Throughout dinner William continued to be cordial to his dinner companions, although he did little to participate in their conversation. Dinner passed quickly, and when the dishes from the last course had been removed, William said, “Miss Elizabeth, I find it is quite warm in here this evening. May I escort you outside? It appears many guests are now heading for the open doors, and I believe the air would be refreshing.”
“Yes, that would be lovely,” Elizabeth answered, even though she suspected what he had to say would be the end of their relationship. “Pray excuse me for just a moment. I should like to let the Gardiners know where I am going since I will be sharing the next set with my uncle.”
He nodded. “I shall wait for you on the portico, or just below near the garden.”
“Thank you. I will not be long.”
Moving towards the door, William was not surprised when Lady Eleanor purposely joined him. Taking his arm she said, “Fitzwilliam, I must speak with you.”
“Certainly. I was about to meet Miss Elizabeth. Let us step outside while I wait for her.”
It had been drizzling earlier and Her Ladyship was grateful for her nephew’s assistance as they descended the slippery stairs to the gravel walk. Looking quite serious she began, “Nephew, I would like to know if you are still considering Miss Bennet.”
“I am,” he affirmed, “though I own there are some complications.”
“Complications,” she huffed. “That goes without saying. Mind you, I have no intention of demeaning the young lady, but her mother and youngest sister would be an embarrassment to our family should you proceed. I must say, I am quite put out with Lady Deming, who has been one of my closest friends over the years. Never once did she hint about the impropriety associated with her sister-in-law’s family. I saw what happened during the first set with Miss Lydia, and as for Mrs. Bennet, the woman is completely boorish and will not refrain from mentioning her predicament to anyone and everyone she meets. Moreover, she speaks incessantly of your friend Bingley and her eldest while speculating about your interest in Miss Elizabeth. It is unconscionable. I tell you, it is beyond the pale, and I would like to know what you intend to do.”
“It is a dilemma. I admit meeting Miss Elizabeth’s Hertfordshire relations has given me pause, and my sense of obligation demands that I should walk away from her situation and forget I ever met her.”
“I would certainly hope so.”
“Yet it is not so simple, Aunt. I fear she has already won my heart. Despite the behaviour of some of her relations, Elizabeth Bennet is the one woman I can see myself spending the rest of my life with.
“Oh, dear. Your uncle will not be happy. He was quite vocal in his displeasure with what happened during the first set. Furthermore, he was witness to Miss Lydia Bennet’s shameless flirtation with a militia colonel. Good heavens, did her parents never rein her in?”
“Apparently not.” William took a deep breath and momentarily closed his eyes before responding. “Aunt, when I started this quest for a marriage of convenience, I never expected to find something more. Is it so wrong for me to want what my parents had?”
She squeezed his arm, smiling sympathetically. “No, Nephew, it is not. Unlike so many of theton, theirs was truly a love match. Regardless of that fact, this situation with the Bennet family is hardly the same. Prior to this evening, I was willing to support you, despite Miss Elizabeth’s meagre portion. Nevertheless, people in our circle will not be so forgiving with what has happened here tonight. Why, you would be censured, and Georgiana would not have an easy time making a match of her own when she is ready for her come out. Not to mention, there is Lady Catherine to contend with.”
“Aunt, I am well aware of all you have said. Frankly, I had planned to meet with Miss Elizabeth tomorrow with the intention of asking for a courtship. Now, however, I have decided to postpone that meeting while I determine how to address the situation with her mother and youngest sister. Instead, I shall go to Kent and visit Anna for a few days. She had a bit of a cold when I last saw her, and I would like to personally see that she has recovered, since I have heard nothing from Lady Catherine.”
“Very well; if she is your choice, then I will do my best to stand by you. I only hope your decision to pursue Miss Elizabeth Bennet is one we can all live with.”
“I understand. Aunt, forgive me; Miss Elizabeth has just stepped onto the portico. I must not keep her waiting. May I escort you back inside?”
