Chapter 21 #4
“My sister-in-law and Lydia will arrive in two days to do all the necessary shopping,” Mrs Gardiner explained.
“Brace yourself, Matthew,” Mr Gardiner said, and everyone burst into laughter at the look of horror on Mr Andrews de la Garza's face.
“The fortunate thing is that we were able to recover Netherfield before the lease expired. Mr Bingley had no wish to return, and it suited him to terminate the lease as soon as possible, thus avoiding any further payments. Mrs Sinclair kindly offered the house so that my family might stay there, we might receive our guests, and the wedding breakfast could be held there,” explained Matthew.
He intended to leave London with Jane as soon as possible, and he already had a plan to mislead the spies employed by his grandparents.
Claire was grateful that her friends Mary and Kitty were there.
She was naturally shy in large gatherings where she knew very few people.
Yet she could not help feeling both uneasy and disappointed.
Throughout much of the wedding breakfast, her father and her uncle had been happily engaged in conversation with the beautiful and charming Elizabeth Bennet.
She cared little whether her father paid her much attention, but the thought of losing her uncle's affection distressed her.
He seemed utterly delighted with his new niece.
Claire remembered the special bond that had existed between them from the very first time they met, and she could not help feeling jealous.
How could she ever hope to compete with someone as charming as Elizabeth?
“Thank you, Lord Blackwood, for keeping our secret. My aunt and the general wished to be married as soon as possible, so they asked us to invite only those who were closest to them. I also knew how much my aunt cherished the memory of Lord Campbell, and I wanted you to represent your family.” Mary explained how difficult it had been to arrange everything within three days while keeping the wedding a secret.
Christian enjoyed talking with Mary. She was a young woman entirely free from vanity and probably had no notion of how to flirt, which he found wonderfully refreshing.
“I understand, Miss Mary. I am delighted to know that, in the short time I have known Aunt Eleanor, we have already come to value one another's friendship.”
Christian hesitated for a moment before continuing. “Miss Mary, Miss Kitty, Lady Claire, the day after tomorrow a new exhibition opens at the museum. I was wondering whether you would care to join me.”
The three ladies accepted at once with great enthusiasm. John and Laura, who had overheard part of the conversation, were equally delighted by the idea, and Mrs Gardiner promised that they would all join the party.
“May we invite our friend, Miss Georgiana Darcy?” Kitty asked.
“Of course. You should invite your friend. I shall call for you in my carriage that day.”
The group happily continued discussing their forthcoming visit to the museum.
“You cannot imagine how eager I have been to meet you, Miss Elizabeth. My brother Marcus told me that I was to gain several nieces, all of them kind and delightful young ladies, and I can see he was not exaggerating in the least.”
Reginald was fascinated by Elizabeth. She reminded him very much of his mother. His mother, Marcus, and Elizabeth shared the same eyes, not only in colour but also in shape.
“The pleasure is mine, Lord Rockwell,” Elizabeth replied sincerely.
“You may call me Uncle Reginald, if you wish.”
“Thank you. You may call me Lizzy, as my family does.”
Elizabeth continued speaking with Lord Rockwell for several more minutes. She could not help noticing that he scarcely acknowledged Mary and Kitty.
“Lizzy, I should like to ask you a favour,” Reginald said.
“Of course, my Lord. Pray tell me how I may help you.” Elizabeth looked at him with some curiosity.
“Marcus had planned to take Eleanor to a beautiful house by the sea for their honeymoon. However, it seems that neither of them wishes to go now because they are concerned about other matters. I believe they deserve a few days alone together, and I have the impression that they are more likely to listen to you than to me. Would you speak to them on my behalf?”
“Of course. I shall speak to them. I quite agree with you; they deserve a few days together without having to think about anything or anyone.”
Elizabeth crossed the room to where Marcus and Eleanor were chatting with Jane and Matthew about their forthcoming wedding and Netherfield.
“Aunt, Uncle, may I speak with you for a moment?”
Jane and Matthew excused themselves and went to join Laura and John, who seemed rather bored surrounded by so many adults.
