Page 12 of The Slipper Scandal
Because now he was playing too.
Chapter Four
Elizabeth had intended to change her plans for a season in London when the Gardiners announced they were to travel to Green Hill. The Esterberrys, her Aunt Gardiner’s family, had a modest income and a great many children, but the old manor house was quite large, and several of the children and their families were to return for the festive season. As the Gardiners typically spent Christmas at Longbourn, they had in turn invited the Bennets to accompany them. Elizabeth had asked to accompany them.
“You have the opportunity to enjoy an entire season in town,” Mamma had said, nearly aghast that Elizabeth would think of travelling north with them. “And you have already accepted the invitation. It would be ungrateful to change your plans now.”
A fortnight in London and already engaged to be married. Mamma would be ecstatic. But Elizabeth had no intention of allowing it to continue. She was here for Arabella, not for matrimony. And she would have to be quick to end it, for her mother would descend upon town the very moment she heardthe news, determined to secure the match. Once arrived, she would spread the tale with such extravagant embellishments that there would be no possibility of escape for anyone.
Her mother would be here within the month, no doubt. Elizabeth took a deep breath and blew it out slowly to dispel the panic building within her. She would have to do whatever she could to make sure this entireincidentwas resolved before Mamma arrived.
The circumstances were, admittedly, not ideal. Elizabeth would grant Mr. Darcy that much. It did look rather suspicious that her slipper had been in his hand rather than on her foot. But neither did she think tonight’s events the catastrophe that everyone else seemed to believe.
Unfortunately, there was no quick escape. She could not return to Longbourn until her family did.
And so here she was, stepping into the warmth of the Abernathys’ home after the ball, reeling from the unexpected turn of events. She had barely pulled off her gloves when Mrs. Abernathy reached for her hands, squeezing them with motherly affection. Mr. Abernathy entered behind them, and at a look from her father, Arabella continued upstairs. Elizabeth was ushered into the parlour for a little privacy.
Elizabeth had always considered the Abernathys the dearest of friends, a second set of parents who had, for as long as she could remember, enveloped her in the warmth and generous affection that was not always available to her at home. She had spent many a childhood afternoon running through the halls of Netherfield, laughing breathlessly with Arabella as they made up wild games, pilfered biscuits from the kitchens, and spoiled Mr. Abernathy’s hounds with bits of their dinner. In her younger years, she had listened with rapt attention as Mrs. Abernathy spun stories borrowed from King Arthur, but always with ahappy ending, where handsome knights and clever heroines found true love.
It felt all rather out of reach now.
“Lizzy, dearest,” Mrs. Abernathy said warmly, taking Elizabeth’s hands in her own and squeezing them with motherly affection. “You must know how very pleased we are.”
Elizabeth, who had not yet sat down and very much wished to be anywhere else, stiffened. “Pleased?” she echoed.
“Of course!” Mr. Abernathy, seated comfortably in his armchair, beamed at her. “Mr. Darcy is a friend. We know him to be a most admirable gentleman, with a fine estate and impeccable reputation. And that he has offered for you in such a decisive manner—” He chuckled, shaking his head. “Well, there can be no doubt that he is a man of honour.”
Elizabeth barely kept from grimacing. It was rather unfair that the man who had held on to her slipper when he might have simply handed it back was being given all the credit of havingsavedher reputation. “You are very good, sir.”
Mr. Abernathy’s expression was gentle but knowing. “The circumstances are not what any of us would wish, but I have known Darcy since we first came to town two years ago. He is more than honourable, he is kind. He will make you a good husband.”
“We know,” Mrs. Abernathy continued, “that this was not how you imagined your future. And oh, I am so very sorry we lost you at the ball. We ought to have been better chaperones for you.”
“Indeed,” Mr. Abernathy agreed, and he did appear genuinely apologetic.
“But we also know you, and we know Mr. Darcy. And truly, child, we could not have chosen better for you if we had arranged it ourselves.”
Her husband nodded. “A serious man, to be sure—”
“Still waters and the like,” his wife interrupted. He smiled at her before continuing.
“You have always needed someone with sense enough to steady your fire and wit enough to keep pace with it, my girl. I believe Darcy is just the man for that.”
Elizabeth glanced between them, suspicion warring with something like relief. “You are not . . . disappointed in me?”
Mrs. Abernathy laughed. “Disappointed? Not at all.”
Her husband shook his head. “Iamsorry that we lost sight of you. In retrospect, a masquerade was not the best choice for your first London ball. Fortunately for us, Darcy came to your rescue.”
Elizabeth nearly choked. “Rescue,” she muttered, finally sinking onto the settee.
“We shall invite Mr. Darcy to dinner tomorrow and smooth everything over.” Mrs. Abernathy patted Elizabeth’s knee.
Elizabeth’s stomach twisted. “Dinner?” Why could she do nothing but repeat things? She should be convincing the Abernathys to break with Mr. Darcy, at least in the matter of her engagement. But their warm approbation had shocked her.
“Yes, my dear,” Mrs. Abernathy said cheerfully. “A small gathering with close friends and acquaintances. It will allow society to see that you and Mr. Darcy are happily engaged, and that nothing improper occurred.”
“Nothing improperdidoccur,” Elizabeth said through clenched teeth.
