Chapter 1.19
Being delighted with Elizabeth’s company and happy at the prospect of having a sister so much to her liking, Georgiana never considered that someone in her family might disapprove her brother’s choice of wife.
Her aunt’s coldness and innuendos against Elizabeth were difficult to bear, divided as she was between love for her aunt and loyalty to her intended sister.
Though the conversation had become more neutral at the end of Lady Matlock’s visit, Georgiana did not fail to sense the hidden tension behind the politeness.
She almost panicked when her aunt solicited Elizabeth to accompany her downstairs, afraid that Elizabeth might be offended or possibly reconsider her engagement.
She did not know Elizabeth well enough to appreciate how capably she could stand against Lady Matlock, but Georgiana had found over the years that her aunt was not to be defeated or persuaded when she had decided upon a matter.
She had been relieved when her brother had entered her room and she could suggest that he join the ladies downstairs; however, the delay in his return only increased her suspense.
When her brother and Elizabeth finally returned, undoubtedly good humoured and looking somehow…
different, Georgiana showed no restraint in expressing her pleasure at seeing them and her curiosity about what had occurred.
Curiously, at her question, Elizabeth’s face coloured while searching for an answer.
“Dearest, it was I who detained Elizabeth, for I wanted to talk to her after Lady Ellen left,” answered Darcy, a neutral and perfectly sensible reason, which—to Georgiana’s utter surprise—made Elizabeth blush even more as she cast a quick glance at him.
A little intrigued, she attributed the strange behaviour to Elizabeth’s recent emotions, and indeed, she was right. “Was everything well with Lady Ellen, Elizabeth? I know she can be a little…severe sometimes, but she is excessively kind and generous. I am sure you will like her very much.”
“Dear Georgiana, do not distress yourself, everything went very well. And Lady Matlock has been all kindness and good intentions, I assure you.”
“I am so glad to hear that. I sent William to protect you, you know.”
Elizabeth started to laugh. “Thank you, but I was in no real danger.”
“Indeed she was not, Georgie. I dare say Aunt Ellen was pleased with her. She asked Elizabeth to call her ‘Lady Ellen.’”
“She did?” The surprise in her voice made Elizabeth laugh again.
“Yes, she did. But is that so astonishing?”
“Oh yes, it is! You see, the colonel’s elder brother has been married for six months, and he was engaged for two years before that. His wife is still addressing my aunt as ‘Lady Matlock.’”
“Oh…” was all she could answer at this unexpected proof of the lady’s approbation.
Before a new topic began, Darcy announced that he had planned a family dinner for that very day with only Elizabeth’s family and Bingley to attend. He was pleased to see how delighted Elizabeth was with this surprise, but he turned his attention to his sister.
“Georgie, as I see you are feeling so well, I was wondering whether you would like to join us tonight. I think we shall have a very pleasant time as the Gardiners and Mr Bennet are delightful company. Moreover, I asked Mr Gardiner to bring the children too, and I am sure you will love them.”
She opened her blue eyes in surprise while her whole face wore a happy smile, but shortly, a shadow passed over it.
“Oh, William, I would like that so much! But I am afraid I shall not be able to join you. My leg is not yet fully healed, and I must keep it stretched out and unmoved, so I cannot sit at the table.”
“I know that, dearest, and there is nothing easier to accomplish. We shall arrange two armchairs—one at the table and the other under the table for your leg—so you will appear as though you are sitting as normally as the rest of us. Moreover, we shall have dinner in the drawing room, so when we finish eating, you ladies will not have to move; instead, the servants will remove the table completely. That way you will stay comfortably with us the whole evening, and I shall have the great joy of having my sister near me. What do you think?”
She could not say anything, for big tears rolled down her pale cheeks. “But what will Mr Bennet, and Mr and Mrs Gardiner say about such unusual arrangements? Will they not be offended?”
It was Elizabeth’s turn to reassure her. “Georgiana, please believe me that my family will be happy. Moreover, I think they will feel honoured that you decided to make such a sacrifice to have dinner with them.”
“Do you think so?”
“I am sure of it. I know I would feel honoured by such attention.”
