Folly and Forgiveness Read online

  “Mr. Coombs has worked at Pemberley since he was a boy helping in the gardens, just as his father and grandfather before him. If anything could be done to ease his discomfort or speed his recovery, I wished to make certain it would be seen to at once.” Mr. Darcy spoke so matter-of-factly about the situation that Elizabeth could no longer doubt his concern. She looked at Mr. Darcy again, assessing. That he knew the pedigree of his under-steward surprised her as well, as it indicated Mr. Darcy was much more active in managing Pemberley than she had supposed.

  Once again, she had made assumptions without bothering to gather enough information. Grateful he could not have heard her earlier thoughts, she determined to at least give him the benefit of the doubt in the future.

  “You did not miss our arrival by much,” she assured him. “We had only just begun exploring the paths while the weather holds.”

  Darcy looked grimly to the sky. “Yes, I fear we will be indoors later this afternoon. I had hoped for a sunny day to show Pemberley to its best advantage.”

  “I do not believe the weather could diminish anyone’s pleasure in Pemberley.”

  “Then you approve of it?”

  “Very much. I cannot imagine anyone disapproving of such a fine place.”

  “But your good opinion is more rarely bestowed, and therefore, more worth the earning.”

  Elizabeth smiled shyly in response as she looked away, pleased but slightly embarrassed by his attention.

  “I thank you for the invitation to Pemberley. I know Jane has been eagerly awaiting seeing Mr. Bingley, and as my aunt grew up in Lambton, she has always found Pemberley to be one of the most charming places in the world.”

  “I am glad your party could join us, though I wish you had been able to stay with us during your time in this area.”

  Elizabeth smoothed her dress to give her hands something to do. “I did not wish to trespass upon your privacy overlong.” Mr. Darcy looked at her curiously, and she continued, “I know that Mr. Bingley is a great friend of yours, and you were most generous to offer your home, but we did not wish to burden you with additional guests you had not planned for.”

  Mr. Darcy continued to look at her queerly for a moment. “We are already hosting visitors, so a few more is no great burden. Mr. Bingley, as is usual, comes with his sisters and Mr. Hurst. There is another of our party who more particularly wishes to be known to you. Will you allow me, or do I ask too much, to introduce my sister to your acquaintance?”

  Elizabeth again smiled and assured him that she would be delighted to meet his sister.

  Mr. Darcy had begun to change in his behavior to her that last night at Rosings, but she had been uncertain she could expect to receive such attentions again. She had truly expected he would wish to avoid her company, and she would scarcely blame him after her rejection of his declaration. Was this the result of being pushed together as the only unmatched couple of their group, or had he sought her company?

  Had he wished to avoid her, he would not have joined them on their tour of the gardens. But she wondered, had he been walking towards them when Bingley spotted him, or away?

  Elizabeth shushed the inner voice that was so intent upon looking for confirmation of her earlier prejudices. He had not done nor said anything to make her believe he felt put out by her presence. Instead he had been almost gregarious as he was introduced to her relations. No matter how his attentions to herself had changed, she had not expected that piece of politeness and she was uncertain how to interpret it.

  The wind picked up and the group decided to end their rambles and head inside before the weather changed any further.

  They were met at the door by the housekeeper, a respectable looking elderly woman, much less fine and far warmer in her welcome than Elizabeth had anticipated. She informed them that tea would be brought to the music room shortly, where Miss Darcy and her other guests could be found.

  Elizabeth had no real desire to see Caroline or Louisa, but was curious to meet Miss Darcy. She had already discarded all descriptions provided by Mr. Wickham as unworthy of consideration and prepared to meet the girl with no preconceptions.

  CHAPTER 31

  The music room was truly elegant. A blonde girl sat at the pianoforte playing Mozart with much skill and obvious enjoyment. As her back was to the door, she had not realized others had joined and they were hesitant to interrupt such a fine performance. As she completed the piece, all joined in the applause and the girl turned around, somewhat startled. She smiled at Mr. Darcy and walked over to join them.

  “Beautifully done, Georgianna,” he said, taking his sister’s hand and turning to the group. “May I introduce my sister, Miss Georgianna Darcy. Georgianna, may I introduce Mr. Gardiner, Mrs. Gardiner, Miss Bennet, and Miss Elizabeth Bennet.” All curtseyed or bowed politely.

  “You are all most welcome to Pemberley,” Georgiana said to the group. She clasped her hands behind her back, but not before Elizabeth noticed a slight tremor. “Please, come in and join us. I believe you are already acquainted with Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst.”

