Chapter 3
When Jane arrived at the Gardiners' house, Mrs. Smith was waiting for her. Before she moved in with her, Amelia wanted to get to know her friend's niece better. She met Mrs. Gardiner at the orphanage they both sponsored and after a short period of time, they became good friends. The Gardiners were a family of cultured, sophisticated, and kind-hearted people. For that reason, Amelia thought their niece Jane could be the lady she needed.
"Tomorrow, the furniture I ordered will arrive, and your room will be ready for you to move in. Although I do not think we shall spend much time in London, my dear Jane. In another month, we shall travel to Somerset and spend some time there."
"Do you have family there, Mrs. Smith?" Jane asked so as not to be rude. She could barely concentrate on what that kind lady was telling her.
"Yes, my nephew lives, or rather, will soon live there," Amelia explained. She noticed that Jane was not feeling well and realized it was better to leave. Mrs. Smith felt very sorry for the poor girl's situation because she knew that she had lost her father, her home, and her social standing at the same time.
As soon as Mrs. Smith left, Jane could not help but shed a few tears. Mrs. Gardiner hugged and comforted her, but Jane needed to express everything she felt at the moment, so she decided to tell her aunt what had happened a few hours ago.
"I am very, so sorry, Jane. You should have told me what you were planning to do, and I could have accompanied you."
"No, Aunt, I needed to go alone and realize once and for all that Mr. Bingley and his family never really loved me. Aunt, everything I have experienced in recent weeks has made me reflect and think about what I should do. My mother and sisters need me, and I shall not spend one more second of my life crying..." Jane wiped away her tears and looked at her aunt very seriously.
"Dear, do not let a bad experience make you distrust everyone. You have always been kind and see the good in everyone."
"And I shall continue to be so, aunt. But now, I cannot continue waiting for the man I love to decide if he wants me in his life. Aunt, my main purpose now is to help my family so that they never lack for anything and that Elizabeth does not have to work."
Mrs. Gardiner preferred not to say anything else. Jane looked quite upset, and that troubled her. Mr. Bennet's unexpected death had undoubtedly affected Jane greatly. She hoped that it would be temporary and that, in time, she would return to being the same optimistic and sweet girl that everyone loved and admired.
Jane told her aunt that her head hurt a little and went to her room to rest. She had a plan in mind, and from that day on, all her energies would be focused on it.
'I must find a home for my mother and sisters. I do not know how, but I shall find a home for them," Jane thought as she looked in the mirror and fixed her hair. She would not allow anyone else to play with her feelings like Mr. Bingley and his sisters had done.
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"What happened, Aunt?" Andrew asked, anxious.
"I think everything is alright, nephew. However, I was not able to converse as I had wished with Miss Bennet. She looked pretty despondent, but I understand because it is understandable considering everything that happened in her family in the last weeks."
"Do you think she will be willing to help us?" Andrew asked. He felt tense and needed to know if he could solve his significant problem.
"I cannot assure you of that, Andrew. But her situation is very precarious, and from the little time I have spoken with her, I have learned that she longs to be able to help her mother and sisters. Maybe she will want to make a sacrifice for them."
"I hope so. When do you plan to talk to her? Or do you prefer that I do it?"
"My dear, you must be patient. I understand you are anxious, but you should not rush a decision like this. Miss Bennet is coming to live with me next week. I plan to tell her the story of our family. You can come to dinner with us so you can meet her, and maybe by the end of this month, we can talk to her."
"A month is a long time, Aunt."
"No, Andrew, for a matter like this, it is very little time. Mrs. Berry told me that the girls are fine and that Agnes is more worried about her affairs than them."
"I do not want my nieces to live under the same roof as that woman. I cannot let her hurt them like he did to me and my brother," Andrew said and poured himself a glass of water. He needed to calm his nerves to think clearly.
Andrew Taylor, Baron Norton, turned thirty on the same day his life changed dramatically. His father married Horatio Smith's sister, the daughter of a wealthy merchant. Sadly, Alice passed away when Andrew was two, and his brother Samuel was five. The young Baron Smith married a society girl, hoping she would help him raise his two children. But young and beautiful Agnes had no time, and for the first few years of their marriage, she ignored them.
Unfortunately, the young and vain baroness was never able to have children and hated people who compared her with her husband's first wife. The late Alice was kinder and much more charming and had given her husband two healthy, strong children.
Robert lost interest in his wife, and as the years passed, Agnes vented her frustrations at the two children. While the illustrious Baron Norton spent time with one of his mistresses, Agnes subjected Samuel and Andrew to undignified treatment and exemplary punishments for whatever bothered her.