Her last argument caused Georgiana’s doubts to vanish, and she let her excitement burst out in a joyful barrage of questions.
She asked about the guests until she became agitated about her appearance and about what she would wear for the occasion.
Mr Darcy suggested letting her stay in Mrs Annesley’s care as it was time for Elizabeth to leave.
It was two o’clock, and all of them had preparations to make for the evening.
∞∞∞
“Elizabeth, will you allow me a few more minutes before you leave? I have a gift I would like to offer you. Would you mind if I asked you to join me in the library again? I have kept it there for some time.”
“No, I would not mind…I mean…if you wish…” she became crimson, making Mr Darcy smile.
“There is something I want to give you no later than today, and I want to do it privately. It is also an engagement present. I should have offered it yesterday, but I simply forgot.”
They entered, and Mr Darcy invited her to sit.
Elizabeth was sure it was only a mischievous pretext to spend additional private moments with her, and she was torn between the pleasure of sharing this close intimacy with him and the guilt and mortification for accepting and even encouraging such a breach of propriety.
But he indeed went to a locked safe, opened it, and returned to her with a velvet box of impressive dimensions. Only then did he take a seat beside her. She looked at him with a smile.
“William, please do not think there is any need to give me presents. The ring is the most beautiful thing I have even seen. I thought that you were speaking in jest about the gift, only to—”
“Only to bring you here again?” He laughed, seeing her blush, and placed a kiss on her cheek.
“But you agreed to come, nonetheless.”
“Yes…” She could hardly speak when his warm breath was caressing her. She turned her head to him, and their lips met briefly before he withdrew.
“I do not know what happens to me when I am near you, Elizabeth. I simply cannot think properly. Your presence intoxicates me, and I feel as though I am under the power of the finest and strongest liquor.”
He kissed her hand and then gently put the jewellery box on her lap.
“Elizabeth, the present I want to offer you is very special, not because of its value but because of what it means to me…” A little pause followed, as he searched for words.
“When my mother became ill, I was not quite twelve years old.
Her illness was long and difficult to bear for me and my father, for we both loved her more than words can say.
She burned out like a candle before our eyes without anyone being able to tell us the reason for it or to help her in any way.
My father engaged all the doctors he could find but without any success.
“She stayed in bed a long time, for her powers became weaker every day. She could not hold little Georgiana when she was barely one year old and could only have her company for a few minutes in the presence of a nurse. More than once, I found her crying in despair at not being able to care for her own child. I used to stay with her when my father was away on business and to read to her. We spent hours talking together until very late when my father returned and, only then, could I go to my room because I knew I would leave her in his good care.”
He stopped a moment, and with great emotion and difficulty, he managed to continue as she took his hands in hers, squeezing them both, hoping to give him a little comfort.
“I am sorry, my love, I do not want to speak about these sad moments now, but I hope you will understand why I must. One winter day, it was snowing, and I remember I played in the snow for hours. My father sent for me and said that she had asked to see me. His face was pale and undoubtedly wet with tears. I ran up the stairs wildly, full of guilt for staying away from her so long, and I remember that my soul was burdened and heavy as I came closer, afraid she was dying. I entered her room, but to my surprise, she looked better than ever. Her hair was beautifully arranged, and she was wearing a lovely, pale blue gown and a necklace of blue sapphires with matching earrings. She had the same eyes as Georgiana, you know? I was looking at her and thought her eyes were more beautiful than the sapphires.”
He swallowed violently, trying to overcome the sadness that threatened to burst into tears. Tears appeared in Elizabeth’s eyes, grieved by his suffering.
“She smiled at me and asked me to sit near her on the bed. Then she handed me this jewel box. She told me they were not family jewels but something she asked to be made especially for me as a present for my future wife. You know, Elizabeth, a thousand times her words have sounded in my mind over the years, but I never repeated them to anyone until now. ‘My dear son, I trust that, when the time comes, you will choose your wife with wisdom and consideration, but choose her with your heart too. Try to find a woman to deserve you and be worthy of our name but also to have the power of winning your heart and loving you as I want you to be loved. You deserve no less in a wife. And when you find her, let this be the first present you offer her after the betrothal ring.’”