Chapter 3
The following morning brought a quiet industry to Gracechurch Street.
The fortuitous meeting with Miss Darcy was still discussed with much interest, and even Mr Gardiner engaged in the conversation.
“So will you consider Miss Darcy’s invitation?” the gentleman enquired. “Do you think it was meant in earnest or just a polite gesture?”
“She seemed eager to prolong our encounter and quite disappointed when we could not oblige,” Mrs Gardiner said.
“It must have been my previous knowledge of her parents that aroused her interest, and I have to say it touched my heart. I would feel uncomfortable to disappoint her again. What do you think?”
“I think you should write to her, if you feel it is appropriate. Besides, a visit to Miss Darcy would be a pleasurable diversion, I assume,” Mr Gardiner replied, glancing at his nieces.
“She did come to my aid when I fell, which very few, if any, other ladies of her status would have done,” Elizabeth interjected, half in jest. “Some ladies of significantly lower status would have never helped anyone,” she added meaningfully.
“I cannot argue with you, Lizzy. You have been very quiet, Jane. What do you think?” Mrs Gardiner asked.
“Miss Darcy is very beautiful, as well as charming,” Jane said softly. “I wonder whether I should consider her invitation too… I doubt she has any interest in me.”
“What nonsense!” Elizabeth exclaimed. “I admit her main interest must be in the acquaintance with our aunt, but Miss Darcy was so amiable to both of us too. How could you disregard her attentions because of some silly implication by women of lower status and character?”
Glances were exchanged around the table, and Elizabeth continued, “I am sure we all understand what I mean. Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst stated that their brother dedicates most of his time to Miss Darcy and suggested their connection is expected to grow into something more. Miss Darcy explained she had scarcely seen either Bingley. Who should we believe, really?” She gave her sister a firm look.
“My last visit to Grosvenor Street was rather unpleasant. I hope a more delightful one might eclipse that memory, so I shall write to Miss Darcy immediately. I think we could spare some time for such an occasion,” Mrs Gardiner concluded.
“Speaking of writing,” Mr Gardiner said, “I just received a reply from my brother Bennet. Lizzy, you may want to read and answer it since half of it contains teasing about your delay in meeting Lady Catherine de Bourgh.”
“Papa never disappoints,” Elizabeth said with a laugh.
After that, Mr Gardiner departed to attend to his business, Jane expressed a wish to play with the children, and Elizabeth and Mrs Gardiner moved to the library.
“Jane is still disheartened, after all this time,” the lady said once the door closed. “I fear she simply chooses to remain trapped in her sadness and refuse to even attempt to mend her broken heart.”
“I confess I hoped to find her in a better disposition, but I was wrong,” Elizabeth replied. “And I am angry with Mr Bingley. He is either weak or just shallow and unworthy of such devotion.”
“What do you mean, Lizzy?”
“It is quite simple, Aunt. If his feelings for Jane were strong enough, he would not have simply disappeared when he said he would return to Netherfield in a week. He broke his promise, so there were either no true feelings on his side or not enough determination to fight for them, even against his own sisters.”
“Your judgment is harsh but sound. I admit I have struggled myself to find an excuse for him not even sending Jane a polite greeting after all these months. If he has some regard for her, he should have done so. Unless his sisters have not informed him that Jane is in town, which would be a shocking deception on their part.”
“If they have dared to sustain such a lie for all this time, it cannot be out of any sort of consideration for their brother. They simply treat him like a child. Which leads me to believe he is unworthy of Jane’s affection and devotion because his feelings must have been shallow or his character weak,” Elizabeth concluded, growing irritated.
“I would like to find reason to disagree, Lizzy, but I cannot. Now let us write our letters, then I shall go and ask Sir William whether he wishes to send a reply to Mr Collins.”
***
The following morning brought warm, sunny weather, a note from Miss Darcy that she was expecting them for tea the next day at noon, and a surprise: Mr King, Mary King’s uncle, called at Gracechurch Street.