The children were only happy when they spent long periods at the Smiths' house. Horatio and Amelia were loving, entertaining, and genuinely loved them. They could never have children and their two nephews took that place.
When Robert died, Samuel was twenty. He inherited his father's title and all the family assets. The first thing he did was send his stepmother to the dower house and tell her that she was not welcome on the family estate. For his part, Andrew took his uncle's business and became the Smith heir. Both brothers loved each other very much and worked hard to recover the family's legacy and prestige.
Unfortunately, misfortune again overshadowed Andrew's happiness and his beloved brother and his wife tragically died in an accident three months ago. Andrew became the new Baron Norton and the heir to the Smith family estate. Upon hearing the news, her father's widow returned to the family estate under the pretext of taking care of her deceased stepson's daughters. Andrew could not allow that, and to prevent that woman from using any excuse to use little Clara and Matilda, he wanted to get married and give his nieces a family.
However, Andrew would not make the same mistake as his father and look for a wife among the vain and empty society ladies. Those women who ignored him when he was the second son of a ruined Baron were now interested in meeting him. Andrew wanted to find a good woman who was willing to be the mother his nieces deserved. His Aunt Amelia thought Miss Bennet might be the one, and he prayed she would because he knew he had no time to waste.
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"Miss Bennet," said Mr. Darcy, very surprised.
"Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth replied nervously. She could not believe her bad fortune. She had to meet again with that haughty and vain man.
"Excuse me, but do you know each other?" The Countess asked, seeing her nephew visibly uncomfortable.
"Yes, aunt. I met Miss Bennet in Hertfordshire. I imagine you remember that I spent a few months with Bingley on the estate he leased to learn how to run an estate."
"Of course, I remember. How small the world is," said the Countess. Then he sat beside Georgiana to let his nephew talk to Elizabeth.
"Miss Bennet, I…" Mr. Darcy did not know how to ask or what to say. His aunt had told him that the young lady applying for the position had lost her father and needed to work to help her family.
"Well, Mr. Darcy, a lot has happened since you and your friends left Hertfordshire," Elizabeth said uncomfortably. But she wanted to clear everything up and leave that place as soon as she could. "My father passed away, and I decided to look for employment to help my family."
"I am very sorry, Miss Bennet. Please accept my sincere condolences to you and your entire family. I did not know…"
"Do not worry, Mr. Darcy. You did not have to know..."
"Are you living in London?" Mr. Darcy asked, concerned.
"Yes, I am living at my uncle's house near Cheapside," replied Elizabeth, looking at Mr. Darcy. She would not let that man humiliate her with his false compassion.
"And your mother and sisters?"
"My mother and three younger sisters are in Longbourn until my uncle Phillips can rent a house for them. Jane and I are in London at my uncle's house. Excuse me, Mr. Darcy, but I think it is time to go," Elizabeth said to end this pointless interrogation. She had a feeling that Mr. Darcy would never offer her that position, given his opinion of her.
The Countess overheard part of the conversation and thought Elizabeth felt uncomfortable having to remember her father's death. "Elizabeth, dear, please join us for tea, and then my coachman will take you home."
Elizabeth did not want to disrespect Lady Margaret and accepted her invitation. She and Georgiana had been very kind, and although she was sure she would not see them again, she wanted to thank them for the opportunity.
While the ladies drank tea and talked, Mr. Darcy approached the window that overlooked the garden so he could clear his head. He felt despondent about Elizabeth's situation and sincerely desired to help her, although he did not know how. He noticed that she was thinner, and although she smiled, her eyes reflected a deep sadness—probably something very similar to what he felt when his mother and then his father died, with the difference that she also lost her home and economic stability.
Elizabeth noticed how Mr. Darcy looked at her with contempt from time to time, just as he had done in Hertfordshire. She knew he was uncomfortable and did not want her to leave so he could talk to his aunt.
Finally, the Countess told the butler to prepare the carriage to take Elizabeth home. She was a little uncomfortable because her nephew remained silent, creating a tremendously awkward situation for Elizabeth and Georgiana.
When the butler announced the carriage was ready, Elizabeth took her leave and thanked the Countess and Georgiana for the opportunity. "It has been a pleasure to meet you, my Lady, and you too, Miss Darcy. Goodbye, Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth said and curtsied.
Georgiana smiled and answered sincerely, "Thank you for taking the time to get to know me, Miss Bennet."
"It was nice to meet you, Elizabeth," Lady Margaret added.
Elizabeth finally left and could not help but feel sad on the way home. She did not know why that man always managed to put her in a bad mood. She did not understand why it mattered so much to her that Mr. Darcy knew the precarious situation and that now she was much lower than him socially.
