Chapter 3
THREE
The days following the accident were a torment to Elizabeth.
Given Mr Harris’s extraordinary levels of inebriation, Mr Gardiner was ill-disposed to recall him to Mr Darcy’s side.
In the absence of any better advice, it was agreed that Mr Darcy remain abed until he could stand without any overwhelming discomfort.
Elizabeth hardly slept for worry. Attempts were made to send word to Pemberley of all that had occurred, but with all the northward roads leading towards Mr Darcy’s residence badly disrupted, there could be no guarantee of when he might expect a reply.
His servant, Elizabeth learnt, had taken ill at Mr Darcy’s last stopping place, which explained why she and her family had found him riding alone.
She hoped that Mr Darcy’s attendant could return to him soon.
To be injured so far from any familiar comfort must be unbearable.
Amongst Elizabeth and the Gardiners, there was a decision to remain with Mr Darcy until he was sufficiently recovered.
Mr Gardiner visited him each morning to ascertain if there was any service he could render that might assist Mr Darcy’s recuperation.
Scraps of information passed from her uncle to her aunt, and Elizabeth listened intently for news of Mr Darcy’s improvement.
Every day, her uncle spoke admiringly of his new acquaintance's determination to overcome his injuries. This praise pleased Elizabeth, though she could not say why. With no small amount of delicacy, she asked for the accident to be suppressed from the Gardiners’ letters to Longbourn.
Eyebrows were raised at this request, but it was not difficult to persuade her uncle and aunt that Mr Darcy would not wish for news of his misfortune to be spread abroad.
To their credit, the Gardiners agreed to her suggestion, and Elizabeth sighed with relief.
Supremely conscious of Mr Darcy’s scathing opinion of her family, she had no wish to add to his disapprobation.
On the sixth morning after Mr Darcy’s accident, Elizabeth and the Gardiners were having a late breakfast in the inn’s last remaining private parlour when Mr Gardiner made an announcement.
“When I spoke to Mr Darcy earlier, he informed me that he is much improved and expressed a desire for a shave. I have arranged for the barber’s boy to be sent up with some hot water and razors.
” He glanced at Elizabeth. “And I have invited our new friend to join us.”
Heat rose to Elizabeth’s face. “And did he accept?”
“Most readily.” This time, a look was exchanged between Mr Gardiner and his wife. “Once I persuaded him that it would not be of any imposition to all members of our party.”
“I am glad to hear that Mr Darcy is feeling sufficiently recovered to leave his room,” replied Elizabeth evenly, hoping that her voice did not betray the unsteady staccato of her heart.
Her stomach churning, she pushed the food around her plate, unsure if she should remain, or plead her excuses and leave.
In the end, her indecision was put to bed by a tentative knock at the door.
Mr Gardiner went to answer it, and, head bowed, she and her aunt rose in greeting.
She stole a glimpse at the man at the doorway, and her heart skipped at the expression on his face.
Hesitantly vulnerable, yet so courteously formal, the Mr Darcy that stood before her was nothing like the disdainful gentleman she had once known.
She smiled reassuringly at him, hoping to convey her remorse at all that had passed between them.
He smiled in return; a devastatingly handsome flash of brilliance that swiftly disappeared behind his habitual impassive mask.
“Take a seat, sir!” Mr Gardiner gestured for Mr Darcy to take his place next to Elizabeth and poured him a steaming cup of tea. “Forgive us this informality—we must serve ourselves.”
Mr Darcy thanked Mr Gardiner and carefully lowered himself into the chair to the right of Elizabeth.
His stiff movements worried her. “How are you feeling?” she enquired softly. Mr Darcy stared as though he had not understood her question. Not liking the grazes on the side of his face, Elizabeth tried again. “Do your injuries trouble you?”
A dimple formed in his cheek, and he appeared to regain his senses. “I am well enough, Miss Bennet. Thank you for your concern.”
An awkward pause hovered between them; it was impossible for Elizabeth not to recall the last time they were speaking at such close quarters.
