“Surely there is no need? She is more than capable of dealing with her tenants,” said Colonel Fitzwilliam with a shrug. “More than likely, she’ll ignore any suggestions we give her anyway. Leave her to deal with whoever it is.”
“I am concerned about the tenant, not our aunt. Her steward Russell wrote to tell me about his situation. The tenant, Mr. Preston, was conscripted into the army to fight Napoleon. He was away for two years but they discharged him after being permanently disabled by a leg wound. He has been trying his best to work as diligently as before, and his family had been doing what they can to help, but now our aunt wants to evict him for not paying his rent during his absence.”
Elizabeth drew a shocked breath. “How could she expect him to pay when he was doing his duty to King and Country?”
Darcy nodded his head grimly. “Exactly.”
“Unfortunately, Miss Bennet,” said the colonel, “it is a common problem our wounded soldiers face when they return after fighting. They are forcibly conscripted, leaving their families to manage in their absence, and then they are left desolate afterwards. Darcy and I are in the process of setting up a charity to provide assistance in finding employment with sympathetic landlords or in the cities.”
He turned to Darcy. “I wish I could deal with the matter, but I have been charged with training some new recruits.”
“Very well,” said Darcy, “I will ride over myself and talk to her. If she will not see sense, I will find him a position – at Pemberley if necessary. Though I hope it will not come to that. I would not wish him to be so far away from his family and friends.”
Elizabeth listened to this exchange with growing astonishment. She had thought Mr. Darcy a remote, haughty kind of gentleman, who, like many landowners, concerned himself very little with the welfare of his tenants. Instead, it was clear that his involvement went even further. He was also attending to the welfare of his aunt’s tenants! Elizabeth felt the ground shift under her feet. She had been so convinced that Mr. Darcy was a tyrant, but now everything was cast into doubt.
Birds of a feather flocked together. These were Darcy’s closest friends. They were not at all what she had expected. They were compassionate and thoughtful.
A series of events had led to Elizabeth making assumptions about him. What if they were all unfounded? It occurred to her now that she had taken Miss Darcy’s initial description of Mr. Darcy at face value. The young girl had complained bitterly about her brother’s absence, and Elizabeth had taken it as an indication of his indifference. However, from what she hadseen so far, he was very attentive to his sister’s security and happiness.
Then there were the words of that gentleman at the inn who had told her that Darcy had mistreated him. She had taken it as confirmation of Mr. Darcy’s ruthlessness when she had just experienced it. Now, she wondered why she had never thought to question what he said. After all, she knew nothing about him, not even his name. Looking back, she could see now that he had taken advantage of her moment of weakness to plant a suggestion in her mind.
“How do you find London, Miss Bennet? Has Miss Darcy taken you around yet? We must show Miss Bennet the sights, Darcy.”
“There is no need, I assure you, Mr. Bingley,” replied Elizabeth, “I have been in Town many times, and my aunt and uncle have taken me everywhere.”
“You have relatives in London?” replied Colonel Fitzwilliam. “It is possible my mother knows them. She knows everyone of any consequence.”
“I doubt it, Colonel Fitzwilliam,” she said, with a little laugh and a glint in her eye. A countess and her uncle had nothing in common. Let the colonel despise her if he will. “I do not think my uncle moves in the same circles. He is a merchant, and owns a warehouse in Cheapside.”
Elizabeth waited for him to recoil. Instead, the colonel smiled. “Cheapside is the beating heart of the city, is it not? That is where any commerce of any consequence is done.”
“It is indeed,” she said, warming up to him. “And where would Merry England be without its commerce?”
“Very true,” said Mr. Darcy, his eyes resting on her.
“Then let us raise our glasses to commerce and Merry England,” cried Mr. Bingley.
“You did not raise your glass, Georgiana,” said Elizabeth, “did you not like the toast?”
Georgiana blinked in confusion. “I did not know if it was proper of me to do so,” she said.
“Of course it is proper,” said Mr. Bingley, kindly. “You are among friends here, Miss Darcy. You may do as you please.”
“Really?” she said, looking at her brother for confirmation.
“Do not ask me,” said Mr. Darcy. “Ask Miss Bennet. She knows best. I have faith in her judgment.”
Elizabeth could hardly believe her ears. She searched Mr. Darcy for signs of mockery but saw none. He seemed completely serious.
“Mr. Bingley is right. You need not fear the censor of anyone at the table,” she answered, sincerely. “Everyone is perfectly amiable.”
“Did you hear that, Darcy?Everyoneis amiable,” said the colonel. “That must include you, though I find it hard to believe. Well then, we must raise our glasses once again so Georgiana can participate. A toast to friendships and amiable people.”
“To amiable people!” said everyone.
It was absurd, and Elizabeth could not help laughing. She would never have guessed it, but she was actually enjoying the dinner she had dreaded so much.
Nothing was as she had expected.
