Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
E lizabeth was disappointed Darcy would not come to Gracechurch Street, but she assured herself it was only because he was occupied by his family. It was not because he was avoiding the Gardiners.
To banish her regret, she spent time with her little cousins. Their childish stories and enthusiasm always amused her. Knowing she would soon be married, it made her dream of being a mother. What sort of father would Darcy be? More attentive than her own, she was certain; he would ensure his children received the education they needed to be respectable and admired adults, and for that alone, she was relieved. Darcy was also warm and caring towards her, and he would surely be the same with his sons and daughters.
Darcy was awaiting her outside of his noble uncle’s stately house. As soon as the carriage came to a stop, he moved forwards to help her step down.
“Elizabeth,” he said softly. “How are you today, my love? I have missed you. ”
“I am well, although the queasiness I experienced during the drive might be a sign that I am nervous about meeting your family. I refuse to admit it, however!” She laughed and gave his hand a light squeeze.
“There is nothing to worry about,” he reassured her. “They will love you, and before long, you will take your place as one of us.”
She smiled and allowed him to lead her into the house while silently adding that soon he would take his place as one of her family too.
By her estimation, the introductions went well. For the first while, she answered the older generation’s many questions, taking occasional sips of tart fruit juice to ease her throat from speaking so much. Darcy sat beside her on a settee, the earl, countess, and Mr and Mrs Frederick Darcy across from them, and the other young people scattered about the room.
Of the cousins, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Rebecca Darcy caught her eye several times, giving her what appeared to be supportive looks, and Viscount Bramwell once reminded his father that, “There is no need to interrogate her as though she is applying to become our governess.” The earl, as well as the others, had not acknowledged his remark, but Elizabeth had bit her tongue to avoid laughing. Georgiana was the least animated amongst them; she sat in an armchair, her chin lowered, and hands clasped in her lap.
Eventually, a light repast was served. Elizabeth was glad to have more to do than sit and speak of herself. She was pleased that the meal’s arrival also afforded her the chance to converse with the younger people.
“We need not ask you about your childhood or home or any such thing,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said. “I believe we all heard enough about it for the day. ”
“You must be tired of answering questions, so I shall refrain from asking my own,” Rebecca said.
“I promise you, she has them. Likely dozens. Rebecca has always been a particularly inquisitive woman,” Viscount Bramwell added, which caused her to give him a stern look and poke his upper arm. He responded by laughing, catching her hand in his, and giving it a quick kiss.
“Bramwell!” Rebecca hissed. “Our parents are right over there.”
He shrugged and said to Elizabeth, “My cousin did remember to tell you that Rebecca and I are lately engaged, did he not?”
“Took him three years to convince her he was not a rake and would make her a decent husband, but I think what finally convinced her was knowing she would be a countess one day,” Colonel Fitzwilliam informed Elizabeth. He laughed when his brother threatened to beat him if he did not hold his tongue.
“They are always like that,” Rebecca told Elizabeth.
“Yet, they are my cousins, and I shall never rid myself of them,” Darcy said. “You will grow accustomed to their manners.”
“Would you honestly dismiss them if you could?”
Elizabeth started at Georgiana’s words; the girl had said almost nothing thus far. She regarded her brother with an alarmed expression.
Darcy was quick to reassure her. “Of course not. It was nothing but a poor attempt at a joke. You know how important our family is to me.”
It took a bit of effort, but Elizabeth was able to secure a short interval to speak to Georgiana without interference.
“I hope you are pleased that you will soon have a sister,” she said. “Indeed, you will have an abundance of them, given I have four. Kitty—Catherine—and Lydia are closest to your age. You might discover some common interests with them, or with Jane or Mary.”
“I anticipate meeting them,” the young lady said politely. “My brother says I shall live with you. Do you mind it?”
“Not at all. I am pleased I shall have another lady with me. Tell me, how do you usually occupy your days?”
“My brother and aunts tell me I must continue my studies, even though I have left school,” Georgiana said. “I know they are correct, and I do not mind, especially music and art.”
It was difficult to extract any further information from her, and, fortunately, Rebecca soon joined them. They spoke easily about their homes and discovered they held some of the same tastes and opinions. Elizabeth was glad to know she would have a friend amongst her new family. In time, Georgiana would be less shy in her presence, and the three young ladies would no doubt enjoy their time together.