She was grateful when Mrs Gardiner offered Mr Darcy a plate of buttered toast, exclaiming, “We are pleased to see you walking about, Mr Darcy. And eating too! A restored appetite is the first step to recovery, or at least that is my experience with my own children.”
To Elizabeth’s astonishment, Mr Darcy gave a restrained huff of laughter and replied, “I recall my mother saying the very same thing when I was young. How many children do you have, and what are their ages?”
He could not have chosen a better topic.
Soon, Mr and Mrs Gardiner were regaling the table with exploits from their nursery.
Hardly able to believe her eyes, Elizabeth watched in wonder as Mr Darcy chuckled at the Gardiners’ account of their offspring's misdemeanours.
Who was this charming man, with easy manners, that slipped into friendly conversation with her beloved relations?
Their stories became more ridiculous, and before long, they were all laughing together, Mr Darcy included, despite his injuries.
Wiping tears of mirth from his eyes, Mr Gardiner gestured imploringly to Mr Darcy.
“Six ladybirds, fourteen earthworms, and half a dung beetle, in a box upon my desk, ready for my inspection. Have you ever heard of a child with a more insatiable curiosity for insects?”
“A future entomologist, I should imagine?” Absently rubbing his side, Mr Darcy leant back into his chair.
“One of my distant cousins is a fellow at the Royal Society. When your son is old enough, and if he still expresses an interest in the natural world, I could write a letter of introduction on his behalf, should you wish for it.”
His offer transported Mrs Gardiner into raptures. “What generosity, sir! What thoughtfulness! Matthew would be overjoyed—it is his dearest ambition to one day be admitted into that worthy institution. I am excessively indebted to you.”
Such a profusion of praise only served to embarrass Mr Darcy; even Elizabeth’s inexpert eyes discerned the uncomfortable shift in his posture. “’Tis nothing,” he muttered awkwardly. “Hardly anything in comparison to the kindness you have shown me.”
Mr Gardiner shook a finger at Mr Darcy with feigned sternness. “I thought we agreed there would be no more talk of gratitude.”
Wishing to save Mr Darcy from his unease, Elizabeth hurried to his rescue.
“What you must understand, Mr Darcy, is that my uncle is an adept negotiator. Whatever argument is put forward, he will refute it with such enormous good sense that it will make you respect him more, despite the fact you have been prevented from having your own way. It is vexing beyond measure.”
Mr Darcy’s lips twitched. “Your sketch is alarmingly accurate, Miss Bennet.” He leant closer. “I must beg for your assistance if I am ever to find a way of repaying your family.”
The lightness of his tone was irresistible to Elizabeth’s mischievous heart, and she replied with a grin, “Why, I do believe you have already discovered a means of compensation. By introducing my cousin to yours, dear little Matthew stands a chance at pursuing his passion for scientific discovery. If you can find suitable careers for all my uncle’s children, then you may consider your debt settled. ”
“And what professions do you believe your other cousins will pursue? Tell me of their talents, and my reserves of useful relations will be plundered this instant.”
Elizabeth delighted in his levity. “As the eldest son, Edwin’s fate is already decided: he will be responsible for my uncle’s business. I do not suppose you have in your possession any family member desperate to purchase England's finest examples of bone china?”
“I have several,” he replied with a twinkle. “Many of whom are demanding and particular in their tastes.”
“Acquainted as I am with your aunt, I can well believe it.”
“Lizzy!” interjected Mrs Gardiner. “You speak too freely!”
Mr Darcy chuckled. “Miss Bennet is entirely correct in her observation. Indeed, I must point out that she is only agreeing with mine.” He addressed Elizabeth directly, “I will ensure Master Edwin’s good taste is known to all.
When your cousin eventually takes control of Mr Gardiner’s business, demand will be so fervent that profits will double overnight. ”
She grinned. “How relieved I am to hear of Edwin's future security.”
