Hello! and an early Happy Valentine’s Day! Can you believe it is February already? Well, since I left you hanging last month, I’ll jump right in this time.
For those of you just joining or wanting to reread the prior posts, here are the links:
What if?, What if? Part II, The Letter, Elizabeth’s Perspective, A Walk at Rosings, A Walk at Rosings Part II, What to Do About Wickham, Return to London, Meet the Gardiners, Meet the Gardiners Part II, Meet the Gardiners Part III, Return to Hertfordshire, The Problem with Wickham, and Elizabeth Arrives in London Part I.
When we left our story last time (I feel like a narrator for the old cliffhanger movies, lol), Darcy was waiting for Elizabeth to rejoin the party in the Gardiner’s parlor. (Please forgive any typos – this has not been formally edited.)
“Was your business a success?” Mr. Gardiner asked Darcy, drawing his attention from the young girls’ conversation.
“Indeed, it was, sir. I thank you for your advice. It was sound.” Darcy glanced towards the door. “I will tell you more once Miss Elizabeth rejoins us. I am certain she will be anxious to hear how matters have transpired.”
Mr. Gardiner nodded his understanding. “And have you enjoyed the coffee?” he asked with a smile.
Before Darcy could respond, Philip spoke up. “Exquisite! You have ruined me, sir. I shall have to become accustomed to army coffee all over again when I am recalled to the field.”
The men laughed, and Darcy added. “I have had to limit my intake as my cousin insists upon finishing every pot before I can have a second cup.”
“Well, we shall have to remedy that,” Mr. Gardiner said with a wink. “You must place an order large enough to meet his needs.”
Mrs. Gardiner shook her head as the men all laughed again. “I do not understand how you gentlemen can drink coffee at all hours of the day or night. I am certain I would never sleep if I consumed as much as my husband.”
“Oh, I agree,” Miss Darcy said. “I drank a cup of coffee once and was unable to sit still for two days. I only drink tea or chocolate now.”
Miss Bennet nodded. “Lizzy is the same way. I slept with our sister Mary the night Lizzy drank her first cup as she kicked me in her sleep.”
The group was chuckling when Elizabeth returned to the room. “What bit of humour did I miss?”
The gentlemen jumped to their feet while Georgiana blushed, but Miss Lucas replied, “Jane was telling us how you kicked her in your sleep when you drank coffee.”
“Jane!” Elizabeth cried as she, too, blushed. “Why ever would you tell that story?”
“Forgive us,” Darcy said as he bowed to her. “It is our fault. We were speaking of the coffee your uncle sent to my home, and your aunt and my sister agreed that coffee affects their sleep.”
Elizabeth smiled at him, but quickly looked away. “I am certain it was all innocent, but that does not forgive my sister for telling such stories. You know how easily provoked I can be to retaliate.”
She glanced back at him and Darcy grinned, remembering their conversation around the piano at Rosings just days before his interrupted proposal.
“Indeed, I do. Though I suspect your sister rarely conducts herself in a way as to provide such stories as would shock those present.” He led her to the nearest chairs and assisted her to sit before taking the companion. “I am certain she is not afraid of you.”
Elizabeth blushed again. “No, Jane is perfection in nearly every way.”
“Only nearly?” he asked, his lips determined to turn upwards simply for the joy of being in her presence.
She looked towards Mr. Bingley and back at him again. “There are some things that Jane is entirely too tolerant of.”
“Ah.” Darcy glanced about and ensured the others were all in conversation before he addressed her again in a softer voice. “Bingley mentioned your sister was hoping to once again be friends with Miss Bingley. I wondered at your opinion on the matter. Bingley described it as angelic, but I feared it was more naïveté.”
Elizabeth leant towards him, drawing them to the edge of what propriety allowed. “You must know my feelings on the matter, particularly after I berated you as I did. Jane is far too forgiving. Though she insists she will not allow the lady to rule over her, I fear Miss Bingley will have more power in their household than she should.”
“I have sworn I will not interfere in Bingley’s affairs, but perhaps I could suggest his sister remain with the Hursts after they marry.”
“Are they engaged?” Elizabeth asked as her brows inched towards her hairline. “We have not had time to speak in private, but Jane said nothing of it to me.”
