Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
W ere there moments Elizabeth wondered if she was too hasty in falling in love with Darcy and agreeing to be his wife? She did not believe so, although Jane and Mary reminded her that there was no need to rush into marriage, Jane gently, Mary with less circumspection. In addition, some of their neighbours, her mother’s friends especially, gossiped about her engagement, alternately congratulating Mrs Bennet for the excellence of the match and issuing veiled warnings of marrying in haste and repenting at leisure.
Elizabeth dismissed them all; she knew Darcy and was absolutely convinced that their deep affection would last a lifetime and be strong enough to support them through even the greatest of challenges. Besides, her father was demanding they not even discuss the wedding until October, which ought to cool the tongues of those questioning how quickly their connexion had developed .
“I like him as well as I do most people, but…” he said to her one morning as they sat in his book-room.
“But what, Papa?” she demanded. “I have accepted his proposal, and you have granted your permission. Whether we set a wedding date today or in a month, I am just as committed to spending my life with him.”
“Then there is no harm in waiting,” he insisted. “I said he could marry you, but I could still change my mind. We have not signed a marriage contract yet.” She glared at him, and he looked towards the ceiling, shaking his head as though both bemused and irritated. “Goodness, you are serious about this. Where is the girl who liked nothing better than to tease everyone about everything?”
Lowering his gaze to her, he continued. “I understand it would be unusual to withdraw my permission, and I did not say I would. Something extraordinary would have to occur to make me refuse, and that is hardly likely. You will marry your Mr Darcy. Just please give your poor old father a chance to accustom himself to the idea.”
One evening soon after he proposed, Darcy and she were standing together in a corner of the Lucases’ drawing room during an evening party.
“You are glad to avoid listening to yet more people congratulating you and telling you what a fortunate man you are for having secured me,” Elizabeth said in an impish tone.
Her handsome future husband chuckled, which only made him more attractive. “They are correct, and it would be disagreeable of me to resent their wishing us joy. Recall, my love, I have given up being arrogant and rude. You taught me how important it was that I did.”
Surreptitiously, she slipped her hand into his for a brief moment. Likely no one would look askance at them for the gesture, given their understanding, but it was still new to her, and she felt awkward. “I wonder what valuable lesson I learnt from our introduction. Perhaps that it is a wise woman who laughs at a young man who seemingly cannot find pleasure in a simple country assembly.”
Darcy did not chuckle again, but he did give her one of his warm, tender smiles. Whenever he did, she felt like her insides were melting, and she longed to have his arms about her.
“I would rather say that you discovered the benefits of giving foolish gentlemen a chance to improve your first impression of them. But, having had so much success with doing it once, I do not believe you ought to attempt it again. I beg of you, think poorly of all other gentlemen, unless they happen to be relations.”
She laughed heartily. “I shall never believe that you are a jealous man. You have captured my heart entirely, and I could never feel even a tenth of what I do for you for another.”
They spent a silent moment simply gazing into each other’s eyes, Darcy playing with her fingers. “I must go to London. Richmond, actually. It is an opportunity to see my family, including my sister, who I hope will return with me. Would your father give his permission for you to go to Mrs Gardiner at the same time, supposing she is agreeable? The distance to Richmond is not long, and you could meet some of my relations. I hate the thought of being separated from you for even a few days, if it can be avoided.”
She squeezed his hand. “I shall ask him tonight and write to my aunt. I am certain they will agree.”
Within a few days, their arrangements were set. Despite being convinced she understood everything essential about Darcy’s character—that he was an excellent, honourable gentleman who would always do what he believed was right— Elizabeth anticipated knowing more about him, as she expected she would by observing him amongst his family and in his usual environs.
She was also nervous. Her sense of self was well developed, yet she understood his aunts and uncles—especially the earl and countess—might wish he had made a different choice of wife. In time, they would see that she was determined to be the best possible partner to him and sister to Georgiana Darcy, and they would accept her, even if they did not love her.
As for her own aunt and uncle, she was certain they would embrace Darcy, for her sake and because it was impossible for anyone not to like him.
They made the trip to London in Darcy’s carriage, one of the Bennets’ maids accompanying them for Elizabeth’s comfort and to maintain propriety; because he was careful of such things, Darcy also rode, leaving only her and the maid inside the vehicle. It provided Elizabeth the opportunity to watch him upon his horse, which was unexpectedly enthralling.
Darcy escorted her to Gracechurch Street before travelling on to Richmond. Both Mr and Mrs Gardiner were present to greet them. Elizabeth was satisfied with how their initial meeting went. It was short—Darcy remained only a quarter of an hour—and nothing much was said apart from the usual exchanges people had upon first being introduced, but there would be time to establish true friendship in the years ahead.
During a brief moment alone as he was leaving, he said, “I shall see you soon. Mrs Gardiner understands that we shall use this visit for you and my family to become acquainted? She will not object?”
“Oh,” she said, her brow furrowing slightly before she shook off her surprise. She had thought they might spend a little time with her family; she had told him how much she loved the Gardiners and that she was anxious for him to know them. But she reminded herself that there was no hurry; they would have many more occasions to enjoy the Gardiners’ company. “Of course. When I wrote to her about my staying here, I mentioned that there were many people you wanted to introduce me to.”
“Good,” he said with a satisfied nod.
Returning to the parlour, she discovered her aunt was alone.
“Your uncle has gone to his book-room,” Mrs Gardiner explained. “You know how busy he always is with work.”
“I am glad he was able to join us and meet Mr Darcy.”
Smiling and handing her a glass of lemonade, Mrs Gardiner said, “As was he. Your young man was surprised to learn that I am from Derbyshire. Did you never mention it to him?”
“I cannot recall. But I would not have known that you lived so close to his estate. I have heard you speak of wishing to return. You, Uncle, and the children must come to visit us! I would have invited you regardless of where I live in the future, naturally, but the coincidence of Lambton being near to Pemberley is too wonderful, and I shall insist you set a date as soon as I am Mrs Darcy!” She frowned when her aunt’s enthusiasm for the scheme did not match her own.
“It is possible your new husband might not like to have your less well-situated relations to stay.”
“You did not like him?” Elizabeth’s cheeks heated.
Mrs Gardiner patted her hand. “I did, and I particularly like seeing you happy. You deserve all the affection and appreciation a fine young gentleman has to offer, and he is certainly that. Mr Darcy was perfectly polite, and he will be an excellent husband. The family’s reputation is everything it should be. But, darling girl, you know as well as I do that there is a large distance between the Darcys and Gardiners of the world, and you must not mind if he does not embrace us as much as you are presently imagining he will. Now, tell me what plans you and he have made.”
Elizabeth allowed her aunt to direct the conversation to the coming days and their hopes for the wedding. Inwardly, however, she was assuring her aunt that she was wrong. She would be dismayed to learn that Darcy would reject a close connexion to the Gardiners for—to her—nonsensical reasons. Despite the disparity in their births and fortune, her family was every bit as worthy as his. It would disappoint her to know Darcy believed otherwise, and there was no chance that he would ever be a disappointment to her.