As she was preparing to depart, Mrs Darcy said, “After you and my nephew are married, we must have the two of you and Georgiana to stay.”
Her husband added his own polite parting words, while his daughter clasped Elizabeth’s hand and said, “We must write to each other. Will you agree?” Elizabeth nodded and the other lady continued. “Good! After all, we shall both be new brides and cousins-in-law. We simply must be the best of friends.”
Elizabeth smiled. “You have said exactly what I was thinking earlier. I am pleased we have met, and if I have not said it yet, congratulations on your betrothal.”
The three Darcys were soon replaced by Lord Bramwell and his brother.
“It is too bad we did not have the opportunity to speak more,” the viscount said. He grinned and chuckled deeply. “We could tell you all about our cousin Darcy.”
“Which means it was a good thing we did not speak more today,” Colonel Fitzwilliam added. “We would not wish to scare you off. Once Darcy has safely secured you, we shall be happy to shock you with his numerous past exploits.”
Elizabeth laughed merrily. “I shall look forward to it, but I am difficult to frighten. My courage always rises at any attempt to intimidate me.”
Lord Bramwell gave a satisfied nod. “You will need to be made of stern stuff once you are officially one of us.”
The colonel rolled his blue eyes. “Bramwell exaggerates.”
“Lady Catherine,” the viscount interjected. “But we have all learnt to overlook her ways, even forget all about her as much as possible. Even my father has.”
“Enough, boys,” said Lord Romsley in a stern voice. Lady Romsley stood beside him.
He glared at his sons, which made them quickly say goodbye to Elizabeth and walk away. Suddenly, she wished Darcy was beside her, but he was next to his sister, speaking earnestly; she wondered about what.
“Thank you very much for having me here today,” she said to them. “I am glad to have met so many of Mr Darcy’s relatives.”
Lord Romsley inclined his head, apparently intending to leave speaking to his wife.
“Naturally, we were eager to make your acquaintance, once we knew of your attachment to our nephew. I have promised that I shall ensure you meet the right people once you and he are married. You understand what I mean. Those from our set, the people who will make up your new circle of acquaintances and friends. ”
Overlooking the lady’s patronising tone, Elizabeth politely thanked her, adding, “It is very generous of your ladyship, and I appreciate it very much.” She had known that Darcy’s connexions might not be especially pleased with his choice, but once they truly knew her, they would understand that she was worthy of him, despite her lack of fortune and grand relations.
I understand the need for sufficient money to live a comfortable life, but, my goodness, I am tired of how important such things are to people. One way or another, everyone always seems to want more and more, especially more money. What I need is simpler. I would like to be surrounded by those I esteem and who esteem me.
Her sentiments might make her sound imprudent, but she did not believe she was; rather, she believed many people concerned themselves with collecting material goods too much and not enough with matters of the heart.
At last, he was there and, lightly touching her arm, said, “Come and say goodbye to Georgiana. I shall walk you to your carriage afterwards.”
Elizabeth curtseyed to the Romsleys, and allowed Darcy to guide her towards his sister, who stood alone. It made her look small and lonely.
Once they were with Georgiana, Elizabeth said, “I am very glad you are coming to Hertfordshire. I am anxious for us to know each other better.”
Georgiana politely if not warmly returned the sentiment. Glancing at Darcy, Elizabeth saw that he was satisfied with his sister’s response, and so she decided she was too.
He walked her to the carriage, and they stood on the street for a moment, facing each other.
“That went very well,” he said. “Rebecca has already embraced you as a friend, and Georgiana will soon love you as a sister. I hope you are pleased to know you will have such genial ladies in your family.”
“I shall love them—and all your relations—very much. When do you suppose I shall meet Lady Catherine and her daughter? Should I fear it, as Lord Bramwell suggested?”
Darcy looked away for a moment. “He always exaggerates, but it is true that Lady Catherine is not the most welcoming person. I have written to tell her of our engagement. I cannot say when you will meet them. Perhaps not until after we are wed.”
They made arrangements for her to visit his townhouse the next afternoon. She was to go shopping with Mrs Gardiner in the morning, and he told her that, “Your aunt may accompany you, if you and she like.”
She detected a slight hesitancy in his words and found herself saying, “I have enjoyed meeting your family, and I…” He encouraged her to continue, and she did, keeping her gaze steady on his. “I hope you feel the same about mine. The Gardiners are excellent people, and I know they would welcome you warmly.”
