Chapter 45
Chapter Forty-Five
“Are you well?” she turned to him and whispered. He had been cheerful enough at Gunter’s two days earlier, but he may be uneasy to be in her presence again in such a public place.
He turned slightly to look at her and grimaced. “I am taking my sister and her companion to Ramsgate on Monday, and I may need to stop in to see my aunt again before I return.”
She knew he was not fully reconciled to his sister’s holiday.
“I hope you travel safely.”
He gave her a tight smile and returned his gaze to the stage.
She would have liked to ask him about Georgiana’s preparations and whether he would go sea bathing while he was in Kent, but he did not seem in the mood for light topics.
Instead, at the first intermission, she moved to sit between Jane and her aunt; her uncle happily sat beside his younger friend instead.
She heard the two men behind her speaking softly here and there, but for the most part their box was quiet.
In the front row, Elizabeth looked about her more and saw that many eyes were on their group. She tried to ignore them and watch the play, soon becoming lost in the plot and laughing at Falstaff.
During the second intermission, all the men left the box, and Elizabeth stood to stretch her legs in the small area. Aunt and Jane spoke animatedly in their seats, but Miss Bingley came to talk to Elizabeth. She had been more friendly since returning from her house party with two suitors.
“I commend you for moving away from Mr. Darcy for the second act. It is in everyone’s best interests for the two of you to be seen less together.”
Elizabeth would have expressed disagreement, but Miss Bingley held up her hand to stop her and continued.
“You know what people are saying, even after your defense of our friend last week at the salon. He is loyal, too, to continue being seen with you, but his reputation is suffering. I know you are only friends, and I tell everyone any chance I get, but I fear my past mistakes are now harming us all. I do apologize, Miss Eliza. I was young and spiteful and wanted Mr. Darcy for myself. I was deluded into thinking you stood in my way.” She chuckled.
“We both know he would never condescend to marry either of us, but he has been a loyal friend. I fear now that my youthful transgressions will harm my brother, as he is determined to wed Jane.”
Elizabeth looked at her cousin.
“Is Jane’s reputation being harmed?”
“I do not think so, not yet, but after the way I treated you…I know you may not think me sincere, as this is the first time I have spoken to you of this, but Jane and I have talked of it many times. I have long known I was at fault. I ruined your chances with Mr. Cage, and he spread rumors so quickly that I felt truly awful. Now I will be married soon, and—”
“Are you and Sir Abraham engaged, then? Congratulations.”
“No, no. I have not decided yet who I will marry, but I will have to choose by the end of the Season.”
Elizabeth nodded. This entire conversation had come as a surprise.
“They both seem to like you very much.”
Miss Bingley sighed. “If only I could combine the best of each into one man. But I suppose I must decide what is most important to me. That is what Jane has said. She told me you said Mr. Hillyerd’s affections seemed more sincere, and I do like him.
But do I like him enough to give up two thousand a year and for my children to have a gentleman for a father?
After the way I have tried to push Charles toward ambition all these years, it does seem hypocritical to consider tossing out my best prospect, does it not? ”
“Perhaps, but you were unable to persuade him, so you need not feel guilty on that score. It is not too late for you to choose happiness. You will be comfortably wealthy with either man, so should you not listen to your heart?”
Miss Bingley surprised her even more then by suddenly wrapping her arms around her in an awkward embrace.
“I have missed you, Miss Eliza. Your simplicity is refreshing at times.”
“I…thank you.”
The gentlemen arrived then with refreshments. Her uncle held hers and her aunt’s, and Mr. Darcy quickly resumed his seat with barely a glance around the box. She knew Miss Bingley’s renewed friendship would be nothing to the loss of Mr. Darcy’s, but perhaps it could help distract her.
It had been a week and a half since that night at Covent Garden, but it felt like much longer. Jane was gone, Mr. Darcy was gone, and she had seen nothing of the Bingleys. Of course she kept herself occupied, as usual, but many of her activities gave her too much time to think.
One afternoon when she returned from the hospital, her aunt gave Elizabeth letters from both Jane and Mary.
Mary had turned nineteen in early May, so her father had allowed her and Jane to set a date for their double wedding.
They both wrote of their plans and requests for her to stand up with them and arrive long before the November 27th nuptials.
Her Uncle Bennet had offered to send a servant to retrieve her from London in October.
Elizabeth was excited for them both and wrote back immediately to accept and to answer questions about her opinion on various matters.
Three weeks after Jane had returned to Longbourn, Mr. Darcy returned to London. Elizabeth knew this only because her uncle came home from his Emporium that Saturday evening to say Mr. Darcy had stopped in to speak with him and would come to dine two days later.
