Chapter 34

23rd December 1811

'Darcy? A Darcy from Derbyshire? You are not speaking in earnest, are you? He-he… is one of the most sought-after bachelors in the ton!' Mrs. Gardiner exclaimed hearing Elizabeth's account. Elizabeth's eyes widened upon hearing this. 'Don't you read the papers?'

In their faithful correspondence, the girls had only mentioned Mr. Bingley and his friend. Elizabeth did not feel ready to share her feelings and heartache in a letter – it was difficult to live it, let alone write about it; therefore, Mrs. Gardiner heard about the details only when it was Elizabeth's turn to talk to her aunt. Then Elizabeth poured her heart out.

What a difference a day could make though! The tone of her recital was very much different knowing that Mr. Darcy had returned to the neighbourhood.

She felt whole again.

'I-I have never thought of him like that. Of course, I knew he was part of the ton, but… I just never considered… What is he doing with me?' She felt uncertain all of a sudden.

'And does he really fancy you? Oh, Elizabeth, just think. Pemberley would be your home! It is the most beautiful house, oh, and the gardens! Lizzy, you could be lost in them for days!'

'Well, I do not know about fancying, but I think he has feelings for me. I hope…' She shook her head, 'Just like I have for him.' She added the last with a demure smile.

'Do you love him?'

'I-I do not know. I think that is maybe too early to say, but I was miserable when he left. When we said goodbye, I felt a part of me had left with him. It was painful. After… it felt like the night would never lift. I tried not to show, but all I did was remember the short time we had had.

Now that he is here… I do not want to assume anything, but my heart knows joy. Do I make sense?' Her aunt smiled. 'He had told me before and now as well that he did not want to leave. He said that he went to his home in Derbyshire. He said he could always think there more clearly… now he is back. When he left, he did not plan to come back.'

'Oh, dear child. Your Mr. Darcy seems like he cannot stay away. I may understand how you feel, you know. When my Edward and I fell in love, he had already lived in London. Those two months he spent in the area was about creating business contacts. It found us develop feelings for each other. Then, he left. He was not ready financially to take a wife, he could not make me an offer. It was dreadful when he left. I could not eat; I could not sleep. After about three months he sent a letter saying that if I could put up with his circumstances, he would like me to join him. That was the best day of my life. He could not live without me it seemed.' She smiled in her memory. 'Those beginning years were our happiest as we built his business.'

'Oh, now I remember. Yes, what a tale! It is the epitome of romance! I would love to have a marriage like yours.' She enthused.

'Well, if he came back on his own volition, you might just may.'

Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner had arrived shortly after noon. The whole Bennet family met them outside despite the cold. They were usual welcome guests for Christmas. The couple were always glad to get away from London for a few days and be among adults. The children would spend Christmas in London; summer was a better time for them to let them loose on Longbourn.

Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner was glad to be led inside shortly and sit by the fire for a while. Hot tea was served to them immediately. The whole family, including Mr. Bennet, surrounded them.

Christmas had begun for the Bennet family.

Mr. Gardiner was happy to see his sister, Mrs. Bennet. She used to mother Edward when he was little. Well, to be honest, he was spoilt by both his elder sisters. Although he moved away, they were faithful correspondents and saw each other two or three times every year. He had a kind, unassuming, and benevolent nature. The Netherfield ladies would have had difficulty in believing that a man who lived by trade, and within view of his own warehouses, could have been so well-bred and agreeable.

Mr. Bennet and Mr. Gardiner closeted themselves in Mr. Bennet's book room after meeting everyone, having had a hot drink, and having refreshed in the guest room. Mr. Gardiner liked that room. He had created something similar in his own study based on what he saw there. It was the cosiest place with its many shelves heavy with titles of every kind – Mr. Bennet had somewhat of an eclectic taste –; the fireplace was subtly ornate, and it let the fire take centre stage. Last but not least, the comfortable armchairs with the small soft footstools to keep the feet elevated just right were so inviting that one would never wanted to leave.

Mr. Gardiner brought up the question of the girls' dowries.

'Thomas, I have to say you have managed to surprise me. I had to read your letter twice to realize what you were saying. You made me, no, you made everybody think you had done nothing for the girls.' Mr. Bennet shrugged.

'Nobody really asked me. You all just assumed. It is nobody's business anyway. Also, it is not so much that I did anything. I just let the money accumulate. I know I am not a good master, but maybe not a bad one either. My father had explained the importance of having a cushion if we fall, so I made sure that I put money aside for that very reason. It was not needed often thankfully, so it made it possible to share it between the girls. I will sweeten the deal by providing a hundred pounds to all of my married daughters per annum as well.'

'You-you what? Why that-that is very generous.' Mr. Bennet waved his hand in protest.

'It is less than they cost me a year now. It just will give them a little bit of extra. That is for when I am alive. It will seize after that.'

'Still, that will help them quite well.'

