Darcy spokewith his uncle the following morning to better understand his inheritance. His uncle also promised to talk with his son since Darcy’s marriage would cause the legacies to become known. As he did not relish the idea of his son going off to war again any time soon, he thought the incentive of inheriting an estate would encourage his younger son to find a wife and settle down.
The earl was less pleased with Darcy marrying a woman unknown amongst thetonbecause, with the estate, he would be considered a good catch. But Darcy was adamantly against selecting one of the society women who would have rejected him when he was ‘just a barrister’, only to willingly accept him when his status was ‘upgraded’ to a landowner and a member of the landed gentry. “I have not changed in essentials, sir, just in what I possess. Even as a barrister, I was still a gentleman and in line to inherit Pemberley if my brother did not marry and produce an heir. With the investments I have made, my income would have eventually been at least equal to what I will now earn from the estate, making me just as good a prospect as before. I am happy with my choice and will not be dissuaded.”
“Perhaps it is just as well, my boy, since you cannot inherit until you are married anyway. All those women who would have turned you down will be most upset to learn you were captured before you received the estate. I could have made a very advantageous match for you,” the earl cajoled.
“Advantageous for whom, Uncle?” Darcy asked. “Marrying Elizabeth will benefit me, as I will gain much in the form of a partner who will work by my side to make our estate prosperous. Marrying the daughter of one of your political cronies might have been advantageous for you, but it would not have made my life any better.”
“There is no question you are George Darcy’s son,” the earl replied. “I could never convince him of anything either. He was always determined to go it alone and did not want me to ‘interfere’ in his business. Your brother does not mind it nearly as much, as he has asked me to broker a match to add to the status of Pemberley. If things work as I hope, I will match him with a titled lady and see if we cannot persuade the Regent to reinstate the marquessate once held by a Darcy.”
“I am certain my father rejected that suggestion every time you made it,” Darcy protested. “It does not surprise me to learn George wishes to see it reinstated, as he thinks it will add to the prestige of Pemberley, and he hopes it will give him even more money for him to waste. He is my brother, and while I do care for him, I fear he will do more to ruin the so-called prestige of Pemberley than add to it.”
The earl guffawed. “You and your brother have never seen eye-to-eye on much. Your father often wished he could have passed over your brother and given you Pemberley, but the entail meant he could not. He always felt you would have done a great deal for the estate without attempting any ‘foolishness’ like trying to reinstate the title. Your father did not think much of the aristocracy, partly because he was so much richer than many and worked hard to keep and build that wealth.”
Darcy agreed, and the two spent the rest of the morning speaking of the late Mr. Darcy and the legacy he left. The earl admired his younger nephew and wished him well, asking him to bring his intended around to meet the family. When Darcy explained he was not yet engaged to the lady, his uncle laughed, telling him he would be soon. That led to the earl telling the story of how George Darcy had met Lady Anne Fitzwilliam and their whirlwind courtship that led to the altar less than two monthslater. It was love at first sight for George, and he had to work hard to persuade Lady Anne to accept him. George courted her relentlessly until she finally capitulated, realising he would not quit until she agreed. Admittedly, it had taken little convincing in the end since she fell in love with him nearly as quickly, though she did lead him on a merry chase for a fortnight. Their marriage had been a love match, and it was difficult for Anne to move on without him. This was her first visit to town since she left her mourning behind, and her brother hoped it was a positive sign she was recovering from her loss.
That same morning,Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner visited Darcy House to take tea with Lady Anne and Georgiana. Darcy House was a large townhouse located along Park Lane in Mayfair and was elegantly decorated. Lady Anne welcomed both women eagerly but made a particular effort to get to know Elizabeth.
“Miss Bennet, I am so very pleased to meet you and am thrilled Fitzwilliam has found you,” Lady Anne said. “He cares for you very much.”
Blushing furiously, Elizabeth struggled to reply, though she finally found the words. “I have enjoyed meeting Mr. Darcy and getting to know him. And I am very pleased to be here to meet you and Miss Darcy. It is quite a privilege to visit such a beautiful home.”
Lady Anne looked around. “I have always appreciated the quiet elegance of Darcy House. When I married my husband, there was little I needed to do to redecorate this home to make it my own. My husband was never one for ostentation, and I could tell he did not like Matlock House when he called on me. I made sure Darcy House remained elegant but comfortable. My sister, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, preferred the ostentation of my mother. Her home, Rosings, is very … ornate, but it is uncomfortable. Of course, my sister prefers people to be uncomfortable in her presence since she thinks that gives her an advantage over them.”
Elizabeth laughed. “I could picture my mother doing something like that if she had the money to do so,” she replied. “I always had to battle with her over the lace on my dresses. I despise lace, but she felt the more lace, the nicer the dress.”
