A/N - I am so excited to post this new chapter.
I feel bad for readers who are having trouble seeing the updates. All I can say is, keep trying to refresh. Alternately, I was thinking of moving over to another posting site. Any suggestions?
Chapter 16
London
Darcy was hiding his misery behind his mask. Here he was, at yet another evening event he escorted his sister to. He had lost count of how many they had attended. 'And this is a soft entry into Society.' Darcy huffed to himself.
Georgiana and Lady Matlock had visited the modiste again and ordered a second round of dresses.
Despite his mourning their social calendar had filled far too much and too quickly for his comfort. It would seem no one cared he was in mourning. Both he and his sister were being feted, sought after, and exalted wherever they went.
The years away had left him vulnerable to the realities of Society. He had forgotten how grasping and shallow most of the Ton were.
So far, their evening activities had them at the theater to view a play, at several concerts and at more than a handful of dinners hosted by trusted friends of the Matlocks. Last he heard, Lady Jersey had hinted about the possibility of tickets for the highly acclaimed Almacks.
That was one venue Darcy refused to escort his sister to. On this the siblings were in agreement. Neither would meet a potential spouse at a dance hosting the worst of the first circle.
Darcy had also caught several looks his way when Lord Matlock spent time conversing with his political cronies during those evenings.
Georgiana assured him thus far no one had caught her attention. He was proud of his sister's acceptance into Society, as she held her own in her own quiet manner, while navigating between the maneuverings of the single men and ladies searching for a match. Lord knew the ladies could be just as deplorable as the gentlemen.
Thank goodness tonight was another musical soiree. He was distracted by a headache and memories of his confrontation with Lord Matlock earlier that day. One which was long overdue, yet still left a bilious feeling behind.
Lord Matlock arrived at Darcy House in a jovial mood. Bounding into the study without a care in the world and a huge smile on his face.
"Darcy, my boy, how are you?"
He poured himself a drink and sat down on one of the comfortable chairs by the hearth.
"Lord Pelham was asking about you and when your mourning period ends. His daughter-
"Uncle -
"No, let me finish. You have a responsibility and a duty to your-
"Lord Matlock! Darcy's bellow echoed around the room.
Shocked, his uncle gaped at Darcy.
"No! Not now. Not a year from now. I am not interested in your political maneuverings, in acquiring more money for the Darcy coffers, or any of the simpering, witless daughters, sisters, or nieces.
"My boy… lord Matlock began.
"I am NOT your boy." Darcy's gaze was firm as he resolutely stared at the older man. He stood and strode over to the closest window, then retraced his steps back to his desk.
"I did my duty. I secured Rosings from the edge of bankruptcy. I married Anne, may she rest in peace. I caged that despicable woman you call sister."
His uncle started at this.
"I never made an issue of the condition I found your niece in. There is a reason she died young, sir. It is because your sister killed her.
"All these years, you played your games here in town, manipulating and moving people like they were pawns on your own personal chessboard. Not once did you check on your niece and make sure she was well. She was not well, sir, she was being ill treated by your sister and the multitude of quacks Lady Catherine marched in over the years.
"I married Anne to save her, but it was too late. She was too weak to ever regain her strength. I married her and then I had to watch her die.
Darcy pounded a fist onto his desk and pointed a finger at Lord Matlock, "And now you dare speak to me of duty?!
He stood upright and breathed in deeply through his nose and let it out slowly, clenching and unclenching his fists. The only noise was the breathing of the two men, until Darcy spoke again, in a controlled tone.
"The next arrangement I make will be purely for my happiness and the benefit of Georgiana and the people of Pemberley. I will not discuss this with you further. My decision is final, My Lord." The last two words were spoken in a biting tone.
Matlock was speechless. His hands hung to the sides of his slouched body, his eyes were locked on Darcy.
"I did not know. F-forgive me, I did not know."
It was not clear who the earl was asking forgiveness from, but Darcy had compassion for the older man. He walked to the drinks cabinet, poured a small quantity into a glass and handed it to his uncle, seating himself in one of the nearby chairs. He offered a few words of comfort to the shattered man, "Anne knew she would not live long and made me promise to remarry, this time for true affection. I will respect my wife by mourning the full year and I will respect my promise, too, by marrying a woman of my choosing, with whom I share a deep and abiding affection!"
Matlock grumbled to himself, too quietly for Darcy to understand, but he nodded his head once, definitively. He raised the glass to his lips and took a long swallow, and then another to finish the drink.
He gripped the empty glass and stared at it as if contemplating his desire for a second one. Finally, he stood up and placed the glass on a nearby table. "I trust we will see you at the concert this evening?"
"Georgiana and I will be there."
