Page 59 of Suddenly Married
After hearing her brother’s reprimands, Georgiana was finally able to tell Mr. Darcy what she had done in recent weeks and of the wonderful days she had spent in Meryton with Mrs. Bennet and her two younger daughters.
“I am sorry, Georgiana. But I hope you never do something of this kind again. You cannot undertake so long a journey accompanied only by servants. It is dangerous and may place your reputation at risk,” said Mr. Darcy firmly.
Georgiana rolled her eyes and decided not to argue further, but rather to speak of her experience in Meryton.
“Mrs. Bennet does not know what you did, and Lydia and Kitty promised me that they would give you a second chance. Uncle Phillips said that if Lizzy forgave you, he would have no difficulty in forgetting everything. Aunt Phillips does not know either. The family resolved not to inform her because she is somewhat of a gossip, and she would tell everyone, including her sister.”
Georgiana spoke without pause, and Mr. Darcy was at once impressed and amused by the many stories.
“I see you enjoyed Meryton.” It was all Mr. Darcy could say.
“Yes, brother. And now I have a best friend. Kitty and I are very much alike. She is learning to play the piano...” Georgiana was so animated in describing her time at Meryton that she quite forgot to reveal her plan to her brother.
“Georgie, I am invited to dine at the Clarks’ this evening.
Elizabeth is staying with her elder sister and her husband at present.
Would you like to accompany me? Elizabeth will be glad to see you.
” Mr. Darcy then explained what he had proposed to Elizabeth and all that he intended to do to win her back.
“It is an excellent idea, brother. Besides, I am fortunate that I shall at last meet Jane and Lawrence. Mrs. Bennet, Kitty, and Lydia say he is the most charming of men. They told me he is amusing, and to them, he is like both son and brother. They also assured me that Jane is most lovely and sweet.”
Mr. Darcy realised that Mr. Clark had gained the affection of not only Miss Bennet but of the whole family—quite the opposite of himself. “Excuse me, Georgie, but you told me you had to share a brilliant plan with me...”
Georgiana immediately recollected herself and began to speak with even greater animation.
“Brother, in a little over a week, it will be Mrs. Bennet’s birthday, and her five daughters are planning a surprise party for her.
You know she has suffered greatly this past year.
I have thought of a gift we can present her that she will love.
But you must begin the project tomorrow, or it will not be ready in time.
” Georgiana then described her idea while Mr. Darcy listened with keen interest.
“You are right, Georgie. It is an excellent idea and a most suitable gift for Mrs. Bennet. I shall see to it tomorrow. I long to give her that present as an apology for my foolishness. Thank you, Georgiana, for all you have done for me.” Mr. Darcy approached his sister and affectionately kissed her forehead.
“You have always supported me. It is my way of thanking you for raising me, for taking care of me, and for being the best of brothers.”
When Colonel Fitzwilliam entered the room, Georgiana and Mr. Darcy were speaking of Elizabeth and her family.
“Hello, it is so good to see you, Georgie. I thought you were at Pemberley.”
“I could not remain at Pemberley waiting.”
Georgiana briefly explained what she had done in the last few days, and the Colonel was greatly impressed. He could perceive Elizabeth’s influence; Georgiana was much less timid, and he was pleased by the change.
Richard then informed his cousins of all that had transpired with Lady Catherine and Anne at Rosings. Mr. Darcy and Georgiana were saddened to hear that their aunt was suffering, knowing that Anne grew weaker and sicker each day.
Georgiana excused herself to change before dinner at the Clarks’.
The moment she left the room, Mr. Darcy confided in Richard about his meeting with his sisters-in-law’s husbands.
He kept to himself how jealous he had felt upon seeing Elizabeth with Lawrence; that was a secret he would carry to the grave.
“Let me see if I understand you correctly, Darcy. Clark is your sister-in-law’s husband. He never had any connection with Lady Isabella, and the supposed brunette for whom he abandoned her is Elizabeth, your wife.”
“Indeed. Apparently, Lady Isabella, out of spite at being rejected, spread false rumours about Clark,” confirmed Mr. Darcy. “Fitzwilliam, I do not know how to clear all this misunderstanding.” Mr. Darcy was troubled by the whole affair.
“I have an idea. There is nothing better to counteract gossip than professional gossipers such as my dear mother and brother. I shall speak to them, and I assure you they will help resolve this matter.”
