Page 4 of To Love And To Cherish
“I thank you for your hospitality, Mrs. Gardiner. And for your wisdom, Miss Bennet.”
“You are welcome anytime,” Mrs. Gardiner said sincerely.
But as the door closed behind him and she returned to the drawing room, she murmured, half to herself, Though I rather doubt a gentleman of his rank will ever cross this threshold again.
Elizabeth, seated on the carpet and thumbing through her new book, said without looking up, “He will.”
Chapter 3: The Stillroom
To Mrs. Gardiner’s complete astonishment, two days later, the butler appeared in the morning parlor bearing a silver tray, upon which lay a visiting card. She took it up and there printed in fine script was the name:Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.
“Well, I declare,” she murmured.
“Shall I show the gentleman in, ma’am?” the butler asked.
“Yes, at once. And send for tea, if you please.”
She rose, smoothing her skirts just as Elizabeth entered the room with a small stack of mending in her hands.
“Lizzy,” Mrs. Gardiner said, her voice composed but tinged with surprise, “Mr. Darcy is calling.”
Elizabeth smiled serenely. “I knew he would return.”
Mrs. Gardiner turned to her niece with a look of mild alarm. “Elizabeth, you did not have anything to do with this, did you? You did not invite Mr. Darcy back?”
Elizabeth’s brow furrowed. “No, Aunt, of course not.”
“Then why,” Mrs. Gardiner pressed gently, “are you so utterly unsurprised? You speak as though his return were inevitable.”
Elizabeth’s expression brightened. “Because he loves the stillroom, Aunt. And I daresay he would be sorely disappointed if you did not invite him to work with us today, particularly after he went to such lengths to rescue me from that street urchin and see me safely home. Surely, after such gallantry, he has earnednot only admission to your stillroom but the benefit of your instruction as well?”
Mrs. Gardiner studied her niece’s face a moment longer, then said with gentle reproach, “Elizabeth, I had meant to mention, swatting a gentleman’s arm is quite beyond the pale. It is not becoming in a young lady of your station. You are a gentleman’s daughter, and must conduct yourself with proper decorum.”
Elizabeth looked up, unrepentant. “Very well, Aunt. But it is only Mr. Darcy. He does not seem the least concerned with propriety.”
The butler opened the door, and the gentleman himself entered, hat in hand, his dark coat perfectly cut, a parcel tucked beneath his arm.
Both ladies stood and curtsied.
“Mr. Darcy,” Mrs. Gardiner said warmly, “we are pleased to see you.”
He bowed. “Thank you for receiving me. I hope I do not intrude.”
“Not in the least,” Elizabeth said, eyeing the parcel. “Have you brought another book?”
“I have,” he said with a faint smile, stepping forward. “I found this at Hatchards on Piccadilly. The clerk assured me it is the most comprehensive and modern volume on herbal and holistic remedies yet printed.”
He extended the gift, which was bound in deep brown leather, tooled in gold, the paper edges gilded. Elizabeth took it reverently.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered, tracing the binding with her fingers. She opened the book. “It’s organized by disease, how useful!”
She flipped quickly to a page, eyes scanning.
Mrs. Gardiner laughed. “Lizzy! Let us have a seat first and have our tea while it’s still hot. You forget your manners. You have not even greeted Mr. Darcy properly nor thanked him for this one-of-a-kind gift.”
Elizabeth colored. She slipped her finger into the page to hold her place, closed the book, and offered her hand. “Mr. Darcy, I thank you with all my heart. I have never seen a book like this, nor imagined I could ever possess one.”
“I am very glad you like it,” he replied with sincerity.
