His Uncle's Favorite (9 page)

It was almost midday when the first visitors to Gracechurch Street were announced. The joyful appearance of Lady Selina, together with a shy, blushing Miss Darcy brought equal pleasure and disappointment to Elizabeth. Yet, she admitted, it would have been strange for Mr. Bingley to appear at the door so quickly, so she decidedly welcomed the guests and called for tea and refreshments.

“Such cold weather,” exclaimed Lady Selina, taking off her gloves.

“I am not fond of cold weather, either,” admitted Jane with a smile.

“It is cold indeed, but the snow is wonderful,” replied Elizabeth. “I confess I rather love winter. I was tempted to play with my cousins in the snow this morning.”

“Really? Well, Georgiana actually did play with my boys in the snow earlier, and I thought that was singular,” laughed Lady Selina while Miss Darcy averted her eyes in embarrassment, incredulous that her cousin had revealed her secret.

“Not singular at all, Miss Darcy. Please let me know next time you intend to have an outing, and I will join you,” Elizabeth offered, and her laughter stole a smile from her guest.

“May I dare ask where you have been so early in this weather?” inquired Mrs. Gardiner.

“I went to my modiste to assess the progress of my ball gown, and it suddenly crossed my mind that neither Miss Bennet nor Miss Elizabeth likely has a proper dress for such an event. So I made an appointment for you later today, and she promised she will have your dresses ready in time for the ball.”

Elizabeth and Jane looked at each other while Mrs. Gardiner only replied, “Thank you, Selina, you are very considerate as always.”

“Good! By the way, Georgiana paid a visit to Mr. Bingley earlier; did I mention that?”

“No, you did not,” their hostess said while her nieces remained speechless. “You found Mr. Bingley in good health, I hope?”

“My brother and I took our daily walk, and he asked me to join him in calling on Mr. Bingley. My brother loves snow, too. At Pemberley, we used to play in the snow all the time when I was a child. Even now, he is so kind as to keep me company as much as his time allows. I always enjoy walking with him,” Miss Darcy said, a smile warming her expression.

For a moment, Elizabeth struggled to imagine the proper Mr. Darcy playing in the snow and then abandoned the daunting task and asked whether Mr. Bingley was well.

“I could not say. Unfortunately, he has been out of town for the last few days. My brother asked Mrs. Stewart, the housekeeper, of his whereabouts.”

“Do you know whether Mr. Bingley will soon return?” Jane’s question took everybody by surprise, even herself, as she proved by the redness that spread over her cheeks and neck.

Miss Darcy seemed to understand her uneasiness and comforted her with another smile.

“Mrs. Stewart seemed unaware of Mr. Bingley’s location. However, my brother had some business to discuss with him, and I trust he will find his direction soon enough.”

Lady Selina agreed. “Darcy always finds things that are of interest; since we were young, I cannot remember an instance when he wanted something and did not succeed in achieving it.”

“As I once said, Mr. Darcy seems a gentleman with numerous merits and few faults.” Elizabeth smiled meaningfully to her aunt.

Miss Darcy watched her carefully and spoke with a low voice and more seriousness than the moment required. “I am pleased to see you have such a high opinion of my brother, Miss Elizabeth. Indeed, he is the best of men.”

Again, Elizabeth struggled to respond. Though she had spoken in jest, Miss Darcy took her words in earnest. She glanced to her sister, who appeared lost in her thoughts, and then to her aunt, who was watching her with interest.

“However, if Darcy discovers our missing Mr. Bingley in time, I will face a difficult dilemma: can I invite Mr. Bingley to the ball without his sisters? Upon my word, I have never in my life been in the difficult position of liking a gentleman so much while disliking his sisters so completely.”

Miss Bennet and Miss Darcy blushed in embarrassment while Elizabeth laughed. “I am pleased to see we are similar in our dislikes, Lady Selina.”

“Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst might be difficult sometimes, but they are nice persons,” offered Jane, and Miss Darcy kindly approved her.

Lady Selina interrupted them with a harsh gesture. “I am confident you are taking their side only because you are both kind and generous, else I would be upset over your poor judgement of character. They are arrogant, impolite, too pleased with themselves, too inconsiderate for others’ feelings—and they share a horrid taste in gowns,” she concluded as Elizabeth hid her mirth behind a teacup.

