“Forgive me, Aunt. You’re correct. I was smiling at the relief we all felt when the ship safely passed the South East Cape, as it is called, and could steer north towards Port Jackson.”
His aunt’s eyes tightened again. She may have detected his dissembling. Certainly, he wasn’t made for deceit. But there was no alternative. He must appear pleased with everything, particularly with Felicity.
“Cousin,” he turned to Felicity, “I attended a soiree some days ago, not the most refined company, being mainly merchants and the like. Some of the ladies claimed to be very accomplished, but I thought their claims suspect because, after all, they certainly didn’t have your education, being the daughter of an earl.”
Felicity looked to her mother. There was a slight hesitation in her manner, for she failed to grasp what Darcy was about.
“Oh, I attended the same seminary as Georgiana—but, of course, she was too young to attend when I was there.” Her eyes brightened. “I very much enjoyed school—drawing was my delight. Would you like to see some of my sketches? It’s said that I have a real aptitude. Georgiana asked that I sketch you because your only other portraits in the gallery at Pemberley have you looking too solemn and serious.”
“Certainly, I would enjoy viewing your folio. And a drawing of me? I could sit for you, but there’s little time before my father and I leave for Pemberley on Monday of the following week, the 12th of July.”
Darcy saw both his aunt and uncle relax. For the sake of some easy conversation during his sitting for Felicity, he was saved from being directly importuned to pay his addresses to her. He must be careful that no one sees Elizabeth’s likeness,painted by Joseph Lycett, now hanging in his chamber. Every night, he would look to her image and dream, as always, of his Lizzie safe in his embrace.
***
“Darcy, have you met Mr. Gardiner and his wife?” Bingley made the approach as the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Hurst gathered in the drawing-room prior to going into dinner.
“Indeed not,” replied Darcy, turning to the couple. “Though, I must admit, I’ve intelligence of you from ten thousand miles away in New South Wales.”
Mr. Gardiner was a sensible, gentleman-like man, greatly superior to most of the merchants and lesser gentry gathered in the room. His wife appeared to be an amicable, intelligent, and elegant woman.
“Well, sir! You must be acquainted with Mr. Robert Campbell, with whom I’ve done much business, but mostly trading with India rather than New Holland.” Mr. Gardiner chuckled. “I trust I am equal to his acclamation. My apologies, sir, I am remiss—Mr. Edward Gardiner and my wife, Mrs. Madelaine Gardiner.”
“Delighted to make your acquaintance… Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, now of London and Derbyshire, but recently of Sydney.”
The gentleman bowed, and the lady curtseyed. Darcy was struck, firstly, by the resemblance of Mr. Gardiner to Elizabeth—they both had the same strong features, and intelligent eyes, brimming with good humour; secondly, by the grace and decorum of Mrs. Gardiner—he could see whence Elizabeth had obtained her excellent comportment.
“You have returned from the colony? Were you acquainted with our niece, Miss Elizabeth Bennet? I believe she travelled with Mr. Bent, the judge-advocate, but he has since returned.”
“Miss Bennet, a lovely lady.” Darcy felt it best to provide just sufficient information to forestall more detailed questioning. Mrs. Gardiner was looking at him rather intently. Unconsciously, he blushed. “Indeed, after Mr. Bent departed the colony, Miss Bennet came under my protection when I acceded to the position of judge-advocate. She is very well-respected in Sydney, particularly for her work with the female orphanage and the wives of the regiment. A well-read, intelligent woman. Her fluency in so many languages is exceptional.”
Having spoken to him of her letters to England, he assumed the Gardiners were aware of Elizabeth’s roles as matron and midwife.
“I believe,” said Mrs. Gardiner, “that you are lieutenant governor for the colony. ‘Tis generous, giving your time to meeting merchants such as ourselves and others not of theton.”
“Not at all, Mrs. Gardiner. Sydney has no aristocracy. Society comprises the governor, officers of the regiment, merchants, and settlers. A lieutenant governor may seem high, at least here in London, where I enjoy the appellation ‘Excellency’;back home, I am merely second among equals. The first, of course, being Governor Macquarie and his charming hostess, Mrs. Macquarie.”
Conversation ceased when they were called to dinner. Miss Bingley positioned herself to take Darcy’s arm, leading the party in. By rights, that honour belonged to Mrs. Hurst, the hostess, but she allowed her sister to precede her. Nevertheless, Mrs. Hurst sat at the head of the table, Miss Bingley next to Mr. Hurst at the foot, opposite Darcy.
Mrs. Gardiner was seated adjacent to Darcy, with Mr. Gardiner beside Miss Bingley. Clearly, the Gardiners possessed significant status in the world of trade. These were the people,Darcy realised, who managed the wealth of the Empire—neither thetonnor the peers of the realm together aggregated as much wealth as passed through the warehouses and manufactories represented by those who sat at this table. Perhaps Sydney was not so upside-down after all.
The meal was excellent. Certainly, Mrs. Hurst set a good table. Discourse with Mrs. Gardiner flowed as it would have with Elizabeth: informed, intelligent, humorous, and, if he were to close his eyes, Darcy could almost imagine her sitting next to him—the perfect hostess, sharing her laughter and good cheer with all those around. Tears threatened to cloud his eyes, and he was grateful, for once, when Miss Bingley, tired of being excluded from a conversation of which she had no part, asked him of Lady Matlock, her fashion and comportment. This brought him back to the reality of London, his need to continue to act as though he regretted nothing about leaving New South Wales.
Again, Mrs. Gardiner was looking intently at him, a faint smile on her lips. Why are women so perspicacious? Well, he had called Australiahome.And she had noticed the warmth in his voice, the pride when he told of Elizabeth’s fluency in language.
***
It was an awkward three days. Lord Matlock lost no opportunity to thrust Felicity and Darcy together and suggested the Fitzwilliams and Darcys travel together from London to their estates in Derbyshire.
It was quite a procession: the earl’s travelling coach and six, the viscount’s landau and four, the Darcy coach and four, three carriages for servants, and two carts for baggage. The accommodations for each of the three nights on the road and fresh teams sent in advance of their journey were all arrangedfor the earl’s ease and, particularly, for the comfort of his wife, the countess, and Milton’s wife, the viscountess. Without a crest on the door, Darcy and his father felt quite the poor relations—though, more likely than not, they paid for the refreshments at each posting inn.
At the first such inn, themerry-go-roundbegan.
“Mr. Darcy,” said Milton, as he stepped into the coach, “may I journey with you this stage? Susan wishes to speak with Mother, so I thought to enjoy some company rather than sitting alone in my box.”
Immediately after, the opposite door was opened by a footman, who assisted Felicity onto the step. “Mother and Susan wished to talk about lace and patterns; it’s all so boring, as they must be at least ten years behind the fashion. I saw Milton come here and thought to join him.” She flashed her eyes becomingly at Darcy.
At the next stage, Milton was replaced by Lady Matlock, though Felicity remained in the Darcy carriage. She kept up a lively conversation with her mother. Occasionally, having drawn Darcy into the conversation, she would lean across and tap him on the knee if she made a particularly engaging comment. He could not help but smile, for she was so earnest in her address. As Georgiana had said, those four years ago, prior to his departure to New South Wales, Felicity really was a delight.
