“Miss Elizabeth has accepted my apology and my hand,” he said, gazing affectionately at Elizabeth.
“’Tis far more than you deserve, Mr Darcy, but since my niece has forgiven you, I shall not plague you with further lectures. I wish you both every happiness.”
He bowed deeply. “Thank you, Mrs Gardiner. With Elizabeth by my side, I am surely the happiest man alive.”
Her heart swelling, Elizabeth slipped her hand into his. Yes, she and Fitzwilliam would be happy from this day onwards.
“Mrs Gardiner, my sister is eager to meet Elizabeth. Might I persuade you and Mr Gardiner to join us for supper at Darcy House this evening—if you are not already engaged?”
After hearing so much about Miss Darcy and her many accomplishments, no scheme could have been more agreeable to Elizabeth. “Oh yes, please do, Aunt. I want to meet my future sister.”
Mrs Gardiner graciously accepted his invitation and then extended one of her own. “Will you join us in the parlour, Mr Darcy? I am certain Elizabeth would berate me for sending you away without offering tea,” she said with a teasing smile.
“That would be positively uncivil,” Elizabeth said, smirking at him. Now that he had made such drastic improvements to his character, she hoped to encourage him to linger a bit longer. She wanted to become better acquainted with this Fitzwilliam Darcy, the charming man who would soon be her husband.
Chapter 22
Jubilant after securing Elizabeth’s hand, Darcy found Georgiana waiting for him in the sitting parlour. He said not a word, but she flew into his arms, crushing him and squealing with elation. “I can see from your joyous expression that Miss Elizabeth has accepted you.”
While not usually in the habit of outwardly displaying his emotions, he did not bother to mask his delight, nor did he care if anyone disapproved of his gleeful smiles. The woman he loved had accepted his offer, and he could not be happier.
Georgiana demanded the full story of his betrothal and clasped her hands together as he recounted his apology and her generous acceptance. What he did not say, nor did he have leave to mention, was the remarkable story of Elizabeth’s gift. He suspected that Elizabeth would confide in Georgiana in good time, but had no doubt of his sister’s acceptance of his betrothed’s unusual ability.
He silently thanked the stars he was not prone to falsehoods and would likely suffer no disgrace in Elizabeth’s eyes—at least on that score. However, she had taught him a lesson about valuing the worth of others, especially those below his station, and respecting them regardless of their circumstances. Fortunately, with the Gardiners expected for supper that evening, he would have the opportunity to put his enlightenment to the test. Upon learning that Elizabeth and her relations were to dine with them, Georgiana jumped to her feet and rang for the butler. When Mr Trent came to attend them, he assured them that their small supper party would be just like the old days at Darcy House. “Will Mr Bingley and the colonel be joining us?”
“I suspect so,” Darcy said, although he never knew from one night to the next if he might have the pleasure of their company. Hopefully, brief notes to each of them would convince them to join the party. While he had no plan to ruin the surprise, he wanted both of them to share in his joy. “By the way, Mr Trent, you may inform the staff that their future mistress will be amongst our guests.”
No trace of surprise crossed Trent’s face. “I suspect they will all clamour for a glimpse of her tonight.” After offering his hearty felicitations, he made his bow and left the room.
Darcy had no doubt that his servants were well aware of his dismal mood as of late, nor of his errand to Gracechurch Street that morning. Although he had taken none of them into his confidence, his secretary had discovered Mr Gardiner’s direction, his valet had dressed him in the fine blue coat and fresh cravat, and his driver had walked the horses up and down the avenue while he purchased a posy from the florist, then witnessed his triumphant emergence from the Gardiner residence. The full story could not have been that difficult to discern. The only thing his staff did not know was the identity of his betrothed; however, they would have the opportunity to see Elizabeth for the first time this evening.
Deciding he ought to speak to the servants himself, he went below stairs and found them in high spirits. They all gathered around, wishing him joy and shaking his hand. “I thank you all for your good wishes and apologise for my foul mood as of late. As you know, Miss Elizabeth Bennet has done me the honour of accepting my hand and will dine with us this evening.” Their excited murmurs spurred him on. “However, I do not as yet have her father’s consent, so this meal will be just like every other, I am afraid.” Amidst their disappointed sighs, he left them to attend to his correspondence.
