Chapter 30 - Dinner at Leighwood House
AN: It's been a couple of very hectic weeks, preparing for my knee surgery. Finally, I have a titanium knee. Sitting up in a chair, I now have time to devote to this story. Sorry for the delay. Hopefully I will be able to publish a little more often.
"Cousin," Georgiana almost ran to Richard in relief as the parlour doors opened.
The rest of the diners gathered at the appropriate hour, awaiting the arrival of the party from Rosings. Sparse conversation seemed the order of the day as two families from wholly different social circles attempted to find common ground. Elizabeth and her Aunt led the conversation so far. The atmosphere wasn't quite stifling but not far from it.
"I, too, am happy to see you," Mr. Richard Fitzwilliam took the hand of his fair cousin and kissed her knuckle. He felt the lack of social discourse immediately and set about remedying it as he greeted those he knew.
"Let me call a servant," Georgiana enthused before the man could get a word in edgewise, "and they will show you to your chamber. Where is Anne," she asked, continuing to look around. "I know it has scarce been a week, but I have missed my cousin's company."
"My wife will follow on the morrow," Richard smiled, a twinkle in his eye. "I am afraid it takes time for a lady to remove to town. I know I am in my traveling clothes, but will you not introduce me to your friends before I go above stairs? I would not wish you to hold dinner any further on my account. Besides, I am famished."
"I believe you know Miss Elizabeth," Georgiana grinned like a Cheshire cat while Darcy actually rolled his eyes. Richard Fitzwilliam's jovial nature could bring together the Queen and a beggar, should he put his mind to it. "Lizzy is soon to become my sister, as if we had not known... I shall let Elizabeth introduce you to her uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Gardiner, and sister, Miss Bennet."
Smiling at Georgiana's glee, Lizzy curtsied, before leading the man to her family group. No less relieved by the breath of fresh air, Lady Susan clung to her youngest child's elbow. It was, in fact, the Countess of Matlock who made the presentation to a family she'd barely acknowledged for the last hour.
"Delighted, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, Miss Bennet," Richard bowed. He hugged his mother and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek while whispering behave in her ear. "I apologise for my tardy arrival. If you will excuse me, I would like to take the time to know you once I am presentable."
"The blue room," Lady Susan requested of her niece, unwilling to let her son go. When Georgiana nodded, she followed Richard up the stairs, a concerned expression crossing her face. Obviously, the Countess had much she wished to discuss with her son in private.
"Mr. Darcy," Lizzy spoke into the silence, "I had not realised your invitation to dine included the Colonel, nor that the Fitzwilliam's would leave Rosings so soon after they were wed."
Coming to understand Elizabeth better, he now realised the true question she asked. Jane seemed suddenly upset at her sister's anxiety, which, in turn, transferred to Georgiana. Tuesday, a bear two days previously, Darcy indicated he had not heard from his cousin since removing from Kent but expected news. Yet, Richard attended dinner at Leighwood, without his wife. When the Gardiner party came to dine, Lord and Lady Matlock were present. Difficulty abounded from the moment the families were introduced. Informing the Gardiner party that they awaited Richard and Anne to commence dinner completely slipped his mind. Darcy would have to remember his future bride had a very keen wit, perhaps keener than he'd anticipated. Miss Elizabeth Bennet, it appeared, wished to know all of his nearest concerns and be intimately involved. It was a lesson Mr. Darcy would not forget.
"I called upon my Uncle this morning, so our betrothal notice might be printed in the Time tomorrow. While at Honeymead, Uncle James requested I delay dinner so Richard might attend. Have no fear, Elizabeth, Anne is well," Darcy tried not to frown. "Until recently my cousin had not travelled beyond the borders of Rosings Park. I believe her husband is being overly protective although her health, I understand, is slowly improving."
"I cannot see Anne liking such methods," James stated, forgetting the newest addition to the family. Sighing heavily, he decided not to supress his feeling on the matter. They would all know of Catherine's opinions. "You will learn soon enough, Miss Elizabeth, all families have a relation that causes vexation and grief. I believe you are intimately acquainted with the lady who is ours."
"I too have a sister, Sir," Edward Gardiner found it hard to supress his mirth. "In fact, I have two. I believe we understand each other perfectly."
That statement, bringing together blue blood and trade in similar circumstances finally broke the ice. The gentlemen, led by Mr. Darcy who detested leaving his betrothed, removed to one side of the drawing room. Intrigued by Gardiner's happy manners, James Fitzwilliam soon learned he was the second son of a gentleman. He had come to London after his education at Oxford to find his fortune. The military, law or clergy did not interest young Gardiner in the slightest. It did not take long for Mr. Gardiner to recognise his entrepreneurial bent and use it to his advantage. However their family estate was entailed on his eldest son, William Gardiner, who would inherit upon reaching his majority as the current Master had only one daughter.