  The Bingley sisters curtseyed slightly with a bored expression before retaking their seats.

  “So lovely to see you again, and so soon,” Louisa offered to Jane, though her tone did not match her words. Jane smiled politely in response, but she had long since given up any true affection or interest in the sisters. While Elizabeth had been glad to see her sister would no longer be duped by their false friendliness, she still wondered what had caused the change.

  Elizabeth watched as Georgianna did her best to play hostess. She clearly was not accustomed to the role and appeared quite nervous. Mr. Darcy turned slightly toward Georgianna, giving her an encouraging smile as she spoke to the group. Taking pity on the girl’s nerves, Elizabeth sat forward and did her best to encourage the conversation. She was rewarded with a grateful smile from Georgianna.

  “Please, call me Georgianna. After all I have heard of you from William you seem an old friend finally come to visit.” Georgianna blushed and dropped her gaze.

  “If we are already old friends, then you must call me Elizabeth,” she replied with a smile, hoping to reassure her new friend she was not offended by such a presumption. She could see the girl was painfully shy and must detest large parties, especially with so many people new to her.

  Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner did their best to put her at ease and inquired of her favorite pieces and composers, of concerts she had attended, and the different music masters she had studied with. Jane’s attention was more taken by Mr. Bingley, but she also recognized Georgianna’s discomfort and did her best to assist. Before long, Georgianna had relaxed and appeared to be enjoying herself.

  Caroline Bingley did not appreciate no longer being the central focus of her hosts and did her best to turn the conversation, but to little avail. Elizabeth could not help being amused by the woman’s transparent attempts, and failures, to gain Mr. Darcy’s attention.

  “Do play us another piece, Georgianna,” Caroline requested. “Your skill is exquisite and none here could do any better.” She smiled in Elizabeth’s direction, but Elizabeth recognized it as a sneer.

  “Elizabeth, I hope you will play as well. My brother has spoken often of how much he has enjoyed listening to you.”

  Elizabeth laughed, enjoying the annoyance on Caroline’s face.

  “I will be happy to do so, but I must warn you that he has greatly exaggerated my skill. My performance would be a poor follow-on to yours, but I will play if you wish.”

  Pleased by Elizabeth’s agreement, and eager to escape the crowd, Georgianna went back to the pianoforte and began to play for them.

  Caroline Bingley was not pleased. Elizabeth could see the bile rising within her and prepared for whatever attack would be coming.

  “I hear the militia has left Meryton, Miss Eliza,” Caroline began in a honeyed voice. “How lucky your sisters could follow them to Brighton.”

  “My sisters are enjoying a holiday in the c
ompany of Captain and Mrs. Higgins.”

  “I suppose the loss of the officers would not affect you so much as it would have them, after all it has been some time since Mr. Wickham left.”

  Elizabeth felt the blood drain from her face, but stood her ground, refusing to allow Caroline Bingley to score such a point.

  “So it has,” she responded, just managing to keep her voice from quaking.

  “Though I hear he has joined another regiment.”

  “You seem remarkably well informed about that gentleman,” Elizabeth replied, forcing her hands to remain still in her lap. “I had not supposed you to have such an interest in him.”

  Caroline dropped her false smile and Elizabeth felt brave enough to pick up her teacup and take a sip, her eyes never leaving Caroline’s.

  “I have no interest in such a man. I only speak of him because I know he was such a favorite of yours.”

  Elizabeth set down her teacup, proud of herself for not spilling so much as a drop, and returned her hands to her lap. “He has not been so for quite some time, I assure you,” she replied as she straightened her shoulders. Knowing best how to deal with Caroline she leaned forward conspiratorially. “I do thank you for updating me on the local gossip. Do you know more? Can you tell me, did Lieutenant Denny ever find out who stole the apple pie made for him by Mrs. Clifton?”

  Caroline may have hissed at her, she could not quite make out the sound, but the woman angrily took her teacup and turned to her sister, excluding Elizabeth from whatever conversation she was about to begin.

  Satisfied with the response, Elizabeth rose and walked as calmly as she could on shaky legs to the pianoforte. “Please forgive me, Georgianna, for neglecting you after I had agreed to play. Would you do me the honor of staying and turning pages for me?”

  Georgianna mutely nodded, eyes downcast.

  “Hold your head high,” Elizabeth whispered to her as they settled on the bench. “Do not allow Miss Bingley’s venom to upset you. She sought only to injure me, she has not the capability to understand she could upset anyone else in the process.”

  Georgianna looked up at Elizabeth in alarm and Elizabeth remembered she was not supposed to know the girl’s history. “You are a good hostess,” Elizabeth continued, “Naturally, you would be distressed by one of your guests deliberately attempting to make another uncomfortable.”