“I fear you must invite the entire family to the ball to enjoy Mr. Bingley’s presence,” Mrs. Gardiner replied, and Lady Selina rolled her eyes in displeasure while Jane paled at the prospect of Mr. Bingley’s attendance.

“Yes, I know. My only comfort is that my brothers, my husband, and Darcy will be even more displeased as I will force them all to dance with Miss Bingley.”

Her remark made the other ladies chuckle, and the time passed in pleasant conversation. Miss Darcy showed little interest in the ball as she had no plan to participate, but she was delighted to make arrangements for a night at the opera in three days’ time. Also, the visit to the modiste for the next day was arranged, including an unexpected invitation to her house afterward from Miss Darcy, an invitation gladly accepted.

Half an hour later, an interruption brought their conversation to an end. Strong voices, the fresh air of winter, and three gentlemen entered, stealing smiles from the ladies.

Mrs. Gardiner greeted the new visitors with proper courtesy and obvious pleasure. “Lord Matlock, Lord Fitzwilliam, Colonel Fitzwilliam—so delighted to see you all!”

“Mrs. Gardiner…” The earl bowed to her then cast a quick glance around the room. “Well, soon enough you will be invaded by the entire Fitzwilliam family.”

“Be assured I am always happy to see you, your lordship.”

Lady Selina placed a kiss on her father’s cheek. “I will allow you gentlemen the privilege of entertaining these beautiful ladies as I have to leave. My husband must be home by now, and I will not have him waiting for me. Georgiana, should I take you home?”

“Dearest, do not leave; Darcy will fetch you shortly,” the colonel intervened, and all the ladies turned to him. “I met Darcy an hour ago. He had some business, but he will join us soon to take you home.”

After a moment of hesitation, Miss Darcy resumed her place on the settee while Elizabeth wondered what extraordinary event might entice Mr. Darcy to Cheapside. Did Mr. Darcy even know where Cheapside was?

“Miss Elizabeth, I hope I am not interrupting your thoughts,” said the earl.

“No, your lordship,” Elizabeth replied warmly. He remained silent a few moments before a smile spread over his face as he asked Elizabeth for coffee. She obliged and offered him a cup.

“So, Miss Elizabeth, you had the pleasure of meeting Wickham recently?”

“Mr. Wickham? Yes…yes, I did.”

“Was he in good health? When did you last see him?”

“Yes, he was in excellent health. I saw him a few days ago.”

“Really? What on earth was that rascal doing in Hertfordshire? I hope he is not in any trouble.” Unlike his words, the earl’s voice sounded caring; his concern was obvious.

“No indeed; why would your lordship believe him in trouble? Mr. Wickham is an officer in a militia regiment encamped in Meryton for the winter.”

“Oh, I see… He is an officer now? Well, I imagine he looks very handsome in uniform.”

“He does.” Elizabeth laughed. “All the ladies in Meryton share my opinion.”

“So, did you fall under the charms of Wickham, too?” The earl’s question would have offended Elizabeth had his voice and open smile not shown utter amusement.

“I am not certain what you mean, sir. Mr. Wickham and I are good friends.”

“I am happy to hear that. Well, I am content to know he is well for now. He would have approached me if he were otherwise, I suppose.”

He remained silent, and Elizabeth was not certain how to continue. She looked around the room and noticed Miss Darcy looking at them intensely.

“Lord Matlock, may I dare ask… Are you well acquainted with Mr. Wickham?”

“Quite well, indeed. His father had the management of Pemberley for many years. Oh, forgive me; Pemberley is Darcy’s estate. My late brother Darcy was Wickham’s godfather. I have known Wickham since he was an infant.”

He seemed lost in his thoughts, and again, Elizabeth could not find the proper words to inquire further. Fortunately, the earl continued his confession.

“Yes, since he was an infant…that little rascal… Miss Elizabeth, do you think you could find something stronger than this coffee? Some brandy, perhaps?”

