Chapter 23
The next several evenings saw an occurrence of similar dinners, without any reference to marriage by Lady Catherine though she did shrewdly watch both her nephew and her niece. Georgiana took Anne's words to heart and praised her brother at every opportunity, resulting in Elizabeth reevaluating her cherished ill opinion of him. Darcy also took evey opportunity to engage Elizabeth in conversation, making sure to not make his ever growing admiration known, per her father's wishes. Their former disagreements turned into friendly debates, yet for Darcy it was torture. The object of his affections and daydreams remained unaware of his love for her as he fell deeper in love. Elizabeth assummed that he only extended the effort now to be more engaging because he was her cousin. He looked at her as much as ever, but Elizabeth could only assume he sought to determine if she shared features with her relations.
Elizabeth was pleased to be allowed the opportunity to see the Gardiners during the week. A note had been sent inviting them to call at Matlock House. They did and despite Lady Catherine's overbearing advice, Mrs. Gardiner maintained her polite manners and Mr. Gardiner impressed the gentleman with his forbearance and gentleman like conduct. The visit was deemed a success and Elizabeth made plans to go forth to Gracechurch street to visit her younger cousins.
She was a tad surprised when Georgiana and Anne asked to join her and received permission. It was with relief though that she found out Lady Catherine did not intend to accompany them, Darcy did though and she worried what he would think, since he had not been present for the Gardiners call. Her worries proved needless though. Her aunt engaged him in a conversation about Derbyshire, particularly Lambton. Upon Mr. Gardiner's arrival it turned out both were avid fishermen and found much to discuss. What Elizabeth was unaware of was that Georgiana had prepped her brother, telling him the Gardiners were wonderful and some of Elizabeth's favorite people. She had alerted her brother to the Lambton connection, knowing he enjoyed speaking of their home.
While Darcy did his best to queitly court Elizabeth's good opinion the pair increasingly came under the scrutiny of Lady Catherine. Unwilling to think of her newly returned niece as her foe, she was yet unable to help herself from attempting to interrogate Elizabeth and sus out any weakness. She questioned Elizabeth on how she was brought up, the Bennets allowing all the daughters out at once, the lack of governess and ultimately Elizabeth's accomplishments. With each sallie from Lady Catherine Elizabeth answered back with twinkling eyes and growing mirth. Lady Catherine begrudgingly found herself growing fonder of her young relation. Her true fondness was sealed though when she tackled Elizabeth's drawing abilities, or rather lack there of.
"None of you draw?" Lady Catherine demanded her chin elevating.
"Nary a one," Elizabeth responded cheekily.
"How can this Mrs. Bennet expect to land any sort of husband for her daughters with such paltry accomplishments? And she has done a disservice to you as well. You are expected to represent the Fitzwilliam name when you make your curtsy to the ton and you show an unfortunate lack of accomplishments for a healthy young woman. What in heaven is to be done? Particularly at this late date in your life? You are naturally expected to marry well, but if a gentleman inquires of your accomplishments, he will be sorely disappointed."
"I shall simply speak the words of wisdom of my aunt, If I would have learnt, I would have been a great proficient. I think that shall serve rather well, don't you my lady?" Elizabeth asked grinning.
"Hmrph," Lady Catherine grunted but a smile peeked around her lips recognizing her own words.
"I find Elizabeth not lacking in any accomplishments, Aunt," Darcy said as he made his way into the sitting room with James, having overheard part of the conversation. ""She is perfection as she is."
"I'll thank you to keep your unasked for opinions to yourself, nephew," Lady Catherine responded testily.
"Unasked for opinions? Darcy?" James asked with mock inncoence. "Does a Fitzwilliam ever give any sort of unasked for opinion? Impossible."
"I am a Darcy, not a Fitzwilliam," Darcy reminded him rolling his eyes.
"You have the noble blood of the Fitzwilliams in you," Lady Catherine reprimanded him.
"And therefore his opinions must always be wanted, unasked for or not, Aunt Catherine?" James responded slyly.
"Well that explains it," Elizabeth said cutting in. "I believe Aunt Catherine earlier pointed out I give my opinions freely for one so young. I may now simply accept it as part of my Fitzwilliam nature and cease fighting it. I apologize, Aunt. I mistook your comment for censure, when you meant it has praise. Thank you."
Lady Catherine laughed at this and with a weary shake of her head, said, "I begin to fear I will never win with you, my girl. Darcy attend your cousin Anne. She has been pinning for your particular company. It has been to long since you attended us at Rosings. I expect you to be more dilligent in visting Kent."
"Perhaps Richard and I can entice Cousin Elizabeth to join us for our next scheduled visit in the spring," Darcy remarked meeting his Aunt's eyes.
"That would be excellent, Lizzy!" Anne exclaimed. "Darcy could show you many of the walking paths in the park. Kent is afterall considered the garden of England."
"I would be pleased to," Darcy said a smile crossing his features as he met Elizabeth's gaze.
