Author's Note: I'm on break this week and hope to get a lot done on this story. Please, continue to send me your feedback on the story. Some of you have caught errors and have sent them to me, which I appreciate very much! If you have any thoughts, feel free to comment or send a PM. Enjoy!
Chapter 7
It took some manoeuvring, but Darcy and Elizabeth were able to make the arrangements for them to travel together without too many lies being told. At Elizabeth's request, Mrs Hill sent a note informing Mrs Nicholls of Elizabeth's intention to travel to London that day or the next. With Mrs Hurst's help, Mrs Nicholls invented an errand she needed to do in London that required her to travel there with Darcy, and Darcy arrived in the early afternoon to make this suggestion to Mr Bennet. This was explained carefully enough that Mr Bennet never questioned the arrangements and permitted Elizabeth to be conveyed in a way that was least inconvenient to him.
While Darcy had initially hoped to depart on the same day, the complexities of making the necessary arrangements made it impractical. Consequently, he arrived at Longbourn at eight o'clock the following morning. Elizabeth's trunks were swiftly loaded onto the carriage, and with Darcy's assistance, she took her place on the forward-facing seat alongside Mrs Nicholls. No member of the Bennet family was present to bid her farewell; at this early hour, only the servants and Elizabeth were typically awake, and the ladies of the house were never seen at such times. Mr. Bennet was already up and ensconced in his study, unaware that Elizabeth had taken some of the estate's books. If questioned, she would claim to be working on a project, but since she was the sole user of those books, she doubted Mr Bennet would notice their absence.
Darcy had already spoken to Mrs Nicholls about Elizabeth's situation. She was pleased for the girl she had watched grow as she and her sister frequently spoke of their families. Both thought well of Elizabeth and frequently commiserated with her over her treatment, which they had never understood. Mrs Nicholls noted the way the young man often referred to Miss Lizzy with an unexpected level of familiarity, given their brief acquaintance, but soon realised the two had met much more frequently than anyone knew.
"Mr Darcy," she began as they left Netherfield that morning, "take care not to injure Miss Elizabeth's reputation. She will be facing many changes in her life, and while it appears you have come to care about her in this short time, things must be different in London." Her voice was careful, though it held a similar note of scolding he had heard from Pemberley's housekeeper in the past. He smiled slightly, recognising how carefully this woman had spoken given their relative statuses, but he was impressed that she had not let that stop her.
"We have met most mornings atop Oakham Mount. Initially, it was by happenstance, but it became a habit, and we have met for more than a fortnight this way. Through these meetings, we have discovered and spoken of Miss Elizabeth's true parentage. I have asked her for a courtship, and while I realise that our meetings have not been strictly proper, there was no other way for us to meet in Hertfordshire. I needed to be wary of the Bingleys, and she is uncertain how the Bennets would react to our desire to come to know each other, given their hiding the truth from her. We intend to seek the advice of the other trustee while we are in London, and since he and Miss Elizabeth believe the Gardiners to be trustworthy, we will ask for their assistance as well. I do appreciate your willingness to speak up in this matter," he replied gently.
"Miss Lizzy has always held a special place in my heart, as she's been my sister's favourite," Mrs Nicholls explained. "I've heard countless stories about her over the years. While the other Bennet girls are kind enough, I've always had a soft spot for Miss Lizzy. I always believed she deserved the best, and neither my sister nor I could fathom why the Bennets treated her so poorly. When they were younger, there was little disparity in their treatment, but I began to notice a change when Miss Lizzy was around twelve, I think it was. Then, when Miss Jane was introduced to society at the tender age of fifteen, Mrs. Bennet couldn't stop raving about her beauty and how she deserved only the finest things. She started adorning both her daughter and herself in elaborate attire.
"A few years later, Miss Lizzy made her come out in Meryton, and initially, she was dressed well, albeit not as fine as Miss Jane. However, something shifted, and Mrs Bennet seemed almost envious of her second daughter. Miss Jane always had many dance partners, but the same was true for Miss Lizzy. I think Mrs Bennet didn't like that Miss Lizzy garnered equal admiration. She became more critical in her dealings with the girl, frequently drawing comparisons between the two. Mrs Bennet would boast to anyone who would listen about how beautiful her 'dear Jane' was, emphasising that Miss Lizzy couldn't possibly compare. As the younger sisters made their social debuts, she continued to heap praise on her 'dear Jane,' and when the youngest, Miss Lydia, turned fifteen, she was thrust into the limelight, and Mrs Bennet began to sing her praises too. Miss Jane and Miss Lydia received all the finest things, followed by Miss Mary and Miss Kitty, but Miss Lizzy never received even half of what the others did. It was evident to everyone in town that Miss Lizzy received the other girls' hand-me-downs, although she had a talent for transforming them into something beautiful." Mrs Nicholls grew increasingly indignant on behalf of her favoured Miss Lizzy as she continued her narrative.
