Memory: Volume 1, Lasting Impressions, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (Memory: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice) (42 page)

“I understand, but somehow it does not bother me so much now.  With you marrying, I know that you will not be alone without me.  Miss Elizabeth will be there to take care of you, and when I come home, we will be a family.”  Georgiana hugged him and he kissed her forehead.   She whispered quietly as he hugged her in return.  “I promised Papa I would look after you, but now you do not need me anymore.”

“I will always need you, Georgiana.”  He looked down and smiled.  “I promise.”

“Mr. Darcy, you have a caller.”  Foster announced.  “Mr. Harwick.”

“Oh. Well show him in.”  Darcy gave a look to Georgiana and she quickly left the room.  Harwick entered and the men shook hands.  “I expected to see you at the Gardiner’s home this evening, this is a surprise.”

“I wished to speak with you privately.”  He glanced around the handsome room and spotted the painting of Pemberley.  “This is your estate?” 

They walked over to examine the landscape.  “Yes, I am immensely proud of it.  I look forward to returning.”

“I understand; I am anxious to return home as well.”  He smiled slightly and glanced at his companion as they took their seats.  “How are you holding up from the transition from son to master?”

Darcy laughed softly.  “You have done the same not so long ago.  My father taught me well, and prepared me for everything, but the reality of the responsibility was almost crushing at first.  I feel that the weight is slightly relieved after two years.  At least my steward is nodding readily in agreement now instead of placating me with murmurs of assent.”

Harwick laughed.  “Yes, you are earning the man’s respect.  Interesting how easy it is to forget how important those people who run your estate are, and how lost we would be without them.”

“That is one lesson that my father drove home to me.  Pride in our land and family’s accomplishments is better than pride of place.”

“A wise man.”

“Indeed.”

“I come to you today to speak of another estate owner.”  Harwick watched Darcy closely.  “Mr. Bennet.  I understand that you visited him yesterday.”

“Yes, it was . . .” Darcy searched for words and then gave up. “Horrifying.”

“So Miss Elizabeth’s outburst was wholly justified.”

He spoke quickly.  “She regrets it deeply.  She feels the weight for having jeopardized her sister’s chances by behaving so . . .”

Harwick held up his hand.  “Stop there, Darcy.  I was not offended.”

“That is not the impression I received.  I must say that she is a very passionate woman and feels emotion deeply.  She is very protective of her family and only wants her sister to be happy.”

“I understand.  Her behaviour, while it would not be smiled upon by the likes of your family, I am sure, was honest.  It was clear that it was so when her uncle hurried to defend his niece but did not attempt to refute the implication of her parents’ poor marriage.  Even you have confirmed it to me.  No, Miss Elizabeth did not offend, not at all.”  He saw Darcy’s creased brow and lifted his chin.  “You are deeply in love with her.”

Darcy flushed and looked down to his hands.  “It is so obvious?”

“To one who has also experienced such an emotion, yes it is.  You would overlook anything for her, not that she has done wrong.  I imagine the only others who would be able to read your emotion are those who are very close to you.  You are excellent at hiding your feelings.”  Harwick continued softly.  “Miss Elizabeth reminds me very much of my Ellen.”

His head shot up.  “She does?” 

“Oh yes, her manner, her smile, her passion, even her look is reminiscent of my wife.  When she departed from the study at your uncle’s house, I was taken with the memory of so many passionate conversations with my wife, especially when she was with child and perhaps a little more susceptible to emotion.  To see you run after her . . .it was like watching a scene from my life being played out before me.”  His mouth lifted in a sad smile.  “I can well imagine what happened when you caught up with her.”

“Harwick.”

He held up his hand.  “No, I did not mean to question any violations of propriety by either of you.”

Darcy recovered from his embarrassment and then examined his companion. “Then, may I ask, why are you interested in Miss Bennet for your wife?  She is as dissimilar from Miss Elizabeth as night is from day.  She is fair, quiet, docile . . .I am afraid that I do not understand.”

“I hope that you never do.  Do you not grasp it, man?  I can never replace my Ellen, and to try to do so with her twin would be an insult to her memory.  I am purposely choosing someone unlike her.”

Understanding Harwick’s reasoning he nodded.  “You have no expectation of love.” 

