Chapter 21
Saturday, 23 November, 1811

Not long after her arrival at Darcy House, Elizabeth had sent a note to her Aunt Gardiner to inform her of her arrival in town and inviting her to visit her at Darcy House as soon as possible. That lady gave the couple a day to settle in, but arrived Saturday morning as soon as was acceptable. Mr. Gardiner wanted to visit as well, but was unable to do so because of pressing business matters.

Elizabeth wished to greet her aunt at the door herself; however, Darcy persuaded her to wait in the sitting room. "You have not seen each other in four years, my love," he said gently, taking her hand to bring it to his lips. "Let me bring her to you. You deserve privacy for your meeting, and I doubt either of you wish to have your first sight of each other in the entryway in front of servants."

Smiling at his thoughtfulness, Elizabeth allowed herself to be led into one of the small private sitting rooms nearby. She settled into the settee and looked at peace, but Darcy could see how her fingers twisted the fabric of her gown in nervous excitement as she waited.

When Aunt Gardiner arrived, Darcy greeted her warmly in the entryway. The lady, who had always held a deep affection for him, wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace. "William, it is so good to see you again," she said, her voice choked with emotion. "I know we saw you in the spring, but I am delighted to finally be able to call you my nephew. Although I cannot still fully understand what all kept the two of you apart all these years, it is obvious that you are happier now."

"I am pleased to see you as well, Mrs. Gardiner," Darcy replied softly, allowing her a moment to compose herself before gently guiding her toward the sitting room where Elizabeth waited. As soon as the door closed behind her aunt, Elizabeth could no longer contain herself. She sprang from the settee and rushed to the door, meeting her aunt halfway across the room. Without hesitation, they fell into each other's arms, holding one another as though they feared letting go might cause the other to vanish.

"My dear girl!" Mrs. Gardiner exclaimed through her tears. "I cannot believe I am truly seeing you again."

Elizabeth could only manage a nod at first, too overcome to speak. Tears streamed down both their faces as they clung to one another, neither caring for the impropriety of such a display of emotion. After several minutes, when their tears had subsided enough to speak, they moved to sit on the settee, still holding hands as if to reassure themselves that the other was truly there.

"Oh, Aunt," Elizabeth sighed, her voice thick with emotion, "it has been so long."

"Indeed, it has," Mrs. Gardiner agreed, brushing away a stray tear. "We wanted to come and see you, and thought about different ways to get around your father's edicts. I presume you are unaware that Edward attempted to call on your father on at least two occasions. He even stayed at the inn in Meryton for a few nights, not long after your father cut off contact with us, trying to see if he could catch a glimpse of any of you, to assure himself that you were well, but he was unsuccessful. Your father visited him at the inn, and while I am not positive what was said between them, I know it did not go well. Mr. Bennet would not relent, would not say anything beyond the fact that you were engaged and that he would never approve a match between you and Mr. Darcy. Your uncle would never tell me exactly what else was said, but I think your father must have reminded him that you, in essence, were his property and he could do with you what he wished."

Elizabeth gasped in shock, covering her mouth with her hands. Then, she closed her eyes and took several slow deep breaths as she attempted to regain her bearing at hearing such a hateful thought. "I have many questions for Mr. Bennet about his decisions and actions over the last several years. When we visit Longbourn after we leave London, I will get them answered, one way or another."

She took another moment to gather her composure, smiling at her aunt and squeezing the hand she still held. "We have so much to discuss, Aunt," Elizabeth began, her voice more serious now, "but let us not dwell on what we cannot change—not today. Tell me everything I have missed. How is my uncle? And the children? They must have grown so much. I know you have shared some of this in letters, but I would like to hear it from you directly."

Mrs. Gardiner laughed lightly, her eyes misty. "Oh, indeed they have! You would not even recognise them now. Emma has the visage of a little lady, so much like Jane at that age. Always proper, always scolding the younger children and trying to boss them. And then Daniel and Henry are quite the little men now—always underfoot in your uncle's study, asking questions about the business or attempting to bring into the house some wild flower or animal they found in the park. And of course there is baby Beth. We named her Elizabeth, after you. She is such a sweet, happy child—always smiling, always full of laughter. However, it was apparent from the moment she was born that she had your spirit, for at just two and half, she is always getting into trouble."

Elizabeth smiled at the thought, her heart warming at the familiarity of it all. "I wish I could see them. Perhaps soon, when things are more settled. We will come to see you at Gracechurch Street once William has some of his business arranged."

"Of course," Mrs. Gardiner assured her, squeezing Elizabeth's hand. "There will be plenty of time for visits. But first, you must tell me everything about you. How have you been, truly? Are you happy? You must be, for you are positively glowing."

Elizabeth glanced toward Darcy, who stood quietly by the window, giving them space yet always present, his watchful eyes filled with concern and affection. A soft smile touched her lips as her heart swelled with gratitude. "Yes, Aunt," she said, her voice firm and clear. "Truly, I am happy. There was a time when I was heartbroken, believing William had not come for me, but Papa forbade me from speaking to anyone about the matter. During that time, I wrote you countless letters, pleading for your support, but Papa knew what I was about and confiscated them. Eventually, I stopped writing you letters, but I still kept a journal." Elizabeth sucked in a deep breath as she remembered the pain of those days.

Mrs Gardiner reached over and pulled her into a hug. "I am so sorry, my sweet niece. Your mother has invited us to join the family at Longbourn for Christmas this year. Will you still be in the area?"

Turning to look at her husband, Elizabeth shook her head. "No, we will return to Pemberley in the next month and celebrate Christmas at our home. It had been my intention to invite Jane to join us, but now it may be best to wait on that. She may not want to miss the opportunity to see you again after so many years. I will ask her what she wishes to do."

