“It is a pity you are the only other person in your family with any experience at all in these matters,” Mrs Gardiner mused. “You did mention your papa seems to be recovering. Is this not an issue that can wait some weeks until he has regained his faculties?”
Elizabeth shook her head, sorrowfully. “Papa was just talking to me about it a few days ago, saying that if something is not changed soon, the family will rapidly become destitute beyond recovery. They are already in dire straits, as he was unable to farm at all this year. Many of his neighbours took pity and lent what aid they could, but his rent is very far behind, and they have become almost entirely dependent upon charity.
“By rights, Papa should have evicted them long ago, but you know Papa. He would not do such a thing in the middle of winter and to Mr Brown! He has always been such a good tenant. I wish Papa had not put off managing the situation, though, for now, I do not know what to do.”
Mrs Gardiner pursed her lips thoughtfully. “If I were you, Lizzy, I would seek more experienced advice. You have, if I am not mistaken, not one but two estate owners coming to dine this evening. Why not put the question to them?”
Elizabeth stiffened. “Surely, Aunt, that is not necessary!”
“Why not?” Mrs Gardiner asked reasonably. “Mr Darcy is, as I have said, well respected in Lambton. Those are not London society folk there, you know, but simple farmers and tradesmen, just like here in Meryton. They would be quick enough to cast aspersions on his character if he were known to mistreat his tenants. Surely, he has had experience in circumstances such as these. If the situation must be remedied soon, it seems you have a ready counsellor at hand.”
Elizabeth pouted a little. “Your answer is far too practical for my taste, Aunt. Of course, you are right, but I am not comfortable turning to him for advice under our present circumstances.”
“And just what, may I ask, are those circumstances?” Mrs Gardiner flashed her niece a cunning expression. “You have told me all of the events which occurred, but you have not spoken of your revised opinion of the gentleman.”
“I am not sure I have one yet. For nearly all of the little time I have spent in his company, I was operating under a false impression of him. I now know him to be a good and decent man. I still believe him to be arrogant, although Jane defends him by saying he is mostly shy. I find that a difficult assessment to agree with, as he is a man who has lived and moved a great deal in the world. I think it more likely that he feels he is above his company.”
Mrs Gardiner nodded. “I would not be surprised at that. You know your uncle does business with many from the best circles, and they are a privileged set. I would expect anyone born to such a situation should have a touch of pride.”
“I do not accept that excuse, Aunt. His friend Mr Bingley, as you will see, is quite affable. I think, by the way, that Jane has done very well, and they will be very happy together. Back to the point, however, I do not believe the advantages of birth give one the right to be proud and disdainful of others.”
“I do not defend it, Lizzy. I only say that the attitude is very likely what he was taught from his infancy, and you should not immediately condemn the man for it. From what I hear, Jane’s Mr Bingley had quite a more modest background. And you know, you do not make allowances for differences of temperament. Not all would enjoy the attention which naturally comes as a part of Mr Darcy’s wealth and situation.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Now it is you who begin to sound like Jane!” She shook her head gently. “It seems all of my dearest confidantes are in a conspiracy to convince me to like Mr Darcy!”
“Well, then, you do know what they say about that! Perhaps we are all of the same mind, in that we wish to see you happy and in a good situation. It seems that at present, your respectability depends upon your going through with the engagement, however unconventional its beginnings.”
“With a man I hardly know? I do not see how that can bring me happiness. I concede fully that he is a good and honourable man, but I still do not believe his temperament and mine could be compatible. I do not wish...” she looked to her aunt with some embarrassment, “...I do not wish to have the sort of marriage my parents have, where neither party is able to love or respect the other. That cannot be agreeable to either partner.”
Mrs Gardiner gave her niece a sympathetic smile. “All is not yet lost, Lizzy. Let us see him tonight and give him a chance. Perhaps after the two of you know each other a little better, his manners may be softened. Who knows? Perhaps he may decide you are too opinionated for his taste, pay you a handsome settlement, and set you free,” she finished with a wink.