Some hours later, after Darcy had dressed for supper, he found Bingley in the drawing room with Georgiana and Mrs Annesley, all three beaming broadly. “Although the ladies have refused to tell me why everyone’s mood has suddenly improved, I can easily guess your news, Darcy, and could not be more pleased,” Bingley said, clapping him on the back. “Had I known you were going to Longbourn, I would have accompanied you.”
“To the contrary, Elizabeth is in town with her uncle,” Darcy said, then chuckled at Bingley’s startled reaction. “The Gardiners and Elizabeth will be here momentarily.”
As if on cue, a footman announced the arrival of the guests’ carriage. Georgiana rushed out to the foyer while Darcy followed behind, urging her to remember her manners and show the guests every courtesy. No sooner had the door been opened than Georgiana squealed with delight and threw herself into Elizabeth’s arms.
“Oh, Miss Elizabeth, you are even lovelier than I imagined,” she said, tears misting her eyes.
Darcy had not seen his sister display such effusive emotion since her disappointment in Ramsgate. “Georgiana, please, you are smothering Miss Elizabeth.” Although the Gardiners remained standing on the threshold, they looked on with amused expressions.
“Never mind your brother, Miss Darcy,” Elizabeth said, patting Georgiana’s back. “With four sisters, I am well accustomed to them flying into a passion in the blink of an eye.” When Georgiana finally released her, Elizabeth dabbed her face with a handkerchief. “However, if we are to be sisters, you must call me Lizzy.”
Darcy marvelled at Elizabeth’s easy method of putting Georgiana at ease. Then, while holding Georgiana’s hand, Elizabeth introduced Mr and Mrs Gardiner. “Not only shall you have five new sisters, Miss Darcy, but also four young cousins,” Mrs Gardiner said, smiling affectionately.
As the butler relieved them of their gloves, coats, and hats, Elizabeth quickly agreed. “Two girls and two boys, and they are all darling.”
While not a man of fashion, Mr Gardiner was tastefully attired and well mannered. Likewise, Mrs Gardiner wore a modest but stylish gown and conducted herself with every civility. From his brief visit with Mrs Gardiner this morning, Darcy surmised that her surliness had been intended to protect Elizabeth; since then, her mood had undergone a vast improvement. He ushered his guests into the sitting parlour and introduced Mrs Annesley and Charles Bingley. He would have preferred to show Elizabeth the town house, especially the mistress’s chambers, but realised that Georgiana needed to spend time with Elizabeth. He would have plenty of time to give her a tour of the house in the coming weeks. For now, he would be content just to have her under his roof.
When a footman announced Colonel Fitzwilliam, Richard strode into the drawing room and made his bow. “Forgive my tardiness, Cousins. I see you have important guests,” he said with a glint in his eyes. Darcy performed the introductions, first to Mr and Mrs Gardiner, then to Elizabeth. Richard expressed his pleasure at making their acquaintance and bowed over Elizabeth’s hand. “One always prefers to be the last to arrive at the party.”
She smirked at Richard’s spirited humour. “Now that you have arrived, Colonel, the party may begin.”
With the evening off to a promising start, Darcy escorted Elizabeth into t
he dining parlour and seated her to his right; Richard claimed the seat next to her. Once the others had selected their seats, Darcy thanked his guests for joining them. “Although we do not yet have Mr Bennet’s consent, I hope you will raise a glass to my future wife.”
After the party had saluted Elizabeth, Mr Gardiner rose to offer his own sentiments to his niece for her health and happiness. “I took the liberty of advising my brother of recent developments. No doubt my sister will approve,” he said with a chuckle.
Darcy nodded his agreement, knowing this betrothal had been Mrs Bennet’s design all along. “I plan to ride to Longbourn in the morning to gain Mr Bennet’s consent.”
“Tell me, Darcy; how did you discover that Miss Elizabeth was in town?” Richard inquired.
“The Bennets’ neighbour Sir William Lucas sent an express.”
