Making Matches

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Part One: Autumn

Chapter Five: The Garden

The next time Mr Darcy calls upon the residents of Longbourn, he is accompanied by Mr Bingley, affable, amiable, and entirely enraptured by Jane. Grandmother Grafton is predictably irate with their presence, Aunt Francine is rather beside herself, unsure of whether or not she ought to approve of Mr Bingley's suit, and it does not take long for Elizabeth and Mr Darcy, Jane and Mr Bingley to retreat to the welcome refuge of Longbourn's carefully maintained gardens.

Though the weather is cool, the Autumn sky is clear, and Elizabeth welcomes the opportunity to take in the clean, country air in Mr Darcy's quietly engaging company. Mr Bingley and Jane meander ahead of them - though out of Elizabeth's range of hearing - and Mary, in her stead as chaperone, makes herself comfortable on a shaded garden bench. There, she is unobtrusive in her chaperonage, and for the moment, there is nowhere else Elizabeth would rather be.

That is, at least, until Mr Darcy raises a subject Elizabeth would sooner avoid.

"I must confess, I am rather unaccustomed to the disapproval of London's matrons," Mr Darcy informs Elizabeth, "Her Grace's displeasure is a novel experience, though a rather discomforting one. Have I offended her in some fashion?"

Elizabeth sighs, weary but resigned. "It is not you, personally, though I do apologise for her behaviour. She has not forgiven your family for Amelia Darcy's transgressions."

Mr Darcy frowns, discomforted. "I understand her conduct was shameful, but I had not realised society still held my family accountable for her actions. It has been decades."

"Society does not," Elizabeth clarifies, "By all accounts, your conduct - and that of your father's - is beyond reproach. Before my grandmother married my grandfather, however, she was Lady Sarah Osborne. The Duke of Leeds is her nephew."

Mr Darcy needs no further explanation, though the enlightenment is hardly a comfort. "And it all becomes clear. Does his Grace share in his mother's opinion? Have I any hope?"

"Sir?"

They walk on in silence for a stretch. Mr Darcy gathers his thoughts, Elizabeth waits, and her heart rapidly thunders inside her breast.

The wait seems endless.

"I have called on you often these passed weeks."

"You have," Elizabeth agrees, and adds, tentatively, "I have enjoyed your calls."

"As have I." Mr Darcy offers her a smile, though the expression is fleeting. "Lady Elizabeth, if you allowed it, I would court you with the intention to earn your hand in marriage, but if your father should disapprove of my suit, I would not be the cause of strife within your family. No more than I have already been, at least."

With regard to one's life partner, it is an unfortunate reality that Elizabeth, Mr Darcy, and their respective families must consider more than just affection, esteem, and complimentary hopes, dreams, and wishes for the future. In their society, it is customary that Mr Darcy would approach her father to discuss an alliance long before he ever approached Elizabeth, but matters are complicated by the reality that Elizabeth is not presently in her father's care.

Elizabeth assumes - correctly, she will later learn - that Mr Darcy has already sought her uncle's consent to pay his suit, but given that the man is the Duke of Grafton, respect and consideration for her father's opinion is no trifling matter.

All the same, Elizabeth receives Mr Darcy's declaration with no small degree of pleasure. To have the attention of an estimable gentleman such as Mr Darcy? Well, it is surely something.

"I understand, but you need not be concerned. My father will not begrudge you your relatives. If he did, he would have protested my brother's friendship with you long ago."

That aside, her father and his cousin, the Duke of Leeds, are not on good terms, and the strain in their relationship has only been exacerbated by Lord Carmarthen's (the Duke of Leeds' son and heir) determined pursuit of Elizabeth (and her dowry) throughout Elizabeth's first (and thus far only) season in town. As such, Elizabeth's father would not disregard Alistair's friend - and Elizabeth's prospective suitor - out of a misguided sense of loyalty to a cousin that he esteems little.

Such a reality is not one Grandmother Grafton is prepared to accept.

The gentleman huffs a laugh. "That is reassuring."

Surrounded by Longbourn's carefully maintained autumn flowers, they walk another stretch of the garden paths in silence, and still, Elizabeth's heart drums a rapid beat inside her breast. Ahead of them, Mr Bingley speaks with animation, and Jane listens attentively.

Elizabeth watches the pair for a time, unable to determine Jane's thoughts of Mr Bingley's attention, and as she does so, she also contemplates courage.

"Mr Darcy?"

"My Lady?"

"I would welcome your courtship, sir."

It is not a decision Elizabeth makes on a whim, but one she has carefully considered since she first encountered Mr Darcy in Hertfordshire. It is a decision she makes, not because of the perceived advantages such a connection would bring her family, and not because Mr Darcy will be one of the wealthiest gentlemen in England when he inherits his father's solvent estate, but because she has grown to enjoy the gentleman's company, because she appreciates their conversations, and respects his insight and intellect. It is a decision she makes because she believes they may be compatible as life partners, and she wants to know him better - beyond the constraints of morning calls, that is - to determine if her assumption is correct. A courtship exists for that very purpose.

Elizabeth does not love Mr Darcy - not yet - but given time, she is sure she will. He is proud - perhaps overly so - and awkward in company, but he is good, and gentle, and kind. Her brothers respect him. He cares for his family. He is a dutiful son, a devoted brother, and a considerate friend. How can she not fall in love with such a man?

Mr Darcy stops abruptly, right in the middle of the garden path. His gaze on Elizabeth is intent, and nervous, and hopeful. "You would?"

Elizabeth smiles. "I would be glad to."

"You honour me, my Lady."

"The honour is mine, Mr Darcy."

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