“None.  I hope that we get along tolerably.  I realized quickly that Miss Bennet does not belong in society and would be better off at home, she is beautiful, she will provide me with pleasant company, and most importantly care for my girls and hopefully give me an heir.  It is all that I want.  If we become friends, I will be happy, and she will be treated well.”  He leaned forward and said slowly.  “I had my love, and I am cognizant that my actions will save Miss Bennet from a certain poor fate by marrying her and hopefully solving the disposition of my estate that I cannot ignore.  However, her family is a problem.  If it is truly as bad as it seems, I may at the least rethink choosing Miss Bennet, and if we marry, I will not allow her relations, aside from Miss Elizabeth and the Gardiners, to come to my home and influence my children.  I will not visit their home either.  I will not ban my wife from visiting or writing, but I will not allow them my sanction.  The remaining sisters, they are . . .”

“Uneducated and rather frightening in their ignorance of proper behaviour and discourse.”

“Does their father have any plans for them?”

“I was considering offering to school them.”

“Are you out of your mind?”  Harwick cried.  “Why should you clean up another man’s mistakes?”

“Why should his children suffer for them?”  Darcy said angrily.  “I witnessed the girls embracing Elizabeth where her mother barely acknowledged her presence.  Their behaviour was horrendous, but they showed Elizabeth affection.  They were the only people in that household who did, in my opinion.” 

“They may be too old, you know.”  Harwick sat back and said thoughtfully.  “The damage could be too ingrained.”

Darcy sighed and nodded.  “Yes, that has occurred to me, but I would feel worse for not attempting to help, at least.”

Harwick looked at him sternly.  “I maintain that this is not your business, it is their father’s.”

“He has been wholly indifferent up to now.  Our Misses Bennet are the product of attention to a first child and the determination of the second, as well as the intervention of the Gardiners.”

“Mr. Bennet, how did he treat you?”

Darcy’s face expressed his growing irritation.  “It was odd, he baited me, seeking to laugh at my discomfort and even tried to deny my request for Miss Elizabeth’s hand.  It was ridiculous and perplexing.”

“And you tolerated it because you are in love with her.”  Harwick smiled to see Darcy’s assenting nod.  “I do not have that salient fact to keep me from walking away.  If I were so treated, I would have abandoned the notion and departed, leaving her behind.  There is no sentiment blinding me.”

“Will you visit Longbourn?

“I must meet the man eventually.”  Harwick rubbed his jaw.

Darcy looked off to stare at the Pemberley landscape as he thought.  “Perhaps . . .You truly do not want to meet Mrs. Bennet or the girls, it would harden you irrevocably from Miss Bennet, I promise you.  If Mr. Bennet was brought here to London, off of his own turf, he might be more reasonable.  You could conduct your business with him, and ignore the rest if that is your desire.”

Harwick smiled grimly and glanced around.  “You mean show him what his behaviour nearly lost Miss Elizabeth?  Intimidate the man?”

“Yes.  Perhaps show him your home or,” Darcy laughed softly, “introduce him to my uncle the Earl.”

“Ah, that just might do it as well.  I like this idea of yours, Darcy.  Would he be willing to come?”

“As much as I dislike the thought of spending any time with Mr. Bennet, I will make the invitation and the arrangements, and tender the offer to educate the girls, and pay for it.”

“I will aid you with that if you have determined that he will not pay himself.”

Darcy’s head shook emphatically.  “No, no, I will take it on.  You have two daughters to educate.”

Harwick sighed at his stubborn companion.  “You have a sister, and future children.”

“I will not give in to this, sir.”  Darcy said quietly.

Harwick smiled and reached out to shake his hand.  “Fine then, I will do my part by intimidating the fool.  I imagine that your Miss Elizabeth will be very grateful for your offer.”

“I do not wish for her gratitude.” 

“Spoken like a man in love.”  Harwick said approvingly.  “Well done.” 

DARCY’S CARRIAGE ARRIVED at the Gardiner home and he saw Elizabeth disappear from the front window.  By the time he had exited and was approaching the steps, the front door was open and she was waiting, a smile of welcome lit her face and she fairly bounced with anticipation to reach out for him.  He laughed when she finally touched his sleeve and hugged his arm to her bosom.  “I believe that you missed me!”

“Terribly.”  She sighed dramatically.  “Where have you been all day?”

He touched the long curls resting on her neck, and whispered affectionately, “I did have some business to address, my impatient love.”

