Page 21 of A Prudent Engagement

As soon as she reached the bedroom, she was confronted with a firmly shut door.

Elizabeth tried opening it, but Jane had locked herself inside, and she said nothing in reply to Elizabeth’s entreaties, knocks, and sobs.

Mrs. Gardiner came up behind Elizabeth and put an arm around her shoulders. “My dear, my dear. You must leave her alone if she sincerely wishes for it.”

“This is not like Jane!”

Mrs. Gardiner walked Elizabeth back to the drawing room. “I am happy enough to see your sister admit the pain to herself. She often pretends to be a saint, and it is not good for her.”

“My first thought,” Elizabeth said with a miserable moan, “when I thought about our straightened financial situation, was how much I would hate to be a governess, and that I was sure that it would not be necessary to make such a sacrifice.”

Elizabeth’s aunt made a sound of acknowledgement as she opened the door back into the warm, bright drawing room.

Charlotte and Mr. Gardiner were talking when they entered. Charlotte was seated while Mr. Gardiner stood by the fire, a glass of port in his hand and a frown on his face. “Is Jane well?”

Elizabeth shrugged. “She would not answer the door.”

“I see.”

“I have been selfish,” Elizabeth said. “While Jane only thought of all of us. I will not—I cannot be selfish again.”

This statement caused her aunt and uncle to look at each other in a concerned manner. Charlotte, though, seemed approving.

It was that simple.

She had to accept Mr. Darcy. Her preferences—whatever they were—had nothing to do with the matter. She would prove herself to be inferior to Jane if she did not. She must be like Jane and do what she could to help their situation.

“I think,” Mr. Gardiner said, “that you must not—while you were in the other room, I asked Mrs. Collins to describe Mr. Darcy’s behaviour today, and I agree that if he is an honourable gentleman, the most likely interpretation of his actions is that he intends to make you an offer of marriage.”

“He is honourable, certainly,” Elizabeth said.

“What about Mr. Wickham’s story?” Mrs. Gardiner asked. “Mr. Wickham cast him in a dishonourable light. I hate to be forced to think that a young gentleman from Derbyshire—especially a handsome one—is not to be trusted, but I think we must either think very ill of Mr. Wickham or of Mr. Darcy.” She shrugged. “Or perhaps what Jane would typically say is right and matters can be seen in such a way that allows both gentlemen to maintain their characters.”

“I hardly know.” Elizabeth frowned. She had been bothered by thoughts of Mr. Wickham several times over the course of the afternoon, but her trust of Mr. Darcy had not been lessened by thinking of the officer. Rather she felt a sort of shame and frustration at herself because deep down she was already convinced that Mr. Darcy’s conduct had not, in fact, been deeply dishonourable or petty. “I do not—I recall Mr. Wickham’s expression as showing every goodness, but Mr. Darcy’s behaviour and manner also give me confidence in him. Mr. Wickham’s story does not fit the man who conducted us to London in his carriage today.”

She found it very hard to not simply trust Mr. Darcy on a deeper level than she had ever trusted Mr. Wickham.

“But, Uncle.” Elizabeth pressed her hands together. “Do you really think he means to make me an offer?”

“Yes. He has done enough and said enough that if he is in fact an honourable gentleman, he will—but these things sometimes go off, even when all parties are honourable and serious people with the best of intentions. We shall certainly say nothing about the matter to my sister until he actually declares himself—I imagine he means to wait at least until your father has been buried.”

“Is it wrong for my mind to be full of this? Should I not simply be unhappy about Papa’s death? Jane said...she judged me for laughing, being happy. But I do mourn Papa. I have sobbed. But he would not have wished for me to be miserable. More miserable than I must be. And I thought...”

“Oh, do not castigate yourself for smiling at such a time,” Mrs. Gardiner said firmly. “Life goes forward, and in your circumstances, you must think upon the question of an eligible suitor.”

“I am,” Mr. Gardiner said, “a little concerned by this matter of Mr. Wickham. I never was so impressed with him as you both were—he seems a flighty, inconsequential person. The sort of young man who never applies himself to any serious matter and who hopes to manage through his whole life by using his ample charm. Such persons often succeed in finding roles in which they neglect the actual duties of the position. As for Mr. Darcy, I have only seen him for these five minutes, and all I can say of his character from direct observation is that he is reserved and serious and that he looked at Elizabeth intently.”

Charlotte said, “He has an excellent reputation amongst the servants at Rosings.” She smiled a little. “There are stories that one hears as the wife of the parson, and whenever Mr. Darcy’s name arises—which is surprisingly often for a man who is present at the estate for about one week in a year—it is always as a person who improved matters, either through calming Lady Catherine, directly mediating a matter, or providing charity to a deserving recipient.”

“That is a great deal of praise from such a source.” Mr. Gardiner tapped his fingers together. “The opinions of servants and dependents often tell one more about a person than how those of the same rank see him.”

“You both think I should accept Mr. Darcy!” Elizabeth exclaimed. Then she frowned. “If he does offer.”

Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner looked at each other once more. It was the same frown that they had displayed when Elizabeth declared that she must not be selfish.

Mrs. Gardiner said slowly, “One must...ah, that is to say—a marriage without affection is nearly always a mistake. Even with the situation being what it is, if you cannot imagine yourself spending a pleasant evening with Mr. Darcy, if you dislike his company, and if you would wish to have as little to do with him as you might once you are married, for both of your sakes you should refuse him.”

Elizabeth closed her eyes.