part0031

She had decided in the end to give her uncle and aunt fair warning of what awaited them at Netherfield, and did announce her engagement in a letter. Her mother and Jane had also written on the subject, and Mrs Gardiner had written back, as warmly as she always did but, between the lines, Elizabeth could still read her reservations and knew that nothing more would be achieved until they met face to face at last.

As the day wore on, Elizabeth grew more and more impatient, for it was many hours until their carriage finally drew to a halt before the house. As soon as it was sighted, Mrs Bennet made great haste to leave her employment and follow Bingley and Jane out of doors. Before the hosts had the chance to greet the Gardiners, Mrs Bennet flung herself at her brother and his wife.

“You are here at last. Thank goodness, oh, thank goodness! I was in such a fright! I thought you must have come to some mishap.”

“Calm yourself, Fanny dear,” Mr Gardiner urged with a mildly diverted smile at Mrs Bennet’s fussing. “I apologise for the delay, Mr Bingley, and I hope it did not inconvenience you unduly,” he added, knowing full well that his sister, worked up into a frenzy, could inconvenience a saint. “We set off much later than expected, due to some last-minute detail that required my attention.”

“’Tis of no consequence, Sir,” Bingley affably replied. “We are all delighted you are here—”

“Oh, you and that business of yours,” Mrs Bennet interjected, with a dismissive flourish of her hands. “The number of times it has interfered with everybody’s plans, I cannot even begin to mention. ”

Her uncle and aunt then moved to embrace Kitty and Jane, and after a while they all made their way into the house and joined the others in the drawing room. A rather large party was now gathered there as, in addition to the family and friends already present, some of Mr Bingley’s acquaintances from town had arrived over the last few days in preparation for the ball. Tired from the journey and visibly daunted by the large company, the five Gardiner children gathered around their mamma, the youngest clutching her doll with a despondent look on her cherub face.

“Jane, my dear,” Mrs Gardiner whispered, “I hope your guests will excuse me, but I believe I ought to take the little ones upstairs.”

“But of course, Aunt. I shall go with you directly,” Elizabeth heard her older sister reply, and was about to offer to take Jane’s place, quick to recognise the perfect opportunity to speak privately with her aunt.

Before she could say anything, though, she noticed that her uncle did not intend to follow suit, so she looked down in some discomfort, torn between the duty to her aunt and the unwillingness to leave Darcy’s side at the moment. To her surprise and gratitude, she felt Kitty’s hand briefly press her own as she moved past her towards their relations .

“Pray let me show you to your rooms and help settle my little cousins,” she offered, and Mrs Gardiner kissed her cheek.

“Such a sweet, steady girl. Thank you, my dear, that would be very good,” she smiled and, after speaking briefly with her husband, who quietly assured her that he would follow shortly, Mrs Gardiner left the room with Kitty and with some unusually subdued children in tow.

Swallowing an uncomfortable lump in her throat, Elizabeth advanced towards her uncle. He was still at Mr Bingley’s side, and she could hear her brother saying quietly:

“I hope you had a pleasant journey, Sir.”

The older man did not reply directly, but involuntarily raised a brow at the remark, which made Bingley hasten to add uneasily:

“If I may be so bold, as regards our conversations when you were here last, I hope we might find a private moment soon, so that I could persuade you that you no longer need to be concerned…”

“Thank you, Mr Bingley, I would appreciate that,” Mr Gardiner evenly replied, but his tone unwittingly suggested he would require a great deal more than reassurances from Mr Darcy’s closest friend to regain his peace of mind.

With a small sigh, Elizabeth closed the distance between them and placed her hand on her uncle’s arm.

“’Tis very good to see you here at last, Sir,” she said softly, feeling once more the sting of tears at the look of deep affection he bestowed upon her as he covered her hand with his. “I hope that taking another week from your duties will not cause you much difficulty.”

“Do not concern yourself, my dear, I would have—” Mr Gardiner began, only to stop abruptly when his sister exclaimed:

“No, I have not had that honour,” Mr Gardiner replied tersely, and Elizabeth’s spirits sank at his barely concealed displeasure.

