Chapter 37

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

T wo days later, the ladies gathered at the Gardiners' home, then they all—Mrs Gardiner, Elizabeth, Mary, and Jane—took the Magnussen carriage to Darcy House.

"In her note, Mrs Fielding said she owns all of Gerhard's published compositions," said Mary. "I do remember Miss Bingley's praise of her musical talent. How kind of her to help us with the concerts."

"She and her husband gave a lovely dinner party for Captain and Mrs Leonard just before their wedding. She is very generous with her time and with her home, though their townhouse actually belongs to Mr Darcy," Elizabeth said.

Mrs Gardiner exchanged a mischievous glance with Jane. "Darcys here, Darcys there, Darcys, Darcys everywhere," she said in a singsong voice. "Suddenly we seem to be meeting them very often, and they seem predisposed to like us. How has that come about do you think, Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth felt the heat in her cheeks and looked down at her gloved hands. "I have no idea." She raised her head and looked at her aunt. "Did I ever tell you about my last encounter with Mr Darcy when he was in Hertfordshire? He asked me to dance at the Netherfield ball. I had sworn never to dance with him, but he caught me by surprise, and I accepted." She shook her head and made a face. "And do you know what I did during that dance? I rudely pestered the poor man with impertinent questions about Mr Wickham."

"Oh, Lizzy, you did not!" exclaimed Mrs Gardiner.

"I did. He was angry with me but still unfailingly polite." She shuddered. "It embarrasses me to even think of it now. Since we have renewed our acquaintance, he has been all kindness and affability. I know we have both changed in the intervening years, but I still cannot explain it."

"Did not Charlotte say that Mr Darcy was paying close attention to you even then?" Mary reminded her. "You assumed he did not like you, but perhaps he did. Perhaps he is happy to be in your company again."

"She did say that," Elizabeth admitted. She thought of her former friend, still married to Mr Collins. Sir William had told her father that Mr Collins had taken the news of her little brother's birth badly, threatening to sue for breach of promise and implying that the little boy was not Mr Bennet's child. Sir William had sternly talked him out of it, telling him that he would only embarrass himself. Poor Charlotte, married to such a man!

"Do you like him?" her aunt asked gently.

"I do. I like him very much, but pray do not read too much into it," said Elizabeth. "Most likely it is friendship he intends, nothing more."

Standing in front of the Darcys' townhouse was another revelation. On her prior visit there, she had not known it was his. Now she viewed it in a different way. Although it was the most imposing townhouse she had seen, there was no useless decoration. It conveyed wealth and status by its perfect proportions and understated elegance. In that, it suited him.

Will he be at home? Perhaps he would step into the drawing room and greet them.

They were met by Mrs Sanders, the housekeeper, and shown into a cosy parlour that Elizabeth had not seen previously; a cheerful room with sky-blue wallpaper patterned with tiny primroses and comfortable furniture upholstered in pale-yellow silk. Not the drawing room more usual for an afternoon tea, but a more intimate setting. The room looked like it was often occupied. Along with paintings and priceless objets d'art , there were homely touches like an embroidery frame and books lying open. Mrs Fielding rose and curtseyed, then held out her hands.

"Welcome, ladies, I am so glad you have come!" she said, gesturing to a sofa and chairs grouped near a low table. "Pray, do be seated. I am expecting one more guest, but our tea will arrive shortly."

The ladies settled themselves. "We are so pleased that you wish to assist us with the concerts, Mrs Fielding," said Mrs Gardiner. "It is most gracious of you to open your home for a dinner party and invite your friends to support our little venture."

"What Mr Gardiner and Sir Alexander have done with the chapterhouse is exceptional. Many other gentlemen might have moved the stones away and not bothered to even notice it, much less reconstruct it. And to offer it up as a community resource! My husband and I wish to do all we can to tell our friends about the concerts and the chapterhouse."

"Lady Matlock, madam," intoned the butler from the doorway. Surprised, Elizabeth and her sisters and aunt rose and curtseyed deeply. Mrs Fielding's guest was from the nobility.

