Page 64 of Lizzie’s Spirit

Darcy accepted the invitation to attend Lady Matlock on the following evening.

He would need to tread carefully, because the dinner had only one purpose: to push their daughter, Lady Felicity, in front of him.

Sensibly, his father declined to attend, citing ill health, but the true reason was his anger at his brother-in-law, Matlock, for having dragged the Darcys into Lady Catherine’s affairs.

The debt was a matter for the de Bourghs and, if need be, the Fitzwilliams to resolve.

That Aunt Alice and Felicity had returned from their country seat to endure the summer heat of London and the stench of the Thames was proof enough of his lordship’s intent.

The Season had ended just a few weeks after the final sitting of Parliament—there was no reason for them to return, apart from Darcy .

He took a hackney to St. James’s Square.

While the house, number four, was large and imposing, it looked tired, with rank vegetation growing on the high lintels and cracks appearing in the joints between the sandstone blocks.

The old Earl, his grandfather, would never have allowed such decay, even if it were only minor.

The neighbouring houses, belonging to the Earls Bristol and Strafford, were in much better repair.

Clearly, the Fitzwilliams were undergoing straitened circumstances.

“Fitzwilliam, so pleased you have come.” Darcy took his aunt’s hand and bent to kiss her cheek.

“It’s my pleasure, Aunt. We last saw each other, let me see, in May ‘09—too long ago.” He straightened and turned to Felicity. “And who’s this lovely lady? Have we met before? For I’m sure I would have remembered such elegance.”

Lady Matlock’s eyes tightened; she looked at Darcy with suspicion. Felicity giggled. “Oh, Fitzwilliam, I’ve not changed so much.”

“Previously, you were but a young girl not yet out; and now you’ve been presented to Her Majesty. Georgiana wrote to me about it. I believe you were a great success.”

“Indeed, I’ve enjoyed London society—attending balls and the theatre.

Perhaps too many beaus, but I’m in no rush to marry, for I greatly enjoy the entertainments.

” She paused, realising her faux pas in front of her father, and batted her eyes coyly at Darcy.

“But were the right man to offer, I’m sure to find contentment. ”

So alluring. But why hasn’t the earl already married her off? At twenty, a year before her majority, she’s charming—fair complexion, pleasing form, pleasant repartee.

At that moment, Viscount Milton and his wife, Lady Susan, entered the room and warmly greeted Darcy. They were friends as well as cousins, and Darcy relaxed; perhaps the evening would not be so fraught after all.

Following a delightful meal, being family, the separation of the sexes was unnecessary, and they entered the parlour to take tea or coffee, though port and Madeira were offered to the gentlemen.

“This is a fine wine,” said Darcy. “I recall tasting something similar when I visited the Phelps’s estate—what was the name?

Of course, Quinta do Prazer .” He smiled, remembering how young Stephen Campbell had rudely interrupted Commodore Bligh upon discovering Elizabeth’s connection both to the estate and her uncle, Mr. Gardiner.

Had not the man resided near Cheapside, where his father obtained his Madeira? Perhaps Matlock did the same .

“I envy you, Darcy,” said Milton, “having journeyed around the world. Whereas I’m confined to England.

With les Rosbifs unwelcome in France, there’s little opportunity to travel.

You returned via Cape Horn? You are, therefore, a member of that exclusive club of people who’ve circumnavigated the globe—they call themselves the Magellans. ”

“Never heard of them, but such an appellation is appropriate.”

“Fitzwilliam, was it very rough and dangerous when you rounded the Cape? I’ve heard many ships founder attempting to make the passage.” Felicity entered the conversation and came to sit next to Darcy.

Mistake! Always choose a single chair. He was outmanoeuvred—the seating comprised only couches and settees.

“Sadly, the weather was clear until we turned northwards into the Atlantic, when snow and sleet assailed us. Still, the waves, though large, were not as terrifying as those we encountered rounding the southeast extremity of Van Diemen’s Land.

There, whenever we fell into a trough, we would completely lose sight of the other vessel, the Dromedary . ”

Felicity placed her hand on Darcy’s arm. Her action appeared natural, but his aunt’s satisfied countenance did not go unnoticed.

“Were you terribly frightened? I would have been. Surely, all the passengers were huddled below decks, for I’m certain only the bravest sailors could endure such a scene.”

There she was, Elizabeth, standing at the taffrail, shrieking in terror as the ship flew down a wave, then clambering up the next. What an untamed, impetuous woman! Later, she’d confessed, like a cat stuck in a tree, she’d been too scared to retreat to safety .

“Fitzwilliam! I feared we’d lost you.” Aunt Alice interrupted his reverie. “You are smiling. Surely, there was nothing to enjoy about such an experience.”

“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 the ton .”

“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.”