Darcy felt his uncle relax as this previous, and unknown history was acknowledged. In deed it slightly changed his opinion of Elizabeth's circumstances. Although he loved his betrothed, Mrs. Bennet's, until now, low connections would continue to be a degradation and source of unease in a society that venerated appearance. This new facet forced Darcy to realised, once again, how little they knew of each other. While these thoughts crossed his mind, he could not keep his attention from the object of his affection.
Across the room, Lizzy felt Darcy looking at her. Once she would only have seen antipathy in his eyes and felt uneasy at the unwanted attention. Glancing up, she noticed the subtle changing expression crossing his face. His features hardly moved but as she spent time in his company, Elizabeth began to understand him better. Small though the changes might be, Darcy's inner turmoil was apparent to those closest to him. Stoic to the end, he would hate her mentioning these observations unless completely alone. It forced a delighted smile to her face and a blush onto her cheeks which produced the same on Mr. Darcy's countenance.
"Go to her," James rolled his eyes. The action caught by Mr. Gardiner, he only grinned in agreement. "I am sure Gardiner and I can find plenty to discuss. Tell me what new business opportunities you have currently."
Having heard it all before, Darcy crossed the room. Elizabeth, watching him approach, excused herself from the conversation with Jane and Georgiana. Moving to the love seat by the fire, she awaited her betrothed.
"Darcy," Elizabeth began, not sure what she would say.
"Why," the man in question requested in a level tone, "do you insist on calling me Darcy." A puzzled look crossed his face and Lizzy tried to hide her delighted smile.
"I do not know your name," she stated impertinently. "I believe there is much I do not know about you, Darcy."
"There is a tradition in my family of calling the first born after his mother's maiden name," he responded with a frown. "I am Fitzwilliam."
Stopping, Lizzy thought seriously about her answer for a moment. "So we are to call our first male child Bennet," she teased. At Darcy glare, she added, "no I do not agree either. But I cannot call you Fitzwilliam as it reminds me of your cousin. A Colonel no longer, that name is forever fixed in my mind as belonging to Richard. There you see, I know the Colonel's name. I believe Georgiana calls you William on occasion. I can see by the scowl on your face that you do not appreciate such a shortening."
"I should not like that at all," Darcy frowned, "nor would I have you thinking of any other married man when addressing you're soon to be husband."
"In the absence of anything thing else, Darcy it is," Lizzy managed her most winning smile.
"I see," this time the grimace increased. Remembering her letter from yesterday, Darcy stated, "Dearest will do nicely. I should very much enjoy you using that name when we are alone or with close family."
"Yes," Lizzy answered drolly, "Dearest."
"Do not say it like that," Darcy demanded.
"And how would you like me to say it," she teased, allowing the smile to reach both her lips and sparkling eyes.
"Like you mean it," Darcy responded with a glare.
"I shall endeavour to do so in the future, Dearest," Lizzy allowed the impertinence in her tone to taint her words. However the expression on her face displayed her enjoyment.
"Will you always take such delight in teasing me, Elizabeth?" Darcy asked, only slightly mollified.
"Yes, Dearest," she managed in a neutral tone before breaking into a wide smile. As suddenly as the happy mood settled, it vanished. "Darcy, I am not made for unhappiness and vexation. I have caused both of us enough of that in the last week. I must apologise for forcing such unwarranted secrecy."
"Circumstances," he began to explain, "stopped me from calling earlier."
"Darcy," Lizzy reached out a hand and placed in upon his knee before withdrawing the inappropriate gesture immediately, "the time apart, unable to speak with Jane as to my deepest thoughts made me face my apprehensions. I have been mistaken in my affections for you. You are too good a man to hold my prejudices against me."
"Are you saying," gulping, Darcy examined her eyes, for their lay the answer to his question, "you have come to care for me?"
"Yes," she blushed furiously, forcing her gaze to meet his, "more than I thought possible. I intend to make our life full of felicity and respect. I wish to only remember the past as it gives me pleasure and look to hope in the future."
"Then I should endeavour to do the same," he finally allowed the corners of his mouth to creep into a very slight smile. "If you truly wish to call me Darcy, then I will not stop you. However, I reserve the right to make our friends and family call you Elizabeth. I do not like Lizzy or Eliza."
"Yes," Lizzy dragged out the word, "Dearest."
