Page 9 of An Accidental Meeting
Perhaps he wouldnotact. Not again. But what she said was, “Aunt, he is a gentleman, and I am a gentleman’s daughter.” The words did not hold the same conviction that they once had.
“Of course you are, Lizzy,” her aunt remonstrated. “However, you do possess relations who are not so high. As estimable as your uncle and I are, we are still in trade, and for a man like Mr. Darcy to invite us into his home for dinner speaks to a rather powerful motive.”
Her voice was steady and amused. Aunt Gardiner was in no way apologising for her status, and Elizabeth loved her the better for it.
“Last autumn, I would never have thought that he was capable of such a thing.”
“This morning you said you met with him again when you visited Mrs. Collins.”
“I did.”
“Did he seem changed to you then?”
“No . . .” But he had, had he not? “Yes?”
“Are you not certain?”
Her aunt was taking far too much pleasure in Elizabeth’s confusion. Should she explain the proposal? It had not been an example of genteel behaviour on either side, but Elizabeth was feeling strangely protective of Mr. Darcy. It would feel disloyal,somehow, to expose him or his proposal to scrutiny. Elizabeth had told Jane only because she required advice, but even her sister did not know all. And if she explained their encounter in full, Uncle Gardiner might refuse to return them to Pemberley for dinner tonight. Elizabeth imagined Mr. Darcy reading a note such as her uncle would send, and her heart ached to think he might be disappointed. Besides, she wanted to inquire after Mrs. Reynolds.
“I am not certain of anything,” Elizabeth replied with a sigh. “He may have been different, and upon reflection, I believe he was. But I was still seeing him as the man I knew at Netherfield, andthatman I did not like.”
“Perhaps sitting at Mr. Darcy’s table tonight will help you sort it out. Let his behaviour be the guide of your own, and all will be well.” Her aunt patted her hand. “Regardless of what happens after tonight, I must thank you for exciting such a courtesy, Lizzy. To dine at Pemberley! Never in my life would I have expected such an honour. And your uncle is pleased, for this is certain to be an excellent meal.”
“Margaret,” Uncle Gardiner called from the sitting room, “will you assist me?”
“Your uncle always requires help with his cravat. I have no idea what he did before he met me.” Aunt Gardiner placed a kiss on Elizabeth’s cheek. “Do not be nervous, Lizzy. Simply be yourself.”
“As if I could avoid it,” was Elizabeth’s dry reply.
“And there she is,” her aunt said approvingly, and exited the room.
Elizabeth took a last look in the glass. She was wearing her rose-coloured gown, one of the two favourites she had brought with her but not yet worn. Most of their travelling had been completed before dinner, which had then been taken in the private rooms her uncle had reserved for them. There had beenno need to dress formally. But she was grateful that she had brought the gowns with her, for she did wish Mr. Darcy to see her at her best.
It was only fair, for he had already seen her at her worst.
“Well, now, Lizzy,” her uncle said as she made her way to the sitting room outside her chamber, “shall we disgrace you, do you think?”
The Gardiners were the picture of an elegantly fashionable couple from London. Uncle Gardiner was a handsome, dashing, successful man not quite forty, his good looks only enhanced in evening dress. And Aunt Gardiner was a beauty to match, wearing an amber-coloured gown that shimmered as it moved. As none of them had wished to worry over valuables on their travels, their jewellery was simple, but Elizabeth believed they would make a good showing, even somewhere as grand as Pemberley.
Elizabeth laughed lightly. “I think it more likely that I would appear the less fortunate relation than the pair of you making a poor impression.”
“Your gown is lovely,” Uncle Gardiner insisted, and then smiled smugly. “I know, for the fabric came from my warehouse.”
One of his warehouses. When Elizabeth had seen the rose-coloured crape, she had immediately thought it would be lovely over an ivory sarsenet. She had been correct.
Aunt Gardiner shook her head. “Come, my dears,” she said fondly. “We must not be late!”
Uncle Gardiner watched his wife precede them and offered his arm to Elizabeth. “Your aunt is in raptures over being invited to dine at Pemberley,” he told her in low tones. “You could not have chosen a better time to improve your opinion of its master.”
Elizabeth laughed at this quip and felt a good deal more confident as the carriage arrived and her uncle helped both ladies in.
Chapter Four
Darcy stared at the coat his valet held out. Black, as was appropriate for the evening meal. “No,” he said, and Simons dutifully returned the coat to his wardrobe. He returned with another. Also black, but with different cuffs.
How many black coats did he own? They had been at this for nearly a quarter of an hour. Darcy shook his head.
With an expression that told Darcy he might be in real danger, Simons held out another, with a slightly narrower collar.
