Chapter 11 Point of View

"Dear, Lizzy! I hate to part from you while this is still unresolved between us."

Elizabeth regarded her once beloved aunt. The faith she had in humankind had somehow crumbled by the deceit of her Gardiner relations. It matters not that Jane had reconciled with her long lost love.

"Would you hear me out?"

Elizabeth nodded, she felt she owed her that much.

"Georgiana has just turned six and ten, has she not?"

"Yes?"

"Imagine her a year ago, when she was five and ten. She reminds me of Jane at five and ten. Beautiful and accomplished but cripplingly shy and timid. How old is Colonel Fitzwilliam?"

"A year or two older than Mr Darcy, I believe."

"We will have to imagine him a few years younger as I believe Colonel Brandon was when we encountered him at the assembly in London. A younger brother of Mr Gardiner's business associate.

Like Miss Darcy, Jane was very reserved but this, more mature soldier, seemed to be the only one who could draw her out of her shell. Like Colonel Fitzwilliam appears in company with Miss Darcy.

He was to be deplored in a month. You must remember that India was a very unrestful place, the peace after the second Maratha war was fragile.

Jane was so much younger than Lieutenant Ford as he was called then. I never thought it would come to anything when he asked to call but I thought Jane might benefit from the attention. Drawing her out of her shell and give her some much needed confidence. As it turned out, Jane did not need any aid. She has matured and grown into composure and poise but in those difficult years, not a child, not yet a woman, Jane's struggle with her confidence was painful to watch.

They got along but there was no outward appearance of any serious attachment on either side. When Lieutenant Ford came to ask permission to court Jane, we were both, Mr Gardiner and I, taken aback. In retrospect, we did not handle it very well. We knew he was about to embark on a dangerous journey and Jane, Jane was so young. I thought it most cruel that a five and ten year old girl should sit and wait, quite possibly for years for a gentleman that may never return. It was I who decided to tell Jane that Colonel Brandon had not asked for any formal understanding between them. I thought it too cruel to give her hope and while away her youth by a never-ending holdup, waiting in vain for a man that may never return. I misjudged the bond between them, I did not anticipate the despair that descended on Jane but I did when Mr Bingley left. Jane hides it well but she has a depth of feeling that is both a blessing and a curse. I had more hope this time. I believed Mr Bingley to have been persuaded by his sisters and friend to leave Netherfield. That if Mr Bingley knew Jane was in town, he would seek her out. I understand that he did not know... Well, it is all water under the bridge now I suppose but I urge you to think, Elizabeth. If in my position, what would you have done?"

"I honestly do not know."

Elizabeth thought about Georgiana but not with Colonel Fitzwilliam, she thought of her relationship with Mr Wickham which Mrs Gardiner knew nothing about. How horrible she had thought that the older man had taken advantage of Georgiana. The age gap was one of the things she had thought particularly distasteful.

Begrudgingly she admitted to herself that she had misjudged her aunt's intentions.

"I owe you an apology, aunt. I was too quick to judge you before I knew all the facts. A failing of mine I am trying to rectify but have some way to go yet."

"I do not need any apologies, Elizabeth. I just wanted you to understand that my intentions were perhaps not as nefarious as you thought. I had no malicious motives, yet I erred."

Elizabeth moved to speak but her aunt stalled her.

"Sometimes, there are no villains yet circumstances leave us destitute. I am more grateful than you can imagine, that fate did not work to separate you from your Mr Darcy. I expect you to have a long and happy life together, everyone with eyes can see the connection, the bond that you share with him. Treasure it, Elizabeth. Think twice before you judge him, even if he vexes you greatly. Try to imagine the matter from his point of view."

"Thank you, it is probably the best advice anyone has given me. You know me so well aunt. You know my strengths and weaknesses, I will not squander away Mr Darcy's regard."

"I never thought you would..."

XxX

Jane's wedding to Colonel Brandon had delayed their departure from town by another week, leaving them in the difficult situation of having to attend Mr Bingley's wedding to Miss Marianne Dashwood which had turned even more awkward. He was Mr Darcy's dearest friend but Elizabeth dreaded the event regardless.

Miss Bingley sidled up at her side after the breakfast. The ceremony had been lovely, Miss Marianne radiated happiness and Mr Bingley wore a constant smile of contentment. It had all worked out for the best but Elizabeth could not help but believe it would be best to make sure the Bingleys never visited Pemberley at the same time as the Brandons...

"She is a beautiful bride, is she not? And so accomplished on the pianoforte, her voice is absolutely divine."

Elizabeth nodded, she had never heard Mrs Bingley play or sing before but she was glad, for Mrs Bingley's sake that Miss Bingley was favourably inclined towards her new sister. With both Ferrars brothers married, they were no longer an incentive. The song Mrs Bingley played reminded her of times gone by. Weep You No More Sad Fountains had been a favourite of Jane's, she sang it often at small parties or at home in the evenings. It had been seven years since she had last heard it...

Miss Bingley's improved civilities soon became apparent as Mrs Dashwood, the stepbrother's wife not the mother, joined them. It was clear by the familiarity between them that they were newly minted bosom friends. Miss Bingley being Mrs Dashwood's new project on the marriage mart. She prided herself in being somewhat of a matchmaker, elevating her dear friends by finding them their perfect match. Elizabeth silently wondered why she had done nothing for her own family while meddling with others. It was a conundrum to ponder another day though, her husband was approaching in long strides, rescuing her from a tedious conversation.

"You look fatigued, Elizabeth. I believe it is time for us to leave."

Elizabeth acquiesced without protests which increased Mr Darcy's concerns by a tenfold but he refrained from feeling her forehead until they were safely ensconced in the privacy of their carriage.

"I am perfectly well, Fitzwilliam. I am weary of town is all, I long for the tranquillity of Pemberley."

"Just four more days, a wedding and we will be on our way north."