While glaring at her, half in amusement and half in exasperation, Richard re-entered the room. Lady Fitzwilliam returned some time past and joined Miss Bennet and Georgiana. Mrs. Gardiner sat alone to one side of the grouped chairs, simply watching the interactions around her. She caught Lizzy's eye and smiled brightly knowing her niece had well and truly met her match.
"Darcy," Richard came to his cousin immediately. "I believe I am to wish you and Miss Elizabeth joy."
"Thank you," Lizzy found herself demurring. She respected the ex-Colonel and his congratulations meant more to her than that of Lord and Lady Fitzwilliam. Once the announcement became public knowledge, Georgiana led Elizabeth to believe she would receive many well wishes, not all happy, now that Mr. Darcy was no longer on the marriage market.
"When is the wedding?" Richard asked, amusement in his eyes.
Being the principles in this particular transaction, the comment brought everyone together to discuss a topic close to their hearts. Too soon for most but not quickly enough for Darcy and Elizabeth, Mrs. Fox called Dinner. The gentleman of the house escorted his betrothed into the dining room and pulled out a chair next to his own. The removal of Anne's place setting left Lord and Lady Fitzwilliam beside Lizzy much to Lady Susan's delight. Georgiana at the other end of the table found herself between her uncle and cousin. As a mark of respect and being Elizabeth's closest female guardian, Mrs. Gardiner took the place on the other side of Darcy.
"Did you enjoy your time at Rosings?" Lady Susan began the interrogation of Elizabeth when the polite conversation broke into smaller groups.
"Yes," Lizzy smiled. She'd expected no less upon seeing the Earl and his wife enter Leighwood House this evening. "Although I have wandered the grounds, I stayed with my cousin, Mr. Collins and his new wife at the Hunsford parsonage. Lady Catherine invited the family to tea and dine at least once a week."
Darcy's countenance became more austere the longer Lady Susan continued her examination. At one point, Lizzy placed her hand momentarily over that of her fiancée against propriety. The simultaneous glance told him not to interrupt, as Elizabeth could cope very well. Mrs. Gardiner could not stop her lips quirking at her forthright niece. She'd gracefully stopped the man's growing ire.
"Mr. Gardiner," Madeline drew the younger man's attention, deflecting Mr. Darcy's attention toward herself, "has agreed to staying at Pemberley I am told."
"Indeed," Darcy's eyes continued to flick towards Elizabeth.
"I have not been back to that part of the country since my marriage fifteen years ago," Madeline reminisced, capturing Darcy's attention completely. "It seems a life time for one who grew up in the shades of Pemberley. Your estate always held a special place in my heart as my relations bookshop owed much of its prosperity to your parents."
"You are related to Mr. Goodwin?" he asked with more than a little astonishment.
"He is my mother's second from eldest brother," Madeline allowed the connections to form in Darcy's mind. "We became a family after the death of my parents. My Aunt and Uncle never had children of their own."
"Now you brother is the proprietor of Goodwin's Bookshop," he commented. "Pemberley still orders volumes for the library from your family, Mrs. Gardiner."
"I am glad to hear it," she grinned, "for you are our best customer still or so I am reliably informed. I am sure my niece will insist on adding to your vast collection. In fact, I can see the infamous library at Pemberley becoming her favourite room."
"Then I will have to show it to you when you come to stay," Darcy offered.
"I would be delighted," Mrs. Gardiner responded.
"Do you have any books on fishing," Mr. Gardiner entered the conversation after listening for some time. "It is a sport I rarely have time to indulge."
"I am pleased and shall have the rods and tackle ready," Mr. Darcy smiled. "There are pike and trout in the lake or a stream for course fishing if that is your bent."
"Careful what you offer, Mr. Darcy," Mrs. Gardiner chuckled, "you may not see my husband from sun up to sun down at this rate."
"I believe," Lady Susan caught the last few sentences. She could not help but divert her attention, "you share a passion with my husband, Mr. Gardiner. James dearly loves to fish and nowhere is quite like Pemberley for that pleasure."
"What's this," Lord Matlock, just finished discussing his newest daughter in law with his son, turned enter the conversation. "Fishing, I do hope you will extend an invitation, Nephew."
Elizabeth gave a silent sigh of relief that Lady Susan's devotion turned elsewhere. Mrs. Gardiner flashed her niece an impertinent smile suggesting her plan worked. Mr. Darcy, becoming more conversant with his betrothed and her family understood their machination and applauded them, albeit in a very sombre fashion. Together they worked to keep the table speaking of such mundane topics until the separation.
"Elizabeth," Georgiana broached the subject on the way out of the dining room, "will you join me for a fitting at Madam Chastain in Burlington Arcade on the morrow."
"I am engaged there at ten," Lizzy looked puzzled.
