“You are thinking of Miss Darcy?” Jane asked, turning her gaze back to the pillow she was embroidering.
“Yes,” Elizabeth said, not adding that she was also thinking, quite intently, of Mr. Darcy. “I cannot help but still hope for a visit.”
“Of course,” Jane responded in obvious sympathy. “I am sure her failure to visit is in no way a reflection of her desire to establish a friendship.”
As if to confirm Jane’s wisdom and perception, they heard a small commotion outside the door and a moment later, Mrs. Gardiner nearly burst in. Elizabeth rose quickly to place the pillows Jane was not stitching behind her chair. Looking at her sister, she saw Jane had placed her half-finished pillow under a blanket.
“Ladies,” Mrs. Gardiner began, sounding slightly winded. “We have a visitor.”
Although it was a little early for morning calls, this did not seem enough of an aberration to justify their aunt having hurried from small study, where she had planned to attend to her correspondence all afternoon, or for her somewhat harried presentation. When she regarded her younger niece for another moment, understanding dawned and Elizabeth’s hope soared.
“Miss Darcy?” she asked, slightly breathless despite having exerted herself no more than taking one slow step towards the door where her aunt stood.
“Not quite,” Mrs. Gardiner answered, and in the small second before she elaborated, Elizabeth’s heart began to beat wildly and she became lightheaded enough to feel the need to sit down, which she did as her aunt continued, "It is Mr. Darcy.”At Elizabeth’s sharp intake of breath, her aunt’s eyes fell on her. Smiling slightly, she clarified, “Old Mr. Darcy.”
“Oh,” was Elizabeth’s only response. Somehow, she had not considered meeting their father. He had hardly been mentioned in her conversation with the siblings. Dozens of questions came to mind about what he was like and why he was here. There was no time to consider even one of these as Mr. Simms announced their guest.
After Mr. Darcy was announced and Simms withdrew, Mrs. Gardiner expressed her welcome.
“I hope you will forgive me, Mrs. Gardiner, for the liberty I have taken in calling without warning,” Mr. Darcy said in response. “Indeed, I should have called years ago when you and Mr. Gardiner first came moved to Barlow Hall. But then, my family was at Pemberley but rarely and I was a terribly neglectful neighbour.”
Fortunately, Mrs. Gardiner was the consummate hostess, and after her initial agitation, she slipped effortlessly into her role.
“Mr. Darcy, you have nothing to apologise for. We are honoured to have you in our home,” she said with a kind smile. “Please allow me to introduce my nieces, Miss Jane Bennet and Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn, Hertfordshire.”
Mr. Darcy bowed to each girl as they offered their best curtsies. It quickly became apparent that the Bennet girls were too intimidated and Mr. Darcy too reserved to advance any conversation. Mrs. Gardiner understood what was required.
“Might I offer you some refreshment, Mr. Darcy?” she asked, moving to the bell-pull by the door. “Mrs. Allen has prepared some of her famous cinnamon scones.”
“That would be lovely,” he responded with a hint of a smile. “Despite my long absences from Derbyshire in recent years, I have heard of the marvel of the scones of Barlow Hall.”
“How remarkable,” Mrs. Gardiner replied, smiling widely. After inviting him to sit, they arranged themselves with Mr. Darcy in the chair beside his hostess and Jane and Elizabeth on the settee opposite them.
Elizabeth was anxious to enquire after Miss Darcy and Mr. Darcy. In addition, she was intensely curious to know what had happened with Miss Devon, but even with an opening, she did not know how she could possibly enquire after that.
It was of no matter as Elizabeth found no opportunity to interject amidst the exchange of pleasant but meaningless conversation. The recent rains were praised while the snow of last winter was lamented. Mutual acquaintances were discovered and asked after. When the scones and tea arrived and all talk seemed to centre around favourite foods and drinks, Elizabeth was practically bouncing in her seat so great was her impatience. Jane noticed and cast her sister a warning glance. Just when she thought she could no longer contain her curiosity, the adults stumbled upon one of the few topics capable of distracting Elizabeth in that moment.
“You may not remember, Mrs. Gardiner, but years ago, we did meet.”
“Of course, I remember,” Mrs. Gardiner said, laughing just a little. “I was not certain you would.”
“I do indeed, you were charming and precocious.”
“I was impertinent.”
“Perhaps, but it was still charming.” Mr. Darcy shook his head slightly, and Elizabeth felt certain he was envisioning her genteel and perennially composed aunt as an impertinent child. She needed to know more.
“Will you not tell us the tale?” Her question might have been a little forward, but she had taken care to speak quietly and calmly—more like Jane than herself.
“I am perfectly willing,” Mr. Darcy answered with more warmth than she had expected. “However, I would not want to make Mrs. Gardiner uncomfortable in any way.”
Displaying some of her own natural playfulness, Mrs. Gardiner quickly replied, “Since you are convinced I was charming, not impertinent, I suppose I need not be afraid.”
“I believe I indicated your impertinence was charming.” He smiled at her and then—to the great surprise of all the ladies present—turned and winked at the girls. Elizabeth was enchanted.
Dropping all pretence of disinterest, she eagerly asked for the story.
“Are you certain? I would not want to tarnish the image you have of your aunt.” The formal delivery combined with theteasing statement brought to mind, for Elizabeth, another Mr. Darcy.