"We could stay longer at Netherfield —" Darcy began, but stopped when he saw Elizabeth shake her head.

"We will visit my family for a day or two, but right now, I do not believe I can stand to be so close to my father for any longer than that. I want to hear his explanation, but then I feel it is best if we go far away soon after. Somehow, I feel that there is no way I can be sanguine after hearing it," Elizabeth said.

Darcy could no longer hold back and walked to stand in front of her. Kneeling in front of her, he wrapped his arms around her waist to pull her into his embrace. "I will be by your side when you face him, my love," he whispered in her ear. "He no longer has any influence over you."

She lifted her hand to caress her cheek. "I know that, William. "And I am happy that you will stand by my side. But I still need to confront my father and demand answers from him. Now, return to your study and allow us to talk privately. There are … female matters we must discuss."

Unable to hold back her grin at his flushed cheeks, she lightly kissed him before sending him away.

Mrs. Gardiner raised her eyebrow in response to this tableau. "I would say married life is treating you rather well, Elizabeth," she teased.

Elizabeth's cheeks turned a bright red. "William is very kind and … most attentive. I have no complaints."

Her aunt chuckled at the look on her niece's face. "Did you have any questions you needed to ask? I cannot imagine your mother spoke to you on this topic, nor can I imagine her advice would be particularly helpful if she had. Her marriage was made for a far different reason than yours was for she did not and still does not love Thomas Bennet as you love William."

"Yes, aunt, I did want to ask you a few questions …" Elizabeth began, but they were interrupted by a knock on the door. At Elizabeth's call, a maid entered with a tea tray.

"The master thought the two of you might want this," she said, setting the tray down on the table in front of the pair before she hastily exited.

"He is so good to me," Elizabeth whispered to her aunt as the door closed behind the maid. "So thoughtful in so many ways." She sighed dreamily before recalling herself to the present. "Yes, aunt, I did want to ask you a few questions," she repeated, and the two settled in for a long conversation about married life.

While Elizabeth spoke with her aunt, Darcy retreated to his study to address any business correspondence that had arrived in his absence. Although he had intended to be away from London for some time, the need to change solicitors prompted him to review the letters from his previous solicitor over the past several months, checking for any discrepancies between his notes about what was discussed and the letters sent to him after the meeting.

Not finding any, he began to sift through other correspondence, hoping to make quick work of the pile. As he worked, his thoughts drifted to the situation with his aunt and his cousin's warning regarding his father. Was there a chance that Lord Matlock was bribing someone in his solicitor's office for information? Was there a way to discover who was slipping his uncle information, if indeed that was the case?

Setting the letters aside for a moment, Darcy leaned back in his chair, his mind shifting back to Elizabeth. Despite the challenges ahead, her presence brought him a sense of calm and resolve, one that he had only ever experienced in her presence. Given what they were facing, he was glad to have her with him and he looked forward to a lifetime together.

Into the midst of these reflections, arrived his cousin's new husband. Before yesterday, he had never heard of the Hargroves and he knew absolutely nothing about the family. Putting aside his papers, he moved to the chairs in front of the fireplace and indicated that his new cousin should sit.

"Would you care for brandy or port?" he asked.

"Thank you, but no. I rarely imbibe," Mr. Hargrove responded. "Anne is with Miss Darcy and suggested I speak to you since you know far more about Rosings and its operations than either of us."

"Yes, I have spent considerable time managing the business of Rosings over the last few years, often having to undo the damage caused by my aunt, who believed she knew better than either me or the steward. While the estate is currently thriving and the steward is capable, I had been too preoccupied with Pemberley and my other properties to provide the proper oversight it required," Darcy began.

"Anne, for her part, is far more intelligent and perceptive than her mother ever gave her credit for. She has sound instincts about what ought to be done, but my aunt never allowed her any authority over the estate. Lady Catherine refused to let Anne make decisions or involve herself in its management, insisting on total control. To counter this, I took it upon myself to meet with Anne when I could—with Richard joining us—so that she remained informed about the estate's affairs. While her mother may have stifled her involvement, Anne has a natural understanding of how the estate should be run. I believe, given the opportunity, she could manage it with great success. I presume that you are able to provide any assistance she needs, and, of course, I will answer any questions either of you have."

Mr. Hargrove nodded. "This was one of the matters Anne and I discussed in our letters. Both of our parents are controlling and unwilling to bend. My father refuses to allow me any say in the management of the estate. He believes that I will simply 'figure it out' when it is time for me to take control. My interest in medicinal herbs only irritated him and he wanted to restrict that as well. Instead, he felt I should be like other first-sons-in-waiting and imbibe to excess and … well, all the other vices young men are known to do. Those activities have never interested me, which is one reason I am content not to consummate my relationship with Anne."

"Forgive me, but are you certain this will work? What if someone challenges your marriage? I understand that no one can force an annulment, and non-consummation is not grounds to invalidate a marriage, but it could still raise doubts," Darcy asked.

"Who would know whether or not our marriage was consummated?" Mr. Hargrove countered. "Yes, we have shared our intentions with you, but who else will speak of it? Lady Catherine may raise objections, but in truth, there is nothing she can do. Rosings was always going to be Anne's, with or without a marriage, but our union offers her an additional layer of protection she would not have had otherwise."

"That is true on both accounts. I cannot imagine Lady Catherine will remain silent, but legally, she has no standing. You have both reached your majority, there is no legal impediment to the marriage, and you are of sound mind. She may bluster, but that is all. What does Anne's marriage settlement allow Lady Catherine?" Darcy inquired.

In response, Mr. Hargrove presented copies of the relevant contracts, including his marriage settlement with Anne. The two spent the next several hours reviewing the documents and discussing these and other related matters.