Page 17 of Saving Jane
“He was a very polite young man,” Mr Darcy replied for his sister, who kept her head lowered.
Mrs Gardiner smiled kindly. “Thank you for the direction to write to my sister, Mr Darcy. What can you tell me about her situation?”
“Mr Whitley is a successful farmer. I believe he will strike out on his own with a nearby farm that will be for sale in the near future. He and I are discussing terms to allow him to keep the tenant farm for two years while he works and clears fields on his own land.”
“How can he afford the labour for both?” Elizabeth asked. When Mr Darcy looked surprised at the young lady’s question, she explained, “I have been very involved with my father’s estate for several years. I understand the labourers who must be hired for the different seasons of planting, harvesting and ploughing the fields.”
The gentleman inclined his head slightly, “I shall allow Mr Whitley to use some of the labourers hired for work on my farms to help prepare his fields and repair his fences. He will share the profits of his crops the first two years with me, and I shall have a friend among the yeomen farmers of Derby when he strikes out on his own.”
Elizabeth turned her attention to the sister now. “How are you, Miss Darcy?”
“I am well, thank you Miss Bennet.”
“Have you recovered from your adventure?”
Looking up now, the shy girl asked, “What adventure? I was too scared for it to have been an adventure.”
“I understand,” Elizabeth said, reaching over to squeeze the girl’s hand briefly. “But I do not dwell on past missteps and ill-fortune.”
Now she smiled at her aunt and uncle, before continuing, “I look for sunshine and forge ahead.”
Mr Darcy was considering the young woman’s words and staring intently at her when Mr Gardiner asked him about the past summer in Derbyshire.
“I believe the flocks at Pemberley have increased this summer and we have ample fodder stored for the coming winter. I expect an increase inwool next spring.”
Elizabeth kept her attentions with Miss Darcy though she occasionally listened to snippets of the conversation between the two men.
The brother and sister both enjoyed the short bread prepared by the Gardiner’s cook and when the last biscuit was consumed and tea drunk, the time for the social call was at an end.
Mr Darcy attempted to catch his sister’s eye, but Georgiana was too shy to look about the room to see he wanted to prompt her.
Finally, he cleared his throat and issued the invitation himself, “Mr and Mrs Gardiner, if you have no plans, my sister and I would like to invite you and Miss Bennet to supper tomorrow night.”
“Thank you,” Mr Gardiner replied after glancing at his wife and seeing her nod. “We have no other engagements.”
“Very good, then. Shall we say seven o’clock?”
~~}{~~
Chapter 6.Dinner with the Darcy Family
“I am pleased to be invited to dine with Mr Darcy,” Aunt Gardiner told her niece the next morning as they looked through Elizabeth’s trunk for a suitable dress for supper that evening. “This is good for your uncle’s business connections, and you can further an acquaintance friendship with Miss Darcy.”
“I have never met anyone so shy,” Elizabeth confessed. “I shall strive to make her feel comfortable and free to speak more.”
Pulling up a simple gown of white muslin, Mrs Gardiner held it to Elizabeth’s form and smiled. “Let us visit the shops and find just the right shade of ribbon to place in your hair and around your waist with this gown. A new pair of gloves and you will be suitably dressed for family dinner with Mr Darcy and his sister.”
“Aunt, promise you will not write to my mother of this invitation,” Elizabeth pleaded. “She will rush to Lady Lucas and announce my engagement to the gentleman.”
Seeing her aunt laugh for the first time in three days, Elizabeth was cheered. “I think even your matchmaking Mamma would hesitate to link your name with Mr Darcy. I am certain his family will make a match with a lord’s daughter for the gentleman.”
“What if he discovers that Lydia had an unexpected visitor and had to marry Mr Hamilton?”
Mrs Gardiner drew her niece to the bed, and they sat side by side.
“Elizabeth Bennet, you must not be afraid that someone will discover the story of your sister. People will hear of Lydia but people who know you will value you for your own qualities.”
~~}{~~