“Well then, Edward, come, let me introduce you,” Mrs Bennet urged, making her daughter flash a glance towards Mr Bingley with something akin to desperation .

“Thank you, my dear,” Mr Gardiner said, before the younger man could gather his wits about him and decide how to intervene without causing offence, “but I imagine Mr Bingley would prefer to introduce me to his guests himself.”

“La! You are so strange. There is no need to stand on ceremony, you know, when we are as good as family.” Mrs Bennet shrugged. “Oh, have it your way, then. I need to go and speak to Jane about her dinner arrangements, in any case. She is not used to entertaining on such a scale, the dear girl, and although she declares her Nichols can do no wrong, I daresay Hill could still teach that housekeeper of hers a thing or two.”

And with that she mercifully rushed away, absent-mindedly rearranging her cap and searching in her pockets for something or other. With a sigh of compassion for her eldest sister, Elizabeth gave silent thanks for their mother’s inability to stand still for longer than five minutes, and dearly hoped that, after speaking to Jane, Mrs Bennet would find something equally pressing to do rather than return to her brother’s side. The forthcoming introduction would be awkward enough, without her mother’s interference.

“May I introduce some of my guests to your acquaintance now, Sir?” she heard Bingley ask, and raised her eyes in time to see her uncle’s gaze darting involuntarily towards Darcy.

His countenance turned dark and stern once more, and Elizabeth was left to wonder how it was that he already knew which one of them was Mr Darcy, until it came to her that Mr Gardiner must have recognised him from the portraits displayed at Pemberley. However, Mr Bingley chose to introduce her uncle to Colonel Brandon first, then to other gentlemen standing nearby, a Captain Tilney and his younger brother, presumably in order to diffuse the tension.

He was not successful – that was plain enough a moment later, when Mr Darcy approached their group and, with a bow, he asked his friend for the honour of an introduction. It was performed swiftly and very courteously received on either side, which was no surprise. Nor did it surprise her that Mr Darcy would choose to take matters into his own hands and come forward to face the storm rather than skulk about the room in expectation. Nevertheless, Elizabeth was taken aback by the forthrightness with which, at the end of a civil but very stilted exchange, Mr Darcy asked her uncle for the favour of a private word, at Mr Gardiner’s convenience .

It was plain to see that her uncle was sorely tempted to make use of the opportunity at once, but with some restraint he eventually declared himself at Mr Darcy’s leisure, any time after dinner.

Bingley looked at Elizabeth for her opinion and advice, unwilling to be the one to drag the older gentleman away from the encounter, but before she could think of something innocuous to say, Mr Darcy excused himself and returned to Georgiana, with a brief smile of encouragement for Elizabeth. His decision made for him, Mr Bingley moved on to introduce Mr Gardiner to some of his other guests while she stayed behind, then made her way to Darcy and his sister.

“I thank you,” she whispered softly as soon as she had the chance, yet he scarce allowed her to finish before retorting promptly:

“Not at all. I know how much their good opinion means to you. I can only hope to persuade your uncle to bestow it.”

“I do not doubt you will. I wish I could be present at the interview – although…”

“Although?”

“I imagine you both need to make your peace without me.”

“I would not necessarily say that…”

“What, then?”

“Just that your uncle deserves the satisfaction of remonstrating with me without having to choose his words.”

She almost laughed at this. She could not imagine Mr Gardiner other than in full command of himself and his temper, whatever the provocations.

“I daresay he appreciated your forthrightness,” she offered by way of teasing reassurance, and Darcy smiled.

“Thank you. I was rather hoping that he would.”

“Forgive us, Georgiana, it was dreadfully uncivil, carrying on in this fashion,” Elizabeth turned to her future sister, who looked up with an affectionate glance that encompassed both her friend and her brother.

“Oh, no, not at all, I assure you. Do not make yourselves uneasy. I merely wish you could put every discomfort behind you, and have your unalloyed happiness at last. I do not know two people who deserve it more,” she added warmly, and Elizabeth pressed her hand, moved by her sweetness and her wisdom .

