Lord and Lady Stafford arrived in Meryton a week later and Elizabeth was thrilled to see them again. It had been too many years since last she felt their welcoming arms around her. “Oh you cannot know how I have missed you both!” she cried.
Her uncle lifted her off the ground and spun her about as he had when she was a little girl. Elizabeth laughed when he sat her down. “Oh I think we know, my dearest niece, for we have missed you just the same!”
Elizabeth’s Aunt Madeline laughed and pulled her close. “You must come see us more often, sweet girl. Your cousins are almost grown now.”
Elizabeth swiped at her tears and promised to visit them when she was in Derbyshire again. “Which may not be as soon as I might like,” she said and lowered her head.
Uncle Edward put an arm about her shoulders and pulled her close as they walked up the front steps of Netherfield Park. “Never fear, Lizzy, your grandfather shall see that my sister’s foolishness does not stand. Why, he will disown her before all is done.”
“I do not want Grandfather to punish her as I have been punished. I only want Mother to understand I will choose who I shall marry,” Elizabeth said, her heart full of love from the reunion with her aunt and uncle.
Her aunt spoke up. “Now dear do not fear what may come. The earl will see that she does right by you without losing her affection. He is direct when needs be, but not unfair. It will all come to a good end.”
Elizabeth’s spirits lifted and she told the footman to take their trunks to the Gold Room two doors down from her own. She smiled at her beloved family. “Let us sit in the parlor and have tea. I am certain you are weary from your travels. The Bingleys are out at the moment. They are visiting the Darcys down the lane.”
Her aunt went into the parlor with Elizabeth as Uncle Edward followed behind. “How lovely that the Bingleys have made friends here. It is no wonder to me that Mr. Bingley is well-liked, but his sister too? Pardon me, Lizzy, for I know you adore her, but she is so vain!”
Elizabeth laughed with her aunt. “She is, but she loves Charles and so for his sake she attempts to be gracious, though she much prefers London. He wishes to marry Miss Darcy though I have warned him against her in the past.”
Her uncle seemed taken aback at this. “Lizzy, how could you? You know well that Mr. Bingley admires you a great deal. If you are not in love with him why would you keep him from another? Is the girl ugly?”
Elizabeth laughed at his blunt question. “She is not, Uncle! She is a most lovely girl. I thought perhaps she cared more for her cousin than for Bingley, but I was wrong. She is the sister of a gentleman and above him in that regard, but they make a fine match for she is as sweet as he is amiable.”
Her uncle nodded. “I am happy to hear it. It is time the man found a wife what with his fortunes secure. Now, this Miss Darcy, is it her brother whom you claim to love?”
Elizabeth had not thought her father might tell the Gardiners of Mr. Darcy. Clasping her hands in her lap, she waited until the maid had served them tea before she spoke again. “Yes, he is her brother. And he reminds me very much of my father. He has the girls read as Papa did with me and my sisters. He is a gentleman farmer with a fine home and estate, but not as large as Pemberley — yet. I think you would like him, Uncle Edward.”
“Does he like to fish, Lizzy? Perhaps I might ask when we meet. Do you think your friends might have him for dinner to meet with us?” Uncle Gardiner asked.
“I cannot think why Bingley would not for he does take every opportunity to see Miss Darcy. I will ask him when he returns,” Elizabeth said and turned to her aunt.
Aunt Gardiner addressed her niece great interest. “I had not thought a man without a title would capture your eye, Lizzy. I know your father always wished for his girls to marry for love, but love alone is not always enough in a marriage. And you have not known this man for very long.”
Elizabeth was taken by surprise, but her aunt had married a viscount. Uncle Edward was more like a country gentleman in Elizabeth’s eyes. She had nearly forgotten his rank. “I am aware of the importance of money, Aunt Madeline, especially since my mother disowned me. But the duke was very wealthy. Lydia will accept his proposal because she wishes for the comfort his money will provide, but I simply could not. Her circumstances are quite different. As for knowing Mr. Darcy, I am not at all certain I know him well yet, but I do know he admires me.”
