With the absence of Miss Bingley, the room began to come to its senses. Mr. Gardiner moved so that he was sitting next to his wife, patting her hand comfortingly, as Mrs. Gardiner wiped a few stray tears from her face with her handkerchief.
But it was Elizabeth that Darcy, Georgiana, and Bingley rushed to. While Miss Bingley had been having her say, Elizabeth had lost all color and signs of life. While she had not swooned, she seemed frozen, though tears were slowly rolling down her cheeks.
Georgiana hurried to sit next to her friend, taking a hand and saying, "Oh, Lizzy, I'm so sorry." Mr. Bingley stood nearby, and kept trying to apologize profusely.
Darcy, after a moment's hesitation, most likely to let his anger cool, knelt down in front of Lizzy and hesitatingly took the hand Georgiana was not holding.
"Miss Bennet," Darcy said, softly. When Elizabeth made no answer, Darcy continued. "Please, please, allow me to tell you how sorry and mortified I am for you to have to hear that entire exchange."
The sound of Darcy's voice finally brought Elizabeth back to her senses. What he must think of her! She turned her tear stained face to look down at Darcy's. "It is quite all right Mr. Darcy. You could not have known what she was going to say. And goodness knows that there was some truth to it."
Darcy opened his mouth to speak, but Georgiana spoke hastily. "Lizzy," she said, having suddenly reverting to Elizabeth nickname, "I do not want you to believe a word that monsterous woman said about you, or the Gardiners, for that matter," she said, briefly nodding at the Gardiners. "Fitzwilliam was right, you are worth more than ten of Miss Bingley. Your compassion, kindness…Everything about you Lizzy seeks to recommend yourself to all of those of your acquaintance."
Lizzy looked at Georgiana with such a mixture of sadness, disbelief, and shock, that Georgiana whispered, "Truly Lizzy…"
Bingley immediately seconded Georgiana's plea. "Miss Bennet, Miss Darcy and Darcy are completely in the right when they say you are worth ten of my sister. I apologize for her behavior. If Darcy wishes, I can escort my sisters back to London."
Darcy spared a look from Elizabeth to his friend. "Bingley, I do not blame you at all for your sister's behavior. You may continue to stay at Pemberley as long as you like, for you are still my good friend."
Bingley bowed. "Thank you Darcy. In that case, I will see what I can do about getting Miss Bennet some tea or wine." With that, he strode out the room.
The Gardiners were now comforting Elizabeth, all three of them slightly more recovered. Elizabeth had wiped away her tears with Georgiana's handkerchief, and Bingley soon came back with a servant carrying a tray of tea. Darcy reluctantly let go of Elizabeth's hand, knowing it was not in his right to continue to comfort her in such a manner. He moved away from the small huddle around Elizabeth stood by the piano. Darcy fastened his gaze on Elizabeth, who was smiling a little, talking to her uncle and Mr. Bingley. You would not have known that she had just undergone an assault of her character previously for she now smiled and put up a brave face to cheer those around her.
How could have Caroline Bingley said those things? It was beyond Darcy's comprehension as to what Miss Bingley's motives were other than to belittle Elizabeth in his eyes. It pained Darcy to see the Gardiners looking so uncomfortable, even after such a short acquaintance. But it was the barbs and insults directed at Elizabeth that gnawed at Darcy's heart.
He loved her with all his being. When he had listed off the accomplishments he sought in a wife, he had been describing her to the essence. Did she believe he did not still love her, even after he had practically told everyone in the room that he was in love with her? That he sought a bride from the so-called prestigious society of London? What feelings did she hold for him, exactly? He never found out, thanks to Miss Bingley's intervention.
As Mrs. Gardiner poured the tea, Georgiana moved to her brother's side, pulling Darcy out of his musings. Darcy moved his gaze from Elizabeth's form to his sister with a questioning gaze. "What is it, little one?"
Georgiana cast a quick glance towards Elizabeth and the Gardiners, before saying, "Brother, would you be agreeable to having Elizabeth and the Gardiners stay with us for a while? I believe it would be a kind gesture on our part, especially after what Miss Bingley has said." She took her brothers arm, almost pleadingly. "And I so want to know her better, Fitzwilliam. She is truly a lovely person, and I so wish to become better acquainted with her."
