Chapter 52
Elizabeth had just finished breakfast when her servant informed her that Mr. Gardiner requested her presence in the library. Surprised at this early morning summons from her uncle, she made her way to the library and was astonished to find Mr. Darcy standing by the window, waiting for her.
“Miss Elizabeth, your uncle allowed me to speak to you in private.”
“Oh! Of course. Is something the matter?” Elizabeth asked, all her insecurities from the previous evening resurfacing.
“Do I need to have a reason for seeking my betrothed’s company?
” Darcy smiled at her in his soft understated way, dispelling her uneasiness at once and making her blush deeply.
He then extended his hand and Elizabeth walked up to him, putting her own hand in his outstretched one.
He gently brought it up to his lips and kissed her with such emotion that Elizabeth forgot to breathe for a moment.
“Elizabeth, I need to speak to your father and get his consent. I am planning to travel to Hertfordshire tomorrow.”
“Do you think that I should also go to Papa?”
“While your father would surely prefer to have you at Longbourn, my aunts Lady Matlock and Lady Margaret both feel that you remain in town to quieten the gossip.”
Elizabeth looked at him curiously at this and Darcy finally led her to the nearby chair and then sat next to her before continuing.
“Your uncle spoke to Lord Matlock and Judge Darcy yesterday about your mother’s presence in town,” he said, inclining his head to gesture at the problem her mother’s presence created without saying anything. Elizabeth smiled at this and bade him to continue.
“My aunts visited me yesterday and have expressed a desire that you and Miss Bennet be hosted in town by Lady Matlock. With you at Matlock house there would be no need to mention your mother’s presence in town to anyone.
Lady Matlock feels that a month should suffice for the scandal to subside, and then you may return to Longbourn. ”
“While Mama will not question the invitation from the Countess, what if she decides to visit her?”
“Lady Matlock has offered to take the blame. You may say that she is conscious of her rank and dismissive of your mother’s family. I will add to it by saying that I was only able to convince her to allow Miss Bennet to accompany you.”
“That might actually work,” Elizabeth slowly answered, considering the situation.
“Elizabeth, I am sorry to exclude your mother in such a way.”
“There is no need for you to apologise. I love my family, but I am aware of their shortcomings. I would never expect you to trade off your family name and responsibility to assuage my mother’s feelings.”
“You are generous for it is my own actions that have necessitated your stay in town. I know you told me not to apologise for my actions at the inn, and I am not remotely sorry for my feelings. But I should have tempered them better.”
“Mr. Darcy, I will not say that I was not shocked by your actions, but I welcomed them in spite of the unfortunate timings. My aunt’s strictures and my unplanned departure had made me insecure as to our reunion. To see you thus was the confirmation that I had required.”
“Elizabeth, I assure you there is nothing that can diminish what I feel for you. Now that I have finally gained your affection, I do not think I could endure the loss of it,” Darcy said with feeling.
Elizabeth quietly reached for his hand.
“I love you, Fitzwilliam.”
They stayed in companionable silence for a while before Elizabeth asked him about his grave expression from last night.
“I was worried for Georgiana, she can be rather stiff in new company. But it seems I should not have bothered for she could hardly stop singing your praise.”
“It was rather the opposite last evening, for she restored my confidence.”
“Elizabeth, I plan to call on Bingley today but are you aware of all that has occurred between him and your sister. I am rather worried that he did not write to me about Wickham’s escapades.”
“He wished to impress upon Jane that he is not dependent on others for making his decisions.”
“That is reassuring, though I might have appreciated the opportunity to redeem myself in front of your family by dealing with Wickham,” Darcy replied with a teasing smile.
“I hope you understand that I do not need you to prove anything. You are the only man suited to my happiness and I am aware that you will always be there whenever I need you.”
Darcy smiled at her confidence in him, then changed the subject and mentioned that his aunt should be sending her an invitation later in the day.
“I hope you are able to move to Matlock house today. I will join you there for breakfast before leaving for Hertfordshire,” Darcy said, taking his leave.
It was not much later that Viscount Bainbridge called at the Gardiner’s residence with his mother’s invitation for Miss Elizabeth and Miss Bennet to reside at Matlock house.
“But I am her mother, I should be with her to guide her in society,” Mrs. Bennet immediately objected.
“I understand your concern, madam, but my mother can be quite stubborn, you see. She is not impressed by Darcy’s engagement for she was convinced he would offer for Lord Picketon’s daughter. He danced with her at two different balls in December,” the Viscount gravely responded.
“But… but… will not Mr. Darcy’s reputation suffer if he and Elizabeth do not marry. I understand that he is being blamed for the scandal,” Mrs. Bennet asked, grasping for any reason to be with her daughter.
“You are right again, madam, but my mother is not a Darcy. She is insistent that the Matlocks should distance themselves from Mr. Darcy and his actions.”
“Distance herself!”
“Yes Mama, Mr. Darcy was here this morning and he told me the same thing. He was quite embarrassed and as such did not speak to you. But Mama, I assure you that if you are insulted by the Countess’s methods I will decline the invitation.”
“Decline the invitation! How can you say such a thing Lizzy? No, no you should go and Jane should go with you. I can very much enjoy society once you are married.”
Elizabeth smiled at her mother’s response and immediately went upstairs to help pack her belongings.
Jane followed her upstairs and soon the sisters were ready to depart.
They were only to leave with a valise, the rest of their luggage to be delivered tomorrow.
The Viscount had waited to accompany them and it was close to dinner time when they finally arrived at Matlock house.
They entered the drawing room and were immediately assaulted by a loud voice.
“There is the upstart who had the audacity to sit at my own table and then snare my daughter’s betrothed. I will have you ruined, Miss Bennet.”