Chapter 9
Darcy's carriage delivered Elizabeth to the Gardiner's house a little before noon. Knowing his niece was expected, Mr Gardiner came home early for his afternoon meal and was waiting when the carriage arrived. All three travellers were escorted into the house, and refreshments were ordered. Mrs Nicholls was uncomfortable with the invitation and instead asked to be introduced to the Gardiners' housekeeper and join her for tea.
In the Gardiners' parlour, Elizabeth introduced her aunt and uncle to the gentleman. They all were seated, and Elizabeth spoke first. "I met Mr Darcy at an assembly just after Michaelmas a little more than three weeks ago. A few days ago, he received a letter that seemed to concern me, and we wondered what you might know of matters."
Mr Darcy picked up the story and began to tell about the estate and investments he maintained as the inheritance for a friend of his father's and the letter he received that led to the confirmation of his belief that Elizabeth was not who she thought she was and their subsequent discussion about matters.
"Miss Elizabeth, I did not say anything in the carriage, but I received a reply from Mr Elliot yesterday afternoon. He confirmed that you are, in fact, Miss Tomlinson. He will be in town early next week and asked to meet with both of us as soon as can be arranged," Darcy told them. "Mr Gardiner, I would like to request your presence as well, as Miss Tomlinson is not yet of age. My father was appointed her guardian, though we are uncertain who presently has that responsibility."
"He only confirmed I was the girl in question, nothing else?" Elizabeth inquired, furrowing her brow as she looked at him.
"No, there was more, but, Miss Elizabeth, I prefer to speak of it privately to your uncle first," Darcy admitted, wincing slightly. "It is not that I do not think you capable of hearing it, but that the information is delicate, and I prefer to speak it over with Mr Gardiner first if you do not mind."
Elizabeth was unsure whether to be annoyed or worried as this was the first time he had been reluctant to speak to her about anything concerning herself. She reluctantly agreed. "I insist you two get it over with quickly then because if it concerns me, I would like to hear it as soon as the two of you can sort out the best way to do so."
Darcy hid a grin at her impatient tone but requested to speak to Mr Gardiner privately. That gentleman agreed, and the two removed to Mr Gardiner's study.
As soon as the gentlemen left, Mrs Gardiner moved closer to Elizabeth, squeezing her hand. "Lizzy, this is much to take in in such a short time. How are you doing with it?"
Elizabeth breathed deeply to compose herself. "It has been difficult, Aunt, to realise everything I believed was true is not. In fact, though I have always known that technically I was incorrect in calling you Aunt, as we are not related whatsoever, but I feel more comfortable continuing to refer to you in that way than I do in continuing to refer to Mr and Mrs Bennet familiarly." Again, she sighed deeply. "I feel betrayed by them, and the more I have discussed things with Mr Darcy, the greater the betrayal seems. I am an heiress, Aunt; on my next birthday, I will come into a significant fortune and will own my own estate. I will answer to no one and never have to marry if I do not choose to do so. I have a freedom I never knew, but my entire life has been built upon a lie."
She covered her face with her hands for a moment to think. "I think the most shocking realisation has been to learn that I am not the penniless natural child of my Uncle Edwards, as many have assumed, but the daughter of Mr Bennet's sister and her husband. Ever since I began coming to visit here, we spoke of how Mrs Bennet treated me differently from her daughters, which caused me pain, but I understood to a small degree. However, now I cannot understand why I was treated that way and allowed to think of myself that way when nothing could have been further from the truth. Mr Darcy suggested Mrs Bennet treated me this way out of envy, which, I admit, would never have occurred to me but does make sense. I have the security she craves because my grandparents saw fit to leave my inheritance directly to me. I will never worry about where or how I will live. However, had she befriended me, she could have relied on my assistance. At the moment, I cannot fathom having anything to do with them once I inherit."
"Lizzy, I apologise for changing the topic, but tell me of Mr Darcy and how he came to assit you in this way," Mrs Gardiner asked softly.
Elizabeth blushed, her smile radiant. "He wishes to court me, Aunt. He was inclined to do so even before he became aware of my true background, though he expressed uncertainty about navigating the complexities of my family situation. He sensed something was amiss but could not pinpoint it and thought it prudent to wait until he had more information. Then, he received the letter from Mr Elliot, and the pieces began to fall into place. However, he has not yet broached the subject with Mr. Bennet—he wanted to seek Mr. Elliot's counsel before proceeding. I suspect that even if we did decide to marry, it may not be possible before I come of age. I am unsure he would be willing to endure such a long wait."
