9. Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine

Everything seemed to be happening too fast for Elizabeth to comprehend. Somehow, Mr. Darcy appeared to be organising for all the Bennet women to escape Longbourn and Mr. Collins' tyrannical rule - possibly permanently, if her understanding was correct. Jane had confided that Bingley had received word that the special license was secured; all he had to do was attend Doctor's Commons to collect it from the Archbishop's secretary there, and then he and Jane could be married at their leisure. And Jane seemed to think there was no reason why any of her sisters or her mother should ever need to return to Longbourn once that happy event had taken place.

Elizabeth couldn't quite bring herself to believe it would be so easy, but she could also not conceive of any way in which Mr. Collins might somehow force Mr. Bingley to relinquish his protection of them.

She was also not at all sure just what Mr. Darcy expected of her. He maintained a respectful distance, yet she was constantly aware of his eyes on her, whenever they were in the same room. After Mary's comments regarding Mr. Darcy's regard for her throughout their acquaintance, Elizabeth found herself reconsidering their every interaction, dwelling on his every word and glance, wondering how ever she could have so completely mistaken him.

Of course, there was Mr. Wickham's tale of a living denied to consider, but Elizabeth found she could not quite reconcile Mr. Wickham's account with the Mr. Darcy who she was now coming to know. Mr. Wickham called him proud, and indeed he had seemed so upon first acquaintance, but it seemed apparent now that Mr. Darcy was actually a very reserved man who nevertheless would put himself to a great deal of trouble to assist his friends and those he cared for. How was it possible for someone who had grown up with him, as Mr. Wickham claimed to have done, not to know that? To misrepresent Mr. Darcy's true character in such a deliberate way, and for what purpose?

Shockingly, Mr. Wickham had actually called at Longbourn, two days after Mr. Bennet's funeral. Hill had turned him away, of course, sternly advising that the family were not receiving guests during their mourning. Elizabeth had been listening through a slightly open window, heard Mr. Wickham's honeyed words as he claimed he merely wished to offer his condolences on the family's loss.

"Pray do give my particular regards to Miss Elizabeth!" he called even as Hill closed the door in his face, and Elizabeth had to wonder why. She had given him no real encouragement. Had Wickham seen what Mary, Jane and Charlotte all told her had been evident; that Mr. Darcy held Elizabeth in some regard, and had from early in their acquaintance? Was Wickham seeking to pursue her to exact revenge of some sort on Mr. Darcy, for Mr. Darcy's sins against him - whether real or imagined?

There was only one place where she might obtain answers, but she had no opportunity to speak to Darcy privately. The day after the Lucas family came, and Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley called so unexpectedly, yet another new arrival came to Longbourn. Mr. Gardiner arrived at last.

Mrs Bennet's brother had been sent to on the day of Mr. Bennet's passing, of course, but in the most disastrous timing possible, two of the Gardiner children were afflicted with the chickenpox and no-one could leave the house until the doctor pronounced them clear of the contagion. Finally, however, he was available to come, and had set out in his coach before dawn to come to his sister's side.

Mr. Collins grumbled and muttered about another mouth to feed, when he received Mr. Gardiner's note advising him of his plan to arrive at Longbourn, but he could hardly deny him as a family member. Nevertheless, he rudely made his displeasure clear by going out in the hour Mr. Gardiner was expected to arrive, piously declaring his attention to go to the church and pray for his dear departed cousin's soul.

With Mr. Collins gone from the house, Mrs Bennet took full opportunity to revel once more in her nerves, shrieking and wailing upon her brother's neck until even that patient man permitted himself a glance of exasperation in the direction of his quietly waiting nieces.

"Fanny, dear sister, you must calm yourself," he said in his usual soothing way. "We are all devastated over Mr. Bennet's passing, of course, but your daughters need you now. You cannot possibly think to leave them to the sole care of Mr. Collins."

"I cannot, indeed, for Elizabeth will not marry him, ungrateful child that she is," Mrs Bennet said spitefully, "and his tolerance for us will surely last no more than a few weeks once she makes herself clear to him."

"Mama!" Elizabeth reproached.

"Well, and am I incorrect? You have not said as much to me, but your sisters talk in my hearing, and any fool can see how you have done your best to make yourself unpleasant to him since the day he arrived at Longbourn!"

