AN: I missed adding a footnote in the last chapter about Griffin Claws, for those who read the chapter before footnote [vb] was in place here it is:
Griffin claws, much like the tip of a feather, has healing properties. Unlike a feather tip, the powder of a ground griffin claw remains potent for several years. The powder can also be an aphrodisiac when mixed with wine. Claws are even more rare than feathers.
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Darcy returned to Rosings. His steps felt lighter with the relief of having told his story and gratitude that Miss Bennet had believed him, or at least believed Georgiana. It was enough for now.
He climbed the steps heading toward his room. Just as he reached the landing he heard music coming from the other wing. That was the direction of Mrs. Jenkinson's room. Who could be playing the Piano Forte in that part of the house? Anne's health had never allowed her to play.
He turned and followed the music, to Mrs. Jenkinson's sitting room. The door was open. It was Mrs. Jenkinson playing. Anne was sitting next to her with her head on the other woman's shoulder. Darcy had always thought of Mrs. Jenkinson as being his senior but it struck him now that she was probably only a few years older than he was. The two women both seemed to notice him at once, they started, Mrs. Jenkinson stopped playing and they moved apart.
"Forgive me. I did not mean to disturb you. I wondered who was playing."
Anne raised an eyebrow. "You had better come in." She moved stiffly from the piano bench to a nearby chair. Mrs. Jenkinson made to adjust her footstool. Anne briefly touched her hand and Darcy heard her say softly, "I am well Julia, leave us."
Then addressing herself to Darcy she said, "Did you think the feather had cured me so well I was suddenly able to play the piano?"
"No, of course not." Had he been thinking that? "But, how are you? Did the feather do you any good?"
"Enough that I am feeling no ill effects from last night, not so much that I feel much different than I normally do. I am sorry that Georgiana wasted a feather on me, especially after my being so useless when she needed help. Please give her my thanks and apologies. Is she well?"
"She is recovering. I will give you her thanks but I am sure there is no need to apologize. We were all very frightened."
"And yet Miss Bennet did not hesitate to act."
"No." She never does. "But then she has had more practice in self-direction."
"In making herself useful you mean."
He could not deny it and said instead, "Georgiana would not have given a feather if she did not feel kindly toward you." [i]
"And yet if she expected it to help; one could have been given at any time."
Darcy had wondered about this himself but had not questioned Georgiana. "Perhaps she was concerned that last night was more of a strain than it seemed."
"I was fatigued but I would have recovered eventually." She narrowed her eyes and studied him closely. "I have never been able to discern if you want to marry me, or rather want my estate, but are too noble to take it at the expense of my life, or are using my health as an excuse. Mrs. Jenkinson has always argued for your wanting to marry me for myself," she laughed softly, "but she is clearly biased you have shown as much affection for my mother's potted plants."
"Without knowing how things would turn out I did not wish to raise expectations."
"How cleverly you evade the question. Do not look so worried, cousin, if you really cared for me I would have to accuse myself of cruelty, as it is you have served my purpose well regardless of your motives."
"I do not understand."
"Do you not? As long as you did not make me an offer my mother was impatient with you. Had you asked, I would have refused you and she would have been angry with me. Why she would wish my father's estate to go to your family I do not know but I come of age in less than a year. Once Rosings is irrevocably mine I will have less to fear… or perhaps not, but I hope to have the courage to displease my mother. I intend to keep my estate for myself."
It was finally dawning on Darcy that his cousin did not want to marry him. Did any woman wish to marry him or had he completely deluded himself all these years? When he thought about the way she had looked at Mrs. Jenkinson it did not seem entirely surprising. But he might be reading too much into a single look. Either way, the knowledge was a relief. "In that case, I am happy to have been of service."
"Perhaps I can return the favor. It will not take long for my mother to realize the feather did not work, but I believe I can delay her knowing for the rest of the day, perhaps even part of the morning tomorrow."
