Chapter 5: Cook's Ginger Biscuits
Elizabeth sat with her aunt as they tended to Mr. Gardiner, though there was little to be done. Doctor Colborn detected improvements, but he believed the patient would awaken when he was ready. The young man was eager to include Miss Elizabeth in his discussions, for he found her quite a bonny lass.
"Matters of the heart are still largely undiscovered, Mrs. Gardiner and Miss Elizabeth. However, we will know more when he awakens. Which I do believe will be soon."
And with that, Doctor Colborn left to speak to the master of the house. Unbeknownst to the ladies, the gentleman was eager to see his unexpected guests cared for. This included footing the bill for all medical costs incurred since Mr. Gardiner's coma.
"His eyelids flutter quite a bit now, Lizzie. I pray he will be up soon. I hate to be parted from the children for this long. But I am glad Jane decided to stay in London longer to tend to them."
"I wrote to her immediately, though I have not heard back. I am sure she was shocked at the address posted! I long to hear from her. I quite wonder what she makes of all of it."
Mrs. Gardiner– in a rare moment– took her eyes from her husband to rest on her niece.
"You know, Lizzie, I feel you've been acting strange since our stay here. It is unnatural for such shyness to become you, dear."
Elizabeth's mouth gaped open, struggling to admit all to her aunt. Mrs. Gardiner, sensing her reticence, probed once more.
"Come, Elizabeth, a tale would do much to distract my mind."
And so Elizabeth shared all with her aunt. Once she began to speak, she marveled at her ability to keep such matters to herself for such length. She felt the knot that had grown in her chest from her first reading of Darcy's letter slowly unwind. Her story began with the offense done at the Meryton assembly, to her disregard of the gentlemen during her stay at Netherfield, to a rage bone-deep in Kent for his interference with her sister's happiness, and to finally-oh finally- this burdensome insecurity that bloomed within her from the first reading of Mr. Darcy's letter.
The only secret she withheld was Georgiana's near elopement with Wickam. She would not betray the trust Mr. Darcy held in her not even a full day after her brutal rejection of him.
All of this Mrs. Gardiner listened to with nary a word. Only a slight raising of her brows indicated any feelings of surprise. Just from the few interactions she had witnessed between her niece and Mr. Darcy, Mrs. Gardiner understood a sense of attachment that went beyond the casual acquaintance they both claimed. Yet she would not have ever predicted Mr. Darcy's attachment so deep. Nor that he would shirk the generational sense of duty that had befallen every Darcy heir to marry wealthy and marry well to ensure the Pemberley's prosperity.
"And you are sure Mr. Wickam is so black of character? A true fiend? The late Mr. Wickam was all that was good." Mrs. Gardiner broached with her niece. She must pry gently to determine Elizabeth's sense of attachment as well.
"Aunt, you must believe me. Mr. Wickam is all that his late father was not then. He maintains no morals, has no sense of honor, and only the grandest view of himself. Mr. Wickam believes he is the smartest man in the room and the most eligible in manner. Let us speak no more of him."
An alarming thought began to take root in Mrs. Gardiner's mind. Her voice lowered an octave. "Lizzie, pray, tell me your knowledge of his character is not from firsthand experience. Tell me he has not taken liberties!"
They both colored immensely.
"No! No. The only sin I am guilty of is falling prey to his charming talk and low opinions of Mr. Darcy. He only fed my ego. I was in no danger, for I am not advantageous enough for him to ruin." Elizabeth said this with all the spite she withheld for months on end.
And Elizabeth did, for the first time in her life, resent that she was not deemed more advantageous. Perhaps a certain gentleman could have liked her in a manner that aligned with his better judgment, not against it.
"Oh, Lizzie, I am sorry for it then that we are stuck here. You must feel terribly awkward with Mr. Darcy around."
"It is hard to bear, Aunt, but only because I know so little of his true self now! I hardly know him at all. He must resent my intrusion upon his home. I am sure of it."
Aunt Gardiner shook her head vehemently. "And can I tell you how wrong you are, Lizzie? I only saw a gentleman eager to please in our introductions. I suppose he is suffering from the pangs of awkwardness just as much as you are. But he does not seem to let those feelings overcome him. You would do well to do the same."