Before too long, it was time to dress for dinner, and Elizabeth and Georgiana excused themselves and made their way towards their bedchambers but, after a short hesitation, Elizabeth went to knock softly on Mrs Gardiner’s door instead. Her aunt bid her enter and Elizabeth did so, dreadfully self-conscious and still unsure of how best to approach the matter. Yet the uncommon awkwardness was soon dispelled by Mrs Gardiner, who urged her niece to come and sit by her, then took her hand.

“Dearest Lizzy,” she said kindly. “I was hoping you would come to see me before dinner. Come, let me have a look at you, my dear child.” She placed her hands on Elizabeth’s shoulders, then with a gentle and very affectionate smile, she bent to kiss her cheek. “You look well.”

“I am well, dear Aunt, and very happy,” Elizabeth said, returning the embrace.

“I must confess,” Mrs Gardiner replied with a smile, “that I have already taken the liberty of asking Kitty whether she thought you were. Unpardonable of me, I know, to poke about your business in this fashion, but I will not scruple to say that your uncle and I are very concerned.”

“I know, and I am truly sorry. My uncle… I have noticed that he is not best-pleased.”

“Dearest, you can hardly blame him.”

“No, of course not. In view of everything he knows, I can see why he should still have his doubts, yet— Oh, I know not what I am saying. I just wish I could set his heart at ease. And yours.”

“My darling child, your uncle feels… Well, I should say he feels responsible for you, and so do I. You have always been very dear to us, I hope you know that, and— Forgive me, but it must be said. Now that your father is no longer with us, your uncle and I need to ascertain that you know what you are about, and you have not been persuaded to enter into this engagement against your better judgement.”

“Oh, you can rest assured on that score! Dearest Aunt, I am… we both are… very attached.”

Given her very private nature, it was never easy for Elizabeth to disclose her innermost feelings, not even to her much-loved aunt. Yet, encouraged by Mrs Gardiner’s gentleness and affection, she finally brought herself to relate everything .

Diligently, although not very fluently, she gave her aunt to understand that marrying Mr Darcy was her fondest wish, and had nothing to do with gratitude or any such misguided notions. She warmed up to the subject as she carried on, and blushed becomingly as she spoke of him and the proven strength of his affection – and everything about her showed that it was returned in full.

There were tears in Mrs Gardiner’s eyes long before Elizabeth had finished speaking, and a warm smile lit her kindly face.

“Well, my dear,” she whispered when Elizabeth fell silent, “there is nothing more to say. If this be the case, then he deserves you. I could not have borne to see you, my Lizzy, pledging your future to anyone less worthy.”

Elizabeth embraced her aunt and thanked her for her goodness, then Mrs Gardiner asked:

“Would you like me to repeat this to your uncle, or would you rather speak with him yourself?”

“I would be grateful if you could reassure him, for his sake as well as Mr Darcy’s. After all, it would be an advantage if my uncle were a little more favourably disposed towards him when they meet after dinner,” she said with a breathless little laugh, her good-humour returning now that her mind was relieved of a considerable weight.

The Gardiners had always held a special place in her heart, and she in theirs. Not merely because they were pleasant, well-informed people, who had taught her a great deal and had never given her any cause to blush. To Elizabeth, they provided the perfect example of a happy union, the sort she would wish for herself, where each partner held the other in high affection and esteem, where days were shared, not lived within distinct, incompatible spheres. Truth be told, it was the example of her uncle and aunt’s marriage that had prevented her from being completely disillusioned, from a very young age, with the institution itself.

Indeed, had Elizabeth’s opinion been drawn just from her own family, she could not have formed a very pleasing picture of domestic comfort. She had always loved her parents, but she was not blind to their faults. Grateful as she might have been for their affection and concern, especially her father’s, she could not look up to either in the fashion one needs to look up to a parent .

This privilege was earned by her uncle and aunt, who had provided more support and guidance than her parents ever could. The thought pained her occasionally, particularly after her father’s passing, for it was felt as disrespectful to his memory, but she could not change the truth. Her father had loved her merely as an extension of himself, and fortunately they had been sufficiently alike for her to elicit his interest and affection – otherwise she might have been as ignored as Mary, as laughed at as Lydia and Kitty, or as misunderstood as Jane.