Elizabeth stared at her mother, who stared back, her mouth set in a furious line. But Elizabeth could see the fear behind her mother's anger, and, much to Fanny Bennet's astonishment, Elizabeth rose and crossed to her mother's side, bending down to embrace her.

"Mama," she said softly. "Everything will be well. I promise."

"No thanks to you," Fanny Bennet snapped, but her voice trembled, and her arms clutched at Elizabeth as though she begged for her reassurance.

"Be honest, Mama. Even if I were to marry Mr. Collins, he is the kind of man who would still act on the pettiest of whims without regard to my feelings. Would you wish to spend the rest of your life walking on eggshells for fear of upsetting him?"

Mrs Bennet's expression made it clear that thought was unpalatable indeed.

"We have not known Mr. Bingley long, but I trust his honour far more than I ever could Mr. Collins'. Let us put our faith in him, and the love he clearly has for Jane, and trust that he will see us provided for more generously than Mr. Collins ever would." Elizabeth cast a pointed glance at the unlit fire and the empty coal scuttle .

"Indeed, so should I," Mr. Gardiner said firmly. "Though my budget would not stretch to a home the equal of Longbourn, I could provide a comfortable cottage..."

"No, indeed, Uncle," Elizabeth declined him lovingly but firmly. "You have your own children to think of; put the money away for their future. If my father had the opportunity to do so..." she trailed off, unwilling to speak ill of her father. She had loved him dearly, but never denied that he was flawed, and his lack of foresight in making provision for his daughters and widow could have cost them all dearly. Mr. Bingley's falling in love with Jane was the merest stroke of luck, in truth. Without it one of them would have had no choice but to marry Mr. Collins, dooming all of them to a life at the mercy of his petty whims.

Mrs Bennet claimed weariness and Jane and Elizabeth were able to extricate Mr. Gardiner from her presence after a little while. Taking their uncle to the parlour, they made haste to advise him of Mr. Bingley's proposed plans.

Elizabeth and Jane sat with their uncle in the parlour, the warmth of the fire doing little to ease the tension in the room. Mr. Gardiner, a practical man, listened intently as Jane explained Mr. Bingley's intentions and the plan for their future.

Mr. Gardiner nodded thoughtfully. "Mr. Bingley seems a sensible young man, and his affection for you, Jane, is clearly sincere. His proposal to take responsibility for your family speaks highly of his character."

Elizabeth, who had been quietly observing her uncle's reaction, added, "Mr. Darcy has also shown himself to be a man of honour. His assistance and concern for our welfare have been most unexpected but greatly appreciated. "

Mr. Gardiner raised an eyebrow. "Mr. Darcy? The same gentleman who you have written of to my wife, describing him as proud and disagreeable?"

Elizabeth sighed. "I misjudged him, Uncle. It seems there is much more to Mr. Darcy than meets the eye. His actions these past days have shown him to be a true friend and a man of integrity."

"And of good taste," Jane put in with a sly smile. "Mr. Darcy requested permission from our father to court Elizabeth."

"Did he indeed?" Mr. Gardiner looked amused. "I confess myself eager to meet the gentleman – as well as your Mr. Bingley, Jane. I think I shall take a short ride over to Netherfield."

"Now?" Elizabeth looked at him curiously. "But you have only just arrived, Uncle!"

"Indeed, and it will soon be dark." Mr. Gardiner looked out of the window at the lowering sky. "And here, unless I am much mistaken, is Mr. Collins returning."

It did not escape Mr. Gardiner that both Jane and Elizabeth tensed immediately, Elizabeth paling and almost shrinking into herself.

"Elizabeth," Mr. Gardiner said quietly, "is there something you would like to tell me about Mr. Collins?" When Elizabeth was silent, biting her lips, he looked at Jane. "Jane?"

Jane took Elizabeth's hand in hers and squeezed it. "Mr. Collins has been placing a certain amount of pressure on Elizabeth to accept him. Commencing before Papa had even been laid to rest. With Mama also so insistent, it has not been easy for Lizzy to remain steadfast."

"I see." Mr. Gardiner thought he would like very much to sit Mr. Collins down and have a discussion with him about how a gentleman should treat ladies, especially those dependent on his goodwill! "Well, Elizabeth, I trust you to know your own mind, and if Mr. Collins is not a suitable match for you, then perhaps Mr. Darcy is. I shall ensure that you have the freedom to make your choice, at least."

