Chapter 21 #3
Unlike Darcy, Richard Fitzwilliam made himself comfortable in any setting and fell into easy conversation with people in every rank of society.
Besides his intelligence and competence, he was obliging, amiable, and engaging; the very embodiment of In Veritate Victoria.
Possessed of every good quality, he was worthy of the highest praise.
An enjoyable supper hour passed. No arguments were fought, no demands nor threats were issued, and no disputes were raised.
Lydia conducted herself reasonably well, which was all anyone could expect at this juncture, and at the end of the meal, she followed her aunt out of the dining parlour without complaint.
The men used the opportunity to finalise their plans for the next day. Darcy repeated his offer to pay for Lydia’s tuition, but Mr Bennet and Mr Gardiner strenuously opposed this idea.
“If your assistance were to become known, my niece’s reputation might easily be subject to speculation,” Mr Gardiner said.
“I shall cover that expense on behalf of my brother, but I am not well known in that part of town, Mr Bingley. Your recommendation might go a long way in persuading Miss Huntington to admit Lydia into her school.”
Although disappointed, Darcy was forced to concede on this point.
Furthermore, he privately admitted that he had vastly underestimated Elizabeth’s Cheapside relations.
Mr and Mrs Gardiner were not the vulgar mushrooms that he had once supposed, but rather perfectly respectable, fashionable, and hospitable.
They had graciously welcomed three strangers into their home, served them an excellent meal, and entertained them with intelligent conversation.
When Darcy bade the family goodnight at the end of the evening, Mr Bennet warmly shook his hand and repeated his thanks for his intervention. “I owe you a great debt of gratitude, Mr Bingley.”
“I hope to call on you soon, Mr Bennet,” Darcy said, thinking of that gentleman’s enchanting daughter.
“I shall look forward to it.”
When he and Charles left the house with Richard, their carriages awaited on the street. Darcy shook hands with his cousin.
“It’s been a pleasure meeting you, Mr Bingley,” Richard said in his usual affable manner.
“You are welcome at Netherfield whenever you are in the area,” Darcy said, knowing Charles would have extended this invitation.
Richard stated his earnest resolve to visit soon, and then boarded his carriage.
After seeing him off, Darcy pulled Charles aside. “Where to, my friend?”
Charles paused a moment to consider this. “We could go to Hurst House, if I played least in sight. Otherwise, my sisters would ask too many questions.”
“Quite right.” Since Darcy also lived on Grosvenor, Caroline would wonder why he hadn’t gone home instead. “Perhaps we should go to my place. You have frequently stayed with us, and besides, my sister will have retired for the night.”
In full agreement, Charles boarded and sat in the backwards facing seat. Darcy instructed Lockhart to take them to Darcy House.
Once aboard, Darcy tapped on the roof to signal the driver. Finally underway, he extended his hand. “Thank you for a job well done, Charles. I couldn’t have achieved such success without you.”
Charles shook his hand, and in the next instant, Darcy was in the backwards facing seat. Beneath his glove, he felt the Darcy ring on his right hand.
Although he couldn’t see clearly in the dim light of the street lamps, he knew. No bolt of lightning, no booming thunder, no torrential rain, and no howling wind had occurred. A simple handshake, borne of friendship and understanding, had switched them back to their true selves.
Perhaps it was not so simple as that. Much had happened that day, but after weeks of uncertainty and angst, he was overwhelmed with an air of serenity. Or maybe it was simply relief. He no longer needed to assume another man’s persona, nor his fashions.
Fitzwilliam Darcy had finally returned, a newer, wiser, more enlightened man.
Charles hooted in triumph. “Do we have Lydia Bennet to thank for this reversal?” he said, clapping Darcy’s shoulders.
“And perhaps Wickham, as well,” Darcy said with a laugh. “After all, our restoration wouldn’t have been possible if they hadn’t run off together.”
“Well then, I’ll call on Miss Huntington first thing in the morning and sing Lydia’s praises so there can be no doubt of her acceptance.”
“I suspect the tuition will be incentive enough, but I’ll ensure Wickham has proper transport on his northbound trip, and comfortable lodgings in New Castle. He may be a worthless blackguard, but it’s the least I can do.”
Maybe he owed it to his father to see George comfortably established, maybe he owed it to his childhood friend to rescue him from his own folly, or maybe he had taken pity on a man who was helpless to help himself.
Whatever the reason, Darcy was glad that his ordeal was finally over and that he could now resume his life as Fitzwilliam Darcy, the man he was always meant to be.