“He tried to sell her,” Darcy said without disguising his disgust. “Twice. The first time to his idiotic heir and the second time in exchange for his debts to Wickham—a rake who has a particular hatred of me.”
Leaning forward, Mr. Gardiner met Darcy’s eyes. “My brother’s flaws are not lost on me, Mr. Darcy, but you forget that I was recently in Hertfordshire. I saw Lizzy’s depressed spirits after you left. Even Jane confirmed that she expected you to propose to Lizzy. You may have secured her hand now, but do not play the role of unerring protector when you had no concern for her feelings then.”
Feeling heat creep up his neck, Darcy nodded for the guilt he shared. “You have reason to distrust me, and I am pleased to see there is someone who looked after her when I could not, but you lack some information. I had asked for Miss Elizabeth’s hand in matrimony, and she declined. As she did Wickham. While I acknowledged her freedom of choice, her father sought to match her to Wickham against her will, and that scoundrel… ” He clenched his fists. God help him when he saw Wickham again. He would need divine intervention not to kill the man. “He forced his attentions upon her.”
Mr. Gardiner’s eyes widened in shock, and he turned white in disgust for his niece’s experiences. Darcy then, as briefly as he could, explained how he and Elizabeth had been deceived by Wickham and that man’s longstanding hatred of him.
When Darcy finished, Gardiner blew out a slow breath. “I apologise for my words. I could not have hoped for a more honourable man to ask for our Lizzy’s hand.”
Darcy waved his words away. “There was truth to your accusation. There was a time when I thought badly of a match with Miss Elizabeth and even counselled Bingley away from Miss Bennet. You have every right to think the worst of me.”
“I am not pretentious enough to think that you should see no evil in a match to her,” Gardiner said while shaking his head. “Jane and Bingley are to return to Longbourn in a week’s time. I do not think Lizzy should go without protection.”
“I already planned to return to Hertfordshire when she did. Wickham will not be a concern at any rate. He is currently marching to duty in the North and will soon be dealt with properly.”
“I do not think she is prepared to return to her father’s house,” Mr. Gardiner said with raised eyebrows.
“Sir…are you suggesting that we marry before she returns to Hertfordshire?”
“I would never choose for her, which you seem to understand as well. But if together you wish it, I would be prepared to act in Bennet’s stead and bless a marriage even if it occurred before Jane’s.”
Having already been through so much suspense for Elizabeth’s hand, Darcy had to admit it was exceedingly tempting. Attempting to hide his eagerness at the thought, he nodded. “I will ask her opinion.”
“And I suggest a special licence to please her mother and to quell any gossip over why you married quickly and away from Longbourn.”
“I had hoped I could deal with you instead of Mr. Bennet, or at the very least have you on my side when I approached him. I confess I cannot think well of the gentleman at all.”
“I know it does not seem he deserves it at the moment, but he encouraged Lizzy to become the woman who has enchanted you. I daresay he had some good intention wrapped in all of this, and we are all mortal. I think you have already learned the penalty of offending Lizzy by speaking or acting against her family. Allow her to come to her own terms with her father.”
Darcy begrudgingly saw the sense in Mr. Gardiner’s words. “I have heard from my wife how excellent your father was,” the older man added.
“Indeed, he was quite benevolent and amiable. He was the best landlord and master that I could ever hope to become.”
Mr. Gardiner stood, and the gentlemen walked to the door. “I suppose his attachment to Mr. Wickham rubbed you the wrong way, and yet you concede he is wonderful in every other way.”
The gentlemen shook hands, and Darcy left to meet with his solicitor and gain an appointment at Doctor’s Commons for the licence. He understood Mr. Gardiner’s unsaid words. It took him some years to make peace with his father’s treatment of Wickham, and he did it without the intrusion of others. He ought to allow Elizabeth the same. Except he wished to support her instead of her feeling the burden of loneliness that he had shouldered for so long.
