The Portrait of Elizabeth

by Jane Angwin

  Darcy paced back and forth in front of Bingley and Jane, twisting his hands together and mumbling under his breath. He finally stopped and looked at them both, taking a deep breath, realizing that they could not possibly understand why he was so distraught. "I am sorry, Charles. I apologize to you as well, Miss Bennett. There has definitely been a misinterpretation of the words I used, and you assumed incorrectly. I did not go to London to announce a wedding at all. I actually went there to inform my aunt Catherine once and for all that I would not marry Anne! The idea of joining her estate, Rosings and the Darcy estate of Pemberley was born in my Aunt's head many years ago when we were children, and she has been implacable when we have tried to tell her otherwise." He began pacing again, debating whether or not to go on with the rest of the story, but he finally decided to tell them everything to set the record straight.

  "We finally learned the truth that it was some insane master plan of hers to keep Rosings all to herself. She has been lying to her own daughter all these years about the true ownership of Rosings. Unbeknownst to anyone, the estate really belongs to Anne, but her mother kept it from her. She also lied to her about her father, telling her that he had left them to live with another woman and her children, when in actuality, he died from the stress of living with a shrew for a wife, and she never told Anne the truth. He had left Rosings to Anne in his will, and when Catherine found that out, she was afraid that Anne would find out the truth and send her to live in the Dower House. If Anne married me, she believed that Anne would become the mistress of Pemberley, and Catherine would remain at Rosings for the rest of her days instead of being banished to the small Dower house on the outskirts of the Rosings property, losing her reputation and her so-called status. Her own greed and lies were at the expense of her own daughter's physical and emotional health and none of us knew about this until now."

  Bingley and Jane sat transfixed, listening to his every word, stunned at the revelation. "I am terribly sorry that I made such an egregious error, Darcy. I am just glad that only Caroline thinks that you are marrying Anne, and she has told no one else. I will be sure to correct her assumption, but I'm afraid that will just give her hope again that you might someday change your mind about her." He chuckled, but then realized that the joke was not a bit funny.

  Jane had been quiet during their exchange, but hearing Charles claim that Caroline hadn't told anyone, she said, "Actually, Charles, that is not quite correct. Your sister found Lizzy and I walking to Meryton several days ago, and she invited us to ride with her in her carriage. She shared the news about Mr. Darcy with us, so Lizzy knows as well, but it would not be in her nature to tell anyone."

  Darcy gasped, and his face drained of blood as he recalled Miss Bingley telling him she had informed Elizabeth about his trip to London. "Good Lord," he muttered. "Miss Elizabeth thinks that I am marrying my cousin." He realized that Jane and Bingley were watching him, but he didn't care. "May I please speak to her so that I can correct this information?" he implored. They looked at each other, sensing that his fear of Lizzy knowing had more to do with something other than just wanting to set the record straight. He looked absolutely crestfallen.

  "I'm sorry, Mr. Darcy, but my sister is not here. She left for London just today to join our Aunt and Uncle Gardiner for several months. I am afraid you have missed her, but I don't think they will be beginning the tour for another two days."

  Unable to keep his disappointment from showing, he said "She is gone? For several months?" Jane nodded. " Do you know their travel plans, Miss Bennett? I must speak with her."

  Again, they looked at each other, now realizing that Darcy must have feelings for Elizabeth, and his distress was showing. " I cannot give you an exact route or the inns where they will stay, but I know Lizzy mentioned that they intend to see The Peaks and the Lake District, but she said that was quite a long journey, and she didn't know if Aunt Madeline and Uncle Edward would want to travel that far. I did hear though that my aunt wants to visit the small town she grew up in, somewhere near the Peaks in Derbyshire, and they will probably spend some time there visiting old friends.

  Darcy was surprised to hear they would be in Derbyshire, and he asked if she knew what town they would be visiting.

  "Why yes, actually Lizzy gave me the name of the Inn where they were going to stay so that I could send letters to her. Just a minute and I will get the name for you." She went upstairs and came back quickly, holding the paper with the information. "Here it is, Mr. Darcy. Are you familiar with this town?"