"Thank you, Uncle." Elizabeth gave him a hug before she and Jane left the room and hurried upstairs, obviously both desiring to be out of sight before Mr. Collins entered the house.

Which, of course, left Mr. Gardiner to introduce himself. A clever man, with the knack of making himself affable to whomever he might encounter, he was a little surprised to find Mr. Collins apparently predisposed to dislike him. He was certainly not made welcome.

"I cannot think why you bothered to come, Mr. Gardiner. My cousin Bennet's funeral is passed."

"And yet my sister still grieves," Mr. Gardiner said pleasantly. "I felt my condolences best delivered in person."

"Hmph." Mr. Collins glanced at the empty grate, seemed on the verge of calling a servant to lay the fire, then obviously changed his mind. "I am going upstairs to change for dinner. I will see you at table, sir."

What a parsimonious nincompoop. Mr. Gardiner had a great many even less charitable thoughts about Mr. Collins, but he kept them to himself, at least until the following morning when he paid a call to Netherfield and found Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy entirely in agreement with him.

"I wish I might remove my sister and nieces all from Longbourn at once, but I have not the room for them," Mr. Gardiner said apologetically. "I could rent a house close by my own, I suppose…"

"We should not put you to the expense, sir!" Mr. Bingley insisted. "Indeed, it will not be necessary. I have sent instructions to have my house in London made ready to receive them, and we should be ready to go within the week. "

"And do you plan to marry Jane as soon as you reach London, Mr. Bingley?" Mr. Gardiner frowned, not sure he was altogether pleased with that idea.

"I will marry Jane as soon as she will have me," Bingley replied, "but no, I do not plan to rush her. The Bennet ladies will reside in my house and I will take up residence with Mr. Darcy, who has kindly offered me house room, for a little while. You need not fear that my sisters will be there, either… they are both resident in my sister Hurst's townhouse."

Mr. Gardiner raised his eyebrows, interest piqued. "I beg your pardon, Mr. Bingley, but is there some reason why your sisters being resident in the same house as the Bennet ladies would be a matter for concern?"

Bingley and Darcy looked at each other, and then Mr. Bingley sighed, his shoulders dropping. "Mr. Gardiner, I regret that my sister Caroline has behaved quite abominably of late. She attempted to compromise Darcy into marrying her, and it was brought to my attention that she made threats towards Miss Elizabeth which were entirely unacceptable. I made it clear to her that I would no longer offer her house room and told her to find herself a husband in London."

"Dear me," Mr. Gardiner said after a moment of shocked silence. "How dreadful, Mr. Bingley. Well, I am glad that you have taken the necessary actions. Indeed, you seem to have everything well in hand. May I enquire about your plans for after the wedding?"

"I had thought that the two youngest sisters might we well served by a year or two each at school," Mr. Bingley suggested diffidently, brightening considerably when Mr. Gardiner gave an approving nod.

"You and I are very much of one mind in that, sir. Though I have found Kitty and Lydia quite improved on this visit; they were positively sober last night at dinner. Their father's passing has made them grow up quickly, I feel. Nevertheless, they could both do with a little polish."

"Girls of that age are wont to be silly at times," Mr. Darcy, who had been very quiet thus far, added to the conversation. "My sister Georgiana is but fifteen, the same age as Miss Lydia. She is also resident in London at the present with her companion and could do with some friends; I think she would enjoy the company of the Misses Bennet."

"No doubt they will be pleased to have a friend who is already familiar with London." Mr. Gardiner nodded. "As for Mary, my wife and I would be very glad to take her into our household, if she is agreeable. And my sister… well, we will offer her the choice, but I suspect she will wish to return here to Meryton and perhaps reside with our sister Phillips. Her social circle is here and all her friends."

Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley both made hopeful expressions of agreement, and Mr. Gardiner departed Netherfield with a far more optimistic outlook than he had begun the day with. Stopping in Meryton on his way back to Longbourn he made a few discreet enquiries and was satisfied that at least outstanding accounts with tradespeople had been paid following Mr. Bennet's passing. At least Mr. Collins was not to parsimonious as to fail to pay his bills.

Mr. Gardiner had planned to spend only two nights at Longbourn as urgent business awaited him in London, and was only sorry to be leaving his sister and nieces on his departure the following morning. He was hopeful of seeing them in London in no more than a few days' time, however, and took his leave of them confident all would soon be as it should.