Bennet did not bother hiding his smirk.“Very well.If you can wait a moment, I will send a note for my brother with you.”
Darcy’s coach was entering London when he called out to the coachman to go to Gracechurch Street instead of his Mayfair address.Soon he was being let into the Gardiners’ home and led to the drawing room.
“Mr.Darcy!”cried Mrs.Gardiner.“We did not expect to see you this evening.”She smiled and stood to greet him.
“I have only just come from Hertfordshire.I have a letter for your husband from Mr.Bennet and another for Miss Elizabeth.”
“How very kind of you to deliver them.Please, do be seated.”She gestured him to the seat across from her and took the letters.“My husband will be home shortly.Elizabeth is with the children and their nurse, but I expect them back any moment.”
Darcy nodded, not knowing how to speak to Mrs.Gardiner.She was a kind woman, and a good hostess, that much was clear, but he did not know what he could have in common with her.They shared no acquaintance, did not move in the same circles, and never attended the same events.Or did they?
“Are you fond of the theater, Mrs.Gardiner?”
“I am.I enjoy a well-performed opera and Shakespearean comedies best.What are your preferences?”
They spoke for some time on the various shows they had seen and which performers they favored.
“Of course, it is no surprise he is a favorite,” said Mrs.Gardiner with a sly smile.“He is from Derbyshire.”
“Are you from Derbyshire, Mrs.Gardiner?”asked Darcy with interest.
“From five years of age until I turned seventeen.My father was the doctor in Lambton until he retired and moved us to the coast.”
“Your father was Mr.Holly?”
“Yes!Did you know him?”
“He set my arm when I broke it in a riding accident when I was ten.”
Mrs.Gardiner made a sympathetic face.“I imagine you did not think too fondly of him after that.”
“Not immediately, no,” he chuckled.“But I soon learned what a service he had done me.”He sipped his tea and shook his head.“Miss Elizabeth mentioned she had an aunt from Derbyshire, but I did not remember it until just now.Forgive me, Mrs.Gardiner.I am not usually so absentminded.”
“That is quite all right, Mr.Darcy.It is understandable under the circumstances.”
Darcy flushed under her knowing smile and laughing eyes.He cleared his throat.“Have you returned to Derbyshire often since moving away?”
“Only once, though I maintain a correspondence with a few friends there.We are taking a trip to the Lakes this summer and plan to stop in Lambton for a few days.Elizabeth shall accompany us, I believe.”
“Yes, I recall her mentioning it.When you come to Lambton, I would be pleased for you all to stay at Pemberley.My sister and I generally spend the summer there—we would be delighted to have you.”
“That is very generous of you, Mr.Darcy.I shall speak to my husband and let you know.”
He nodded and was spared further comment by the sound of children running into the house.Their nurse scolded them into removing their outerwear before running up the stairs.Darcy took the moment of distraction to think about his impromptu invitation.Mrs.Gardiner was genteel, and Elizabeth was everything perfect, but would Mr.Gardiner be an appropriate guest for Pemberley?He was in trade and his sister was Mrs.Bennet.He felt a tiny bit of shame that the latter disturbed him more than the former.
There was nothing to be done for it now.The invitation had been given.He would just have to hope Mr.Gardiner was as genteel as his wife.He could hardly be a worse guest than Mr.Hurst, who spent the entire time he was in residence anywhere eating, drinking, or sleeping when he was not playing cards and losing money he could ill afford.
“Mr.Darcy!”Elizabeth entered the room and smiled at him brightly.“I did not expect to see you again today.”
He bowed over her hand.“I hope the surprise is not unwelcome.”
“Not at all.I shall have to dress for dinner soon, but would you like to take a walk while the sun is still bright?”
“I should be delighted.”
Elizabeth looked to her aunt who nodded and then addressed Darcy.“I hope you will join us for dinner, Mr.Darcy.Mr.Bingley will be joining us as well, and I know my husband is anxious to meet you.”
He looked to Elizabeth and saw her hopeful expression.“I would be delighted.But I have not time to return home to change.”