Elizabeth absorbed all of this information as one does at the start of a great trial. She had not realized how in need of guidance she was for counsel. She felt overcome with a gratitude and lightness she had not felt in many months.
Elizabeth reached forward and clasped her hand over her aunt's.
"Thank you, Aunt."
They sat in companionable silence for several moments.
"I daresay it is quite the tale you have told me today, Lizzie. I must ask, is there any notion in you that you could care for Mr. Darcy? You've not been indifferent to him certainly."
"How could I ever even entertain that thought! A man such as Mr. Darcy would never lower himself to offer scorned affections a second time. It is best I do not think of what might have been at all, Aunt. I have proven a poor study of character, and it is best I do not try to make his out–in case I find he is quite suited for me indeed."
The ladies were interrupted by a timid knock at the door. Elizabeth stood immediately and smoothed her dress, nervous to whom she'd find on the other side.
She opened the door to find the eager face of Miss Darcy.
"Miss Elizabeth! I thought I'd find you here. Mrs. Gardiner, how is Mr. Gardiner faring"
"There is small improvement. We hope to see more soon, of course."
Miss Darcy's delightful countenance dimmed.
"I do hope his recovery is sooner rather than later. I am eager to meet him and in good health, too."
Mrs. Gardiner felt touched by her young hostess' kindness. To think her niece could have been the hostess of such a home! And to gain such a sister! She had much to think about.
"Miss Elizabeth, I was hoping we could take you on that walk that was discussed earlier. That is–my brother and me–we spoke of it today, did we not? I am not as good a tour guide as him. I've never been as interested in being out of doors, you see. But no one knows Pemberely's grounds better than Fitzwilliam. And I too would benefit from more knowledge of my home, you see. Will you not join us?"
Miss Darcy's gulped as her eyes darted around the room. Oh, she could ramble so when she was nervous! She felt her matchmaking intentions were on display for all to see.
"Of course! I would be delighted. That is if you do not need me, aunt?"
"Off you go, Lizzie. I've much to think on and think some rest would do me well."
And so the two ladies went, each a bundle of nerves.
"Miss Elizabeth" Mr. Darcy bowed as the ladies made their way to the terrace. "Did Dr. Colborn have any updates?"
"Only that some improvement continues, thank you. We hope he awakens soon. My aunt does not show it, but I believe she is quite eager to have him back to us. They are each other's greatest companions."
"As it should be." Mr. Darcy could not help but clear his throat after such a comment. "Please let me know if they need anything." And you - he could not help to amend in his head.
Mrs. Reynolds came out onto the terrace with a basket in hand.
"Here you are, Mr. Darcy. Stocked with all your favorites, of course. It is such a pleasure to have you home."
Mr. Darcy's ears burned as he took the basket.
"Thank you, Mrs. Reynolds."
Georgiana was quick to share her brother's idea.
"Miss Elizabeth, Fitzwilliam thought we could picnic before we explore the grounds! It is nearly time for lunch now. How thoughtful of you, brother!"
Mr. Darcy at once wished he had not conjured up such a plan. In truth, he was famished from his morning ride. In his pursuit to come home and see Miss Elizabeth, he had missed breaking his fast. He had thought Miss Elizabeth might be hungry as well since they unexpectedly encountered one another in the early morning.
"I rather think it was both of our ideas, Georgie." He ensured there was enough inflection for his sister to note she was in danger of his censure. Truly, she could not be more overt in advocating for him to Miss Elizabeth.
"I could hardly take credit. Come, Miss Elizabeth. I rather think Fitzwilliam's picnic would look perfect near the lake!" And she gathered Miss Elizabeth arm in arm in the lake's direction.
Mr. Darcy stared blankly at the ladies leaving him. Only one full day in Miss Elizabeth's presence and his sister developed the same cheek! He was very likely to face the brunt of several jokes at his expense.
Yet his ladies were waiting, and he remained in sole possession of cook's ginger biscuits! He must make haste.