Elizabeth chuckled lightly at her aunt’s joke. “I think I can safely say that Mr Darcy is already well aware of my stubborn opinions, Aunt! In this, I am quite certain that he is likely the only man of my acquaintance who is at least as obstinate as I.”
“Well, then, I will look forward to this evening with great interest! And now I think we must repair downstairs, as I believe I hear a carriage turning in the drive. Shall we, my dear?”
CarolineBingleysatimpassivelygazing out the window as the carriage approached Longbourn. They had been obliged by their numbers to take two carriages for comfort, and Caroline had made absolutely certain that she was in the same carriage as the Darcy siblings. Colonel Fitzwilliam, who had been following behind Georgiana, had abruptly changed course to take the other conveyance.
Despite the rapidly cooling weather, Mr Darcy had insisted that the coach travel with the shades open, and Caroline had quickly seconded his opinion. She shivered a little now, wondering what the man was about.He has taken leave of his senses! Perhapshe ought to be examined by a doctor after all.
She glanced at him, taking in the clenched jaw and the restless fingers drumming on his knee.I have never seen him do that before. Such a crude mannerism, and from Mr Darcy!His eyes were resolutely fixed on the house they approached, and he either did not or would not notice her doting look.
If only we could get back to London!Caroline knew that her brother still had business needing his personal attention, but he had so far shown no desire to resume his plans to return. Always in the past, she had scorned the business which Charles had inherited from their father. It was a tangible reminder of their embarrassing connections to the manufacturing trade, and his affairs had more than once interrupted her social plans.
This time, however, she was most eager for the disruption. All of her attempts to make Charles remember his place had been brushed aside. By slipping quickly into his study earlier in the afternoon, she had even found a letter from his attorney indicating the man’s willingness to come to Netherfield, so Bingley’s business might be concluded without travel. Her last hope for immediate removal from this barbaric place was blasted.
Perhaps… a thought began to brew in her mind. She was in charge of organizing this ridiculous tenant’s reception, after all. She could well invite whom she saw fit, could she not? Certainly, a group of farmers would provide rather tedious company for the occupants of Netherfield. All that was really required forthemwas a decent meal and the gift basket Charles had insisted upon, which the cook could organize. If Caroline Bingley had to entertain, she would have quality guests and would do so in style. Then Darcy would be forced to acknowledge her qualities!
Caroline grimaced a little, seeing Darcy turn to his sister to help her get ready to disembark from the coach. Poor, dear Georgiana looked so cold! To think of how he was treating his young sister with this sham of an engagement! The girl would be the darling of thetononce she was out, and Caroline had always had every intention of being the one to guide her amidst the swirling circles of society’s finest and richest families. What harm would she suffer in her first season in thetonif her brother, one of the most sought-after bachelors in England, married an unsophisticated country nobody?
Elizabeth Bennet knew nothing of society, could certainly not advise a highly celebrated debutante as Miss Georgiana Darcy surely would be. Not only would the connection bring no material advantages to the girl, but her respectability among the best circles would be tainted. A sister-in-law whose family owned a warehouse in Cheapside! The best young men would not even call upon even Miss Darcy with such a stain upon her account.
Fortunately, there was still time to stop this charade. Who were the people of Meryton, after all? Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s acquaintances, nothing more. No one of any real import was aware of all of this gossip yet; it was not likely that the rumours would follow Darcy to London or that anyone would credit them as true if they did. Surely all could still be silenced quickly with the right measures taken.
Chapter 16
BingleysteppedintotheBennets’ parlour, and immediately, his gaze sought his sweet Jane’s. Her eyes were already on him as he entered, and she favoured him with the most stunning smile he had ever seen.And this, the pleasure which will be mine every day!Nowhere did there exist a more beautiful woman, he assured himself. Jane’s beauty was not confined only to her lovely features but was magnified and enhanced by her gentle spirit and cheerful nature.
Bingley knew he did not possess a deep and intricate character, such as his friend Darcy, but he felt none the poorer for it. He never presumed to be a difficult man to understand or please, and in all truth, could have contented himself with any one of several women he had encountered. However, after meeting Jane Bennet, whose character was so very like his own, he began to understand the difference between blasé contentment and true belonging.