He looked across the street and swallowed heavily before turning back to her. “For you, I shall learn to love them.”
It was enough for Elizabeth. As her aunt had said, there was a social chasm between the two families, but Darcy’s words were a promise, and Elizabeth knew he would keep it. She smiled and said, “I shall ask her about tomorrow. Until then, my love.”
“Until tomorrow,” he repeated, lifting her hand to his mouth to kiss. He helped her into the carriage. Looking out of the window, she watched him slowly climb the steps into the house as the carriage pulled away.
As Darcy, Elizabeth, and Georgiana returned to Hertfordshire, he reflected with satisfaction on the time they had spent in town. It would take some adjustment once they were married, mostly on Elizabeth’s part, but before long she would be an accepted member of his family and circle. He had been uncomfortable when visiting Mr and Mrs Gardiner, but he had vowed to accept them as part of her family. They were far better than he had expected; he never would have suspected Mr Gardiner was Mrs Bennet’s brother, given his evident intelligence, and Mrs Gardiner was an elegant, well-spoken woman. Yet, he could not overlook that they were his social inferiors. His family was far superior by all measures that mattered. This was true of the Bennets and especially so of the Gardiners. At least I did not have to witness any of Mrs Bennet’s vulgarity or that of the youngest girls when I was Gracechurch Street, he reflected, assuring himself that his relations would never behave with so little thought to propriety.
The main disappointment he had to confront was related to Lady Catherine, and he did not know how he would resolve it. She had replied to his letter informing her of his engagement; all three pages of her missive were spent telling him that she did not approve and that his actions had made both her and Anne extremely unhappy. She hardly mentioned Elizabeth, which told him that she did not wish to argue with him. Eventually, his aunt would overcome her pique; until then, he would avoid her, and he would especially avoid introducing her to Elizabeth .
They drove immediately to Longbourn and were warmly welcomed by the Bennets.
“It is very good to see you again,” Mrs Bennet said with her usual enthusiasm, which he found a little too much; he worried Georgiana would be overwhelmed, but he had done his best to prepare her, telling her that, unlike her, Elizabeth’s mother had not had the benefit of a fine education.
“Lizzy, I expect you to tell me everything that happened in town, but that can wait. Mr Darcy, how kind of you to bring your sister to meet us as soon as you arrived!”
“I shall, Mama,” Elizabeth said. To Georgiana, she added, “Have you met all my sisters? Do not worry if you cannot yet remember which is which.”
“I say, you do have lovely clothes!” Lydia interjected as she approached his sister. “Did you buy them in London? Is all your wardrobe so expensive?”
Jane hushed her and did her best to change the conversation to a less personal, intrusive one. Darcy only heard snippets of it as Mrs Bennet demanded his and Elizabeth’s attention. Nevertheless, he kept watch on Georgiana as best he could; she was surrounded by Elizabeth’s sisters and held a glass of lemonade tightly in her hands. Her head turned this way and that as one of the girls spoke; it appeared that Catherine and Lydia had the most to say and Georgiana the least.
The pair of them stayed no longer than half an hour before Darcy excused them. “I am sure Miss Bingley is waiting for us.”
“Of course!” Mrs Bennet cried. She approached Georgiana and clasped both her hands. His sister responded by stiffening her spine; she was not used to such exuberance, but she would soon understand the matron’s motive was to be kind, just as he had. “We are ever so happy you have come with your brother. I have already invited Mr Bingley and all of you to dinner tomorrow. He is here every day, you know.” She winked and tilted her head towards where Jane stood.
“Thank you, madam,” Darcy said, quietly extracting his sister from her grasp.
They said the usual goodbyes, and Elizabeth accompanied them to the carriage.
With a chuckle, she said to Georgiana, “I am afraid my family is always like that. From what I saw of your relations, they are much…calmer. Kitty and Lydia will not demand so much of you once you have met a few times.”
“I am sure they are very…kind,” his sister stammered. He detected uncertainty in her voice, but did not think Elizabeth had.
“And glad to make a new friend, especially since you will be their sister,” Elizabeth said.
She met his eye, likely sharing his wish that they might say a private farewell—and share a kiss or two. But with his sister present, and Mrs Younge in the carriage, it was impossible. Thus, and as had become his custom, he kissed her hand, whispered, “I shall see you tomorrow,” and released her.