She gratefully laid aside her wet things and joined her sister-in-law in the drawing-room by the fire. Mrs Bennet giddily filled her in on the juiciest gossip, including her frustration that Mr Bingley had not yet spoken for Jane. “I am sure, Sister, that it can only be a matter of time. Oh! If only Mr Bennet would hurry up and get well, perhaps Mr Bingley can come ask for Jane properly! I am sure that can be all he is waiting for. And then Mary can live with them at Netherfield, while Kitty and Lydia go to Pembrook with Lizzy. Depend on it, Sister, I will have all my girls married to rich men by next summer!”
Jane appeared in the drawing-room almost immediately to hug her aunt. The deepest affection had always existed between the two eldest girls and the Gardiners. Mrs Gardiner had lovingly taken the two under her wing, acting as advisor, confidante, and friend. She had at times suffered a mild pang of guilt that she did not share such a close bond with the three younger girls, but she had discovered it nearly impossible to find common ground with them. The eldest, however, was an open book to her as she studied Jane’s reserved greeting. Her niece’s eloquent face spoke volumes, and she understood there was much to tell once Mrs Bennet had exhausted her narrative.
Half an hour later, she was settled in her room. Jane had followed to help make her comfortable, pausing to rap lightly on Mr Bennet’s door as they walked by. A moment later, Lizzy tiptoed into the room, closing the door softly behind her. Her aunt astutely surmised that Lizzy would have much to say and preferred to do it in privacy.
Mrs Gardiner turned a quizzical eye on her nieces and gently demanded an accounting of their strange behaviour. She saw Jane raise her eyebrows pointedly at Elizabeth and shifted her gaze to the younger of the two. “Lizzy? Have you something of interest to tell me?”
Elizabeth blew out a huff of air, then affected a light manner. “Papa is much better. He has been fluttering his eyelids and drinking more broth today. Mrs Cooper feels he will wake fully within a day or two.”
“And Mrs Cooper is?”
“Uhm… she is the nurse who tends to Papa.”
“Really? I am glad to hear it, but are not nurses very expensive? Of course, your uncle and I will help with those expenses.”
Elizabeth’s eyes rolled hesitantly to Jane, who tilted her head silently with a sly little smile. “There is no need, Aunt,” Jane answered for her. “Mr Darcy has already attended the matter.”
Mrs Gardiner’s eyes widened. “Lizzy, that is not proper! A gentleman must not take on such an interest in a lady’s family. He is liable to compromise you!” She peered carefully at Lizzy’s reddened face. “He has not already done so, has he? Is that why your mother says you are engaged?”
“No, Aunt,” she replied lamely. “Well… perhaps a little.” With another encouraging glance from Jane, she related to her aunt all the events of that fateful morning, not leaving out her own shameful conduct and bad judgement. She forced herself to brave the humiliation, which was her due, and shared everything she had learned to discredit her prior opinions. The only details she kept private were those directly concerning Miss Darcy.
Mrs Gardiner’s shock was evident. “This is surprising, indeed. And do you believe Mr Darcy truly cares for you?” Elizabeth was silent, but Jane nodded energetically.
“Lizzy, you know I grew up in Lambton, only five miles from Pemberley, and still have some connections there. The present Mr Darcy, like his father, has always had a good reputation as a liberal and honourable man, even if he is somewhat above his company as you have said. I remember Old Mr Wickham, he did a deal of business in Lambton on the estate’s behalf, but I have no knowledge of the son. I can only tell you what people generally say of the current Mr Darcy, and there is nothing to reflect poorly on him.”
Elizabeth shifted uncomfortably. “I know, Aunt. I have misjudged him.”