"Very good, very good. I will, uh.. I will make it clear neither you or Georgiana are interested in making any arrangements at this time." He could not meet Darcy's eye.
"Thank you. We both would greatly appreciate it."
Lord Matlock said goodbye and retreated from Darcy's study.
Coming out of his reverie, the music and bright colors of everyone's finery swirling around him, exacerbated his headache. Yet, as he sat next to his sister in the audience praying for the evening to reach a swift conclusion, Darcy could only ponder a pair of the finest eyes he had ever seen.
~ / ~
Longbourn
It was a bright, yet cool morning when the Gardiners, Jane, Elizabeth and Alex said their goodbyes to Mr. Bennet and Kitty.
Elizabeth had made her peace with her father. The rest was up to him. Time will tell if he took the necessary steps to emerge from behind his books and interact with Kitty and the rest of the world.
Now she only kissed his cheek and told him she loved him.
"Will you be returning to Longbourn, Lizzy?"
"I am not sure, Papa. It depends on what is resolved with my finances."
Mr. Bennet nodded his understanding. If his Lizzy became financially independent she would not be making her home at Longbourn.
"I will miss you. Do what you must. Just promise to visit before too much time has passed."
Elizabeth gave him her best cheeky grin, "Or, you might come visit me, wherever that may be."
"There is that twinkle. I have missed it this long while. Take good care of yourself and Alex, and of your sister." He frowned in Jane's direction. "I fear an eruption is necessary before she can move forward." His gaze settled back on his favorite daughter. "I imagine Jane will not be back, either?"
"Not if I can help it, Papa. This is no longer a place where she can grow and spread her wings." Whether Elizabeth was referring to Longbourn, Meryton, or the surrounding neighbors, or perhaps a little of all three, the results would be the same. The two eldest Bennet daughters were seeking a happier future and would not be coming back.
He nodded slowly, his expression blank, but rapid blinking dried the tears attempting to pool in his eyes. "She will we have need of your strength."
Elizabeth glanced over to where Jane was giving Kitty last minute instructions. "Then it is fortunate I have strength to spare." She turned her gaze back onto her father and raised her brows. "As do you."
He only smiled sadly and patted her shoulder before stepping over to where Jane stood with Kitty, to give Jane his farewells.
Mrs. Hill was nearby holding Alex. "Thank you, Mrs. Hill." Elizabeth took the infant into her arms and clucked her tongue at him. "You will write and let us know if there is any cause for concern?"
"I will, ma'am."
"Very well. Then I shall not worry."
"No, Mrs. Lizzy. You take care of yourself and your son. And of Miss Jane. 'T'will be good for her to meet a nice young man."
And for the second time in a few minutes Elizabeth's cheeky grin and twinkle made an appearance. "I have every intention of seeing she does."
Mr. Gardiner called from his position beside the carriage. "I am afraid we really must be on our way. Especially if we shall be required to stop for changes of wet or soiled clothing."
With a last kiss to Kitty and goodbyes all around, Mr. Gardiner handed his wife and then Jane into the coach. Jane took Alex from Elizabeth and she was handed in, before Gardiner followed and settled on the back facing seat beside Elizabeth.
With waving hands and cries of goodbyes the equipage moved slowly forward out of Longbourn drive and into the road towards Meryton.
Allowing herself the opportunity to watch the town roll by, Elizabeth said her own personal farewell, praying she would not be required to return any time soon.
"The children will be so happy to see you both, they have missed you." The smile Mrs. Gardiner turned on Jane was encouraging.
"I am sure I will not recognize them. They must have grown so tall over the past two years." A look of distress came over her niece and Mrs. Gardiner put an arm around her shoulder.
"They have grown, but still hold you both in affection. I am sure they will be happy to commandeer much of your time and attention on outings to the park when the weather is fine. And the younger ones are still very much entertained by storytelling."
"That was always Lizzy's forte."
"Then you shall spend your time sitting with Maggie while you show her new embroidery stitches. You know that is not my forte." Elizabeth quirked a brow at her sister.
Chuckles from all the passengers dissolved the tension.
~ / ~
London
The journey to London did take longer than usual, as Mr. Gardiner predicted. Stops were made on the way to allow for a clean and fed Alex and everyone appreciated the lack of odors each time they proceeded on their way.
Eventually, they pulled up in front of the Gardiner's home. A good sized, three storied building on a corner lot, with several windows on the bottom two floors sporting plants and flowers, adding to its charming facade.
Contrary to popular belief amongst the upper circles, Gracechurch Street was adjacent to Cheapside and a higher end street for the more prosperous businessmen. To Mr. Gardiner is was a safe place to house his family and close enough to home so he spent no wasted time in traveling to and from his warehouse.
