A/N: This chapter brings us back to London. The one-upmanship begins! I attributed a quote to Richard that I believe is from Ruth Hopkins and of course everyone recognizes Shakespeare!
Darcy slept almost the entire way to London. He was exhausted by the events of the past couple days. He refused to think about what Elizabeth's reaction would be to her father's consent. He would think about it tomorrow. He longed for a bath, his own bed and some peace and quiet. Luck however was not on his side and he was not to retire with expediency. As soon as he entered Darcy House he was met in the foyer by his sister, Georgiana.
"Brother, it is so good to see you. Did you cut your trip to Rosings Park short? I did not expect to see you for at least another fortnight." Georgiana exclaimed as she drew him into a warm embrace.
"My plans changed, my dear." Darcy replied. "How have you been? Are you keeping up with your studies? How is Mrs. Annesley?"
"Everything is well brother. Ms. Annesley is very happy with my progress in French and you know how I enjoy practicing my music. You look so tired. Can I order some refreshments for you?" she asked him sweetly.
"Yes, thank you dearest. I will change my attire and meet you in your music room in a half hour. Perhaps you can play something soothing. I am in great need of some relaxation." Darcy answered.
After changing he proceeded to the music room and enjoyed tea with his sister. She fluttered on about her studies, shopping and visits with her friends from school. Just listening to her gentle, uncomplicated expressions of delight improved his mood immensely.
"Georgiana, I must tell you something." he said gravely.
"What is wrong brother." she asked.
"Nothing is wrong. It is good news. I am to be married." Darcy replied.
Georgiana paled at his announcement. "Congratulations brother," she replied quietly without much enthusiasm. "I wish you and Cousin Anne much happiness."
Now understanding the reason for her reticence, he assured her at once. "No, Georgie, I am not betrothed to Cousin Anne."
Georgiana let a sigh of relief and smiled. "Forgive my rudeness brother but I never thought you and Anne suited. I assumed Lady Catherine finally succeeded in forcing the issue. But wait, if not Cousin Anne, then who? Oh my goodness, please tell me it is not Miss Bingley?" she asked horrified.
"No, no, no, my dear. Do you think I have lost my senses?" Darcy chuckled. "My affianced is Miss Bennet of Hertfordshire. I made her acquaintance originally when I traveled to Meryton to see Bingley. Her father's estates abuts Netherfield. We then renewed our acquaintance in Hunsford. She was visiting her cousin, Lady Catherine's parson. Richard met her as well as was rather impressed with her wit." Darcy answered with a smile.
"I believe you briefly mentioned her in your letters while you were at Netherfield. Please brother, tell me all about her. I have always longed for a sister and if you and Richard both hold her in esteem I am sure she is wonderful." Georgiana said with a huge smile.
"She is beautiful, sensible and intelligent. She has a wonderful sense of humor. She has four sisters herself and treats them all with care. I am sure you will get along well." Darcy replied. He wondered that he included sensible in his description of Elizabeth in view of her recent behavior.
"Then I shall not be happy until I have met her. Is she in town?" the young girl asked.
"She is in town at the home of her aunt and uncle. Unfortunately, her sister has been very ill so we may have to wait a few days before we call. As soon as it is feasible I will introduce you to your future sister." Darcy said. Silently he added, hopefully she will not throw things at me if I bring you along.
At the Gardiner's house things were returning to normal. Jane was improving but still remained upstairs. Mr. Bingley had called two days in a row bringing huge bouquets of flowers and boxes of chocolates for Jane and toys for the Gardiner children. He was not allowed to see Jane but spent his time trying to charm Elizabeth and the Gardiners. They were still wary of him but his unassuming personality was softening them a bit. Jane received the gifts happily and sent him messages of thanks through her sister. She was not ready to see him but did appreciate his behavior to her family.