Unlike her father, her aunt and uncle had not judged; they had guided – with love, perseverance and with their sterling example – and Elizabeth did not doubt she would have been a very different person were it not for them.

“Well, then,” her aunt smiled affectionately. “Now that you have put my heart at rest, I am impatient to get to know your young man better.”

Elizabeth returned the smile and held her hand. It was a great relief that Mrs Gardiner now appeared reconciled to her choice. Her aunt’s blessing went a long way in making her joy complete – and there was nothing left to wish for, but her uncle’s.

She did not tarry long after that, as they both needed to dress for dinner and, after a few more minutes of merrily chatting about their plans and her happiness, Elizabeth finally made her way to her bedchamber, in much better spirits than she was when she left the drawing room.

When the ladies rose to retire after dinner, Elizabeth could not help casting a supplicating look towards her uncle, and was relieved to note that he received it with a nod and a half-smile. Her aunt came and took her arm, patting it affectionately as they made their way towards the drawing room .

“Come, let us have some tea, my dear. And do not fret,” she added, lowering her voice. “From what I gather, they both love you very dearly and that, if nothing else, should prove enough of a common ground. And once they come to see that for themselves, I daresay they will both feel much better for it.”

Her aunt’s cheerful and kind wisdom considerably raised Elizabeth’s spirits, but as she assisted Jane in serving the tea and coffee, she still wished she could become an invisible presence in the library for the next half-hour – since at her age it simply would not do to hide under the writing desk.

Her duties fulfilled, Elizabeth went to sit with Mrs Gardiner and Georgiana. As once before, her aunt’s ease and gentleness had easily conquered the girl’s natural reserve, and they were already chatting amiably about Lambton, Bakewell, Rowsley and Haddon, as though it were a mere day or two since they last met. Elizabeth tried to take part in their conversation, or at least take interest, for her knowledge of the area was too limited for her to contribute a great deal, but her eyes were darting too often to the door for her to pay attention to much else.

At last she had the satisfaction to see it open, but that only led to disappointment, for the gentlemen she sought were not among the ones who joined them. It was another long half-hour until, to her relief, it opened again to admit her uncle and Mr Darcy. Her glance instantly flew to her betrothed, and she was a little reassured by his smile.

The two gentlemen advanced to them directly and were invited to take seats in their quiet corner. It was plain to see that they were not at ease, though thankfully there was no indication of open conflict either. There would be future times, she knew – or at least she hoped – when the same group would assemble in good cheer and enjoy each other’s company, but in this awkward moment such happy times seemed very remote indeed.

“Would you care for some coffee, Uncle? Mr Darcy?” she offered, but both gentlemen declined.

Silence did not reign for long, but to Elizabeth it appeared they had been stifled under its heavy cloak for an age as she nervously and unnecessarily rearranged the folds of her dress and searched her mind for a topic devoid of uncomfortable associations .

“You were mentioning that performance at the Theatre Royal, my dear,” Mrs Gardiner prompted gently, and Elizabeth cast her a grateful smile.

“What would you have preferred, if you do not mind my asking?” Georgiana intervened, and both her brother and her future sister turned towards her, mildly surprised but no less pleased to note her willingness to help maintain the conversation.

“I have to own, I have not yet decided whether I like the latter,” Mrs Gardiner said with a smile. “It is perhaps a trifle too modern for my taste.”

“Speaking of modern music, Miss Marianne told me she was recently privileged to hear a young Italian violinist whose playing surpassed everything she had ever heard before. New harmonies, new sounds. My friend assured me it changed her every expectation of the instrument. She said it was a unique experience.”

“Miss Dashwood must have been speaking of Signor Paganini,” Darcy quietly observed, and squared his shoulders as all eyes turned towards him.

“Yes, I believe that was the name she mentioned. Have you heard him play?”

“I had that pleasure, aye, a few months ago. I understand he had already taken the Continent by storm.”

“My sister tells me that you hail from Lambton, Mrs Gardiner. Delightful village, is it not?”

