“It is strange. All is strange in this matter,” Mr Gardiner said gravely. “I believe we must prepare for the worst—that Miss Henry is already Mrs Fitzwilliam.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “No; the Colonel forms his decisions after mature reflection.”
“But she persuaded him to take employment at the War Office,” Mr Gardiner persisted.
“Yes, but I am persuaded it was his own choice. He wished to be stationed in London and near his family. They did not even announce their engagement officially. You recall that Lord Matlock was displeased when Lady Matlock first mentioned it. It was kept as a kind of secret, at Miss Henry’s request.”
There were many particulars in their possession, yet they did not compose a whole.
“Yet what shall happen if the Colonel is already married?” asked Elizabeth.
Darcy hesitated to answer, yet he realised that in their present situation it was better to unveil all the details. After all, Elizabeth and her uncle were their sole allies.
“Lord Matlock will seek an audience with the Secretary of State for War and the Colonies.”
“And who holds the office?” Elizabeth continued asking, aware of how little she knew of affairs in London.
“Henry Bathurst, third Earl Bathurst,” replied her uncle, while Mr Darcy inclined his head.
“Indeed, he bears the charge of the army’s administration, though the Commander-in-Chief of the Forces is Prince Frederick, the Duke of York, who directs military command. I believe, however, that the Duke of York is better suited to such a discourse.”
“But what will Lord Matlock say to him?” Elizabeth pressed on, her face now wholly overcome with disquiet. “How can a father declare that his son is married to a spy?”
“We must cease conjecture,” Darcy spoke with determination. “Let us concentrate on what we know for sure and agree on how to treat the colonel.”
It was wise; their discourse only multiplied confusion and frustrations. They halted to change horses, and the fine weather tempted them to walk a little. Mr Gardiner refused to accompany them, wishing to allow them ten minutes in private.
Looking about, Mr Gardiner saw children at play and couples strolling. He recalled, with a smile of mingled nostalgia and amusement, how, in his youth, he had been obliged to attend his sisters whenever they walked in Meryton with their suitors. He had cared little for such duties until the day he forgot to join Jenny and Mr Bennet, choosing instead to linger in a friend’s garden. He could still see his mother awaiting him on the upper stair, could still remember her scolding and the punishment, and above all, the happy days when they were yet intheir parents’ house. Times had changed; now the young enjoyed far greater liberty. Observing Elizabeth beside Mr Darcy, he pictured the joy at Longbourn when two daughters should be married to gentlemen of such distinction.
Elizabeth and Darcy walked in silence for several minutes. She held his arm, and that nearness and the silence sufficed to restore something of her composure, for whatever subject arose, their thoughts at length returned to the colonel.
“I am most sorry,” he said at last, and Elizabeth believed he spoke of his cousin.
“Yes, so am I. The colonel deserves a happy life.”
“I was thinking of something else,” Darcy confessed with candour, pressing her arm against his breast while his other hand enclosed hers. By that slight action, he awakened a storm of sensations within the soul and frame of his future wife, who yet endeavoured to conceal them beneath her parasol.
“Of what were you thinking?” she asked, hoping her voice might not betray her agitation. She was mistaken, for Darcy gently moved aside the parasol and saw the delightful flush that overspread her face. He understood then that even the least touch moved her deeply. Although he had wished to appear assured, even a little playful, he found himself no less affected whenever she was near him.
He drew a long breath, allowing her to perceive how profoundly he shared with her that same wonder and discovery. Their eyes met, and they felt that happiness was a state passing from one into the other, as if they were but one being. For a few moments, he forgot their discourse, but her smile recalled him, for he knew he must be relieved of the burden that had pressed upon him through the last days.
“I was arrogant enough to believe that we were above you, and I even declared it to you. I would give anything to efface that conversation—”
“I thought we had done with that subject,” she said firmly.
“I believe we must speak of all that has passed, and only then move forward.”
“My mother will never be other than she is. I will not even imagine what she may be saying now in Meryton and its neighbourhood,” Elizabeth said, and he regarded her attentively.
“I think that if we weigh the gossip of Meryton against what would be spoken in London were Richard to be married to a spy, the scale would fall heavily upon our family. A treason in war cannot be compared with the idle talk of ladies.”
“Then let us make no further comparison, no conjecture, nor bring the past between us. Let us wait with patience to see what the future may bring. Yet, at my mother’s first indiscretion, you must know that I shall look upon you with all possible severity if you permit yourself any remark—”
“I am assured of it,” he answered, lightened in spirit. He would have clasped her to him and pressed a kiss upon her lips, whispering in her ear how deeply he loved her, certain she would hear only a murmur, more stirred by the kiss than by the words.
But they turned again towards Mr Gardiner, somewhat more tranquil, for between them no doubt remained. However matters might fall, Darcy had accepted her family in its entirety, such as it was, and Elizabeth was prepared to stand by him, whatever might arise within his own.
“How are we to find the Colonel in Eastbourne?” Mr Gardiner asked when they were again upon the road.