“Yes, please, if you would be so kind. I should like to have one of the footmen give some attention to these stairs since they are a bit slick and I would not wish for someone to take a tumble. We have had enough of that this evening.”
Pausing at the top of the stairs, Elizabeth saw William standing next to his aunt. Appearing in serious conversation, she instinctively knew they were speaking of her and her family. Why did her mother and Lydia not heed the warnings of the Gardiners? The tepid smile she gave William was anything but genuine, and her palms grew damp beneath her gloves while her heart raced in anticipation of what he might say to her when they had the opportunity to speak privately. Though their acquaintance was short, she had come to care deeply for him and did not know how she could bear his loss if he wished to end their relationship.
Continuing to watch nephew and aunt, Elizabeth paid little attention to where she was stepping and nearly lost her footing on the first stair. Catching herself, she was able to regain her balance, but lost it again when her cousin Eliza hurriedly came through the opening of the French doors and bumped into her from behind. With nothing to hold on to, she precariously turned her ankle on the next step and continued to stumble.
Calling out Elizabeth’s name, William rushed forward in alarm, attempting to break her fall. Even though she was engulfed by his strong arms, the impact of their bodies colliding with one another momentarily caused him to lose his balanceand he, too, slipped on the wet stairs as he struggled to keep her safe.
By the time William managed to steady the two of them at the bottom of the stairs, the damage had been done, for Mrs. Bennet had come forth from the ballroom, waving her arms and screaming from the portico. “Compromise! Compromise! Just look at the two of them! I tell you, my daughter, Elizabeth Bennet, has been compromised by Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, and I insist that he do his duty by her. This is not to be borne!”
“Mama, no!” Elizabeth adamantly said while clinging to William’s arm and trying to stand on her own. Her right foot was badly injured and she was in pain. “Mama, I promise you there is no compromise. As you can see, I can barely stand. I slipped on the stairs and Mr. Darcy has merely prevented me from badly injuring myself. Just ask Eliza; she was right behind me and must have seen it all.”
“Eliza? What has your cousin to do with any of this? Eliza Deming is not here, and I know what I saw, Elizabeth Bennet. I will not have your reputation ruined by some rich man who took advantage of the situation.”
Lady Eleanor was aghast at what was taking place. While she and her nephew were moving towards the stairs, she had watched Eliza Deming hurry through the open doorway and purposely push Elizabeth from behind. She had no idea how Mrs. Bennet had come upon the scene so quickly, but it was obvious that her goddaughter’s younger sister had orchestrated the entire catastrophe. Moreover, Eliza did not even bother to see if her cousin was hurt, but instead hurried back into the ballroom.
Listening to Mrs. Bennet wail from where she stood on the portico had shaken Lady Eleanor to her core, and she might have fainted had not Richard and Mrs. Walden come forward to take her arms and steady her. Explaining what she had seen,she begged her son to assist the couple in any way he could. The spread of an ugly rumour had to be stopped at all costs.
Taking command, Richard barked, “Please, all of you stand back! Stand back and give the lady some privacy. There is no compromise. Miss Bennet has injured her foot in a nasty fall and needs to sit down. It would be best if all of you would have some consideration for the lady and return to the ballroom.”
William helped Elizabeth to a nearby bench and asked if he might get her anything for her comfort, though she declined. Lady Eleanor had sent a footman to locate the Gardiners and she along with Mrs. Walden continued into the house. It was imperative that this situation be set to rights before the rumour of an ugly compromise took hold.
Inevitably, this was not to be, for Eliza Deming had begun to spread the unfortunate tale while making the rounds of all the known gossips. Entering the ballroom, Lady Eleanor and Mrs. Walden were besieged by guests who wanted to know if the rumours were true. Distraught, Lady Eleanor refused to acknowledge any inquiries and went directly to her rooms, asking another footman to have Lady Deming and Miss Eliza join her there.
