Page 16

WAS YESTERDAY THAT

A lthough notes had been exchanged between Darcy House and Gracechurch Street, Elizabeth had not seen the Gardiners since her wedding.

So much had changed, so many new forms of happiness had been found, that she was eager to see her young cousins, aunt, and uncle—but especially her aunt.

She would first enjoy a private reunion with Mrs Gardiner and deliver a dinner invitation to Darcy House for two days hence, where Darcy could enjoy the company of the couple they both credited with being key to their happiness.

“Married life agrees with you, Lizzy,” Aunt Gardiner said, smiling broadly as she welcomed her into the familiar warmth of the house. “There was a glow about you before the wedding, and I believe you appear even happier now.”

Elizabeth was not shy in her effusions over her new life as Mrs Darcy, nor the solicitous attentions of Mr Darcy.

“He is all that I could wish for in a husband and companion. He is not only handsome and kind,” she said, “he is knowledgeable on many subjects to entertain me while travelling or dining, indulges my wit and thinks all my observations brilliant, and does not steal the blankets or complain of my cold feet as Jane did.”

Mrs Gardiner was chuckling until Elizabeth’s final point was made, then she gave her blushing niece a sly look. “A paragon indeed,” she said, lifting her teacup to conceal her smile. “It seems felicity has been achieved in every way.”

“Indeed, it has.” Although she had broached the topic herself, Elizabeth did not wish to delve more deeply into a discussion of that aspect of her marital happiness, and she was relieved when her aunt moved on.

“Your uncle and I are pleased you have delayed your departure for Pemberley, as it permits our much-anticipated visit to your new home. I am eager to see you there now, as its mistress, not merely a bride-to-be still learning the servants’ names.”

Mr and Mrs Gardiner had dined at Darcy House, with Georgiana as hostess, when Elizabeth and Jane had come to London to shop before their weddings.

Amid the laughter and amiable conversation, Darcy had whispered to her that it was the merriest evening at his townhouse he could ever recall.

The memory of those words, and the shiver she had felt when he leant close to her ear, induced in Elizabeth a warmth she was certain deepened her blush.

“Yes, there is much to learn and experience as a new wife and mistress of a home such as Darcy House. I believe I have mastered it well enough to go to Derbyshire and conquer Pemberley as well.”

“And that will be in the next week, after your uncle and I have dined with you, and he has seen Mr Darcy’s study and cigars?”

Elizabeth shifted in her seat. “I do hope so. I have not told you the other matter that has occupied our time, especially mine, in town. I have been under the tutelage of Lady Catherine, improving myself through her wise counsel.”

“Lizzy!”

By the time Elizabeth had finished her tale of burnt wigs, soaked carriages, and Mancunian French modistes, Aunt Gardiner was nearly doubled over in astonished laughter.

The racket they made soon brought Mr Gardiner to the door, and he too roared with mirth when the story was recounted for his benefit.

When sense returned, the Gardiners exchanged a glance and her aunt said, “But why, Lizzy? Why would you allow yourself to be guided by Lady Catherine, a woman who has displayed no manners to you and made plain her disapproval of your marriage? ”

“She has written letters to Darcy that he finds so terrible he keeps them from me and tosses them into the fire. And yet, in some odd way, I believe she now wishes our marriage to be a success—for his sake and for that of the family name.”

Her uncle’s eyebrows rose. “A fearsome lady to whom to accede, though.”

“Yes, but I believe her temperament is less fierce than founded in anger and loneliness. She is not likeable, and makes little effort to be, but I believe my participation in this scheme has helped soften her towards me and thus can restore Darcy’s connexion to her.

” Elizabeth smirked, seeing scepticism in her uncle’s expression and admiration in her aunt’s.

“Truly, I am neither na?ve nor a saint. It is my own curiosity that led Darcy to agree to it.”

“And Lady Catherine has improved upon further acquaintance?”

“Well, we had some assistance last evening in provoking a change, although I am not certain whether all the family would agree it an improvement.” With that, she sketched a portrait of the previous evening, and the arrival of the gentleman who served as instigator to Lady Catherine’s abrupt and, in Elizabeth’s eyes, somewhat endearing transformation.

“Good Lord, what a thing to witness!” cried her uncle. “She offered to share her trifle?”

