Page 22 of An Interrupted Proposal (Pride and Prejudice Variation)
Grandmamma
Mrs. Olivia Gardiner’s arrival at Longbourn was highly anticipated by all the inhabitants, as well as the neighbours.
The lady was a Meryton treasure, though she no longer called the village her home.
Her son-by-law looked forward to her intelligent conversations, her step-daughter hoped to impress the lady with the improvements that had been taking place at Longbourn, and the youngest Bennet daughters anxiously anticipated the gifts they might receive.
The three eldest daughters, being the ones most acquainted with the lady, looked forward to spending time with her again, while Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley wished to gain the matriarch’s approval and blessing.
The rest of Meryton hoped to catch a glimpse of her and perhaps exchange a few words of greeting and reminiscence.
The Netherfield party, which now included Mr. Bingley’s sisters, arrived at Longbourn to join the Bennets on the drive to greet Mrs. Gardiner.
Miss Bingley and her sister did not appear as excited as the others, but refrained from voicing their opinions of the to-do that was being made over an old lady.
When the fine barouche with its well matched horses drew into view, Elizabeth observed the surprised countenances of the sisters and suppressed her grin.
Mr. Bennet waved the groom away as the equipage drew to a stop and opened the carriage door himself. “Olivia, how good it is to see you. You are lovely as always,” he said as he bowed over her hand.
“Thomas, you old charmer. No wonder you had so many children.” She stepped out of the carriage and looked at the assembled party. “My, look at you all! Are all of you waiting for me?”
Elizabeth rushed forwards and grasped her grandmother’s hands. “Of course! Who else would we be waiting for?”
The ladies kissed one another on the cheeks and then joined the others.
Mrs. Bennet curtseyed to her step-mother and smiled as she said, “Welcome back to Longbourn, Mother. I am so pleased that you were able to come. The girls would have been sorely disappointed if you had not been able to celebrate with us.”
Mrs. Gardiner’s eyes widened and she leant closer to Mrs. Bennet. “Thank you, Fannie. You must know that I would not miss Jane and Eliza’s weddings if I was able to attend. Shall we go inside so you can introduce me to your party?”
“Of course.” Mrs. Bennet fluttered for just a moment before taking a deep breath and motioning for everyone to follow her and her step-mother into the house.
Elizabeth exchanged a smirk with Jane and accepted Darcy’s arm, following Jane and Bingley into the house behind their father and Mrs. Hurst. She glanced over her shoulder to see Miss Bingley’s frown as she was forced to follow Georgiana and the youngest Bennet daughters, with Mrs. Annesley just behind her.
Once everyone was inside, Mr. Bennet began the introductions.
Mrs. Gardiner smiled and nodded as each individual was introduced.
When tea was called, the lady linked arms with Elizabeth and asked if she might retire to refresh herself before enjoying the repast. Mrs. Bennet's handkerchief made a brief appearance, but the lady smoothed it down on her lap before assuring her step-mother she would keep the tea hot.
Once upstairs, Elizabeth guided her grandmother to the guestroom and assisted her to change out of her travel attire. “What do you think of our guests?” she asked.
Mrs. Gardiner eyed her granddaughter, her lips twitching with amusement.
“Is there one in particular you wish to know my opinion of?” She laughed as Elizabeth huffed.
“Your young man is exceedingly handsome. I understand why his belittling comment raised such ire. Were you attracted to him the first time you saw him, Eliza?”
Elizabeth’s jaw dropped open but she quickly composed herself. “I had not considered it, but I did find him highly attractive the evening of the assembly. Before he opened his mouth, of course.”
“And his friend is an amiable man.” Mrs. Gardiner adjusted a hairpin and tucked a stray hair into place.
“His sisters are a bit lacking in that.” She glanced over her shoulder.
“I believe your warning regarding them was spot on, my dear.” She turned from the mirror and took Elizabeth’s hand.
“Now, you must tell me what has occurred in this house to evoke the changes I am seeing in your mother and younger sisters.”
“Perhaps we should just return below before we are missed and you will be able to determine the source yourself.” Elizabeth grinned as she moved towards the door with her grandmother in tow.