“Sorry? Oh, yes, certainly. I will take care of it immediately.” Elizabeth hurried and asked the servant for some brandy then returned to the earl.

“I am pleased to know Mr. Wickham had you to support him in times of need, Lord Matlock. It is a relief to know he is a favourite of yours. I know he had little support from Mr. Darcy. They do not appear to be on the best of terms.”

“You are correct, Miss Elizabeth. Now they are grown, neither Darcy nor my sons are very fond of Wickham.”

“I imagine they are reluctant to share a friendship with someone beneath them…”

“In this I am not certain you are correct. If they changed their behaviour towards him, they had good reasons. Some of the reasons I am aware of, some not, but I cannot blame any of them, nor can I intervene between them. And I cannot demand they be as forgiving as I am of Wickham’s faults.”

“I am sure Mr. Wickham has his faults, but do not we all? And I think the punishment should be no more severe than the fault.”

“You must not worry, dear Miss Elizabeth; no matter what Wickham might have told you, you must not take it seriously. No one is punishing Wickham, though he has changed in the last few years, and not for the better. I can understand why my nephew and my sons are not easy with his misbehaviour.”

Elizabeth tried to control her temper, though it was difficult. She could not understand how the earl could declare his affection for Mr. Wickham and accept so easily his rejection by the younger men in the family.

“It might be correct—or not. Miss Elizabeth, you have a quick mind and hasty judgement. I enjoy speaking to you, but if you were my daughter, I would warn you to be cautious when you form your opinions. It might be dangerous…”

He was speaking in jest, so she replied in like manner. “Sir, had I the honour of being your daughter, I would happily accept your warnings.”

He kissed her hand, and they moved together to the settee where the others were gathered. A few steps away, Miss Darcy poured herself a cup of tea. Elizabeth offered to help her whilst the earl asked for the favour of a second glass of brandy. He then turned to Georgiana and whispered so only she and Elizabeth could hear.

“Georgie sweetie, can you keep a secret? I was just speaking to Miss Elizabeth about Wickham. She met him in Hertfordshire; he has joined the militia. What do think of that? And Miss Elizabeth testified he looked handsome in uniform.”

Miss Darcy turned white, her hands trembling, and she dropped her cup of hot tea on her dress. Elizabeth hurried to see whether she had harmed herself. Mrs. Gardiner and Jane joined them and, with great distress, discovered that Miss Darcy’s hand was injured. Tense moments followed, and the ladies retired to the music room where Miss Darcy was given proper care; the gentlemen remained silent and confused.

Miss Darcy’s hand was only slightly burned; it was red and a trifle painful, but her embarrassment was greater. She continued to assure her hostess that she was well and apologised for her clumsiness, asking them to return to the gentlemen.

After a quarter hour, Mrs. Gardiner declared everything was fine and they could all return to the drawing room. Unexpectedly, this time Miss Darcy hesitated.

“Mrs. Gardiner, please be so kind and tell my uncle and my cousins that I am perfectly fine and I will return shortly. I do not want to give anyone reason to worry.”

Mrs. Gardiner understood that the girl wished to avoid being the centre of the gentlemen’s attention and would rather return after Mrs. Gardiner gave them the details and explanations. She could easily sympathise with her.

“I will remain with Miss Darcy a little longer,” said Elizabeth, and Mrs. Gardiner seemed pleased with her offer. She and Jane left the room while Elizabeth turned to Miss Darcy.

For a few moments there was silence; they both searched the room with curious gazes, stared at the fire, and then the piano.

“It is a fine instrument,” Miss Darcy said.

“It was a gift from my uncle for my aunt’s birthday three years ago. He loved music…”

“Oh, I did not mean to… I am sorry; I know it might be difficult to—”

“Do not worry, Miss Darcy. I miss my uncle very much, and though it makes me sad, I enjoy speaking of him.”

“I understand you perfectly well, Miss Elizabeth. Since my parents—” She suddenly stopped, uncertain whether she should continue her confession. “Oh, look, it is snowing again!” After a brief moment of confusion, they hurried to the window, staring outside at the white beauty before them. A short glance was enough approval for Elizabeth to open the window, and like children, they leaned outside to allow the snow to fall over their faces and hands.