by Zoe Carter
She wondered whether she dare confide in her aunt but in the end she decided against it. She would confide in no one but Jane, even though she would have to wait some time to do so. Following her engagement, Jane had returned to Longbourn and so Elizabeth would not see her in London, at their aunt’s house, but would see her again once she returned home.
She leant back against the seat. As Maria continued to chatter, she looked out of the window at the passing scenery and thought of everything that had happened to her and thought how it would all astonish Jane.
The journey was good. They had set out early and they reached Gracechurch Street in time for a late lunch. There was much to talk about after lunch. Elizabeth made a fuss of her young cousins, and gave them presents she had brought from Kent. She answered all her uncle’s questions about the rectory and the Rosings neighbourhood, then Mr Gardiner returned to his office and the ladies went out into the small garden at the back of the house, accompanied by the children.
While Maria was playing with the children, Elizabeth’s aunt, Mrs Gardiner, asked her many more questions about Charlotte, and then they fell to talking about Jane’s engagement. This occupied them happily until it was time for afternoon tea. They had just gone inside when there was the sound of a carriage drawing up outside the house. It stopped, and Elizabeth went over to the window, thinking that Mr Gardiner must have returned early for some reason.
‘I do hope Edward has not forgotten anything important,’ said Mrs Gardiner, who also thought it must be Mr Gardiner.
But to Elizabeth’s astonishment, there were two people stepping out of the carriage, and neither of them was Mr Gardiner. The first person to emerge was a young lady of about sixteen years of age. She was tall and well made, and she was dressed in the first style of elegance. Behind her came Mr Darcy!
Elizabeth blushed and moved away from the window, wondering what it could mean. Mr Darcy had made it quite clear what he thought of Gracechurch Street. He thought it was beneath his notice, and so the idea of him actually visiting it was almost incredible. And yet it had definitely been Mr Darcy stepping out of the carriage, and the young lady must have therefore been his sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy.
‘Why, what is it, Elizabeth?’ asked Mrs Gardiner. ‘You have gone quite pale.’
It was true, for after her first blush Elizabeth had indeed gone almost white with shock.
‘I am just a little tired after the journey, and in need of a cup of tea!’ said Elizabeth, passing it off lightly.
As her colour was beginning to return, Mrs Gardiner said no more. She went over to the bell so that she could ring for the servant, but before she could do so the door opened and the servant brought in a magnificent looking calling card.
Mrs Gardiner took it in surprise and read the name out loud. ‘Mr Darcy.’
Mrs Gardiner looked at Elizabeth curiously, then told the servant to show him in.
The servant entered the room, ushering in two very important looking people.
‘Mr Darcy and Miss Darcy,’ announced the servant breathlessly, clearly impressed with their magnificence.
Elizabeth was glad she had had some advance warning of their visit, for she was able to appear comparatively calm as they were announced and returned her aunt’s look with some composure.
After the formalities had been exchanged, and the guests had been invited to sit down, Mrs Gardiner gave orders for the tea to be brought.
Once they were all provided with refreshment, Mr Darcy said, ‘I know my aunt, Lady Catherine, will be desirous of hearing that Miss Bennet and Miss Lucas have arrived safely in town and so I called to make enquiries about their journey.’
‘That is very good of you,’ said Mrs Gardiner, trying not to sound as surprised as she felt. ‘Elizabeth, you can no doubt answer Mr Darcy better than I can.’
Elizabeth stole a look at him and saw his eyes brimming over with love for her. She felt a catch in her throat as she realised that he had visited Gracechurch Street to show her that he had changed; that he no longer despised her relations and that he had taken heed of her words by changing his ways. Yet again he had shown her that he wanted to improve, and there could be only one reason for it. He wanted to win her good opinion.
As she made polite replies to his enquiries about the journey, she felt her heart expanding, for he had made it clear he was in love with her. His actions had spoken louder than words and she knew she was loved by him. Moreover, she knew that she returned that love. She had been fighting it ever since she overheard him talking to his nurse, but now she could fight it no longer. He had ensured her sister was happy, he had never treated Mr Wickham badly – that had been her mistake – and he had curbed his snobbish attitude towards Gracechurch Street and its inhabitants, so that now he was a man she could respect and admire.
As she finished speaking, her aunt continued the conversation and she was pleased to see the evident surprise and then pleasure on Mr Darcy’s face. He had thought her relations would be vulgar but Mrs Gardiner was in fact an accomplished and elegant woman, and it was clear that Mr Darcy appreciated this.
Elizabeth felt a warm glow of pride filling her breast. Her own aunt, Mrs Gardiner, was in fact more genuinely elegant than his aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Although Mrs Gardiner did not have a title, and did not live in a house that was almost a palace, she was more intelligent than Lady Catherine, with better manners and a better nature.
As Mrs Gardiner and Mr Darcy talked, while Maria sat quietly, overawed by the company, Elizabeth turned to Miss Darcy. She remembered everything Mr Wickham had said about Miss Darcy, but she saw now that it had all been lies. Miss Darcy was not proud and disagreeable, she was merely shy. Elizabeth immediately set about making the young lady at her ease. She made some general remarks, which encouraged Miss Darcy to join in.
