Consequences (35 page)

Since the men were still in Mr. Collins’s study, Charlotte led the party outside where she and Elizabeth had an affectionate parting. Charlotte was also effusive in congratulations on making such a brilliant match, and Elizabeth was tempted to pinch her friend as she saw the teasing light in her eyes. But she restrained herself and was contented with whispering baleful threats in Charlotte’s ear, which only increased her friend’s amusement.

When Elizabeth turned to the coach, she spared a glance for Mr. Darcy and Mr. Collins as they appeared from inside the house. She was again amused to see Mr. Darcy still closely attending Mr. Collins, preventing his escape to inform his patroness of the staggering news. With a repressed chuckle, she turned from the diverting sight to find Maria staring at the Darcy coach in awe. She was somewhat uncomfortable as she admitted Maria’s admiration was warranted, for not only was the coach larger than any in which she had ridden, the craftsmanship of its construction was clearly of the highest order. The materials were primarily sturdy English oak, painted a glossy black, with glass panes set in the side windows instead of the usual curtains. She knew such panes would dramatically cut down on dust finding its way into the interior, but it was an expense her father never even considered. In addition, the springs on each axle were impressively large and should do much to smooth their ride.

But more notable than the richness of the coach, at least to Elizabeth, was the attitude of the driver and the two footmen as they waited for the ladies to board. All of them smiled at her and bowed in a manner more indicative of true excitement and good cheer than servile humility. They were obviously well aware that she and their master were engaged, and her warm smile in return left them beaming. The fact that they took such obvious pleasure and pride in their master’s welfare said much about Mr. Darcy, which would have to be carefully considered when she had the time. In her experience, even lifelong members of a family establishment usually performed their duties in a spirit of detached efficiency, more concerned with not being noticed than with anything else. The testimony of an intelligent servant was thus made more valuable.

By this time, Maria was already inside the coach, and Miss Darcy was following her. When Elizabeth climbed aboard, she found Miss Darcy seated beside Maria at the front of the coach, leaving the forward facing seat open. She took her seat after a momentary pause as she comprehended she would be seated next to Mr. Darcy, which was a discomfiting thought. Elizabeth was
nearly
certain the seating arrangement was not an accident but contrived by Miss Darcy, since she was
almost
sure the younger girl was hiding the tiniest of smiles at the success of her manoeuvre.

Since all the female passengers were boarded, Mr. Darcy made his final farewell to Mr. Collins and his wife before climbing inside the coach. Mr. Collins appeared to have recovered some of his aplomb by this time, as he now approached the door to the coach and commissioned Elizabeth with his best respects to all her family, not forgetting his thanks for the kindness he had received at Longbourn in the winter and his compliments to Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, though unknown. As Darcy seated himself beside Elizabeth, another thought occurred to Mr. Collins. He suddenly reminded them, with some consternation, that they had forgotten to leave any message for the ladies at Rosings.

“I am sure,” he added, “that you will wish to have your humble respects delivered to them with your grateful thanks for their kindness to you while you have been here.”

“That shall not be necessary, sir,” said Darcy gravely, rapping his cane against the wooden roof as a signal to drive on. “I shall bear Miss Bennet’s compliments to my aunt and my cousin myself. We shall stop at Rosings for a few minutes before departing for London. I wish you and Mrs. Collins a good day.”

As the driver whipped up the horses, Elizabeth waved her handkerchief at Charlotte and tried to hide her smile at the forlorn expression on the face of her cousin.

Mr. Darcy leaned back on the cushions with a sigh of relief, and Elizabeth could well agree with him. But her relief at leaving the Parsonage was tempered as the coach turned up the drive toward Rosings rather than toward London. Though Darcy had told Mr. Collins only of his intention to stop at Rosings for a few minutes, it was obvious he must now intend to inform his aunt of their engagement, and Elizabeth had no desire to partake in the angry confrontation she was certain would ensue.

