Page 15 of Saving Jane
Elizabeth sat in a nearby chair and said nothing until her aunt was calmed.
“Mr Wickham ruined my younger sister and when she began increasing, our father disowned her.”
“I did not know you had a sister, aunt.”
Aunt Gardiner sighed. “I have never spoken of her to you. She was younger by two years, and we were close but when my father arranged mymarriage to your uncle, my sister was unhappy that I was leaving home. After my wedding, my sister was in company with George Wickham several times at gatherings in Lambton and then he disappeared after promising marriage to my sister. This much I know from letters from my mother. When he remained gone for two months, my sister grew frantic and my father approached the master of Pemberley, Mr George Darcy, for assistance.”
Aunt Gardiner paused before continuing, “But Mr Darcy was not helpful, Mr Wickham remained gone and my sister found she was increasing. I knew nothing of what followed until an acquaintance wrote me; my father was a strict churchman, and he threw my sister out of the house without even a coat. Our mother grieved herself to death in just a few months.”
Elizabeth was worried as her aunt sighed and closed her eyes before she continued, “I had one last letter from my mother, but my father refused to allow me to return home to comfort my mother and when she died, I never returned to Derbyshire and never saw my father again.”
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To cheer her aunt, Elizabeth rallied her spirits that evening to play and sing for her the family after supper. But in bed, sleep was elusive, and Elizabeth was disturbed when she realized shekept remembering Mr Darcy’s blue eyes.
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Chapter 5.Mr Darcy Visits Grace Church Street
The next day began better for Elizabeth with sewing and assisting her cousins with their lessons. After the usual hours for callers, Elizabeth and her aunt were alone in the parlour attempting to get through the mending basket when the footman appeared at the door and announced, “Mrs Gardiner, a Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy has called, and he asks to speak with Mr Gardiner.”
“Show him in Graves,” Aunt Gardiner replied though she was anxious and kept her sewing in her hands rather than returning it to the basket. Elizabeth quickly secured her needle in the shirt she was repairing and took her aunt’s sewing from her hands as the tall man from the day before walked into the parlour. His presence filled the room as Elizabeth placed her aunt’s sewing on top of the basket and then moved it to a nearby table.
Turning around, she saw the tall, proud man bow appropriately to a lady in her home. “Good afternoon, madam, Fitzwilliam Darcy at your service and I am seeking Mr Edward Gardiner.”
“I am pleased to meet you, sir. I am Mrs Gardiner, and my husband is attending to his business at this time of day. May I give you the direction to his offices?”
The dark-haired man’s face reflected his discomfort with the situation. Upset with the gentleman again, Elizabeth spoke up, “Aunt, allow the footman to attend me and I shall escort the gentleman to Uncle Edward’s warehouses.”
“Nonsense, Elizabeth. Mr Darcy, you will find my husband...”
“I am here my dear,” Mr Gardiner said coming through the parlour door. “Graves sent a boy to the office as soon as he saw the carriage at our door, and I returned home post haste to speak with our visitor.”
Turning to Mr Darcy, Uncle Gardiner’s face was calm, and Elizabeth wondered at his countenance. She glanced at her aunt who appeared calm as well though when she finally looked at Mr Darcy, she saw his features were frozen and stern.
“How can I be of assistance Mr Darcy?” her uncle asked, and Elizabeth noted that her aunt and uncle had remained standing at the door and had not invited the man further into the room or to have a seat. The call was unlike any social call she had witnessed before.
“My sister finally told me all of her story last evening and I wanted to call to express my appreciation for your kindness to her in the park and for bringing her home.”
After hearing Mr Darcy’s statement, Mr and Mrs Gardiner relaxed and Mrs Gardiner said, “Will you sit and tell us how your sister fares today?”
“Thank you, Mrs Gardiner,” Mr Darcy replied. As Mr Gardiner motioned for their guest to enter the parlour, Mrs Gardiner spoke to Elizabeth.
“My dear, please go to the kitchen and ask cook to prepare a tea tray and then return to the parlour,”
“Yes Aunt.”
After finding the cook to order a tea tray prepared, Elizabeth hurried back to the parlour and took a seat beside her aunt on a sofa as her uncle was saying, “...it was my niece who found your sister and brought her to us. My wife and I were walking with our children for some sunshine when Lizzy–Elizabeth–came to us with Miss Darcy.”
Darcy turned to the young woman and bowed his head slightly, “My sister spoke kindly of you Miss...”
“Elizabeth Bennet,” she replied.
“Miss Bennet,” Darcy continued. “Would you be so kind as to relate to me all that my sister told you?”
Glancing at her aunt and uncle for their approvals, Elizabeth explained. “I received distressing news from home and needed a few moments alone to compose myself. My aunt and uncle allowed me to take the path around the fountain alone to sort my thoughts.”
“My niece was within my sight at all times, Mr Darcy,” Mr Gardiner explained. “The path is clear, and my wife watched our children while Elizabeth walked around the fountain three times.”