“And what of your other cousins? My cognitive powers are returning, and I am anxious to put them to good use.”
Elizabeth made a show of deliberating. “Baby Francis is too young to be anything but a whirlwind, generating chaos wherever he ventures.”
“Ah, an artist then! The next Mr Cosway or Mr Lawrence perhaps.”
Here Mr Gardiner grumbled, “More likely to be a rival to Mr Turner with his gloriously free brushstrokes, if his attempts at eating unaided are an indication of his natural style.”
Elizabeth laughed heartily. “Do not dissuade Mr Darcy when he has promised to be of faithful service to us. One day little Frank may have his work displayed in Somerset House—the unfortunate stains splattered over your Axminster carpets will be forgiven, and we shall all have Mr Darcy to thank.”
She continued warmly, thinking of her final cousin. “Michael is destined to be a soldier, I think,” she said, picturing the Gardiners’ relentlessly energetic two-year-old. “I suppose Colonel Fitzwilliam would take him under his wing.”
Mr Darcy reddened. Too late, Elizabeth remembered the colonel’s part in revealing to her Mr Darcy’s role in separating her beloved sister from his friend, Mr Bingley. Cursing her unruly tongue, she cast her eyes towards her plate, unhappy that her innocent comment had halted their repartee.
After a moment’s hesitation, Mr Darcy answered quietly, “Colonel Fitzwilliam would be an admirable man for your cousin to emulate, for he is sensible, amiable, and acts with integrity in all matters.”
“A family trait, I am sure,” added Mrs Gardiner, who looked at Mr Darcy approvingly.
Mr Darcy did not reply, but his eyes darted anxiously at Elizabeth, and it was not any stretch of her imagination to divine the direction of his thoughts.
Anxious to persuade him that she did not think as poorly of him as she once did, Elizabeth said quickly, “I believe Michael would do as well with you as with your cousin, for he could benefit from a strong male influence. Dear as he is to me, I must confess Michael is fickle.” She thought of Mr Darcy’s revelation of his younger sister’s failed elopement, and his protectiveness towards her.
“He needs to be shown the importance of responsibility towards one’s family—I am sure there could be no better model for those qualities than you. ”
Delighted surprise illuminated Mr Darcy’s countenance, suiting him so well that she was convinced that he was the handsomest man she had ever met.
His deep voice rumbled through her. “Thank you for your compliment, Miss Bennet, but I wonder if you do Mr Gardiner a disservice. Surely he would provide a fine example for his son to emulate.”
Blushing at his grateful tone, she attempted to reply airily, “You are assuming, of course, that Michael takes any notice of his father.”
She glanced back at her uncle and aunt, who had been watching this exchange with interest. To her relief, Mr Gardiner spoke up, “Unfortunately, Elizabeth is correct. Hardly any member of my family listens to me, although I am by far its most informed member. I am outnumbered on all sides. How glad I am that you have joined our party, Mr Darcy, the awful circumstances of your accident notwithstanding, for I now have a sensible interlocutor with whom I can converse.”
Elizabeth started to laugh. “Now it is my sense of worth that must suffer an injury! I have never been so insulted!” She stopped at the sight of Mr Darcy’s grave expression, remembering how she had decried his ill-mannered proposal as the worst offence she had ever received.
Her heart sank. This is ridiculous, she realised.
Here is a man who has narrowly escaped horrendous injury, with a chance to start our acquaintance anew, and still we persist in dancing around our past offences against one another.
Let us pretend to be on amiable terms, for then we might be able to proceed without all this awkwardness.
With more confidence than she truly felt, she addressed Mr Darcy. “My uncle and aunt wish to take a walk along the church path. We hope to discover how badly the countryside has been affected by the rain. Would you care to join us, if you are able to? Your company would be most welcome.”
Mr Darcy stared as though she had grown another head. He visibly collected himself. “I would be honoured.”
Their conversation moved on, but Elizabeth did not miss Mr Darcy’s glances in her direction, nor the brightness in his eyes as he did.