Page 38 of A Different Impression

“I met Miss Bennet in Hertfordshire while visiting Bingley, Uncle,” Darcy informed him, unable to keep a note of pride from his voice. “And I must tell you, Miss Elizabeth has also defeated me at chess, although I have won a game or two since.”

“Ahh, so you have discovered Miss Bennet’s talent for chess,” Lord Matlock retorted. “We have played a few times, but I believe I have a slight edge over her in wins.”

Elizabeth protested. “We are tied, my lord,” she challenged. “If I am not mistaken, we have played six times and have won an equal number of games.”

Lord Matlock laughed. “You may be right, my dear,” he replied. “Now, Darcy, your note said you had news to share with us tonight. Will you share it now, or must we wait for it?”

Darcy grinned at his uncle’s impatience. His expression drew several knowing looks, although Elizabeth’s continued presence upon his arm had likely revealed almost as much. Raising his free hand to rest on Elizabeth’s, he looked at his family and proclaimed his happy news. “Congratulate me, Uncle, I am engaged. I asked Miss Elizabeth to marry me last week, and she has accepted me. We intend to marry at the end of the month in Meryton. Will you come?”

The three Fitzwilliams looked at each other in surprise. The Colonel was the first to recover and offer his congratulations to the pair. Lord and Lady Matlock looked at each other in astonishment before offering their own. Her congratulations were noticeably more subdued than her husband’s, but Darcy chose not to comment. As the evening progressed, he observed her reserve gradually soften as she watched him and Elizabeth together.

Following dinner, when the gentlemen separated from the ladies, the earl pulled Darcy to the side to ask for more details.

“Darcy, you have been away from London for barely a month, and yet you return engaged, ready to marry within the month. Are you sure you truly want to marry this young lady? As much as I admire her, she is not your equal in consequence or society,” he said. “I am concerned that you are rushing this decision.”

Darcy sighed and sought to reassure his uncle. “I assure you I know what I am about, sir. I love her, and she returns the sentiment. We are well-matched in every way that matters; we will be very happy together,” he said earnestly. “We have courted almost since the moment we met, and I am certain about my choice. Be happy for me.”

The earl looked at him and nodded. “I will support you, Darcy. While I still believe you could have done better, as far as money and connexions are concerned, I also know you likely have little need for more money. And you already despise most of society, so her not bringing any notable connexions into the relationship matters little to you. Gardiner is a very good man, and Miss Bennet is a lively, pleasant girl who will likely help you in society. I will speak to your aunt, and we will support her in society for you.”

“Thank you, Uncle. I appreciate your support,” Darcy said earnestly.

Soon, the gentlemen rejoined the ladies. Lady Matlock appeared to have made good use of the interval, for she was speaking with Elizabeth with every appearance of satisfaction. Darcy took the empty seat beside Elizabeth and listened for a moment before entering the conversation.

“Darcy, I have enjoyed my conversation with Miss Bennet,” Lady Matlock said. “Will you bring her to my house for tea while you are in town?”

He glanced at Elizabeth and caught her slight nod. “Would the day after tomorrow suit you, Aunt?”

“That will be fine, Darcy,” Lady Matlock replied, then she reached over and patted Elizabeth’s hands. “I look forward to getting to know you better, dear.”

“Thank you, my lady,” Elizabeth replied. “I look forward to the same.”

The group conversed for another hour before Mr Gardiner announced that it was time for them to depart. Darcy escorted them out, disappointed not to have the chance of saying a private goodbye to Elizabeth, but he knew he would see her again in the morning. He was beyond ready to claim her as his wife so she did not have to leave him at night. With this thought, he returned to his family.

The Fitzwilliams were all waiting for him when he returned to the drawing room. Georgiana had retired when the Gardiners departed, and only they remained. “Darcy,” the Colonel cried, “Your betrothed is a delightful creature. How on earth did you manage to win her?” Darcy scowled in reply to his cousin’s teasing.

“Darcy,” Lady Matlock drawled, ignoring her son’s observations. “I confess that we are rather surprised to meet your betrothed here tonight; none of us were expecting such news. Although I admit that I have heard your uncle mention Mr Gardiner and Miss Bennet in passing, there is still much I would like to know. Will you tell us more about her?”

Again, he nodded. “I met Miss Bennet, Elizabeth, at an assembly on the very day I arrived at Netherfield. I was in ill humour—between being forced to attend an assembly and Miss Bingley’s presence—and Elizabeth was kind. I was no doubt as rude and boorish as I normally am at parties where I know no one, but she pushed right past that and offered me a small kindness. I found a way to be introduced to her and then asked her to dance. I enjoyed her conversation, and we even danced a second time that night. Since then, we have met nearly every day, and I have grown to know her well. And her family.

“Her father has been indolent up to this point, and something his youngest said has spurred him into action. We have spoken many hours about how he might increase the profits on the estate, and he seems to be set upon this purpose to improve not only his estate but his family.”

“How did the engagement come to be, Darcy?” Lady Matlock pressed. “Does she have a dowry? Her connexions include a tradesman and who else? Mr and Mrs Gardiner are very genteel, and I know, James, that you know them well, but does she have any other relations of note?”

Lord Matlock interrupted. “Darcy does not need a dowry, nor does he need more connexions than he presently has. Miss Bennet has neither, but after watching them together, you must admit that she is ideal for him. It is rather obvious that they care for one another deeply.”

Lady Matlock sighed before giving her husband a reluctant nod. “You may be right. They certainly appear devoted to one another.”

“Yes, and I have pledged our support for the match,” he replied to his wife. From there, the conversation drifted into several different topics and plans, including the wedding. After a while, the Fitzwilliams departed and returned to their own home.

During the remainder of the week, Darcy and Elizabeth joined the same group several more times at both Darcy House and Matlock House. By the end of their stay, his aunt and uncle had given the match their complete support and promised to attend the wedding.

Nearly every morning they were in London, Elizabeth found herself shopping with her aunt and Kitty, sometimes accompanied by Georgiana. On one such expedition, Georgiana introduced Elizabeth at several shops where she already had accounts, and they selected various items for Elizabeth’s trousseau while arranging for accounts to be opened in Elizabeth’s name, with the charges settled through Darcy House.

Having spent several years in Derbyshire, Mrs Gardiner was able to advise Elizabeth on what she would require during its colder winters. Under her aunt’s guidance, Elizabeth ordered several pieces of warmer outerwear, including a warm pelisse of fine wool, as well as other articles better suited to the harsher climate.

At another shop, Georgiana discovered a beautiful fur-lined cloak and immediately insisted that Elizabeth try it on.

“You will require something warmer than a pelisse at Pemberley,” Georgiana said as the shopkeeper settled the cape around Elizabeth’s shoulders.