Memory: Volume 1, Lasting Impressions, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (Memory: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice) (35 page)

“Hmm?  Oh, tradesmen do have their uses; that is when their taint is not ruining the chances of their nieces to marry.”  Mr. Gardiner closed his eyes, then met Darcy’s steady gaze.  “It is a very good thing that you have proposed, sir.  After hearing of Lizzy’s defamation, I would have demanded it to restore her reputation.  I am glad that you have taken what I otherwise would have seen as a very premature step.”

“Yes sir, although when I made my proposal, I had no knowledge of the whispers that were travelling the room.”

“No, no, you were acting as a jealous suitor and making damned sure nobody would ever threaten your desire.  I suppose that you are quite used to getting what you want?”

Darcy bit back the retort that was on his lips.  “You do not paint a favourable picture of me.” 

Mr. Gardiner shrugged.  “I do not have to.  I have the upper hand to deny or approve your request.”

“But you also just said that you would have demanded it had I not already proposed, did you not?”  Darcy raised his brows and Mr. Gardiner smiled.  “Sir, you were already well aware of my intentions.  I told Miss Elizabeth that I would bear a long engagement if she wished.”

“Does she?”

“We have hardly had the opportunity to speak, sir.”

“No, that is true.”  He set down his glass.  “How did the rumours begin?”

“I spent some time going over it in my mind last night, and the only logical source could be Miss Bennet.”  He saw Mr. Gardiner’s eyes close again.  “Was she aware of how damaging that information could be?  Surely she understood that her value would rise considerably after Miss Elizabeth and I marry?  The connection, I am not ashamed to say, is significant.”

“You are a proud man, sir.”  Darcy stared at him unblinkingly.  “I cannot fathom her thinking, but I do know that she is feeling the shame of never having attracted a single suitor, when for her entire life her mother has showered her with praise for her beauty and informed her that said trait is what will save the family from certain poverty when her father dies.” 

“She does not strike me as conceited.”

“No, she is not, but she does move along in blissful serenity since she has never had to struggle for praise.  Her father loved her as his first child; her mother loved her for that and her beauty.  When she was born all was still well in their marriage and a girl first was not a problem.  She had the benefit of attentive parents.”

“And Miss Elizabeth?”

“Was not a boy.”  He smiled to see Darcy’s face darken.  “And not pretty.”

“She is beautiful!”  Darcy cried.

“She is, but she never heard that from her mother.  Criticism followed her through every awkward stage of her childhood.  She will likely never believe it when you tell her she is beautiful, but be sure that you do.  It will be appreciated a thousand fold.”

“By your words, may I hope that we have your blessing?” 

“You are a very focussed man, Mr. Darcy.  I like that very much.  I have no doubt that you will do great things with your estate.”  He sighed and nodded.  “Yes, of course you have my blessing.  However, I also want this engagement to be of some significant length.  You need time together.”

“I must return to Pemberley at the end of July for the harvest.”

“That is merely two months, sir.”

“Then when?”

“When will you be free to leave your estate?”

“Not until Michaelmas.”  Darcy said unhappily.  “Four months, and that would give me two months without Miss Elizabeth’s company.  What good does that do either of us to be forced to separate that long?”

“But you will be free to correspond.” Mr. Gardiner laughed to see Darcy’s despondency. “I know, it is no substitute.” 

“Perhaps she could visit Pemberley?”  He looked up hopefully.

“Will your sister be there?  I remember Lizzy mentioning something of school for her.”

“If it meant the difference between Miss Elizabeth coming to Pemberley or not, I would hire a new governess and have masters come to teach her.”  Darcy sat forward.  “Georgiana can attend school next year.”

“I will consider it; however your sister’s presence is hardly enough.  You will require a proper chaperone.  My wife would love the opportunity to return to her old home, but I cannot see her leaving her children for so long.  My sister is wholly unsuitable.  Perhaps one of the married ladies from your family?”  Darcy’s brow creased as he thought.  “Would you truly wish to change your plans for your sister’s education simply to be with Lizzy?”

“I allowed my wish to be with Miss Elizabeth to overtake my responsibilities, sir.”  Darcy admitted.  “May I ask, Mr. Bennet, does he take no interest in his daughters?  I feel that I should at least visit the man.  After all, he will be the one to sign the settlement, is he not?” 

