‘Lizzy, It seems Mr Darcy went to Longbourn yesterday to apologise to you.’
His niece’s eyes widened in shock. ‘He did what?’
Gardiner grinned. ‘It seems no one except your father told him that you are in town. Here, you may read his note and your father’s introduction yourself.’
Elizabeth read both documents aloud to a rapt audience. Darcy’s explanatory letter was concise and to the point without trying to excuse himself. Mr Bennet’s note was even briefer.
Dear Gardiner
Please tell my daughter that she may forgive Darcy… but only after giving him hell for a while.
Regards
Bennet
Elizabeth laughed out loud at her father’s idea of an introduction. ‘I wonder if that was also the reason why father sent Mr Darcy to Gracechurch Street? To test his resolve by having to go to Cheapside.’
‘I am afraid that was not your father’s doing. I may have forgotten to mention to him where we would be staying,’ Mr Gardiner said with a smile which was a mixture of equal parts contrition and amusement.
’I see,’ murmured Elizabeth as she turned thoughtful. ‘It speaks well of Mr Darcy’s basic character that without prompting he went to Longbourn and then to Cheapside to apologise,’ she mused aloud.
‘Indeed. It seems that his family and friends may have the right of it when they say that while he has fallen into bad habits, he is basically an honourable man,’ Mrs Gardiner was happy to agree since she had fond memories of the Darcy family from her time in Lambton.
‘I suppose I will have to wait and see.’
~T~
Lady Matlock was grateful that she had already extended the dinner invitation for this evening to the Gardiners and Bennets several days earlier.
All she had to do was to ensure the presence of her sons and Darcy to start bringing this unfortunate situation under control. She even took Richard’s last minute surprise guest in her stride.
There was only one issue which gave her cause for concern. She read the gossip column of the newspaper while her maid was fixing her hair and was dismayed to see the item mentioning her nephew.
It was now even more important that Darcy show up and apologise to Elizabeth. While Richard’s plan had been amusing, now the Fitzwilliam family reputation was on the line, unless the Bennet sisters could be convinced to counteract this pernicious although truthful rumour.
~T~
The Gardiners and the Bennet sisters arrived at Matlock House at precisely the time specified, where they were warmly welcomed by not only Lord and Lady Matlock, but also both their sons and Miss Darcy.
They had barely finished the introductions of the Earl of Matlock and Viscount Fanshaw, who had not met the guests before, when another guest was announced.
‘Mr Deveril,’ the butler said as Richard’s friend strode into the room.
‘Lady Matlock, I pray that Richard’s invitation of myself does not inconvenience you. Since he assured me that it would not, I simply could not resist but accept.’
‘Not at all… Mr Deveril,’ the lady replied with twinkling eyes when she stressed his title. ‘My son explained your connection to our guests and that you hoped to see Miss Bennet at your earliest opportunity after your arrival back in town,’ replied Lady Matlock graciously. As she spoke, she noted peripherally how Jane’s face had lit up at the gentleman’s entrance. It seemed Richard was correct in his estimation of their mutual attachment.
Jane had indeed been stunned when Deveril was announced and used the time while he greeted his hostess to bring her emotions and expression back under control.
Richard watched the greeting of his old friend and his new acquaintance with a satisfied smile. A few days earlier he had heard at his club from mutual acquaintances that the elusive Deveril had declared an interest in a young lady. While he was delighted that his old friend had met a lady whom he liked, he was even more pleased when he heard the name Jane Bennet. Therefore, when he ran into Deveriljust as the man arrived in town, he could not resist but invite him to dinner.
~T~
Greetings had just been completed when the last guest was shown into the drawing room.
Darcy, responding to the tone of the invitation, had indeed ensured to be impeccably presented in evening wear. As he walked into the room he was prepared to be just as coldly correct as his aunt. He was in the middle of bowing formally to the assembled company when his eyes fell on Elizabeth.
The shock of seeing the lady in such an unexpected location, caused Darcy to forget about his good intentions as he straightened up and blurted out, ‘Miss Elizabeth? What are you doing here? I looked for you in Cheapside. How did you get into my aunt’s house?‘
