The Matlocks and Darcys arrived from London the next day an hour before luncheon. Jane had instructed Cook to prepare for their guests an afternoon meal that would be most impressive. Rooms had been made ready and the children were in the nursery to have their own luncheon as the guests arrived.
Elizabeth stood beside Jane and Mr. Bingley as the carriages rolled over the graveled drive to the front door. Several servants had gathered and the footmen of Netherfield were ready to carry the many trunks upstairs.
The idea of seeing Mr. Darcy again caused Elizabeth a bit of nerves. It was her hope that she might speak with him alone whilst he was in Hertfordshire. She wanted to apologize for so many things, chiefly that she had been so resistant to his warnings. After knowing Charles considered the major a rake, and seeing how he wanted to marry her for the Fitzwilliam fortune, Elizabeth could see her pride had been partly to blame. But Mr. Darcy was a bossy sort. She giggled and covered her mouth when Jane elbowed her.
The Matlocks approached and Mr. Bingley welcomed them to Netherfield and introduced his wife. Elizabeth noted that Jane was quite pleasant but her manner was not as welcoming as it would be for guests she wished to entertain.
She had told Elizabeth the day before, as they returned from their picnic, that she would make an effort to be hospitable but she still disliked them for their treatment of her dearest sister.
Elizabeth was pleased when Miss Darcy rushed to her and took both her hands. At least she had not lost her friendship. “Elizabeth, how good it is to see you again. We must sit and talk of all that has happened since you left Town. And I simply must see Richard!”
“Georgie, allow her to breathe for heaven’s sake. I too would love to see him but we have only just arrived.” Lady Matlock said as she smiled at Elizabeth.
The oddity of the woman’s almost kindly words unsettled Elizabeth. It was not like Lady Matlock to be solicitous of her opinion or favor. Elizabeth returned the smile knowing it would only make the summer easier for Jane if she managed to be cordial to the woman.
“Richard may come down after we have had our luncheon. I expect he is ready for his nap now.”
Miss Darcy moved to embrace Jane and speak with Mr. Bingley. Elizabeth found herself looking into Mr. Darcy’s eyes as he took her hand in greeting.
“I am to blame for the change in my aunt and uncle’s plans, I fear. They heard that Georgie and I were to come to Hertfordshire. Charles is most kind to have them.”
Elizabeth searched his face and smiled shyly. He was as handsome as before. “They are family too, William. Though we may disagree at times, that connection may allow for a ready forgiveness of shortcomings, do you agree?”
Mr. Darcy seemed to consider her words. “It depends entirely upon the family.”
She thought she almost saw a slight smile before he moved on to her sister and brother.
The remainder of the Bennet family had been excluded from the luncheon to allow for peace on the first day of the Matlock’s visit. Mrs. Bennet had not been happy. She accused Jane of preferring the other side of Elizabeth’s snobbish family.
As they all sat to luncheon, the earl and Lady Matlock were seated with Jane and Mr. Bingley while Elizabeth was seated next to Mr. Darcy with his sister across the way.
Miss Darcy spoke throughout the meal of her season and how very difficult it had been for her viscount. “I believe he quite thought I might choose another young man. Can you imagine, Elizabeth?”
“Poor fellow! He ought to worry. Any man should, I think.” Elizabeth laughed as she said it.
Jane agreed. “Mr. Bingley was terrified I might not say yes but I believe that was Mr. Darcy’s doing.”
The gentleman from Derbyshire took responsibility with good humor. “Mrs. Bingley, Charles was completely smitten the night of the Assembly. I could not have dissuaded him though I certainly did try. I wanted to drag him to Town. I have never been so wrong in my life.”
Lady Matlock appeared taken with the conversation. “Darcy, why did you wish to persuade your friend to abandon Mrs. Bingley?” She was a gentlewoman, after all.”
Again, the woman’s agreeable nature surprised Elizabeth.
“I did not believe Mrs. Bingley preferred him. She was so quiet and smiled at everyone. I thought Bingley was mistaken in his understanding of her feelings.”
Lady Matlock looked at Elizabeth before addressing her nephew. “Why do you think Richard chose Elizabeth?”
Those gathered at the table grew quiet as one. It seemed all the air in the room had stilled awaiting Mr. Darcy’s answer.
“Richard abhorred a silly woman. He could not have married any of the ladies you chose for him. It was never a matter of defiance for him. He simply wished to marry someone he could respect and who was likeminded. He married for love. I would do the same should I find such a woman as my cousin did.”
Elizabeth bowed her head. Mr. Darcy’s words that day in Hyde Park, held with those he had just spoken, made her know he did care for her in spite of their disagreements.
Lady Matlock harrumphed. “Love! Such a fleeting thing, is it not Reginald?”
The earl placed his fork upon the table and turned to his wife. “Margaret, I find that time is fleeting but love is everlasting. It waxes and wanes as the moon and so one might think it fleeting depending on the season of marriage. I like to think that just as the moon is fixed in the sky, my love for you is constant.”
Miss Darcy fanned herself with one hand and batted her eyes at her uncle. “I had never known you held such romantic notions, Uncle. I do hope my young man is cut from the same cloth.”
Reginald Fitzwilliam laughed at himself but gave advice to his niece. “If, while you are in Hertfordshire, he writes to beg that you return to him soon, you have found a most romantic fellow. Do not answer lightly, my dear. Give him every assurance of your love.”
The entire luncheon, the conversation and Mr.Darcy’s declaration, left Elizabeth astonished. Happiness could be had seated at a table with the Fitzwilliam family.
Certainly she had been left speechless that Lady Matlock had sought to understand her son’s choice of wife. As her guests stood to quit the dining room, she asked a footman to bring young Richard downstairs to the parlor.
Mr. Darcy and the earl joined the ladies there instead of retiring to the library with Mr. Bingley. They would see Elizabeth’s son first and then resume their after dinner customs.
Georgiana was the first to greet the boy and she rained kisses on his small cheeks before presenting him with a tiny wooden horse she had found in Richard’s things.
Years ago, a fortnight after her cousin’s death, Lady Matlock had allowed the Darcys to choose a memento from his room at Matlock House. She had kept that soldier to remind her of the colonel’s bravery and strength. “I kept this for myself, but I want you to have it. If you are ever lonely or scared, hold it close and gain the strength of your dear Papa.”
Richard took it and thanked her most politely. He placed the figure in his pocket for safekeeping. “Thank you. I will keep it always.”
Lady Matlock called to her grandson and he came dutifully to her side. She had no gift for him but she gave him a comfit from her pocket. The boy gave a small bow and smiled. “Thank you, Grandmother.”
He went next to the earl who spoke of how very much the child looked like his father that he had to retrieve his handkerchief and pretend to cough. Mr. Darcy called to the child and young Richard almost forgot himself in his joy at seeing the man. “Mr. Darcy! I missed you!”
Elizabeth felt her son’s words to the depths of her soul for she had missed Mr. Darcy as well.
When the men quit the parlor and moved to the library, Mr. Darcy took his young cousin along. Elizabeth made a noise as if she wished to object but Mr. Darcy interjected. “It has been too long since we last spoke of pirates. I will only keep him for a half hour and send him back up to Nanny and Rose.”