Darcy stopped beneath a tree. Not wanting to interrupt, he leaned his shoulder against the rough bark as he watched the playful manner in which Miss Bennet interacted with her younger sister. She drew Miss Mary out with a vivacity he had never seen before. He was lost in thought until the two ladies and their maid stood to return home. Miss Bennet saw him and waved, winding her arm through her sister’s as they walked towards him.
“Mr Darcy, it is good to see you again. What brings you to this tree? Do you not have such fine specimens where you reside?”
He could not help but chuckle at her teasing manner, “I must say, it is the prospect of speaking with you that brought me to its boughs. Good morning to you both,” he bowed to each. “I called on your uncle, and he said I could find you here.”
“What can we do for you, sir?” Elizabeth asked.
“May I walk with you for a minute?”
“Yes, of course, although we are just returning home.” Mary began to cough.
“Are you well Miss Mary?” Darcy asked, concern evident in his voice.
“She will be well, Mr Darcy, it is merely a cold my cousin passed along to her. She is feeling much better though and wished to feed the ducks.”
“I am glad to hear she is improving then.”
They arrived at the house and the maid accompanied Mary inside. Darcy saw Mary lean down and move her hands, saying something to her young cousin who immediately nodded his head and closed the door. The next thing he knew the curtains of a nearby window moved and the red-haired boy peered out, watching the two intently.
“It seems we have an audience.”
Elizabeth turned to where he indicated, then smiled and waved, receiving a frown in return. “He wanted to go with us, but he is still feeling a little too ill for such a trek.” She turned back to the caller. “Was there something I can help you with Mr Darcy?
“Oh, yes, please excuse me. I just wished to thank you and Miss Mary for all your help.”
“My uncle told us of your finding Miss Darcy. Is she recovered from the ordeal?”
“Yes... yes she is doing much better.” He was about to say his goodbyes and walk away when he stammered, “Miss Bennet, I would like to extend an invitation to your family to join me for dinner one evening next week.”
Elizabeth turned to look at him fully. Standing two steps up from him gave her the advantage of looking the tall man straight in the eye. “Sir, I can tell by your clothes and demeanor you are obviously very wealthy. However, my uncle is in trade. Did you know?”
He looked down, a bit stunned, “No... no, I was not aware of that.”
“Yes, well, it is only his success in business which allows us to live in such a neighborhood as this. When Mary and I came to London they lived on Gracechurch Street within sight of my uncle’s warehouses, but the house was too small for their own growing family plus me and my sister, so my uncle moved us all here to Brunswick Square.”
Darcy stood a little taller and looked her in the eye with great determination, “Miss Bennet, it matters not to me whether you are from this side of London or not. Your family helped me, and I wish to continue the acquaintance. Please tell your uncle of my invitation and I will have the particulars written and sent here as soon as possible. I must first speak with my uncle to know which evening next week they are available, as I wish my family to meet all of your family. Good day, Miss Bennet.” He gave her a respectful bow and turned to go, looking back again and tipping his hat to her when he reached his carriage.
Elizabeth stood watching the fine equipage roll away, rendered speechless by what she had just heard. In the years she had lived in London, this was the first instance a person of such standing acknowledged her or her family. When she returned inside and told her uncle, he gave her a hug. “Well, I do not see why this is such a shock to you, Elizabeth. You are, after all, a gentleman’s daughter.”
“Yes, that is true, but for the last four years I have been nothing more than an orphan taken in by my uncle and aunt who are in trade.” Tears welled up in her eyes.
Edward pulled out his handkerchief and dabbed her cheeks. Kissing her forehead, he replied, “When the invitation comes I will be sure your aunt accepts in a timely manner. Mr Darcy seems like the kind of gentleman who could make our lives a bit more interesting, does he not?”
Elizabeth dried the last of her tears and chuckled at her uncle, “Indeed he does.”
Darcy returned home in such a jovial mood that even the tedious task of answering all his piled up social engagements was done with a small smile on his lips and an extra flourish when he signed his name.
Richard Fitzwilliam stood watching his cousin from the open doorway. He was smiling—actually smiling! The shock of seeing such a rare sight was made even more momentous an occasion when he also thought he heard him humming. Shaking his head, he strode into the room and sat down across from Darcy, “All right, who are you and what have you done with my staid and serious cousin?”
Darcy looked up from the letter he was just finishing, “Good day to you Fitz. What brings you back so early? Did you not have drills all day?”
“It was decided the turn of this weather did not lend itself to such so easily, so we begged off until tomorrow.”
“Oh? Did the weather turn? It was such a lovely day earlier.”
Fitz looked over to the window where rain poured down like buckets being dumped from the heavens. A crack of thunder was heard in the distance. “Seriously, who are you and what have you done with my cousin?”
“Am I not allowed to be of a pleasant attitude?”
“While that is permitted, it is such a rare sight that you have me wondering if something has addled your mind. What exactly has engendered such from you today?”
