“Very good. I shall look for you during the course of the evening. Miss Elizabeth, I was hoping to meet your mother and younger sisters. Tell me, are they in attendance tonight?”
“Yes, they are. The last I saw of my sisters, they were chatting with some friends from Meryton. My mother, however, is on the other side of the room speaking with my Aunt and Uncle Phillips. I would be happy to introduce you now, if it is convenient.”
“Thank you. Now would be perfect.”
“Aunt, will you join us?”
“Lizzy, you and Mr. Darcy go ahead,” Mrs. Gardiner said. “I see the Madisons are coming this way. Your uncle and I shall wait here.”
“Yes, Aunt.”
Elizabeth led William to where Mrs. Bennet was conversing with her aunt and uncle. In truth, considering her family’s situation, her mother and younger sisters should have remained at Longbourn instead of further imposing upon their London relations. Was it not enough that they had been sponsoring her and Jane for the season? Now, Lady Deming was called upon to purchase their costly subscription tickets for the charity ball, while the Gardiners had agreed to house them for the duration of their two week stay. Moreover, with Mr. Bennet’s precarious health, she knew her father could not afford the new gowns which they wore this evening. Nevertheless, her mother was determined and here they were.
After last night’s dinner at Deming House, Elizabeth was uneasy in presenting the rest of her family to William. Even though Lady Deming, her cousin Eleanor and Lord Nicolas were everything proper, it seemed that Eliza, Mrs. Bennet, and Lydia in particular had found every possible way to embarrass her and Jane in front of the Bingley party and the other guests. Beforehand, Mrs. Gardiner had privately stressed the importance of proper decorum to her sister and younger nieces. Nevertheless, once the family arrived for dinner, those warnings went unheeded.
Mrs. Gardiner had tried to reiterate her words again today and had received nothing but protests from Mrs. Bennet and Lydia during her lecture. It was not until Mr. Gardiner stepped forward and voiced his objections that they agreed to cooperate.
“Fanny, had I known what was to take place at Deming House, I would have insisted that Kitty and Lydia be left home with the children, and that you, dear sister, should have been tethered to my side for the duration of the evening. Let it be known, if the three of you do not use better judgement at tonight’s charity ball, I shall have no guilt in calling for thecarriage, and we WILL depart much earlier than any of you would care to. Our family will NOT be fodder for the gossips of thetonby exhibiting a repeat of such deplorable behaviour. Do I make myself clear?”The women promised they would cooperate, not wishing to anger Mr. Gardiner any further and lose the opportunity of attending the ball.
Although Elizabeth appreciated her aunt and uncle’s words, she did not entirely trust her mother and younger sisters to behave. She prayed that they would heed their warning and not embarrass her in front of Mr. Darcy. Before parting on Tuesday, William had privately asked if he might call on her at Gracechurch Street the day after the ball to consider their situation in earnest. She had agreed. Even though their acquaintance had been relatively short, Elizabeth thought she had learned enough of his character to make a positive decision should he offer to court her.
Since Mr. Darcy was a product of theton,certain expectations were to be accepted with his position and upbringing. Elizabeth knew it would be a challenge, considering her father was merely a country gentleman and that she had little portion. Lady Gwendolyn had previously made him aware of her situation, yet he had chosen to ignore what was expected of him in this instance and continued to seek her out. For that, Elizabeth was grateful.
Where Mr. Darcy was concerned, it was not his wealth or status which had drawn her to him once they got past their initial conflict. Although he was a very private person, he had let her see a side of him she did not expect to discover in such a short time. Aside from his keen mind, she had found him to be a sensitive and caring person. And while he had yet to speak of his former wife, it was easy to ascertain that he was decidedly devoted to his daughter and sister. In talking to one another, shesensed his burdens were many and that he longed for a positive change in his life.
Taking William’s proffered arm Elizabeth commented, “My Uncle Phillips is an attorney in Meryton. My middle sister, Mary, is being courted by his clerk.”
“Ah. Is she here as well?”
“No, Mary remains behind to tend my father while all of us are in Town. I thank you for asking. My mother is just over here.”
As the couple approached the threesome, Mrs. Bennet caught sight of Elizabeth on the arm of Mr. Darcy. Stunned by his stately appearance, she momentarily lost her composure and began fanning herself in earnest.
“Mama, are you feeling well?” Elizabeth asked with concern when she and William reached Mrs. Bennet’s side. “Shall I have Mr. Darcy or Uncle bring you a glass of wine?”
“No, no, Lizzy, I am perfectly fine. ‘Tis nothing, though I should like to be properly introduced to your young man.” She smiled prettily, attempting to calm her breathing.
Elizabeth’s cheeks flushed momentarily when her mother referred to William as her young man. Glancing at Mr. Darcy, she could see that her mother’s forwardness made him a bit uncomfortable as well.
“Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley, please allow me to introduce my mother Mrs. Bennet and my aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Phillips. Mama, Aunt, Uncle, this is Mr. Darcy.”
“It is my pleasure to make your acquaintances,” William responded with a slight bow while the women curtseyed and Mr. Phillips held out his hand.
“We are honoured, sir,” Mr. Phillips responded. “Our niece, Eliza Deming, has spoken highly of you.”
The mention of Eliza caused William to stiffen. Even though Lady Eleanor Fitzwilliam was Eleanor Deming’s godmother, Elizabeth could not help but wonder how much interaction William had had with the Deming family in the past.
“Oh, yes, Mr. Darcy,” Mrs. Bennet jabbered excitedly. “We were all at Deming House for dinner yesterday evening, and Eliza informed us of your particulars and about the unfortunate loss of your poor wife. We understand you are in search of a new mistress for your estate, and I must compliment you on your attention to Elizabeth.”
“Mama, please!” Elizabeth quietly exclaimed, stunned by her mother’s forwardness.
Mrs. Bennet, in all of her excitement, failed to heed her daughter and continued by saying, “‘Tis a pity that Elizabeth is not as beautiful as my dear Jane, but that is no matter, for she is a clever girl and would make a fine mistress and an excellent mother for your daughter.” Again she smiled. “My Lizzy has a head for numbers and has been very helpful to Mr. Bennet over the years. Not to mention, our tenants’ children are excessively fond of her.”
“Mama,” Elizabeth pleaded again, thoroughly embarrassed. “Mr. Darcy and I have only known each other for a little over a week, and we do not have an understanding.”
She momentarily closed her eyes before looking to William. “Mr. Darcy, pray excuse my Mother’s assumptions. I fear it is her anxiety over my father’s current health.”
“Miss Elizabeth, you need not….”