As he applied for a marriage licence, he smiled to himself. Months ago he believed he would avoid marriage as long as possible, and then it would be a cold and heartless match. He could not imagine taking this step with any sanguine feeling at all, and now he met the prospect with happiness, nay elation.
*****
The Gardiner carriage pulled up to Darcy House, and if Elizabeth could have been sensible to the presence of her dearest relatives, she would have been amused. She had no patience to fret over meeting the earl and countess or Mr. Collins’s fearful patroness, Lady Catherine. Nor was she curious enough to consider that soon she would behold the two ladies who had once been considered the best candidates as Will’s wife. Shamelessly, she did not even notice Georgiana awaiting their arrival from the upstairs drawing room window. Her eyes landed on Will, and she did not tear them away until it was impossible to continue watching. They were shown into the drawing room, and although there were several unknown faces, again she had eyes only for Will.
He came to them and bowed to her family before kissing her hand and tucking it under his arm. She marvelled at the pride on his face as he introduced her to his noble relations and settled her on a sofa beside him. The earl and countess were not as charming and outgoing as their sons but were amiable nonetheless. They soon fell into conversation with her aunt and uncle. Will perceived her look of wonder.
“I cannot say that position and fortune in life mean nothing to my relatives. We have never wanted for either. However, they are shrewd enough to know that life consists of all manner of people with shared experiences and values. I can tell my uncle finds yours to be intelligent and well-mannered.”
Elizabeth smiled. “It is a triumph to know I have some relatives for whom I need not blush. I shudder to think of them meeting my mother…or my father.” She grew silent for a moment before turning a teasing look on him. “And is that how you have found my uncle as well? You seemed acquainted a moment ago, and yet you have not met him before now.”
Will smirked. “You are incorrect, dearest. I called at his place of business yesterday.”
She attempted to hide her surprise. “Is that so?”
“Indeed, and he had the most wonderful suggestion for us.”
“Truly?” She grinned at Will’s playful attitude.
“He suggested we marry in Town with my cousins.”
Elizabeth sat up a little straighter. “Before returning to Longbourn?”
“If that pleases you.”
“When?” she asked quietly.
“They are to wed a week from tomorrow. Your uncle suggested a special licence to appease your mother.”
Nodding, Elizabeth met his eyes. “I care not when or where we marry.” Then dropping her voice and blushing slightly, she added, “I will be glad when our parting will cease.”
She heard Will sharply inhale, and he managed to nod in agreement.
“What is it you are talking about?” Lady Catherine called from a nearby seat.
“Music, madam,” was Will’s reply. Elizabeth hid a smile.
“Does Miss Elizabeth play?”
“A little, ma’am,” she replied.
Surprised to be directly addressed, her ladyship’s eyes snapped to Elizabeth’s. “You are related to my parson, I understand. He is to inherit your father’s estate.” Elizabeth mutely inclined her head, and Lady Catherine looked around the room. Her eyes landed on Jane. “Your elder sister is a very pretty, genteel girl. I am happy to hear she is betrothed, even if it is to Mr. Bingley. Are any of your other sisters out?”
“Yes, ma’am, all of them,” Elizabeth replied.
“All of them! The yo
unger ones out before the older ones are married. Your youngest sister must be very young indeed.”
“She is not yet sixteen, and perhaps she is young to be much in company, but I think it must be hard on younger sisters not to have their share of amusements because the elder ones did not marry. It would hardly encourage sisterly affection, and that I am most dependent upon.”
Lady Catherine narrowed her eyes but did not reply. Instead, Lady Belinda spoke. “A most excellent sister to Miss Darcy you will be, then. Mr. Darcy appears to have made a very prudent choice. Having always been an only child, I confess I am happy my future brother will be marrying at the same time as us.”
“Anne will be a marvellous sister to you,” Lady Catherine said, and Lady Belinda smiled. Turning her attention to Miss de Bourgh, who was conversing with Caroline, Lady Catherine then left them alone.
“You secured your country treasure, I see,” Lady Belinda said.