The Bennets’ connection to the Kings was just a superficial one; they rarely, if ever, visited Hertfordshire, so such an appearance was utterly fortuitous.
“Mrs Gardiner, I beg your forgiveness for arriving unannounced,” Mr King said. “I am not sure whether you remember me since we only met once, this past Christmas, when you visited Longbourn. Your sister Mrs Bennet provided me with your address.”
“I do remember you, sir. Please come in. I am sure you know Lizzy and Jane. My husband is out dealing with business. May I offer you something to drink?”
“No, thank you. I shall not stay long. Lady Lucas asked me to bring a letter for Sir William. I pray he and Maria are in better health now?”
“They are improving daily, under our doctor’s supervision, and we trust they will be fully recovered soon.” Mrs Gardiner gestured for the gentleman to sit, then asked, “Have you been in London long, sir?”
“We only arrived from Meryton last night,” he replied, “and we plan to travel onwards tomorrow.”
“I hope everyone is well in Meryton,” Elizabeth finally interjected. “How is your niece, Miss Mary?”
“Mary is travelling with us,” Mr King replied, after a moment of hesitation. “Her late mother’s cousin has invited her to live with her in Pembrokeshire, at their family estate. I am sure Mary will be happy and properly attended there.”
The news greatly surprised Elizabeth. “Truly? I thought Miss King was happy in Meryton and planned to remain there.”
“Mary was indeed happy in Meryton, but a happiness brought about so suddenly can often prove imprudent and might lead to regret later on. We, her family, have agreed that her future will be brighter in Wales. I pray she will realise that, too, one day.”
The gentleman’s words, as well as his tone and countenance, increased Elizabeth’s confusion.
She had last heard that Mr Wickham had been courting Miss King for a while and an engagement was expected soon.
The lady’s sudden and apparently unwilling removal to a place so far away was certainly strange.
Still, she did not dare enquire further; the matter sounded delicate, and discretion was clearly required.
Mr King remained less than half an hour, briefly visiting Sir William in his chamber. The two gentlemen shared a short, private conversation, then the guest took his leave.
As soon as he departed, Elizabeth raised the subject that had been bothering her throughout the visit. “Mr King must be taking Mary away to avoid her engagement to Mr Wickham. It cannot be for any other reason. But I wonder what prompted such a decision.”
“And how does the news make you feel, Lizzy?” Mrs Gardiner questioned.
“Puzzled, undoubtedly. And curious, I admit.”
“I feel sorry for Mary King,” Jane whispered. “They are clearly sending her away against her wishes. Why would they do that?”
“Perhaps it is for the best, dearest,” Mrs Gardiner said. “Mr King’s statement about the imprudence of a happiness brought about suddenly really struck me. Perhaps her family have discovered a reason why Mr Wickham’s courtship of Miss King was unwise.”
“Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst considered their brother’s courtship of me to also be unwise. How can we blame them for taking him away when we do not condemn the Kings for doing the same,” she replied bitterly, leaving Elizabeth and their aunt speechless.
“Dearest, if you believe Mr Bingley had sound reasons to leave you, then perhaps you should find the strength to move forward,” Elizabeth finally declared.
“Wasting your sorrow on someone who shows no regrets is certainly not wise. Let him be happy with someone else while you find your own happiness elsewhere!”
Elizabeth’s tone was harsher than she intended, and Jane turned pale, then suddenly rose and excused herself, hurrying from the room.
“I am sorry that I upset her. I should go and apologise.”
“Leave her alone for a little while, Lizzy,” Mrs Gardiner suggested. “It might be good for her to ponder your words. I must say you do sound irritated, though.”
“I am somehow distressed. I cannot but wonder why Mr King took Mary away. Could Mr Darcy have said something to harm Mr Wickham’s reputation and make the match seem an undesirable one?”
“Mr Darcy? You make me laugh, Lizzy. When could he have done that since he left Hertfordshire four months ago? It is more likely that Mr Wickham conducted himself in a way that roused Mr King’s suspicions.
After all, apart from him being handsome and pleasant, what more do we know about the man?