Georgiana laughed at the jest. “I am glad I am not out yet and can still dress like this,” said the girl, indicating her simple dress. “And I am fortunate Mama has elegant but simple tastes in clothing as well.”
“Yes, you are,” Lady Anne laughed. “I had similar battles with my own mother when I was first out in society. The first set of clothing I ordered as Mrs. Darcy was far simpler than anything I had ever owned before, and I think George was somewhat surprised by the lack of frills. He had always wondered about my taste in clothing before then, and he got a good laugh when he learned I dressed the way I had as a compromise between what my mother thought necessary and what I wanted. Now,” she said, turning toward Elizabeth again, “Miss Bennet, I would like to introduce you to my modiste. I know my son has not proposed yet. However, it is just a matter of time. Fitzwilliam is very much like my husband George, and once he has made uphis mind, there is no dissuading him from his course. George knew he wanted to marry me almost the moment he met me and courted me assiduously until I agreed, although it truly was not a difficult decision. Perhaps, like you, I worried about marrying someone I knew so little, but it seemed as though our hearts spoke to each other immediately. We were engaged within a fortnight of our meeting and married six weeks later. We would have both married sooner, but my mother insisted on a minimum of six weeks, although she argued for six months. George threatened to abduct me and take me to Scotland, and my father agreed to the six weeks.”
All the ladies laughed at this. “However, he would not have done so as he respected me too much to see our reputations ruined in society for something as silly as that. Papa knew that but went along with it, and even Mama was satisfied.”
CHAPTER 10
Introductions
After this initial meeting, Mrs. Gardiner and Elizabeth were frequently in company with Lady Anne. Georgiana accompanied the others on a few shopping excursions but was left at Darcy House almost as often for her lessons. Lady Anne brought the girl to London with her governess to take advantage of the masters more easily found in town.
One morning, Elizabeth and her aunt arrived just in time to join Miss Darcy for a piano lesson, and the two enjoyed the camaraderie they were developing. Having left all her sisters behind in Hertfordshire, Elizabeth enjoyed the time with this new sister and took every opportunity to get to know her better.
In some capacity, she was in Mr. Darcy’s presence every evening. He frequently visited in the late afternoon, arriving toward the end of the polite calling hours, often staying for the evening meal. One evening, he escorted the Gardiners and Elizabeth to Darcy House for dinner, and toward the end of the week, he met them with his mother at Covent Garden for a musical performance.
Darcy was frustrated that evening as his mother insisted he escort her to the theatre. He wanted to escort Elizabeth, but his mother’s request had forced him to send word he would meet their party instead. Still feeling out of sorts because he had not seen Elizabeth that day, he struggled to maintain his composure while waiting for their arrival. He felt his mother pulling on his arm and looked down at her to hear her words. “Stop fidgeting,Fitzwilliam. We are early, and I do not doubt your Elizabeth will be here soon.”
As Darcy scanned the gathering crowd once more, he noted the Gardiners making their entrance. Elizabeth was a step or two behind them, and she had not allowed the footman to remove her cape just yet. Darcy guided his mother toward their guests and arrived just as Elizabeth reached up to untie the cape and let it slip from his shoulders. Every member of their party was surprised at the lovely emerald pendant hanging from an elegant silver chain. Lady Anne, of course, recognised the necklace and wondered if her son had something he needed to tell her. The Gardiners were likewise surprised, having not seen Elizabeth before she put on her cape, and had no idea where the jewel came from.
It took only a moment for Darcy to recover from his surprise and warmly greet Elizabeth. “Good evening, Gardiner, Mrs. Gardiner,” he said first before turning to Elizabeth. “You look lovely, Miss Bennet,” he greeted as he extended his arm. As she took it, she looked shyly up at him. “I see you are wearing the necklace,” he whispered for her alone to hear.
“Yes,” she replied breathlessly as they began to move toward their box, leaving their families behind. While neither spoke, both were highly aware of the other as everything else seemed to fade around them. If anyone spoke to them as they walked, neither heard it, as their every thought was on what the necklace signified.
The Gardiners looked at the couple and then at Lady Anne, who was wearing a broad smile. “Do you know the meaning of her necklace?” Mrs. Gardiner whispered to Lady Anne.
“I gave it to Fitzwilliam the night he told me about Elizabeth. He did not tell me he had presented it to her, but he asked me for something to give her as an engagement gift,” she told her friend.
“Neither of them has said anything of an engagement,” Mrs. Gardiner whispered. The three began to follow in the wake of the couple and watched them carefully.
“Did Mr. Darcy speak to you of Lizzy’s reaction when he first spoke of the idea of a marriage?” Mrs. Gardiner asked after a moment.
“No, he did not,” Lady Anne replied, her brow furrowed. “She did not refuse him, did she?”
