“He is so very rich!” She winked knowingly, not paying any attention to Elizabeth’s protests. “We shall all need new clothes and accessories since the family of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy must uphold a certain status in society.”
“Mama, please, I beg of you to stop this nonsense! Papa is not yet dead, and Mr. Darcy did NOT compromise me. It was a rumour circulated by you and Eliza, and if you think what you did will endear you to him, you are mistaken. Furthermore, Mr.Darcy has yet to speak with uncle, nor has he formally asked for my hand.”
“Elizabeth, how can you be so unfeeling? We all knew that he liked you. He just needed a little incentive.” She chuckled in reflection. “And here I thought Lydia would be the one to secure a husband at the ball.”
Elizabeth looked at her mother with suspicion. “Mama, what are you saying? What do you mean Lydia would be the one to secure a husband? WHAT have you done?”
“If you must know,” Mrs. Bennet said smugly, “Eliza and my clever Lydia formed a plan to compromise Colonel Forster out in the garden. I was to wait near the French doors until Eliza alerted me that all was in place. Then I was to come forth and confront the two of them. Nevertheless, when Eliza saw you on the steps with Mr. Darcy standing just below, she smartly altered the plan. I must say your marrying that gentleman will be far more advantageous in the end.”
Barely able to restrain her emotions after hearing her mother’s confession, Elizabeth implored Mrs. Gardiner saying, “Aunt, I must speak with Uncle as soon as possible. Surely he can do something to remedy this situation.”
“Elizabeth, you will do no such thing,” Mrs. Bennet interjected before Mrs. Gardiner could respond. “It is done, and the gossip of your compromise cannot be denied. Your uncle can do nothing and you WILL marry Mr. Darcy. Just wait until he comes later today.” She smiled triumphantly. “Mark my words, Lizzy; my brother will see that the gentleman does his duty.”
“Mama!” Elizabeth emphatically said. “Mr. Darcy is NOT coming today. He has gone to Kent. His daughter is very ill, and he sent a note to Uncle saying as much.”
“What!” she screeched. “What nonsense is this?! He cannot possibly have gone to Kent! Why, your marriage and the fate of our futures are far more important than a sick child. We donot know how long Mr. Bennet will be with us, and all of you must secure husbands as soon as possible if we are to survive after his demise.” Mrs. Bennet started fanning herself with her handkerchief, staggering to the nearest chair as though she would faint. “It must be settled today, or we shall all be ruined with the scandal.
“Sister, Sister, is this true? Please, tell me Lizzy is mistaken.”
“I am sorry, Fanny, but everything Elizabeth says is true. The note from Mr. Darcy was delivered before dawn. He will notify us when he is able to return. Come; let me help you to your room.” She extended her hand. “It will not do to become overly excited.”
“Oh, Sister, I am truly unwell. Please, could you help me with my salts? They are in my pocket.”
Mrs. Gardiner looked sympathetically at her niece before assisting Mrs. Bennet. “Here you are. Yes, breathe deeply. Now, that is much better. Fanny, let us go back to your room. You need to rest, and Mr. Gardiner will address the situation before long.
“Lizzy, as soon as I take care of your mother, I shall have a tray sent in with Sophia and ask her to help you dress. Your uncle should be up a little later with Mr. Darcy’s letter and will address your concerns at that time.”
“Thank you, Aunt.”
Mid-Morning
Elizabeth was beside herself having learned the truth of what happened at the ball.How could her mother and Eliza have been so foolish and insensitive? William is a man of principle, and to trick him in such a manner was unconscionable.Elizabeth knew William was hesitant after meeting Mrs. Bennet and Lydia, but now she could not imagine he would have anyinterest in marrying her once he realised what her relations had done to force his hand.
When Mr. Gardiner was finally able to join Elizabeth, he informed her that the scandal had indeed been mentioned in the morning papers, just as they had feared. In addition, he had received a letter from Lord Nicholas who apologised profusely for the part his sister, Eliza, played in the whole affair. Although her name did not appear in the papers, because of her imprudence, she would not be allowed partake in the remainder of the current season. Lord Nicholas and his sister, Eleanor, would wait to resume their activities until well after Elizabeth’s wedding to Mr. Darcy had taken place, allowing for some of the gossip to die down.
From that respect, Jane was told she would be welcome to stay on with the Deming family and resume her season with her cousins at that time if she so wished. Even so, it was unlikely any of them would be well-received by thetonfor some time because of the scandal. With all of this in mind, Jane voluntarily decided she would no longer impose upon the Demings, but would instead join her family at the Gardiners’ residence where she could be a comfort to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth was dismayed after hearing all her uncle shared, though it came as no surprise. Foremost on her mind, however, was what William had to say in his note. Asking if she might read it now, Mr. Gardiner handed it over to her.
Mr. Gardiner:
I regret to inform you that I will not be able to keep our appointment later today. By the time you read this, I shall have gone to Rosings Park, where my daughter is residing with her grandmother. When I arrived home earlier this morning, I was handed an express from my aunt informing me that Anna is seriously ill. What hadbeen a simple cold a few days ago has got progressively worse. Anna is now confined to bed with a high fever and what my aunt believes are the symptoms of some respiratory ailment, possibly influenza. I must leave at once to attend her. I shall keep you apprised of her progress by express and at my earliest opportunity will endeavour to return so that we may address our business in person. Please extend my apologies to Miss Elizabeth.
Yours sincerely,
Fitzwilliam Darcy
In Elizabeth’s opinion it was informative and to the point, but hardly satisfying. “Uncle, I realise Mr. Darcy is preoccupied with his daughter’s illness, and rightfully so. Still, considering what happened at the ball, he gives no indication of his wishes or expectations. I fear he must be very disgruntled.”
Gardiner sighed, rubbing his chin in thought. “I suspect he is; I know I would be, finding myself in a similar situation.”
“Of course I would never begrudge him tending his daughter, but somehow I hoped his letter might say more about our situation. Uncle, is there nothing you can do to remedy this catastrophe?”
“No, Lizzy, I am sorry; there is not. I have thought of everything short of bribing each and every person who was in attendance at the ball to remain silent. It is hardly fair, but the damage has been done, and we must make the best of this situation.”
Elizabeth bit her lip, trying to stave off another round of tears. “I know you are right, Uncle, but that does not make me feel any better.”
Mr. Gardiner patted her hand. “Do not worry, my dear. Even though we cannot proceed today, I am sure Mr. Darcy will communicate with us as soon as he is able. He is not one to shirkhis responsibilities. And once he has made his wishes known, we shall proceed from there.”