“Indeed it is, Sir,” her aunt replied with a smile, “although my opinion on the matter can hardly be impartial.”

“Mine is, or at least it used to be,” Mr Gardiner good-humouredly remarked, “and I must say I have always found it very pleasing. Prosperous-looking place, very neat and snug. As to the stream—”

“The Errwood,” his wife supplied .

“If I am not mistaken, there must be great scope for some fine trout fishing there.”

“Are you fond of the sport, Sir?” Darcy inquired promptly, and the older man smiled wistfully at that.

“I am, but it has become a rare treat of late. Cannot seem to find the time. Not that there are many trout streams in and around town,” he added with a chuckle.

“In that case, if you are willing to favour us with your company at Pemberley sometime, I will be delighted to show you the best spots,” Darcy civilly offered.

“Oh. Do you care for trout fishing as well, Mr Darcy?”

“I spent many hours trying to perfect the art under my father’s guidance, but I fear I have not got far. Carp and tench are my game these days, when the opportunity arises.”

“Coarse fishing – bah!” Mr Gardiner exclaimed in mock disapproval, waving the notion aside. “Fly fishing is the mark of the true angler, Sir.”

“Yes, that is precisely what my father used to say.”

With a relieved little smile, Elizabeth sipped her coffee, then looked up to beam at her betrothed in appreciation of his efforts to win her aunt and uncle’s good opinion. She was especially grateful because she knew what obstacles he had to overcome. There was his reserve of course, especially when making a new acquaintance, but it must have been the awkwardness of Farringdon that made his struggles doubly difficult, and thus even more worthy of notice and esteem.

A sigh – his own – caught Mr Gardiner unawares as he inadvertently noticed his dear Lizzy’s countenance, warmed by a look of unmistakable affection. It was not for him, so he swiftly glanced away, wondering how he was to bear it when his daughters reached the marriageable age. Not that he loved his Lizzy any less. Lizzy, darling Lizzy, had held a special place in his heart for nigh on twenty years, and even more so since her father’s passing.

Indeed, how could anyone not love her? A clever little thing, with large brown eyes and an engaging smile. She had caught his heart two decades ago, long before his own children were born, indeed before he was even married, and the intervening years had merely served to make her dearer still .

Somehow, she had acquired nothing but the best from both her parents, as well as a great deal of Madeleine’s decorum, and principles, and charm. And now she had bestowed her hand in marriage, upon a man whom he could not trust. A man who would jeopardise her reputation, and that of all her sisters, for some undisclosed reason of his own.

Lizzy’s sudden announcement of her engagement to Mr Darcy had come as a great shock, and his sister’s penned exultations about the Lord’s mercy and their prodigious good fortune had antagonised him all the more. He could not find a reasonable explanation for the man’s actions, and that robbed him of his peace.

Why would a gentleman of his station choose to support his sister and her girls? What would he hope to gain by it, and to what end? It was very difficult not to suspect him of nefarious intentions, and the unexpected offer of his hand, just as the truth had come to light, made the entire business even more unsettling, not less.

Why would he offer for her now? Come to think on it, why would he offer for her at all? A gentleman of his standing could have made an alliance with one of the best houses in the land. Why would he seek to marry a modest country squire’s daughter?

Was it unconquerable passion that had made him offer her a home at Farringdon, and having been thwarted in his devious designs when her family had learned of his involvement, was Darcy left with the honourable offer of marriage as his last resort? If that be the case, would he not tire of her when youthful passions were spent, and condemn her to a life of neglect and misery? That girl, that darling girl! Did she know what she was about? Could she not see this for what Mr Gardiner feared it was – nothing but a scheme to buy her and her affections? Or had she understood it well enough and had felt compelled by obligation to consent to this extraordinary match? And what of her mother, what was her role in the affair?

The swarm of questions had tormented him for days, particularly as it was impossible to drop everything and travel post-haste to Hertfordshire. His only tepid consolation was Jane’s letter, and her assurance that all was well. He could not credit it, not entirely. Jane, bless her dear heart, thought well of everybody. She would not have it in her to be suspicious of her husband’s closest friend, now would she ?