As soon as Elizabeth arrived at the Gardiner's home, her aunt and Jane were curious to know more about her interview with Lady Margaret. She thought it was a good idea to tell them everything so she could get that unfortunate encounter out of her head and heart.
"Lady Margaret's niece is Miss Georgiana Darcy," Elizabeth explained. Mrs. Gardiner and Jane were surprised but did not want to ask questions so that Elizabeth could continue her story.
"The Countess and Miss Darcy were very kind, but Mr. Darcy treated me as he always has, and after offering his condolences, he ignored me and never spoke to me again."
"Do you think they will offer you the position, Lizzy?" Mrs. Gardiner asked. "The Darcy family is very wealthy and they will surely be able to offer you a good salary."
"Also, Lizzy, I have the impression that Miss Darcy left a good impression on you," Jane added.
"I must admit that I was surprised to discover that Georgiana was Mr. Darcy's sister. From what Caroline and Louisa said about her and how her brother behaved in Hertfordshire, I thought she was a proud and haughty young lady. However, she is a timid girl, and I got the impression that she has immense sorrow in her soul. It seems that she wanted to hide something. But I shall never know that! Aunt, I doubt that Mr. Darcy wants a woman who walks four miles in the middle of the countryside, who does not know how to play the piano perfectly, and who has a family connected to trade as her companion sister."
"Well, I suppose if that gentleman has that opinion of you, it will be difficult for him to consider you as a possible candidate for the position," said Mrs. Gardiner.
"Lizzy, you need to wait. You do not know, maybe..." Jane tried to explain.
"I am sorry, dear sister, but if you had seen how Mr. Darcy behaved, you would think very differently. After giving me his condolences, he did not speak to me again. Furthermore, you must remember how that man treated Mr. Wickham. The truth is, I do not know if I want to work for someone who behaves in that manner with someone who, until not long ago, was part of their family."
"I think we should not dwell on that matter any further, dear nieces. Jane will soon be leaving with Mrs. Smith, and you, Lizzy, can stay with us and help with the children," Mrs. Gardiner said to encourage her niece.
"Thank you, aunt," Elizabeth replied. Although she knew her aunt was sincere in her invitation, she needed to earn money to help her family.
Elizabeth planned to work for ten years and save enough funds to buy a small house for herself and her mother. With the interest on the little money that their father was able to save, they could pay household expenses and live comfortably, although without great luxuries.
That evening, Mrs. Gardiner asked the cook to prepare his nieces' favorite dishes. They also avoided talking about any topic that reminded them of the terrible situation they were experiencing. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner were very sad about their beloved nieces' situation and felt helpless for not being able to help them.
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Mr. Darcy was content that his uncle was present; otherwise, dinner with his aunt would have been unbearable. The Earl, like his sister Catherine, really liked to talk and be listened to, so Mr. Darcy just had to pretend that he was paying attention so that he would leave him alone.
He needed time to reflect and, above all, put his thoughts in order. He knew very well that after dinner, his aunt would talk to him and would have to give him an answer regarding Elizabeth. The Countess was favorably impressed with her and would indeed insist he employ her.
But Mr. Darcy was not sure what he should do. On the one hand, he admitted that bringing Elizabeth into his life was a terrible idea. He had been dangerously attracted to her; having her close could revive those feelings. Although he was sure he could never think of formalizing a relationship with her due to their obvious social differences, having her close would undoubtedly disturb his peace of mind.
On the other hand, despite his better judgment, Mr. Darcy could not help but feel compassion for Elizabeth's situation and thought that he was obligated to protect her somehow. He knew very well that a young lady as charming and pretty as she would be exposed to all kinds of dangers if she worked for some abusive family or some less-than-honorable gentleman. At least at his home, she would have respect, protection, and an excellent salary to help her family. Besides, maybe his aunt was right, and Georgiana needed someone like Elizabeth to guide and help her forget everything that had happened to her last summer.
"I imagine you and Richard have already decided on the date you will visit Catherine. She always writes to tell me to remind you," Lord Matlock said to his nephew. He had been very quiet during dinner, and he wanted to know if he was paying attention to what he was saying.
"Yes, Uncle, we already decided the date. We shall travel to Kent at the beginning of spring. I have already notified Lady Catherine, so she should not bother you again," Mr. Darcy replied.
"I imagine you know that the reason Catherine wants you to go to Rosing has nothing to do with Rosings but with Anne. I believe it is time for you to make a decision regarding that, Darcy."
"Henry, please, Darcy has enough with Catherine and that absurd idea of marrying him to Anne," said the Countess to avoid an argument between her husband and nephew.
"Margaret, please. You know very well that I do not share Catherine's idea. Darcy should marry a woman with a title. He has enough money; what he needs is to bring new connections to the family."