'I have had a talk with everyone. All the girls know what they can expect. They are at an age when anything can happen. I have put time restrictions on the access of the dowries. It affects the younger girls only. Maybe I did well there, as Lydia may have hurried to get married otherwise.'

'That was well done. Both talking to them and the timing as I proposed I take it.' Bennet nodded.

'You have surprised me with your gift to Jane and Elizabeth as well. Now, that is generous. I cannot thank you enough.'

'Well, my business has been a success. We could afford it. Having the girls with us from time to time was a gift in itself. As I wrote, I just used your money to invest it for them.'

'I wish I had invested with you… Is it too late to do that? I could put aside a hundred a year for that.'

'It is never too late. The interest that I can afford to pay on investment is double the standard rate of four percent. Often more.'

'I am not very good at these things. Would you say it would be worth investing some of Fanny's dowry with you?'

'There is always a risk with investment. My track record shows that I am a pretty safe investment though. Maybe take a small portion of it to invest initially. If you see that it works, you can increase it, if something goes very wrong then you did not lose much.'

'All right, I will let you by the time you leave. Now, wait until I tell you about what I have arranged with Collins…'

Mrs. Gardiner, who was several years younger than Mrs. Bennet, was an amiable, intelligent, elegant woman, and a great favourite with all her Longbourn nieces. She happily greeted everybody, and she had special hugs for Jane and Elizabeth.

Mrs. Gardiner's first order of business was to distribute their gifts as Lydia and Catherine were seemingly impatient. She indulged them. When to do it if not for Christmas? Mary looked forward to receiving their gift as well as it always suited her; they were ever so thoughtful. Once this was done, and everybody was admiring their gift, and all her knowledge on the current London fashions was communicated, she sat back for the rest of the day and spent it listening to the Bennet ladies one or two at a time. In a household full of women there were always a lot of happenings that were in desperate need of a caring audience.

First, she listened to Lydia and Kitty telling her about their new hat designs. As the conversation progressed, the girls told her about the militia stationing in the area, but also that they had learnt about what their lot would be if they wanted them as husbands. The girls explained in great detail that they had changed their minds about it. Unfortunately, it looked like they would have to learn a few things to appeal to gentlemen. Especially now that they had some dowry, they could not marry a penniless soldier, no matter how good they looked in their uniform.

Mrs. Gardiner first was so shocked to hear the girls talking about the issue of marriage in such a practical and mature way that it took her some time to respond. When she started to speak though she could not praise the girls enough.

The idea occurred to her to take them to London for a while to give this new resolution a push in a new environment. Like a gift. She would have to talk to their parents.

Mrs. Gardiner went back to her room to have a few minutes to herself and to change for dinner. Apparently, she would meet the master of Pemberley himself that very evening. She was a bit apprehensive about that. What a piece of news! Elizabeth. She was a clever and passionate girl. She was not surprised that she would be noticed by someone important. Though she lived a sheltered life, she could learn quickly and she had the nature that could turn the ton's head. She was sweet but she could be sharply sarcastic: a perfect weapon against the ton. Still, it was difficult to comprehend that the Fitzwilliam Darcy of Derbyshire would want to court their Lizzy from Longbourn. She knew Elizabeth had no idea just how rich the man was. In her opinion, his wealth must be much more than ten thousand a year. Pemberley itself must bring in that amount alone if not more. The estate was more than ten miles in diameter and included several villages. The man was revered as the best landlord and even more innovative than his father used to be. She imagined as Lizzy would see the building of Pemberley for the first time. She might swoon, she chuckled to herself.

When she was ready, she joined Fanny in her room while she was getting ready, too. If she was shocked by all the revelations of the girls, she was doubly surprised by the changes that had happened since they last saw each other.

'It actually happened quite suddenly… I think it was the fact that Mr. Darcy showed interest in my work. It seemed to matter to him. He almost acted jealously. He has been making an effort with the girls and me. Would you know, we spend more and more time together! He has several times invited me into his book room to just talk. We have tea together again. And we go for walks, even in this cold weather… And his visits have increased.' She crimsoned. 'I cannot get over the news of the girls' dowries! How could I be so silly to think that that money was still just the four thousand? Dear man. He has not touched it. All these years. We do not have time now, but let me tell you later about what he did for my future with that odious man, his cousin who will inherit the estate.'

'Oh, my.'

'Fanny are you aware of Mr. Darcy and…'

'Lizzy?' She nodded. 'Oh, is it most precious! He had liked her when he was here before. I almost missed that. He left. Poor Lizzy, she was devastated. And now he is back. He could not stay away for even a month! I kind of asked him, and he is serious about her. I would not let him close to her otherwise. It was heart-wrenching to watch my daughter suffer so.'

Some text is verbatim from Pride and Prejudice

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For those of you who like to reread things…I have re-edited the first 14 chapters, adding things here and there and rephrasing things.

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