Page 62 of Obligation and Redemption
SUNDAY CAME AND ELIZABETH had expected they would attend church together, for she had always attended with her family no matter the weather or season.
Mr. Darcy, however, decided that they would not attend services until Elizabeth had been introduced to his family.
He felt it was not proper to present her to the public when his family had yet to make the acquaintance.
Also, none of her new gowns were completed, so he could not in good conscience bring her into society, even church, when she would so obviously fail to impress.
“Do you not attend services, Mr. Darcy?” she asked at breakfast, her first in his company.
“Of course, I do, but I thought that we would perhaps wait until January.”
“Are you more acceptable in His sight at the new year?”
Finding himself more accustomed to her teases, he replied, “That has nothing to do with it. My plan involves your meeting my family at Christmas. It would not be proper to introduce you to the neighbourhood before meeting my family.”
“Will they not be there?”
“Yes, which is another reason I prefer to wait. A public presentation cannot be good.“
“Then why don’t I meet them before Christmas? Are you ashamed of me, Mr. Darcy?” she asked lightly with some provocation, but the question had merit.
“Of course not.” Yes.
“What is to happen Christmas? Am I to receive a new facade?”
“We have been through this before. That is just the time that I felt was best to introduce you to my family. That decision was made a month ago, and for your benefit, so you can become more comfortable with me before being thrown into the politics and stress of my family.”
“You told me they are not all like Lady Catherine. Is that so?”
“She and my uncle are sister and brother. Of course they are alike in many ways, as was my mother, but they also have their differences. Would you not say that although you resemble your sister, Miss Lydia, that you are different as well?”
She thought of the many times she had tried to calm her sister’s indecorum.
“I do see your meaning,” she replied with a small smile of understanding.
He was not condemning her family at this moment, just making a valid point.
“Then, may we go to my aunt and uncle Gardiner’s church?
The rector there is quite engaging and surpasses many in intelligence. ”
“No.”
“Just ‘no’? I can see no reason you might have not to attend there. Are you afraid of running into someone you know before conducting the formal introductions to your family?“
“We will wait. That is all.”
“Why?” Then she continued in exasperation, “I am not a child to be spoken down to, sir. Why will you not attend church with my family? It is the Sabbath; we apparently cannot attend your church. Do you think that God will not show up on that side of town?”
“You cannot possibly understand. We will leave it at that.”
“Then may I attend without you? I have wanted to see my family and this would give me a chance to visit. Your carriage could take me, and my uncle’s could bring me home later in the evening. Please say you agree.” He saw her look of longing. He had no real reason to refuse; this he knew.
“I will call the carriage to be prepared.”
Elizabeth then squealed with delight. “Oh, thank you Mr. Darcy!” He looked over to her beaming eyes.
He had heard that the eyes were the mirror into the soul and felt this sentiment to be justified on this occasion.
“Will you not join me, sir?” Elizabeth so wanted him to become better acquainted with her London relatives.
The allure was lost. “Of course not.”
“I know that you might not believe so, but I do think that you might find that you have quite a bit in common with at least my aunt.”
“No, Elizabeth!” replied an exasperated Mr. Darcy.
He then directed that he would send his carriage to retrieve her before the dinner hour, so there was no need to trouble her uncle to convey her home.
“Now if you will excuse me.” He stood, bowed and left the breakfast room.
Elizabeth could not find it in herself to be angry with the man for his sullenness, for she would soon see her dear aunt and uncle.
SHE GREETED A SURPRISED MR. AND MRS. GARDINER just as they were about to leave for church. Hugs were exchanged to everyone’s pleasure. “Oh, Lizzy, we have been so worried about you.”
“Aunt, thank you for loving me so.” Elizabeth then leaned in and gave her another embrace full of tender regard. “I have been longing to see you.”
“Are you to join us for church?” At Elizabeth’s nod, her aunt continued, “And what about Mr. Darcy? Is he with you, dear?” she said as she looked around her.
“He would not come.” Elizabeth blew out her breath with a sigh. “I am afraid that his pride would not allow him to venture forth into the wilds of Cheapside. I wonder if he has even been to this part of town.”
