From the first moment he had seen them, Darcy had been surprised at how fashionable Elizabeth’s aunt and uncle were, having somehow absorbed some negative assumptions from Caroline Bingley—an admittedly stupid thing to do, given thefacts that she had never met the Gardiners and that she disdained everyone. Now, after tromping through tall grass and wading through streams with the man, Darcy realised that he enjoyed everything about him; he felt as if he had made a new friend.
Darcy had advised Cook that, not only were there three extra mouths to feed until further notice, but that the night’s meal would feature fresh-caught fish. She seemed pleased with the quantity and quality of the fish the men provided, and that night everyone complimented the men’s catch and Cook’s simple sauce in themeunièrestyle.
When Georgiana timidly led Elizabeth and Mrs Gardiner to the drawing room after the meal, Darcy asked Elizabeth’s uncle if he preferred port or some other drink. He waved his hand towards the bottles of brandy and cognac, but before he could specifically mention the other options, Gardiner said, “Oh, I enjoy port, thank you.”
Once both men had a glass, Darcy was ready to suggest one or two sights to see in the next few days, but he was forestalled by Mr Gardiner asking an unexpected question: “I had heard from my niece last autumn that she had met you, but now that I have spent some time in the same room with both of you, I feel compelled to ask what your intentions are towards Elizabeth.”
Darcy opened his mouth, closed it again, and hoped against hope that an honest answer would not result in Elizabeth being whisked away.
He looked down into his glass rather than meeting Gardiner’s gaze. “Last autumn, I fell in love with Miss Elizabeth. However, she did not fall in love with me. A month ago, we ran into one another while I visited my aunt and she visited her friend, who is married to my aunt’s parson; we were much in company again, and I realised that my feelings for her had not diminished, as I had expected; rather, they had increased.I proposed marriage, and when she turned me down, she thoroughly explained why.”
Taking a sip of port and running a hand through his hair, Darcy said, “She laid two counts against my character, one based on a misunderstanding, and the other based on misinformation told to her by a person she assumed to be credible. We were able to clear these up through further communication. However, her counts against my manners were legitimate faults on my part. I have promised her that I am attempting to do better in every criticism levelled at me.”
He finally raised his eyes to Gardiner’s and was comforted by the man’s kindness. “I would like to have the opportunity to raise her regard for me, and if she signals an openness to a renewal of my offer, I will do so. But I would not wish to make her feel uncomfortable in any way. I welcome you at Pemberley—or, indeed, at any of my homes—and such an invitation is not contingent on her agreeing to marry me. Her happiness is the most important factor in our relationship, and I know she could never be happy if she felt pressured or bribed.”
Darcy finished off his port and placed his glass on the side table. Gardiner was smiling as he said, “I know that Lizzy is not mercenary, but I have to admit that I never thought she would receive such an astonishing proposal, and I am quite astounded that she turned you down.” He flicked his eyes around Pemberley’s smallest dining room: the beautiful mahogany table and matching sideboard with brass accents, the elegant chairs, the large candelabra on the table and sconces on the walls, the flowing silk curtains. “Given the fact that she turned you down once, if you do convince her to marry you, you will always know that it isyoushe has said yes to, not all of this.”
Nodding, Darcy said, “One of the many things that I admire about Miss Elizabeth is her integrity.”
Gardiner put his empty glass down. “For what it is worth, Darcy, I wish you luck.”
Glad to have Gardiner’s approval, Darcy quickly rose, asking, “Shall we?”
“A moment.” Gardiner stood, too, and touched Darcy’s arm with a single finger. “I do not wish to insult your honour, sir, but I will arrange it so that my wife sleeps in the same room with Elizabeth while under your roof.”
Blushing with embarrassment, Darcy nodded. “I understand, sir. You know that I am almost a father to my sister; of course I understand your need to protect your niece.”
Nodding decisively, Gardiner stood back and allowed Darcy to lead the way to the drawing room.
The three women sat close together, chatting happily, with Elizabeth and Georgiana sharing a settee and Mrs Gardiner sitting in a wing-back chair. Gardiner and Darcy sat opposite them on two Thomas Hope chairs. Gardiner suggested that they discuss places they hoped to visit in the Peak District. Darcy took advantage of the opening to explain that it might be wise to stagger days enjoying the amenity of Pemberley with days in the carriage, sightseeing elsewhere.
He said, “If we travel to Buxton, to see St. Anne’s Well and other sights, we could stay overnight at one of the lodging houses in the Crescent and then see Poole’s Cavern, which is just one mile farther, the next day, along with Mam Tor. On another day, we could tour Devil’s Arse, Eldon Hole, and Lymeston.”
Elizabeth said, “You forgot something.”
“Forgot?”
“I believe your list of sights to see was taken fromDe Mirabilus Pecci,” she said. “And, if so, you forgot the Ebbing and Flowing Well.”
Smiling, Darcy asked, “You know Latin?”
“Only a little,” she replied. “I read a translation.”
“Well, I would have saidMagnus expectatio saepe ad destitutionem ducit, but I suppose I should instead say?—”
“Great expectation…leads to disappointment?” she suggested.
Darcy chuckled. “‘Only a little Latin,’ she says as she translates entire sentences.” He shook his head. “As usual, I am astounded at the breadth of your knowledge.”
“Breadth, not depth. I am afraid that I have only a quarter inch of depth on any given topic.”
“Well, getting back to the topic at hand, let me explain that I did not, in fact, forget the Ebbing and Flowing Well; the disappointing truth is that human activities have disrupted the conditions that caused the changing water levels that gave the well its name. Even decades ago, there was pretty much no ebbing nor flowing. One of Thomas Hobbes’sWonders of the Peakis no more.”
Mrs Gardiner laughingly said, “So, that particular sight is lost to us, and before any more natural wonders are disrupted or destroyed, let us make our plans. I for one should love to see Poole’s Cavern again….”
Three
The next daywas bright and clear, and Darcy checked to ensure that the arrangements he made the evening before were in place. He had written a thank you note to accompany an order of the Coalport sucrier bowl and comports that would match the tea set owned by the cobbler and his wife.
