His Uncle's Favorite (20 page)

In truth, the words as she put them were confounding, but surely she twisted his meaning. He could not—

Miles entered, and Darcy startled, casting a sharp, reproachful glance at him. The servant remained immobile in the doorway.

“What is it? I do not remember ringing for you!”

“Forgive me, sir, I thought… Miss Darcy was concerned and asked whether she could speak to you. I knocked, but I received no answer, so I— It is dinnertime.”

“Tell her I am well, but I will be dealing with some urgent matters. I shall not join her for dinner tonight; please send her my apologies.”

“Yes sir, as you wish. May I be of any help?”

“No, you cannot! How many times do I have to repeat myself? Please leave!”

He knew he was being unfair, but he could not find the strength to behave politely. And he surely could not speak to Georgiana and bear her stories about the time she spent in Gracechurch Street. For a moment, he wondered how Elizabeth reacted after his departure. Did she remain to entertain guests? Did anyone else notice her altered spirits? Or were they really altered? Did her unfair judgement even slightly embarrass her?

He toyed with the idea of joining Georgiana for dinner and proposing that they leave for Pemberley. They could be gone by the end of the next day and not return to Town until spring. There was nothing in London for them. Yes, that was what he should do!

He started to dress while enjoying another glass of brandy. He knew Georgiana would not oppose his plan; she never did. They both would be happy at Pemberley. Surely, the estate was buried in snow, and Georgiana would love long rides in the sleigh.

Memories of their ride in the sleigh two days before produced a sharp pang in his chest.
Her
eyes were full of joy and sparkle, her cheeks crimson as she laughed at him and— That would never happen again. Earlier that day, Elizabeth’s eyes were tearful, empty and lifeless. That would be the image he carried with him when he left.

He gulped another glass of brandy and leaned back in the chair, staring out the window. How could he even consider going to dinner?

***

It was finally silent in the house. Elizabeth had prayed to fall asleep since she closed herself in her room, but in vain.
‘In vain I have struggled…’

Every word and thought that crossed her mind unbidden carried the memories of what occurred earlier, and each time she closed her eyes, his image sharply returned to trouble her—his image from the hall when he was forced to return to the house after their horrible fight—wet, dirty, frozen, offended, hurt, and obviously searching for an escape!

A sharp pain seized her chest, and breathing became difficult. What would happen in the next days? How could she bear to face him again? Or would she ever face him again? He likely would avoid her as his worst enemy and surely would forbid his sister any further visits. What should she do? His close relatives were intimate friends of her family; how could she avoid wondering glances, insinuating questions, and awkward situations? How would she manage to keep such a secret?

Hours passed, and Elizabeth’s memories only returned more vividly. She easily could remember every word, every gesture, and every glance, but still she was unable to judge properly what had happened.
‘…both of us shall allow new or old acquaintances a chance to prove their worthiness before judging their characters…’

She had long judged his character, and she could not say whether she had been wrong. His insufferable pride and his inconsiderate and ungenerous involvement in Mr. Bingley’s departure were not things to be forgiven or forgotten. It was true that Mr. Bingley had returned, but that did not diminish Mr. Darcy’s fault in the slightest. And there was still his obvious disgust when he spoke of Mr Wickham. He seemed unmoved about his unfair treatment of his boyhood friend—the son of his father’s steward. She could not imagine herself attached to such a man, especially through marriage, and certainly not after such an insulting proposal.

Nevertheless, his behaviour was not an excuse for hers. She was not even clever enough to understand his intentions—not that morning and not before.

‘I have been interested in reaching an agreement with you many times, but somehow it seems we are meant to argue whenever we meet. More than once I have wondered whether one or perhaps both of us purposely search for subjects upon which to disagree.’

So many words from the past, so many small gestures, so many smiles and glances should have been a sign of his interest in her, but she missed them all. Yet, she did not miss hearing Lady Sinclair speak of him…and his own family making fun of his pretended relationship with that lady…and Mr. Wickham confessing their past relationship…

The room was too warm, and she could barely breathe, so she threw open the window.

