Darcy groaned. “I have not met any sisters, and her younger sister, who is just 16, is the only one I believe I could recommend based on what Elizabeth has said about the rest. Since coming to London, she has been rather disillusioned about her elder sister. Elizabeth said she is beautiful, but only on the outside, as she has recently realised she is vapid and uncharitable.”
“Well, perhaps I should not promote a meeting there,” Lady Anne replied. “Will you marry from London, or will she return home for the wedding?”
“Her uncle suggested London,” Darcy said, his mind returning to the earlier conversation. “Gardiner asked me to join him at the office in the morning to discuss some things related to her family. I know she is not particularly wanted by her parents,despite her father proclaiming her to be his favourite for years. He sent her to London, thinking she was to act as governess to the Gardiners’ children. Gardiner does not think much of his sister or her husband and will invite Elizabeth’s next younger sister to take her place when we marry. I believe it is intended to get her away from the callousness of the rest of her family.”
Lady Anne smiled at her son. “In the course of a conversation, you have gone from thinking you might propose to making plans for ‘when you marry’. I believe you are rather decided at this point. I know you must speak to Mr. Gardiner tomorrow, and I suggest you speak with your Elizabeth tomorrow evening to settle matters. Once it is done, you might speak to your uncle about your inheritance, and perhaps you can suggest he speak with Richard as well. He might listen to yet another voice saying what I have said for years.”
“I need some sort of jewellery to give Elizabeth as an engagement gift,” Darcy told her. “What do you suggest?”
“I have just the thing for your intended, Fitzwilliam. If you wait a moment, I will retrieve it,” Lady Anne informed him with a sparkle in her eyes. She exited the room, leaving Darcy to his thoughts. He settled into a comfortable chair, contemplating the evening’s revelations and the glass of brandy he had poured himself.
As the minutes stretched, Darcy’s mind wandered, reflecting on how his life would soon change significantly. He was excited about the prospect of marrying Elizabeth, and the news he would become an estate owner upon marrying was astounding. It was not anything he had ever expected, although his father had trained him and his brother to manage an estate. Before, he had assumed it was due to the off chance he did inherit for some reason, but now he recognised a greater purpose.
Before long, the soft swish of fabric announced Lady Anne’s return. Darcy looked up to find his mother re-entering the room, a small velvet bag delicately held in her hands. Her smile was enigmatic, hinting at a surprise awaiting him.
“I believe you will find this to be a fitting token, Fitzwilliam,” Lady Anne remarked, her tone infused with affection and significance. She carefully untied the drawstring of the velvet bag and gently reached inside.
Darcy’s curiosity was piqued, and he watched intently as his mother’s hands emerged from the bag, revealing a delicate necklace. The pendant, suspended on a fine chain, gleamed in the candlelight. It was an exquisite piece, a shimmering emerald cradled within a delicate silver setting, its facets catching and reflecting the light like stars in the night sky.
Lady Anne’s eyes met her son’s as she extended the necklace toward him. “This belonged to your grandmother, Fitzwilliam. She cherished it dearly, and I believe it would be a beautiful symbol of your affection for Elizabeth. You said she had green eyes, am I right?”
Darcy nodded as his breath caught as he gazed at the heirloom before him, his heart stirred by the profound significance of the gesture. The emerald’s rich hue seemed to mirror the depths of his emotions, its timeless beauty a reflection of the love passed down through generations.
“Mother,” Darcy’s voice was a mix of reverence and gratitude, “this is truly an exceptional gift. I cannot express how much it means that you would give this to me to present to Elizabeth, especially since you have yet to meet her.”
“I will love her because you love her, son,” Lady Anne replied. “From your description of her, I feel she will be perfect for you. I look forward to meeting her. Please tell her I said so.”
“I will, Mother,” he replied, standing to kiss her cheek. “Thank you.”
“Invite them to tea on Thursday, dear, but I will send a formal invitation as well,” she commanded. “Now, will you stay here tonight or return to your rooms? You also need to think about where you will live once you are married and before you can move into your estate. I am not certain about the condition of the estates. Perhaps we will have time to visit before you wed, or if not, you can take it in on your wedding trip. From your description, I imagine she would like to visit the Lakes, and spring is an ideal time. You could use the Darcy cottage on Lake Windermere.”
“You have thought of far more than I have, Mother,” Darcy laughed. “I had not considered a wedding trip just yet, I suppose because I am more worried about the proposal. Once she accepts me, I can think about other matters.”
“Do you really think she would reject you, Fitzwilliam?” Lady Anne asked.
“Gardiner believes she will accept me, but I am hesitant to assume she will accept. I believe she cares for me, and I am becoming more certain I am in love with her, but we have not discussed it with her yet,” Darcy said. “Plus, there is still the matter of whatever conversation Gardiner desires to have with me. I do not know what will come of that.”
“Is there anything he could say to make you change your mind?” Lady Anne asked.
Darcy considered this thought for a moment. “No, Mother, I am not certain anything he said would make me change my mind about this. I am merely worried it might prevent her from saying yes or making it difficult for my family to accept her.”
“Well, as long as you are certain, I will accept her. And I will do all I can to ensure the earl and countess will accept her. George will probably not care for any woman you do, but his opinion, quite frankly, does not matter,” his mother reassured him. “All will be well. Now, you did not answer my question. Will you stay here tonight?”
Darcy nodded his head, and the two spoke for some time. Georgiana eventually joined them and demonstrated to Darcy her skill on the piano for a half hour before the entire family retired for the night. Georgiana pressed a letter into his hand before she went to bed, and in the morning, the butler handed Darcy a note for Mrs. Gardiner from Lady Anne with an invitation for tea in two days. He was determined to do whatever was required to win the fair Miss Elizabeth Bennet, so he departed for Gardiner’s office to find out what he had to say.
CHAPTER 7
More Surprises
Darcy rode his horse around the park where he had encountered Elizabeth the previous week. He did not catch sight of her despite circling the park several times. After spending half an hour searching, he decided to make his way to his scheduled meeting and reached the Gardiner warehouse not long after Mr. Gardiner’s arrival.
“Good morning, Darcy,” the gentleman greeted him. “You are very prompt; how did your conversation with your mother go last night?”
“It went smoothly,” Darcy informed him. “I was pleasantly surprised by how readily she accepted my choice, even without meeting the lady. She has assured me of her support and revealed an inheritance I had been unaware of. Evidently, one of the stipulations of the inheritance was I would not be informed until I expressed an interest in marrying.”
“That is an interesting condition,” Gardiner said. “I presume the inheritance will make it easier for you to marry?”
“Indeed,” Darcy said as he explained what he learned from his mother the night before.