On the fourth day after her arrival, Elizabeth was summoned to her uncle's study. She stood at the door apprehensively. She knew her uncle wanted to speak with her about her journey to London and did not know how to explain to his satisfaction.
"Uncle you wished to see me?" Elizabeth said as she took a seat in front of his desk.
"I called you here to wish you joy on your rather unconventional engagement Elizabeth. I was very surprised that you did not inform Jane, your aunt of myself of your upcoming nuptials." Mr. Gardiner replied.
Elizabeth turned bright red. "Uncle, you jest. I am not engaged. Whatever would give you that idea?" she dissembled with a shaking voice.
"Well your finance, Mr. Darcy, gave me the glad tidings when he delivered you to my doorstep after a six hour, unchaperoned carriage ride. Are you telling me he did not ask you to marry him?" he asked warily.
"Oh, Uncle I am sorry for my artifice. I was praying he did not mention anything to you. He did propose and I accepted in a way but under duress. I only said yes so he would bring Bingley back to Jane. I have no intention of marrying him. I had no idea he would be in that carriage. He manipulated the entire situation. I refused him with vehemence only the day prior. He means to totally take away my choice in the matter." Elizabeth replied angrily.
"He obviously did not share some very pertinent information with me. But the fact remains that you were still unchaperoned for a long period of time and you agreed to marry him. He did not lie to me but certainly misrepresented the facts." he replied gravely.
"But uncle, please, no one knows. I will make sure no one finds out. Please don't force me to marry him." Elizabeth said with tears in her eyes.
"Elizabeth, I really don't know how to proceed. By all that is proper you should marry him but if you are so passionately against the union it gives me pause. You are normally a good judge of character. Tell me is he a violent man? Does he mistreat those around him? How does he treat his family? Does he drink, gamble?" Mr. Gardiner asked.
Elizabeth did not want to answer honestly. She wanted to paint him in the most horrible light that she could but could not countenance lying again to her uncle. "Sir, I have not seen any violent tendencies. He is not prone to drink or gaming. From what I have heard he is a responsible and loving guardian to his younger sister." she replied with a frown.
"Then what are your objections? He is not an unattractive man. He seems quite intelligent as well. Obviously, he can afford to support you in a manner far above what you are used to. Does he object to your habits? Is he opposed to educated women who enjoy reading and debates? Will he curtail your rambles and cultural pursuits?" Gardiner asked.
"I don't believe so sir. We have had many arguments, excuse me debates, regarding literature in the past. I believe he approves of well-read women." she answered honestly.
"Then tell me Elizabeth was is your opposition to the match? Many women would jump at the chance to be Mrs. Darcy of Pemberley." he added.
"Of course they would!" she shrieked. "He has informed me of that himself. He is a smug, arrogant, hateful man who thinks he is above any company. He is selfish and demands his own way regardless of the feeling of others. He insults ladies publicly with impunity. He is the last man in the world I would ever marry! I don't care how handsome he is!" Elizabeth replied with more vitriol than she had ever displayed in front of her uncle.
Mr. Gardiner knew this wasn't a time for levity but the quote "The lady doth protest too much, methinks", entered his head but he wisely refrained from sharing his thoughts. "Elizabeth, I know you have always wished for a marriage based on love. It is an admirable goal but not always a practical one. I would hate to take away your choice but this is a tangled mess. The man clearly wants to marry you. He is not a villain." Gardner added.
"Yes, he is!" Elizabeth retorted. "He refused to provide a clerical living to his father's godson all due to his spite and jealously of the man. He completely reneged on a bequest in his own father's will. He reduced the man to becoming a officer in the militia."
"That is a serious charge, Elizabeth. Do you have any proof?" Mr. Gardiner asked.
"Yes, from the mouth of the man he wronged and the man himself. He practically bragged of his heartless behavior." Elizabeth almost spit.
"He came out and said he ignored a bequest in his father's will?" Gardiner asked.