Darcy pressed his ring into the cooling wax of the last letter sat before him, then he stacked it on top of the others on the tray. “I paid a call this morning, and it was pleasant. That is all.”
“Ahhh, the truth is revealed. Just who has made you smile on such a dreary day as today? No—wait—let me guess. Was it Miss Lindstrom? No, no, she usually can only induce half a smile from you, and only if she does not open her mouth. Hmmm... Lady Rowley is not in Town yet, so it could not possibly be Lady Julia who has inspired your joviality.”
Darcy rolled his eyes as he stood, walking over to the window to look out at the rain. “She could never inspire such from me. Have you seen her eyes? One never knows if she is looking at you or the person beside you, and unlike others, I am in no great need to pad my purse with her sizable dowry.”
“I have a feeling even her eyes will not be a deterrent this Season. It seems I have reached the end of my list, so it would be best if you just tell me who you paid a call on earlier.”
“Miss Bennet.”
He thought, saying allowed, “Miss Bennet... Miss Bennet...,” then looked over at his cousin, “I do not recall where I have heard that name before.”
“I met her in Ramsgate—she and her sister, Miss Mary, provided me with the information that led us to Georgiana.”
“Oh, right; I do not believe you mentioned her name but once. Just what precipitated such a call?”
Darcy turned around, smiled at his cousin, then strode purposely from the room as he said clearly, “I am to have a dinner party.”
“A dinner party!” Fitz was so shocked it took him a few seconds to realize his cousin had left the room. He followed after him, catching up at the stairs. “Just when is this dinner to be, and what is the occasion?”
“Must one need an occasion to have guests over?”
“Anyone else, I would say no. You—well, you have never been known to be so gregarious.”
“Well Maybe I ought to be.” He patted his cousin on the shoulder, “I have written to your father asking when they are available next week, and as soon as I hear from him I will make my plans accordingly. I believe I will enjoy having the Gardiners here—it is time we liven the place up, would you not say?”
“Miss Bennet’s relations—her uncle and aunt. I will invite them, Miss Bennet, and Miss Mary, as well as your parents, and we shall have a lovely evening.”
He snorted, “Good luck with your plans—you lost me when you included my parents in the same sentence as lovely evening.”
“They may not be the best choice, but I will not allow Georgiana to think she is to be hostess for me, and my Aunt Edith is not yet in Town for the Season.” Darcy turned to continue up the stairs. “I expect you to be here as well, so have your man prepare your nice uniform.”
Fitz shook his head and watched Darcy walk away up the stairs. Just who is this Miss Bennet that she could inspire such odd behavior from my cousin? He determined to find out all he could from his cousin over the next few days about the Gardiners, and especially about Miss Bennet and her sister.
Darcy was sitting at his desk when his cousin came in the door.
“Well,” Fitz replied as he sat down opposite his cousin, moving his sword with the practiced ease of a well—seasoned soldier, “my father has found out the inevitable.”
“And what is that?”
“That your guests this evening are in trade,” he sighed.
Darcy sat up a little straighter, “Will they be cancelling then?”
“No, amazingly enough, my father wishes to come and meet this paragon of a family you have talked up to them, and he has convinced my mother as well. However, my brother will have nothing to do with this scheme, as he calls it.”
“There is no loss there; Milton can do as he pleases,” Darcy mumbled. “How did they find out about Mr Gardiner being in trade?” Darcy asked.
“It was not too difficult. It seems my father’s new doctor lives in Brunswick Square and the gentleman was all too eager to speak of his neighbors,” Fitz said.
Darcy looked at his cousin, “Did he tell them of Miss Mary’s condition?”
“I knew you would ask me that,” Fitz stood and began to look at the many books on the shelf, running his finger down the spines of some. “As far as I could surmise from the conversation, they know nothing of her condition, but I did not want to come right out and ask. If she does not speak this evening they may just perceive her to be shy.”
“Oh, excuse me,” they heard Georgiana say from the doorway. “I did not know you were busy, brother. Hello Fitz,” she gave a small curtsey to her cousin.
Darcy stood, “What is it, Georgiana?”
She looked from one to the other, then sighed heavily and sat down primly on the edge of the chair. “I do not feel well, and I was just wondering if I could stay in my room this evening?”
“I cannot believe you would ask such when you have treated Miss Bennet and Miss Mary as you have. If it were not for them, you would be married to that conniving scoundrel as we speak.” Darcy leaned down to look directly at his sister, “You will attend the dinner, and you will offer your apologies to Miss Bennet for the injuries you caused her.”
She looked back at him with an icy glare, “And what if I choose to not do as you say?”
Fitz snorted, “You know Darcy, when we were at Aunt Catherine’s for Easter she was very eager to invite Georgiana to stay with her and Anne until the summer. She talked constantly about how wonderful it would be to have someone to read Fordyce’s sermons aloud to her and someone our dear cousin could accompany on the pianoforte.”
“But Anne cannot play the pianoforte...” she stammered.
“Yes, well, try telling that to Aunt Catherine,” Fitz said flatly.