“What could possibly be more important than me?”  She raised her brows and he laughed to see her eyes dance.  “I am sorely disappointed in you!”

Darcy marvelled at her ease.  “You are a woman transformed today; you are brimming with confidence and good humour.  It is breathtaking and makes me feel so happy. ”  

“It is only that I am finally permitting myself to enjoy the happiness that you bring to me, sir.”  She said softly.

“Please do not call me sir.”  He whispered against her ear.  “Nobody calls me by name, and I love how it sounds on your lips.

“But . . .it is not proper.  I should call you Mr. Darcy, at least in public.” 

“When we are private then.”  He whispered.  “And I hope that we have that opportunity before I depart.  I need to kiss you again.  I promise to be circumspect.”  Elizabeth blushed and rested her head on his shoulder for a moment.  Darcy brushed his lips over her hair.  “You smell so sweet, dearest.”

“I think that you missed me just as much as I missed you.” 

“To know that your feelings are as deep as mine is gratifying indeed.”  Again his lips brushed her hair.  “Dearest, would you gift me with one of your curls?”  He bent his head to see her blush deepening.  “I wish to carry you with me.”

“If I may have the same from you.”  She caught his delighted smile and nestled back against his shoulder.

“Mr. Darcy, may I take your hat?”  The housekeeper appeared and he straightened, handing her his things then turned to Elizabeth to find her smiling at him shyly.  Claiming his hand, she led him back to the sitting room with the rest of the family.  They made their greetings and he took a seat next to Elizabeth and the couple simply sat and smiled at each other until Mrs. Gardiner and Jane could not hold back their amusement.  “Oh what a picture you make!   If I had my crayons, I would like to capture those smiles for posterity!”

“I make no apologies, Aunt, I feel such elation, and I have no intention of hiding it.”  She turned to face Darcy and tilted her head.  “Now, tell me what kept you from my side today.  What was this so important business of yours?”

“Ah, I can see that I will never be able to keep secrets from you.”  He laughed softly to see her nod emphatically and continued.  “You know one of the reasons already; I delivered Georgiana to Matlock House and of course informed my aunt and uncle of your father’s blessing.  Prior to that Bingley visited; and I told him our news, and he wishes us great joy.  I also had important letters to write.  One to my solicitor to prepare your settlement,” he noted her looking down and biting her lip.  “Then one to the
Times
to announce our engagement to the world,” he smiled to see her smile to her clasped hands.  “Another to Mrs. Reynolds, our housekeeper at Pemberley, to announce our news and orders to begin preparing the house for its new mistress,” here her smile was replaced with her teeth biting hard down on her lip, and he touched her hands to reassure her.  “And finally a letter to my Aunt Catherine and Cousin Anne, to announce our happiness.”

“Will they be happy with our happiness?”  Elizabeth asked softly.

“No, Miss Elizabeth they will not.  My aunt filled my cousin’s head with the delusion that I would one day marry her and join her estate to mine.  I informed her quite strongly that it was never to be, and she seemingly accepted that, but it will not prevent her from feeling the disappointment when our engagement is presented as incontrovertible fact.”

“I see.”

“Lizzy, not everyone is going to accept you, it is to be expected.  You will simply have to learn to behave more civilly than they when in their presence, and to avoid the possibility of public confrontation as much as possible.”  Mrs. Gardiner turned to Darcy.  “Are you in your aunt and cousin’s company often, sir?”

“No, I rarely see them.  I visit every Easter.  My cousin has a weak constitution and my aunt prefers to keep her at their estate in Kent.”  He smiled and gave Elizabeth’s hand a squeeze.  “Aunt Catherine’s vitriol will come in letters.  I have never known her to rouse herself to actually make an appearance.  I wonder though, it could be interesting to see the two of you clash.”

“You are encouraging me to argue with your aunt?”  Elizabeth stared.

“No, of course not, but you are both stubborn women.  I can see a battle of the titans brewing someday.”  He smiled at her surprised expression.  “Well, I see how formidable you are, even if you do not.” 

“Mr. Darcy, I have been attempting to rein in my tongue and here you are actually encouraging me?” 

Darcy cleared his throat to distract himself from the enticing flash of passion that had appeared in her eyes and spotted a pair of tiny scissors lying next to Jane’s embroidery hoop.  “Miss Bennet, may I borrow your scissors for a moment?  And perhaps a bit of silk?”