Chapter 16 #2
Elizabeth paled. Lady Anne could not have spoken words with more potential to injure. Surely, she must be advising time as a way to overcome her heartbreak.
“Lizzy! Are you well? Come sit; have some tea.” Mrs Gardiner had risen quickly to her feet and was now easing Elizabeth down to a chair, a firm grasp on her arm.
“I am well, aunt. A sudden headache.” Elizabeth dissembled. It was not her head that ached, it was her heart shattering into tiny pieces at her feet.
“Your aunt tells me you are resolute in your desire to return home.” Lady Anne was staring at Elizabeth intensely.
“Yes, my lady. I will leave as soon as my uncle makes the arrangements with my father.” Her voice cracked a bit and Elizabeth bit her lower lip, struggling to gain control of her emotions.
Lady Anne clasped Elizabeth’s hand. “What can I do to be of assistance?”
“There is nothing to be done. I am called home and my time in London is at an end. I will miss the good friends I made here. I do hope you will not object to my writing to Georgiana?”
“No, indeed. She shall insist on it, I am sure.” Lady Anne gave her a sympathetic smile and with a final pat on her hand, let go.
~ / ~
That night a bemused Mr Darcy observed his wife pacing their sitting room floor in agitation, yet again.
“She is so altered, the poor dear. I feel wretched. Have I done this?” The rapidity of her speech kept time with her quick steps across the floor.
Catching his eye, she shook her finger at him.
“I know, I know. You warned me not to meddle. Now Elizabeth is suffering, and it is all my doing.” She raised one hand and laid it on her forehead.
“Yet–I cannot repent our son’s improvement.
He has taken our castigations to heart and has grown. I am quite proud of his progress.”
“As am I.” Mr Darcy got to his feet to place himself in the path of his pacing wife, placing his hands on her hips.
“He is a natural when it comes to estate stewardship and seems to thrive on new challenges.” He chuckled, “You should have seen him at the solicitors yesterday. His intellect is sharp; asking questions and proposing alternate strategies. He will be a great master of Pemberley.”
“Not for many more years, I hope.” She raised both arms to hook them around the back of his neck. “Oh George, what have I done? Shall Elizabeth pay the price for my hubris?”
His hands circled around to the centre of her back, drawing her closer. She rested her head on his shoulder.
“We both allowed it, encouraging them to spend time together.”
“They seemed to get along so well. I knew they would suit,” her eyes beseeched him, “has his heart been touched at all, do you think?”
“Perhaps. I think… it may have.” Mr Darcy’s reply was thoughtful.
With a quick inhale of breath, Lady Anne’s mien changed to hopeful. “You do?”
“Our son is as quiet a man as I, but he has grown even quieter, and somewhat dishevelled, these past few days. Did you not notice his disposition when you mentioned Elizabeth at breakfast?”
Lady Anne shook her head slowly as she contemplated their time that morning. “I confess, I did not.”
He laughed, “When I told him about our meeting with the solicitor–the look on his face.” His laughter quieted to a soft chuckle.
She lightly slapped his shoulder, “You evil man, to tease our son in such a way.” She entreated him, “So, you think he cares for her, too?”
“I cannot rightly say, but there is only one way for both to know. They must speak. And if the answer is no–for either one, they will have clarity and may, eventually, move on.”
“Indeed. Oh, George, I have such tremors and palpitations, what if…”
“Shh,” he placed a finger over her lips. “I shall distract you and give you greater reason for palpitations.” His head dipped to kiss her lips, drawing her close.
~ / ~
The next morning, after breaking their fast, Darcy’s parents requested that he meet with them in the study.
Thinking hard, Darcy followed behind them. He could not recall any recent conduct to warrant a reason for the meeting.
When the door was closed and all three were seated, he blurted, “Did I do something wrong?”
Mr Darcy took in his son’s rigid pose. “No, my son. Not at all. In truth, we wish to tell you how proud we are of you. I hope you will continue this good progress. In particular, I am pleased with how quickly you have taken on responsibilities for our estates and investments.”
Darcy’s stance immediately relaxed and he shrugged. The estate responsibilities seem negligible, compared to his distraction over Elizabeth.
