From her conversations with the Greaves at Falconwood, she had learnt through the anecdotes the butler’s father and mother had related what the big mistake the previous master and mistress had made. It had been to relentlessly indulge and spoil their son. He had been an only child and after waiting many years to conceive, his mother had had a very hard, almost life ending, birth.
Were William to propose, she was sure he would agree with her that, son or daughter, this child would be raised with limits and never spoilt. Rather, he or she would have a loving father in William and would be raised to be honourable.
Revelling in one another’s company, there was not much more conversation until they returned to Hertfordshire House. “Until eleven,” William stated as he bowed over her hand and then kissed it.
"Until eleven,” Elizabeth repeated dreamily.
She stood and watched until William rode out of her field of vision and then floated into her house passing a bemused butler who had been holding the front door open for some minutes.
Chapter 34
As the clock in the hall struck eleven, Hertfordshire House’s butler answered the front door, and like the Duchess had told him to expect, the younger Mr. Darcy was the one waiting to enter the house.
“I believe Her Grace is expecting me,” William stated as the butler took his hat and gloves.
“She is Mr. Darcy, however before announcing you to the mistress, her guardians would like to meet with you in the study,” the butler informed the guest.
On her return from the park, Elizabeth had informed her Uncle Frank of what had transpired and the fact she had agreed to a private interview with William Darcy. Philips sent a note to Gardiner, who had arrived a half hour before William’s visit.
William had been somewhat nervous at having to see her guardians prior to his interview. Afterwards, he had fully expected to approach them. When he entered the study and took note of the fact both men looked like they always did and he could detect no anger in them, William relaxed.
“We would not be doing our duty as Lizzy’s guardians if we did not speak with you prior to your seeing her,” Gardiner began. “Let me preface this by telling you we are not here to question your honour and nor do we believe, even for the smallest measure of time, your interest in Lizzy is sparked by her vast, and for a lady, unprecedented wealth.”
At Gardiner’s words, with Philips nodding his agreement, any tension William felt was banished.
“The reason we wanted to speak to you is to tell you we will not approve an engagement today…” Philips took over.
All of his tension returned. Did the two men before him think he was not good enough for their niece? Thankfully William said nothing.
“…what we want is for you to request only a courtship,” Philips completed.
“We think ultimately you and Lizzy will be the ideal pairing, but you know her history and the way she was forced to marry that…sorry excuse for a man!” It was a statement not a question. Gardiner was aware William knew all regarding Lizzy’s relationship and reason for marrying the man who had been below contempt. “From what our niece has related to us, you and she met only a few days prior to Easter, is that accurate?”
“It is,” William acknowledged.
“That is the reason for our request. We would like you to court her for three months, to really get to know one another. We do not want her to feel she must marry now only to eradicate the stain of that man; we want her to choose to marry for positive reasons.” Gardiner paused. “We are not saying that if you two marry now it will not be for the right motivations, but after what she has experienced over the past almost year, we do not want to take any chances with her future happiness.”
“At the end of that time, if you offer a proposal of marriage, and she accepts, we will bestow our permission and blessing unreservedly,” Philips added.
William cogitated on the uncles’ words for some minutes. The more he did so, the more he began to see flaws in their plan.
“On one condition will I agree to your restrictions,” William responded. “Have you spoken to Lady Elizabeth and explained why you feel the way you do?”
“We decided to have the conversation with you first,” Gardiner admitted.
“Then are you not doing the very thing you are trying to guard against? Taking away her choices?” William pushed.
Both uncles looked sheepish. There was no denying the logic of William’s words. “You want us all to speak to Elizabeth first, do you not?” Gardiner realised.
“You have the right of it. If Lady Elizabeth agrees then I am happy to comply,” William informed the two men. “However, if she convinces you she knows her own mind and her choice is not the one you prefer, do both of you give your word of honour you will respect her choice?”
“I agree,” Gardiner stated.
“As do I,” Philips added.
“In wanting to make sure she is able to make her own choices, we almost deprived her of one,” Gardiner said stoically.
“Unlike her former parents, never mind the terrible, criminal man she was married to, you both only had her best interests at heart,” William stated.
