Chapter 6

Elizabeth immediately responded to Jane; the image of her sister’s happiness, so obvious through the lines of the letter, melted her heart. All suspicion and blame against Mr Bingley vanished in a moment. The day after receiving Darcy’s letter, the gentleman had apparently called at Gracechurch Street—a haste very much applaudable.

The next morning, as planned, Elizabeth met Mr Darcy again at the same place. She was happy to see the children too — and the puppies, which had grown remarkably in only a week.

And she was thrilled to see Mr Darcy, whose smile made her knees weak, and she did not even know why.

Tom, the eldest Gilroy child came to talk to Mr Darcy too, and he reported that his mother still kept to her bed. He blamed the hard work in the garden, in the fields, and the nights she spent sewing dresses for extra money.

On their way back towards the Parsonage, Elizabeth and Mr Darcy had time to talk with no interruptions.

“Yes, I know Bingley called on Miss Bennet,” he replied calmly after Elizabeth thanked him heartily. “He sent me a letter too, one in which I could hardly understand anything. His handwriting is hardly intelligible, especially when it is driven by emotions. He sounded exceedingly happy.”

“So did my sister.”

“You were right and I was wrong,” he admitted.

“The only thing that matters is that what was wrong is now right. And you, sir, are to be both blamed and praised for that,” she said with a smile.

“May I ask when you will return to London?”

“By the end of the week. My uncle will send his carriage to convey me and Maria Lucas.”

“My cousin and I shall leave a day later. Would you allow me to call on you in London? To be sure you arrived safely?”

“Of course…I would be very happy to see you, sir. Do you know whether Mr Bingley will open Netherfield?”

“It is very likely.”

They walked again for a little while; the Parsonage was now only a short distance away.”

“Miss Bennet…”

“Yes?”

“If Bingley opens Netherfield again, I might visit him. I wonder if my presence would displease anyone in the neighbourhood.”

“Not at all, sir. Quite the opposite,” she replied, looking ahead. She felt he wished to say something more and did not dare. She did not dare insist either, so they separated at the usual spot, with a proper good bye.

Two more days passed, each with a similar scene. What differed was Elizabeth’s feelings every time she met Mr Darcy: eagerness, anticipation, nervousness, and delight all together.

She and Mr Darcy had not established a precise meeting place or time, but it always happened, as if they were of the same mind. He still had not spoken of their relationship, but she felt they were becoming closer every day. Small gestures, certain words, smiles, and glances were different. As little experience as Elizabeth had in courtship, her heart and her mind told her that this was more than a friendship. She was fearful to even imagine he might consider proposing to her. But what else could all his hints mean? A man such as him would not show her such particular attention if his interest and his intentions were not of a certain type.

Two days prior to her departure date, Elizabeth had just left through the back door of the Parsonage for her walk when, through the open window, she heard Charlotte and Mr Collins talking in low voices.

“My dear, I cannot believe that!” Charlotte declared.

“I heard people in the village talking! Everybody says the same! Mr Darcy would not show such attention to a woman if it were not true! Besides, even Lady Catherine complains about how often Mr Darcy takes solitary rides!”

Elizabeth’s heart stopped, and she held her breath, her body trembling. What were they talking about? Did anyone suspect something improper was happening between her and Mr Darcy? How dare they?”

“My dear, I would advise you not to tell Lady Catherine.”

“I absolutely must! She always says that as a clergyman, I must know everything that happens in my parish! What if somebody else tells her first? She would never forgive me!”

“At least wait two more days, until Eliza and Maria leave. You do not want a scandal with the two of them here.”

“Very well. Two more days, if nothing else arises to add more urgency to the matter. I cannot believe that Mr Darcy did not show more caution, especially since he knew such rumours would hurt his future wife, Miss de Bourgh. It seems he is not the excellent gentleman his aunt believes him to be. As for the woman, I shall not even dignify her enough to mention her name!”

At this, Elizabeth stepped away carefully, then she began to run towards the grove. The notion that her friend since childhood could believe so ill of her and despise her so much, that the people of Hunsford were talking so horribly about her and Mr Darcy, was outrageous.

As she ran, she saw the object of her thoughts, waiting. By that time, she knew tears were falling down her cheeks, and she wiped them awy angrily.

“Miss Bennet?”

She looked at him; his expression betrayed concern and torment.