"That would be extremely helpful I thank you."
"Darcy," she said in a softer voice, "I would not wish for my own freedom at Georgiana's expense. I am sorry I did nothing to help her. I am ashamed to have been so frozen by fear."
"You have no reason to be ashamed. I understand. We both do."
"I am glad Miss Bennet was there."
He smiled, "As am I."
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Elizabeth had almost expected Lady Catherine to interfere with her departure but the gentlemen arrived at the appointed time without incident. Charlotte and Maria were there to see her off but Mr. Collins had made himself scarce. The carriage pulled away and Mr. Darcy fell asleep within the first ten minutes.
Colonel Fitzwilliam glanced at his cousin. "He is exhausted."
"Let us not disturb him then." She was not sure whether she was more relieved that she would not need to make conversation with Mr. Dacy or nervous about what Colonel Fitzwilliam might be thinking.
After riding in silence for some time the Colonel said, "I have not congratulated you."
"I am sorry my good luck must be at your expense. It was not my intention to interfere."
"Of course."
Euphrosyne made a soft purring noise and the Colonel said, "I know you can not let go of her but do you think I could pet her?"
"She would be glad for you to."
He smiled and gently stroked Euphrosyne's head with his finger, then scratched her behind the ears. "Hello, sweet girl. I remember when your mama was this small. I think you must take after her giving us such a scare when you came into the world, even worse than the one she gave us, but then we did not have a scoundrel to deal with in your case. We all behaved quite handsomely."
Then addressing himself to Elizabeth he said, "I take it Darcy told you of the unpleasantness at his bonding."
"He did."
"At the time I truly thought Darcy was an abysmal liar, to make up such a name as Georgiana, I ought to have known better, but in my defense, my father did not even like that boy[ii] and even he believed him."
Elizabeth studied him with some suspicion. "Colonel, did your cousin ask you to speak to me about this?"
He smiled sheepishly, "He may have mentioned, that you had come into contact with a certain person and that you blamed yourself for believing him. But, I am earnest in saying you ought to consider how many people he has fooled. Consider that at eight years old, without even knowing much about what bonding with a Griffin was like, he managed to fool my father, who was bonded himself. Consider in the intervening years how much more practiced he is in the art of deceit."
It was tempting to agree but Elizabeth did not wish to be too easy on herself. She said, "It is kind of you both to wish to reassure me. I would have expected Mr. Darcy especially, to resent my accusations."
"He always strives to be fair. I know Darcy can be… well, Darcy. He takes some warming up to, but he is a good man."
Euphrosyne saved Elizabeth from having to reply by making a noise in protest at the Colonel's having stopped petting her.
He laughed, "My apologies. I can see you have some pluck, well all the better, it will be good for Darcy and Georgiana to have someone with a bit of mettle around."
He continued his attentions to Euphrosyne and they spoke of other subjects. To Elizabeth's relief, Mr. Darcy slept through the rest of the trip, barely stirring when they changed horses, and not rousing at all when they stopped to deliver Elizabeth to her uncle Gardiner's house on Grace-Church Street. She would be staying with the Gardiners for a few days before traveling on to Longbourn. She was glad she would have some time away from Mr. Darcy before they were to travel to Pemberley together.
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Elizbeth was sitting with her aunts and cousins the next day when a servant entered to announce that a gentleman was here to see Miss Bennet with milk for Euphrosyne. The card was handed to her aunt who, knowing Elizabeth was expecting the milk, ordered he be shown in. Before Elizabeth had time to consider that a servant would not have sent a card, Mr. Darcy was shown into the room.