Mr. Darcy asked her to marry him, and she refused him—the worst possible refusal.

***

For almost a week, Mrs. Gardiner’s parlour was a daily host to pleasant, entertaining guests. Since his return, Mr. Bingley had called each day, and his visits were highly improper: he came too early, stayed too long and, not rarely, just left and returned again an hour later.

Yet, Mrs. Gardiner had no cause to establish new rules since Mr. Bingley seemed to be the most proper gentleman, and his mere presence brought complete and instant happiness to Jane’s eyes. Besides, his gesture of bringing his sisters with him one day, in which they behaved in a faultless manner during the entire visit, was greatly in his favour.

Miss Darcy also visited them three times, and Lady Selina and Lord Matlock, sometimes together with Colonel Fitzwilliam, were regular presences in Gracechurch Street.

That morning, just before breakfast, Mrs. Gardiner heard the main door and could barely hide a smile. Mr. Bingley was much too early; he would have to wait some time before Jane would be ready to receive him.

To her surprise, however, Lord Matlock barged in without an introduction, apologised briefly and asked for a glass of brandy before he spoke with obvious distress.

“Mrs. Gardiner, please forgive my impromptu visit but things cannot continue in this manner. We must take proper measures before more harm is done. Is Miss Elizabeth better today?”

Mrs. Gardiner raised her eyebrow in surprise. “I think so, sir; as I had the pleasure to inform you yesterday, she is somewhat recovered. She had a very bad cold, and she is still tired and somewhat indisposed, but other than that—”

“Yes, yes…but do you remember the precise day of her indisposition? It was the day after the ball; am I correct?”

“You must be, sir—”

“So—you all left the ball early because she was unwell. Then, the second day, she refused to visit Selina and stayed home, and when we came here, we found Darcy in front of the house. Do you remember?”

“I do, but—”

“Then, the very next morning, Darcy returned to Pemberley without informing anyone—except for a brief letter to Georgiana—and since then, Miss Elizabeth has barely left her room. Do you not see the extent of these coincidences, Mrs. Gardiner?”

His hostess looked at the earl in silent disbelief. She needed several moments before she could speak, and the earl sat near her, gently touching her hand.

“Mrs. Gardiner, I cannot say how sorry I am that—”

“Lord Matlock, what exactly do you suppose happened? It is difficult to imagine a situation involving Lizzy and Mr. Darcy. I was quite surprised that Lizzy danced with Mr. Darcy at the ball, and they seemed to be on amicable terms. I never suspected anything except a headache forced her to leave the ball early, and the next day… Oh dear—what do you suspect?”

“I am not sure…not sure at all…but something must have forced them both to behave so strangely. It is hard for me to imagine anything improper regarding my favourite nephew. I always have trusted him as the most honourable of men. I could trust him with my life. His behaviour has always been beyond reproach. I confess I was surprised that he asked Miss Elizabeth to dance, and a couple of days before, he joined Miss Elizabeth and Georgiana in a sleigh ride. I have seen young men lose their minds over a beautiful young woman… Did he harm her in some way, do you think?”

“No, that cannot be. It is not possible. Lizzy would have said something. But what if—? What should we do? What is to be done? I—” Mrs Gardiner started pacing the room, her anxiety increasing. The earl poured himself another brandy.

“I shall send for Darcy. I shall speak to him and force him to tell me the truth. He will do his duty to resolve this situation; you must have no doubt, Mrs. Gardiner. I—”

“Lord Matlock, perhaps we are too hasty… We are worrying about a situation that is a complete mystery to us. Did your lordship speak with anyone else about these suspicions?”

“No, I have not. I came here directly.”

“Please be so kind as to allow me to speak with Lizzy before attempting any action regarding Mr. Darcy. Would you agree to return later in the afternoon and continue this conversation?”

