So sorry to everyone who has been waiting in vain for the next chapter. I've not been well at all with something affecting my brain. It's been really difficult to concentrate or even look at words for a while. Hopefully I'm on the mend now. Thank you for all the wonderful reviews. Hope you enjoy this chapter too!
Mr Gardiner returned to dress shortly before dinner. His discussion with his wife in the privacy of their rooms was full of speculation as to the nature of their niece's acquaintance with Mr Darcy. It was evident that she was much better acquainted with the gentleman than they had before any idea of; it was evident that he was very much in love with her. How Mrs Bennet had not considered him as a potential match, Mr Gardiner could not fathom, until his wife recalled how the general dislike towards him in Hertfordshire had blinded her towards the possibility.
Whether their niece welcomed his attention was less sure, although they felt there was something in the embarrassment with which she had received their guests. On reflection, they both were most willing to promote the match. Mr Gardiner had heard nothing bad of Mr Darcy from anyone within his business acquaintances, while Mrs Gardiner could recall from her childhood in Lambton that the Darcys were considered proud, but that otherwise there was no ill spoken of them otherwise.
Mr Wickham's story was raised, but was called into question by Mrs Gardiner, who had received some information from her friends still in Lambton, which suggested that perhaps Mr Wickham was not as good as his countenance and manners suggested. Besides, what was there to be gained by discouraging the suit of a gentleman with such consequence as Mr Darcy? They would not get in the way of such a match, and while they wished their niece would take them into her confidence, they knew her character well enough to know that she would do so only when she was ready, and they trusted in her judgement to look after her own interests in this matter. For they knew, that despite Mr Darcy's wealth and status in society, their niece would only be happy marrying for affection, rather than more material purposes, and there was no use in them forcing the matter.
Elizabeth completed her toilette for dinner with more than her usual care, although she was unaware of it. If Jane noticed anything as they helped each other prepare, she chose not to comment, and Elizabeth took the opportunity to observe her sister. She had clearly seen nothing at all of Mr Bingley, and the disinterest of his sisters to sustain their friendship, as well as the abandonment of the brother, had affected her spirits greatly.
Elizabeth was not happy with what she observed, and only held back the information that she had learned from Colonel Fitzwilliam to save her sister from more hurt. The sadness that was so evident on Jane's face only served to make her more angry with Mr Darcy for using his influence over his friend, yet at the same time it strengthened Elizabeth's belief that she had chosen the right course of action by agreeing to marry Mr Darcy, as the likelihood of any of them being lucky enough to find a suitor with even a fifth of the wealth of Mr Darcy was extremely low, and at least As Mrs Darcy Elizabeth could only raise the fortunes of her sisters.
The gentlemen arrived promptly at the agreed upon hour, but to Elizabeth's surprise, they were accompanied by a young lady. She was tall, and on a larger scale than Elizabeth; and, though little more than sixteen, her figure was formed and her appearance womanly and graceful.
Mr Darcy made the introductions, and Elizabeth was astonished once again to find the young lady to be that gentleman's sister. Miss Darcy seemed eager to meet her, although she was somewhat reticent. The lack of surprise from Elizabeth's relations at Miss Darcy's inclusion in the party suggested that Elizabeth was the only one unaware that the dinner invitation had been extended to her, and that she could only attribute her lack of knowledge to her own inattention to the conversation that afternoon. Elizabeth was surprised that Mr Darcy had allowed her to join them for dinner, for his usual haughtiness had once again returned and it was clear that he was less eager for her to become acquainted with the Gardiners than with Elizabeth herself.
After the usual greetings had been given, Elizabeth quickly took pity on Miss Darcy, inviting her to sit by herself upon one of the sofas. The brother was once again quick to claim a seat as close as possible, on her opposite side, leaving the Colonel to be entertained by Jane and Mr Gardiner. Elizabeth wisely resolved to be perfectly easy and unembarrassed; - a resolution the more necessary to be made, but perhaps not the more easily kept, because she saw that the suspicions of many of the company were awakened against them, and that there was scarcely an eye which did not watch his behaviour when he sat down beside her.
