Chapter 3 #3
“Ahh, they do have a lovely niece,” Mr. Johnson said, having noticed the Master of Pemberley walking closely with the young lady through town just a few minutes before.
“Yes, Miss Bennet is charming,” Darcy replied earnestly.
Just then, Darcy saw Elizabeth in the doorway. “I believe the Gardiners are ready for me, Mr. Johnson.”
“Excellent, Mr. Darcy,” Johnson replied, wondering if the young lady would make Derbyshire her home before too long.
“Good morning, Mr. Darcy,” Mr. Gardiner called out the greeting as the man walked into the room.
“Good morning, Mr. Gardiner,” he replied. “But, please, call me Darcy. We will be family soon enough, and I look forward to getting to know you better.” Gardiner nodded his acknowledgement of the change of address and offered the same.
“We are about to eat breakfast, Mr. Darcy,” Mrs. Gardiner said. “Would you care for some?”
“Thank you, but I ate before I left Pemberley,” he replied. “I would like coffee or tea, if I may?”
Elizabeth prepared him a cup of coffee, adding a bit of cream, as she had seen him drink it that way often enough at both Netherfield and Rosings. She handed him the cup and smiled at him before taking up her own cup and sitting next to him on the settee.
“So, Mr. Darcy, would you like to tell my aunt and uncle what we discussed about the wedding?” Elizabeth said, smiling playfully at him.
He grinned back at her, and she coloured slightly.
“I wrote a letter asking Mr. Bennet’s permission, but I also wrote to him of my desire to obtain a common licence instead of having the banns called.
I have some concerns about my Aunt Catherine causing trouble regarding my engagement and marriage to Miss Bennet.
Since my mother passed away more than a decade ago, she has convinced herself that it was my mother’s wish for me to marry my cousin.
As much as anything else, I think it has been a ploy to keep Rosings, her estate in Kent, under her control, which my cousin would naturally gain control of when she married.
She has always believed I would bring Anne here to Pemberley to live and leave her to control Rosings.
“She attempted to convince my father of this when he was still alive, but he would disagree. Just before he died, he told me definitively that my mother never wished for such a match. Anne and I have discussed it as well, and she has no desire to marry me or anyone else, as she has always been rather sickly and weak.”
“I have met Lady Catherine, and I would say she is rather formidable and rarely listens to the opinions of others, especially if they are contrary to hers,” Elizabeth interjected.
“But you were not cowed by her,” Darcy replied, his lips turning up into a slight smile. “Few have ever stood up to my aunt as you did, and it was interesting to watch.”
“Can she truly interfere?” Mr. Gardiner asked.
“She can create a scene and embarrass herself, but my Uncle Matlock will not let her cause too much of a ruckus. I will need to speak to him when we arrive in town, but the fact that he is already acquainted with you, Gardiner, will help,” Darcy said.
“That is one argument in favour of us waiting a bit longer and participating in some events in town before things are officially announced, as much as I hate to admit it.”
Elizabeth smiled tenderly at him. “Just so long as the events do not involve dancing, am I right?”
William coloured slightly but smiled back at Elizabeth. “As long as I can dance with you, I think I could handle a ball or two.”
She put her hand on his arm. “And I can protect you from all the match-making mamas?” The entire group laughed at that.
Elizabeth spoke up to get the group back on topic.
“I have written to both Jane and Papa, leaving both letters open so we can add any necessary details. I would like to set a definite wedding date in, say, two months, so early in October, but request that they not tell Mama until the last possible moment. I can return to London, and Mr. Darcy can escort us to the theatre and the museums, as well as a ball or two. He can introduce me to Lord and Lady Matlock so we can counteract anything Lady Catherine might try, and perhaps Lady Matlock would be willing to assist with my acceptance into society as needed.”
Darcy smiled at her. “That sounds perfect to me. Do you think your father will be amenable to the idea?”
“How will we handle your going home, only to return immediately to London with us? What will your mother say about that?” Aunt Gardiner asked.
“You said that Mr. Bingley is joining you today, did you not?” Elizabeth turned to William.
“Yes, he will be arriving with his sisters and Georgiana this afternoon,” William replied slowly, wondering what Elizabeth was thinking.
“Well, we could invite Jane to come along to become reacquainted with Mr. Bingley. I will, of course, need to come as well because …” Elizabeth paused.
“Because I need help with the children while I am increasing,” Mrs. Gardiner supplied.
Elizabeth turned to look at her, grinning. “You are?”
“Yes, the newest Gardiner will be arriving sometime in the new year,” Mr. Gardiner said. “We had not planned to announce it just yet, but it seems like a good reason for you and Jane both to stay with us for a time.”
“Leave your mother to me, Lizzy,” Mrs. Gardiner said. “We will ensure that both you and your sister are in London for the month of September. Although you may assume too much with Mr. Bingley, we will see.”
“I will speak to Bingley later this afternoon about Miss Jane Bennet,” Mr. Darcy said. “He has spoken of her several times on this trip north, and I feel certain he would like to become reacquainted with her.”
“But she was in London for months, and he never called on her!” Mrs. Gardiner exclaimed.
“I am sorry to say that he was never informed of her being in town. I think that Elizabeth has told you both of our quarrel in Kent, and this was one of the things we had argued about. I am not certain that Bingley has recovered from his admiration of Miss Bennet and had already planned to confess all to him while he was here at Pemberley,” Darcy admitted.
Elizabeth laid her hand on his arm and looked at him.
He looked regretful, the Gardiners noticed, but Elizabeth just looked sympathetic and understanding.
He patted the hand on his arm, and it was clear that there was an unspoken exchange between the two.
This, more than anything else, helped to convince the Gardiners that this was the perfect match for their niece.
A few more details were exchanged, and it was decided that the letters would be posted—not sent by express so as not to alert Mrs. Bennet.
Elizabeth added a mid-October wedding date to the letters, and other details were added.
The letters were sanded and sealed and sent to be posted.
The Gardiners were ready to remove to Pemberley soon after, and as Mr. Darcy had arrived in his curricle, he asked for and was granted permission to escort Elizabeth to Pemberley.
The trunks were loaded into the Gardiner’s carriage, and they all set off in that direction.