Darcy’s countenance became heated. “I fear I have spoken out of turn. I pray you would say nothing of this conversation to any of the parties involved. It is only something that was said to me during the conversation we were just discussing. I should not have mentioned it.”
Elizabeth laid a hand upon Darcy’s arm before quickly returning it to her lap. “Have no fear, sir. Consider it forgotten.” Her eyes glimmered with amusement and glee.
“In recompense, I will share something with you before the others.”
She sat back to put a bit more distance between them, but managed to remain close enough that he need not raise his voice any louder.
“I visited Meryton on Tuesday.”
Her brow arched with eager curiosity.
“Sir William and I met with your youngest sisters on our way to visit Mr. King. Once they learned the true story behind the living I denied Mr. Wickham, they proceeded to spread the tale before I could say a word to anyone beyond Miss King’s uncle.”
Elizabeth frowned. “Will this not anger Mr. Wickham? Do you think he will harm them for speaking ill of him?”
“He has left Meryton,” Darcy quickly replied as he reached towards her. “He will be leaving England forever on the first tide Monday morning.”
“How ever did you manage that?” she asked, once more leaning towards him and causing the desire to take her hand even harder to ignore.
“Elizabeth,” Mr. Gardiner called in a loud voice that shook with amusement.
“Yes, Uncle?” Elizabeth innocently asked as she turned away from Darcy.
“Your aunt has been attempting to gain your attention.”
Darcy looked about the room and found the entire party looking in their direction. The ladies were blushing or hiding smiles, but Philip and Bingley grinned obnoxiously at him. He cared not.
“Forgive me, Aunt. How may I help you?” Elizabeth asked with her head held high.
“Miss Darcy was wondering who your favourite composer is.”
The conversation then turned to music which transitioned to discussions about the theatre. Soon a consideration of what plays were currently being performed led to Bingley and Darcy offering to procure tickets for a performance before the ladies were to return to Hertfordshire.
Shortly after the date was set, the housekeeper entered to announce dinner and Darcy was pleased to escort Elizabeth to the table.
While the party enjoyed their soup, Mr. Gardiner again asked Darcy about his business in Meryton. Darcy and Philip told the party of all that had occurred, both there and at Darcy House two days prior. The cousins had already told Georgiana of the events so she would not be surprised when the topic was discussed. Indeed, knowing there was to be an ocean between herself and George Wickham had increased her equanimity.
“So, which did he choose? Jamaica or the colonies?” Miss Bennet asked.
Darcy smiled as Philip replied, “Wickham will be plaguing the Americans. Any opportunity for reconciliation between our countries is now at an end as they will never forgive us for sending him their way.”
Mr. Gardiner laughed heartily. “As long as they do not send him back.”
Philip looked at Darcy and grinned. “Wickham will jump overboard before returning to England. Darcy told him he will be arrested and placed in debtor’s prison if he so much as places a toe in this country again.”
The admiring look that Elizabeth bestowed upon him made Darcy’s pulse race. Once again, the conversation continued about them.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “May I assume that you have also seen to the young girls who were affected by Mr. Wickham’s attentions?”
Darcy felt his cheeks warm, perhaps from embarrassment, but more so because she knew him so well now. “A quarterly stipend will be delivered to them which should see to their necessities.”
“You are far too good, sir,” she murmured as she returned her attention to her plate. “You take on more than is required of you.”
“If I had done more before leaving Hertfordshire, he would not have been able to cause as much damage as he did.” He shook his head. “You have opened my eyes to my shortfalls, madam, and I hope not to allow myself to become blind to them again.”
Elizabeth’s countenance reddened, but before anything else could be said, the soup bowls were cleared and the next course was set before them. As he offered to serve her asparagus, Elizabeth looked at Darcy and he could not mistake the admiration he saw in her eyes. It left him trembling.
“Have you plans for tomorrow, sir?”
“None beyond attending services.”
“I believe Mr. Bingley will be attending with our family.” She focused on cutting her beef. “You are welcome to join us if you would like. You and your sister.”
“I will speak to her, but I would very much like to join you.” He could just see the corner of her lips curve upwards.
Looks like Elizabeth might be softening towards our hero. So long as Wickham gets on the boat and Darcy is able to keep his foot out his mouth, we might have an HEA. lol (I jest, we will definitely have an HEA – it is a requirement.)
Please share your thoughts and I will see you next month.
Leave a Reply to GlynisCancel reply