“The choice, sir, isnotan easy one but will be yours to make,” said Clarence.
“When? When must I decide?”
Clarence shook his head. “Much as the rest of your journey has been, I cannot say. You will know when the moment comes.”
For not the first time in this life, Darcy was uncertain how to proceed.
Clarence said nothing, only extending his hand. Darcy shook it, pondering what he would say to Elizabeth on the morrow.
Day 11
She started again at the sound of hooves on the cobblestones outside the Gardiner townhouse as she had done since she came down for breakfast, hoping his business would be concluded faster than anticipated.Not him—seeing only the delivery carriage roll by, she let the curtains fall back into place.
“You will see him tonight, Lizzy,” Mrs. Gardiner said, entering the room and sitting down in the chair across from her niece.
“Of whom do you speak? I am certain I do not know your meaning.”
Aunt Gardiner smirked as she picked up her sewing. “Why, your uncle, of course.”
“My uncle? Why would I be looking for my uncle?”
Her niece slumped further down in her chair, and a resigned sigh escaped her lips. “Am I so obvious?”
“Only to me, dear girl.” She pulled the thread through the fabric and glanced up. “I had thesame look in my eyes when your uncle and I were courting. There was not a moment that passed when I did not think of him.”
“Oh?” Lizzy leaned forward and rested her chin in her hands.
“I would sit at my parents’ front window with my sewing so he would see me as he came to call. My heart still races when he comes into the room.”
A light blush spread across the cheeks of Madeline Gardiner, and Lizzy smiled at her aunt’s understanding. “I just believe that I have never met a gentleman who in manner and understanding most suits me.” She concentrated more on her own needlework so her aunt might not hear the quaver in her voice. “Mr. Fitzroy is everything I have ever desired in a…husband.” She swallowed without looking up. “I do not want to suppose he has similar feelings––”
“Oh, I do not believe you should worry about that, my dear.”
Lizzy looked up, her eyes large. “Have I been too obvious in my affection?”
“Not at all.Bothof you have been plain. From the little I have seen of the two of you together, as well as Mrs. Collins’s letters…”
“Jane haswritten of Mr. Fitzroy?”
“To be sure. She is your sister, is she not?” Aunt Gardiner took a moment to finish up a stitch. “But that brings something else to mind, Lizzy.”
“Yes?”
“Your sister has mentioned a new person quite frequently in her letters of late. The new proprietor of the mercantile? A Mr. Bingley? Truth be told, she has mentioned her shopping trips into the village much more frequently than in letters past…” Aunt Gardiner’s unasked question hung in the air around them.
Lizzy finally asked, “What of him?”
Mrs. Gardiner kept sewing. “She seems to be in his company much. And Mr. Collins is often at Rosings. Jane comes upon him in the oddest places.”
Elizabeth sighed, feeling the weight of her sister’s unhappiness upon her own shoulders. “I do not believe Jane has done anything to taint her vows, Aunt. I have reminded her of her allegiance to Mr. Collins, and she is quite steadfast.”
Mrs. Gardiner encouraged Elizabeth to continue.
Her embroidery had become a mass of knots, so she placed it on the seat beside her. “I have often thought of the sacrifice we as women are asked to make. We are the weaker sex because we aretoldwe are the weaker sex. Had Jane notdone her duty for the family, she too might have been blessed with a Mr. Fitzroy of her own.”
Aunt Madeline set her own sewing down. “Jane made her choice, my dear.”
“But did she? Shehadno choice, Aunt. You know my mother. Jane would have been disowned if she had refused her toad of a husband.”
