Page 65 of An Accidental Meeting
Darcy closed his eyes. His feelings werenatural and just. Had he not said the same to Elizabeth just after she refused him? Another lesson on holding one's tongue.
"But I see now how well suited you are for one another," Gardiner assured him. "You are both so competent at anything you attempt, so confident in how you move about in the world, and yet rather uncertain about your own value.”
Darcy grimaced. He had felt his own worth toomuchin April. Elizabeth had given him many signs that she did not think ill of him now, but he had been so disastrously wrong about hersentiments before that it was difficult to work up his courage to approach her again. For if he were to ask and be refused this time, when she knew him so much better—it would be unbearably final.
“I would wish to give her more time to come to know me better. But it seems that time is in short supply. I would like to approach her.”
Gardiner rubbed his forehead wearily. “And should Elizabeth say yes? How would that support your plan for Lydia?”
Here, Darcy was on more solid footing. “If she accepts, we can say Miss Lydia travelled here from Brighton because Elizabeth wrote her that we were engaged, and she wished to be the first of her other sisters to visit Pemberley.”
Gardiner grunted. “That sounds like Lydia. But travelling here on her own is still scandalous.”
“We can work that out after I hear Elizabeth’s answer. While I have some ideas, she will doubtless have her own to contribute.”
The smile on Gardiner’s face was as gratifying as it was unexpected. “You know Lizzy better than you think, Darcy. She will appreciate being a part of any decisions to do with her sister.”
Darcy had not said he did not know Elizabeth, but his hesitation had done that work for him. As for her approbation--he could only pray that Gardiner was right, for this was not the way in which he would have preferred to approach her.
The door to the library opened to reveal Aunt Nora. She glanced around the room until she saw them in the far corner. “Fitzwilliam,” she said calmly, “I am told we have a new guest?”
He and Gardiner moved back to the centre of the room. “Aunt Nora, this is Miss Lydia Bennet, the youngest niece of Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. Miss Lydia, this is my aunt, Mrs. Darcy.”
“Charmed,” Miss Lydia said, bobbing a shallow curtsy.
Aunt Nora assessed Miss Lydia and offered her a little nod. “I presume you would like to see your chamber, Miss Lydia?”
“My chamber?” Miss Lydia asked, truly perplexed. She turned to her aunt. “What about—”
“Margaret,” Aunt Nora said pleasantly, “shall you join us?”
Mrs. Gardiner looped her arm through her niece’s. “I will, of course.” She patted the girl’s arm. “Lydia, dear, please wait until we are in your room, and then you may tell us all about your trip. I do not wish to miss asingledetail.”
The promise of her aunt’s undivided attention did its work; Miss Lydia preened a bit and agreed. The women were soon gone.
That problem handled, Gardiner cleared his throat. “I believe the next move is yours, Darcy.”
Chapter Seventeen
Elizabeth sat in the window seat, her trunks packed with both haste and precision. It had helped to keep from dwelling on what might have been lost, but now that she had nothing left to do, she pulled her knees to her chest and rested her head against the glass in a deepening melancholy.
“Lizzy?”
It was Uncle Gardiner, here to usher her down the stairs and away from Pemberley. No doubt they would be on their way to purchase a common licence and have Lydia and Mr. Wickham quickly wed. This was Mr. Darcy's parish. If he was still willing to assist them, surely he could find a vicar willing to perform the ceremony.
“Coming, Uncle.”
The prospect of a long ride back to Longbourn with the happy couple was a bitter one, for Lydia would insist on returning to be fêted in the neighbourhood. Indeed, they would have to return so that the neighbours could see that Lydia had wed. It wasthe only way to keep up appearances. Oh, how she hated the thought.
She opened the door and was surprised to see Mr. Darcy loitering behind Uncle Gardiner in the hall.
“Lizzy,” Uncle Gardiner said again, offering her his arm.
She took it, closing the door behind her as he drew her from the room. They walked towards the family wing.
She glanced behind them at Mr. Darcy, who appeared anxious and grave. “Uncle, where . . .”
“Shh. In a moment, niece.”