“Of course, my dear,” Marcus and Ella replied.
“Lord Rockwell told me that you have postponed your honeymoon. Is that true?” Elizabeth asked, sounding disappointed.
Marcus exchanged a glance with Eleanor and then looked towards his brother, who was smiling with complete innocence.
“Yes, my dear girl. Other matters require our attention. We cannot be away from London for a week, nor absent from… our families and our business. There are legal matters to settle, and—”
“Yes, Lizzy,” Eleanor gently interrupted, “there are a few things we must resolve first. We shall travel when we have the time.”
“If you cannot go away for a week, then go for at least three days. Please, I ask it with all my heart. You have waited so many years to be together. Please make me—and everyone who loves you—happy, and go to the seaside for three days. Jane and I shall take care of everything here.”
“And whatever Lizzy may need, she knows she has only to ask me,” Lord Rockwell added.
Marcus and Eleanor looked at one another, then at Elizabeth's pleading face, and finally yielded.
“Very well. We shall go for three days,” Marcus said, while Eleanor smiled affectionately at Elizabeth.
Without thinking, Elizabeth threw herself into their arms, and all three burst into laughter. Eleanor embraced her and kissed her cheek, while Marcus hugged her as well and kissed her gently upon the forehead.
Early the following morning, Marcus and Eleanor set off for the seaside to enjoy the first days of their married life together.
◆◆◆
Colonel Fitzwilliam remained in the study at Darcy House, listening to everything his cousin had to tell him.
He was torn between horror and astonishment.
He had always known Darcy could be arrogant, but he had never imagined he would go so far as to insult a lady as he had insulted Elizabeth.
During the journey from Rosings, Mr Darcy had refused to speak of what had happened, and, seeing how distressed he was, Richard had thought it best to leave him alone.
However, the following morning, Mr Darcy's valet informed him that his master had scarcely eaten for nearly two days and had fallen asleep drunk on the floor of his bedchamber.
With the colonel's assistance, Wilson had managed to give Mr Darcy a proper bath, persuade him to eat something, and finally settle him in bed to rest.
Mr Darcy awoke shortly before dinner; he dressed and joined Richard and Georgiana. Unfortunately, he looked dreadful. Georgiana became so concerned.
When he entered the dining room, Richard and Georgiana were already waiting for him.
“William! You look dreadful. Are you unwell?”
“I am quite well, Georgiana,” Mr Darcy replied, attempting a reassuring smile as he took his seat. “I merely have a headache.”
“You do not look merely troubled by a headache. You are terribly pale. Richard, I think we ought to send for the doctor.”
“There is no need,” Mr Darcy said firmly. “Pray do not concern yourself. I assure you I am much better than I was this morning.”
“But you scarcely ate yesterday, and Wilson said—”
Mr Darcy gently interrupted her.
“Georgiana, I promise you there is nothing to fear. I simply needed some rest. I shall be perfectly well in a day or two.”
Georgiana studied his face for a moment before giving a reluctant nod.
“If you are certain…”
“I am. Now, let us have dinner before you worry yourself ill on my account.”
Richard, who had remained silent, smiled faintly.
“You had better do as he says, Georgie. Once Darcy has made up his mind, even an army could not persuade him otherwise.”
Georgiana could not help smiling.
“Very well. But if you feel any worse, you must promise to tell me immediately.”
“I promise,” Mr Darcy replied.
After dinner, Georgiana retired to the music room to play the pianoforte with Mrs Annesley, and the gentlemen went to the study to drink brandy and converse.
At last, Richard persuaded Mr Darcy to tell him everything that had happened during the past few days in Kent.
“So, the letter you gave Miss Bennet was meant to explain your involvement in Bingley's affairs and expose Wickham's lies?”
“Yes, that was its purpose.”
Mr Darcy had no wish to discuss the matter any further, but he knew Richard well enough to understand that the only way to prevent further questioning was to tell him everything.
“What am I to say to you, Darcy? You deserved everything Miss Bennet said to you, except for what she believed about Wickham. Why did you propose to her if you considered her so far beneath you?”