His Uncle's Favorite (2 page)

Jane looked at her with alarm while Elizabeth laughed.

“Do not worry, Jane. I am sure your beauty will charm the earl, and he will find no reason to tease you at all! You have no faults about which to laugh! As for me, I will be more than pleased to be the recipient of his interest in that regard.”

“Is his wife like him in disposition?” inquired Jane.

“Unfortunately, the earl’s wife passed away a decade ago. But he has two sons—both unmarried—besides his daughter. Lady Selina has been happily married for four years now.”

“Oh, so the earl must be older than my uncle,” continued Jane, puzzled, and a moment later she frowned and turned pale. “I am sorry, Aunt; I should realise that—”

“Jane dearest, do not reproach yourself. It is time to speak about Edward openly no matter how painful it is. You are correct; the earl is your father’s age, so he was ten years older than Edward. Despite his superior situation in life and the difference in age, he was a kind and reliable friend to Edward―and our entire family.”

“I am sorry I have not had the chance to meet him until now,” said Elizabeth. “I am curious about him and his daughter. I can hardly believe such titled people can be pleasant company. Mr. Darcy was not titled at all, and he barely spoke to or looked at anyone in Hertfordshire. How fortunate not all members of the
ton
are as disagreeable as he is.”

“Lizzy, let us try to forgive Mr. Darcy’s faults for at least a few days, shall we? So, it is settled then; we shall have dinner at Lord Matlock’s.”

“Certainly, whatever you wish, Aunt. You say the earl is very much like Papa in disposition and his love of books. Too bad he is not younger as he seems like my ideal sort of gentleman; I am sure I would easily fall in love with him.” Elizabeth laughed while her aunt smiled.

Jane looked at them with reproach. “Lizzy, you cannot speak like that about an earl who is our father’s age! Falling in love is not a subject for jest.” She averted her eyes towards the carriage’s window.

Mrs. Gardiner affectionately patted Jane’s arm and then turned to her other niece. “You know, dearest, the earl has two sons, and I can easily say the younger is the most charming gentleman I have seen in quite a while. He is a colonel in His Majesty’s army.”

“An earl’s son―and a colonel! It is fortunate you did not mention him at Longbourn, or I am certain other members of our family would have insisted on joining us in London.” Elizabeth laughed, feeling somehow guilty for her cheerful disposition.

“Oh, it is so beautiful,” Jane cried rapturously, suddenly animated, and all looked out to observe the sight that aroused her attention.

The winter night was cold, and a light snowfall was adorning the trees, houses, and roads in a white gown that sparkled under the moonlight.

“It is like a fairy tale,” Jane whispered, and Elizabeth smiled.

Yes, it was like a fairy tale, and she had a very good feeling about it!

***

It was the second day of their arrival in Town, and Jane’s spirits fell even lower. That morning, she had accompanied Mrs. Gardiner in her quest to purchase accessories for their new dresses. The opportunity took her to that part of Town where Caroline Bingley resided in her sister’s house; so Jane called on them, confident they had received the letter she sent before they left Hertfordshire.

Later that day, Mrs. Gardiner told Elizabeth how poorly Mr. Bingley’s sisters had treated them.

“I hate to speak ill, but they were so ridiculously pleased with themselves that they appeared foolish to me! I could not care less about their pretence to greatness, but Jane—”

“Oh, dear Aunt! Was it truly so bad? Poor Jane!”

“Well, judge for yourself. First, they were reluctant to invite us in, and seemed amazed that we were there. Then they spoke and looked at us with obvious disdain; they even had the nerve to reproach Jane for not sending them notice of her coming to London, though I am certain they got her letter. And even more, Jane inquired of Mr. Bingley, and they answered that he was well but so much engaged with Mr. Darcy and his sister that they scarcely saw him! Poor Jane turned pale, and I was afraid she would faint.”

“How horrible,” Elizabeth cried. “Poor, sweet Jane!” She hurried from the room so quickly that Mrs. Gardiner was forced to call her three times before she heard and returned.

“Lizzy, wait a moment, child. Let us sit and talk because I, too, am concerned about Jane.”

