’s dimples were on full display as he kissed her hands.
~T~
The duchess, having taken her place at Barrington House, happily acted as hostess for her son, who was at last able to invite his friends to dinner.
It was no surprise for anyone that the guests included all the Bennet sisters, the Gardiners, the Fitzwilliams and the Darcys.
During the dinner the duchess informed her guests, ‘I have some good news. The day of your audience with the Queen, a dear friend of mine is giving a ball and we are all invited.’
‘Who is your dear friend?’ asked Lord Matlock.
‘Henry Langdon, the Duke of Langford,’ the duchess said with her most mischievous smile.
When the Gardiners and the Bennet sisters looked puzzled, Lady Matlock enlightened them. ‘The Duke’s ball is the highlight of the season. Everybody wants to be there, but the duke is selective about invitations, although the guest list is often eclectic.’
The duchess’s smile widened even further.
~T~
Fitzwilliam felt that he needed to spend time away from the ladies and went to his club for an evening of relaxation.
As he had hoped, he encountered one of his friends whom he had not seen for a while. Despite the considerable difference in their ages, the two gentlemen had been friends for many years as they had a very similar sense of humour.
In light of recent information, Fitzwilliam hatched a plan, and his friend was only too happy to help him carry out his scheme.
~T~