Darcy studied his boots for a moment. Elizabeth, stay here, at Pemberley? He would see her walk in the very halls and rooms that he had imagined her in for so long, and interact with Georgiana just like she had in his dreams. The only difference was that she would be there as a permanent guest, but as Georgiana's friend. It would make it all the harder for him to watch her go back to Hertfordshire. He sighed to himself, before realizing the potential behind the scheme. If Elizabeth did stay with them, he could try to prove his improved character, and let her see the sort of man he had become as a result of Hunsford. He decided on the spot that if she showed any favor towards in him in any manner, he would pursue her and not rest until she would whole heartedly consent to be his wife, Mistress of Pemberley, and Georgiana's true sister.
Having resolved thus to himself, Darcy smiled back at Georgiana. "I think it is a grand idea, Georgiana. As Mistress of Pemberley, you may do the honors, my dear."
Georgiana seemed a bit nervous at this idea, but her desire to have Elizabeth stay drove her to give the invitation.
"Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, Elizabeth," she began, drawing their attention away from Bingley, who they had been talking to. "My brother and I would be delighted and honored if you would stay with us, here, at Pemberley, at least as long as you remain in Derbyshire, if not a few weeks more."
Mr. Gardiner spoke first. "I thank you for my wife and mine's portion of the invitation, Miss Darcy, but the two of us must leave as planned on Friday. I must get back to my business, and my wife to our children. We cannot burden the Bennet family, especially Jane, with their presence much longer."
Georgiana looked slightly crestfallen at this, but eagerly turned to Elizabeth. "Oh, Lizzy," she cried, hurrying over to her and taking her hand, "Do say you will stay with us! We could take walks every day if you wish, or play duets, or go riding, or draw, or read, or anything, really!" the young girl said in a rush.
Elizabeth laughed at the younger girl's entreating. "I would be honored, Georgiana. I will write to Jane and tell her she may not see me these next couple of weeks at least." She turned to the Gardiners. "I trust you will deliver my letter, aunt?"
After the Gardiners agreed to, Bingley spoke up. "And if you will, Miss Bennet, would, Miss Bennet, could you also inform your family that I intend to call upon them? I just sent word this morning for Netherfield to be opened up again. I have trespassed on Darcy's hospitality long enough, and I do not wish to go to London at the moment, where my sisters are."
Elizabeth looked at him with surprise, as did Darcy, who had had no notion at all of Bingley's intentions to return to Netherfield. Elizabeth thoughts flew to Jane, while Darcy was impressed that his friend was making large and prudent decisions without his own advice for the first time. Darcy knew that if Bingley went back to Netherfield and called at Longbourne, Bingley would be writing to him in a matter of time to announce his engagement to the elder Miss Bennet. The only question was it to be days or weeks until this letter.
Meanwhile, Georgiana had already gotten up and called Mrs. Reynolds, the housekeeper, to have one of the guest rooms fitted up for Miss Bennet's stay. She nearly skipped back to Elizabeth in her excitement. "I am so happy, Lizzy, that you are staying with us!" she said, bouncing in her seat.
"Well Georgiana, I will have to make you wait a while longer," Elizabeth said, smiling. "I will stay with my aunt and uncle at the inn until they leave for Hertfordshire. They have been so good to me this holiday; I believe I owe them this much."
The Gardiners assured Elizabeth that it would be no trouble if she were to stay at Pemberley starting the following day, but Elizabeth was adamant, owning that she wished to spend more time with them, as well as write her letter to Jane, and perhaps a congratulatory one to Kitty.
The rest of the evening passed quickly, though good conversation and laughter were not in want. Despite the earlier events concerning Miss Bingley, Elizabeth had recovered and was laughing and teasing Georgiana as if nothing had happened. Darcy was only to happy to watch the growing friendship between his sister and Elizabeth, while Bingley and the Gardiners watched Darcy and Elizabeth's interactions with a keen eye.
It was quite evident to the Gardiners and even Bingley that Darcy was very much in love with Elizabeth. The lady seemed inclined towards the gentleman, but one could not call it love, at least, Mrs. Gardiner thought to herself, not yet.
I'm soooooo sorry everyone for the delays! The site was giving me issues when I tried uploading! So Chapter 7 is on its way within minutes, and chapter 8 is being written right now! Again I'm really sorry!
On a happier note, thank you for your continued reviews and support. I have taken one comment to heart, the one about adding new characters. I will be bringing Darcy's aunt and uncle (Earl and Lady Matlock, Colonol Fitzwilliam's parents) into the picture in a few chapters.
Bingley and Jane will have their happy ending….eventually
Coming up in coming chapters: One surprising but happy event and one sad event
Thank you once again! -Comesomedaysoon