As for his past dealings with Mr Darcy, did you ask for any evidence to support Mr Wickham’s claims? ”
“No, of course not. Why would I? He shared his troubles with me out of friendship. I do not suspect him of deception. Why would he have lied to me? He had nothing to gain except for my sympathy.”
“Lizzy dearest, you are too ready to defend Mr Wickham and equally so to blame Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy. Like sudden happiness, sudden anger and resentment might be imprudent and lead to regrets later on,” Mrs Gardiner said.
Elizabeth remained thoughtful for a few moments, then she began to laugh. “Dear aunt, be careful, or you will quote Mr King more often than you quote Shakespeare. Mr Collins does the same with Lady Catherine de Bourgh.”
At this, Mrs Gardiner laughed too, and the awkwardness between them vanished, though both knew the subject was not settled yet.
***
Mr Gardiner returned in the late afternoon and was informed about the unexpected visitor.
Since he hardly knew either the Kings or Mr Wickham, he had little interest in the matter; he found nothing strange in an uncle’s decision to send his niece to live with her mother’s family if he believed it was to her benefit.
However, after he went to greet Sir William and spent a few minutes with him, Mr Gardiner returned to the ladies with fresh news, which he joyfully shared during dinner.
“Sir William told me in confidence that Mr King told him in confidence that Lizzy’s favourite, Mr Wickham, is not worthy of confidence,” the gentleman said with a grin.
Elizabeth threw him a frowning, enquiring look.
“You seem entertained, Uncle. Would you be so kind as to offer us more details?”
“Gladly. In confidence of course. Apparently, Mr King looked into Mr Wickham’s past and discovered the man has more debts than can be counted and is rather too proficient at charming young women, including maids and shop girls.”
“What on Earth are you talking about, Uncle?” Elizabeth cried, appalled by the careless way he made such serious statements.
“I am just relating what I was told. I cannot testify whether it is true or not. But it was enough reason for Mr King to move his niece away from the danger.”
“It cannot be true. It must be a falsehood,” Elizabeth insisted.
“And why it must be falsehood, Lizzy?” Mr Gardiner asked.
“Why? Because…” Words failed her; she had no proof to offer — nothing beyond her own conviction that it could not be so. Why indeed?
“I just pray it is not true…for Mr Wickham’s sake,” she eventually said.
“That sounds more reasonable, Lizzy,” her uncle replied. “I wonder what evidence Mr King gathered to make such accusations. I doubt he would spread such allegations about an officer without being certain. Regardless, it is a matter that does not concern any of us, is it not?”
“What does concern me, though,” Mrs Gardiner interjected, “is what sort of evidence allowed anyone to spread accusations about Mr Darcy, other than Mr Wickham’s word, and what will Mr Darcy say if he hears the rumours. Especially since we plan to visit Miss Darcy tomorrow.”
Elizabeth gulped several times to remove the lump in her throat caused by her aunt’s subtle rebuke.
“If only half of it is true, Mr King had sound reason to move his niece far away,” Mr Gardiner concluded.
“What if some of those things were true in the past, but Mr Wickham has changed his habits and reformed his character?” Jane asked quietly. “What if he regrets his past errors and intends to make an honourable living in the militia? Such rumours would certainly ruin any chance he might have.”
“There is such a risk, indeed,” Mr Gardiner admitted. “It depends on how bad and how old were his habits that alarmed Mr King. It should be a good lesson for all girls. A handsome face and amiable manners are not proof of goodness and worthiness.”
Elizabeth’s cheeks burned If Mr King was right, then she, Elizabeth, had been nothing but a gullible fool and the worst judge of character. What if — Heaven forbid! — she was forced to apologise to Mr Darcy for her wrong assumptions? Surely he would arrogantly dismiss her excuses.
With such considerations, the rest of the dinner passed slowly; when the family retired for the night, Elizabeth and Jane spoke only a little, but Elizabeth found she could not sleep. Her mind was occupied with thoughts of Mr Wickham and Mr Darcy — none of them pleasant or comfortable.