‘Thank you. Then we will wait upon you in Gracechurch Street.’
Elizabeth was surprised. She had thought he would introduce his sister to her at his own London home. She had never imagined he would lower himself and actually visit Gracechurch Street.
But perhaps it was pride, after all, which made him suggest it. Perhaps he thought her unfit for his home in London.
She shook her head slightly. It was as if everything he did was perplexing, and she had difficulty in understanding this complicated man. She had thought she knew him. Indeed, she had dismissed him as rude, arrogant and disdainful. But she was beginning to discover new layers to him and she knew that, in meeting his sister, she would discover even more.
Her perplexity was brought to an end by Charlotte entering the room, fresh from tending her poultry, and immediately afterwards Maria and Sir William arrived.
Mr Darcy exchanged polite words with the newcomers, saying that he had called to ask after Mr Collins’s health. Charlotte offered him refreshment, which he refused, and after a few minutes he bowed and left.
Charlotte cast an enquiring glance at Elizabeth, but Elizabeth did not satisfy her friend as to what had passed between them. She feared it would give Charlotte new ammunition, for Charlotte would say that his desire to introduce her to his sister was evidence of his attraction. Whereas Elizabeth thought . . . She shook her head. She did not know what to think. She was perplexed by his desire to introduce her to his sister but no doubt she would discover it soon enough.
In the meantime, she made herself as agreeable as possible to her friends, for she knew that she would soon be leaving them and she wanted to make the most of her time with them.
There was a smile on Mr Darcy’s lips as he left the parsonage and walked back to Rosings. He could not help admiring Elizabeth in her current predicament. Everything about her aroused his respect: her refusal to make capital out of the situation and force him to honour the marriage; her strong minded decision to return to London, where she appeared to have sensible relatives who would advise her; her grace and charm as she had entertained him in the parsonage, despite her dislike of him, and the beauty of her movements as she went about even the simplest task. He had watched her writing her letter, mesmerised by the arch of her neck and the curve of her cheek. The light tan of her complexion showed that she was her own woman, for although fashion dictated that ladies should protect their complexions from the sun in order to maintain a fashionable pale appearance, Miss Elizabeth enjoyed her outdoor rambles and did not mind the evidence of these rambles showing on her face.
It had been a spur of the moment decision to ask her if he might present his sister to her. He had seen her surprise, but she had responded graciously and he now found himself looking forward to the meeting. His sister, Georgiana, was a lovely young woman but he would like her to have more spirit. She was biddable and sweet, which was appropriate for the little girl she had been, but not so useful for the young woman she was becoming. If she had had a stronger character then she would have resisted George Wickham’s persuasions when he had almost persuaded her to elope with him the previous year. Yes, it would do Georgiana good to see that women could be strong as well as sweet and determined as well as graceful.
Thoughts of George Wickham darkened his expression as he crunched across the gravel turning circle in front of Rosings as he neared the end of his journey. Even Elizabeth, with all her spirit, had been duped by him, and so it was perhaps small wonder that Georgiana, who had been a mere fifteen years old at the time, should have been taken in by him. But Elizabeth, although duped, had not been persuaded to run away with him and would have refused such a suggestion, for she had a clear sense of right and wrong and she was not afraid to do right, no matter how many people might try to persuade her otherwise.
His suggestion that she meet his sister had another motive, however, and another outcome, to which he looked forward, because it meant that he would have an excuse to see Elizabeth again. True, their shared dilemma would have given him that chance, since it was clear she did not mean to leave everything to her uncle, but those conversations would necessarily be difficult and they would likely lead to arguments and bad feeling. Whereas a meeting between the two ladies would be a chance for friendly feelings to develop and for mutual liking to grow. For he was now determined to win Elizabeth and claim her for his own. He had taken steps to mend matters where her sister was concerned, and he knew that Colonel Fitzwilliam had told her that George Wickham was not to be believed. Mr Darcy trusted in Elizabeth’s good sense and fairness to do the rest.