Will smiled. “And it was not cursed pirate’s gold after all.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam, who had just walked up, joined them in laughter.
“Dare I ask what that is in reference to?” Elizabeth inquired.
“When I returned to London after Bingley’s ball, I was introduced to Lady Belinda. I was encouraged to think differently about matters of the heart and the cost of not following it.”
Elizabeth smiled at the lady. “It seems I am not the only impertinent lady who sees fit to question the opinions of Mr. Darcy of Pemberley. You shall have no peace now! Better to lock Georgiana away from us, or we will corrupt her entirely.”
“Nonsense!” Lady Belinda cried. “I will depend heavily on you, Miss Elizabeth, and Miss Darcy this Season. Miss de Bourgh says she will stay at Rosings even while Lord Arlington is busy in the House.”
Darcy raised his eyebrows and looked at Colonel Fitzwilliam. “I thought you intended to reside at the Crenshaw estate after the wedding.”
His cousin sighed, and Lady Belinda looked away nervously. “My new general is also an MP for Beverley in East Riding of Yorkshire. He is convinced there is trouble brewing in West Riding and believes the frame breakers may seek to attack those who transport factory goods to the ports in the East.”
As educated as Elizabeth was, she understood what the others left unsaid. Lord Matlock served as Lord Lieutenant of West Riding. His son could not resign a commission from a regiment that may be called upon to aide his own father’s militia. The others fell silent.
Elizabeth turned a cheerful smile on her soon-to-be cousins. “I shall be happy to provide you company, Lady Belinda, however inexperienced I am with London. You will have to guide me through meeting all the lords and ladies, but I will happily mock them with you behind my fan.” The other lady gave Elizabeth a grateful smile.
Colonel Fitzwilliam looked at Lady Belinda with such adoration that Elizabeth could not help but smile. “You will have little time for tittle tattle behind your fans, Miss Elizabeth. My Belinda loves to dance. She will wear out a pair of slippers while I am away.”
Belinda shook her head. “No, I will not dance this Season if it cannot be with you.” She looked at Elizabeth and explained, “We have never danced yet. There never seems to be an instrument or the right mood or amount of time.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam leaned a little closer and earnestly spoke to his betrothed. “Promise me in front of our friends that you will dance this Season. I do not want you avoiding your favourite things and mourning as though I am dead.”
Lady Belinda seemed unwilling to make such a promise at first, and Elizabeth, growing uncomfortable, was about to suggest another topic of conversation when the colonel reached forward and gently took the lady’s hand in his.
“Bel?” he asked softly.
“I promise,” she said.
“There’s my brave girl,” he said.
She laughed. “Oh no. If I were brave, I would promise to sing in public. But no one will worry about me, an old betrothed lady. They will all want to see the new Mrs. Darcy.”
Elizabeth smiled. “We shall learn a duet, then.”
“Gracious, Miss Elizabeth. And after I was so kind to you with the old dragon a minute ago.”
Elizabeth laughed. “As an only child, you will now learn how sisters plague each other!”
“It can hardly be worse than how brothers prank each other,” the colonel said. “Arlington once dared me to jump from my pony when it was going deathly fast.”
On the subject of family and embarrassing tales, their wit flowed long.
After the dinner, she left Darcy House convinced she would enjoy her new relations and pleased at the treatment she received. Will had extended an invitation to the Gardiners to visit Pemberley this summer. They had intended to take a tour of the lakes but could not turn down such an opportunity. When they asked about touring Manchester along the way and if it would be safe with the current unrest, they were assured by both lordships that it should all be resolved by then. Judging by the looks in Will’s, Colonel Fitzwilliam’s, and Lady Belinda’s eyes, however, Elizabeth very much doubted they believed that any more than she did.