Mrs Gardiner gasped. “Her trifle? It seems she shared far more, and far more indelicately, in company.”

“You, dear wife, have never offered to share your trifle with me.” Mr Gardiner winked at Elizabeth.

His wife hushed him and looked closely at Elizabeth. “Do you and Mr Darcy think him a fortune hunter?”

“Such suspicions have been raised. Lady Catherine is not a woman to exhibit tenderness nor to inspire, um, adoration from another.” To put it mildly .

Elizabeth paused, not wishing to expose Darcy as he had responded initially—angry, disgusted, and mistrustful.

“Suspicion is warranted for good reason, it being such a stark and sudden change in her demeanour. Despite Lord Cadbury being an old friend of Lord Matlock’s, Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam wish to investigate his past, as well as his intentions towards Lady Catherine. ”

Aunt Gardiner nodded her approval and then, clearly distracted by the sound of a child wailing in another room, excused herself.

“Cadbury? You said Lord Cadbury, the Earl of Jersey?”

Elizabeth pulled her gaze from the empty doorway to reply to her uncle. “I suppose so. I did not learn his full title.”

Mr Gardiner, his brow creased, sat back in his chair, tapping his chin. “Although it may not relieve your concerns, I know something of him.”

Elizabeth leant forwards, willing him to provide her some information. “Good or bad, we do wish to learn whether he is the same man Lord Matlock knew long ago or a man in need of a fortune.”

Her uncle nodded gravely. “Lord Matlock may not be aware that his old chum has been selling off parcels of his estate as well as some valuable tapestries and paintings. It is not commonly done unless the owner has debts to pay.”

“Debts?” A sense of dread overtook her.

“Poor investments, or gambling losses.” Mr Gardiner looked carefully at Elizabeth, who could not hide her dismay. “I am not a gossip by nature or in practice. As a businessman, it is reckless to be so. I know Mr Darcy will understand.”

“Yes, Uncle. Like you, he despises tittle-tattle. I am certain he will seek you out should he have questions.”

Darcy eyed Lord Matlock across the finely polished table. “Sir, are you saying Lord Cadbury is a true gentleman, good to his core, and of unerringly pristine character?”

The earl scoffed. “None of my friends are quite so dull, Nephew. At least one or two has a mistress or a natural child, and several others are too fond of horseflesh or brandy.”

Darcy looked round the private room at White’s, where his uncle had insisted they meet.

“My sister cannot find us here, even if she were likely to leave her rooms before noon,” the earl commented drolly.

“She is absurdly merry today—Lady Matlock heard her singing in her chambers!—but it could turn in a moment should she learn we have discussed her.”

Singing? The very notion recalled Darcy to the horror of his aunt’s performance at the opera.

Fitzwilliam snorted. “Father, it was you who brought her such joy, inviting your old chum Cadbury to dine. Should you not have given your family due warning that an explosion of dowager vixenry awaited us? The blushing and fluttering laughter ruined my taste for what looked to be a very fine partridge.”

Darcy shot his cousin an irritated look.

He had heard these complaints, as had the earl, last evening.

“There is no such word as vixenry . More to the point, Uncle, this seemed a deliberate action on your part, as though you knew how Lady Catherine might respond to seeing your old friend. Did you expect such reciprocation, and should we be concerned over it?”

“Cad was a good man in his youth, and I have heard nary a bad word about him over the years. My sister has never been easy, and if seeing an old acquaintance of whom she once thought highly brings her joy, I am not one to interfere.” Lord Matlock levelled a stern glance at Darcy and raised his brows.

“As you know well, a little happiness never hurt anyone.”

“But—” began Fitzwilliam.

“However,” the earl said sharply, “should either of you learn of some unsavoury habit or scandal in his past, do let me know. Catherine may be a bit of a termagant, but she is my sister.”

An hour later, no more enlightened but definitely curious, Darcy returned from White’s to find Elizabeth in the front hall shedding her coat and gloves. She glanced at him, looking more startled than happy. Concerned, he took her arm and led her to the small saloon just off the entrance hall.

“Darling, how was your visit to Mrs Gardiner?”

Elizabeth leant into him. “My optimism has been tested. You must speak to my uncle and do all you can to investigate Lord Cadbury.”