“Well, let’s not be hard on the man. He has plenty of reasons to be proud, and perhaps he will warm up to us on a future occasion. Now, if we are to make church we must be on our way.”
After the service, Elizabeth enjoyed the afternoon with her cousins and their parents.
As she did not have time alone with her aunt, Elizabeth was unable to discuss anything of consequence that two women might speak of when in company after such a momentous week for a new bride.
The carriage arrived for her, and she hoped that perhaps Mr. Darcy had come after all in retrieving her, but he had not.
It was not that she longed for his companionship, for she felt she had enough of that as it was; she wanted him to see that her relations were superior society, and if he would just give them a chance, he might learn that he indeed enjoyed their company.
This could only be an advantage for Elizabeth herself.
When Elizabeth arrived home, Mr. Darcy was nowhere to be seen.
She had determined that she would show him all of the gratitude that she felt at being allowed to spend the day with her dear family.
The time away from Darcy House disposed Elizabeth to recover some of her natural good cheer, and she was more than willing to pass that geniality on to her handsome husband.
She did not ask about his whereabouts but instead went to her chamber to rest a bit and prepare for dinner.
In but one week’s time, she had learnt that Mr. Darcy would arrive to her room promptly at seven-thirty to escort her to the evening meal.
Elizabeth laughed to herself when considering her husband’s strict adherence to a schedule and began to think that perhaps he was telling the truth in Hertfordshire when she teased him for his perpetual tardiness.
WHILE PREPARING FOR DINNER, Elizabeth told her maid, Laura, about her visit with her relations.
“Oh, and I asked my aunt if she remembered you. You must have been quite close, for she not only remembered you but also told me stories of your time together. I did not realise that your father and hers died in the same carriage accident. That must have been hard on you both – for my aunt to have left so soon for town. I would imagine that you were each in want of the comfort of the other.”
“That it was, but I soon married and learnt to depend on my husband. My Jack had known my father and missed him as I did. Margaret and I did write, but we soon lost touch as people are wont to do when moving about.”
“I hope you don’t mind that I told her about your having been widowed and under the employ of Mr. Darcy.” Until that moment Elizabeth had not thought that Laura’s pride might bristle at her old friend’s learning of her drop in station.
“Oh no, ma’am, for Margaret was always kind. I am not ashamed of my place in the world.”
“Laura, would you like to join me on my next visit with my aunt?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Mr. Darcy might not appreciate my mingling with your relations. He does believe in maintaining the strict lines of social order.”
“Let me deal with Mr. Darcy. I plan on asking if I can return next Sunday for services. You can join me then.”
“If Mr. Darcy agrees, then I would be happy to come,” Laura replied, giving Elizabeth genuine delight.
At that moment and as expected, Mr. Darcy knocked upon the door of the sitting room.
With a smile still on her face, Elizabeth crossed the room and opened the latch allowing her husband entrance.
He was somewhat taken aback at the felicity that greeted him.
“Elizabeth, to what do I owe your obviously festive mood?”
“Thank you for noticing,” she responded with a curtsey. Elizabeth then took his arm as they left the room. They spoke not a word until they were seated for dinner.
“Mr. Darcy,” said his wife in good cheer, “I must express to you my appreciation for your allowing me to attend services with my family. We had the most enjoyable afternoon.”
Darcy noticed the light in her eyes as she conveyed her sentiments on the matter.
She was truly happy which manifested itself in her buoyant conversation that followed.
She ate heartily, asking him about his day in unaffected interest. Is this the same woman who arrived at Darcy House not seven days ago ?
“I was thinking that perhaps tomorrow, you can begin your duties as mistress to the house by meeting with the cook to select the menus for the week.” He had been thinking that it was time she assumed her role in earnest.
“I would be happy to meet with Mrs. Williams. My mother valued the presence of a master in the kitchen and taught us to do the same.”
“Very well. I will request that she make time for you in the morning.” Elizabeth smiled at his giving her the opportunity to participate in the workings of the house.