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Chapter 11
Elizabeth awoke the next morning after a restless night. A glance out of her bedroom window showed that the the day was just dawning. The sun only just peaking over the horizon. Throwing back the covers she walked to the window and observed that the snow which had been threatening to fall all week, had finally fallen during the night. Grabbing the counter pane and pulling it about her shoulders she opened her window to see how deep the snow had settled. Her eyes wondered over the gardens at the sprinkling of glistening white atop of the bare branches and down to the whitened tips of grass blades on the front lawn.
Elizabeth dressed and went downstairs hoping to secure a cup of tea and some time for quiet reflection before her mother woke and recommenced on more wedding arrangements.
"Aunt? Are you well?" said Elizabeth at the unexpected sight of Mrs Gardiner sitting near the lit hearth in the sitting room.
"Of course I am Lizzy, I am just... A little fatigued is all." Mrs Gardiner smiled gently.
"Do tell me if I am overstepping, or you desire to be left to your solitude... It is just you have not been eating very well and you hardly spend much time with us..." she asked drawing near.
"Oh, my dear sweet girl. It is nothing so serious as that. It is perfectly normal in my condition to feel so, and in a few months' time I shall not be able to conceal what is growing within and sapping my energy. "
"A baby?!" Elizabeth squealed excitedly sitting next to her aunt.
"Shh yes, it is a baby my dear. I am quite familiar with how it begins. But it is not good to speak of it too early, it is easy too loose at this stage." Mrs Gardiner urged supressing a chuckle at her niece's joy.
"Of course. I have heard such things from my dear Mama, after the last babe did not make it. Do not worry, I shall not speak of it openly until you have told everyone of the good news."
"Childbirth is tricky and perilous thing, it depends upon so many different elements and timings." She sighed, "but a blessing all the same. Now what has you seeking me out so early?"
"Hmmm... oh, it's nothing. Congratulations, I am very happy for you." She beamed with genuine happiness and hugging her aunt gently.
"Come now, Lizzy. I may be in a delicate condition, but I am not so fragile that I cannot sense your worries. I always know when something is bothering you. I should like to help if I can." Mrs Gardiner said eyeing her niece carefully.
"I am sure you have heard much of our new acquaintance Mr Wickham?" Elizabeth said cautiously.
Her aunt smiled and gave a gentle nod.
"It is just that when we met him, he revealed things to me about Mr Darcy's character and I am quite shocked by it. I am not certain what I am to do with the information, but should Mr Wickham's claims be true... I worry for my future felicity, aunt. I have not even told Jane for I fear it will grieve her on my behalf, and in truth I would be embarrassed for anyone to hear such tales of the man who is to be my husband."
"You have my vow; I will not breathe a word to another soul. You know you can always speak plainly to me, Elizabeth."
"Yes, I know." Elizabeth said looking to her lap as she worried at her skirt. "Mr Wickham informed me that he grew up with Mr Darcy, he made them sound as thick as thieves. His father was the steward of Pemberley and he and Mr Darcy grew to form a close bond, he described them more as brothers..." Elizabeth trailed off noting her aunts' frown, but when she did not speak continued on.
"Mr Darcy's father took further interest when Mr Wickham's father died and paid for his schooling. Planning for him to eventually take orders in the local parish. Even stating so in his will, which Mr Wickham claimed, Mr Darcy refused him upon the passing of the late Mr Darcy. And they have had no contact since. Mr Wickham has put it down to rivalry and grief for such actions... but I hear so many things and experience so many different sides to Mr Darcy that I cannot make head nor tails of his character. It saddens me that I cannot claim these accusations to be false. You find me exceedingly puzzled, aunt."
"That is quite a shocking revelation... but until you have heard Mr Darcy's version of events you cannot side with Mr Wickham... no matter how charming!" Added Mrs Gardiner.