  Darcy looked at the paper and threw his head back, surprised to see the words written there. "Good Lord, it is the Lambton Inn in Lambton! That is the village just four miles from Pemberley!" he exclaimed. "Do you know what your aunt's name was when she was a girl living there?"

  Jane thought for a minute and said she thought it was Sullivan, but she couldn't remember if that was it. "I know that her father owned the local bookshop there, and I believe she helped him in the shop as a young girl. Perhaps you knew her father?"

  Darcy was quite stunned at the coincidence. "Yes. I knew him quite well. I also remember his daughter, Maddie, who was always there when I went to the bookshop. They were always so kind to me, allowing me to sit for hours, reading books that I probably should have purchased." He looked off into a corner of the room, lost in some memory, and said "It is certainly a small world, is it not?" to no one in particular. "The Pemberley library is known far and wide in that part of the country, and Mr. Sullivan helped my father procure many rare volumes that were quite costly, so I don't think he minded that I was reading their books." He shook his head to leave his memories and return to their conversation.

  His countenance told Jane and Bingley that he was quite disturbed that Elizabeth had been told that he was marrying Anne, and it was obvious that he was indeed smitten with her. Realizing that he had probably given up his private feelings, he attempted to regain his composure and said, "An engaged gentleman would not have spent so much time conversing with an unattached lady. I fear that I have greatly offended her." He asked Jane if she would be communicating with her sister at all during her trip.

  "Yes, my Uncle has to keep in touch with his office while he travels, and they will know how to reach him if there is a problem. I can get letters to Lizzy by sending them to his business in Cheapside, and they will forward them with his other correspondence. Are you wishing to send her a letter, Mr. Darcy?"

  "Yes, perhaps I will do so, Miss Bennett. I realize that it is highly improper to write to a lady I am not engaged to, but I do not want her to think that I was being less than a gentleman, as a gentleman would have denied his engagement to another before enjoying her company. I very much enjoyed her company." Knowing that they already surmised the truth, he looked down at his feet and said "I fear that I have lost her."

  Remembering that he had burst upon the couple and interrupted their time together, he said "Please accept my apology for interrupting your afternoon together, and for my earlier distress. I have had a difficult few days." With that, he turned and walked out of the room, not saying goodbye. They heard him leave the house, and through the window, they saw him riding down the road back to Netherfield, hanging on to Omega without a saddle or reins.

  "Good Heavens, Jane. I am all aghast. The horrible revelation about Anne and her mother's treachery, and the obvious affirmation of his feelings for Elizabeth! I have known Fitzwilliam Darcy for many years, and I thought I knew him well, but I do not know who that man was!" He once again looked out the window. "And then seeing him riding off with no saddle as if he was a madman! Perhaps that is what love looks like." He looked back at her and said, "Although, this is what love looks like to me." He leaned close to her and lightly brushed her lips with his. "Will you marry me, dear Jane?" She blushed and nodded her head, and whispered "Yes, Charles, I would be honored to marry you. You have stolen my heart, and I want nothing more than to be your wife."

  They sat together talking quietly for the rest of th
e afternoon, having much to discuss, never questioning that Mrs. Bennett had not insisted on a chaperone for them. Miss Bingley was right about one thing. Mrs. Bennett knew what she was doing when it came to the happiness of her daughters.

  Chapter Thirty Two

  Cheapside

  Elizabeth looked out the window of the carriage as it rolled into the Post Station in Cheapside, trying to spot her Uncle Gardiner who had planned to meet her. She was greatly relieved to finally arrive in London, as her journey from Longbourn had been in a cramped carriage with other passengers, and due to the various stops along the way, it took much longer than when traveling in their family carriage. Pushed into the furthest corner of the carriage during the on and off of travelers along the way, she was the last to descend the steps of the conveyance. Concerned that she had perhaps missed the intended post, her Uncle was relieved to see her at last, and he rushed to assist her down the steps. After happily hugging her favorite uncle and expressing her great joy at seeing him, he retrieved her satchel and small trunk, and they boarded his carriage to make the short drive to the Gardiner home on Gracechurch Street.

