Chapter 19 #2
He was accustomed to Georgiana keeping late hours, and though he could not help but wonder how she had fared, he was gratified by the growing closeness between her and Miss Mary.
Between the careful watching of Mrs Annesley and the quiet of the morning, it afforded him and Elizabeth an opportunity to speak with the Gardiners, and he found, not for the first time, that he enjoyed their society exceedingly.
“I spoke to Bennet last evening, and he has agreed to our taking Kitty to London,” Gardiner began, once Elizabeth and Darcy were seated with their tea. “Mary will go to Pemberley with your sister,” he added, with a glance in Darcy’s direction.
Darcy inclined his head, well pleased that Bennet had so readily consented to the disposition of these two daughters. Though the gentleman had also agreed to Lydia’s removal, for her own good, it was this arrangement which Darcy had most feared might falter once it came to be acted upon.
“Last night, I accompanied Fanny upstairs, and she remained decidedly displeased at the high-handedness of everyone in making arrangements for her daughters,” Mrs Gardiner said.
“The only point on which she was truly fixed was Lydia’s being obliged to go away to school.
That Mary and Kitty should visit family was expected, but that her favourite daughter should be sent off to some dreadful establishment was, in her view, an outrage. ”
Mrs Gardiner’s tone betrayed her irritation, and Darcy could not help but wonder how long she had been required to endure such complaints—and how often they had been repeated.
Elizabeth leant forward, lowering her voice so that she might not be overheard by anyone who might be lingering in the hallway.
“We will remain at Stoke for at least a se’nnight after the wedding.
Though we do not intend to make our plans known, it will allow us to determine whether Papa has acted as he promised.
If he has not, I do not suppose we may simply carry Lydia off ourselves, but we might at least provide a voice of reason.
The only comfort is that Jane is determined to stay here, and, as she considers it her duty to stay with Mama, her presence may prevent Lydia from being kept at home. ”
Gardiner shook his head, his expression one of displeasure, and set his cup aside, drawing Darcy’s notice with the slight noise it made. Turning towards Elizabeth, her uncle regarded her steadily and Darcy realised that what he would say was of great import.
“I have already warned your intended about taking too much upon himself, and now I find I must give you the same caution. Elizabeth, what your parents choose to do is not your responsibility. In two days, you will be Elizabeth Darcy.”
Darcy felt a sense of delight come upon him at hearing this, although he kept his countenance composed. He did reach out and take Elizabeth’s free hand, his fingers tightening about hers.
“Kitty will go to London with us and remain there as long as she wishes. Mary will go to Pemberley, and I cannot imagine you would compel her return if she prefers to stay. Jane has reached her majority and is fully capable of deciding where she ought to be. For the present, that is here—but she may, in time, determine otherwise. When that day comes, she will write to you or to us, and she may join either household. But it must be her decision.”
Elizabeth listened without interruption, at times squeezing Darcy’s hand as he had done hers earlier, but she remained listening and did not attempt to interrupt.
“The Bennet family is not of such consequence as to warrant notice amongst the ton, and even if Lydia should one day bring ruin upon herself, it will not be your responsibility. You will already be married, and you and whatever sisters are not here can distance yourselves if necessary.”
Darcy found himself in full agreement, though he doubted Elizabeth would so readily divest herself of concern for her family. Indeed, it was one of the very qualities he most admired in her—however inconvenient it might prove.
“Mr Bennet lacks either the strength or the inclination to oppose his wife,” Darcy said.
“Do you not think that, with a measure of encouragement from you or from me, he might be persuaded to stand firm? Once Miss Lydia is at school, I cannot suppose he would be eager to bring her home again before it is necessary.”
Elizabeth inclined her head, acknowledging his reasoning. “He is capable,” she said. “Mama was insistent that he compel me to marry Mr Collins, but he refused. It is possible he will see the sense in sending Lydia to school and remain resolute.”
“He was willing to stand firm because it was you,” Gardiner said to his niece, making plain his view of Bennet’s earlier resolve.
“I am not so certain he will not yield where Lydia is concerned. Once we are all gone, Fanny will begin again—complaining about the supposed injustice of Lydia’s punishment, for she plainly considers her being sent to school as such, and is not yet convinced that Lydia has done anything wrong.
That she has been preserved only by circumstance, and not by any merit of her own, has entirely eluded her. ”