“How are your new responsibilities sitting with you? Is there anything you would like to discuss?”
Darcy blew out a breath of air. “I am at my wits end!”
His parents shared a look, a little surprised by his outburst. For her part, Lady Anne hoped their son might say more. She nodded at her husband to continue.
“To what do you refer? Something from our meeting with the solicitor the other day?”
Darcy opened and closed his mouth, his face flushing. “I…You…” He sighed, his shoulders slumping forward.
The look of dejection on his face was reminiscent of the one Lady Anne saw on Elizabeth’s yesterday morning. “Fitzwilliam.” He did not respond. “Fitzwilliam,” She repeated sharply. “Calm yourself and explain what affects you so.”
“I love her.” He could not meet their gazes.
Mr Darcy looked intently at his son. “Just to be clear, by her, you are referring to Miss Elizabeth Bennet?”
“Of course, I am.” His eyes glazed over as he recalled the way she looked while playing in the park with her nephew and niece, and the sunlight reflecting golden off her hair the very first time he saw her.
“At last,” breathed Lady Anne. She and her husband relaxed into their seats looking amused, and on Lady Anne’s part, more than a little relieved.
“You–you do not mind?” Their reaction made no sense to Darcy.
“Not at all. She is a wonderful young lady, and we think she is perfect for you.” Lady Anne’s voice was soft.
“But… you had objected, before, when I first made her acquaintance.”
“Oh, not to her. It was your behaviour we objected to.” His mother’s tone was firm.
Mr Darcy further explained. “As your parents, we would be happy regardless of the young lady you chose, so long as you were happy. Barring extreme exceptions, of course. However, you were on a path we could not like, and your attitude was insufferable. Upon meeting Miss Bennet, your mother and I were inclined to think you and she might do very well together. It would have been such a shame if you ruined your chances with Miss Bennet due to your abhorrent conduct.”
Lady Anne took her husband’s hand, “We both felt you needed to grow up.”
Darcy was quiet, but he brushed his hand through his hair in agitation. “How do I know if I have changed enough?”
His mother contemplated him. “When you think of marriage now, what do you wish for?”
“Her. She is everything I ever wanted as a wife, and a life partner. I desire Elizabeth’s happiness, first and foremost. Until I came to know her, I fear I was a selfish being indeed.”
Already knowing the answer, Lady Anne asked, “Is she aware of your feelings for her?”
“I do not know. How can she? I have just determined it myself and I have not seen her since.”
“You must tell her!” Mr Darcy sat forward in his seat and looked kindly on his son. This would be the ultimate test for their son. Revealing all, with no assurance of claiming the prize, is an experience which transforms a boy into a man.
Darcy’s eyes appealed to his parents. “And if she rejects me?”
Another look was shared between the older couple. Mr Darcy reached over and took his wife’s hand. He was amazed at how much their son had matured, and offered his response. “It is a risk, to be sure.” He waited a moment and continued, “but, suppose she does not.”
Lady Anne’s comment swiftly followed her husband’s. “I must inform you; Elizabeth is preparing to return to Longbourn.”
“What? When?”
“I do not think the plans were finalized as of yesterday, but I understand she was pushing for it to be as soon as possible.”
He stood swiftly, nearly toppling the chair behind him. “I must see her.” His fear of rejection was nothing compared to the fear of not confessing his feelings at all.
He ran out of the study and down the hall, barely stopping for his hat before exiting the house. He practically ran the whole way to the Gardiners, only stopping to try and slow his breathing.
The butler showed him into the drawing room, where Mrs Gardiner sat, alone.
“Forgive me, madam, but might I have a word with Miss Bennet?”
“Mr Darcy, Elizabeth is not here.”
His body visibly sagged. “She has already left for Longbourn?”
“No, sir.” Mrs Gardiner’s eyebrows rose as she tried to hide her smile. “She has gone for a walk in the park.”
He perked up. “She is still here?” His eyes beamed.
“You may find her if you follow her usual path.”
He saw an expression of hope grow on Mrs Gardiner’s face as he bowed. Without another word he turned on his heel to dash out of the room. He had a quest to complete, with not a moment to lose.