Page 5 of Mr. Darcy's Complex Courtship

“You have no need to atone. My anger had been directed towards another. Since then, your cousin and I have cleared the air.”

His facial features relaxed. “Yes, he mentioned that.” The colonel took a glance towards Mr. Darcy, who spoke with Charlotte. “My cousin is a respectable, honourable man who has endured much loss and experienced too little happiness in the past. I believe that you—if you choose to—can transform and enhance his life. I hope you decide this is the right path for you.”

With my throat too taut for speech, I nodded. Soon thereafter, the gentlemen said their farewells. Mr. Darcy and I did not have an opportunity to speak alone, but his dark eyes held me in place when we exchanged our farewells. He took my proffered hand and bowed, giving me a slight smile. The brief contact of his gloved palm upon mine left a residual tingle.

Once they had departed, Charlotte took me to her sitting room for the stated purpose of seeking my opinion of her latest sewing project. She directed me to the sofa and sat beside me. “Upon my word, what a singular visit! Mr. Darcy has never been so amiable before. Did you notice his graciousness with my husband and me?”

“Yes, I cannot fault his behaviour today. He displayed no less cordiality than the colonel.”

Charlotte grinned. “When Mr. Darcy asked Maria how she liked the area, she was too shocked to give him more than a few words in response.” My friend held me in an intent look. “Are you still determined to dislike him?”

“No, I believe I may have misjudged him. He is a complex personality who is not easily understood.”

“Yes, I agree.” Her brow creased. “What a shame it is for you to come to this conclusion now, when he is leaving tomorrow. I maintain he has shown a marked preference for you these past weeks, yet I do not suppose you will have the opportunity to meet him again.”

I hesitated. Although I disliked deceiving my friend, I should not wish to encourage her already fertile imagination. Besides, Mr. Darcy may change his mind and decide against calling at my uncle’s home. “Well, perhaps you will invite me here again next spring, and I could see him then.”

She patted my hand. “Yes, you may depend on that.”

After we returned to the parlour, I remained rapt in contemplation of the unfathomable Mr. Darcy; Charlotte and Maria must have found me to be a dull companion indeed.

Chapter 2: Felicitous Tidings

Saturday, 25 April

Gracechurch Street, London

Elizabeth

Upon my arrival, Aunt Modesty Gardiner and Uncle Edward Gardiner provided a warm and enthusiastic welcome. And when Jane came to greet me, the sight of her rosy cheeks and fulgent smile heightened my already elevated spirits: she had not been this gay since November! She and I took the first opportunity for a private talk and left the house to stroll in the garden.

“Oh, Lizzy, there is so much to tell you.” Vivacity lent Jane’s words a high-pitched intonation as she slipped her arm around mine. “I have never been this happy before.”

“I am keen to hear your news.”

“Last Tuesday, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy came to call. You can imagine my astonishment.”

Mr. Darcyhad been here! An airy sensation animated my limbs. “You must have been pleased to see Mr. Bingley.”

“Indeed, I was gratified, nervous, and bemused all at once. I told myself not to place any importance on the call and treat him as I should any other guest. But he remained at my side and engaged me for the entire visit. He had been unaware of my presence in town until Mr. Darcy informed him earlier that day. Mr. Bingley declared he would have called at once had he known sooner.”

“And Mr. Darcy…”Egad, I could not utter his name without igniting a blaze in my face and neck. “What did he do whilst you and Mr. Bingley conversed?”

“He spoke with our aunt. I did not follow their discourse, but based upon the way she praised him afterwards, he must have been quite cordial. When they first arrived, he greeted me and asked after my family. Before they took their leave, Mr. Bingley promised to call again the following day.”

So Mr. Darcy had exerted himself to make polite conversation with Aunt Gardiner, allowing his friend the opportunity for a discussion with Jane. I adopted an effortless, fluid gait as Jane recounted Mr. Bingley’s explanation for having remained in London, how Mr. Darcy, Miss Bingley, and Mrs. Hurst had influenced that decision, and Mr. Darcy’s change of outlook after conversing with me in Kent—more proof that Mr. Darcy had fulfilled his promise.

Jane’s grip on my arm tightened. “Mr. Bingley and I sat upon a bench. He declared not returning to Netherfield had been thebiggest mistake he had ever made. Then he asked me to marry him. Of course I accepted!”

I jerked to a stop and spun towards Jane. “You are engaged! I am so happy for you!” I held her, and we swayed from side to side.

“Thank you. It feels as though I am living a wondrous dream.”

I wanted to shout for joy: my dearest sister would marry the man she loved! This turn of events surpassed my hopes! Untold minutes passed before I stepped back from her. “Do our aunt and uncle know?”

“Yes.” Jane slipped a hand in the pocket of her pelisse to retrieve her handkerchief and dabbed at the corners of her glistening eyes. “Mr. Bingley went to see Papa on Thursday, so the family knows too. I told Aunt and Uncle Gardiner that I wished to tell you the news myself. Our wedding is set for Tuesday the twenty-sixth of May, and I hope you will stand up with me.”

“Yes, of course I shall!”

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