"I know! This is why I have not even told Jane, which is normally what I would have done right away. I am embarrassed to admit that part of me felt flattered that he sought my company over my sisters. Mr Wickham is everything amiable and he was easy to smile and laugh. With Mr Darcy - he is not so easy in company... I confess I have been watching Jane and Mr Bingley and they seem to not want for topics to discuss and his character is so playful... I resent that I do not have those things." She sighed. "I know I am being childish and silly, but there you have it."
"Come now Lizzy. You are not being silly! Every woman and man for that matter is weak to flattery. From what I have heard Mr Wickham was very charming, likeable and endearing. But no man is perfect. Any man can seem pleasing upon so short an acquaintance."
Elizabeth began to protest, but the look on her aunts' face made her think better of it.
"Marriage is not black and white my dear, and we cannot measure our happiness against that of another. For Jane and Bingley - yes, they are fun and all smiles, but for all that Jane has yet to receive any commitment from him. Even your uncle and I quarrel and get cross at one another."
"Is that why he has gone away until the wedding? Forgive me that intrusive of me, aunt. But I should like you to know our confidences are not one sided. I will be here if you are in need of an ear to hear your problems."
"I thank you; I believe this is something in your marriage you shall hopefully never have to face... your uncle and I quarrelled because I am with child. We have been trying to not get pregnant, but alas it is something we really do not have control over. He is cross because he cannot spare the time from work nor can we comfortably afford to accommodate another child. The additional funds needed will slow the growth of his business."
"Oh, aunt I am sorry." Elizabeth sighed, though curious as to what her aunt could mean by trying not to get pregnant...
Mrs Gardiner waved an elegant hand dismissively through the air, "He will come around. I am hopeful that the additional child will work to keep Margaret occupied and out of trouble!" She chuckled.
"Yes, she is growing up rather too quickly!" she said fondly thinking of her young cousin. "She is at the age that was most trying in my younger sisters and yet those years the majority of my fond memories of them…" they both fell silent for a time lost in their own memories.
"But what if he is betrothed to this Anne?" Elizabeth asked quietly.
"If he was then we cannot suppose he would offer for you, my dear." Mrs Gardiner said with a delicate shrug of her shoulders.
"What if that is his true purpose for taking off to London so suddenly?"
"It does not matter. The 'what if's' will cause you undue worry and even if that were true, he has made his decision and that decision is you. He can only marry one Lady and it is clear that he wants you."
"Yes and that is how I reason things in my own head, but without the opportunity to speak to him and assuage my fears it is easy for doubt to creep in. I wish I could remove unpleasant thoughts from mind until I wish to deal with them. I know I shall get no peace from myself until I am able to speak with him." Huffed Elizabeth as they both fell silent.
"It is odd that Mr Wickham would tell you such intimate details of his past on so short an acquaintance… don't you think?" said Mrs Gardiner suddenly, her brow creased in thought.
"True… but it could be easily explained by his shock in finding Mr Darcy was in the neighbourhood."
"Hmmm, I suppose, though the fact that he knew you were betrothed and still felt the need to confide such a narrative is what unsettles me."
"Perhaps, but there seemed to be a truth in all his looks." Said Elizabeth, her confidence waning under her aunts' stare.
Elsewhere in the Bennet Household…
Mary had awoken at her usual time of seven, never one to sleep late nor be idle, she had decided to sneak into the laundry and poach some of Elizabeth ribbons to practice using them in her hair.
She almost skipped down the steps as she envisioned her fantasy. She would choose a ribbon that would complement her eyes just so, and Sir Percy would take one look and fall violently in love with her. The whole of Meryton would be agog, that she, plain Mary Bennet had caught the affection of a titled gentleman. Not even Jane with all her beauty not Elizabeth with all her intelligence, Lydia with all her spirit and Kitty with her artistic flair could boast such a triumph. Though, it is not just the boon of winning such a man, it went deeper than that. Mary yearned to be seen, and not a shadow of her sisters, and Sir Percy had looked and treated Mary as a woman. Taking the time to converse with her and share a genuine interest in topics she enjoyed…
As Mary wondered past her father's study the sound of her mother's voice caught her attention, pausing a moment she shook her head knowing it was wrong to eavesdrop and had every intention of continuing on her way to the laundry, when she heard her name.
