Chapter 32
Darcy’s hands were shaking. He pulled them behind his back to hide them. He hadn’t spoken to Elizabeth since the disastrous proposals at Hunsford. When he had returned home, after hearing his Uncle’s news two afternoons hence. He had blushed, remembering his words to Elizabeth when he had proposed.
How she must have laughed at him speaking of his vaulted connections. Had she known at that time that her father was to be made an Earl? If she had, no wonder she had refused him. The attractive daughter of an Earl could marry much higher than a wealthy landed gentleman. No matter how high his connections. Even if she had not known. She had still had a connection to the Prince Regent himself. And a debt had been owed her family from that quarter.
Now he waited in nervous anticipation to see her again. He did not bother to lie to himself. He had never given up the hopes of winning her hand. He had spent the last two months trying to come up with ideas of how to win her. Bingley had given up the lease of Netherfield. He had received an anonymous offer to buy out the term at a price he could not refuse. Darcy had contacted Mr Philip’s, Elizabeth’s Uncle, and the agent for the landlord. He had tried to take the lease himself. Thinking that once the Milita had left for Brighton, he would return to Hertfordshire. He would bring Georgina with him and try again. But the lease was not available. Darcy hadbeen unable to think of another reason to be in the County. And now Elizabeth was on her way to his Uncle’s house.
He knew that winning her would be even more difficult now. There would be competition which had not existed in Meryton. Or indeed in Kent. Richard had admired her when they had met. But Richard needed an heiress. Darcy had to wonder at his Uncle thinking they might suit. Mayhap he was unaware of the Bennet girls lack of dowries.
“Lord Meryton, Lady Meryton, Lady Jane Bennet, Lady Elizabeth Bennet and Lady Mary Bennet,” Hodgkins announced, then paused for a breath before adding, Mr Gardiner and Mrs Gardiner.
Darcy barely spared the fashionable couple a glance. He had eyes only for Elizabeth. The Matlocks stood to greet them. Richard sauntered over to stand beside him. He had tried to have a conversation with Darcy, about Elizabeth when he had arrived. But Darcy’s monosyllabic responses had halted the discussion. There she was, Darcy’s held breath escaped in a rush. She was even more radiant than he had remembered. Her emerald gown made her eyes flash even brighter than he remembered.
“Steady old man,” Richard said beside him. And Darcy nodded taking deep breaths to bring himself under regulation. Darcy had not told Richard of his failed proposal. But he thought perhaps Richard, who knew him better than any other, had guessed his feelings for Elizabeth.
Lord and Lady Matlock greeted Lord and Lady Meryton. Darcy dragged his eyes from Elizabeth to look at her mother. He had never though Mrs Bennet a beauty. But seeing her now, dressed in finery to match Lady Matlock’s he had to admit she was near an older version of her eldest daughter.
She spoke to Lord and Lady Matlock in a tone far different to the one he had been used to in Hertfordshire.She had been loud and, in his opinion brash, when they had previously met. Now, she was the picture of a refined lady. Not just her attire. Her manner of walking, her gentle smile, and something in her tone. Everything marked her as a lady of class. Darcy found himself smiling. Recalling one of the evenings at Netherfield when Miss Bingley had listed all the requirements for a lady to be accomplished for Elizabeth. Lady Meryton was now the exemplification of the very lady she had described.
And as for the Gardiners. Miss Bingley had denigrated them many times. Even doing so while Elizabeth and Jane Bennet stayed at Netherfield. And more than once Darcy had been sure that Elizabeth had heard her pronouncement of embarrassment on their behalf, on having family in trade. Who were living in Gracechurch Street as well. But these relatives need not embarrass the Bennets. Mr Gardiner was a well dress man of good sense. And his wife was an attractive fashionable lady, not more than ten years Darcy’s senior. He had been most gratified when it turned out she was from the very neighbourhood of Pemberly. He also received the information of her having known his parents with satisfaction. His opinion of her rose even further when she ended the report of the acquaintance by saying.
“We moved in very different circles,” she qualified her account thusly.
