Page 14 of An Interrupted Proposal (Pride and Prejudice Variation)
Debate then pursued over whether an express should be sent to Mr. Bennet, Bingley should ride to Longbourn, or they should wait until the party travelled to Hertfordshire for Bingley to seek Mr. Bennet’s permission.
“Certainly, if an express is sent or Mr. Bingley rides to Longbourn to speak to our father, our mother will insist we remain in London to purchase your trousseau, Jane.”
“Lizzy, you assume your father will tell your mother of the betrothal,” Mrs. Gardiner said with a glance towards her husband. “I fear it would amuse him to keep such news to himself and have her be surprised when the couple arrives at Longbourn.”
With a heavy sigh, Elizabeth acknowledged it to be true.
“What would she say if you had completed much of your shopping before returning?” Philip asked.
“That is an excellent suggestion, Colonel,” Elizabeth replied, “but then Mamma would not be able to give her advice.”
Jane nodded. “And she would then dislike everything even if it is something she would have chosen had she been here.”
“Would it be so terrible to extend your stay in London?” Darcy asked.
Elizabeth laughed. “No, but shopping in London with our mother would be torturous.”
“Oh, Lizzy, she is not so bad.” Mrs. Gardiner said with an impish smirk. “You simply do not have the same passion for lace that your mother possesses. But this would be for Jane’s benefit, not yours.”
“Perhaps I should have allowed Sir William to tell Mrs. Bennet that Bingley was courting her daughter.” Darcy’s brows pulled together. “I suggested he wait for Miss Bennet to write to her mother.”
Elizabeth turned to her sister. “Did you, Jane? Did you write to Mamma and tell her that Mr. Bingley had been to see you?”
“I did. The letter I posted yesterday to assure her of your safe arrival. I told her the letter was short as we were expecting guests for dinner and named those who were to attend.”
“Then all will be well.” Elizabeth smiled, laughing when no one understood her pleasure.
“Do you not see? When Mr. Bingley arrives to ask Papa’s permission to marry Jane, Mamma will be anticipating him.
She will not allow Jane’s beau to leave until he takes tea with her and she is able to learn all she can of his time in London.
As Papa would not dare to refuse him––though I fear he will have fun with Mr. Bingley for a time until he loses interest––Mamma will see their visitor’s pleasure and know at once that the couple is engaged and will ask Mr. Bingley to bring Jane a list regarding her trousseau.
” She drew breath and smiled at Bingley.
“Have no fear that you will have to wait for the list, sir. Mamma has been writing it since Jane came out, making corrections from time to time, and, as she will have already received Jane’s letter, she will have prepared a fresh copy. ”
Mr. Gardiner shook his head and turned to his wife. “I believe she is correct. We must simply allow enough time for the letter to arrive at Longbourn before Bingley travels there.”
“But how long would that be?” Bingley asked.
Mrs. Gardiner’s eyes narrowed, and she rose from her chair and left the room. A few minutes later, she returned. “The letter was posted early Saturday afternoon. I suspect it will be delivered sometime tomorrow, as long as there are no unforeseen circumstances.”
“Then Bingley should travel to Longbourn on Tuesday, at the earliest.” Darcy looked at his friend. “We are to go to the theatre on Wednesday. Have you any other business which must be conducted on Tuesday?”
Bingley smiled at his fiancée. “Nothing that cannot be postponed. I will leave for Longbourn at first light on Tuesday and return the same day.”
***********
The Darcy carriage drew to a stop before the Gardiner’s residence on Monday morning.
Darcy, his sister, and Mr. Bingley stepped out and were greeted by the Bennet sisters as they returned from a walk with their cousins.
Master Thomas suggested they walk again with the newcomers, but he was quickly reminded that his studies were awaiting him.
With a slight pout, he allowed the servant to lead him to the nursery while the others greeted Mrs. Gardiner and Miss Lucas in the drawing room.
“Are you eager to visit the museum, Miss Darcy?” Mrs. Gardiner asked.
“Oh, yes! It has been more than a year since I have been there, and I am anxious to see the new exhibits.”
“A full year?” Elizabeth said with a laugh. “I dare say it has been two or more since Jane or I have been to the museum. You must tell us what exhibits we have missed.”
“Lizzy,” Mrs. Gardiner chided. “You have always favoured the theatre to the museum, or you would have seen it in your more recent visits.”
Darcy frowned. “Would you prefer to go somewhere else?”