Mrs Gardiner moved to sit next to Elizabeth and wrap a comforting arm around her. She gave her other to Jane and pulled her two favourite nieces close. “Are you quite certain that Mr Wickham is the villain you say he is? I do not doubt Mr Darcy’s honour in the matter, as his reputation is that of a fair and just man, but anyone can be mistaken. Your implications as to Mr Wickham’s character are rather serious.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Yes, Aunt, I am sure. I cannot say more, but he is not a man to be trusted. I have no fear for our own family, as we have no dowries to tempt him, but Lydia and Kitty, you know, they are not terribly circumspect. Theywillflirt with any man wearing a red coat, and I do not think Mr Wickham in possession of the kind of honour which would prevent him from leading them astray, should the opportunity avail itself. I think it would be wise if we were to find some quiet way to shield them from him.”
“Can he be as bad as all that?” Surprise at such a categorical renunciation of a former favourite of Elizabeth’s strained Mrs Gardiner’s voice. She studied her nieces closely. “He must indeed be silver of tongue if even you were fooled, Lizzy! I have never known you to be easily deceived.”
Elizabeth rested her head on her beloved aunt’s shoulder. “No,” she agreed softly. “But my usual perceptiveness, Aunt, has proven to be a folly of its own. Until yesterday, I never knew myself. I had allowed my vanity to lead me and to let me think ill of a decent man simply because he had offended me. I then believed I was right and justified because I usuallyamright about people. I suppose it amused me to take such a sensational dislike to so consequential a man as Mr Darcy. I had never known myself to be so vulnerable to my own feelings! How am I ever to be sure of not erring so dangerously again?”
“Well, we never can be sure, my dear. I trust you have put a great deal of thought into the matter. I know you, Lizzy, and I should be very surprised if another were ever able to deceive you again so easily. In addition, it seems you have gained for yourself a very wise and valuable ally.” Mrs Gardiner allowed a small mischievous smile to play upon her lips.
Elizabeth reddened again. She looked down at the floor, mortified. Mrs Gardiner turned a questioning gaze on Jane.
“Do not worry, Aunt,” Jane consoled her, an unusually impish expression on her face. “Lizzy is only embarrassed to admit that she thinks Mr Darcy the handsomest man of her acquaintance.”
Elizabeth turned scandalized eyes on her sister. “Jane!”
Jane was enjoying the opportunity to torment her sister for a change. “They do dance very well together, Aunt. It caused a stir indeed when Mr Darcy singled her out over everyone, but as Charlotte Lucas says, he has always looked her direction a good deal when they are in public.”
Elizabeth scowled but would not allow Jane to defeat her at her own game. “And how would you know this, Miss Jane? Your eyes have only been on Mr Bingley since the day he arrived in town!”
“Girls!” Mrs Gardiner quelled them, looking shocked. Jane and Elizabeth both began to laugh, Elizabeth’s embarrassment temporarily banished. “Jane,” Mrs Gardiner turned to her left, with a bluntness only she could get away with. “How do matters stand with Mr Bingley? Your mother is making quite a fuss about him. I should like to know the truth of the matter.”
It was Jane’s turn to blush, but she managed to share with her aunt the details of her understanding with Mr Bingley. Elizabeth arched her eyebrows and pursed her lips playfully, forcing Jane also to confess that she fully returned Mr Bingley’s regard, and was in fact very pleased.
Aunt Gardiner seemed satisfied. “I have not yet received word back from your Uncle, though I should have expected that if a letter were to come, we might have word here as soon as tomorrow. I know he will want to come to us as soon as possible, Jane. Then your Mr Bingley can speak to him to obtain his conditional blessing. You said, I think Lizzy, that you are expecting your father to recover soon? Perhaps we will not need your Uncle’s blessing after all.”
She smiled sweetly at her girls. “Now, my dears, I should like to take a short rest before tea, but Lizzy,” she levelled a gaze at her niece, “I wish to find time to speak with you privately at some point before your dinner guests begin to arrive.”
Chapter 15
ColonelFitzwilliamloungedcomfortablyin Bingley’s parlour, as far from Miss Bingley and as near Georgiana as he could situate himself. Georgiana’s tiny pink tongue peeked over her lower lip as she tried to master a tricky new embroidery stitch she had learned just before leaving London. Miss Bingley assiduously praised her labours while attempting nothing of the kind herself. Mrs Hurst was reading her correspondence while her husband snored placidly beside her.
