Chapter 31
Mrs. Hardwicke had been visiting a tenant family recently blessed by a boy.
It had now been more than three months since her husband’s death, and she had no wish to disregard her responsibility any longer.
The estate may now belong to Mr. Darcy but she was very much concerned for the well-being of the people who had been loyal to her husband.
She was walking back after delivering the care basket when she happened upon Mr. Harrison. It was surprising, for she was nowhere near Briarwood, but thinking that he may have been walking this way on some business, she just greeted him politely and was disconcerted when he turned and joined her.
“Mrs. Hardwicke, I hope my visit did not cause any trouble for you with Mrs. Ashcombe. I had no intention of any impropriety,” he said referring to the set down that Mrs. Ashcombe had delivered to him the last time he had visited Willowmere.
“My husband was well respected by his family and Mrs. Ashcombe is just concerned about appearances. I hope you will agree, sir, that her age and prominence in society gives her a better understanding of what is acceptable,” Mrs. Hardwicke answered with slight unease.
She had been worried about Mr. Darcy and his motives but the Darcys including Mrs. Ashcombe were family and she would never be so uncouth as to abuse them in front of Mr. Harrison.
The steward’s behaviour had been puzzling, for she had only a passing acquaintance with him before her husband’s death, but now the man was positioning himself as a dear friend.
“Mr. Hardwicke was a good man, even Lord Greystone was aggrieved to hear of his passing. I have received a letter from him to expect his presence, I am sure he means to condole with you on your loss.”
Mrs. Hardwicke frowned at this, for as far as she knew her husband did not hold Lord Greystone in much esteem declaring him a gossip worse than any society matron.
Outwardly, she just smiled at Mr. Harrison and expressed her thanks for his lordship‘s consideration. They had just turned the lane towards the main house when Mr. Harrison took his leave with a significant look towards the dower house, much to Mrs. Hardwicke’s consternation.
She had no wish for the gentleman to assume an intimacy that did not exist and was quick to say her farewells.
She was greeted by her daughter as soon as she entered the house.
“Mama, would you sit with me? I am having some difficulty with my studies.”
“Of course, dearest, but where is Elizabeth? I thought you preferred her company to mine these days,” she replied with a smile.
“She was out in the gardens reading a letter and then I heard her talking to Mrs. Ashcombe that she wished to speak to Mr. Darcy,” the young girl replied absently.
“Are you telling me that Elizabeth has gone to the dower house?”
“Maybe. I am not sure, but I did not see her come back inside.”
“My dear, I think I need to go and check on your cousin before I sit with you,” Mrs. Hardwicke responded as she got up to leave the house once more.
“Whatever for? Lizzy will be back and Mr. Darcy is a very nice man. Mayhap he is reading to her as he reads to me.”
“How many times did Mr. Darcy read to you?”
“Many times when you were sick. He also built me some toy soldiers.”
“Margaret, have I not told you not to be friendly to strangers?” Mrs. Hardwicke gently admonished her daughter.
“But Mr. Darcy is hardly a stranger and Lizzy trusts him; she told me that he is a very good man.”
“I do not want you to argue with me. Go up to your rooms, I will be back as soon as possible.”
Mrs. Hardwicke marched out of the house and hurriedly made her way to the dower house.
She entered the dower house and walked past the housekeeper before she could announce her, and was stunned at the scene in the front parlour.
Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth were standing too close to each other as the gentleman bestowed a rather intimate kiss on her niece’s hand.
There was no Mrs. Ashcombe or any other chaperone in sight.
Incensed, she immediately reacted, “What is going on here?” causing the couple to immediately separate.
“Mrs. Hardwicke, I am sorry, but it is not what it appears,” Darcy immediately spoke, while an embarrassed Elizabeth could hardly meet her aunt’s eyes.
“Mr. Darcy, we may be simple country folks, and this estate may now be your property, but my niece’s reputation and the family honour is not for you to trifle with,” Mrs. Hardwicke spoke through gritted teeth.
Elizabeth immediately looked up at this unjust comment from her aunt, and responded, “Mr. Darcy is an eminently honourable man, and it was I who sought him out.”
“Elizabeth, I had expected better from you. It is entirely improper for you to be here in such a manner. I had allowed you to help with the renovations but it seems I was wrong to trust both you and Mrs. Ashcombe.”
“Mrs. Hardwicke, Miss Bennet was worried about a matter concerning her sister and came to discuss the particulars. You are very well aware that we have a prior acquaintance. My aunt has just stepped upstairs to check the progress of the work.”
“You are well versed in the ways of society, sir, to consider it an appropriate situation. Also, if Elizabeth had any concern regarding her sister, it should have been her family she confided in and not an unrelated gentleman.”
“Madam, I have no wish to argue with you on the impropriety of the matter, but I assure you that Miss Bennet came to me because my family and friends are also very much part of the situation. I assure you that I bear no ill-will towards anyone in your family. On the contrary, I have admired Miss Bennet’s fortitude and intelligence for some time now. ”
“Mr. Darcy, your attention towards my niece has indeed been marked, and then your aunt seems to be complicit in arranging private meetings between the two of you. What are your intentions, sir?” Mrs. Hardwicke asked, hoping the gentleman would now finally step back and expose his true character for her niece’s benefit.
Elizabeth would be heartbroken but that was better than being ruined.
Darcy had been moments away from declaring himself to Elizabeth.
Before she had come to him in such a frenzy of emotions, he had considered proposing again to be premature now, and had wished to wait until she returned to Hertfordshire where he would be able to speak to Mr. Bennet.
Only three months had passed since the debacle at Hunsford, and he had no wish to rush Elizabeth and thus was taken aback at this question from Mrs. Hardwicke.
“Madam, I assure you that my intentions are entirely honourable,” he said, without giving any details.
“While both you and Elizabeth have assured me of that, I think that if you had any serious intentions you would have declared yourself.”
Elizabeth was indignant on Mr. Darcy’s behalf; she was sure they had been about to come to an understanding when her aunt had arrived and for that matter she had no doubts regarding Mr. Darcy’s intentions.
She knew in her heart that he was only worried about her and his circumspect answer was to protect her.
Thus deciding that it was time for her to defend the gentleman’s honour, she finally spoke.
“Mr. Darcy already proposed to me in Kent, but we have yet to speak about it with my father.”