“What is it, Aunt? I have to go to Jane and speak to her; she needs me. Unfortunately, no matter how worried we might be, there is nothing we can do―”

“Oh, but there is. No
lady
who dares humiliate my niece will be unrewarded for such
manners
,” Mrs. Gardiner said sharply, and Elizabeth looked at her in complete puzzlement. “If only… Elizabeth, are you certain you were correct in your judgment of Mr. Bingley’s feelings about Jane?”

“What can I say, Aunt? Apparently, I have been utterly incorrect, considering Mr. Bingley is now so engaged with Miss Darcy! I am sure she is equally as unpleasant and annoying as Mr. Darcy. She must be since Miss Bingley is so fond of her!”

“Wait a moment; let us not be hasty in disapproving the entire Darcy family so easily. Miss Bingley said many things, and none of them seemed true to me. She was obviously attempting to deceive Jane and make her abandon any hope of Mr. Bingley. So I would not be surprised if the story about Miss Darcy was a pure fabrication.”

“I told Jane the same thing when she got the first letter from Miss Bingley in Hertfordshire. But I do not know what to believe now. Should we encourage Jane’s hopes? What if Miss Bingley is correct? How will Jane bear even more disappointment?”

“Dearest, there are only two ways to settle the matter. Mr. Bingley either is the worthy gentleman you believed him to be and was deeply enamoured of Jane―in which case he could not possibly be interested in another young lady after only three weeks of separation―or his infatuation was without substance, and he showed no consideration for the hopes he had fostered in Jane. In the latter case, he is unworthy of her affection, and we both will help Jane to see that and to understand she has lost nothing of value.”

Elizabeth stared at her aunt. Animated, her eyes brightened by anger, her lips pursed together, Mrs. Gardiner looked even more beautiful than usual, much younger―and a little frightening. Elizabeth laughed, trying to control her emotions.

“Dear Aunt, your self-confidence is contagious! I agree with you, utterly and completely, and I will do everything to help Jane see reason. But I am at a loss as to how you plan to discover the truth about Mr. Bingley’s worthiness and his true feelings for Jane.”

“Niece, I am certain, absolutely certain, that we will have a chance to meet Mr. Bingley. And if an opportunity does not arise by itself, we must use our intuition and skills to create one. After all, Mr. Gardiner did not choose a smart woman as a wife for nothing!” Mrs. Gardiner gave Elizabeth a playful wink. “Now, go and comfort Jane, and I will supervise dinner preparations.”

***

A couple of hours later, Elizabeth’s efforts seemed rewarded as Jane looked more tranquil, and her face had regained some colour. She was still affected, and she barely gathered herself enough to speak, but at least she agreed to dress herself for dinner instead of retiring to the seclusion of her own room as she intended earlier.

They both expected a pleasant, informal family supper and entered the dining room together; but the sound of voices stopped them in the doorway, and they needed a moment before Elizabeth finally stepped forward, pulling her sister by the hand.

In the middle of the room were two guests: an older gentleman and a beautiful lady, younger than Mrs. Gardiner. The gentleman’s figure was impressive and intimidating; he was speaking animatedly with their aunt, his tone so insistent that it seemed to admit no contradiction. The lady only smiled at the others in a friendly way.

Their conversation stopped, and Mrs. Gardiner smiled at the girls, inviting them to enter. They obeyed hesitantly, Jane’s eyes seeking those of her aunt as if begging for support; Elizabeth gazed at the guests with curiosity. With each step, she was more certain she had never seen the gentleman before in her life, yet his features appeared curiously familiar to her.

She felt him watching her with equal interest, and when their eyes finally met, she attempted a polite smile, awaiting the introductions.

The gentleman came near, and his voice thundered unceremoniously: “You must be Miss Elizabeth Bennet! And you, beautiful as a goddess and shy as a little lamb, must be Miss Jane Bennet.”

Elizabeth’s eyebrows instantly rose in wonder at such a statement, and she turned to her aunt, awaiting her guidance, while the young lady burst out laughing.