Mrs Fielding curtseyed quickly and then went to embrace the elegant older lady with great affection. She brought the lady forwards and made the introductions.

"Lady Matlock, may I present Lady Magnussen, Mrs Gardiner, Mrs Bancroft, and Mrs Heidemann," she said, turning from her aunt to her guests. "Ladies, my aunt, Lady Matlock. She has also taken an interest in the concert series."

Ah yes, their uncle is an earl. Elizabeth remembered an offhand remark of Miss Bingley's, something about Mr Darcy's noble relations.

The countess was silver-haired, stately, and stylish, though she did not seem to affect the ennui that others in the highest circles did. Her countenance showed intelligence and amiable interest in her niece's guests. Her eyes moved from face to face as the introductions proceeded, lingering briefly on Elizabeth. The ladies seated themselves, and a maid brought in the tea.

After a round of further pleasantries and enquiries about their children, Mrs Fielding called them to order. "The first item, I think, is the guest list." She rose and moved to a small rosewood desk placed along the wall, taking paper and a pencil from a drawer. "Mrs Heidemann, perhaps we should begin with your husband's connexions in town. Can you think of any who should be included or perhaps might be useful in spreading the word about the concerts?"

"Lord and Lady Findlay are my husband's patrons and should be included, though I believe they are currently in Berkshire."

"That is not far away. Do you think they might be prevailed upon to come to town?"

Mary thought for a moment. "Perhaps they might. They have been instrumental in supporting my husband's career, enabling him to come to England and take up his post at Cambridge." She smiled. "They may enjoy taking some of the credit themselves."

After an initial reserve, the discussion flowed easily. Elizabeth could not keep her eyes from moving in the direction of the door once or twice but made herself attend to the discussion. While polishing off tea and a large tray of sandwiches and cakes, the ladies managed to come up with a list of a dozen couples, noted patrons of the arts who were either in town or within a day's drive. Elizabeth did not know many people in London beyond her own family, but she knew the Langleys remained and was able to add them to the list. The admiral could not tell a soprano from a sonata, but Hannah greatly appreciated musical performances. She was pleased with her ladyship's cordiality to them all but especially to her aunt, the wife of a tradesman. A well-to-do, educated tradesman, but a tradesman just the same.

Mrs Fielding even called a nursery maid to bring in her son, Robert—a chubby, bright-eyed boy just under two years of age. The ladies all cooed over and cosseted him; it almost felt like family.

She had the strangest feeling at times that she was being scrutinised, but every time she furtively peeked, Lady Matlock's eyes were elsewhere. Although the gathering was pleasurable, she was relieved and slightly cast down when it was over. They had seen nothing of Mr Darcy, so he must have gone out. If he had been at home, he would have at least greeted them, would he not?

On their way back to Gracechurch Street, they discussed the plans for the concerts and spoke of what duties the rest of their day included. It was not until Elizabeth and her aunt were alone that Mrs Gardiner commented on the visit.

"I noticed a heightened interest in your direction on the part of Lady Matlock," agreed Mrs Gardiner. "Perhaps she was observing you as a future member of her family."

Elizabeth had not allowed herself to consider the notion that Mr Darcy had any designs on her other than friendship, though the idea increasingly danced around the edges of her mind. He was the last man in the world she would have ever imagined seeking her out in that way. Her aunt's comment made her feel a little breathless. Had he told his family about her? Would they like her? Mrs Fielding seemed to approve of her, at least.

Did Mr Darcy wish for more than a friendship? Could this truly go anywhere? Did she wish it to? Elizabeth had never even had a flirtation, much less a romance. Is this what romance was like, this feeling of exhilaration and agitation? This desire for his company and the elation of provoking one of his rare smiles?

She nearly had not recognised him when she had first seen him again. Not only had his presence been surprising and strange amongst her shipmates, his expression had been sanguine, hopeful, even eager. His comportment towards her family, even the Gardiners, had been respectful and cordial.

She felt a small, tender smile spread across her face. She did wish it. But did he?