Chapter Ten
Elizabeth saw Rosings disappearing behind her with very different feelings to those she had experienced when she had seen it looming up ahead of her at the start of her visit. Then, she had been looking forward to new experiences and a break from Longbourn, where her mother was often tiresome and her younger sisters troublesome. Now, those problems seemed small indeed compared to the ones that had enveloped her since. But she would soon be in London, and so she made up her mind to enjoy the journey as much as possible before she was called upon to explain everything to her aunt and uncle.
Despite her resolution, however, she found the journey wearying and so she was very glad when at last it came to an end and she found herself standing in front of her aunt and uncle’s house. She glanced up at the window and saw Jane. Her face broke into a smile and she ran into the hall as soon as the door was opened, the better to greet her sister.
Jane looked very well. In fact, she looked radiant. Elizabeth attributed it to her own visit, but it soon became clear that something else had happened to cheer Jane.
‘What is it?’ she asked. ‘What has happened?’
‘Dear Lizzy, the most wonderful thing,’ said Jane. ‘But I must not keep you standing in the hall. Let me show you to your room, dearest, where you can refresh yourself after your journey. My aunt has had to go out for a little while and my uncle is at his office. The children are in the schoolroom and so we have some time to ourselves.’
‘This is all very mysterious,’ said Elizabeth.
‘Only refresh yourself, Lizzy, and then you shall learn all.’
Jane would say no more until Elizabeth had had a chance to recover from her journey, but when they two of them had repaired to the drawing-room, and when Jane had rung for tea, Jane said, ‘Oh, Lizzy! I am so happy I can scarcely believe it! Mr Bingley has called. He did not know I was in town after Christmas, for his sister never mentioned it, and so he was not ignoring me after all! As soon as he discovered I was staying with my aunt and uncle, just a few days ago, he paid a call. I did not know what to think. I scarcely dared hope that he was in love with me, but he revealed his true feelings and now we are engaged to be married!’ She corrected herself. ‘That is, between ourselves we have agreed the match, but Mr Bingley has gone to Longbourn to ask my father for my hand in marriage. Until Papa agrees I cannot truly relax, but oh! Lizzy! Is it not wonderful?’
Elizabeth hugged her sister.
‘It is indeed.’
She felt uplifted by Jane’s happiness. As she drank her tea from one of her aunt’s best china cups, Jane gave her all the details: when Mr Bingley had first called, how he had looked, what he had said, her aunt and uncle’s approval, everything in fact that had contributed to Jane’s well-deserved happiness.
As Jane continued to talk, Elizabeth could not help but wonder if Mr Darcy had had something to do with this new state of affairs. She had berated him for his interference and then, lo and behold!, not a week later her sister was engaged to Mr Bingley. It could not be coincidence.
She had already discovered that Mr Darcy might not be as much to blame over the George Wickham affair as she had supposed. Now she discovered that he had set matters to rights between her sister and Mr Bingley. She could not help asking herself: was this for me? And answering: yes, I believe it was.
The thought gave her a warm glow. Could it be that she and Mr Darcy might
overcome their differences and be friends? For, at the moment, she did not even contemplate that they might become more. But if they could become friends . . . She laughed at herself as she thought of it. She, Elizabeth, who had been determined to dislike him from almost the moment she met him, to be now thinking that he might become her friend!
Jane looked at her enquiringly.
‘What is it, Lizzy?’ she asked. ‘Why do you chuckle?’
‘Oh, Jane,’ said Elizabeth, putting down her cup and taking her sisters hands. Her momentary good humour left her as she remembered the enormity of the situation in which she found herself. ‘You have had such good news for me and I have been glad to hear it. But you are not the only one who has been experiencing momentous events. I have so much to tell you . . .’
As she told Jane all about it, Jane’s face took on a range of expressions but when the story was finished, Jane’s first words were of sympathy for Elizabeth.
