She turned an incredulous look upon him. “Why start now? You have not troubled yourself at any other point this evening.”
He did not dignify that with a response; he had been happily attending to her relations for the last several hours while she scowled in silence. “I need to speak to you about your mother.”
“I really think you have said everything you need to say on that subject. I perfectly comprehend your sentiments.”
“No, you do not—you cannot. But it is imperative that you do.”
“What is your meaning?”
“Will you visit my sister tomorrow so that I might explain?”
“Lizzy, are you ready?” Mrs Gardiner said, coming around the table. “Oh, I beg your pardon, Mr Darcy. I did not mean to interrupt.”
“Not at all, madam. I was just explaining to Miss Elizabeth that my sister tasked me with inviting her to call at Berkeley Square tomorrow.”
Elizabeth looked miserably uncomfortable. She cast her aunt a plaintive look, but if she was hoping for rescue, Mrs Gardiner did not provide it.
“We have no other engagements, Lizzy.”
“But Jane is ill, and we cannot both leave her.”
“My sister’s companion will be present,” Darcy said quickly, remembering Elizabeth’s attempt to escape Lady Rothersea’s invitation by a similar method. “You need not be concerned about coming alone.”
“Well, that is settled, then. I shall let Benjamin know you will need the carriage,” Mr Gardiner said, after which Elizabeth seemed to comprehend that she had no choice but to accept. She thanked Darcy with an air of helplessness and followed her aunt out of the room. The look she gave him as she left made him feel strangely untethered.
“Port or brandy, sir?” Mr Gardiner asked.
Darcy slid back into his chair. “Port, please.”
The servant placed a bottle and two glasses on the table, then left.
“I’ll not keep you in here long,” Mr Gardiner said as he uncorked and poured the port. “But I did want a moment of your time. I expect you have been wondering why I invited you to dine with us.”
Darcy was taken aback by the unexpected beginning. “No, I cannot say that I have.”
“Well, that is to your credit, but I did have a purpose, and it is this—I should like to address the matter of the rumours that appear to be circulating, concerning you and my niece.”
“Oh?” Darcy said, instantly wary. He sincerely hoped the man was not about to try and force his hand.
“Yes. My wife and I wished to assure you that they have not arisen because of anything that has been said or done by any member of this family. Neither will they be encouraged by any of us. I understand that Lizzy has been invited to a soiree as a consequence of it all, but rest assured, she is far too sensible to be drawn in by a little foolish tittle-tattle.”
He sighed heavily and shook his head. “That said, Mrs Gardiner and I know how society can be, and weareconscious of the difference in our stations, even if my niece does not like to admit it. Therefore, allow me to assure you that we shall do whatever we can to disassociate ourselves from these reports. I can only apologise for any inconvenience you have suffered. Your sister’s invitation for Lizzy to call is one that I hope neither of you felt obliged to offer.”
“Your assurances are welcome but entirely unnecessary. I know very well that Miss Elizabeth does not take such folly seriously.”
“I am heartened to hear you say as much, sir! And I shall rest a good deal easier now that I have been able to assure you of our equal probity.”
‘Our equal probity’. The words took their time dying on the air, seeming to join with the recollection of Elizabeth’s hurt expression to make Darcy feel queasy.
“Shall we go through, then?” Mr Gardiner announced.
Darcy nodded and followed him in troubled silence. Elizabeth did not look at him when they entered. He wondered whether she had been privy to what her uncle had planned to say—whether she had asked him to say it. He wished she would look at him; he suddenly felt in desperate need of being anchored in the way that only she seemed capable of doing.
“Is everything well?” Mrs Gardiner asked her husband.
“Perfectly so,” he replied amiably. “Now, I wonder whether we might prevail upon Lizzy to play for us?”
Darcy looked at Elizabeth hopefully. He might as well have not been there; she did not look at him or anyone else as she moved to the instrument and asked her uncle what she ought to play.