“Well Mr Darcy,” Lord Meryton addressed him. “This is a fine to do, is it not?” he asked. The twinkle in his eye very reminiscent of Elizabeth when she had teased him in Hertfordshire and Kent.
“Lord Meryton,” Darcy said with a bow. “It is a pleasure to meet you again,” he replied.
“Is it?” Lord Meryton queried. “I had not thought you so fond of us that you would be pleased to renew the acquaintance,” he added.
Darcy blushed, he knew he had not shown himself to any advantage in Hertfordshire. Elizabeth had pointed out his lack of manners and pride to him in no uncertain terms. And it seemed clear that Elizabeth had concealed his failed proposal from her family. He did not know now whether he should be grateful or not. It would certainly make him trying to win her, with her father believing his interest due to their new circumstance, more difficult. Darcy did not wish the Earl to think that his change was due to their elevation. So he endeavoured to prove this not the case.
“Indeed it is a pleasure. Having renewed my acquaintance with Miss Elizabeth,” he said, and then changed it to “Lady Elizabeth, in Kent. I feel that I have better come to understand your family. The failure to do so while in Hertfordshire is, I know entirely my fault.”
Lord Meryton raised his eyebrows at this news.
“Ah yes,” he said looking thoughtful. “Now that you mention it I think Elizabeth did mention that you had visited your Aunt during her stay at Hunsford.” He gave Darcy such a look that he thought mayhap he had seen something he had not before.
Darcy continued, saying, “I have not the talent which some people possess of conversing easily with those I have never seen before. I cannot catch their tone of conversation, nor appear interested in their concerns, as I often see done. It takes me time and familiarity to be at ease.”
“Well said,” Lord Meryton praised, and gave him a clap on the back and turned to accept the introduction to Richard, which was performed by his father.
And finally she was there, before him.
“Miss Elizabeth,” he said, his voice sounding breathless even to his own ears. He felt himself blush as he stutteringly corrected himself. “Lady Elizabeth,” he said, and then noting her sister at her side, he added, “Lady Jane.” He bowed and both ladies curtsied in return. Elizabeth’s face also held a becoming blush as she responded.
“Mr Darcy,” her tone light and unaffected. Her sister echoed her greeting. There was a look of sympathy on Lady Jane’s face, which indicated that she, unlike her father, was aware of what had occurred in Kent.
“Colonel Fitzwilliam,” Elizabeth acknowledged Richard with a curtsied and he bowed and replied.
“I am most pleased to see you again Lady Elizabeth,” he said.
“And I you,” Elizabeth responded, causing Darcy’s heart to seize in disappointment. Was Elizabeth in love with Richard? He wondered. He hoped not. “Allow me to introduce you to my sisters,” she continued. It was only then that Darcy noticed the other attractive brunette. It took him some moments to realise it was Mary Bennet.
She looked so different that he had not recognised her at all. She did not look like either of her elder sisters. But there was a new confidence in her bearing. Which was well deserved. She had previously looked plain but not anymore. Her royal blue gown brought out her blue eyes, which were a match to her eldest sister’s. And her hair had been styled most becomingly around her pretty face. Had he see her on the street he would not have thought her to be the same person.
The introductions to Richard completed. Darcy acknowledged Mary.
“Lady Mary,” he said, “you look very fine,” and was rewarded with a shy smile and a curtsy.
“Thank you Mr Darcy,” she replied. “I hope you are keeping well?”
He assured her that he was keeping very well and Mary nodded in acknowledgement of his reply. He realised that she was shy. She must have hidden herself due to her shyness. And Darcy found he felt a brotherly tug in his heart for her. For seeing her now, her manner reminded him very much of Georgina. He would have loved to be able to put her at ease. But as he had owned to Mr Bennet. He did not have that skill. Thankfully, Richard was there to do the service.
Richard teased Elizabeth and brought the other two ladies along with the conversation. And soon, he had all three smothering giggles. Darcy felt a touch of jealously for Richard’s ability to make friends everywhere he went. But he was secretly glad to have him at his side at this first, most difficult of meetings.