‘It is such a relief to talk to you, Jane,’ said Elizabeth gratefully. ‘After Mr Darcy accused me of arranging the whole thing, and Charlotte advised me to oblige Mr Darcy to honour his commitment, it does me good to hear you understand it in the right matter, and to know that I have your love and support.’
‘You will always have them, Lizzy. I am very sorry for you and of course you cannot marry a man simply because it happened by accident. Only love is a reason for marriage.’ Here she blushed, as her own love for Mr Bingley was at the forefront of her mind. ‘But I am glad to find that Mr Darcy is not as bad as you thought him. If you remember, Mr Bingley said that Mr Wickham was not wholly innocent in the affair, and Mr Darcy was not to blame. It seems he was right.’
Elizabeth laughed affectionately.
‘Yes, Jane, you are right. Your amiable Mr Bingley did not like to hear a bad word said about his friend, and you do not like to hear a bad word said about anyone, so between the two of you, you formed a defence for Mr Darcy.’
‘A defence which now seems justified,’ said Jane gently.
‘Yes,’ admitted Elizabeth. ‘It does, at least in part.’
‘I wonder what Miss Darcy will be like?’ said Jane. ‘I hope I will also meet her?’
‘I am certain of it. Mr Darcy intends to bring her to Gracechurch Street.’
Jane hesitated, then said, ‘Are you certain he does not love you, Lizzy? I thought he admired you in Meryton, before Christmas, and Charlotte thought so, too.’
‘No, Jane, you are wrong. Mr Darcy thinks I am a scheming miss who has trapped him into marriage – him and his ten thousand pounds a year.’
Jane shook her head slowly.
‘I do not think so, Lizzy. If that were so, he would not ask to introduce you to his sister.’
Elizabeth’s brow furrowed.
‘I must admit I am perplexed. Although Mr Darcy was very rude to me – on more than one occasion! – just when I think I understand him, and I have decided that he is the most disagreeable man alive, he does or says something which makes me think again.’ She took Jane’s hand. ‘You are so lucky, Jane. Your Mr Bingley is not so confusing. His only fault is that he is so easy going, for it allows other people to impose on him. But apart from that he is perfect!’
‘Oh, Lizzy, I know you are teasing me, but I truly believe Mr Bingley is perfect. But, as Mr Bingley’s friend, I am equally persuaded that Mr Darcy has virtues we are unaware of, and that his vices have been greatly exaggerated.’
‘By me?’
‘No, Lizzy, not by you. He behaved very badly towards you. But will you not make some allowance for the shock? It cannot have been easy for him to find himself married against his will and without his consent.’
‘No. It cannot. I could almost forgive him his distress, if he had not worsened mine.’
‘Perhaps he wants to make amends. Perhaps that is why he wishes you to know his sister. Perhaps it is his way of saying he is sorry.’
‘Perhaps.’ Elizabeth was thoughtful. ‘I must confess that I would not want my prejudice to blind me to Mr Darcy’s good points, and if I have misjudged him then I hope I am reasonable enough to say so. After all, he has been reasonable enough to remove his objections to your marriage, and reasonable enough to demonstrate that he no longer thinks Gracechurch Street beneath his notice. Perhaps there is hope for him yet.’
‘Perhaps there is hope for both of you,’ said Jane.
Elizabeth did not gainsay her because Jane was not pressing her, as Charlotte had done. Her sister’s sweet voice was one of reason, not avarice, and it echoed thoughts that Elizabeth had had herself.
What if Mr Darcy turned out to be a man with faults, yes, but with virtues as well?
What if she found herself coming to like him?
What if she found herself more than liking him?
What then?
Elizabeth’s tale had to be told again when her aunt returned. Her aunt was understandably shocked. But then, as Elizabeth hoped, her aunt gave her sound advice. She represented all the alternatives, with their advantages and disadvantages, so that the discussion lasted a long time. At the end of it, Elizabeth’s mind was unchanged. She could not, and would not, trap herself in a marriage that had not been intended, nor would she trap Mr Darcy.