While her uncle spoke, Georgiana watched her brother. She noticed he was tense and uncomfortable. He had had a cold, and maybe he was not fully recovered, or perhaps he was uncomfortable listening to his uncle plan his life as if his opinion did not matter. Georgiana also hoped her new companion would be Miss Bennet because she seemed very kind and pleasant.
After dinner, and as Mr. Darcy had estimated, the Countess asked him to accompany her to the drawing room for a private conversation.
"Darcy, you should employ Miss Bennet as soon as possible. You are planning to return to Pemberley in ten more days, and she should have time to arrange her departure and say goodbye to her family."
"Aunt, I am not sure this is a good idea. Miss Bennet is very young and Georgiana needs someone with more experience, who can guide her and…"
"I do not want to discuss the same thing with you again. Your sister needs someone who can understand and help her overcome her insecurities and that shyness that paralyzes her. But like I told you, I know you are very stubborn, and I do not feel like repeating what I have told you many times. I just want you to give me a definitive answer once and for all."
"What do you want me to say?" Mr. Darcy asked, a little perplexed.
"Tell me if you are going to offer him the position."
"Can I think about this for a few days?"
"No!"
"Why?"
"Darcy, do you not realize that Miss Bennet lost her father, lost her home, and was forced to look for employment? She cannot sit and wait for you to decide and miss other opportunities. Mrs. Gray, daughter of my friend Beatrice, needs a governess for her little daughter. The Grays are an excellent family, and I plan to recommend Elizabeth to them for the position. I do not know, but I have a deep respect for that young girl, who is able to smile and be kind even in the worst circumstances."
"I understand," Mr. Darcy replied. He felt a little embarrassed that his aunt had to remind him of Elizabeth's precarious situation.
"And what is your answer?" asked the Countess. She was not going to allow her nephew to continue avoiding the matter.
"Let me talk to Georgiana. I promise to send you a note early tomorrow morning letting you know what I have decided."
"Alright, I shall wait until tomorrow, then."
After almost twenty minutes of talking to his aunt, Mr. Darcy felt exhausted and decided to return home. Before his sister retired to rest, he spoke with her about Elizabeth and then locked himself in his study until very late to make a final decision.
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Mrs. Gardiner and Jane had gone out with Mrs. Smith to buy some things. Elizabeth knew that her aunt wanted Jane to spend more time with her future employer so she would not feel so uncomfortable when she finally moved in to live in her new home.
For that reason, and in order not to interfere, Elizabeth preferred to stay home. Besides, she wanted to write to Mrs. Bennet. Elizabeth had always dreamed that her mother would be less capricious and better understand what was happening around her. But she never thought that maturity would transform her into a sad, melancholic person full of remorse for what she had not done in the past.
"Excuse me for interrupting you, Miss Lizzy, but a gentleman wishes to speak with Mr. Gardiner, but since he is not here, he asked me if he could speak with you," the butler explained to Elizabeth.
"Yes, of course," Elizabeth said. She thought he was some gentleman doing business with her uncle and wanted to locate him or leave him some urgent message that he did not want to entrust to the servants.
The butler left the room and ushered the gentleman in.
"Good morning, Miss Bennet," said Mr. Darcy seriously.
"Mr. Darcy!" replied Elizabeth surprised.
"I hope not to bother you, but I thought it was best to resolve this matter as soon as possible. Like my aunt mentioned, Georgiana and I shall return to Pemberley by the end of next week."
"Yes, I remember the Countess mentioning it, but I am sorry, sir... I do not understand…" Elizabeth was perplexed and did not comprehend why that gentleman appeared at her uncle's house to tell her in a severe tone what his plans were.
"Miss Bennet, I have come to offer you the position of my sister's companion and to speak with your uncle to arrange all the details," Mr. Darcy explained, very nervous and trying to avoid Elizabeth's gaze.
For her part, Elizabeth did not know if what Mr. Darcy said was good news or bad news.
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Thank you very much to everyone who follows the story with enthusiasm and leaves comments.
I want to mention that I hope this story isn't that long, but every time I write a chapter I come up with new ideas. I want to post often, but this place is getting worse every day, and I don't know how long it will last. At the moment, the view counter is not working, the stories are not updating on the main page, and I cannot see the comments. The good thing is that email notifications are working, and I can read your comments through my email. Also, you can receive notifications when I have posted a new chapter.
Finally, I want to apologize... Yesterday, I published a chapter of another story. I already fixed the problem, and I hope you were able to read chapter 2 that corresponded to this story 😀
In the next chapter, Elizabeth will have to make a decision and Jane will move in with Mrs. Smith.
See you soon! (If FF allows it )
Saludos,
Yo