The front door opened and a footman stepped out and descended the stairs leading down to the street. He placed the step and opened the door to allow Mr. Gardiner to climb out. That gentleman stretched his back before turning around and handing out his wife.
Jane exited next with the assistance of the footman and she immediately turned around to take Alex from her sister's arms. Lastly, Elizabeth was assisted from the carriage. She stood for a moment staring up at the building, memories overwhelming her, from the last time she was there.
It would be impossible for her to account for how long she remained thus. Only her aunt's voice speaking in her ear brought Elizabeth back to the present.
"Lizzy dear, are you ready to come inside?"
Looking around Elizabeth noted it was just her and Mrs. Gardiner remaining on the walkway. "The last time I was here was for my wedding breakfast."
"I know, dear."
Elizabeth felt a warm arm encircle her back and slowly nudge her forward. "Let us go inside and get you situated. I have a little surprise for you."
With a small smile to her aunt, both ladies ascended the steps, following the others inside.
A maid stood by ready to take their outerwear. Mr. Gardiner had already disappeared, but Jane waited patiently still cradling Alex in her arms.
With her bonnet, gloves and pelise removed, Elizabeth hurried to take Alex from Jane so she could divest her things.
"Aunt, if it will not disrupt their lessons, may I go up and greet my cousins." Jane had missed not be in their company the past couple of years.
"You may, Jane. I am sure they are waiting to see you too."
When Jane departed Mrs. Gardiner escorted Elizabeth to a small parlor in the back of the house.
"This room never did get much use, aside from the cold dreary days of winter. On those days, when the children could not venture outside and I needed to separate them before their pent up energy reduced them to squabbles. I had it refreshed for your use now, to brighten up the colors. My hope is it will give you a cheerful place to be with Alex, so you need not go upstairs every time you require private time with him."
"This is very kind of you, Aunt. I am not sure what will happen or how I shall make future plans for us, but I may be here longer than I led Jane to believe. Papa comprehends I will not be returning to Longbourn unless I must."
"Are you thinking of settling elsewhere?"
"It all depends on how much I shall have to economize, and I would wish to be in the country at least until Alex requires tutors. While Longbourn would permit me to save for his future, I cannot stomach settling near Meryton again."
"Lizzy," Mrs. Gardiner sighed. "You all went through a terrible time. I hope you are not holding on to any residual resentment. The only person it will harm is yourself, and eventually, Alex."
"I know you are correct. But the way we lost mama, and Jane being so…" Words escaped her, so Elizabeth flapped a hand to describe how altered her favorite sister is. "They still will not call on her. All that time, she was left alone, shunned. Our sweet and gentle Jane. I will not give them the satisfaction."
"I understand, my dear. But people are people wherever you go. There will be those we connect with and those who wish to tear us down. What matters is how you face them all. What is it you used to say? Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure." Leaning her head to catch her niece's eye, Mrs. Gardiner waited until she received a nod of acknowledgement.
"Let me show you to your room. I hope you do not mind, but I put you in a bedroom off the nursery. I believe you will find it more convenient."
An hour was spent organizing the ladies and settling down the four overexcited children. Elizabeth begged off, pleading the need to rest and get Alex comfortable in his new temporary home.
"We will come down after we both have rested. I do not think any of us will enjoy an afternoon of baby wails."
'Rest well, Lizzy.' trailed in her wake and she shut the bedroom door leaving her alone with Alex to rest.
A couple of hours later, feeling refreshed, Elizabeth entered the front parlor with a wide awake Alex in her arms.
"Lizzy, come have some tea. It is still warm. I was just telling Jane about some events taking place in the next few weeks before the season ends."
"Aunt, I told you I am not here to-"
"Nonsense," Mrs. Gardiner cut her off. "You have hidden yourself away at Longbourn for too long. Well, no more. I wish to see you enjoy yourself. I give you my word I will not push gentlemen at you, as long as you promise to make an effort to have fun."
Jane was looking quite put out, so Elizabeth plopped Alex into her arms to calm her down.
With a roll of her eyes at her sister, Jane merely said, "Very well, Aunt."
"And we will be acquiring a few new gowns for you. No, no," seeing Jane was going to argue. "Yours are far too out of date. We will find fabric at your uncle's warehouse and use my modiste. Nothing fancy for day dresses, but you will require evening gown as you will be attending events and your uncle will not have it be said his business is doing so poorly, he cannot dress his nieces."
When Jane still looked conflicted her aunt persisted, "Think of it as being a walking advertisement for your uncle's wares." Her expression was earnest, but her eyes gave away the humor she was trying to hide.
"Elizabeth, you will be getting a couple of new dresses too. You need dresses that, well, fit you properly!" With that, all three ladies chuckled and a day was set for their shopping in two days time.
I hope you loved the Darcy/Matlock scene. Writing it gave me chills!