Luckily for Elizabeth, Miss Darcy commanded much of her attention, and she was pleased to find that the reports Elizabeth had heard of the lady's pride were wholly untrue, and that she was instead exceedingly shy. At first she found it difficult to obtain even a word from her beyond a monosyllable, and she was grateful that her aunt had sat at that end of the room, and between the two of them they carried the conversation. Mrs Gardiner was eager to talk of Derbyshire with two who had been there more recently than herself, and for a little while Elizabeth was able to sit back and observe her guests.
Miss Darcy was tall, and on a larger scale than Elizabeth; and, though little more than sixteen, her figure was formed, and her appearance womanly and graceful. She was less handsome than her brother; but there was sense and good-humour in her face, and her manners were perfectly unassuming and gentle. Elizabeth, who had expected to find in her as acute and unembarrassed an observer as ever Mr. Darcy had been, was much relieved by discerning such different feelings. There was something in the way that Miss Darcy watched both herself and her own brother that made Elizabeth wonder if he had shared the news of their engagement. Mr Darcy listened attentively to their conversation, but rarely added to it, instead encouraging his sister as much as possible to converse with Elizabeth..
Dinner continued on much the same vein. Mrs Gardiner had seated Mr Darcy next to herself, with Elizabeth on his other side, and then Miss Darcy between herself and her uncle. On the other side sat Colonel Fitzwilliam between Jane and Maria. Despite the presence of her reticent fiancée on one side, Elizabeth couldn't think of a dinner where she had enjoyed herself so much in a long time. It was consoling that she had some relations for whom there was no need to blush. She listened most attentively to all that passed between them and gloried in every expression, every sentence of her uncle, which marked his intelligence, his taste or his good manners. The easy geniality and conversation of the Colonel could only be improved by the lack of Lady Catherine's interference. It was no great loss to the general atmosphere that Mr Darcy spoke even less than his sister, responding only to direct enquiries.
Elizabeth was acutely aware of how closely he attended to her conversation with his sister. At first she thought it was because he was unwilling to take part in the conversation himself, but eventually she began to pick up on the tiny signs of encouragement that passed from the brother to the sister when she seemed at her most unsure. If nothing else, she could at least accord him the distinction of being a most attentive and kind brother. Indeed, when the sexes separated after dinner, Miss Darcy only needed the slightest prompting to talk about her brother by a curious Mrs Gardiner, leading her to speak more at length than at any point that evening so far.
Elizabeth was amused to find out just how devoted Mr Darcy was to his sister, and she to him. In her opinion there could be no better or a kinder brother, whose word she held almost sacred. Amusement soon gave way when a passing comment led Elizabeth to realise just how young Mr Darcy had come not only into his inheritance, but into the guardianship of a much younger sister. The affection that she held for him was telling, as well as the way that Mr Darcy clearly cared for, and encouraged her.
However, the remembrance of his pride, his distaste for others, and his treatment of those he felt inferior, not least Mr Wickham, his childhood friend, stopped her from softening her feelings towards him. Of course he would care for and want the best for his sister, for her education and manners would only reflect on him, and he surely could not countenance anything less than the best for a Darcy of Pemberly. As his wife, Elizabeth could only wonder if he would take similar care of her, as it would surely be beneath his pride for anyone so closely associated with him not to be well provided for.
These ruminations were soon interrupted by the gentlemen joining them. Neither of their guests had wished to linger overlong with their port, and preferred to return to the ladies. Mr Gardiner, divining the reason for the eagerness of at least one of them, was more than happy to oblige. Mr Darcy once more settled close to Elizabeth, leaving his cousin to Jane, Maria and Mrs Gardiner. As the latter poured tea, Jane and the Colonel drew Miss Darcy into conversation, leaving Elizabeth free to speak to Mr Darcy.
"Do you still intend to travel to Hertfordshire the day after tomorrow?" He spoke quietly so that no one could overhear.
"We do. My uncle has arranged for a carriage to take us halfway, and my father's carriage will take us the rest." She glanced around to make sure no one was paying their conversation any mind. "Have you made your arrangements to follow in a few days time?"
