Chapter 11

T his time, little could be done to ease Elizabeth’s pain. She had undeniable evidence of Mr Darcy’s preference for another lady. Yet, unlike just a few days ago, she refused to discuss the matter, preferring to play with her cousins or talk to her uncle. She kept her feelings to herself, choosing not to reveal the true state of her emotions to her aunt. She remained steadfast in her decision, preparing for her journey back home despite her aunt’s persistent efforts to dissuade her.

In despair, and lacking inspiration, Mrs Gardiner sent a message to Mrs Barstow, recounting the unfortunate turn of events. To her surprise, the next afternoon, just a few days before Elizabeth’s intended departure, Mrs Barstow and Miss Darcy called. Elizabeth welcomed them with a smile, one of the first in recent days. Despite the tumultuous emotions within her, she had developed a deep affection for Mrs Barstow and an immediate connection with Mr Darcy’s younger sister from their first meeting.

A friendship that arrived too late , Elizabeth thought with genuine regret as she observed the cheerful and graceful young lady who curtsied with a shy smile directed at her.

“I find it hard to believe you are eager to leave while London still offers such fine plays,” Miss Darcy remarked.

“I have been away for more than a month, and I miss my family and home,” Elizabeth replied honestly.

She yearned to see her sisters, talk to her father, and ask her mother for the latest news from Meryton. She was worried about Jane, as she alone could understand how deeply her sister had been hurt. Jane was utterly absorbed in her sorrow, giving Elizabeth hope that her own troubles might remain hidden from her sister.

“I can understand your feelings,” Miss Darcy admitted. “While I enjoy my time in London, I eagerly await the end of June when I return to Pemberley. Moreover, I invite you to visit us when you travel to the Lakes.”

Elizabeth smiled, but she doubted they would stop at Pemberley. For her, the night at the theatre had genuinely ended her hopes.

For a while, the conversation revolved around London and the theatre until Mrs Barstow decided it was time to address the true purpose of their visit.

“Our presence here is not just to discuss Mr Shakespeare’s plays,” she declared, and suddenly, three pairs of expectant eyes were fixed on Elizabeth, waiting for her to speak. But she simply shook her head in response.

“You say no even before knowing our intentions!” Mrs Gardiner gently scolded. “I admired your fearless spirit, which no one could ever suppress. You are a fighter, and I can say that in Kent, you let that part of you take control before examining the situation. Am I right?”

“You speak the truth,” Elizabeth conceded, although she disliked feeling coerced into a course of action against her inclinations. “Unfortunately, it seems I have lost that particular battle.”

“No!” the three ladies exclaimed in unison. Miss Darcy surprised Elizabeth the most, displaying a fervour comparable to that of her older companions.

“Please, do not give him up,” Miss Darcy said, looking directly at Elizabeth, fighting her shyness. She was ready to do anything for her brother.

“Georgiana is right! The battle will only be truly lost when he emerges from a church with another lady on his arm. For now, the odds are in your favour,” Mrs Barstow assured her. “I know Fitzwilliam. He is stubborn, which, in this instance, may work to your advantage, and he does not like to lose.”

“But why are you on my side, Miss Darcy?” Elizabeth asked unexpectedly.

“I have complete faith in Aunt Barstow,” the girl replied earnestly. “Yet, my support runs deeper than that. Fitzwilliam has assured me that his marriage will not sever our connection. I believe him. He told me he wants a wife who would love Pemberley and its inhabitants. He wants a compassionate and dedicated lady who will work alongside him and enjoy life in the countryside as much as London.”

“You do not truly know me,” Elizabeth murmured.

“Then allow me to become acquainted with you! What are your thoughts on the matter I have just described? Are you such a lady?”

“She is! You have aptly described her,” Mrs Gardiner interjected with affection and admiration before jesting, “She is stubborn—”

“Like my brother!”

“She tends to speak before thinking, and she loves to fight for what she believes in. Yet, her imperfections render her a complex lady.”

“You flatter me, Aunt,” Elizabeth responded. “However, yes…I would relish having a husband who regards me as his equal. I may not possess the knowledge required to manage an estate like Pemberley, but I would enjoy learning.”

