Darcy grinned. “I am uncertain whether to call her a Valkyrie or an Amazon. Her dark hair makes me lean more toward an Amazon, though she is far too short for that designation. Perhaps a nymph of some sort?”
His father laughed. “She quite impressed me. Perhaps, in a few years, she might make a good wife foryou?”
That caused him to start. “Father, I am scarcely ready to think about marriage, and Miss Gardiner is much too young.”
The elder Darcy fixed his son with a probing gaze that made him struggle not to squirm. “I am not saying you should marry her tomorrow, son, merely that she might make a good wife for you someday. You are right, you have several years before you are ready to contemplate marriage, but so does she. When she comes out, perhaps both of you will be ready then. You, at least, are old enough to begin contemplating what you desire ina partner. A woman such as her would not allow you to dictate to her and would force you to listen to her point of view. She is unlike many of the women you will meet in town.”
“Just a moment ago, you were hesitant about inviting her family to stay at Pemberley, and now you suggest I might marry her in the future?” Darcy asked incredulously.
His father laughed at that. “Silly, is it not? She is a gentleman’s daughter, or so I understand. Did her parents die? Is that why she is living with her aunt and uncle?”
Darcy’s face darkened as he recalled what the young lady had revealed to him in the carriage. “No, her parents are alive, and yes, she is a gentleman’s daughter. Miss Gardiner shared a bit of her circumstances, and it appears to me that she is better off where she is.”
Once again, his father assessed him before speaking. “What happened?”
“When Miss Gardiner was eight, there was an accident in the stables that injured her elder sister. The girls should not have been there, and her mother blamed the younger sister for the elder’s injuries, which were, ultimately, rather insignificant in nature. However, the mother felt that her second daughter was a troublemaker, calling her a changeling, and demanded her husband cast her out of the house. The father contacted his wife’s brother, Mr. Gardiner, and sent the girl to live with them. They have not returned since, and while the father and elder sister did write for a time, they stopped writing when the mother demanded it. She has not heard from her family in over five years,” Darcy explained.
“It was very good of the Gardiners to take her in,” his father replied thoughtfully.
Darcy simply nodded, and his father did not speak further, bringing an end to the conversation. The gentlemen parted ways, each retreating to their rooms. Once alone, Darcy settled in his adjoining sitting room, a book resting idly in his lap as his thoughts wandered over the events of the day and what the following morning might bring.
Chapter Five
The Gardiners arrived precisely on time the next day. Much to his surprise, Darcy found himself anxiously awaiting their arrival, in particular looking forward to seeing Miss Gardiner again. Georgiana was to join them, at least for a part of the visit, and Darcy wanted his sister to meet this young lady. Though they were several years apart in age, Darcy felt Georgiana would benefit from befriending the older girl.
“Welcome,” Darcy said as the Gardiners disembarked from the carriage. After Mr. Gardiner helped his wife down, Darcy stepped forward to assist Miss Gardiner and led her into the house. Once inside, servants helped them remove their outerwear, and Darcy noticed the slight bruising around Miss Gardiner’s wrists and on one cheek. Her hands were clean, though like his, they possessed a few defensive wounds. Once again, Darcy felt an immense sense of release that he had come upon her and Wickham the day before and even more so that he had arrived before Wickham could have caused more damage to the young girl.
This done, Darcy escorted his guests into the drawing room where his father and sister waited. He performed the introductions, and soon, the elder members of the party were in a deep discussion, while Georgiana and Elizabeth spoke of accomplishments Georgiana was only beginning to learn.
Since Darcy was not directly involved in either conversation, he quietly observed his guest and his sister as they spoke. To his astonishment, Miss Gardiner effortlessly drew out his usuallyreserved sister, and a quick friendship blossomed between them. He had noticed this same quality in Miss Gardiner the day before, when they travelled to Lambton. Despite their brief acquaintance, their conversation had flowed with surprising ease, putting him at ease in her presence.
Darcy was unaccustomed to feeling so at ease with a lady upon first acquaintance. The sensation was unfamiliar, yet being around Miss Gardiner felt natural, almost instinctive. Before he could dwell on the matter any longer, someone addressed him directly, pulling him from his thoughts.
“Brother, Miss Gardiner has never learned to ride. Do you think you could teach her while she is in the area?” Georgiana looked at her brother, her eyes filled with anticipation, even eagerness, as she made her request.
“Miss Gardiner, I would gladly teach you if you care to learn. My father suggested last night that we invite you and your family to stay with us at Pemberley for the rest of your stay. I have little doubt that this is the subject of their conversation even now. If you wish to learn, it could easily be arranged,” Darcy offered.
He saw trepidation in her face, and he reached out to touch her hand. “Miss Gardiner, the decision is entirely up to you, but I can guarantee that we will take excellent care of you.”
“If my uncle agrees to your father’s request, I will allow you to teach me. I am uncertain how good of a student I will be, but I will try. I do not have a riding habit, so I do not know if that will prevent me from learning,” Elizabeth said quietly, in a voice less confident than the one she ordinarily used.
“You will not need a riding habit. Do not let that stop you from learning. It is a useful skill and even living in London, you mayfind there are opportunities for you to ride at other times,” Darcy implored, and Elizabeth nodded her agreement.
Just then, the elder Darcy stood and walked to where the young people were standing. “Miss Gardiner, your uncle agreed to my request that you all stay at Pemberley for the rest of your visit. However, I have a few questions for you, and I would like you to join your uncle and me in my study. Son, I would appreciate it if you would join us as well. Mrs. Gardiner has offered to keep Georgiana company while we speak.”
Darcy looked over at his companion before speaking. The only thing that betrayed her anxiousness about this conversation was a slight indrawn breath that she could not hide. Intuitively, he realised his father had not noticed it. He offered the young lady his arm as he led her to his father’s study behind the others. It quavered slightly, and he lifted his free hand to apply light pressure on hers in a comforting gesture.
“All will be well,” he whispered, his voice soft but reassuring. “I spoke with my father yesterday after returning from delivering you to your uncle. At last, he listened to what I have been trying to tell him for years about Wickham. Your uncle is determined to hold Wickham accountable, without bringing undue attention to you or tarnishing your reputation. I am certain this is what all of this is about.” He paused, concern evident in his eyes. “How are you holding up after everything that happened yesterday?”
She drew in a breath and Darcy watched as she closed her eyes for a moment. Without thought, his free hand once again came up to press hers. “You do not have to speak of the incident if you do not wish it.”
“I am well enough,” she breathed. “Although I spent most of my childhood wandering the countryside near my family home, Inever imagined that I would encounter a situation like that. My uncle warned me to be careful when I was out walking, but the innkeeper assured me I would be safe enough. He did not cause any lasting harm to me.”
Darcy scoffed. “While I have little doubt the outward signs of your encounter will not be lasting, I feel certain you will remember this far longer. Acting as though it never happened will not help you heal.”
Elizabeth tilted her head to look at the man standing beside her. “How do you know that?”
“Though I was only fourteen when my mother died, the memories of her loss have never faded. Pretending that I was well only prolonged the pain. It was Mrs. Reynolds who taught me it is better to confront such wounds rather than hide them away.”