Elizabeth’s smile revealed her appreciation. “Sir William does like to be of service. I will have to thank him for his kind gesture.”
“I certainly intend to do so,” Darcy said, holding her hand below the table. Now that he had secured that delicate hand, he had every intention of keeping a firm grip on it whenever possible.
However, he was forced to release her after supper when she joined the ladies in the drawing room. As soon as Darcy had served the port to the gentlemen, Elizabeth’s uncle did not hesitate to express his true opinion. “I need not tell you the misery you have caused, Mr Darcy,” Mr Gardiner said, making no attempt to disguise his annoyance. “Elizabeth deserved far better from you.”
Rightfully chastised, Darcy could not dispute him. “I am keenly aware of my incivility. I beg your pardon, and I assure you that I intend to make my apologies to the Bennets.”
Mr Gardiner maintained his steely glare. “See that you do.”
As usual, Richard interceded on Darcy’s behalf. “You must excuse my cousin, Mr Gardiner. He is not usually so insufferable, but your niece has quite befuddled him.”
The tradesman was not appeased. “My niece shares no part of the blame for that debacle.”
Richard was about to speak, but Darcy held up his hand to silence him. “We are in complete agreement, sir. I will spend the rest of my life proving myself to Elizabeth, and to you and your wife, as well.”
Mr Gardiner shook his head. “That shall not be necessary. I have nothing more to say on the matter, but I believe you will hear much the same from my brother, Bennet,” he said, then sipped his port.
“I should be surprised if I did not,” Darcy said. Mr Gardiner gave a decisive nod of his head and said nothing further.
After an awkward silence, Richard raised his glass. “Shall we drink a toast to Mr Bennet?” Everyone agreed and drank to the gentleman’s health. “I imagine Miss Elizabeth will denounce us for keeping Darcy from her for so long. Should we join the ladies?”
Thankful for his cousin’s intervention, Darcy agreed. While he had survived this condemnation from Elizabeth’s uncle relatively unscathed, he knew he would face far worse once behind closed doors with her father.
***
Any misgivings Elizabeth may have suffered about her reception were instantly put to rest upon her arrival. The moment she entered Darcy House, she found herself in the role of older sister, eager to comfort Miss Darcy. While she had known nothing about the colonel, she enjoyed meeting the well-mannered gentleman who conversed easily and seemed to enjoy teasing his cousins.
During supper, Fitzwilliam held Elizabeth’s hand, frequently asking after her comfort and whispering his delight at having her by his side at his table. Afterwards, when she removed to the drawing room with the ladies, she hoped the men would not linger too long over their drinks. Her only desire was to spend as much time with Darcy as possible.
Georgiana had recovered from her outburst and chatted easily about her studies, especially the pianoforte. “Will you play a duet with me?”
Despite having no proficiency with duets, Elizabeth agreed. “Your accomplishments are highly renowned, so you must forgive my poor skills.”
“My brother must have told you of that, but I assure you, I am a novice.” As they played, Georgiana proved that Elizabeth was the novice, but she kept up as best she could. On the other side of the room, Mrs Gardiner and Mrs Annesley chatted together.
“I’m terribly sorry Fitzwilliam…misspoke when he addressed you,” Georgiana whispered to Elizabeth with a pained look in her eyes.
Poor Georgiana, Elizabeth thought, observing the misty grey air around her. Although Elizabeth had no doubts of Georgiana’s regret of her brother’s first proposal, her feeble attempt to shield Fitzwilliam from disfavour endeared her to Elizabeth even more. Despite knowing that Fitzwilliam had deliberately selected each word of that address, she dismissed his sister’s concerns; he had properly redeemed himself. “That is all forgotten now. I am convinced we are perfectly suited; he is reserved and I am impertinent. ’Tis a perfect match.”
Georgiana released a relieved sigh. “You are so kind. Please tell me about your sisters.”
“You will get on famously with all of them. Jane is an angel who finds something good in everyone. Mary loves the pianoforte as much as you do. Lydia and Kitty are a bit silly but closest to your age.”
“I do so look forward to meeting them.”
“Perhaps we should join Fitzwilliam tomorrow.” Since the reason Elizabeth had left her home no longer existed, there was no need to remain in London.
