“In part, because Jane has concealed this aspect of her nature from you. You’ve been preoccupied with your own activities and didn’t always notice Jane’s differences. But I would also say it is because you were reluctant to acknowledge this facet of Jane’s character. Your affection for her led you to rationalise aspects that did not align with your perception,” her aunt explained. “I understand we have discussed one of your shortcomings, which is to mock the things around you, but another sign of immaturity is letting your biases shape your perception. Jane is your sister, so you have purposefully disregarded those elements.”
Elizabeth sighed. “I know I am just seventeen, aunt, and while I have been ‘out’ in Meryton society for two and a half years, I am afraid I still have much to learn.”
“You have been surrounded by those you have known all your life,” Mrs. Gardiner replied. “You have not had to look for shades in character because you knew them so well or, in the case of Jane, and perhaps even with your father, because you saw what you wanted to see.”
Feeling her entire body sag, she listened to her aunt’s words. “I have much to think about, Aunt, but I will take Mary’s advice and tell Jane nothing else about Mr. Darcy. Do you … do you think Mary is sincere? She seems so sad and so alone,” Elizabeth asked hesitantly.
“I do think Mary is sincere,” her aunt replied, patting her hand. “Like you, Mary has been overlooked by both of your parents, and have you not told me she does as much for the tenants as you? Is she not the one who will look after them while you are gone?”
“She does not do quite as much, as she cannot walk to visit the tenants furthest away,” Elizabeth replied. “But, in the past, she has enlisted the aid of the steward and some of the servants to make the journey when she could not.” Suddenly, Elizabeth sighed, “Mary seems to want to come to London, to get away from Longbourn as I have. However, if both of us were to leave the estate, the tenants would suffer. Jane has no interest in caring for them, and despite my attempts to encourage Kitty and Lydia to help, neither of them is willing. The steward and Mrs. Hill may aid them, but they cannot do what Mary and I could.”
“Even if you no longer live at the estate, you can still sew items to send to Longbourn for Mrs. Hill to distribute,” Mrs. Gardiner encouraged.
“I have several things I need to complete to send back,” Elizabeth acknowledged. “One of the tenants expects a childbefore the end of the summer, and I brought the incomplete items with me. Will Uncle help me send them to Longbourn? It would be a rather large package if I were to do so.”
“I think we can aid you,” Mrs. Gardiner said. “Now, I have wanted to ask what you think about Mr. Darcy. He has called on you almost daily since we attended the theatre last week.”
Elizabeth blushed. “I have enjoyed his calls very much,” she said. “I know you and Uncle are full of praise for him, and what I have learned of him makes me believe we are very well suited. We are both well-read, although his education is far better than mine, but that is because he is a man. We have much to say to each other, but even when we are silent, it is a comfortable silence.”
“You are young but not too young to be married,” her aunt said thoughtfully. “Can you imagine yourself married to him?”
“Aunt! I have known the gentleman for a week. How can I know?” Elizabeth protested. “You sound like Mama.”
“I am not suggesting you marry tomorrow, but I am asking if you can see yourself married to him,” she replied. “That is different from proclaiming yourself married to the man because he called on you once. Do you think he is someone you could grow to love and imagine sharing your life with? Is it worth continuing to allow him to call on you?
“Oh,” Elizabeth said, visibly deflating. She pondered the question for a minute before she answered, her voice soft and hesitant. “I believe I could, Aunt. I admire him very much; he is a good man, very serious and very diligent in what he does. I could imagine myself loving him and sharing my life with him.” She smiled at her aunt. “Is that terrible?”
“Not at all, dear,” her aunt reassured her. “I do not believe Mr. Darcy is one to make a declaration quickly; I imagine he will deliberate over it for a time before making a decision, but I think he admires you as well. Whether admiration will turn into something more remains to be seen, and neither should you fall in love with him because I have encouraged you to pursue the relationship. For the moment, it is good to know you believe youcould. But do be careful, and allow his actions to guide you.”
“I will try, Aunt,” she said. “It is sometimes hard to convince one’s heart to act wisely.”
“It is,” her aunt agreed. Their conversation turned to the sewing Elizabeth was working on, and the two were ensconced in their work when the knocker sounded.
“Right on time,” Mrs. Gardiner said as she eyed her niece conspiratorially. The two attempted to contain their laughter when the housekeeper announced Mr. Darcy. When Darcy greeted them, Elizabeth’s eyes were still bright from her stifled laughter.
He could scarcely look away from her brilliant eyes lit with laughter. His eyes locked with hers, and the two remained lost for several moments, lost in each other. Finally, Mrs. Gardiner cleared her throat, breaking the spell. “I heard your laughter as soon as I entered the door,” he teased. “Whatever was so funny?”
The two ladies burst into laughter. “I apologise, Mr. Darcy; I do not believe we can tell you what made us laugh,” Mrs. Gardiner told him. “How are you today?”
“I am well,” he answered, his eyes still on Elizabeth. “I was terribly sorry business kept me from visiting you yesterday.”
“You were missed from our parlour, sir,” Elizabeth replied quietly.
“My mother arrived in town yesterday with my sister,” he informed them. “Lady Anne would like Georgiana to study with a piano master for a month or two, and my brother, George, was glad to see them leave Pemberley for a time.”
“Does your brother not come to town for the season?” Mrs. Gardiner asked.
“He ought to; he needs to find a wife. I do realise thirty is not old, but it is time he marries and settles down so he might have an heir for Pemberley, or so my mother says. I am afraid he is more interested in having fun than creating his legacy,” Darcy complained.
“What does your mother say?” Elizabeth asked.
“She occasionally wishes I had been born first,” he replied, a half-hearted attempt at a tease. “Our personalities are reversed—he is the ne’er do well who lives to have fun, while I am more serious, the staid one who does what is expected. My brother and I do not always see eye to eye, and the longer he delays marriage, the more my mother pressures him to ‘settle down,’ a phrase he has come to despise.”
“And what of you, sir,” Mrs. Gardiner asked. “How do you feel about the phrase?”
The question obviously flustered both Darcy and Elizabeth. However, after a moment, he attempted to force the flush away and looked directly into Elizabeth’s eyes to respond: “It is growing on me.”
CHAPTER 5