Darcy had hated to leave Elizabeth for so long.
He had been unable to pretend cheerfulness at the theater when he had known he would not see her the next day.
Although he had been hurt when she moved away from him, he understood and could at least watch her.
She was happier with her aunt and cousin than she had been with him in his dour mood.
After his friends had spoken to him at the club, and he had talked privately with Bingley the next day, he had decided to leave town for a time in hopes the rumors would relent.
Georgiana was overjoyed to go to the seaside two weeks earlier than planned.
He had stayed only three days to ensure her comfort was provided for, and then he had stopped in to see Aunt Catherine and Anne for one night.
Anne wrote her first letter to his sister that very evening.
He had not seen Richard since the evening at Hyde Park.
The colonel had military business to attend to, so Darcy had no idea where he was or he might have passed some time with him.
He longed to return to Elizabeth after leaving Rosings, but he and Bingley thought a longer absence would do greater good in the long term.
He kept remembering how it had upset Elizabeth each time to hear the harsh words spoken against her.
She had attempted bravery, but would it not be better to let the ton move on to some new scandal?
Yes, they would turn to him and Elizabeth again, but if he could court her privately and secure her hand before rejoining society in full, he would have the right to comfort her and the ability to remove her from London altogether.
Thus it was that he found himself wandering around the southern counties, taking an inn in a different village each night.
After visiting his aunt, he backtracked to Canterbury and almost continued on to Ramsgate to see his sister again, but his mood would not have endeared him to her.
Instead, he traveled farther west through Surrey and into Hampshire.
He did little but ride Neptune or walk along country roads, but he always thought of Elizabeth and the life they would have together.
Bingley had told him to stay away for at least a month, but he found he could not do it.
Less than three weeks after his departure, he was back in London.
After washing off the dirt from the road, he considered calling on Elizabeth but made his way to Gardiner’s Emporium instead.
He had visited with his friend in his office many times since that first meeting in January.
“Darcy. It is good to see you. When did you return to London?”
“A few hours ago. How is your family?”
“Good, good. The children continue to grow, and my wife’s patience with them. You have not been by in a while. I think my wife has other plans today, but will you join us Monday evening to dine?”
Darcy nodded, appreciative of Gardiner’s ready friendship.
“I would like that very much…Miss Bennet’s presence must be missed. Is Miss Elizabeth well?”
Darcy chided himself for his own clumsiness, but Gardiner had made no mention of Elizabeth, and he must hear that she was happy.
“Her days have been much quieter since Jane returned home, but Lizzy always handles her isolation well.”
Her isolation? He had seen Elizabeth conversing with many people while Miss Bennet was in town. Had the gossip grown while he was away? More likely, they had been more acquaintances than friends to her.
“Sir, I have something of a delicate topic to mention…”
“Do you mean the rumors surrounding you and my niece?”
Darcy could feel his face reddening.
“Have you heard it yourself, or did Miss Elizabeth tell you of it?”
“A little of both. I had wondered whether you would broach the subject with me, but I wish you to know neither I nor Elizabeth hold you responsible. Matthew has also vouched for your upright character. We all recognize that society can be vicious. We would understand if you chose to give up the acquaintance—”
“No, indeed! Bingley and I thought it may help for me to leave town for a time, but I always intended to return. I told Miss Elizabeth I will stand by her, and I have not changed my mind.”
“Stand by her? You would allow your own name to be sullied merely to maintain a friendship with my niece?”
Darcy squeezed the arms of his cane chair, looked down a moment, and took a breath before swallowing and looking into Gardiner’s eyes.
“I have not yet spoken to Miss Elizabeth, but I intend to propose marriage, sir.”
Gardiner smiled. “I confess I had wondered, although it seemed unlikely. I think Lizzy can have no notion of your intentions, unless she is more secretive than I imagine.”
“If you would be willing to wait for me to speak to her, I would be most grateful. I had hoped to improve society’s views first, but if I cannot, I will still proceed as planned.”
Gardiner stood and held out his hand, and Darcy rose and shook it.
“For what it is worth, you have my blessing. Her Uncle Bennet in Hertfordshire must give permission, however, and he has always said he will not allow her to marry before she is of age.”
“Thank you for your blessing. It means a great deal. I understand Miss Elizabeth’s cousin, Miss Mary, has been engaged for some time, although she is younger than Miss Elizabeth. Perhaps Mr. Bennet will allow for some negotiation?”
“Perhaps, perhaps.”
“Well, I thank you for your time, Gardiner, and for the invitation. I will see you Monday.”