Darcy extended his hand, gently covering the housekeeper's hand, which was moving erratically in her agitation. "I am committed to rectifying this situation for Miss Elizabeth and ensuring she receives what she is rightfully entitled to. She is an heiress in her own right, and when she reaches the age of inheritance, it will all be rightfully hers. She will have her own estate to oversee, which is quite prosperous and a substantial inheritance. Her grandfather's will specifies that it is meant for her, not her husband, and no one else may lay claim to it. I do hold the hope that I may one day be her husband, and in that case, I will make certain she is well provided for. However, should she ultimately choose against me, I am still committed to ensuring her well-being as a trustee of her inheritance."
Mrs Nicholls beamed at the gentleman. "You are a truly honourable man, Mr Darcy," she declared. "I've heard of your attempts to aid your friend, though he does possess a gift for eloquence but often falls short of actual doing. I can assure you that none of the local staff will ever breathe a word about the other night. They wouldn't want someone as decent as you tethered to such a difficult person, and they'd be even less likely to speak out if your courtship with Miss Lizzy were made public. I've observed how you treat the servants, and while a few may find you a tad reserved, you've always been kind to everyone."
"Thank you, Mrs Nicholls. I admit, you remind me of my housekeeper at Pemberley. You even sound like her—well, not your accent, but your tone," he teased. She responded with a grin, but they fell silent as the carriage had just pulled up at Longbourn.
The door opened just as Darcy disembarked, and several servants exited with a trunk. The coachmen had already jumped down, and together, they began to attach the trunk to the back of the carriage. Just after them, Elizabeth rushed out along with Mrs Hill. Elizabeth was just tying her bonnet strings as she exited and smiled when she faced Mr Darcy. "Right on time, as always," she jested.
"I do what I can," he replied dryly. "Mrs Nicholls and I are ready to escort you to London, and I do hope you will be able to remain for some time."
She frowned a little. "At least until Christmas, as the Gardiners usually travel here for the holidays. I do not know if I would be permitted to go back after," she said, a trifle sadly.
He squeezed the hand he held as he helped her into the carriage. "We will find a way," he whispered.
Elizabeth smiled sadly at him as she stepped into the carriage and patiently waited for him to follow. "I certainly hope so. Mrs Bennet was insufferable last night, but I believe she took some satisfaction in my being absent for some time. It is strange; she sometimes appears to be half afraid of me, yet her disdain is evident. I can understand the fear to some extent, as her life will change considerably when they cease to receive funds for my upkeep. What I do not comprehend is her animosity toward me or her failure to at least pretend to like me to remain in my good graces. The only explanation I can find is that she despises me because I will inherit my estate while Longbourn is entailed away from the female line. Yet, would it not serve her better to treat me kindly? Then, when Mr. Bennet passes away and she needs a place to reside, she could come live with me. You would think she would realise that her ill-treatment of me makes that prospect rather unlikely?"
"Angry people are not always wise, dearest," Darcy responded. "She's undoubtedly feeling angry, frustrated, and perhaps a touch jealous. If the true extent of your inheritance were more widely known, you would be far more sought after than your cousin. Given that 'dear Jane' is supposed to be the most beautiful of all her daughters, she likely cannot bear the thought of someone else catching the eye of the eligible gentlemen in the area. Since you are at least as beautiful, if not more so, she is determined to diminish your standing in the eyes of others."
He reached out to touch her hand, and she gazed up at him. "I was present at the assembly, as you will remember, and that night, she had much to say about her dearest daughter while undermining you. She also belittled her other daughters, emphasising Jane and offering a few flattering words for her 'lively Lydia.' However, she clearly promoted Miss Bennet over you. Yet, you were the one who attracted far more attention, and I did observe that you declined several dances, directing those gentlemen toward other young ladies on more than one occasion."
Elizabeth extended her hand to touch his but abruptly withdrew it when she noticed their chaperone glancing towards her. Mrs Nicholls was ostensibly gazing out the window, but Elizabeth noted that her watchful eyes were on the pair, evident in the reflection of the glass. Darcy observed both of these actions and responded with a tender smile, experiencing the thrill that she wanted to touch him while appreciating her cautious and innocent nature.
