“Mr. Darcy. I am Mrs. Madeline Gardiner. Welcome. You are already acquainted with my niece.” The lady’s bearing was graceful and genteel; no one unfamiliar with her husband’s profession would ever suspect that she belonged to trade. She did not flinch at the sight of his countenance, as so many new acquaintances did, and for that, he was quietly grateful.
“Yes. I am pleased to see Miss Mary again, of course. Is Miss Elizabeth also at home?” He looked about with hope, striving to remain composed.
“No.” Miss Mary's answer came swiftly and with unmistakable sharpness—her single word cutting him like a knife. “My sister left this morning.”
Mrs. Gardiner gestured for Darcy to be seated.
“Did she return to Hertfordshire?” He would follow her to the ends of the earth if needs be.
“Forgive me, sir, but I fail to understand why you care.” Miss Mary’s glare made it plain—she knew everything, and clearly, her opinion was far from favorable.
“Mary, be kind to our guest,” her aunt interjected gently, though her tone held a trace of coolness. Her manner, like Miss Mary’s, betrayed no fondness for him.So,Darcy thought grimly,she knows, too.
“I wished to speak with her…of everything.” He did not know what else he could say. It was evident the two ladies before him knew precisely what had occurred, and neither approved. “Pray, will you tell me where she has gone?”
“My sister’s affairs are her own.” Miss Mary folded her arms, her glower unwavering.
Perspiration rose along Darcy’s brow. He had expected a cool welcome, but this reception tested even his resolve. Still, he could not give up.
“Mrs. Gardiner, Miss Mary,” he said earnestly. “I am very aware of how badly I have conducted myself. I can offer no acceptable excuse and must blame a diminished sense of my own consequence—an affliction I have carried since boyhood. All I wish is for an opportunity to apologize to Miss Elizabeth. I cannot do so in writing; we have no formal understanding, and she would be within her rights to disregard my letter. If, after hearing me, she still wishes nothing to do with me, I shall accept her decision without protest. But pray, will you help me?”
The ladies exchanged a glance. Some unspoken understanding passed between them, and Miss Mary gave a barely perceptiblenod before turning back to him. A mischievous glint brightened her countenance. “She is in Kent,” she said, amusement coloring her tone. “Hunsford, to be precise.”
He blinked. “Are you in earnest?” It seemed too fortuitous to believe. “My aunt—”
“Yes, my cousin, Mr. Collins, is your aunt’s parson. Do not you recall?” Miss Mary smirked again. “Elizabeth is visitingMrs. Collins.”
Color rose to his cheeks. “Mr. Bingley mentioned Miss Lucas had married,” he mumbled. Clearly, they had puzzled out much of his reason for quitting Hertfordshire. At the very least, they suspected as much.
“Oh, so you passed through Hertfordshire before coming to London?” He must have said something to recommend himself, for Miss Mary’s manner grew noticeably warmer. They conversed comfortably for another quarter hour before he rose to depart.
“I fear I must take my leave,” he said. “I am pleased to come to know you better, Mrs. Gardiner, and to see you, too, Miss Mary. Now, it appears I have pressing business if I am to set out for Kent on the morrow.”
His horses should by now be well rested after the trip from Hertfordshire; if not, he could change them at Bromley. His valet might object, as his trunk would need to be repacked.
The ladies offered farewells, and he left the house. The drive back to Darcy House brought with it a different sort of anxiety. He had, by all appearances, gained the approval—and perhaps even the forgiveness—of the ladies at Gracechurch Street. But he knew full well: winning Elizabeth’s would not come so easily.
Elizabeth
Sir William and Maria Lucas arrived to collect Elizabeth at nine o’clock. It was early, but they meant to reach Kent by tea time. Mrs. Gardiner sent her with a basket of victuals: a crusty brown loaf, cheese, and some dried fruit. A few biscuits, wrapped neatly in a square of linen, were also included. The Lucases brought their own hamper, well filled, and they agreed to stop only if necessary.
The roads were good and the weather fair. Sir William’s well-sprung carriage made for a comfortable journey. Elizabeth sat gazing out the window, admiring the landscape. The country was showing all the signs of spring. Leaves had begun to green, and the fields and hedgerows were just beginning to bloom. Even the roadside verges were dotted with early wildflowers, adding to the charm of the landscape. Conversation flowed easily, with Sir William and Maria keeping the mood light. Before long, Elizabeth found her thoughts no longer lingered on Mr. Darcy, nor did it feel as though she had fled London to escape him.
“My Charlotte has written of the parsonage at length,” Sir William declared proudly. “She enjoys her parish duties, too, and writes that she keeps chickens and pigs.” He beamed. “I have every hope for her felicity as Mrs. Collins.”
“I could not be more delighted by my friend’s contented state.” Elizabeth spoke sincerely, though she still wondered how her dearest friend would fare with a husband so entirely devoted to the opinions of another lady of consequence. “Charlotte is the most deserving of women. I cannot tell you how eager I am to see her again. It has been an age. Why, I do not believe we have been parted so long since my come-out.”
Maria nodded in agreement. “I feel very much the same, Lizzy. She is my only sister, you know. Now I am trapped in a housefull of gentlemen with only my mother for company.” She pulled a face.
Elizabeth laughed. “I am certain my father would commiserate with you, Maria, though his situation is quite the opposite. I dare say he feels the same, surrounded by the plethora of women within Longbourn’s household.” Sir William joined their laughter, and Elizabeth felt her heart grow lighter.
Around the midpoint of their journey, they paused to stretch their legs. Elizabeth strolled about the yard before a handsome inn, where the carriage now waited. They had stopped in Bromley, at The Bell Inn, a fashionable establishment that catered to wealthier patrons. Another inn stood several miles distant, but Sir William, being a knight, preferred to stop where the company would reflect his station.
As she strolled, Elizabeth observed other travelers milling about. Ladies in fashionable attire walked on the arms of gentlemen of equal consequence. A few children trailed behind, with maids and governesses following to attend them.
“Come now, Miss Elizabeth. It is time to depart.” Sir William appeared at her side. “Only a few hours remain, I believe.” He offered his arm, and together they returned to the carriage. Maria already waited within, one of the baskets resting on the seat beside her, the cloth pulled back to reveal the delights within.
“Will you have some bread and cheese, Lizzy?” she asked, holding out a napkin with a generous portion of each. Elizabeth accepted it gratefully and ate in thoughtful silence as their journey resumed. In time, Sir William dozed, and Maria followed soon after, leaving Elizabeth alone with her thoughts. Inevitably, they turned to Mr. Darcy, and the ache she had tried so diligently to suppress stirred once more.