"Lizzy, I have little doubt he has already begun to consider all these things if he has spoken to you of courting. He is seeking advice on approaching your uncle, and it seems he has taken good care of you. Even if you do have to wait the better part of a year to wed, I doubt he will be unwilling to wait," Mrs Gardiner soothed. "You pay too much attention to what my sister says and do not realise your own value."
"He did not mention courtship until he told me of the letter from Mr Elliot. He has assured me he wanted to request a courtship even before, and I do not want to doubt him, but it is difficult for me," Elizabeth confessed, her eyes on her tightly held hands in her lap.
Mrs Gardiner patted Elizabeth's arm and tugged her chin up so she was looking directly at her. "He said the terms of the will stipulate that you retain control of your entire inheritance, even after you marry. He has already been managing it for several years and has his own estate, which is quite substantial on its own. Mr Darcy is extraordinarily wealthy and does not need your wealth, my dear," she told her. "He is the furthest thing imaginable from a fortune hunter."
Elizabeth laughed. "I never envisioned Mr Darcy as such," she replied. "No, I was more worried that my inheritance was all a man like that might be interested in. Even if he does not need my fortune, is not possible that my possessing one makes it that much more pleasing ann idea to him. He could have resisted me as the natural child of a gentleman, but now that I have a dowry …? I wonder how anyone could love someone like me?" she cried.
Mrs Gardiner wrapped her arms around her niece. "Hush, child," she whispered into her hair. "You are well-loved by many, and any man, particularly one like Mr Darcy, would be inordinately lucky to have you as a wife." The two remained that way for several minutes until Elizabeth seemed to calm again. "Tell me, Lizzy, you said he has spoken of a courtship, but has he said more?"
Elizabeth shook her head. "Not explicitly, but he addresses me as 'dearest' and has made other remarks that suggest deeper feelings. He… he did kiss me yesterday after our conversation at Oakham Mount when we were discussing our plans for travelling to London today. It was brief, our lips scarcely touched, but, oh, Aunt." Elizabeth paused momentarily, her hands covering her face as she blushed. "It was absolutely wonderful."
"Do you love him?" she asked.
She dropped her hands and looked at her aunt. "I do not know. I think I might, but how do I know? We have not even known each other for a full month. We … we have met at Oakham Mount nearly every morning since we first met. Except for yesterday, we have always maintained a distance from each other, but we have spoken of so many things during this time. At first, our meetings were accidental, but then I thought it was on purpose. Of course, I nearly always walked that way even before he came, though I think he sought me out after the first few meetings." Glancing at the concern on her aunt's face, she quickly tried to reassure her. "No one saw us, and, as I said, we never stood close to each other, although, the day he received the letter, we did speak much longer than usual."
"Calm yourself, Elizabeth," Mrs Gardiner said, again taking her niece's arm to calm her. "I do not doubt you and am hardly worried about gossip in Meryton. The tenants of Longbourn and Netherfield think too well of you to spread scurrilous tales about you, even if someone had seen something, and Mrs Hill and Mrs Nicholls would never allow servants to gossip about you."
"Thank you, Aunt," Elizabeth said but then gasped. "Oh, you do not mind if I continue to call you my aunt, do you?"
"Of course not, dear," she replied, patting her hand. "No matter what happens, you are my niece. "Nothing will change that."
In the study, the conversation between the two men took a markedly different tone. "Mr Bennet has written to Mr Elliot, seeking his approval for a marriage contract between Elizabeth and Mr Bennet's heir, a man by the name of Mr Collins. He happens to be my aunt's clergyman, and based on that alone, I can confidently assure you he is not a suitable match for Miss Tomlinson. Even if she were the late Mr Bennet's illegitimate daughter, the match would be ill-fitting for someone of her calibre. My aunt has a penchant for hiring sycophants; her previous rector was an imbecile. Mr Bennet is intent on orchestrating this match, disregarding the fact that Miss Elizabeth's consent is essential, along with that of the trustees. It appears he has also conveniently overlooked the fact that her estate directly passes to Elizabeth. He suggests that Mr Collins is willing to renounce the entail, as he will inherit Briarwood in its stead." Darcy's tone carried a hint of frustration.
"Mr Darcy, is there anything else you want to speak with me about? You seem far more involved in this situation than just as a trustee, and I still am unclear how Lizzy ended up coming to town in your company," Gardiner asked.
"I spoke to Miss Elizabeth about my desire to court her several days ago. At first, I waited as I was uncertain how my request would be received by Mr Bennet, but once I heard from Mr Elliott and learned for certain she is the young lady for whom I am a trustee, it complicated matters. Until we speak to Mr Elliott, nothing can be done. I …. I care about her very much, sir, and if I believed she were ready, and if there was not the additional complication of the trusteeship, I would have already asked her to be my wife. I have said as much to her but have been unwilling to press too much, given what she is having to endure at the moment," Darcy confessed. "I intended to ask you and Mr Elliott for advice on how to proceed."