"But Mr Bennet, Mary is a practical and the most biddable of our girls. Why not give her to Collins? That way we may keep Longbourn too! My Kitty and Lydia are darlings and I want more for them. Perhaps a more rich gentleman like Bingley or Darcy, or the Colonel or his brother Sir Percy. Mary has no ambitions as long as she has a piano, and she does so love Fordyce she will be content with your cousin. And Mr Collins really cannot be looking to Jane, her beauty would be wasted on him! He had much better a simpler and more…practical girl like our Mary."
"Now, now Mrs Bennet my dear. Do you not believe Mary has a say in this?" she heard her father say.
"Pray what say should she have. She would be mistress of her own home and she enjoys plainer gowns and hair fashions as suited to a parsons wife. Only a man like Collins would appreciate her predictability and gentle prettiness." Argued Mrs Bennet.
"Then I wonder why you awoke so early to come to speak to me of such matters, when you have clearly already decided who is to be Mary's husband."
Mary wrapped her arms about herself and shivered. How foolish she had been to be so fanciful! Suddenly overcome and unable to contain herself she picked up her skirts and ran through the house, through the kitchens and out of the back door. When she neared the perimeter of the gardens her steps turned into stomps, crunching, and compressing her footprints into the first snow of that year.
The frigid air scored his cheeks invigoratingly my as he rode Domino hard through the fields, churning the freshly fallen snow in a satisfying cascade in their wake and relishing the freedom to let loose. He had not been in the city long but was trying enough to make him long for an outlet for his frustrations with his family. Darcy laughed at the playful whinny from his steed as he tightened the reigns to slow their pace.
"Ho Darcy! Where is the fire?" Came Colonel Fitzwilliam's voice as he drew level with Darcy.
"Have you not missed tearing across fields?" countered Darcy.
"I do not disagree, but you will muddy yourself and get a scolding from your valet if you are not careful." Scoffed Richard.
"I take it you did not enjoy having Goodwin assist you this past week?" Asked Darcy smirking. He liked how his valet worked but knew he was not everyone's cup of tea.
"He is fastidious with added emphasis on the word!" he bemoaned.
"True, but I cannot deny you have looked very sharp. Very sharp indeed."
"Are you teasing me? I would say Miss Elizabeth has already rubbed off on you, cousin."
"Indeed. Pray, how?" he asked not certain he liked that observation.
"I do not think I can name any one thing in particular. I could say that you seem more carefree." Said the Colonel. "Do not make that face, I say it not as an undesirable thing." He quickly added.
"All this because I galloped across a field?" grumbled Darcy. "Do not tell me you cannot keep up Richard?" He taunted before spurring his horse on once more and only slowing his pace as Longbourn came into view.
The sight of the small estate filled Darcy with torrent of undefinable emotions. Emotions that disconcertingly felt like the beginning of something bigger… The house itself looked inviting amongst the winter environs newly settled over the town. The snow masking the climbing ivy that had been prominent on the roofed pillars at the front of the house, as the chimney emitted warm clouds from the lit fires.
"I wonder how long we shall have to wait for Percy, James and Bingley?" inquired Richard, his gaze drawn to the quaint picturesque house. The house was not small, Mr Bennet being one of the more prominent gentlemen of the area but compared to their stately homes it would appear to be quite compact, but charming regardless.
Darcy gave him an arch look unable to read the far-off look to his gaze.
"I believe I can hear them approaching now," he replied looking behind at the approaching sound of hooves in the distance.
Turning their mounts both men frowned that there were only two riders approaching.
"Where is Percy?" called Richard.
"He will join us shortly. Come let us be off!" Said James slowing but not stopping and continuing to Longbourn.