The Colonel went to his parents’ house, and fortunately, his brother had just arrived for dinner. He told them all that Darcy had related. The following day, the Countess and the Viscount began to spread new reports about the entire situation.
◆◆◆
Mr. Darcy and Georgiana arrived punctually for dinner at the Clarks’ house. Jane had invited the Gardiners to promote a reconciliation between her uncle and Mr. Darcy.
Georgiana was delighted to see Elizabeth again.
“Lizzy, do not trouble yourself about Dante. Freddy, Mr. Smith’s son, will care for him while we are away from Pemberley.”
“Thank you, Georgiana. I know Freddy loves to play with Dante.” Elizabeth was equally glad to see Georgiana.
Kitty had written a few days earlier, telling her that Georgiana was spending some time with them in Meryton. Elizabeth knew her sister-in-law was campaigning for her brother, striving to have him accepted into the family and forgiven for his past mistakes.
After dinner, Lawrence invited Mr. Darcy and Mr. Gardiner to his study for a chat and a brandy.
Mr. Darcy was impressed by how stimulating it was to converse with two intelligent and educated men such as those before him.
Lawrence explained that his father and grandfather had been merchants, neither of whom had enjoyed the benefit of education.
He added that he himself had studied only the basics, for he had worked in his father’s emporium from the age of fourteen.
He spoke warmly of Mr. Gardiner, who had been a sort of mentor to him, though he had chiefly educated himself.
Mr. Darcy thought of the many men he knew who had been granted every opportunity for learning, yet squandered them as Wickham had done.
Most of his classmates at Cambridge had been more eager for drink than study.
Even his good friend Bingley had never applied himself properly to his schooling.
The conversation was so engaging that they did not perceive how long they had kept the ladies waiting.
“Mr. Clark, Mr. Gardiner, I wish you to know that I am deeply grateful for the civility you have shown me this evening. I know I do not deserve it, and that perhaps you extend it for Elizabeth’s sake. Yet I value the gesture most sincerely,” Mr. Darcy said.
“Son, I shall not deny that I was once enraged with you. But I see that you are earnestly trying to make amends. I am a cheerful man, and I am willing to give you a chance for Lizzy’s sake and for the whole family’s. Let us speak of it no more, and rejoin the ladies,” said Mr. Gardiner jovially.
It proved an agreeable evening for all. Before it ended, Mr. Darcy approached Elizabeth.
“My love, tomorrow I should like to invite you to a new exhibition at the art museum. Afterwards, I wish to take you to tea in one of the most beautiful tearooms in the city. What do you say?”
“It is the perfect first date, Fitzwilliam. I shall be eagerly looking forward to it,” Elizabeth replied, as her husband took her hand and stroked it gently.
Georgiana took leave of her sister-in-law with great affection. Dinner at the Clarks’ had been most pleasant, and she rejoiced at the thought that she now belonged to a large family.
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy went to bed thinking of each other, hopeful that they could leave the painful past behind them once and for all.
◆◆◆
In the following days, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy began their courtship anew.
They visited museums, parks, and bookshops, enjoying delightful moments of companionship.
They soon discovered that they had even more in common than they had ever supposed.
Once the barriers of secrecy and poor communication had fallen, they realized they were enjoying their relationship far more than before.
Elizabeth, meanwhile, began to suspect that the changes she had lately experienced might signify something greater.
She had already been two months without her courses.
The thought that she might be with child filled her with joy, but she resolved not to share anything with her husband until she was entirely certain.
She did not wish to raise false expectations, and she knew that he would immediately press her to resume living with him.
She longed to enjoy a few more days of his attentions as her suitor.
After touring a beautiful botanical garden within a park, Mr. Darcy asked, “What do you think, my love, if we go now to the tearoom I mentioned the other day?”
“Yes, let us go. I dearly loved the tarts there,” Elizabeth replied, taking her husband’s arm.
“Shall I call for the coachman?”
“No need, my dear.”
“Forgive me if I sometimes forget that my wife is an excellent walker.”
They strolled only a few streets until they reached the place. Elizabeth ordered a strawberry tart, which she devoured in minutes.
“Mr. Darcy, this must be one of the finest strawberry tarts I have ever tasted,” she said, while helping herself to a spoonful of her husband’s tart. “I do not know what is wrong with me, but I crave sweet things constantly.”