Page 13 of An Accidental Meeting
Her aunt and uncle chuckled in unison.
“But there comes a time when a man wishes for the quiet of his own home and routine. I find that when I am at Pemberley, I can bear the solitude quite cheerfully.”
“Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth retorted, “I do believe you are attempting not to take a stand. If we are to determine the superiority of town or country, the answer cannot be that it is both.”
“Well said,” Judge Darcy said with a chuckle.
The soup arrived, and their repartee paused until the servants finished.
“You have placed a great challenge before me, Miss Bennet,” Mr. Darcy said, picking up the thread of their conversation as easily as he picked up his spoon. “It is my contention that while town is superior in its entertainments, the country is superior in its effects upon the soul.”
“I must bow to your better understanding,” Elizabeth said grandly. “However, as far as being entertained, I find it highly improbable that one should encounter a donkey in the dining room in any of London’s inns.”
“That,” Judge Darcy said wryly, “shows you have not spent enough time listening to the cases brought in my courtroom.”
At this, they all laughed and turned their attention to the soup.
Darcy had dined with more than one duke, at least a dozen earls, and many other titled families, but he could not recall a dinner he had enjoyed more. There was no need for stately formalities. Aunt Nora was not unhappy with him for occasionally speaking to Miss Bennet, though they were not seated next to one another, and the Gardiners were unfailingly polite but not in the least intimidated by those gathered. Mr. Gardiner was just finishing a spirited discourse about the dangers of rationality and hubris with Uncle Hugh, and Mrs. Gardiner was regaling Aunt Nora with tales of her girlhood in nearby Lambton.
His eyes met Elizabeth’s across the table, and she smiled at him, a sweet, winsome smile that touched his heart. Before he could arrange his thoughts and speak, Aunt Nora rose.
“Mrs. Gardiner, Miss Bennet,” she said, “shall we leave the gentlemen to their cigars and arguments?”
“No arguments, my dear,” Uncle Hugh said with some animation. “Debate only!”
“Debate, then,” Aunt Nora said, casting her eyes to the ceiling and leading the women away.
The room was dimmer when the ladies were gone.
“Would either of you like some brandy?” Darcy inquired, as a good host should.
“I would appreciate that, Mr. Darcy,” Mr. Gardiner said. He took a glass from Darcy’s hand. “Before we rejoin my wife and niece, I am afraid I must ask about your intentions.”
“Straight to the heart of the matter,” Uncle Hugh said, nodding. “I expected no less.”
“I have noted nothing to resent, Mr. Darcy,” Mr. Gardiner said evenly. “But I do not wish to be caught unawares. Elizabeth is in my care while she travels with us.”
And he was a more diligent guardian than Mr. Bennet. Darcy had been expecting this question, though not quite so soon and not with Uncle Hugh in the room.
“Can you not see it, Gardiner?” his uncle crowed. “The boy is enamoured!”
He was no longer surprised at Uncle Hugh’s insistence on informalities, but Darcy hoped his uncle had not offended Elizabeth’s with his familiarity.
He need not have feared.
“I do see that,” Mr Gardiner said. “Hence my question, sir. For all the pleasant food and conversation you have graced us with this evening, what I know of you is that you were unpleasant to Lizzy upon your first meeting, and that you are theparticular friend of a man who left another niece of mine with disappointed hopes.” His gaze was steady. “I will understand if your admiration of Elizabeth is the kind that can come to nothing, but if it is so, I must insist you refrain from showing her such attentions as you have this day.”
Darcy set his glass down on the tray and then straightened. He had not known precisely how to approach the topic, and Mr. Gardiner’s inquiry had both impressed him and resolved his quandary. “My intentions towards your niece are entirely honourable, sir. However, I cannot know her own feelings on the matter, and so your concern may be premature.”
“I did not such a direct avowal, Mr. Darcy.” Mr. Gardiner said, his brows pinched as though he had been expecting a denial or a show of affront and now knew not how to proceed. Darcy accorded a great deal of credit to the man if he had been assuming he would be censured and had spoken to protect his niece anyway.
Darcy could see that Uncle Hugh had read the situation the same way.
“Well,” his uncle said, “now that you have put my nephew on notice, Gardiner, let us have a toast to the ladies, shall we? We dance to their tunes, but the music is lovely.”
Darcy retrieved his glass, and they all drank.
“I am told,” Mr. Gardiner said after they were done, “that young Mr. Darcy does not care to dance.” He tipped his head slightly to one side and stared at Darcy as though he were attempting to solve a puzzle.