  Although the Gardiner townhouse was situated in an unfashionable commercial neighborhood called Cheapside, it was a fine looking residence with a charming front porch five steps up from the street and with lovely large bay windows on all three levels. Gracechurch Street housed many similar residences, but Cheapside was mainly an area of businesses and warehouses, including Mr. Gardiner's lucrative textile import business.

  While the ton looked down their noses at the residents of Cheapside, the Gardiner home was indeed quite tasteful and elegantly furnished. Elizabeth and her sister Jane had spent lengthy stays with them, and they loved their visits there. They enjoyed the distractions of the city, of course, but more importantly, they were able to observe a loving home with the two adults showing each other respect and true affection, a marriage quite unlike their own parents. Their young children were given rules and boundaries and were expected to abide by them, but they were also given unconditional love and encouragement to learn and grow into well behaved and charming youngsters. Their Aunt Madeline knew that Jane and Elizabeth lived in a chaotic home with little supervision and education, and she was well aware that her husband's erratic sister Fanny was not properly equipped to teach the eldest Bennett girls to become proper ladies. Madeline had insisted that they come to live with them for months at a time during their impressionable years, and their mother was more than willing to let them go. Thanks to the impeccable manners and genteel sensibilities of Edward and Madeline Gardiner, Elizabeth and Jane had an entirely different upbringing than their three younger siblings.

  As Elizabeth entered the house, two young children came bounding down the stairs into the front hall, the littlest one throwing himself at her, hugging her legs and nearly pulling her down. "Cuthin Lithbeth!" he lisped. "We have waited and waited! What took you tho long?" He looked up at her with big imploring eyes, and after regaining her balance, Elizabeth bent down and scooped him up in her arms.

  "Hello there, Cousin Andrew! I hurried as fast as I could to see you! My goodness, just look how much bigger you are since I saw you last! I can hardly pick you up!" He grinned a big smile, quite proud of himself for getting her attention before his brother.

  Turning to look at the older boy, she said "And Cousin Frederick, what a grownup gentleman you are!" She patted his head, and said "Gracious, I think you have grown almost as tall as me!"

  The older boy shyly looked down at his feet, his cheeks turning a rosy pink. "Good afternoon, Cousin Elizabeth," he said quite softly, and bowed. "We are delighted to have you here in our home." His speech was obviously rehearsed, and Lizzy could see that he was embarrassed to have to say the words, but she gave him a quick curtsey in return.

  Looking around, she saw her Aunt Madeline standing back, proudly watching the boys greeting her niece. Next to her was a young girl with long blonde hair, almost a mirror image of her mother, patiently waiting her turn to say hello. Elizabeth gently put Andrew down and quickly walked to them. "Cousin Susan! Aunt Madeline! I am so happy to see you both!" She put her arms around them both, her eyes tearing up with happiness. "I have missed you all so much."

  "Can I take Cousin Lizzy upstairs to my room, Mother?" Susan asked. "I want to show her my new writing desk!" She started tugging Elizabeth's arm, but the boys loudly argued with her.

  Her Aunt kissed her daughter's cheek and turned to the boys. "Now children, your cousin has just arrived from a long carriage ride, and let us give her some time to freshen up first. After she has taken a short rest, you can all have her attention. Now, run along upstairs to see Mrs. Madden." They all groaned out loud at the same time, but dutifully obeyed their mother's direction to seek out their nanny. After they had gone upstairs, Madeline turned back to Elizabeth, once again hugging her tightly. "Oh, Lizzy, we are delighted that you are finally here! It was such a lovely surprise to receive your letter saying you could join us on our trip! And as you can see, the children have been so excited to see you, watching out the window all afternoon! Thank heavens you are safely here. Would you prefer to go to your room to rest, or would you like to sit and have a cup of tea?"

