Page 71 of Attempted Compromises
“Three days?” Lydia’s voice rang out from the stairs as she bounded into the room, Kitty trailing behind her. “But that’s the day of the Netherfield ball! Oh, I cannot wait to see the gowns and the carriages as everyone comes that evening to celebrate! Mr. Bingley must surely be inviting all his rich friends to come.”
“There will be no ball,” Mr. Bennet barked, causing Lydia to stop short. “It has been canceled.”
“What?” Lydia wailed, her face contorting in dismay. “Canceled? But why? That is most unfair!”
“It isnotunfair,” Elizabeth snapped, her voice cutting through Lydia’s protest. She stepped forward, cradling her injured arm. “Do you think this is a game, Lydia? Do you think this is about gowns and dances?”
Her voice rose with anger. “Look at me, Lydia! Look at what Lieutenant Wickham did! He chased me, threatened me, would have killed me if I hadn’t escaped. He killed Mr. Hurst, kidnapped Miss Bingley, and tried to kill me. And yet you can only speak of dancing? You had best learn to deal with disappointment, because I will not hesitate to cut you as Mrs. Darcy if you continue to behave in such a wild, selfish manner.”
Lydia’s eyes widened, and she burst into tears, burying her face in her hands. “You’re so mean, Lizzy! How can you say such awful things? I’m not selfish, you’re just—”
“Enough, Lydia!” Mrs. Bennet’s voice was sharp for once, and she rounded on her youngest daughter with uncharacteristic severity. “You will apologize to your sister this instant. Do you not see what she has endured? Have you no shame?”
Lydia stared at her mother, shock drying her tears . “B-but—”
“No buts!” Mrs. Bennet’s voice cracked, and tears filled her eyes as she looked at Elizabeth. She rose from her chair, a rare determination in her expression as she pointed toward the stairs. “Go to your room, Lydia. And do not come down until you can speak with proper respect.”
Lydia gaped at her mother. “But Mama—”
“Go!” Mrs. Bennet shouted. Lydia fled up the stairs, sobbing loudly. Kitty hesitated for a moment, then followed her sister with a furtive glance.
The room fell silent, and Mrs. Bennet sank back into her chair, dabbing at her eyes again. She looked at Elizabeth, her gaze filled with regret. “I am sorry, my dears. I don’t know what has come over her, but I promise I will not allow it.”
Elizabeth offered her mother a small, weary smile. “Thank you, Mama.”
She excused herself shortly afterward, her body heavy with exhaustion. Once in the privacy of her room, she sat at her writing desk and stared at the blank sheet of paper before her. Taking a deep breath, she dipped her pen into the inkwell. She must explain her hasty marriage to her Aunt Gardiner. The words felt heavy as she wrote.
Perhaps Mr. Darcy will carry it with him to London for one of his servant’s there to deliver for me.
The ink dried on the page, and she folded the letter with care, sealing it with quivering fingers. The weight of the day pressed down on her as she leaned back in her chair, her thoughts racing. Tomorrow would bring another step toward a future she had never imagined. Her world was changing faster than she could comprehend, and though she was determined to face it with courage, a small part of her longed for the simplicity of days gone by.
Chapter 20
The sound of horses' hooves echoed against the cobblestones as Darcy’s carriage came to a halt. He stepped out and slowly surveyed the tree lined street. The houses were tidy with modest, well-kept gardens. Cheapside was hardly the most fashionable quarter of London, but it wasn’t Jacob’s Island, either, and the location caused him to wonder what Elizabeth’s uncle’s occupation might be.
Darcy had left Bingley at Darcy House, where they would both be staying. Bingley needed to meet with not only his own solicitors, but also those of the late Mr. Hurst. Not only were there marriage articles between himself and Jane to arrange, but there were also many questions regarding the disposal of Mr. Hurst’s property and Miss Bingley’s dowry that needed to be answered.
Suppressing his trepidation, Darcy straightened his coat and approached the door. He knocked and gave his card to the servant who opened the door. “Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley and Darcy House to see Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner,” hesaid succinctly, his tone betraying none of the unease swirling within him.
Her widened as she curtsied and ushered him inside. “Please wait here, sir,” she said before disappearing into the house, leaving Darcy in the entry hall.
He tugged nervously on the edges of his cuffs. While he had agreed to deliver Elizabeth’s note, but the prospect of meeting her relatives—a family he had previously dismissed as vulgar—left him wary. He had envisioned individuals like Mrs. Bennet, all flutter and chatter, and yet here he was, standing before a residence that exuded quiet refinement.
Elizabeth had made it clear she did not expect him to deliver the letter personally, but the dull look on her face as she had spoken to him earlier that morning urged him to do the gentlemanly thing.Anything to bring the light back into her eyes.
After only waiting for a few moments, the servant girl returned. “Mrs. Gardiner will see you, sir. Just this way.”
Darcy followed the neat-looking maid down the hall and into a charmingly decorated living room. His sharp gaze swept over polished wood floors, modest but tasteful furnishings, and even an arrangement of fresh flowers on a side table. Everything was clean and orderly, with a quiet elegance that spoke of genteel sensibilities.
It was not what he had anticipated.
A poised woman in fashionable attire sat on a small sofa near the fire. Her hair was pinned back neatly, with an expression ofcuriosity and politeness on her face. She was not beautiful in the way of Elizabeth or Jane, but her features were pleasing, and her presence radiated calm intelligence.
He inclined his head. “Mrs. Gardiner, thank you for seeing me,” he said. “Your niece, Miss Elizabeth, requested that I deliver this to you.” He withdrew the letter from his pocket and offered it to her.
Mrs. Gardiner took Elizabeth’s note and opened it, her eyebrows raising high on her forehead as she read it, her expression shifting through a myriad of emotions. Upon completion, A faint crease appeared between her brows as she folded it neatly and set it aside. “I hope you will forgive me, Mr. Darcy, but I must send for my husband at once. He is overseeing matters at his warehouse, and I feel this matter requires his immediate attention.”
She signaled for the servant and dispatched the note with quiet efficiency before turning her attention back to Darcy. “Would you care to wait, or do you have other matters to which you must attend?”