As for himself, Mr Gardiner did not share her belief in mankind’s inherent goodness, so he needed a great deal more than empty reassurances to be persuaded that the young man who claimed Lizzy’s hand did in fact deserve it. He was rich, to be sure, and should he go through with it and actually wed her, a life of luxury would be Lizzy’s lot. But would it make her happy? Mr Gardiner knew her disposition. Lizzy could not be happy unless she truly esteemed her husband; unless she looked up to him as a superior. Her lively talents would place her in the greatest danger in an unequal marriage. She could scarce escape discredit and misery, unless she was able to respect her partner in life.

It had emerged, earlier that day, that she did respect him after all. Apparently, she loved him. And was persuaded that he loved her in his turn. Did he? Did he love her?

Mr Gardiner sighed. How was one to read the secrets of another’s heart? In all honesty, it was rather difficult to believe that he did. Why would he risk her reputation if he loved her, and set her up as one would a mistress? Were these the actions of an honourable man? And yet…

Mr Gardiner exhaled. He did not appear dishonourable either. The long and awkward interrogation in the library, suffered with surprising grace for one of his standing, could not put Mr Gardiner in mind of a duplicitous, unprincipled man. Quite the contrary. There was something in his countenance and manner that spoke of his uprightness and belied suspicions of immoral habits. So did everything they knew of the man, for that matter, from the notions pieced together at Pemberley to Bingley’s account of him which, however biased, could not be wholly discounted.

Darcy did not fully justify himself – indeed, his manner gave the distinct impression that he had lost the habit of justifying himself to any man a long time ago. Yet he acknowledged the error of his ways and presented an apology which, although formal and rather awkwardly delivered, did not appear insincere.

Mr Gardiner sighed again. After the uncomfortable interview and Madeleine’s account of Lizzy’s side of the story, his dark theories regarding Darcy’s integrity and intentions were substantially shaken, despite the thorny issue of Farringdon. Truth be told, he could no longer maintain in earnest that he disliked the man. Perhaps his darling girl knew what she was about …

His gaze returned to her, having drifted for mere moments, while he was caught in his conflicting thoughts. She was still turned towards her young man, joy and the glimmer of laughter lighting up her eyes. Almost unwillingly, Mr Gardiner followed her gaze – and his brows shot up at the sight of the proud lines softened into a look of tenderness such as he, for one, would never have imagined.

Forgetting his manners, Mr Gardiner stared.

With a start, the older gentleman recollected himself and glanced away, but before he knew it, his gaze strayed once more towards Darcy. It was not feigned, surely, the devotion in his eyes – was it?

Mr Gardiner cleared his throat and shifted in his chair. By the time he looked again, Elizabeth had ended the brief and very private exchange and turned to speak to her aunt, while Darcy was left to absent-mindedly toy with the trim on his armrest, his mien unchanged – until a sixth sense suddenly alerted him to the other’s covert scrutiny. And then the pensive half-smile was swiftly rearranged into a bland expression of civil interest for Madeleine’s conversation, which would have been tolerably convincing, were it not for a telltale blush.

With greater caution and much more discretion, almost despite himself, Mr Gardiner allowed his eyes to frequently dart towards the engaged couple for the remainder of the evening. He saw them softly laugh together and sometimes talk, and often smile. He saw that even when their employment happened to divide them, as the evening progressed with music and eventually with cards, they did not fail to seek each other’s eye, exchange a silent message or a diverted glance. Before long, they would find an excuse to wander towards each other, and the light in their eyes gave Mr Gardiner more reason to believe in his darling girl’s future happiness than all the assurances he had received so far .

By the end of an eventful and illuminating evening, a pensive gentleman had determined that the most difficult task for a parent – or a doting uncle, for that matter – was not doing one’s best by one’s young charges, but allowing that they had grown up.

A small hand resting on his sleeve made him start. With a smile, he turned to meet his wife’s glance, already awaiting his. He covered her hand with his and pressed it gently, acknowledging the message in her eyes, then offered her his arm and, with a lighter heart and a cheerful countenance, Mr Gardiner escorted his wife to supper.