The girl looked down at her hands, the room silent as she considered the threat. Finally she stood, “I will be ready to apologize. With your permission, I wish to do so when the ladies separate from the gentlemen after our meal?”
“Yes, that will be fine.” Darcy walked around the desk to his sister’s side, “Georgiana, we are not trying to make your life miserable, but it is up to us to help you see what does and does not constitute a good decision.”
She looked up at him, the harshness back in her eyes as she replied, “Then why have you waited until now to do so?” She turned and marched from the room, leaving both gentlemen reeling at her vehemence.
“I should have all along, my dear sister,” Darcy whispered, “I should have all along.”
Elizabeth knew Mary was nervous and did not wish to attend the dinner. She always was before they went anywhere, but she knew she could talk her into going. “I promise you will be well, Mary,” she told her. “You will not have to say anything, just as all the other dinners we have attended with Uncle’s associates. I do not know why, but I trust Mr Darcy. He is a good gentleman. Uncle Edward and Aunt Maddie will be right there too, so what could go wrong?”
After much cajoling and promises of the numerous books Elizabeth would give her sister if she attended this dinner, Mary finally decided to go and at least try to enjoy the evening. The two dressed in their finest gowns and joined their aunt and uncle for the carriage ride from Brunswick Square to a lavish home in the Mayfair district. Elizabeth was astonished when she saw the tall, ornate façade of the house on Hill Street in which they were to dine that evening. She knew Mr Darcy was affluent by the quality of his clothing, but his London home was beyond what she ever imagined. She stepped down from the carriage and looked up at the red brick that towered six stories above her, the white window casements setting off the uniqueness of this building from the others along Hill Street. She smiled when her uncle offered his arm, allowing him to lead her past the columns and up the steps to the entrance already standing open for the visitors.
A maid took her wrap then stepped away as Elizabeth’s eye was drawn around the large entrance hall, her gaze taking in the stairs as they wound their way to the upper floors. She stopped when her eyes caught a large landscape that hung in a prominent place on the wall.
“This way, Miss,” the butler interrupted her thoughts.
She turned from the beautiful painting to follow her relatives into the sitting room, where Mr Darcy stood with another gentleman, shorter than himself, though still taller than her uncle. The features of the two were as different as they could be, with Mr Darcy’s dark hair and nearly black eyes and the other gentleman’s light blonde hair and blue eyes. In a way, Elizabeth thought the gentleman resembled Miss Darcy more than her own brother did. He stood out from the blues and light wood tones of the surrounding room because of his bright red uniform.
Darcy stepped up, “Welcome, Mr Gardiner, Mrs Gardiner. Miss Bennet...” his eyes stopped on Elizabeth for just a second longer than the others as he bowed to her, then he continued on, “Miss Mary. I am pleased you all could join us tonight. This is my cousin, the Honourable Richard Fitzwilliam, Colonel in His Majesty’s Army. His parents will be along shortly, and my sister will be joining us directly.” He glanced with a nod at the housekeeper who stood by the door. Knowing what he needed immediately, she went to find Miss Darcy. Darcy was glad to have devoted staff who knew his needs so well that words were not always necessary. His attention was drawn back to the group before him as his cousin’s easy nature was clearly on display for his guests.
“It is a pleasure to meet you all,” Fitz said as he bowed.
Edward stepped forward, “I believe Mr Darcy has spoken of you, Colonel. Would you be the cousin with whom he shares custody of Miss Darcy?”
Fitz looked to his cousin, “Yes I would be, Mr Gardiner.” With a sly expression aimed at Darcy, he continued, “It is not every day I have the opportunity to hear how my cousin behaves when not in my company, so if you will indulge me, I believe we may pass the time pleasantly as we await the others.”
Elizabeth could not help smiling as her uncle and the colonel walked by the fire to take two chairs, their instant camaraderie evident to all. She scanned the room and stopped when she realized Mr Darcy was watching her. She felt her cheeks grow pink and was grateful for her aunt’s insistence they all sit to await the others.
Mr Darcy chose a seat near the ladies and they talked of trivial things until Miss Darcy came into the room. He stood to greet her and was just about to sit again when the Earl and Countess Danver were announced, completing the guest list for the evening.
Introductions were made and the group could instantly feel the change in the atmosphere when the new arrivals joined their small gathering. The tension continued to rise until dinner was finally announced. The gentlemen took their positions beside the ladies. Fitz offered his arm to Mary, the earl took Georgiana’s arm, and Mr Gardiner had the privilege of escorting his wife, leaving the countess and Elizabeth to their host, Mr Darcy.
Darcy followed behind the ladies, noting the reactions of his aunt as Elizabeth walked through the hall. Elizabeth could not help but notice again the painting that caught her eye when they first arrived.
Seeing where the eye of the young lady was drawn, the countess asked, “Do you like it?”
“Yes, it is breathtaking.”
“That is Pemberley,” she replied, “my nephew’s estate in Derbyshire.”
Just to Hear 'I Love You': An Alternate Tale of Jane Austen's 'Pride & Prejudice' Page 4