Then she said, ‘I met your old nurse in the village at Rosings.’
‘Mrs Roberts?’ asked Miss Darcy, eyes shining. ‘How is she?’
‘She suffers from several complaints but they are not unusual for her age and she bears them with good humour. Your aunt, Lady Catherine, is very generous and makes sure she is well cared for.’ Elizabeth glanced at Mr Darcy. ‘Your brother visited her often, and I know there is a genuine affection between them.’
‘Yes, there is. We both love Mrs Roberts,’ said Miss Darcy with pleasing simplicity.
‘She had your watercolours displayed proudly in her home, and your sampler hangs over the fireplace.’
‘Yes, I have seen them there. I often visit Rosings with my brother, but this time I had engagements in London and so I remained behind. I am painting a new landscape for her. It is much more accomplished than my earlier efforts and I hope she will like it. I wonder if you would do me the great favour —’ Here she looked at her brother, who caught her eye and nodded encouragingly. ‘If you would do me the great favour of dining with us tomorrow night?’ Then, looking flustered, she added, ‘Mr and Mrs Gardiner, and Miss Lucas, are included in the invitation, of course.’
Elizabeth glanced at her aunt, who nodded.
‘Thank you,’ said Elizabeth. ‘We would be delighted to accept.’
The Darcys did not stay much longer. There were strict rules of etiquette which laid down the length of time they were allowed to stay, and those rules were obeyed. When they had gone, Mrs Gardiner gave Elizabeth an enquiring look. As Maria chose to go up to the nursery to see the children, the two older ladies were free to talk.
‘Is there anything you want to tell me, Elizabeth?’ asked Mrs Gardiner.
‘No, not yet,’ said Elizabeth. ‘I pray you will not tease me about this visit, aunt. I know how it must seem but there is nothing definite . . . I cannot say more.’
Mrs Gardiner nodded thoughtfully.
‘Very well. I can see there is more, and I suspect there is a lot more, but I shall respect your wishes, at least until we have dined with the Darcys. Afterwards, there might be something you are willing to say to me.’
‘My darling niece, I have no wish to cause you anxiety and so my lips are sealed. Now I suggest you go up to your room and look through your clothes the you can decide what you are going to wear.’
Chapter Ten
Elizabeth felt flustered the following evening. She was about to go to Darcy House and see Mr Darcy in all his splendour. She had so far only seen him at other people’s houses and even there he had been awe-inspiring. How much more so would he be in one of his own homes?
But besides her feelings of being flustered, she was excited as well. She felt sure that Mr Darcy loved her and she knew that she loved him. Now that their problems had been overcome she could see that he was the very man to make her happy, and she felt sure that their union would show all couples, everywhere, just what a marriage should be.
But she was getting ahead of herself. He had not asked her to marry him yet.
Her hand trembled as she picked up her fan, for she felt sure that this was a night to remember: that before the evening was over, he would ask her to be his wife.
Her aunt’s servant said, ‘There, Miss, you’re ready.’
Elizabeth looked down at herself: at the lovely muslin gown with its satin trim, at the white slippers with their low heels which were just showing beneath her gown and at her white-gloved hands. She patted her hair into place, then settled her simple string of pearls more firmly around her neck and went down to the hall below.
Mr and Mrs Gardiner were already there, with Maria. They put on their cloaks and set off for Darcy House.
The journey was not long and soon they were pulling to a halt in front of the magnificent residence. Elizabeth had never seen such splendour. Most London houses were relatively small, being built in terraces, but this one stood by itself opposite a delightful park. They climbed out of the carriage and went up the steps to the front door. It opened silently and they were admitted into a hall of great splendour, with marble statues and busts placed on columns and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.
The liveried footman, whose splendid green costume shone with polished brass buttons, showed them respectfully into the drawing-room, where the Darcys immediately rose to greet them. Elizabeth spoke warmly to Georgiana and then she blushed and looked down, finding she could not meet Mr Darcy’s eye. The sound of his voice speaking kindly to her made her look up, and she saw such love on his face that she caught her breath.
‘I am very pleased to see you here,’ he said to her. ‘You belong here.’
She blushed again, but she managed to say how happy she was to be there, and how happy she was to see him again.
‘There is so much I want to say to you,’ she murmured in a low voice, as he conducted her over to the sofa, ‘but —’
‘I understand,’ he said under his breath. ‘There are too many people here now, but our chance will come later, never fear.’
She sat down on the sofa and marvelled at its comfort. It was richly covered and added elegance to the room.
Before long Colonel Fitzwilliam arrived, bringing with him a fellow soldier, and the numbers were thereby made even, with four ladies and four gentlemen. Colonel Fitzwilliam and his friend entertained Mrs Gardiner and Maria Lucas. Mr Darcy took the trouble to get to know Mr Gardiner, speaking to him sensibly on matters of business, for which Elizabeth was grateful, for she admired her uncle and she hoped the two would become friends.