When she looked questioningly at Mr. Darcy, he recognized the meaning of her look.

“I cannot leave without informing my aunt of our engagement, Miss Bennet.”

Elizabeth nodded her agreement. “Of course. I recognized your intention when you prevented Mr. Collins from leaving to take the news to his patron.”

“Quite true. I could not have him informing her ladyship before I was able to arrive myself. This will be difficult enough without Mr. Collins making it worse. That was also the reason I did not assist you ladies into the coach; I was afraid he would be able to make his escape.”

Maria Lucas looked shocked to hear her sister’s husband described in such an unflattering manner, but she at least had the sense to keep her thoughts to herself.

Darcy looked over at Elizabeth, and she detected his worry. “I believe it would be best if I saw my aunt alone, Miss Bennet. You are probably correct about her reaction, and if you are, she is as likely to be intemperate in her words to you as she will to me.”

Elizabeth nodded in agreement, but she said nothing. It could not be pleasant to have the improprieties of a relation exhibited in a public setting, an emotion with which she had far too much unfortunate experience.

Into the silence following Darcy’s remark came an unexpected response.

“Aunt Catherine has always terrified
me
!” blurted Georgiana. She looked shocked the words had actually slipped out of her mouth, and she instantly ducked her head to disguise her deep blush.

“You shall not have to worry about that any more, dearest,” said Darcy, leaning forward to pat his sister’s hand. “Miss Elizabeth will protect you in the future. She was always able to stand up to our aunt in a way that was never impertinent or challenging. Perhaps she can give you lessons on how to out-manoeuvre her ladyship.”

“Truly?” Miss Darcy whispered hopefully.

“We shall have to find some way, Miss Darcy,” laughed Elizabeth. “One should not live in terror of their own relations!”

When the coach stopped in front of Rosings, Darcy did not wait to have the step put in place. He gave a quick command to his footmen to keep their seats in preparation for an instant departure when he returned. Then he bounded from the coach and on up the stairs to the front entrance, where he gave a quick rap with the knocker at the door.

The three girls were silent while Darcy was gone, lost in their thoughts about what was transpiring inside the house. It seemed an interminable time before the front door was opened and Darcy strode through. The fact that he was in a state of barely controlled fury was obvious from his agitated stride and the manner in which he jerked open the front door of Rosings before the butler could do it for him. He quickly unlatched the door to the coach and pulled himself up.

“Drive on, John!” he called as he stood in the door. “Next stop, Gracechurch Street in London!”

Chapter 21

“The glory of friendship is not in the
outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile,
nor the joy of companionship; it is in the
spiritual inspiration that comes to one
when he discovers that someone else believes
in him and is willing to trust him.”

—Ralph Waldo Emerson,
American poet, essayist, and lecturer

Saturday, April 18, 1812

After the coach clattered to a halt in front of her uncle’s house and the step was folded down, Darcy exited first to assist Elizabeth and Maria. Georgiana remained inside, for Darcy’s plan was for his sister and himself to return to their home and refresh themselves before returning to the Gardiner house.

“Mr. Gardiner and I had a spirited conversation last evening about whether we should dine tonight at his house or mine,” Darcy said earlier, regarding the plans for dinner. “He was able to carry the day, pointing out that he is a present relation while I am only your prospective one. I tried to make the point that you would have a chance to tour the house and view the work already completed to your rooms, but he was even quicker to point out such viewing would be much more effective when done in full daylight rather than at dusk. So we arranged to gather at my house tomorrow after church.”

Now, as Elizabeth and Maria stepped from the coach, the front door to the Gardiner house flew open, and Jane almost threw herself into Elizabeth’s arms, so eager was she to greet her sister. Her aunt and uncle were not far behind, and from the easy greeting between Mr. Gardiner and Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth saw Jane had been correct in her description of how positively her uncle viewed her future husband. Mr. Gardiner’s manner, while always marked by civility and politeness, was even more open when associating with close friends and family, and it was clear that Darcy had already elevated himself to this level.

