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“I do not believe your father was concerned with love when he and his friend devised the scheme, but rather the security of any daughters he might sire. There are few choices for a gentleman’s daughter or any woman for that matter: marriage or spinsterhood.”
“True, but one does not necessarily lead to happiness—the other to sorrow and loneliness.”
“True, but one does lessen the burden on the woman’s family considerably.” Mrs. Gardiner reached for Elizabeth’s hand. “I know how my sister feels about your rejection of Mr. Collins’s hand, but your father does not speak on the matter. What has he said to you?”
“Papa supports my decision. He also believes his cousin is ridiculous, and he has detected that in Mr. Collins’s character, which might have placed me in grave danger of an unhappy alliance. On the other hand, he told me that he is exceedingly pleased with the prospect of Jane marrying Mr. Bingley because he feels strongly that his Mr. Caseman’s temperament is ideally suited to my own.”
“So, your father has met this young man.”
“Papa’s good opinion is a result of his frequent correspondence with the elder Mr. Caseman.”
“Pray, if he feels that strongly about the young man, why has he yet to invite him to Longbourn?”
“Mr. Caseman is abroad. He is expected to return to England in the spring, at which point the introductions will be made, unless of course Jane and I should happen to make matches before his arrival. Jane is well on her way, and I very well intend to make my own match. In fact, I am determined to do so. It is just that I have yet to meet anyone who is both credible and worthy of consideration.” Elizabeth’s mind wandered to the dashing Lt. Wickham. As much as she admired him, her father would think she was downright silly to suppose he could provide a life for her.
“Lizzy, I cannot tell you how pleased I am to hear you speak this way, for before, I was growing quite concerned that you were entertaining notions of a possible alliance with Mr. Wickham.”
“If his prospects were more than those of a lowly footman, I do not see why I should not. He is honest and amiable.”
“And handsome.”
“Yes, he is exceedingly handsome, yet neither of our prospects affords a mutual alliance. Between the two of us, at least one must be in possession of a fortune.”
“Perhaps, not a fortune, but I am glad you see the wisdom in not wishing for more than what appears to be an amicable acquaintance with the gentleman.”
“Indeed. Once you discover the makings of Mr. Wickham’s misfortunes, you will understand why I favour him.” Elizabeth went on to confide all Wickham had told her that night at the Philipses’ home as well as other pertinent facts whenever they met subsequently.
Mrs. Gardiner, a fashionable woman whose air did not speak of Cheapside, lent an impartial ear to her niece’s recounting until Elizabeth had exhausted the subject completely in Mr. Wickham’s favour. “The gentleman’s story is certain to engender a great deal of charity, especially from someone who does not know Mr. Darcy’s character.”
“Mr. Wickham’s accusations, while admittedly unsubstantiated, ring true in light of all I have heard others say—save Mr. Darcy’s housekeeper. I am inclined to give greater credence to his account. We were both there when Mr. Darcy’s housekeeper expounded upon her master’s many laudable traits. Surely you will admit she was outrageously effusive in her pronouncements.”
“I take it then that Mr. Darcy has not returned to Hertfordshire to visit his friend, Mr. Bingley. You have yet to meet the gentleman.”
“I have not, and if I am to be honest, I would have to say that one of the things I look forward to is meeting Mr. Darcy so I might sketch his character for myself.”
“Lizzy, I cannot promise you any such opportunities. We have the chance to attend the theatre and the occasional visit to Bond Street for shopping, but even in those instances, the likelihood of meeting someone of Mr. Darcy’s standing is small.”
“Do you forget, Aunt, that I had the privilege of making Miss Darcy’s acquaintance when we visited Pemberley? I shall call on her when I arrive in town.”
Thus, it was decided. Elizabeth would return to London with her aunt and uncle when they took their leave of Longbourn. Though she did not wish to leave Jane, for Mr. Bingley had yet to declare himself, Elizabeth knew this arrangement was for the best if she stood any chance at all of meeting someone, anyone, other than the man whom her father had predestined as his future son-in-law. Elizabeth sought her eldest sister to share her plan.
“Jane, you must allow me to apologise in advance for abandoning you to fend for yourself against the Bingley sisters, but I am leaving you in Mr. Bingley’s warm care. I am convinced it is only a matter of time before he requests your hand in marriage.”
“Lizzy, I understand your reasoning in wanting time away from home. As for abandoning me to defend myself against Mr. Bingley’s sisters, you must allow that they have always treated me with the utmost kindness. I have come to think of them as dear acquaintances. While I dare not be as presumptuous as you in supposing Mr. Bingley will ask me to marry him, I do believe that were he to do so, I would enjoy nothing but great sisterly affection from my new friends.”
Jane was too kind and good to think meanly of anyone, especially those who hid their animosity as well as the Bingley sisters. Their subtle outrage when Mrs. Bennet had announced to all who would hear that her daughter would soon be the mistress of Netherfield told Elizabeth all she needed to know about the prospect of her dearest sister living in harmony with those two. Elizabeth hoped once Jane and Mr. Bingley were married, the Hursts would be on their way, taking Miss Caroline Bingley along with them.
Having received a letter from her friend Georgiana asking of her plans for the upcoming Season and even going so far as to encourage Elizabeth to spend time with her in London, Elizabeth considered she certainly would take her friend up on her offer.
In light of her fears that word of her family’s behaviour at the Netherfield ball had reached Mr. Darcy’s hearing by now, Elizabeth did not know how he would countenance a friendship between her and his sister. She rather supposed it would not impede her attendance at an occasional social outing with Georgiana.
It will be a promising adventure for me, and with any luck, I might meet Mr. Darcy. Then I shall finally set about the long-anticipated task of sketching his character for myself.
CHAPTER 5
A GENTLEMAN’S AIR
The noise from the crowded ballroom and the throng of dancers wore on his nerves. Darcy pulled out his pocket watch. His party was a half hour late. Where in heavens are they?