“I can well understand your confusion, Mr. Darcy.  Let me say this.  My brother is very intelligent, and I think, easily bored.  He is not interested in his estate, and the only member of his household who holds his attention with any regularity is Lizzy.  She is equally intelligent, but it does not stop him from making sport of her just as much as he does with his other children and wife.  I suggest that you draw up your settlement and I will sign it.  You may then pay a courtesy call upon Mr. Bennet.  I am afraid that he may just provoke you to anger, and he just might refuse Lizzy’s hand to you, simply to watch the reaction.”

“That is cruel!”  Darcy said in disbelief. 

“Indeed it is, but possible.”  A soft knock came to the door and Mr. Gardiner called to enter.  It opened and there stood Elizabeth.  Darcy was instantly on his feet and across the room.  He bowed low and she laughed.

“I thought I heard your voice!” 

“I have been here marking time until I could hear yours.”  He took her hand and kissed it.  Elizabeth blushed and he smiled.  “You are lovely, Miss Elizabeth.”

She looked down.  “Thank you.”  Darcy glanced at Mr. Gardiner, who shrugged and smiled. 

“We were just discussing your engagement, Lizzy.  Why not take a seat; we would like your opinion.”

“Just marking time?”  She asked with a smile as he guided her to a chair and sat beside her.

“Yes, time away from you is wasted as far as I am concerned.”  He moved his chair a little closer and touched his boot to the pink slipper that peeked from beneath her dress.

An eyebrow lifted and her eyes danced.  “You are full of pretty words this morning.” 

“Be prepared for a lifetime of them.  I am afraid that my normal reticence has been abandoned this morning.”  Darcy smiled and chuckled to see her blush again.  The couple looked up to see Mr. Gardiner shaking his head.

“Very well, children.  Shall we make some decisions?  I would like to have some answers prepared before we inform the family of this unexpected news.”  He saw Darcy watching Elizabeth and the way his fingers were stretching towards hers and smiled.  “Well Lizzy, I proposed a wedding date in four months.  Mr. Darcy must return to his estate at the end of July, and cannot leave again until October.”

“We would be apart all of that time?”  She looked first to her uncle then turned to see Darcy watching her.

“I feel just as distressed about it.  Therefore I proposed that you come to Pemberley to visit, perhaps Miss Bennet could come as well?”

“Would you allow that, Uncle?”  Elizabeth looked at him hopefully.

“Ahem, I told Mr. Darcy that I would consider it.  More than your sister’s company will be required.”  He looked at him sternly.

Darcy smiled then became serious.  “I wish to meet your family.”  Elizabeth’s face fell, and he continued.  “Every time I hear someone speak of your family, whether it be you, your uncle, or even Stewart, I hear nothing admirable, however when I marry you, they will be my family as well.  I take my heritage very seriously, and am teaching my sister to respect it as well so she will take that with her when she marries someday.  I hardly expect my wife to forget her origins.  I also understand that someday I could very well be responsible for your mother and unmarried sisters.”

“Please Fitzwilliam . . .”

“Lizzy!”

“Please . . .”

Darcy shook his head and took her hand in his.  “No, Elizabeth.  I must go, and I believe that it should be soon.  You questioned me last night about my proposal and I admitted that I made it in reaction to Stewart’s desire to renew his addresses.  He proceeded despite all of the obstacles that prevented him from proposing to you before.  He clearly knew that you were worth bearing whatever came with you.  Supporting your family is not an issue for me, not really.  But it was their behaviour that was a factor in his thinking as well.  I know, he told me.  He made an effort to know them and still abandoned you.  I must meet them.”  He gripped her hand as it trembled in his.  “We do not have to announce our engagement to them.  I could just be paying a courtesy call as your suitor.”

“I . . . I will go with you.”

“It is not necessary.”

“No . . . I will, and then when . . . when they drive you away, I will remain there.”  Elizabeth’s eyes became bright with tears.

“Do you doubt me so much?”  He asked quietly.

“No, I simply know them.”

Mr. Gardiner watched the exchange closely and could understand the emotions on both sides.  “Lizzy, I think that you should recognize that this is an enormous gesture on Mr. Darcy’s part.  I gave him leave not to visit until the settlement was signed.  His willingness to go assures me that he loves you, whatever comes.”

