His Uncle's Favorite (26 page)

“Sir, you cannot take all the blame upon yourself… I cannot deny that—”

They were only steps apart, and each seemed more preoccupied with speaking than listening. So caught were they in their argument, that they did not observe Mrs. Gardiner’s entrance.

“Mr. Darcy! I thought I heard voices! Welcome! I am quite pleased to see you back in London. Are you well, I hope?”

He stared at his hostess, surprised by her appearance, and struggled to find words for the proper answer. Mrs. Gardiner smiled warmly, awaiting his reply.

“I am well, thank you. Please forgive my intrusion—”

“Oh, say nothing of that! We have been inquiring after you lately; your presence was deeply missed. We were hoping to see you soon—were we not, Lizzy?”

Elizabeth was caught by surprise, and she could not answer immediately.

“Yes, we were. I was just telling Mr. Darcy the same thing, and I was thanking him for his help and support regarding my father’s business.”

“Please sit down, sir,” Mrs Gardiner invited him. “I sent a servant to fetch my brother Bennet. Lizzy, has Jane not yet returned? It is already dark, and it is snowing again…”

“I just met Miss Bennet earlier… I happened upon them… She was shopping with my sister and Selina. Bingley was keeping them company, so I am sure they are safe.”

“Oh, I have no doubt they are safe. Mr. Bingley is very trustworthy.” Mrs. Gardiner smiled.

“Yes he is… I… If I am not disturbing you, I shall wait for my sister and take her home when they arrive.”

“That sounds like a lovely arrangement except that I cannot allow Miss Darcy to leave immediately; she must join us for a cup of tea, at least.”

“And you, sir, must join me for a glass of wine,” Mr. Bennet interrupted from the doorway. “Mr. Darcy, how kind of you to come! I am quite delighted to see you again! Are the papers ready so soon? I am afraid I have ruined your day entirely, sir…”

“Not at all… A glass of wine would be fine, Mr. Bennet. And in the meantime we can continue our earlier discussion.” He glanced at Elizabeth then followed Mr. Bennet to the library. Elizabeth looked after them in disbelief.

***

Earlier, Elizabeth was torn between wishing and fearing that Mr. Darcy would visit, wondering how she could better apologise and afraid of how he might behave and what he might say to her. Now that he had come, everything she expected proved to be wrong.

She was certain he would be polite but cold, avoiding her as much as possible and speaking only as propriety required. Instead, he admitted he had come of his own will; he apologised, and appeared to be on amiable terms with her father. What was the meaning of it? Any man would be appalled to be in the company of the woman who had hurt him so deeply. He was embarrassed, that was true, but he did not seem appalled in the slightest.

Or was she misjudging his thoughts and his behaviour again as she had done so often in the past? But how could she misjudge the ‘coincidence’ of his appearing at his uncle’s house precisely as her father was there? And what about all the help he willingly offered?

Half an hour later, her sister returned together with Miss Darcy and Mr. Bingley. All seemed in excellent spirits, and Elizabeth noticed that she had never seen the shy Jane and Georgiana so animated. Poor Mr. Bingley was completely lost to Jane.

After admiring the gifts Jane purchased for their sisters and their mother, Elizabeth offered to inform Mr. Darcy about their presence. Unable to conceal her impatience, she hurried to the library and timidly knocked on the door.

“Come in, Lizzy dear,” Mr. Bennet invited her. “Mr. Darcy, now I think that perhaps we should have invited Lizzy to our discussion. You will not believe it, but my Lizzy is very proficient in business matters. If she were a son, all my problems would cease to exist, no doubt. Such a pity—though I confess I would not trade my Lizzy for five men.”

There was no answer for a moment, so Elizabeth turned towards Darcy; their eyes met, and—to her utter shock—a smile lit his countenance.

“I… Mr. Bingley and Miss Darcy are here. I just wanted to inform you, sir.”

“Thank you, Miss Bennet. I think it is time for us to depart.”

“So soon? I confess I do not remember when I last had such a pleasant day, Mr. Darcy. Your company has been a rare luxury,” said Mr. Bennet with genuine regret. “And your help is invaluable. I will not—”

“Mr. Bennet, the pleasure was mine, I assure you,” Darcy interrupted the words of gratitude. “I hope we shall meet again tomorrow as we planned.”