  "I think I would like to sit and have a cup of tea with you and Uncle Edward first. I cannot wait to hear about the plans for our journey!" With that, they went to the front parlor and sat down while the housekeep brought in a tea service and poured a cup for each of them.

  When they had each prepared their tea to their liking, Madeline asked "What made you change your mind to join us after all, Lizzy? I understood from your previous letter that there were new neighbors at Netherfield and a ball to attend."

  "Yes, that is true, however, there were certain circumstances that occurred most recently, and I felt that it was prudent to leave Longbourn for awhile." She gave her Aunt a knowing look, and took a sip of tea.

  "Can I assume it had something to do with my sister?" her uncle asked. "What has she said to you now?" He was all too familiar with the idiosyncrasies and erratic behavior of his sister, and he and Madeline had known for many years about the difficult relationship Elizabeth had with her mother. "Has she tried to push you toward this new gentleman at Netherfield and embarrassed you?"

  "No, Uncle Edward, quite the contrary. The new gentleman has become quite infatuated with my sister Jane, and it won't be long before they are happily married and living at Netherfield." She smiled at the thought of her beautiful sister and the charming Mr. Bingley living a life of joy and contentment. "However, there was another gentleman who asked for my hand, and when I turned down his proposal, my mother threatened to disown me." She laughed, and her aunt and uncle looked at each other, quite surprised at this revelation.

  "Good heavens, Lizzy," Madeline exclaimed. "Pray tell, who made you an offer? Was it one of this new gentleman's friends?"

  Elizabeth felt a sudden pang of heartache thinking about Mr. Darcy, knowing now for sure that it was not going to be her that Mr. Darcy would marry. "No, actually, the distant cousin that holds the entail on our property came to visit Longbourn and made it known that he intended to take one of us as his wife! His first choice was Jane, of course, but Mama informed him that she was spoken for, and she convinced him that I would be the perfect second choice."

  "Well, I suppose that would be a fine arrangement indeed if the gentleman was someone worth considering, Lizzy," Aunt Madeline said, and that would surely please your mother, but since you turned him down, must we assume that he was not a favorable candidate for marriage?" She gave Lizzy an all-knowing look, having had many discussions with her niece about the importance of choosing the right partner and Lizzy's desire for love and respect in marriage.

  "You have assumed correctly, Aunt. Mr. Collins is without a doubt the most ridiculous man I have ever met, and there is not enough money or the promise of keeping Longbourn in our family to make me say yes to such a man!" She visibly shuddered at the thought, and then continued.
"Naturally, when I refused him, Mama was infuriated, and she ranted and raved at me, forcing me out of doors to escape her tirade. Fortunately, Papa intervened and told Mama that none of his daughters would marry the silly man, and that made her even more furious! It was at that precise moment that I decided it would be best for me to leave Longbourn for a little while to let Mama settle down and to bring some peace to the household and especially to Papa."

  "Goodness, Lizzy, that is quite a story! How fortuitous that our trip has been the perfect solution to the drama in your life, although I don't think your mother will ever get over having you ruin her plan to stay on at Longbourn if your father passes away before her."

  Lizzy laughed again, and said "No, wait, Aunt, there is more to the story! When I returned to the house several hours later, fully expecting to be greeted by the wrath of Mama at the front door, I could hear Mama's loud voice emanating from the parlor exclaiming 'We are saved! Girls! We are saved!' " imitating her mother's high pitched voice. "Not understanding what she meant, I entered the room, only to find my whole family surrounding my sister Mary and the ridiculous Mr. Collins who were sitting quite close together on the settee!"

  With a look of sudden understanding, Madeline said "No, Elizabeth, please do not tell me that he proposed to Mary?" A nod from Lizzy made her Aunt throw her arms up in the air in disgust. "A second proposal in one day? And good gracious, are you implying that Mary accepted his offer? If it wasn't you relating this story to us, I would not believe it to be true!"