Georgiana’s eyes flew open wide. “Do you suppose he would allow it?”
“I see no reason why he would not,” she said, then stood to face the other ladies. “Mrs Annesley, what say you to a trip to Hertfordshire?”
The lady considered the possibility for a short moment. “I am not opposed, as long as the weather is favourable, and Mr Darcy approves.” Mrs Annesley assured Mrs Gardiner that she would take Elizabeth in hand during the ride to Longbourn.
“We must all convince him,” Elizabeth said, intending to use every persuasion to her purpose.
When the gentlemen joined them, Elizabeth watched Georgiana summon her brother to her side. “Lizzy and I want to go to Hertfordshire with you.” When he started at her suggestion, she continued. “Mrs Annesley has agreed to accompany us, so there will be no impropriety.”
“I suppose we could stay at the Meryton Inn until Bingley returns to Netherfield,” he said.
Bingley added his opinion on the matter. “I will return on Monday, and you are welcome, whenever you are inclined.”
Elizabeth would not hear of her future sister staying at the inn. “There is more than enough room for Georgiana and Mrs Annesley at Longbourn. Then you may move to Netherfield once Mr Bingley returns, if you wish.”
“Will Miss Bingley be joining you?” Georgiana asked Bingley in a timid voice.
Bingley shook his head. “My sisters prefer London society, but they will be disappointed to have missed you.”
Although Elizabeth observed no deception in Bingley’s statement, she knew that the only disappointment they suffered was that Georgiana would not be their sister.
“When you return home, please give my best regards to your sister. I look forward to seeing her on Monday,” Bingley said to Elizabeth with a hopeful gaze.
Elizabeth assured him she would deliver his message and that Jane would be happy to hear it.
“We will not forget,” Fitzwilliam said, smirking at his friend.
Bingley’s eager smile vanished. “Darcy refers to my neglect to deliver his message to you when I visited Longbourn last month. I was supposed to relay his regards, but I was so taken with your sister, it flew right out of my head,” he said, his brows drawn together.
Although Elizabeth would have loved to have received Fitzwilliam’s message that day, she could not bear to see Bingley disheartened. “You may now consider your errand faithfully discharged,” she said, to which he immediately brightened.
When Georgiana summoned her brother to the pianoforte, the colonel sat beside Elizabeth
to listen to the performance. “I am relieved that my cousin has regained your good graces,” he said in a quiet voice.
“I suppose you must have heard the story of his first proposal.”
The colonel nodded gravely. “Since Darcy gained his majority, he has been hounded by fortune hunters and matchmakers. He has spent so much time fending them off, he was unprepared to play the suitor.”
“I understand you played a part in preparing him for his visit to Gracechurch Street.” Fitzwilliam had confessed as much earlier that morning.
“I am always at Darcy’s disposal, whenever he needs me.”
“Are you his tutor?” she inquired, regarding him with an arch smile.
He laughed. “Of a sort, I suppose. He is capable of expressing himself with people he knows well. I advised him that if he would like to know you well, he ought not to offend you again.”
“I believe he has learned his lesson.”
“At least he got rid of Wickham.”
She stared straight ahead, allowing no trace of surprise to cross her face. “I thought he had something to do with Wickham’s departure.” However, unlike her father, she had not suspected Fitzwilliam’s involvement in the least.
The colonel kept his voice low. “Yes, I found a regiment for him, and Darcy paid the commission. It was well worth it to see Wickham out of the way.”
Elizabeth could not agree more. “Indeed, although my father’s dogs have not had as much enjoyment since he has gone.”
He laughed heartily. “Wickham told us. I look forward to meeting your father.”
While Elizabeth listened to the music, she marvelled at the story. Darcy had seen to Wickham’s removal, after all. “I wonder if I might request your assistance, Colonel,” she said as the music came to a crescendo.
“Anything you desire, my fair lady.”
***
Exchanging places with Darcy at the pianoforte, Richard begged Georgiana to play his favourite piece, and she obliged. Relieved to be close to Elizabeth again, Darcy sat next to her on the sofa while they listened to the music.
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