"James is all business this morning my friends." Laughed Bingley as he passed them.
Darcy and Richard exchanged a look knowing that James and his wife had quarrelled, and whenever they did disagree, James was a chore to be around.
A few moments later they were following Mr Bennet down the now familiar corridor towards the main sitting room and Darcy was startled to find himself impatient Miss Elizabeth.
"My dear family, we have visitors." Said Mr Bennet entering before them.
After greetings were exchanged, he allowed his gaze to settle on Miss Elizabeth, and felt pleased by the sparkle he saw her hazel eyes when she settled her scrutiny on him. The volume in the room rose as the two youngest of the Bennet's crowded his cousins, demanding to know where Percy was. The noise brought Darcy back to awareness, he noticed even Bingley had moved to be beside Miss Bennet.
Clearing his throat, Darcy collected himself and made his way towards Elizabeth where she stood by the window seat, taking in the rest of the occupants in the room, noticing Mrs Bennet was not present and neither was Miss Mary.
Elizabeth shivered when Mr Darcy drew near. His warm brown eyes a whole host of emotions written across his features as his gaze settled on her. Her stomach clenched and she instantly felt her body's awareness to him and all her worries and fears that had been troubling her faded and became less urgent.
"Mr Darcy," she said by way of greeting.
He gave a small nod as he came to stand before her, gesturing to the seat behind them. Once seated she angled her body to his.
"You are well I hope?" she asked.
"Indeed. And yourself?"
"As you see. I wonder at your time in London… was it unsatisfactory?" Elizabeth pressed.
"Not at all. Why do you assume so?"
"I had understood that you were intending to bring Miss Darcy with you when you returned, among other relatives." she answered unflinchingly.
"My sister did accompany me, as did Lady Rothford and more of my relatives will follow in time for the ball. We just need to find suitable lodgings for them. I do not wish to impose too much on Bingley's kindness." Mr Darcy said with small quirk of his lips.
"I am glad, I confess I am most eager to meet her."
"And she you. I know you will be an excellent influence on her. She is at such a trying age and recently faced a difficult time." He revealed, surprising her with this confidence.
"If I recall Miss Darcy is but sixteen, and with more than one younger sister I can assure you, that she will gain confidence with age."
"Yes, I fear with only a grouchy older brother, she has long desired female companionship."
"Come now, you are not such bad company…given time." She teased.
He looked away a with a small chuckle, "That is high praise indeed, Miss Elizabeth."
A movement out of the window caught his eye, leaning to see clearer he spied Percy walking towards the rear of the house.
"Was that Sir Percy?" asked Elizabeth.
"I shall fetch him," said Colonel Fitzwilliam standing. "Please excuse me."
As he left the room, Mr Bennet stood and addressed them.
"I shall retreat to my study and fetch Mrs Bennet to come and join you in my absence."
"Mr Bennet, may I beg a moment of your time?" asked Mr Bingley standing.
"Yes. But only a moment." He teased and gestured for Mr Bingley to follow. Leaving the rest of the room to throw curious glances at one another. Neither Elizabeth nor Jane failed to notice the look exchanged between Mr Darcy and Lord Rothford, who had hardly spoken a word since he had arrived.
"How dare they?!" she seethed Mary Bennet as she turned the snow to slush beneath her steps.
So caught up in her anger, Mary had hardly noticed that she had been outside nearly three-quarters of an hour.
Was she simply a pawn for her parents to marry off for their own comfort? Surely, she had more worth than to be exiled to Kent and trapped in a loveless marriage… So caught up in her own turmoil she did not notice the form of a man coming towards her.
"Ooomph!"
Mary cried out as she collided the unyielding form of a man. Strong hands gripped her shoulders to steady her and tilting her head back she looked up crossly, trying to shrug out of his grip.
"Unhand me, sir I… Sir Percy!" she gasped.
