Page 13 of The Sole Love

Chapter 6

“Is something going on between Lizzy and Mr Darcy?” Mr Gardiner asked his wife that night, just before they went to sleep. It was their habit to spend a few minutes on the balcony discussing the events of the day.

Mrs Gardiner smiled into the darkness. Her husband might not understand women’s feelings particularly well, but that did not mean he failed to notice what was happening around him. He disliked tears and had little patience for comforting anyone, yet he was an eager observer and sometimes enjoyed sharing rumours and everyday gossip with his wife.

“Well, I should say they are like two lions enjoying a deceptive calm.”

“My dear, I sincerely hope you will advise her to put their disagreements aside and behave sensibly. If that gentleman does her the honour of proposing, there is only one possible answer: yes.”

Mrs Gardiner lowered her eyes, hiding both her expression and her worries. But the night was bright with stars and moonlight, and her husband, for once, was watching her closely.

“Is there something I need to know?” he asked, his tone losing some of its warmth.

Perhaps Mr Gardiner had become more attentive to women’s affairs, but Mrs Gardiner knew precisely how much he needed to know. She laughed and answered in her usual friendly manner.

“No, my dear, there is nothing you need to know. They have met before, and as you saw yourself, there is a certain attraction between them.”

“You must talk to her and make her understand that a man like Mr Darcy could bring not only happiness to her but also lasting security to my poor sister’s family. Mr Collins’s spectre is already haunting Longbourn.”

“I know, my dear, and you may be certain I shall convey the message.”

“When my brother Bennet passes away, Mr Collins will not hesitate to take possession of Longbourn, as it will legally be his. Elizabeth would do better to forget those strange notions about love and the perfect man and accept—”

“Let us first wait for the man to show more than admiration,” Mrs Gardiner interrupted, blushing slightly. She was not in the habit of deceiving her husband, but remaining silent about what had happened in Kent was not quite the same thing.

“I do not understand these new ideas, and I assure you that our daughters will grow up knowing the importance of having a husband. Strangely, the Bennets have raised their daughters with such whims. As for Jane, I must say I am worried. After crying her heart out for seven months, mostly in our house, she now disappears onto a balcony with a gentleman she has just met. If you do not wish me to intervene, please make her understand that I shall not tolerate such behaviour while she is staying in my home.”

“Our home, dear,” Mrs Gardiner corrected gently, “and she was outside for only five minutes because it was very warm in the ballroom.”

Unconvinced, Mr Gardiner shook his head.

“And besides,” his wife continued, “this young man is not entirely a stranger. You told me you knew his family quite well when you were younger.”

“Yes, that is true. We spent two summers in succession at the Haskett estate near Bath. Splendid holidays. The last time, I think, was the year my sister married Mr Bennet. I am not sure why we lost contact. But life is like that. One has good friends, and sometimes distance makes it impossible to remain close.”

“What distance? I understand they are staying in London, and only old Mr Haskett moved permanently to Bath. You need not be so severe with Jane. It is the first time we have seen any sign that she might be able to think of someone other than Mr Bingley, and dancing with the son of an old friend seems harmless enough.”

In the end, Mr Gardiner agreed that a marriage into such a respectable family would be a satisfactory conclusion to that year of tears and sighs.

“They look so right together. Perhaps he is the perfect one!”

“You, madam, must be the first to avoid expressions such as ‘the perfect one.’ A husband from a good family is perfect enough. We knew each other for only a month when I proposed to you, and love came after marriage. And look how happy we are together.”

Mrs Gardiner could hardly disagree. They were far happier together than many married couples they knew. Still, for Jane and Elizabeth, she wanted love from the beginning. And David Haskett seemed remarkably well suited to Jane. She did not know Mr Bingley personally, but she disliked him because of the way he had behaved. A man who could be so easily influenced by those around him did not seem a reliable husband.

“Yes, my dear, but David Haskett may be the solution. From what I understand, he has a comfortable income, and I liked him. He was polite and not at all arrogant. But tell me more about the family.”

It was very late, but they were enjoying their conversation too much to retire. Rarely had they spent a more agreeable evening, meeting new people while unexpectedly rediscovering old friends.

“Every day, we rode into Bath, only a few miles away. Harold Haskett and his parents were excellent hosts and agreeable company. Harold had two sisters, and with my own sisters there, we passed the time very pleasantly.”

He smiled at the memories.

“You may be right. Sometimes we have to close our eyes a little and give young people the opportunity to meet and decide their own futures. And I am sure David Haskett is an excellent match for our Jane.”

∞∞∞

Her uncle’s sentiments closely resembled those Jane expressed to her sister the moment they arrived home. As they did at Longbourn, they helped each other undress while they talked, but once again Jane failed to notice that she was doing most of the talking.