“Tomorrow we are invited to dinner…by Lord Matlock,” Elizabeth said.

“So we are,” Darcy replied. “But Mr. Bennet and I shall meet again tomorrow at noon.”

“I would gladly take you, Lizzy, but Mr. Darcy invited me to his club, and I doubt you would be welcome there.” Mr. Bennet laughed. “Besides, I am sure you have better things to do than discuss estate business—buying some lace, perhaps? Well, well, let us go then. I am sure my sister Gardiner has prepared dinner.”

Sooner than later, the guests prepared to leave. With perfect politeness, Darcy thanked Mrs. Gardiner for her hospitality and apologised for staying so late. Mrs. Gardiner assured him his presence was most pleasant, and she thanked him for his help with Mr. Bennet’s problems.

“Mr. Darcy, surely it is we who must thank you for spending your day with us,” Mr. Bennet concluded. “Your help was as valuable as it was unexpected.”

“I say, Darcy, yesterday Mr. Bennet was reluctant to approach you. Surely, he believed you to be some sort of ogre who would rather eat people alive than help them, which is not completely untrue.” Mr. Bingley laughed.

Elizabeth was silent with mortification, staring at Mr. Bingley who seemed nothing but amused. Miss Darcy blushed slightly, casting an embarrassed glance at Elizabeth.

“Mr. Bingley, you seem to be in a joyful disposition, sir. Not that this is a surprise,” Mr. Bennet replied. “However, Mr. Darcy, I shall not deny that Mr. Bingley is correct: considering our previous, brief acquaintance, I never would have dared bother you with my problems. I confess my previous opinion of you was…different.”

“Do not trouble yourself, Mr. Bennet. Any opinion you might have had of me was surely correct, based on my behaviour in Hertfordshire. I am deeply sorry that I missed many opportunities to have a pleasant time—in Hertfordshire, I mean…”

“Well, do not be too upset, sir. In fact, perhaps it was for the best. Everybody was impressed with your ten thousand a year and your handsome appearance. If your behaviour had been half as pleasant as it was today, there would have been no escape for you. Every lady in the neighbourhood would have fallen for your charms—my wife included.”

The most extraordinary thing happened: Mr. Darcy’s face turned crimson as he dared to look at Elizabeth with a lost expression. Elizabeth laughed—an open, amused laugh, directed at him—which she tried unsuccessfully to stifle with her hand on her lips.

***

Preparation for their return to Longbourn grew intense the next day. Mr. Bingley declared he would open Netherfield and the staff was informed to prepare for his arrival. He was not yet certain whether his sisters would join him, but even sweet Jane gave little consequence to that possibility.

After countless sleepless nights, Elizabeth woke with a feeling of intense relief and high spirits. She found herself smiling as she remembered Mr. Darcy’s expression in the face of her father’s teasing. He surely was unaccustomed to anyone making sport of him, but he did not seem upset.

She wondered more than once about her father’s meeting with Mr. Darcy at his club. She knew that Mr. Darcy’s attentions to her father were a compliment to her, and she felt equally flattered and ashamed; he was more generous than she deserved. The purpose of his politeness or his intention to continue their acquaintance she did not dare consider.

The day passed with easiness and eager anticipation for the upcoming dinner with Lord Matlock. In the afternoon, Mr. Bennet returned; Elizabeth hoped he might have company, but he entered alone. In a jovial disposition, he declared he had a lovely time with Mr. Darcy, the earl, and the colonel and declared he would rest before dinner.

It was already dark and had started to snow gently when the Gracechurch Street party arrived at Lord Matlock’s house.

Their reception was as amiable as they expected; Lady Selina and her husband were present as well as Lady Brightmore, who was entertained by the colonel and Miss Darcy. The viscount was absent, as urgent business required his presence out of town for two days. From a corner, Mr. Darcy greeted them warmly but did not approach. Mr. Bennet was introduced to those who had not yet met him, and the conversation began easily.