"Thank you, Mr. Darcy," she said in a hushed tone. "I had not considered the possibility of her being jealous. Indeed, Jane is the most beautiful of my cousins, and I realise I can never compare. I am far too plain and too much of a hoyden ever to capture a suitor, or at least that is what Mrs Bennet would have everyone believe." He started to object, but she raised her hand to halt him. "I understand that Jane is far more beautiful than I could ever aspire to be, but I am not envious. It's not just about the dresses—Jane possesses all the qualities a gentleman would desire in a wife. If I happen to garner more attention now, it will be because of my fortune. I know you said you wanted to court me even before you realised who I was, but few men think as you appear to."
Darcy inhaled deeply, carefully contemplating how to provide reassurance without upsetting her. "Some men do seek a wife based solely on her beauty, although few can afford to marry without at least some consideration to her fortune. Not to sound arrogant, but I am among those who can marry as they please, and it would not harm me to marry a woman with no dowry—as I contemplated when I first considered pursuing a courtship with you. I was not concerned about your lack of wealth, and the only reason I had not broached the topic with you sooner was my uncertainty about the family dynamics. I could not fathom why you were treated so differently and was unsure if your guardians would welcome my interest. I apologise for not discussing this with you earlier; perhaps we could have found a solution together."
Elizabeth grimaced. "I apologise. You have been very kind and have explained your reason for delaying already. I … I admit that I have a hard time believing that a man could be interested in me given how often I have heard that it was improbable."
"Allow me to convince you, dearest," he whispered. "I would have wanted you with or without the discovery of your inheritance."
She did extend her hand to lightly graze his cheek, though she promptly pulled it away, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment over her bold gesture. He took her hand to press a light kiss to the back of it, and for a moment, they were lost in each others' gazes. They heard Mrs Nicholls clear her throat, prompting them to shift the conversation to more general and less emotionally charged topics.
The remainder of the journey unfolded in amiable conversation. Mrs Nicholls provided a few small suggestions on how the couple might proceed in their courtship, circumventing the Bennets, and shared more information about the Bennet family, including the Gardiners, whom they would soon encounter. The Gardiners had a favourable reputation in Meryton, even though their visits were infrequent. The entire town was well aware of Mr Gardiner's prosperity as an importer. Having spent his early years in Meryton, many locals had known and liked him. He had been one of the few boys in the area sent away to school during his youth, and he never returned to live in Meryton after that. Regardless, he remained highly regarded by those who had known him as a child.
Mr Gardiner stood in stark contrast to his sisters. Perhaps it was due to his early schooling or a difference in how his parents treated him because of his sex, but he displayed amiability and intelligence where his sisters were frivolous and flighty. He and his brother Bennet shared several common interests, particularly their passion for books. However, while Mr Bennet was indolent and preferred to avoid family interaction in favour of his books, Mr Gardiner took an active role in his family's life. He had not only turned his business into a resounding success, amassing considerable wealth for himself, but also chose to reside near Cheapside to ensure he could spend ample time with his family when not occupied with work.
His wife shared a similar disposition, working diligently to be a gracious hostess to her husband and devoting herself to preparing their children for their futures. The couple married when Elizabeth was only six and waited almost four years before welcoming their first child. During that period of waiting, they took a keen interest in all their nieces, and though they extended invitations to all the Bennet children, it was typically Elizabeth who was sent. Jane occasionally accompanied her, but she was often kept at home as Mrs Bennet preferred not to be separated from her. A unique bond had formed with their second eldest niece.
In those years between her marriage and the arrival of her first child, Mrs. Gardiner invested a great deal in Elizabeth. Since then, Elizabeth had frequently travelled to London to assist with the children or to take respite from Mrs Bennet. These visits seldom exceeded a month in duration, but during these times, the Gardiners imparted a wealth of knowledge to Elizabeth.
As Darcy listened to this narrative, he gained a deeper understanding of Elizabeth's upbringing and why she stood out from her cousins despite being raised under the same roof. It became evident that this aunt and uncle, although unrelated by blood, held a special place in her heart and were the family she cherished most as she looked to the future. While he typically would not associate with tradesmen—Bingley was in the process of entering the landed gentry, even though his fortune had its origins in trade—Darcy decided to hold this tradesman and his wife in high regard because of the profound influence they had on the woman he hoped to someday call his wife.