“There are men of wealth who are most assuredly gentlemen who know how a lady is to be treated. Take your uncle for example,” her aunt said and nodded to her husband.
Elizabeth smiled. “You were most lucky to capture his attention for he is a gentleman in all regards. I cannot help that my heart has decided upon Mr. Darcy.”
Uncle Edward took her hand and laced her fingers with his own. “Never mind the title and the wealth my dear, or the lack thereof. If he is a principled man of good character, I know your father will approve. I will report to him myself once I have met your young man.”
Two nights later, the Darcy’s came for dinner at Bingley’s invitation. Elizabeth was nervous for her aunt and uncle to meet the man she had fallen in love with in such a short time.
They entered the parlor a half hour before dinner, a long enough time to make introductions and allow for mingling before the meal. Elizabeth blushed as Mr. Darcy was introduced to her aunt and uncle. He bowed and was utterly charming.
Mrs. de Bourgh exclaimed over their good fortune in making an acquaintance with the Lord and Lady Stafford. “It is a pity your children did not accompany you on your trip to Hertfordshire. We are always happy to have young people visit the county, especially wealthy young men.”
Elizabeth winced for the woman was obvious in her matchmaking. Her uncle smiled and nodded. “It cannot be easy for young ladies to meet gentlemen of rank way out here in the country. You ought to bring your daughter to London, Mrs. de Bourgh. Has she had her season?”
Covering a laugh at the way her uncle was able to turn the conversation, Elizabeth moved to stand beside Caroline and whispered a suggestion. “Will you play for us? I think the music would be a welcome diversion.”
Her friend looked about the room. Bingley was seated next to Miss Darcy, his attention solely on the young lady.
Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth’s uncle were now standing by the fireplace with the colonel and Mrs. de Bourgh had cornered Lady Stafford near the windows that looked out over the front drive. “I suppose it would be nice if we asked Miss Darcy, then Charles might join the men.”
Elizabeth agreed. Caroline went to her brother’s side. “Charles, you must allow us to have Miss Darcy for a moment. We wish to hear her play.”
Miss Darcy blushed and looked down. “I am not as accomplished as you, Miss Bingley.”
“Oh my dear, you are wonderful! We may play together if you wish. Eliza will join us and turn the pages,” Caroline’s words and smile were sincere and so Miss Darcy rose and followed her.
Elizabeth watched them go and then turned to Bingley. “She has won Caro over has she not? You must propose soon, my friend. Would not a winter wedding be wonderful?”
Bingley stood and followed Elizabeth to the piano forte instead of joining the men. His countenance was bright as he whispered to her. “I will ask her tonight after dinner. I will speak with Mr. Darcy in the library before we return to the parlor.”
Happy for her friend, Elizabeth smiled up at him and offered her congratulations. “I had not thought she might be the woman for you, Charles, but I was so wrong. I am sorry to have interfered.”
Bingley waved away her apology. “You were only protecting me, Eliza. I would do the same for you. I do think Mr. Darcy is a good match for you. I know Caro teases you about him, but she and I are in agreement. Will you ask him to marry you?”
Elizabeth laughed. “Certainly not! It is enough that I am going against my mother in pursuing him. I think he must be the one to propose. In any case, I do not know for certain that he returns my feelings.”
Bingley laughed. “Oh, I think he does. He watches you whenever we are all together. He seems sad and wistful when you are near. Perhaps you ought to give him some encouragement, Eliza. Men sometimes do not know how to approach a lady, especially one as beautiful and impertinent as you.”
“So you think he fears me, is that it?” Elizabeth seemed concerned.
“Any man ought to fear you if he knows what is best for him. Falling in love with you is not for the faint of heart,” Bingley said and moved away so she could not box his ears.
Elizabeth laughed and watched him go before turning the pages for Caroline and Miss Darcy. She thought of her friend’s advice. Perhaps she ought to make her feelings known to Mr. Darcy so that he did not have to wonder.