“I hope Bingley is not late; I am already hungry,” said Lady Brightmore.

“I am sure he will be here shortly. He is not late; we were early,” Lady Selina replied.

“I know he will be late if he brings his sisters!”

“Mama! That was unkind!”

“Oh hush, Selina; you know I am right. I have known the Bingley siblings from infancy, and the girls grew up with pretensions of greatness, exactly like their mother. Old Bingley was a pleasant, hardworking man. It is fortunate that Charles has only the looks of his mother; in character, he is all his father. By the way, Jane dear, are you pleased that Bingley has returned? You positively look happier than I last saw you.”

“Mama!” cried Lady Selina while Jane turned crimson.

“Selina, you are annoying today! Nothing is to your liking. What did I say?”

“Darcy also looks remarkably happier than the last time I saw him,” said Lord Matlock, and Darcy almost choked on his wine. He stole a glance at Elizabeth, whose cheeks now matched her sister’s, and after a short pause, he spoke to the earl.

“You are as perceptive as always, Uncle.”

“Well, well—such a short, meaningful answer, Nephew. So, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, what about you. Are you happy or sad to return home?”

“That is not an easy question, your lordship,” Elizabeth replied. “We are happy to see our mother and sisters and sad to leave our friends.”

“Yes, yes—happiness is never easy,” the earl concluded as the colonel began to laugh.

“I told you Bingley would be late because of his sisters,” Lady Brightmore repeated, and Elizabeth brushed her fingers over her lips to cover a laugh. She lifted her eyes and saw Darcy’s smiling eyes staring at her. She felt herself blushing, but she returned the smile, and for a moment, their gazes held.

“Well, well, you are finally here,” Lord Matlock exclaimed as the newly arrived entered.

Elizabeth returned her attention to the room and saw Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst entering. Their appearance was faultless, as were their manners. They greeted everyone with perfect politeness and displayed their surprise at the new addition to the group.

“Mr. Bennet! Are you alone, or is your entire family in town?”

Mr. Bennet responded with a slight move of his head and an amused grin while Elizabeth replied sharply, forcing a smile.

“We thank you for your inquiry, Miss Bingley. My mother and younger sisters are still at Longbourn. But you will be pleased to see them on another occasion since Mr. Bingley is returning to Netherfield.”

Miss Bingley reddened, but Mr. Bingley, oblivious to Elizabeth’s irony, rhapsodised about living in Hertfordshire again. With every word, Jane shone while his sisters blanched. Elizabeth was content.

The dinner table was large enough to accommodate a great number of people. No formal arrangements were made, so Lady Brightmore demanded that Elizabeth sit by her. Miss Darcy took the remaining place beside Elizabeth while Jane sat near her aunt. Mr. Bingley needed only a moment to claim the free chair next to Jane.

Miss Bingley was thrilled to find herself at Mr. Darcy’s left; however, that gentleman appeared more interested in Mr. Bennet, who was on his right. Nobody was as pleased as Mr. Bennet, who had the good fortune to sit between Mr. Darcy and the earl, and across the table from his favourite daughter.

“Miss Eliza, you are eager to return home, I understand? I imagine you are not accustomed to being in town for so long.”

“I am eager to return home, indeed, Miss Bingley.” She returned her attention to her plate.

“I hope you and Jane had a lovely time, but Meryton is not London, and it must be more daunting than pleasant to move from a Meryton assembly to a ball in London.”

Georgiana turned pale while Darcy looked at Elizabeth, attempting to reply. Elizabeth smiled at him with calmness and amusement.

“You have no reason to worry, Miss Bingley. I had the benefit of illustrious company, which helped me overcome any difficulties.”

“Oh, such nonsense!” Lady Brightmore intervened, enjoying a glass of wine. “Elizabeth was perfectly at ease at the ball; her only daunting task was to choose whom to dance with.”Miss Bingley stared at her for a moment then redirected her attention.

“My dear Georgiana, I dearly missed you lately. Have you been away?”

“No, I have been in town for the last month,” Miss Darcy replied gently.

“Oh, such a shame! You did not come to see me at all. And I called a couple of times, but you were not at home! Where could you possibly go in such horrible weather?”