She did not pretend to understand everything about the common worker. She understood she had been raised in comparative luxury, but she was certain a group of armed people upset at the injustices they faced would need more than a stern warning or a pat on the head from their largely negligent masters. Nothing promoted ill-feeling more than when absentee authority suddenly appeared to steal one’s independence. On that level, she could relate entirely with the frame breakers. She did not know how she could manage to make amends with her father for his misjudgements. The idea of not returning to Longbourn for even Jane and Bingley’s wedding pressed heavily on her mind.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“You are quiet tonight, Caroline,” Bingley said as they sat for a light supper in the drawing room of Hurst’s townhouse.
“Has Uncle Stanley written to you again about the safety of the mills?” she asked.
“He continues to worry.”
“And there is nothing you can do?”
“The militia is at the ready, and the problem has the attention of the Crown. If every machine is broken, it would be a financial setback, but we are secure, which is better than many.”
Caroline gave an indignant huff. “I could not care less about the money. Did you hear Colonel Fitzwilliam talking with Eliza today?”
“No, I was speaking to Lord Matlock and Mr. Gardiner.”
Hurst began to chuckle. “You actually spoke to his lordship?”
Bingley felt heat creep up his neck. “A little.”
“What about Eliza’s conversation?” Louisa brought their attention back to Caroline.
“He is not resigning his commission after his wedding as planned. He has been asked to stay on as his unit may be needed to support the West Riding Militia.”
The room grew quiet, and Caroline fixed her attention on some distant object in the room. “It is impossible for me to even speak with him again while he remains in service, but I worry about his welfare. They have only just returned from the Continent…” She trailed off and finished with a shrug. “I still love him.”
Bingley’s heart broke for his sister. He had not wanted to expose her feelings to Fitzwilliam, and so despite his hopes that she may have a second chance with Mr. Truman, the chances of them meeting again were slim while he served as a batman. Perhaps a “chance” meeting could be arranged on his day off this coming Sunday. The others had fallen silent and finished their meal, allowing him to reflect on how happy he was that he had not ignored his feelings for Jane. Not returning to Hertfordshire would have been the biggest mistake of his life, and who knew how he would then have managed to have a second chance with her? Seeing as her father ended up gambling so much and had attempted to force Lizzy to marry Wickham, who knows if they would have been at Longbourn months from now or if Jane would have remained unwed? He would be forever grateful that he had believed he saw en
ough encouragement in Jane’s behaviour towards him. Although if he was truthful, a good deal more of his determination to return to Hertfordshire had rested on hope.
The others had long gone abed, but he sat drinking his coffee in silence. His thoughts were finally interrupted when his butler came in with an express from his Uncle Stanley. Alarmed at his uncle’s report, he hastily wrote a note to Darcy, who was a silent partner in the Huddersfield Mill. He could do no more that evening but in the morning would begin plans to leave London on Monday or Tuesday.
The following day, Darcy called after church. Bingley suggested they remove to the library. Hurst never used the room, so it was set up for Bingley’s use for business.
“What is this about Huddersfield?” Darcy paced the room instead of sitting.
“My uncle has information that these followers of the so-called General Ludd will attack the mill on Tuesday next. You already know Colonel Forster’s regiment is decamping to West Riding. Two platoons will be sent to Huddersfield directly. Uncle is also hiring paid guards to assist. I fear they will be the hot-headed sort. I intend to leave tomorrow to convince him to leave the matter to the professionals at the very least.”
Darcy nodded. “I will come as well.”
“You are to be married later that week. It will be impossible to return in time!”
“Thank you, but I hardly need to be reminded,” he said grimly. “Are you calling at Gracechurch Street soon?”
“Yes, I intended to leave as soon as we finished.”
Darcy then invited Bingley to ride with him as his carriage was ready. They were greeted happily by their ladies. The Gardiners remained at breakfast with their children.
“We did not expect to see you until later,” Jane said.
“I regret to say that I must depart tomorrow morning.” Bingley hesitated and then looked at Darcy. He had no idea how to explain the situation to the ladies and would not be the one to tell Elizabeth their wedding must wait.
Sufficient Encouragement: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (When Love Blooms Book 1) Page 26