His hands were strong and firm, anchoring her and clearing her thoughts until all that existed was the two of them, and a frightening surge of longing travelled through her heart. She was relieved when he released her of his grip and she was able to step back and step once more back into reality, though her traitorous heart still beat wildly in her chest.
"What a happy coincidence this is Miss Bennet." He said charmingly.
"Mary," she said after a brief pause. Disappointment blooming in her chest.
"Beg your pardon?" he replied puzzled, crossing his arms over his chest, and stepping closer.
"My name is Miss Mary, not Miss Bennet, Sir Percy." Mary answered as she had many times before always seemingly forgotten. Quickly looking away, she tried desperately to blink away her hurt at the knowledge that he could not remember which Bennet sister she was.
"I know very well who you are." Came his silky reply.
Her gaze snapped back to his. The arrogant lift to his eyebrow and the amused slant of his lips, as he released deep chuckle.
"Correct me if I am wrong, but surely in the absence of your eldest sister, you should be addressed as Miss Bennet, no?" he asked leaning towards her.
"I suppose you are right. Forgive me you have caught me in a moment of… reflection." Mary demurred.
"And just whom were you picturing trampling with those powerful stomps. Not I, I hope?" he teased.
Mary released a gasp at the audacity of Sir Percy, who clearly felt no qualms in being direct. Well, she could do the very same when provoked.
"Pray, what sort of gentleman points to a woman's embarrassment, rather than show her a little mercy? In any case the who... can be changeable." She quipped adding, "also - I do not stomp!"
"At first inspection, one could be fooled in thinking you introverted Miss Mary." He replied dryly.
"Timidity is a useless pursuit, sir," she stated boldly.
"I cannot but agree with you." He said lightly, though his expression conveyed a deeper meaning. "Will you tell me what moved you to feel such anger? It is never good to bottle up hurt feelings. A burden shared is a burden halved."
Her countenance clouded and her frown deepened, her hurt was reflected on her face as clear as anything, as she looked up at him hesitantly. For a moment she thought about confiding in him, but as luck would have it, they were interrupted.
"Percy? Are you there?" came the sound of his brother Richard.
Percy looked to behind him, just as Richard rounded the corner of the house. Turning back, he just caught the hem of Mary skirts as she disappeared through the gate into the neighbouring field.
"What are you about hiding in the Bennet's back garden? he asked.
"I do not hide Richard. Come let us join James inside before his uptight posture asphyxiates him!" Percy drawled.
From where Mary hid, she could not hear any more of their conversation as they walked back towards the front of the house. Waiting a moment longer, she stepped from her behind the tree and made her way back inside, choosing the back entrance and decided to take refuge in the kitchens.
Immediately their cook Mrs Pots, beamed at her with genuine affection.
"Oh Miss Mary, you look chilled to the bone! Sit there now beside the fire and I shall have you try my new recipe for a blackberry and custard tart." Said Mrs Pots bustling about and placing blanket upon her lap and a tea in her hand as she disappeared into the cool pantry.
Mary knew she was being dreadfully rude not attending to the guests, but she was still too cross, and her family would not notice her absence anyhow. Releasing a heavy sigh, she reflected on how she had most decidedly ruined any chance she may have had of enticing Sir Percy. She had not fixed her hair and neither had she chosen a pretty gown, she looked exactly how her mother had described her… perhaps she should marry Mr Collins…
A few moments later the Bennet sitting room was filled with lively conversations. The arrival of Sir Percy, Mrs Bennet and Mrs Gardiner made them a merry party. Bingley had only spent a short while with Mr Bennet and had taken his usual position at Jane's side. Darcy and Elizabeth still sat together at the window seat with the addition of Mrs Gardiner in the chair beside them, discussing her memories of her time in Lambton with Mr Darcy and Elizabeth listening keenly, eager to learn as much of her future husband as possible.
"Did I hear mention of Mr Wickham?" Asked Percy with frown. At his question James, Richard and Mr Darcy turned their full attention towards him.