“Papa, you have a peculiar notion of what constitutes
proper
introductions.”

“Indeed, your lordship, these are my dear nieces.” Mrs. Gardiner attempted to hide her amusement. “Please allow me to present to you Miss Jane and Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Jane, Elizabeth, I am honoured to introduce you to our very special guests, Lord Matlock and Lady Selina Brightmore.”

All three ladies curtseyed properly while the earl apologised to Mrs. Gardiner for interrupting her and then, with no further consideration, interrupted his own daughter who had started to talk to Elizabeth. Elizabeth could not restrain a peal of laughter and hurried to cover her mouth with her hand. Jane barely kept her countenance.

“Miss Bennet, there is no cause for uneasiness. I am not as frightening as I might appear on first acquaintance. And you, Miss Elizabeth―you should never hide your laugh; there is nothing more charming than a beautiful woman’s laugh!”

“And you, dearest Papa, should not speak so frankly to young ladies you have just met. It is not acceptable behaviour,” Lady Selina said. Lord Matlock only waved his hand without much consideration for his daughter’s concern.

“Thank you for the compliment, your lordship,” Elizabeth answered, moving to the couch, followed closely by Jane, and whispering: “At least I think it was a compliment…”

“It certainly was a compliment. Did it sound otherwise?” Lord Matlock inquired, and Elizabeth was afraid she might have upset him.

Mrs. Gardiner seemed amused as did Lady Selina. Jane was positively lost, unable to say anything to the earl.

“No indeed, Lord Matlock,” Elizabeth replied neutrally and politely. “Thank you.”

“Heavens, I certainly hope you do not intend to thank me the entire evening, Miss Elizabeth. That is not what I expect from you.”

Jane’s eyes widened in shock. The earl had the strangest manners she had ever seen!

“And may I dare ask what exactly your lordship does expect from me?” Rather than being intimidated, Elizabeth’s spirit rose; and her boldness, encouraged by her aunt’s clear approval, defeated any shyness. If the earl was as Mrs. Gardiner described him and showed so little consideration for decorum and the rules of politeness, then why would she feel embarrassed? After all, she had done nothing wrong; even his daughter openly disapproved his directness.

“Ahhh, very good, you have spirit! Well, let us see: from what Mrs. Gardiner told me about you, I expect interesting subjects, witty conversation, amusing stories about your home―and maybe some music after dinner. I understand you are very talented.”

“I am afraid your lordship might be disappointed because, unfortunately, my aunt grossly exaggerated my merits and my talent in music.”

“Really? What a shame… Then I shall have to be content with your charming presence. Of course, I would say the same thing about Miss Bennet, whose appearance is as bright as a summer day, but she seems determined to ignore me completely. I am quite positive she has come to detest me in only a few minutes―”

“Oh no, no, please do not believe that… I beg your forgiveness. I would never dare to… Please forgive me,” said Jane, pale, her eyes moving from her aunt to her sister and then back to the earl.

Lord Matlock’s expression changed instantly, and to everyone’s surprise, he came closer and bowed to Jane, his voice gentle and perfectly polite.

“Miss Bennet, it is I who should beg your forgiveness for placing you in a distressful situation with my poor attempt at a joke. I hope you will accept my apologies and not harbour any hard feelings towards an old man.”

“Indeed, Miss Bennet,” Lady Selina intervened kindly. “We intruded upon you unexpectedly, and it appears we did not choose the best of moments. You have nothing about which to be sorry. As for our familiarity, which perhaps trespassed the limits of decorum, it is only due to our close friendship with Mrs. Gardiner. Perhaps we should leave now. We only wanted to inform you that we decided to have dinner at my father’s house tomorrow evening.”

Jane smiled nervously as she swallowed some more water. “Oh, please do not consider leaving. I am very happy to meet you, Lady Selina…and Lord Matlock. It is just that I have not felt well today. Please do not presume it is your fault.”

Elizabeth’s eyes searched the earl’s face, and she could see he was regretful. Again, a strange sensation of familiarity crossed her mind; he reminded her of somebody, a person well known to her, yet she could not identify the puzzling resemblance.