“As you wish, madam. I trust your judgement more than my own for the time being. If you need my assistance, I should perhaps wait here and—”

“That will not be necessary, sir. I would be grateful if we could discuss this further in a couple of hours.” A moment after the earl left, Mrs. Gardiner ran up the stairs; she stopped in front of Elizabeth’s door to regain a composed appearance and then knocked.

Elizabeth was sitting near the window, reading. She looked at her aunt with surprise and forced a smile. Mrs. Gardiner briefly pondered the best approach in such a delicate situation, but she had little time for consideration.

“How are you, Lizzy? Are you feeling better, I hope?”

“Yes, thank you. I felt like reading.”

“I see… Can we hope you will join us for dinner later? Mr. Bingley is expected… And Miss Darcy might call later in the afternoon.”

“Mr. Bingley is here so often that he is hardly a guest any longer. It is likely he intends to make up for all the dinners he missed.”

“True, but Jane is happy with his company, so I am happy too. It is fortunate that Mr. Darcy brought him back to town.”

Elizabeth tensed instantly, and Mrs. Gardiner did not miss it.

“Miss Darcy is worried by your indisposition, Lizzy. Is there any reason you are not as anxious to spend time with her as you were before?”

“No, not at all… Miss Darcy’s company is always a joy. It is just that… To be honest, I was amazed that Mr. Darcy did not take his sister with him when he left town. I am not sure he would approve of Miss Darcy’s visits to us.”

“Why would he not approve? He never seemed displeased with your friendship with Miss Darcy before. And why would you presume he would take his sister with him when he left?”

“I was just thinking that…” She appeared unable to justify her statement and suddenly turned crimson. Mrs. Gardiner took a few steps then turned and stopped in front of her niece.

“Lizzy, we must talk. You must tell me at once what happened between you and Mr. Darcy before the earl and I are forced to take extreme measures.”

Elizabeth frowned, staring at her aunt with anxious eyes.

“Aunt, of what measures are you speaking? The earl? What does he have to do with this? And what do you expect me to tell you? There is nothing to tell!”

“Dearest, surely, you cannot say it was a mere coincidence that you became unwell shortly after you danced with Mr. Darcy and then asked to leave the ball early! And can you convince me that, the next day at the same time you stayed at home alone, Mr. Darcy happened to be in the neighbourhood? Then he left town impromptu, and you did not abandon your room for almost a week. You must understand that both the earl and I are concerned for you! If Mr. Darcy did something to you, it must be revealed at once and—”

“Aunt, please, please stop this… Please…” She could no longer fight her tears and threw herself on the bed, sobbing, her face buried in the pillow. Mrs. Gardiner, pained and breathless, could do little but caress her hair as her panic increased. Her niece had been gravely hurt while under her protection!

After some time, Elizabeth rose and wiped her eyes; Mrs. Gardiner offered her a glass of water mixed with wine, and she took it with trembling hands. “My love, I am so sorry for your pain. I would do anything to—”

“Dearest Aunt, please do not be kind to me. If you only knew how horrible my behaviour has been, you would be ashamed of me. And Miss Darcy never would speak to me again if she knew how abominably I abused her brother. Oh, and the earl… I never would be able to face him again. I beg you; you must promise me you will not tell the earl anything. I—”

“
Your
behaviour? You abused Mr. Darcy? Lizzy, of what are you talking, child?” Mrs. Gardiner took a few steps back as if to see her niece better. The tumult of emotion was too much for Mrs. Gardiner, and for a moment she considered that Lord Matlock’s request for early morning brandy might not be unreasonable.

Mrs. Gardiner resumed her place on the bed and took Elizabeth’s hands. “Dearest, let us start from the beginning, and I promise everything we discuss will remain in complete secrecy on my part. You did admit something happened between you and Mr. Darcy, did you not? Surely it cannot be as abominable as you say, so please tell me all the details, and we will see what is best to be done.” She attempted to smile, but Elizabeth averted her eyes and remained silent.