Ok, this is a super short chapter mostly cause I have been ill and stress with life so I haven't written much. I have the idea in my head but the transition to paper just isn't coming the way I want it to. I blame my dyslexia...lol. I am sure I will rewrite this chapter again when I start updating again. But just know it will be awhile. Yet I know I left a few people upset with my last chapter and I hope this one redeems Miss. Elizabeth a bit.

Chapter 23

The next morning proved difficult. I came down to breakfast with my family, a sense of unease lingering from the previous evening. Thomas sat at the head of the table, his usual position of authority. I took my place to his right, while Elizabeth sat to his left, Jane next to her. Frances occupied the other head of the table, with Mary seated between Frances and myself.

Frances, ever eager to share her thoughts, began remarking about Mr. Bingley. "He seems quite taken with Jane, don't you think?" she said with a smile. But then her expression turned serious. "And did you hear what Mr. Darcy did? He slighted Lizzy. You don't think he is any relation to the Mr. Darcy you know mother?"

This statement shocked me. I knew that Lizzy had slighted him twice, but I did not recall Mr. Darcy speaking to her at all. Elizabeth, sensing the curiosity in the room, took a deep breath and began to retell her encounter.

"I overheard Mr. Bingley pressuring Mr. Darcy to dance," she said, her voice steady but tinged with irritation. "He was pointing me out, and Mr. Darcy refused."

I then recalled the scene from the previous night. As the evening wore on, I had seen Mr. Darcy engage in conversation with Mr. Bingley. The contrast between the two gentlemen was stark – Mr. Bingley's open, friendly manner was a foil to Mr. Darcy's reserved demeanor. Yet, there was an ease in their interaction that spoke of a deep friendship. I watched as Mr. Bingley's animated gestures and cheerful countenance seemed to soften some of the rigidity in Mr. Darcy's posture.

My attention was also drawn to Elizabeth, who was engaged in lively conversation with Charlotte Lucas. Her eyes sparkled with wit and intelligence as she spoke, her hands moving expressively to emphasize her points. That must have been when the conversation between Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy happened—I was too far away to hear it.

Mr. Bennet's voice broke through my thoughts. "Slighted you, Lizzy, did he?" he said with a hint of amusement. Elizabeth's eyes met his, and she replied with a casual shrug, "I didn't care for him either, Father, so it is of little matter."

I cleared my throat, drawing everyone's attention to me. "What did you expect him to say, Elizabeth? Have you not slighted him twice, my dear girl?"

Elizabeth looked at me, her expression one of confusion. "I slighted him?"

"Yes, my dear," I said gently. "He was standing right behind you about to tap you on your shoulder thinking it was me, when you said "Hmm. I wonder if he'd be quite so handsome if he was not quite so rich?" Do you recall those words.

She flushed with embarrassment, but I pushed on, "and then as he walked away did you not say that he was not so handsome after all?"

"I..I..I see," she murmured, reflecting on my words. "But why was he about to tap me on my shoulder?"

"You know from the back you and I look the same, he was searching for me."

"Searching for you? Why?"

"As my daughter just asked me, yes, he is that Mr. Darcy. He is Lady Anne's son and Georgiana's brother."

Elizabeth's eyes widened in shock. "He is Fitzwilliam? The one who saved Uncle, the one who... oh no... what have I..." She started to cry, the realization of her actions hitting her hard.

I moved closer to her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Elizabeth, I know you were just teasing with your friends. You did not mean to hurt anyone, but just as you felt slighted, so did he. Words have power, and sometimes they can wound deeper than we realize."

Elizabeth sniffled, wiping her tears with a shaky hand. "I didn't mean to hurt him, Grandmother. I swear I didn't."

"I know, my dear," I said softly. "But it is important to remember that our actions and words can have unintended consequences. Mr. Darcy is a proud man, but beneath that pride, he is just as susceptible to feeling slighted as anyone else. And just as you claimed you were not hurt by his words, he may do the same but deep down, how did you really feel when you heard his slight?"