“Mr Darcy, please leave, sir. Or I shall leave. We cannot meet any longer.”

“What happened? Did anyone hurt you?”

“Yes. Rumours, gossip, horrible and unfair. It is damaging to both our names and reputations. We must not see each other again.”

“Miss Bennet, I beg you to calm yourself and tell me what happened.” His voice was level but grave.

She lowered her eyes, mortified to repeat such things. “I heard Charlotte and my cousin talking…saying that the people of Hunsford are gossiping…about a certain relationship — an improper one — between us. About our walking together…and your rides.”

“I am very sorry about your torment, Miss Bennet. Very sorry,” he said, handing her his handkerchief. “But I must ask, did you hear them mention your name?”

She paused and thought carefully. “No. Only yours. But it was obvious.”

“Not entirely. I have been told about the rumours, and I came to inform you, so you know what will happen next. The rumours are in regard to Mrs Gilroy. The gossip says I procured her food and other necessities because I am in an illicit relationship with her.”

The revelation stunned Elizabeth so deeply that she needed to lean against a tree for support; with disbelief, she looked at him, speechless.

“Are you sure?”

“Sadly, yes. The rumours are vicious and will affect the entire family for the rest of their lives. The shop boy, who delivered the purchases, probably saw me there with the children. So, he assumed the worst.”

“This is ridiculous!” Elizabeth exclaimed.

“I should have anticipated it. It was my fault. I did not consider the situation properly. I was so caught up in my relationship with you that I forgot anything else,” he whispered, causing her even more confusion.

“You were?” she whispered.

“Yes, of course…I have created such turmoil from this entire situation. There is something of great importance that I wish to tell you today. To ask you…I do not expect an immediate answer…but I thought you should know the whole truth before we part ways.”

“What truth? About what?”

“About the nature of my interest in you — what you asked me a while ago. I mean — if you still want to know.”

“I do,” she answered with thrilling anticipation, her eyes locked with his. “Very much so. I hope you will tell me before I leave.”

“But I cannot tell you now. I shall find a moment — just not now when we are discussing such horrible gossip.”

“You are right, of course,” she admitted, hardly concealing her disappointment.

“I cannot abandon Mrs Gilroy to vicious rumours aroused by my actions and to my aunt’s mercy. Lady Catherine would be furious and would accept no explanation. She will seek revenge.”

“I do not understand…why revenge? For what? Especially since it is so untrue.”

Darcy hesitated a moment, then continued. “Miss Bennet, what I shall tell you is not known by more than five people, all close to the family. I trust you to keep the secret.”

“Of course.”

“You see, Horace Gilroy was Sir Lewis de Bourgh’s son, from a relationship prior to his marriage to Lady Catherine. When he died, he asked my father to provide Horace with all the necessary means for a peaceful life. When my father died, this responsibility was passed to me.”

“Dear Lord,” Elizabeth whispered, covering her mouth with her palm.

“Last time I visited Rosings, Gilroy was in perfect health. I do not know what happened, why he fell ill, why the doctor was not fetched, why I was not informed at all. He died, and Lady Catherine moved the widow and the children, as you saw, still without informing me. We had a huge quarrel about the matter.”

“So Lady Catherine knew about Mr Gilroy?”

“Yes, she had known for at least twenty years. You can imagine her resentment.”

“I can. Dear Lord,” she repeated. “So, what will you do now?”

“I shall make arrangements to move the family to Pemberley.”

“Oh…I understand, but will that not feed the gossip?”

“Perhaps, but it will not affect them any longer. The family will be safe. They will be offered proper jobs to suit their skills. They will be under my protection.”

“The gossip might affect your reputation, though.”

“It might. But the only one truly hurt by such reports would be my future wife.”

At that, Elizabeth blushed, and her fingers became cold and trembling. She feared to enquire further, but he stepped forwards, his eyes looking deep into hers, and said, “If I succeed in winning the affection of the woman I have long considered the perfect match as my wife, if she accepts my hand in marriage and agrees to stand by my side, I have nothing to fear. That woman — wise, witty, clever — would not be affected by such silly, irrational gossip.”

Elizabeth forgot to breathe, waiting for him to continue, but he did not.

“Please return home now, Miss Bennet. I hope I shall have the chance to talk to you very soon after I settle this distressing matter.”

She nodded, and for the first time, he took her hand in his and placed a brief kiss on her palm, then left.