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Darcy had hoped to use the ride to London to show Miss Bennet he was not so mean as to resent her accusations but he had fallen into a deep sleep ten minutes after they left Rosings. Here and there he heard snatches of conversation without actually waking, "…kind of you both… Darcy… but he is a good man… my aunt and uncle I will not see them again for some time… my cousins will be so big…once Euphrosyne is big enough to fly…a few days in London before I rejoin my regiment…" he had tried to rouse himself to join the conversation but always fell back into a deep sleep. When he got home he dragged himself out of the carriage, climbed up the stairs, joined Georgiana on the roof, and snuggled under her wing, only to find himself wide awake. He spent the next several hours reviewing the whole of his acquaintance with Miss Bennet. She had said she wanted to believe Wickham and as he considered what his own behavior had been in Meryton he thought he understood why. He had to do better. He did not want Miss Bennet to dread her time at Pemberly. He must find an opportunity to show her he could do better.
The next day he brought Georgiana's milk to the Gardiners' house. He was shown into a room where Miss Bennet sat holding Euphrosyne, looking like a picture of domestic bliss, with a group of children gathered around her.
"Mr. Darcy! I was not expecting you to deliver the milk yourself. I hope Georgiana is well."
"She is much improved I thank you. She is ready to fly to Hertfordshire whenever it is convenient." And then noticing she looked disappointed he quickly added. "But there is no rush. I am happy to send milk to you here."
"Thank you. I would like to spend a few days here as planned." She smiled at one of her little cousins as she said it and his heart fluttered.
"Of course. Would you do me the honor of introducing me?"
He did not miss the look of surprise but she made the introductions, the children giving him clumsy bows and curtsies. He took a seat and spoke with Mrs. Gardiner while the children gathered around Miss Bennet watching her feed Euphrosyne. To his relief, Mrs. Gardiner proved easy to converse with. He soon discovered she had spent the greater part of her youth in Lambton. He could not gratify her with news of her acquaintance there but there was enough to speak of about that part of the country to carry the conversation forward.
After a short time, one of the boys left Miss Bennet's side and stood staring at him. Darcy gave him what he hoped was an encouraging smile.
The boy said, "Guess what?"
"What?"
"Next time Jane visits Mr. Bingley said I can ride Eleos."
"Well, that is something to look forward to."
"Not to fly just walking around."
"That is wise."
"Maybe when I am bigger he will take me for a flying ride."
"Maybe he will. Eleos loves to fly."
"You know Eleos?"
"Yes."
"Phrosy is too little to fly."
"That is true."
"I can fly."
Darcy tried to hide his amusement. "Can you?"
"Want to see?'
"Yes, please."
The boy took off running and jumping flapping his arms. One of his sisters joined him laughing and copying his movements. Darcy could easily imagine Miss Bennet playing like this when she was a child. He could easily imagine her, one day, with her own children. He quickly pushed the picture of Elizabeth at Pemberley out of his mind.
"That is enough now, Edward, Margaret," said Mrs. Gardiner, "You have shown Mr. Darcy how well you can fly. If you want to run around I will have Nancy bring you outside."
Margaret darted back to Miss Bennet and Edward came and stood near Darcy. "I do not fly very well." He seriously. "You can see I do not get very high but if I keep practicing I will get better."
"It is important to work toward your ambitions."
He gave a sharp nod, "That is just what I think." And then to his mother, he said, "Yes, please call Nancy I need more practice." A servant was called and the children left the room.
Miss Bennet said, "I wonder who will learn to fly sooner, Edward, or Eu."
He replied, "I would not be so quick to overlook Margaret. She may surpass them both."
Miss Bennet laughed and his heart skipped a beat.
Mrs. Gardiner invited Darcy to stay for dinner. He thanked her and was about to make his excuses but then thought better of it. Why should he not stay? Her invitation had seemed sincere and he was enjoying himself. There was a warmth in the Gardiner home that he had not experienced for a long time.
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Elizabeth could not but be pleased, could not but triumph. It was consoling that Mr. Darcy should know she had some relations for whom there was no need to blush. She listened most attentively to all that passed during the meal, and gloried in every expression, every sentence of her uncle, which marked his intelligence, his taste, or his good manners. The conversation soon turned to Derbyshire and her uncle mentioned that they were planning a northern tour. "We had intended to bring Elizabeth with us but of course, her plans have changed."