“So, you see?” Miss Darcy said. “I know you…you are the wife my brother needs. And it is not we who have decided this but him—you are the lady he has chosen to be his wife.”

Elizabeth shook her head.

“I am scared of Lady Amelia,” Miss Darcy continued. “When I met her a few months ago, her presence sent shivers down my spine. The same happened when the true nature of George Wickham was revealed to me.”

“Indeed, my dear. You have seen it right. That lady is the female incarnation of Wickham! She will stop at nothing to marry Darcy.”

“What, then, are my chances?” Elizabeth asked, but the ladies in the room could tell the difference in her voice and outlook from an hour ago.

“Your chances lie in your purity, intelligence, and genuine love for my nephew. And whilst this may not seem advantageous now, as you have hurt him, your most potent weapon is his love for you.”

“And you advise me to continue…to—”

“Yes, you must remain in his vicinity, but in a manner distinct from Lady Amelia, who smothers him with her constant presence. You must write him a letter!”

“No!” Elizabeth exclaimed, scandalised.

“I implore you, Lizzy, heed Mrs Barstow’s counsel!” Mrs Gardiner urged, happy that her niece was receiving such support.

“Yes, Lizzy, please heed my aunt’s advice.” Miss Darcy called her by her familiar name, a hint of playfulness in her tone, indicating that some rules could be broken.

Elizabeth smiled at the young lady. “You are leading me down a treacherous path.”

“No, you must make him realise that you regret what happened in Kent, and even though his declaration was insulting, you remember only that he loved you—”

“And that he unjustly loathed my family, deeming Jane a fortune hunter—”

“Indeed, that is an excellent beginning to your letter, persuading him that his ideas about your family are wrong.”

“Mostly wrong,” Mrs Gardiner added candidly. “Jane is an angel, and it is regrettable that Mr Darcy harbours such terrible thoughts about her. Nevertheless, the remainder of our family possess both virtues and flaws.”

“Such is human nature, Mrs Gardiner.”

“But how can I possibly write him a letter? It would be a grave impropriety. Only betrothed couples are permitted to correspond.”

“Yet, Fitzwilliam wrote to you, and you regarded his gesture as perfectly acceptable.”

“He personally delivered the letter to me.”

“Nevertheless, he was not your betrothed, which indicates that, in his mind, your relationship had transcended mere friendship despite the absence of an engagement.”

“A matter of interpretation…but yes…I agree.” Elizabeth spoke with her usual jest, allowing her defiance of convention to shine through.

“We may indeed interpret it as a relationship for which conventions have not been established,” Mrs Barstow concurred with a smile.

“And what form would such a relationship assume?” Elizabeth asked, eager to explore this unconventional avenue.

“A man like Fitzwilliam must have deep feelings for the lady in question when he proposes.”

Elizabeth blushed and nodded, recalling his declaration of love.

“One could argue that a man in love who extends a proposal is almost as good as betrothed, even if the lady declines,” Mrs Barstow said, and everybody burst into laughter as they agreed they did not need any rules.

“I shall compose a letter, but how shall I deliver it to him?”

“You will visit tomorrow for tea, invited by Georgiana, who will inform her brother of your impending arrival during dinner this evening,” Mrs Barstow declared, shifting forwards in her seat, and looking at Elizabeth with affection. “Listen…Lizzy,” the lady continued, “if he is at home when you visit, and he takes a moment to greet you, that will signify his continued interest in you. I am confident that a man in love would be unable to resist the urge to steal a moment with you. Do you agree, Mrs Gardiner?”

“Indeed I do, Mrs Barstow.”

“And?” Elizabeth asked impatiently.

“And you bring the letter. Mrs Gardiner, Georgiana, and I shall make it possible for you to have a brief moment of privacy as you prepare to take your leave.”

“And if he does not come?” Elizabeth asked, her anxiety apparent.

“Then you will leave the letter on the salver, and we shall allow him more time to mend his wounded heart.”

Elizabeth nodded, suddenly possessed by a newfound serenity. Throughout her life, she had relished the opportunity to meet her problems head on. Thanks to the counsel and support of these three remarkable women, this time would prove no different, as she resolved to fight for him against any rival, even against his own reservations if necessary.