Page 50 of Compromise & Consequence
Unfortunately, at that moment the gentleman had turned to face him, waiting for Bennet to perform introductions.
“Gardiner, may I introduce you to Lizzy’s husband, Mr. Darcy?”
Darcy saw Gardiner’s posture stiffen and his wife cast him a wide-eyed glance.
“I think you must, Brother.”
With conscious effort, Darcy smoothed his features and while he did not smile, he softened his mouth and hoped he portrayed a pleasant demeanor. Bennet brought the man and woman forward. By this time, Mrs. Bennet and the three other daughters had come out of the house and spoke with the children, leaving the adults to finish their introductions.
“Darcy, this is my wife’s brother Edward Gardiner and hiswife Madeline. They reside in London and my daughters look upon them with great fondness.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner,” Darcy said with a polite nod of the head. “I am pleased to meet someone dear to my wife.”
Never in a million years could he have predicted what happened at the utterance of his sentence. Everyone stopped talking, even the children, and stared at him. He shifted uncomfortably at the attention he had unwittingly garnered. Surprisingly, it was Mrs. Bennet who broke the silence.
“Well, it is good you have come to your senses and we will talk about this over tea, but first, we must get everyone settled.” She gathered the children and beckoned Miss Lydia to her side. “Lydia, you and Kitty take the children upstairs. Hill will bring your tea up there.”
Darcy barely stopped himself from gasping at the knowledge the two youngest daughters had been relegated back to the schoolroom. Much had changed since he was here last. Mrs. Bennet continued, “Mary, tell Sarah to bring out the cake and let her know the Gardiners have arrived.” While she spoke, the carriage drivers continued to the back of the manor. “Edward, Maddie, do you wish to freshen up or have tea?”
“A cup of tea would be divine, Fanny and this would give us a chance to get to know Mr. Darcy better – unless you are leaving right away, sir.” Mr. Gardiner looked at him.
“I had not thought… not expected…”
“Of course, you will stay for tea, Mr. Darcy. We are family and cannot let you travel back to London without ensuring you have had something to eat.”
Mrs. Bennet dared to take him by the arm and lead him into the house. The woman may be flighty, but she had always been an excellent hostess, so he willingly allowed her to take himinside where the next hour was filled with pleasant conversation, and he found he liked the aunt and uncle from London very much. The amiable Mr. Gardiner was as intelligent as Mr. Bennet, evidenced when they began discussing the ongoing conflict over the channel. Darcy could not remember the last time he had relaxed in the company of virtual strangers and did not feel the need to guard his thoughts and opinions. It was refreshingly welcome.
He quickly learned the family had gathered for their annual Yuletide celebration and experienced a pang of remorse Elizabeth was not here. He realized belatedly, he could have asked her to come with him and while he was with her uncle, she could have enjoyed an afternoon with her cousins.
“Darcy, the day is lengthening and soon it will be dark. I would be remiss if I did not ask you to stay for dinner and spend the evening here,” Bennet said when his wife left the room to see about dinner.
He could see the sense in staying the night but was woefully unprepared without his valet, or a change of clothes.
“I did not come prepared to spend the night,” he started to say.
“Nonsense. My valet can attend to you and the maids will freshen up your clothes once you are abed. Even though you have very able outriders, I would not rest knowing you were on the highway at night.”
“Very well, I will stay. Thank you. Your kindness is welcomed.”
“We are family. It is what we do.”
“I will send an express to Elizabeth advising her of my change of plans.”
Bennet grinned at him. “You are learning, Darcy.”
When he boarded his carriage the next morning and drove off, he realized he truly thought of the Bennets like family. Even the loud ones.
***
The afternoon her husband returned from Hertfordshire, Burke informed Elizabeth the master wished to see her in his study. Having just returned from a brisk walk at a nearby park, she handed her outerwear to the footman who had accompanied her, smoothed the errant curls that insisted on escaping her chignon whenever she wore a bonnet and made her way to her husband’s study.
Darcy stood with one buckskin-clad hip resting on the edge of his desk. He glanced up from the note he held in his hand and smiled upon her entry making him even more handsome if that were at all possible.
“Mrs. Darcy,” he said in greeting and smiled wider, dimples appearing on both cheeks in response.
Her heart did a traitorous flip. No. No.NO! She did not wish to find him handsome, agreeable, or handsome... She wanted him to remain aloof. And miserable. And taciturn. She could remain in control of her emotions if he kept his distance and did not smile.
“Mr. Darcy.” She clasped her hands and did not advance further into the room, poised by the door for a quick exit. “Your journey to Longbourn was met with success?”