"If you can spare the time. I hope you will come to Pemberley." This astonished Elizabeth more than anything that had become before. As did his adding the additional inducement of inviting her uncle to fish in his stream and offering to provide him with fishing tackle.
"I hope." He added turning to Elizabeth, "It may make it easier for you to leave your family if you have a visit from your friends to look forward to."
The surprise of such an application was great indeed; it was too great for her to know in what manner she acceded to it, and, without looking farther, it was satisfactory; it was gratifying to know he would think of her comfort. Was that why he had come? She had not expected him to step foot on Grace-Church Street for any reason, let alone make himself so agreeable now that he was here. When she saw him thus seeking the acquaintance and courting the good opinion of people with whom any intercourse a few months ago would have been a disgrace - when she saw him thus civil, not only to herself, but to the very relations whom he had openly disdained, and recollected their last lively scene in Hunsford Parsonage - the difference, the change was so great, and struck so forcibly on her mind, that she could hardly restrain her astonishment from being visible. Never, even in the company of his dear friends at Netherfield, or his dignified relations at Rosings, had she seen him so desirous to please, so free from self-consequence or unbending reserve, as now, when no importance could result from the success of his endeavors, and when even the acquaintance of those to whom his attentions were addressed would draw down the ridicule and censure of the ladies both of Netherfield and Rosings.
After dinner, the children joined them in the drawing room. Edward had brought a book to show Mr. Darcy and Margaret shyly handed him a drawing. Elizabeth was surprised at how quickly the children had warmed up to him. She had to admit he was adorable with the children, talking to them so seriously, and listening closely to what they said.
Mr. Darcy left soon after tea. The observations of her uncle and aunt now began, and each of them pronounced him to be infinitely superior to anything they had expected. "He is perfectly well-behaved, polite, and unassuming," said her uncle.
"There is something a little stately in him, to be sure," replied her aunt; "but it is confined to his air, and is not unbecoming."
"I was never more surprised than by his behavior to us. It was more than civil; his making our acquaintance before taking Lizzy away was right and proper, there was no need for an invitation to Pemberley, but it is an additional assurance and I am grateful."
Of course. It suddenly all made sense. He had come to make her family acquainted with him merely as a matter of propriety, to reassure them before she traveled to Pemberley. It was not a particular compliment to her. How could she have been so vain as to think it was for her sake?
"From what we have seen of him," continued Mrs. Gardiner, "I really should not have thought that he could have behaved in so cruel a way by anybody as he has done by poor Wickham. He has not an ill-natured look. On the contrary, there is something pleasing about his mouth when he speaks. And there is something of dignity in his countenance, that would not give one an unfavorable idea of his heart.
Elizabeth gave them to understand, in as guarded a manner as she could, that by what she had heard from his relations in Kent, his actions were capable of a very different construction; and that his character was by no means so faulty, nor Wickham's so amiable, as they had been considered in Hertfordshire.
"To be sure, Lizzy," said her aunt, "I am glad to think better of his character. But how came you to tell us that he was so disagreeable?"
Elizabeth excused herself as well as she could; and said that she had liked him better when they met in Kent than before and that she had never seen him so pleasant as this evening.
Mr. Darcy did not call again before Elizabeth left London. She was glad as she parted with her aunt and uncle to know that she would see them again soon and she was grateful to Mr. Darcy for inviting them, grateful he would think of what would make her happy. If he continued to be so agreeable as he had been the other night, she might even have hope of the years she would spend at Pemberley passing tolerably well.
i Griffin feathers do not grow back and are therefore not given lightly.
ii Wickham. Presumably, Colonel Fitzwilliam has gotten into the habit of avoiding his name.
AN: Thank you for reading, favoriting and for the reviews. I appreciate the encouragement.