Chapter 15: Edward Gardiner
The month of June brought an unexpected visitor to Ashton Park.
Early one morning, Lady Martha summoned Elizabeth to her study.
Elizabeth froze when she entered the room.
Right in front of her stood her uncle, Mr Edward Gardiner.
" Uncle Gardiner." She exclaimed in shock.
" Miss Smith, I shall leave you both now. " Lady Martha said and left the room. The moment she left Mr Gardiner started his outburst.
" What have you done, Elizabeth? How could you?" Mr Gardiner cried with anger.
" How could I? What have you to accuse me of now, uncle? Pray, tell me."
" Your aunt says she begged you to live with her in town. Why did you have to leave? And in disguise. Calling yourself Miss Smith?"
" What do I call myself then? Miss Bennet? Is that the truth?" She asked, annoyed.
" I know how horrific all this is. Your aunt's letters did not reach me on time. I received them just a few weeks ago. I immediately set aside all my work and travelled to Hertfordshire. Trust me I did not spare your father and mother. They have betrayed you and me as well."
" But you knew the truth about my past. You knew everything. Why didn't you say anything?" She cried.
" Because I thought you were happy there. I thought you had a family. I never imagined in my dream that they treated you so cruelly."
"I do not want to relive the past. I need some answers. All I know is that my mother did not disclose any details about who my father was. Is that true?"
" Unfortunately, yes. I loved Sarah so very much. When she was eighteen years old, I traveled overseas to learn trade. I wanted to assist your grandfather better in his business. I returned after a couple of years when she was twenty. I was shocked to discover that she was with a child."
" Didn't my grandfather know any details? "
'" No. All he said was it could be someone Sarah was in love with. He said both Fanny and Sarah had made several new acquaintances that year. I searched for answers and begged her to convey the truth. She never did. She did not trust. Now you have done the same. "
" How am I to trust anyone in this world? Please tell me."
" Why did you have to leave? You could have stayed in my house. "
"I did not want to stay in the house of someone who detested my mother for what she did." Elizabeth said with anger.
" Yes! I did detest her. I was furious with her for ruining her entire life so easily. I loved her so much. Can you imagine how I felt to see her like that?"
" Could you imagine how she would have felt? She would have expected you to be supportive of her needs. But all she got from you was spite. Had she trusted you, she would have definitely told the truth. Maybe she feared the outcome of her disclosure. Have you thought about it?"
" Do not tell me I was not supportive of her. I wanted to find out who was responsible for her state and make him pay."
" See, this why she was scared to tell you. Maybe that is not what she wanted."
" Whatever has happened has happened. Now that I am here, nobody can hurt you. Your father cannot harm you in any way. Nor can he force you to marry that scoundrel. You have to come back with now."
"Did you…Did you reveal where I am to my parents?" She asked with despair.
" I did not. Be sensible and come with me. This is not a living you have to accustom yourself to."
" I am sorry to disappoint you, just like my mother. But I will not."
" Are you happy here?"
" I am, more than ever."
" Lady Martha seems to be kind. But she does not see the forgiving type. Have you thought about the consequences if she discovers your true identity?"
" She already knows everything. I am content being here. I do not want to be dependent on anyone. I want to live on my terms."
" You are so stubborn, just like your mother." Mr Gardiner said, looking at her niece helplessly.
" I am gratified by your compliment. I would also like to thank you for supporting my expense for all these years."
" Elizabeth, look at me. I did not send you away with Fanny because of ill will. I was unmarried then, and I could not raise you. Your grandfather died some months after Sarah's death. It was the best choice I could make under the circumstance. Fanny was able to raise you without the scrutiny of society. I thought you were safe in Longbourn."
" I was not. Without Mary's help, I would have been ruined for life. I am sorry to cause you pain, but your good intentions were of no use. I am not angry at you or anyone. I have accepted who I am. Please do not compel me to leave."
Mr Gardiner tried his best to convince her. But she denied leaving Ashton Park.
He had no choice but to return to town without her.
" Elizabeth, I do not take this decision of yours to be permanent. I know someday you will change your mind. Our doors will always be open for you. I want you to have a better future. I want you to get married and live happily, something your mother was deprived of. " He said with emotion before he left her.
Elizabeth could sense the sincerity in his words, but she did not alter her decision.
I thought Uncle Gardiner would give me a better understanding of what happened. My last hope is gone. How will I ever know who my father is? How am I to live with mystery in my head?
She thought about what her uncle had said before he left.
Marriage?
The word was not alien to her. She had heard nothing but talks about marriage for several years in Longbourn.
However uncertain her future looked, she was sure of one thing.
I will never fall in love or get married. That is certain.