"No, but I laid the charge at his feet and he did not deny it. He just tried to malign Mr. Wickham's character. I know he is guilty of the act.!" She cried out fervidly.
The name Wickham rang a bell far in the recess of his memory but he could not make a connection at the moment. "Elizabeth I am your acting guardian whilst you are living in my home but I cannot make a significant decision like this on my own, especially considering your objections. I will consult your father and we will decide what to do. Perhaps Mr. Darcy will withdraw the offer after such an inauspicious start to your engagement." Gardiner offered.
Elizabeth felt hope for the first time in four days. Yes, if he withdraws the offer and no one finds out about the carriage ride she would be saved. "Uncle, perhaps he will withdraw. One can only hope and I will help him along that path", she added almost maliciously. "As long as my mother does not learn of this situation I may be spared. Yes, send a letter to my father and describe the particulars. I am sure he will support me in this and between the three of us we can figure out a way to end this inanity." she said with a smile.
"Alright my dear. We will leave things alone for the moment and I will write to your father. Please relax. I am sure all will work out for the best. Go and spend some time with your sister." Mr. Gardiner replied.
"Uncle, will you tell my aunt of this situation?" Elizabeth asked nervously.
"I must Elizabeth. Keeping secrets is injurious to a marriage. She may be able to provide you with some useful advice. I value your aunt's opinion. She often sees things from a different perspective than I and it has always proven helpful.
"My aunt is a lucky woman to have you sir," Elizabeth said with a smile.
Will you tell Jane?" her uncle asked.
"Not presently, she needs more time to recover from her own torment before learning of mine. If the situation worsens I will speak with her. For now, I want her to focus on her own improvement." Elizabeth answered.
Mr. Darcy was becoming more and more apprehensive as the days passed. It had been a week since he had brought Elizabeth to her uncle's home. He knew he should call at the Gardiner's but was unsure of his reception. In his worst imaginings, his visit resembled a lurid chapter of a Gothic novel. Surely Elizabeth had spoken to her uncle by now. He did not know enough about their relationship to know if they would be candid with one another regarding their journey to town. Doctor Peterson reported to him that Miss Bennet was doing well so that excuse would not be valid for much longer. He also was waiting for Mr. Bennet to show up on his doorstop. Three days had passed and he had heard nothing.
Darcy feared the unknown. The tense feeling in his stomach was returning. Elizabeth's father had mentioned that she may be trying to plot her way out of the marriage. He also thought that perhaps her father may change his mind regarding his consent. It was imperative to his well-being that nothing would stop the marriage. He would put his mind at ease then he would worry about rebuilding broken bridges. What was that quote he had heard Richard use in the past, "It is often easier to ask for forgiveness than ask for permission." In this case, Richard seemed to have the right of it. He would head over to the newspaper office at once and have the announcement of their engagement put in tomorrow's paper.
Elizabeth was having a wonderful day. Jane had finally been allowed to come downstairs. Although, thin she was slowly returning to her old self. She had color in her cheeks and her smiles were genuine. Mr. Bingley had called every day and was becoming a fixture in the Gardiner's parlor. She had agreed to greet him this day and he had promised Mr. Gardiner he would not stay past five minutes and would say nothing to upset her.
Bingley arrived with another huge bouquet of flowers. The parlor was beginning to look like a hot house. His smile upon seeing Miss Bennet was heart felt. She smiled back and her countenance seemed to glow upon seeing him. He gave Jane the roses and asked after her health. Jane replied pleasantly and Elizabeth was happy to hear that she did not inquire after the health of his sisters. He left promptly as he had promised but not before asking for permission to call again tomorrow. Jane acquiesced as did Mrs. Gardiner and he took his leave.
The family sat in the parlor and attended their own business. Elizabeth did not want to force Jane to speak of Mr. Bingley. Jane seemed happy and relaxed which was enough for her at present. Elizabeth took up a newspaper and was perusing the announcements when she let out a shrill scream worthy of Mrs. Bennet.