Georgiana asked Elizabeth if she would care to play a duet and the two young ladies went over to the pianoforte. Georgiana showed Elizabeth her collection of music and Elizabeth selected something with which she was familiar. The music filled the room, and although Elizabeth was not as proficient as Georgiana she played creditably and with great feeling.
Dinner was announced and they went into a splendid dining-room. The food had been prepared by Mr Darcy’s fine chef and it was mouth-wateringly delicious. After dinner the ladies retired to the drawing-room, but the gentlemen did not spend long drinking port in the dining-room and soon joined them.
It then became clear that Colonel Fitzwilliam and his friend were working together to help Mr Darcy spend some time alone with Elizabeth by entertaining the others. When Elizabeth wandered to the far end of the room to look at one of Georgiana’s water colours, Mr Darcy followed her.
‘I have to thank your for accepting my invitation,’ he said. ‘I was not certain you would come.’
‘How could I refuse?’ she asked. ‘Mr Darcy, when last we met you acknowledged your faults and apologised for them. I did not accept your apology because I was angry and upset at the thought of the suffering you had caused my sister, but my feelings soon began to change. I had a letter from Jane, telling me that Mr Bingley had proposed, and I was truly grateful to you for putting things right between them. But I had another grievance against you, of which you knew nothing. I blamed you for depriving Mr Wickham of his living. I thought it abominable of you – unforgiveable – to take a man’s future like that.’
‘I never knew this,’ he said. ‘What exactly did Mr Wickham tell you?’
She shook her head.
‘I do not want to think about it. Suffice it to say, he said enough to make me believe that he was entirely innocent and you were entirely guilty in your dealings with each other. But a chance remark dropped by Mrs Roberts led to me discovering the truth, and I was ashamed of the lies I had believed.’
‘It was not your fault,’ he said gently. ‘Did you then start to think better of me?’
His soulful dark eyes were looking down at her with such compassion that she was ashamed to admit that she had not allowed herself to do so. But her truthful nature compelled her to say that she had resented him for despising her relations.
‘I thought as much,’ he said. ‘It might surprise you to know that I honoured you for it. I admire loyalty, Miss Elizabeth, and you have shown yourself to be very loyal to those you love. I wanted to show you that I had changed, and that I was no longer the man you despised, and that is why I came to Gracechurch Street.’
‘I guessed as much.’
‘And now,’ he asked in a husky voice. ‘Do you still resent me or are you ready to forgive me?’
‘I am, if you will forgive me.’
‘I think you must know what my next question will be,’ he said, and his voice was huskier than ever. ‘Miss Elizabeth, I am in love with you. Will you do me the honour – the very great honour – of becoming my wife.’
She turned her sweet, adorable face to his and said, ‘Yes. I will.’
His happiness radiated from him and his love poured over her like warm sunshine. She basked in it, feeling its strength, and she knew it would endure for ever. After all the obstacles they had faced, they had conquered their challenges and now would reap the rewards down the ages.
‘We cannot announce it yet,’ he said. ‘I must ask your father’s permission first. Do you think he will grant it?’
‘I think he will not dare refuse it!’ she said teasingly. ‘But let me talk to him first. I am going home tomorrow. If you give me a day with my father before you pay a visit then I will have time to assure him that I love you with all my heart.’
‘I am so lucky to have won you. You have shown me that only a woman who knows her own mind and is not afraid to speak it is worth winning. I was only half a man before I met you, but you have made me whole.’
Their precious time alone was coming to an end. They had to rejoin the company or else it would seem strange, and until Mr Bennet had given his consent to the match they could not enjoy the benefits of an engaged couple.
They had no further chance for private conversation that evening, but stolen glances intensified their love and brought them even closer.
When at last it was time for Elizabeth’s party to leave, Mr Darcy bowed over
her hand and kissed the back of it with a burning intensity that made Elizabeth go weak at the knees.
Then she left the house and walked back to the carriage, feeling as if she were on a cloud.
‘I will not ask you what you and Mr Darcy were talking about,’ said Mrs Gardiner, as the two ladies waited on the pavement while Mr Gardiner and Maria arranged themselves in the carriage. ‘I ask only that you invite me to the wedding!’
Elizabeth smiled a wide, happy smile and said, ‘We will!’
Chapter Eleven
When Elizabeth found herself walking up the steps to the front door of Longbourn, her home, she was the same and yet not the same young lady who had left there almost seven weeks before. Then, she had been angry with Mr Darcy and had positively disliked him. Now she loved him. But she would have to convince her father of that fact before Mr Bennet would give his consent to the marriage.
First she wanted to give her congratulations to her sister, Jane.
She was met at the door by her mother, who was wreathed in smiles and who could not stop talking about Jane’s engagement.
‘Engaged! I knew how it would be as soon as Mr Bingley came to Netherfield!’ said Mrs Bennet. ‘I knew Jane could not be so beautiful for nothing. They are to marry in the summer, and that will throw other great men in your way, Lizzy, for you will be a bridesmaid.’
‘Let Elizabeth take her bonnet off before you say any more,’ said Mr Bennet. ‘She must be tired after her journey.’
He kissed Elizabeth on the cheek and said, ‘I am glad to have you back, Lizzy.’