"I have sent ahead to reserve a room at the inn, and will have completed all the business I need to attend to in town, so should be able to follow as planned."
Elizabeth could find nothing to say to this, so merely nodded. She could only hope that the news of Mr Darcy returning to the neighbourhood didn't reach her family before she had broken the news of her engagement. Mr Darcy could have no conceivable reason to return to the neighbourhood, and Elizabeth could only fear the conjecture she may have to endure before the truth was revealed. Perhaps as short an engagement as possible would be preferable, as the speculation and gossip would be unbearable, and to escape to another county could only be a relief.
The only thing holding her back would be the loss of Jane and her father. If she insisted, she could be married in barely more than six weeks, but how little time would that be to spend with those she loved most. She could only hope Mr Darcy would not refuse to let her invite her sister for as long and frequently as possible. At least there was nothing in her behaviour that he could hold against her, unlike their mother and younger sisters, whose society Elizabeth was sure would rarely be welcomed either in London or Derbyshire by her future husband. In truth, although Elizabeth loved them dearly, it was never more clear than now, amongst family and acquaintances whose manners were everything that was correct, how little she would miss the immoderate tempers of her mother and younger sisters.
She was pulled from her reverie by her fiancée's quiet voice.
"Do you wish to set a day for me to visit your father at Longbourn, or perhaps you would prefer to let me know once you have spoken to him?"
For a moment she had no answer. She did not want to set a date, lest it took longer than expected to find the right time to speak to her father. But how to get word to Mr Darcy? A note was surely out of the question, unless it came from her father, but without knowing his reaction to her engagement she did not wish to rely on his willingness to summon a prospective suitor who he did not approve of.
"I am not sure how long it will take to inform my father. I would prefer not to set a day for you to come until I have spoken to him."
They were silent for a few moments.
"How will you get word to me?" he eventually replied, mirroring her own thoughts.
She bit her lip for a moment, unsure, before a possible solution suddenly presented itself to her.
"I am in the habit of taking early walks every morning before breakfast."
He frowned for a moment before realisation spread across his face, the corner of his mouth turning up slightly. "What is your preferred route?"
"There is a path that travels along the border between my father's lands and that of Netherfield's, towards Oakham Mount, that affords the best views of the area."
His face brightened, and Elizabeth was taken for a moment by just how handsome his face was.
"Would you recommend that I take the opportunity to take in the views for myself while I am in Meyton?" His gaze dropped to her lips as she replied then for the barest of moments they flicked even lower.
"I would, sir," she replied rather too breathlessly for her own liking.
They both glanced away then, a faint blush on both their cheeks. Elizabeth couldn't look at him for at least a few minutes, and it was sometime later before she could manage to talk again, and that was only as part of the general conversation rather than continuing their private discourse.
When the gentleman and Miss Darcy got up to leave, Mr Darcy hung back for a moment with Elizabeth in the drawing room, clearly hoping for a moment to speak to her.
"I hope it will not be long before I have the pleasure of seeing you at Longbourn. You may be sure I will take the chance to take in the view from Oakham Mount in the mornings." He glanced quickly at the door through which the rest of the party had just departed. His voice fell to a whisper. "Dearest Elizabeth…" He took her hand, pressing it for a moment. "I wish I could tell you just how happy you have made me. But I am afraid words cannot express…" He trailed off, looking for a moment as if he were about to lean forward and press his lips to hers. To her irritation Elizabeth could not deny that she was not completely unwilling to let him do so.
The moment was interrupted, however, by her aunt returning to the room and calling out for her niece. Quickly Mr Darcy stepped back to a proper distance. He turned to her aunt and stiffly thanked her for hosting them, adding his expectation that he would see her again before long. Mrs Gardner could only look amazed by this, as she could not expect to be in his company without the presence of Elizabeth herself. Instead of voicing her confusion, she gently agreed and proceeded to lead them out of the room to where the carriages were waiting by the front door. Mr Darcy tried to linger once more by Elizabeth, but had no chance to say anything more in private to her, as his own sister and cousin wished to make their farewells. His final gaze before he disappeared into the coach made Elizabeth shiver from the heat in his eyes, and she returned to the drawing room most out of sorts.