ONE
“I am glad you insisted on me joining you, Aunt,” Jane said as the three walked together through Hyde Park.
“And I am glad I succeeded, my darling,” Mrs Gardiner answered. “It gives me great joy to spend a little time with the two of you. I pray that my daughters will grow up to be just like you.”
“You have always been so kind to us, Aunt,” Elizabeth replied. “Not to mention that you spoil us with all sorts of gifts, just as you did today.”
“I celebrate my husband’s success by indulging myself occasionally in purchasing from the most fashionable shops in London,” Mrs Gardiner jested. “And I enjoy spoiling you since you never ask for anything. And you know how much your uncle loves you too.”
“We know. For that, we are forever grateful to you both. And I am particularly grateful for this walk,” Elizabeth joked. “Although I am very rarely in town, I have always had a partiality for Hyde Park. It is ridiculous, I know. But I have always felt drawn to it.”
“It is not ridiculous, Lizzy. Hyde Park is the perfect place for a passionate walker like you. I personally prefer a ride in the carriage, but today I wanted to indulge you. However, I cannot walk very far.”
“I thank you for taking my preference into consideration,” Elizabeth said with laughter.
“I wonder whether Grosvenor Street is far from here,” Jane interjected shyly.
“It is not. Are you looking for a certain number?”
“Twelve, I believe. But I do not wish to enter — only to see where it is,” Jane answered.
Elizabeth’s heart ached for her sister’s distress; Jane was still deeply hurt but obviously could not expunge Mr Bingley from her mind.
“We may take a stroll along Grosvenor Street if you wish,” Mrs Gardiner said. “It is a lovely street, with many handsome houses.”
“If you and Lizzy do not mind…” Jane whispered.
“I would like to see it too,” Elizabeth said energetically to support her sister. She had no interest in the street or handsome houses, and she cared little about Mr Bingley since he chose to leave Jane and never return. He was not enough of a man, and his affection must have been shallow. But such words would have only pained Jane more, so they would never be said.
They walked on at a slow pace, watching riders and carriages passing by; in the depths of winter, even though the weather was mild, there were very few other walkers.
“It is getting colder, and there are a few clouds accumulating,” Mrs Gardiner said as they made their way towards the gate. “May I suggest taking the carriage and driving along Grosvenor Street? We might not have time to stroll the full length of it.”
“As you wish, Aunt,” Jane replied with an apparent effort to conceal her disappointment.
They were crossing Park Lane when, out of nowhere, a carriage appeared, its horses moving at speed. Mrs Gardiner was still in the road, and Elizabeth — who had reached the other side — ran back to pull her aunt to safety. The coachman pulled the reins, and the horses rose up onto their hind legs, neighing.
“Oh dear, are you all well? Is anyone hurt?” A lady’s voice came from inside the carriage, and Elizabeth turned away from her shaking aunt to look at it. It was a large, elegant coach, and the lady inside, although only her head was visible, had an air about her that revealed she was of the highest echelons of society.
“We are not hurt,” Elizabeth answered, while Mrs Gardiner and Jane brushed off their gowns and caught their breath.
She expected the carriage to move away, so Elizabeth was surprised when the lady opened the door and even stepped down. Her elegance was now visible in all its splendour, yet the woman’s countenance seemed unexpectedly amiable. Through the window, the face of a young lady appeared, also looking worried.
“I apologise. I do not know what came over our horseman to ride at such a speed. We are in a hurry, but that is no excuse for endangering people around us,” she said in a sharp voice addressed to the servant. “Are you sure all is well?” she then insisted, this time looking at Mrs Gardiner.
“Thank you for your concern, Lady Matlock, but it is truly not needed. We are perfectly well.”
“Oh! Are we acquainted? I apologise…I cannot recollect…”
“Not exactly,” Mrs Gardiner answered. “I had the pleasure of first seeing your ladyship many years ago, in Derbyshire, when you visited Mr and Mrs Darcy.” The lady’s surprised glance matched Elizabeth’s astonishment and curiosity. She tried to remember whether she had ever heard the name Matlock, but ‘Darcy’ was too well known to her.
“Then were you acquainted with the Darcy family? I still cannot remember you in any way.”
“Your ladyship is too kind to show such interest, but there is truly nothing to remember,” Mrs Gardiner said with a polite smile. “I grew up in Lambton. My father owned a shop there. We moved away more than twelve years ago, but I admired your ladyship from afar as a girl.”
“Oh, I see. But this is quite astonishing. To know that — of all the people in London — I almost hurt a lovely woman who grew up in Lambton! What a coincidence!”
“Well, of all the people in London, there are very few who walk in Hyde Park on a winter’s day,” Mrs Gardiner answered, and the lady laughed.