"Bennet does not know of your interest?" Gardiner clarified.
"No, he has never been at any of the events where I have encountered Miss Elizabeth, and she and I have met each other on our walks several mornings; well, she was walking, I was riding. We would speak for a few minutes but maintained a distance from each other in case we were seen. We only broke with propriety the morning I shared Mr Elliott's first letter with her, but that was because I knew it would be a long conversation. I have not acted inappropriately with her, sir," Darcy insisted, though as soon as he said it, he recalled riding with her on his horse and the brief kiss he had given her.
"Thank you, Mr Darcy, for your reassurance, and I imagine Lizzy is telling my wife a similar story," Gardiner acknowledged. "Should I discover any inconsistencies in your accounts, I will be greatly displeased," he warned, though he knew he had little influence with the gentleman. "However, I am well-acquainted with the personalities of my brother and sister and find it difficult to believe that either of them would be amenable to your proposal, particularly if they are entertaining this plan. I wonder which one of them concocted this scheme." Mr. Gardiner leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes for a brief moment as he contemplated the situation. "What did your Mr Elliott say about this proposed marriage?"
"He is acquainted with my aunt and cannot fathom her employing a man any sensible woman would desire to marry. Naturally, he will reject it based on the notion of Mr Collins inheriting the estate in place of Longbourn, and he will emphasise that no marriage contract will be sanctioned without the agreement of both trustees and, of course, Miss Tomlinson's consent. She cannot be coerced into this or any marriage. My concern now is that Mr Bennet agreed to this trip to London to remove her from Longbourn while the contracts were being negotiated, only to return her later and attempt to tell her she has no choice in the matter. Miss Tomlinson has been kept in the dark about her true identity for all these years, and her relations have treated her quite poorly. I am apprehensive about what might unfold should she return to Longbourn. If she does, I will lease a residence in Meryton to closely monitor the situation," Darcy concluded.
"Mr Darcy, I must pose a question as the nearest male relative to my niece, well, regardless of any true connection by blood—she is and will always be my niece. Please do not take offence, and appreciate that I need to understand this. You have expressed your wish to marry my niece, yet you display a deeper attachment than what is customary for couples in the courting stage. Would you have pursued her with the same fervour had she been Elizabeth Bennet rather than Tomlinson?"His tone was firm though he still strove to maintain a conciliatory approach with the more influential gentleman.
Darcy's countenance briefly hardened at the tradesman questioning his honour before softening. "I agree, sir, you are fully entitled to such an inquiry. I have the responsibility of caring for a much younger sister, and I would extend the same vigilance to anyone who sought to court her. Yes, I was interested when I believed her to be Elizabeth Bennet. A certain restraint held me back, though, and it was not linked to her wealth or connections, or even the rumours of her birth. I found myself troubled by the way her aunt treated her in public, and as I delved deeper into her background, I encountered more questions that I needed answers to before I felt I could proceed. An inner voice cautioned me that my suit might not find favour with Mr Bennet, prompting me to wait. When I disclosed the truth about her identity to Miss Elizabeth, I felt compelled to be forthright about my intentions. I believed she should have at least a glimpse of my true feelings for her. I know she is unsettled by all the changes in her life at the moment. I worry she has agreed because she sees me as a way out of this mess she is in."
"I do not think Lizzy would agree for that reason," Gardiner told the younger man. "It may be a part of it, but it is not the only reason. Lizzy has always said she would only marry for the deepest love, and she will want to be certain of that before she agrees to more. You do realise that your revelations of her estate make her quite independent, meaning that marriage is not a necessity for her now. I am sure she has already come to that conclusion."
"Thank you for that reassurance, sir. I will wait before moving further unless you or Mr Elliott think it wise."
"I wonder, Mr Darcy," Gardiner said thoughtfully, then trailed off and shook his head as if to clear it. "We need to discuss this further, but you need to make Lizzy aware of this latest development. It will be one more shock to her, but she is unlike many young women and will be able to handle it."
Darcy nodded. "I wanted to discuss it with you before I said anything to her. I was … I was worried I could not restrain my anger at her father if she was the first one I told," Darcy confessed.
"Lizzy probably could have handled your anger, but, knowing her as I do, will likely desire to walk after she is told. It is better to do it here where she can escape to the garden or the to the park. I will even allow you to accompany her," Gardiner teased.
"I have noticed that trait in her," Darcy laughed. The two rose and returned to where the ladies waited.