“I assume you and your sister will still dine with us tonight, Mr. Darcy?” said Mr. Gardiner, as his wife embraced Elizabeth and greeted Maria.

“Unless you are willing to yield to my arguments regarding where to dine, sir,” responded Darcy easily.

“My wife would not forgive me, sir. She is most anxious to converse with our surprisingly secretive niece in the meantime. She has dedicated herself to extracting every single detail from Lizzy before you arrive for the evening meal. But we would like to take the opportunity to accept your kind invitation to share Christmas with both of you in Derbyshire.”

“Excellent!” beamed Darcy. “But remember, you must arrive early so an untimely snow does not make the roads impassable. Once safely ensconced inside the house, snow is no longer a problem; Pemberley is completely self-sufficient, and the Christmas holiday can be extended until the roads re-open.”

Despite her observations, Elizabeth was still amazed at what she was hearing. From Jane’s letter and Darcy’s conversation, she had evidence he was informed she had relatives of whom she did not have to be ashamed, but events had progressed even farther than she would have believed possible! It never would have occurred to her that her Aunt and Uncle might come to Mr. Darcy’s Pemberley estate at any time, and now he had invited them to do so without her influence and on very short acquaintance. What was she to make of such a man?

Then Darcy turned to her at the foot of the steps to the front door.

“I shall see you when I return, Miss Elizabeth,” he said softly, raising her hand to his lips. As she felt the brush of his lips on her gloved fingers, Elizabeth felt a most surprising warmth flow through her. It was impossible to deny that the day’s journey had increased the rapidity with which she was growing accustomed to this man’s attentions, no matter that conflicts still remained to be resolved. Such polite and concerned attentions must surely bode well for the future.

Darcy was perfectly polite as he made his farewell to Maria Lucas, but he was visibly more at ease when he made his bow to Jane.

“Until tonight, Miss Bennet,” he said. “And be sure to discuss with your sister the new play opening at the theatre on Monday. It is one of Shakespeare’s comedies—
A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream
—which ought to be more to your liking than
King Lear
.”

“I did enjoy
King Lear
, despite it being a tragedy, Mr. Darcy,” responded Jane, with a gentle smile. “But I do believe a comedy would be more in accordance with my nature.”

“Then we shall attend when convenient to you and your sister, Miss Bennet. I shall see you in the evening.”

Elizabeth stood watching on the front step of the house as Darcy returned to his coach, and she waved to Miss Darcy as the coach moved away before finally turning back to her sister.

“I cannot believe how wonderful it is to be back with you, Jane,” Elizabeth said, giving her sister another embrace.

“I hope you still believe that after I have finished with you, Lizzy!” said Jane sternly, though her eyes twinkled. “Now, upstairs into the bath with you! The water is already heating, and I will have answers to my questions, and I will have them immediately if not sooner!”

“Yes, Mama,” said Elizabeth meekly.

“Not even Mama can save you if my curiosity is not assuaged, dear sister!” Jane said, pushing Elizabeth ahead of her. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner laughed as Jane continued into the house, shepherding her sister ahead of her, leaving an open-mouthed Maria Lucas to be ushered into the house by Mrs. Gardiner.

***

Mrs. Gardiner, as her husband said, greatly desired to hear the whole story of how Elizabeth became engaged to Darcy, but she could see Jane was beside herself with even greater curiosity. She and Mr. Gardiner had become greatly attached to the two elder sisters over the years, especially as the behaviour of their younger sisters failed to improve, and she knew well how deep the bond was between Elizabeth and Jane. So she reluctantly allowed them the privacy they obviously desired, forcing herself to be content that Lizzy would provide a more complete story afterward. And, if she still had any unanswered questions, those would be a topic that she would raise with Lizzy in her bedroom in the evening.