“No,” Elizabeth said as a light blush covered her cheeks. “I have been looking forward to this trip since you mentioned it yesterday. Especially since we are also going to the theatre later this week.” She giggled as she met his gaze directly.
“What Lizzy is trying to say,” Jane said with a teasing smile at her sister, “is that given the choice, she would choose the theatre, though her preference would be both.”
“Our time in London is sometimes limited and we cannot do all we wish,” Elizabeth explained.
“Well, perhaps in the future you will be able to stay in town for as long as you desire and enjoy everything it has to offer.” Darcy met her gaze and held it until her colour deepened and she lowered her eyes.
“Perhaps,” she said in a near whisper.
“Well, look at the time.” Mrs. Gardiner rose from her seat. “I am certain you wish to get there early so you can see as much as possible.”
The group rose, agreeing with her, and moved towards the hall. Darcy watched Elizabeth as she hung back and dropped a kiss upon her aunt’s cheek. When she joined him in the hallway, he lowered his head to whisper, “Forgive me if I embarrassed you or put any pressure upon you.”
She looked at him through her lashes as her cheeks pinked once more. “You did not, sir. I was merely flustered for a moment as I realized that could indeed be a possibility.”
“You must know that I would give you every desire that is within my power, Elizabeth.”
She slipped her hand about his arm. “I do.”
Darcy laid his hand upon hers and led her to where the others awaited them. Once everyone had donned their outerwear, they made their way to the carriage. Georgiana looked at Elizabeth sheepishly before entering the equipage.
“If you would prefer to go somewhere else today, I would understand.”
With a reassuring smile, Elizabeth slipped her arm through the young girl’s and insisted that she was looking forward to seeing the museum exhibits. A gleam entered her eye as she said, “Though I am certain we shall pass near enough to allow a visit to Gunter’s on the way home.”
A wide grin spread across Miss Darcy’s countenance. “Would that fulfil your sweet tooth, Miss Elizabeth, or do you suggest it for my benefit?”
Elizabeth laughed, but did not respond, and the ladies were handed into the coach by the gentlemen. Once seated, she leant closer and whispered, “In truth, I thought your brother might enjoy the treat as much as we would.”
“You know he enjoys sweets?” Miss Darcy asked with rounded eyes. “He normally hides that from people.”
“What do I hide?” Darcy asked as his eyes moved between the two ladies.
“Miss Elizabeth suggested a trip to Gunter’s following the museum as she thought you might enjoy it.”
His gaze fell upon Elizabeth, and he smiled. “That sounds marvellous. Thank you for thinking of it, but Georgiana and I have arranged tea at Darcy House, if you are in agreement.”
“That would be lovely,” Elizabeth replied as the pink hue returned to her cheeks.
***********
Jane slipped her hand about her sister’s arm as they waited in the foyer of the town home for the others to remove their outerwear. “What a lovely entryway,” she said in a soft voice. “The colours are much to your liking, I am certain. Blue like a summer sky.”
Her sister had read her mind, and Elizabeth could only nod.
Miss Darcy led the group to the drawing room where maids had just finished setting out the tea service.
The neighbouring table held a selection of finger sandwiches and sweets.
They all found their seats and Miss Darcy poured out the tea.
Plates were passed about, and Elizabeth made a point of handing a tray of biscuits to Darcy with what she had noted to be his favourite closest to him.
His smile as he took several of the preferred treats was adorably childlike.
The others conversed about them, but Elizabeth and Darcy heard little as they spoke only to one another.
They discussed their favourite exhibits, the ones that were less appealing, and what they hoped to view in the future before turning their attention to the theatre and plays they had previously seen.
Once this topic was exhausted, Darcy cautiously laid his hand over hers which rested on the settee between them.
“Do you like my home?” he asked in a softer voice.
Elizabeth looked about the room. A tranquil smile lifted the corners of her lips. “I do. It is peaceful and elegant.” She met his gaze. “Jane noted the colours in the entryway are my favourite.”
His smile lit his countenance. “I am pleased to hear it. Would you like a tour of the rest of the house?”
“Oh, yes.” She looked to their companions who seemed to be absorbed in a debate of some sort.
Darcy stood and pulled her up beside him. “I am going to give Miss Elizabeth a tour of the townhouse.”
The others nodded but did not show any desire to follow them, which seemed odd to Elizabeth.
She had expected her sister to show some interest, and propriety dictated someone should attend them.
Before she could say anything, Darcy had linked her hand about his arm and was escorting her from the room.