Upon re-entering the parlour, they found the party had broken into groups.
Mr. Bingley sat by Jane with Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst nearby.
The latter ladies were making suggestions to Jane, who was listening but not commenting on whether she would employ the advice.
The youngest Bennet sisters were gathered around the tea table, ensuring everyone was properly served.
Lydia approached her grandmother as soon as they entered the room and offered a steaming cup of perfectly flavoured tea to each of the ladies.
Mrs. Gardiner accepted her cup and took a seat beside her step-daughter, son-by-law, and Mrs. Annesley, waving for Elizabeth to join her fiancé. He had been speaking with Mr. Bennet when Elizabeth entered the room but now appeared to have lost all interest in the conversation.
“So, tell me, Thomas, what are your thoughts on the young men who mean to remove your eldest daughters from your home?”
“I would not have parted with them to anyone less worthy, I assure you, Madam. Though I initially feared that Bingley and our Jane are so complying, that nothing would ever be resolved on; so easy, that every servant would cheat them; and so generous, that they would always exceed their income. However, the gentleman has assured me that they are of one mind to maintain their peace and happiness, and have quite determinedly rebuffed any helpful ideas that are not to their liking.”
Mrs. Bennet nodded as she joined the conversation. “That is true, Mother. Mr. Bingley is quite determined not to allow anyone but Jane to have the running of their home.”
“And Mr. Darcy?” Mrs. Gardiner asked before taking a sip of her tea.
The trio turned to look at the gentleman who had just glanced their direction. A soft flush covered his countenance, but Elizabeth was seen to pat his arm and draw his attention back to herself.
“Lizzy will be the making of the man.” Mr. Bennet chuckled. “Not that he was overly lacking, but she assists him in social settings where he is most uncomfortable.”
“Poor man,” Mrs. Bennet shook her head. “I never considered that a gentleman with such advantages might not be amiable and sanguine. But he has lost so much in his life and is far too serious. Lizzy has taught him to laugh, and he worships her for it.”
Mrs. Gardiner looked at her hostess and smiled. “Why, Fannie, that is a most insightful observation.”
Her step-daughter blushed. “Perhaps it is the assurance the gentlemen have provided that our futures are settled, or it could be Mrs. Annesley’s presence and the lessons she has been giving to the girls, but I feel much more at ease and able to see things that I neglected in the past.”
“I can see how both of those could provide a sense of security that might have been lacking before. I am pleased to see you so at ease, my child.”
Mrs. Bennet smiled at the acceptance she had never received from her mother before. “Cook has made your favourite tarts, Mother.” She motioned for Kitty to bring the plate.
“What a dear. But Kitty need not come here. I believe I will circulate and see how my granddaughters have been improving themselves.”
Mrs. Gardiner rose from her seat and made her way to the tea table where she spent an enjoyable time with her youngest kin and their guest before moving towards Elizabeth and her beau.
“I believe it is rather warm inside. Would you like to show me about the garden? I am certain there have been changes since I was last here.”
The couple agreed and Mr. Darcy led them from the room. After stopping in the hall to gather the ladies’ bonnets and his hat, they made their way out to the garden, Mr. Darcy with a lady on each arm.
“I am certain you have no interest in the garden, Grandmamma, so Fitzwilliam may lead us to the benches under the oak.” Elizabeth looked up at him with an impish smile as the elder lady chuckled her agreement.
“How do you find Mamma, Grandmamma?” Elizabeth asked as she took her seat.
“I am ashamed to admit that I had never considered how a sense of security might improve my daughter’s conversation. Have her nerves truly been put to sleep?”
Elizabeth considered the question. “I suppose we will know for certain as the wedding nears, but she rarely flutters her handkerchief, and I cannot remember the last time she called for her salts.”
“I believe that was the day your father announced our engagement. I only just caught her before she hit the floor.” A blush covered Darcy’s cheeks, giving him a youthful appearance.
Mrs. Gardiner chuckled. “That might have been the first time she truly swooned. I am sorry to have missed it.”
She turned her attention to the young man. “I understand there is a story to be told.” She looked at Elizabeth and then back at Darcy. “Which of you will begin?”