Elizabeth looked at me, "I was hurt, I tried to laugh it off with Charlotte, Oh no, I may have made things worst I repeated what he said to Charlotte in a mocking way. I know she is arriving this morning, I know Grandmother I promised to go with you when you are visiting our tenants this morning but perhaps I should stay behind and explain to Charlotte what really happened. And perhaps, when I next meet Mr. Darcy, I shall apology"

I smiled gently, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "That would be the right thing to do. It takes courage to admit when we are wrong, and I know you have that courage, Elizabeth."

The room had grown quiet, everyone reflecting on the lesson that had just unfolded. Elizabeth's resolve to make amends was a step toward healing the misunderstandings that had arisen.

As I was just leaving the Garson's cottage, I spotted Mr. Darcy riding near the border of Longbourn. His figure was unmistakable, tall and imposing on his horse, and I could see him looking my way with a strange look upon his face. He seemed to be hesitating, perhaps doubting whether it was me or my granddaughter, so I waved to clarify his uncertainty. His face transformed with recognition, and he rode toward me, his serious expression softening into a warm smile.

"Mrs. Gardiner," he greeted me as an old friend, inclining his head respectfully. "It is a pleasure to see you. I was beginning to question whether I was in the right town, as I did not see you at the assembly last night."

I returned his smile. "I was there, Mr. Darcy, but it seems our paths did not cross. When I was free to approach you, you were always engaged, and when I was engaged, you were free. It just never seemed to be the right time."

He frowned slightly, perhaps recalling his interactions with Elizabeth, but as a gentleman, he refrained from speaking ill. I could sense his curiosity, though, and decided to ease the conversation.

"There were certain members of your party I did not wish to meet," I hinted, observing his reaction.

Mr. Darcy's eyebrows raised in surprise. "Surely you do not mean Mr. Bingley himself?"

I chuckled softly. "No, not Mr. Bingley. He seems a very amiable young man."

A shadow of concern crossed Mr. Darcy's face. "Then, are you suggesting I should be worried about what I thought were Bingley's harmless sisters?"

I sighed, pondering my words carefully. "It's not a matter of worry, but I had a feeling that it would be best to avoid them. Sometimes intuition guides us more than reason."

He looked at me with a mixture of curiosity and concern. "A feeling, or do you know something I should know?"

I laughed lightly, appreciating his directness. "You know I try not to direct the future based on the future I know. It can lead to unforeseen consequences."

Mr. Darcy's expression softened into a look of sad understanding. "You were kind enough to warn me of my father's passing," he said quietly. "It was hard, but I appreciated knowing."

We shared a brief moment of silence, both reflecting on the past and the challenges it brought. I could see the weight of responsibility in his eyes, a burden he carried with dignity.

"Where may I greet you during your stay?" he asked, breaking the silence with a courteous inquiry.

"I'm staying with my daughter-in-law, Mrs. Bennet," I replied.

He gave me a sour look, the mention of the Bennet name clearly evoking a reaction. I laughed softly, sensing the source of his discomfort. "Yes, my granddaughter made an impression on you, but I beg you to give her a second chance. As you become withdrawn when nervous, she becomes impertinent."

Mr. Darcy looked genuinely puzzled. "Why would she be nervous?"

I smiled mysteriously. "That would be revealing too much, Mr. Darcy."

He frowned, clearly intrigued but respectful enough not to press further. Our conversation was a delicate dance, much like the one we had both witnessed the previous night. There were unspoken words and guarded feelings, but also a shared understanding of the complexities of human interactions.

As we prepared to part ways, Mr. Darcy bowed deeply. "It was a pleasure to see you, Mrs. Gardiner. I hope we shall have another opportunity to converse soon."

"Likewise, Mr. Darcy," I replied, curtsying. "Do visit us at Longbourn. It would be a delight."

Though I don't always do it remember this is always supposed to be more from my point of view than others, thus me missing Darcy insult in the last chapter. (though I did hint at it happening, plus lets be honest we all have read those lines of the insult SOOOOOOOOOOO many times that I need not write it myself. )