Darcy’s fingers entwined with hers.  “I thought that you could visit Madame Dupree and order some new things tomorrow, and then we could drive out to Longbourn on Friday morning, stay for the day and return here that afternoon.  Then when your order is ready we can begin this engagement on the right foot.  The air will be clear, you will have no fear of losing me, and you and I will be free to . . .”

“Love each other?”  She whispered, and he smiled and nodded, then wiped her cheeks with his handkerchief.  “Do not say that I did not warn you, sir.”

He laughed and Elizabeth took his handkerchief, and kept it in her hand.  “I believe that I am thoroughly on my guard.  Will you come with us, sir?”

“Yes, I will.  I will send a letter to my brother today, and tell him of our plans.”  Mr. Gardiner stood and walked to the door.  “I believe that breakfast will be ready very soon.”  He looked at the couple, still holding hands, and left the room.

Darcy stood and closed the door enough so no curious eyes could see inside then turned to find Elizabeth beside him and leaning into his arms.  “Dearest.”  He whispered before he claimed her lips for a kiss that communicated reassurance and love.  It was soft and slow, but still all too brief.  They remained in the embrace, holding each other in a comfortable, already familiar way.

“Fitzwilliam, during this visit, I do not want to hear a single complaint from you.”

“I promise.”

“If I am in the carriage riding back to London . . .” Her voice was suddenly stopped by an insistent, possessive kiss that left her gasping for breath.  “. . . I give you leave to complain until your face is blue.”  Darcy chuckled softly and tightened his hug.

“When do you wish to marry?”

“Is two months too soon?”

“Is four too long?”  He countered.  They heard a throat clearing loudly in the hallway and reluctantly drew apart.  “We do not need to decide today.”

“I fear that if I come to visit you at Pemberley . .  .”

“You may as well stay forever?”  He laughed and she smiled as the door opened to reveal Mr. Gardiner looking at them expectantly. 

“Are you on the cusp of a decision?”

“No Uncle.  I think that we need to discuss this more, and I would feel better doing that after Mr. Darcy meets the family.”  She wrapped her hand around his waiting arm.  “It would not be fair to you to do otherwise.”

“I am committed to you now.”

“I am still giving you a reason to change your mind without penalty.”

Darcy shook his head at her stubbornness.  “Do you not see how that gesture tells me of your devotion?  I assure you, no woman of the
ton
would accept a broken engagement without demanding compensation.”

Elizabeth raised her brows.  “Which proves again how I do not belong in your circle.”

He let out a frustrated groan.  “Why do you keep trying to discourage me?  You do realize that it makes me more determined than ever?”

“Perhaps you have realized my gambit, Mr. Darcy.”  Her eyes danced and he broke into a wide smile. 

Mr. Gardiner laughed and led the way to the dining room.  Mrs. Gardiner and Jane looked up in surprise to see their guest, and especially to see Elizabeth holding his arm and looking up to his happy face.  Clearing his throat, Mr. Gardiner announced, “Ladies, I am surprised but pleased to announce that Mr. Darcy came to me this morning to ask for Elizabeth’s hand.  After assuring myself of his sincerity and her acceptance, I have given my permission to marry.  Congratulations to our happy couple.”

“What?”  Mrs. Gardiner stared between them and Jane’s hand went to her mouth.  “When did you propose?”  She demanded.

“When we disappeared during the supper dance.”  Elizabeth admitted.

“No wonder you were flushed when you returned.”  Jane said softly.

“Is nobody happy for us?”  Elizabeth looked between the two and they both jumped up to hug her and shake Darcy’s hand.  They all sat down at the table and after a moment of silence, Darcy looked to Elizabeth and raised his brows.  She laughed and he smiled, then she turned to face her aunt.  “Go ahead, begin your inquisition.”

“I SWEAR, FATHER; it was not I who spread the rumours.”  Layton paced in his father’s study and ran his hand through his hair.  “But you cannot deny that I was correct!”

“About what, that she is without dowry or connection?  Yes, I will give you that, but that young woman displayed an exceptional amount of poise last night, despite the drama that was swirling around her.  I am very impressed with Darcy’s choice.”

“I am ashamed!”

Lord Matlock watched his heir’s movement.  “Well I suppose that you will have to come to grips with that because they are engaged, and I am sure that Darcy is at this hour receiving her uncle’s consent.  It will be in the papers within days.  It will not change.  Your wife, by the way, has already met with your mother to discuss how to introduce Miss Elizabeth to our circle.”