"Then I will come with the carriage at nine," Georgiana looked exceedingly pleased, "if that is agreeable to you?"
"Jane is to accompany me," Lizzy stated.
"That is perfect," the younger woman tried to keep her happiness held in, but failed as the emotions reached her eyes. They sparkled in the candle light. "I am glad your sister is to come and live with us permanently after you are married. I have longed for a sister to be blessed with two is beyond my wildest dreams."
"Is your brother always so high handed," Lizzy frowned the next day as she was pulled this way and that for the second time in a week.
They entered Madam Chastain's Modestie well over three hours previously. The lady had cleared her schedule for the Darcy party. Before the three young ladies lay several fashion plates displaying Court Dresses and other paraphernalia required for presentation the Queen.
"Miss Elizabeth," the woman's discontent came through her words, "it is now April. This dress will take the whole of the winter to perfect, for perfect it must be when you enter the Queen's drawing room. I have also Miss Bennet's dress to make as well as your practice gowns. It is not easy to walk in hoops. When you return for the next season, it will take many fittings to get your gown exactly right."
Jane gave her sister a serene glance that spoke a thousand words. Taking the meaning, Lizzy closed her eyes. After a few seconds she finally felt calm enough to continue. The next time she saw Darcy, Elizabeth meant to give him a piece of her mind. Another three hours past in which luncheon was presented and consumed, patterns discussed, more dresses ordered to be delivered to Pemberley after her wedding, the final adjustments for her red gown pined and promises made to have it ready for the theatre the next night.
"I hope you don't mind," Georgiana requested as they exited the shop and climbed aboard the carriage. "I spoke with Mrs. Gardiner this morning. My brother has requested you join us for dinner this evening."
Raising an eyebrow, Lizzy looked to Jane. She gave the slightest nod. Consent given, they were away to Leighwood House for the third night in a row. Anne and Richard greeted them along with Darcy in the parlour. The party took tea after the trying day and happily caught up on the happenings of Rosings Park before dining. While the conversation diverted her, Elizabeth communicated her disquiet to Darcy. Unable to get time alone with her betrothed before the dinner bell and still seething from his instruction to Madam Chastain, she demanded a private word before the night ended.
"Elizabeth," Darcy could not delay longer. The meal finished, he understood her fury but couldn't account for it. "Would you accompany me to the study? There are some wedding details I wish to discuss. We will join you in a few moments," Darcy explained to the rest of the party. They smiled as Lizzy meekly placed her hand upon his elbow and allowed the man to lead her out of the Dining room.
The door ajar, Elizabeth rounded on Darcy. "How dare you…"
Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately for Darcy, she got no further. In a rapid move, he folded her into his arms. Taking advantage of her open lips, Darcy delivered a quick but passion filled kiss. Allowing his tongue to invade the recesses of her honey sweet mouth only once, he slowly pulled away while gazing into her stunned eyes.
"Once we are married," he teased which discombobulated his betrothed further, "I will dare to do much more than simply kiss you, My Dearest. Now, tell me why you are so angry with me. What is it you have to accuse me of this time?"
It took the woman several moments to comprehend the words. More time to turn them into recognisable speech before finally formulating a response. What came out in no way answered Mr. Darcy's question.
"You kissed me," she stated, mouth open in astonishment.
"Yes, I believe I did," Darcy smiled, the very same expression as at Rosings Park in the music room. "I should very much like to do it again but I think I have been improper enough tonight. Still you have not told me of your anger."
"I believe," Elizabeth touched first her tongue and then her fingers to her lips, "it is quite forgotten."
"I am thankful," Darcy chuckled, "for now I know how to dissipate your ire. Truly, Elizabeth," he considered what occurred today and thought he knew the source of her unhappiness, "to take your rightful position in the first circles, there are some aspects of society that must be observed. I do not like the idea of presenting you at court, but it must be done if you are to have any hope of true acceptance as my wife. Our children require your recognition for their future facility."
"Then let us pray," her impertinence arrived in spades, "the Prince Regent is not in attendance the night we go to St James's court."
"I swear," Darcy's anger now appeared, "if that man so much as looks your way with his reputation for taking mistresses..."
Before he could continue, Elizabeth, in a very unacceptable move, retuned his earlier kiss. It gave her the feeling of great power and pleasure all wrapped up in a single bundle. To feel such emotion and to affect Darcy with a simple caress demonstrated his feeling for her beyond words. Watching the astounded look enter upon his face made her laugh heartily.
"My mother has always said," she explained, "what is good for the goose is good for the gander."
"This is one case," Darcy smiled happily, indicating they should return to the others, "where your mother and I are in complete agreement. Remember it well, Dearest, for I suspect it will never occur again."