"Yes, we met him on our walk to Meryton but a week ago!" cried Kitty excitedly.
"Oh Mr Wickham, he is a new officer in the militia stationed in Meryton." Cooed Mrs Bennet.
"Well, how about that?" Exclaimed Percy with a slight edge to his tone.
"How about what?" asked Mary entering the room and moving to sit beside her mother.
"Nothing." Replied Percy dismissively, causing Mary to flinch slightly in her embarrassment. She then began to worry that she had been far too familiar.
He then turned to his brother with his expression exaggerating my pleasant. "Do you know I have not yet had the opportunity to explore Meryton yet brothers?"
"Nor I. How remiss of us!" Richard gasped comically.
"Some might call it neglectful!" added James.
"Shameful!" agreed Percy.
"I vote we should move to rectify such neglect this instance." declared Richard.
"Thank you for your hospitality." Said James standing and addressing the ladies present.
"Perhaps we might join you!" An eager Kitty offered inappropriately.
"Imagine if we were to call on Denny? He would have a spell when he saw us!" Lydia giggled turning to Kitty.
"You would call upon a gentleman?" said James aghast.
"James!" warned Mr Darcy.
"La, it is only a bit of fun". Groaned Lydia rolling her eyes.
"Lydia!" scolded Elizabeth in low tones.
"Charlie, are you acquainted with the militia at all?" Said Percy offering a distraction.
"Alas, I am needed back at Netherfield, I am interviewing for a new steward." He said with a small sigh.
"Charlie?" asked Lydia biting her lower lip to fight her laughter.
'From our Cambridge days," said Percy.
"You were not at Cambridge with him." Drawled James.
"I'll rephrase; from Charlie's Cambridge days."
'And did you have any sobriquets Mr Darcy?" Asked Elizabeth of Mr Darcy.
"We most certainly shortened his name. Unfortunately for Darcy we all seemed to favour a different abbreviation!"
"Yes, and I was sure to return the favour, did I not Percy?"
Bingley chuckled, "We all returned the favour."
"I vote we end that there - some of the nicknames could get a bit out of hand and not appropriate for genteel ears. Thank you for your hospitality as always Mrs Bennet. These lemon biscuits were wonderfully light. I shall have to steal the recipe for my cook." Said Percy cutting the conversation short and charming Mrs Bennet in the same breath.
"Oh, Sir Percy. It is an old family recipe... But for you, I shall have written out for Mr Bennet to send to Netherfield."
"I am honoured, madam." He bowed.
"Very good. Shall we be off?" said Mr Bingley.
Darcy turned to Elizabeth and jerked his head for her to follow him. Curious she glanced at Jane who gave her encouraging smile. Gently placing her hand on Mr Darcy's proffered arm and allowed him to lead her from the room. Once they had left the room Darcy turned to her in the deserted corridor.
"Miss Elizabeth, forgive me, I find we have not much time to speak as I should like. You are to be invited to dinner at Netherfield tonight with Miss Bennet and I am very much looking forward to introducing you to my sister. And I do hope we might find some uninterrupted time together in a corner of the room. I hope this is acceptable to you?" he asked gently moving to clasp her hands in his, his thumb drawing a gentle caress over her knuckles.
"I should be most delighted to make her acquaintance sir." She replied looking up at him as the air grew thicker.
He bowed over her hands and placed a gentle kiss on each knuckle, the smell of sandalwood and soap invaded her senses at his nearness. Looking up suddenly he surprised her with a the most handsome smile she had ever beheld on a gentleman. A smile which revealed two charming dimples on each cheek and lent a boyishness to his features.
He gave a perfunctory nod, "Until this evening Miss Elizabeth." he said taking his leave.
Elizabeth watched him go, the memory of his lips on skin burned settling an ache low in her stomach. She felt eager and apprehensive to see him at dinner that evening, desperately hopeful that would would return to Longbourn with no lingering doubt over Mr Wickham's accusations.