‘In that case, we must seek your uncle’s advice when he comes home,’ said Mrs Gardiner. ‘I suspect that an annulment will not be too difficult if Mr Darcy instigates it, since he is a rich and powerful man. But if he does not wish it, then I think it might be very hard.’
‘Believe it, he wishes it as much as I do,’ said Elizabeth firmly.
‘Then your uncle’s lawyers should be able to work with Mr Darcy’s lawyers to make sure that it is carried out to the satisfaction of both parties. I must ask, however, if you have considered all the implications of an annulment, Lizzy. If it should become known then it will affect your reputation, and the reputation of your sisters as well.’
‘Elizabeth must not think of her sisters,’ said Jane lovingly. ‘It is her happiness that matters.’
Elizabeth smiled her thanks.
‘The only thing I am unsure about is whether or not I must tell my parents,’ said Elizabeth.
Mrs Gardiner and Jane exchanged glances. They were very different kinds of people but they both saw the problem at once.
‘I think, for the time being, it is not necessary to say anything,’ said Mrs Gardiner. ‘But we will consult your uncle and think about it again when we are all together. For now I suggest that you put it from your mind. Nothing more can be done before your uncle comes home and until then I am sure that you and Jane have other things to discuss.’
Elizabeth smiled, a bright, warm smile which reached her eyes and made them sparkle.
‘We do indeed. I am so happy for Jane. It is the best possible outcome and I only hope Mr Bingley soon returns so that she can enjoy his company, as she was meant to do. Have you thought about when the wedding should be?’ asked Elizabeth, turning to Jane.
‘We would like a summer wedding in June,’ said Jane. ‘That will give us time to make the preparations. Then we will have the summer together at Netherfield.’
‘Now, let us think of your wedding. You will need new clothes. We should go shopping tomorrow and then we can begin to assemble everything you need: the fans, gloves, shoe roses, chemises, gowns, pelisses, bonnets and other sundries that will be suitable for your new station in life.’
‘Perhaps we should wait for Mr Bingley to return, so that I can be sure my father has given his consent,’ said Jane.
‘How can he refuse?’ asked Elizabeth. ‘But if you would prefer, we could delay our shopping trip for a few days.’
‘You must be my attendant, and so you must have a new dress, too,’ said Jane. ‘What colour do you think you would like?’
Talking happily of Jane’s forthcoming nuptials, and making plans for the wedding, Elizabeth was able to forget her troubles for a time and enjoy herself until her uncle returned.
Chapter Eleven
Hardly had she retired to the drawing-room after breakfast when the sound of a carriage drew her to the window. She saw a lady and a gentleman in a curricle driving up the street. She recognised the livery and retreated from the window in case she should be seen.
‘What is it, Lizzy?’ asked Jane.
Her aunt, too, looked up in surprise.
‘It is Mr Darcy and his sister,’ said Elizabeth.
‘This is a very prompt call,’ said Mrs Gardiner. She looked at Elizabeth curiously but said nothing more.
Elizabeth seated herself hurriedly and took up a piece of needlework. She had a knock at the front door and she heard the servant open it. A minute later, Mr Darcy and his sister were shown into the room. Elizabeth’s eyes at once went to Miss Darcy and she saw that Miss Darcy was just as embarrassed as herself. An observation of a very few minutes showed her that Miss Darcy was not proud at all, she was simply shy.
As Mrs Gardiner welcomed the guests and bade them sit down, Elizabeth had an opportunity of studying Miss Darcy still further. She was tall, on a larger scale than Elizabeth, and though little more than sixteen her figure was formed. Her appearance was womanly and graceful. She was less handsome than her brother, but there was sense and good humour in her face, and her manners were perfectly unassuming and gentle. Elizabeth, who had expected to find in her as acute and unembarrassed observer as ever Mr Darcy had been, was much relieved by discerning such different feelings.
Darcy and Elizabeth What If? Collection 4 Page 7