  Georgianna appeared relieved and Elizabeth gave her a wink. “Now what shall I play, for I am at your command.”

  Elizabeth played a few pieces while Georgianna stayed nearby and regained her composure. Once Elizabeth felt her new friend had settled sufficiently, they rejoined the others, sitting next to each other.

  CHAPTER 32

  Darcy could not remember an afternoon he had enjoyed more. Elizabeth was her witty and amusing self once more. She had helped put Georgianna at ease in her role as hostess. He could not have asked for more.

  And then Miss Bingley had to ask about Wickham.

  Darcy was not a violent man, but he had wanted to strangle Caroline Bingley at that moment. As she knew nothing of Elizabeth’s attack, she could not know the extent of the pain she inflicted upon Elizabeth by mentioning the rogue, nor could she guess the distress she caused Georgianna as well. Nonetheless Miss Bingley had intended to make Elizabeth uncomfortable and Darcy was incensed.

  He was ready to step forward when Elizabeth deftly put the woman in her place. Miss Bingley’s rage and Elizabeth’s absolute composure as she left to join Georgianna at the pianoforte were a beautiful counterpoint to one another. Even more amazing was the sight of his distressed sister whispering with Elizabeth before she too recovered and sat tall. Darcy had no idea what Elizabeth had said to her, but her words lent confidence to Georgianna.

  He watched his sister settle under Elizabeth’s guidance as Elizabeth played. He could not be prouder of Georgianna, or happier with the connection she had formed with Elizabeth in so short a time.

  Elizabeth looked up at him briefly and offered a tentative smile. He could not remember the last time he had been so happy.

  Then Miss Bingley’s words to her sister reached his ears.

  “ . . . cannot possibly expect it given her connections are so markedly inferior to his own. I simply do not know what more I can do to show my superior breeding.”

  The woman was insufferable, and oblivious. He had no idea how he could make her understand he had no intention of marrying her if she had ignored all hints up to now. Truly, she was as bad as Lady Catherine.

  Apparently, Mrs. Gardiner had heard as well, and he was mortified to have more of his guests insulted by Bingley’s sister.

  Mrs. Gardiner smiled sweetly as she turned to the sisters and their conversation stopped.

  “Pardon me, ladies, but I have been meaning to ask you a question. Did your father by chance have a warehouse on Bleaker Street? When I married Mr. Gardiner he worked for a while with a Mr. Bingley who had that warehouse. His name had quite slipped my mind until recently and I was wondering if he could possibly have been a relation of yours? I know the man mentioned he had children and that your own father was in trade.”

  Darcy coughed and cleared his throat to cover his laugh at the horrified expression on the sisters’ faces.

  “I have no idea,” Miss Bingley responded coldly. “Our father kept his affairs to himself.”

  “Naturally, he did. I should have asked your brother. No doubt he would be charmed to find a shared history between our families. Given his open nature and sense of humor, I expect he would delight in sharing such a story.”

  Bingley’s sisters looked ill, and Darcy had to once again cough to smother an inappropriate response.

  “He and Jane are so caught up with one another, I would hate to interrupt him now. I suppose I shall have to pose the question some other time.” Mrs. Gardiner again offered a sweet smile as she rose to refill her cup.

  Darcy watched the lady carefully. He had underestimated Elizabeth’s relatives. He had enjoyed conversing with Mr. Gardiner on their walk, surprised to find him a well-informed man of good manners. His wife appeared to be the same.

  Darcy was not surprised when Mrs. Gardiner came to sit between himself and her husband. Darcy always preferred to sit as far away from Bingley’s sisters as possible.

  “Forgive me, my dear,” Mr. Gardiner addressed his wife quietly. “Mr. Bingley was not the owner of the Bleaker Street warehouse.”

  Mrs. Gardiner blinked her eyes in faux innocence. “Was he not? Dear me, I must have mistaken the name. I suppose I was thinking of Mr. Benson. Well, I could inform the ladies of my mistake, but they seemed quite put out by my initial query. I suppose it would be kinder not to revisit a subject that distresses them.”

  “You have always been sensitive to the needs of others,” he replied with a knowing smile.

  “Mr. Darcy, I must beg your forgiveness for having distressed your other guests.”

  “I am afraid that is something I cannot give, as I would be disappointed if you truly were sorry for their discomfort.”

  Mrs. Gardiner smiled in return, not bothering to deny his accusation.

  “I have heard that you are originally from the area, Mrs. Gardiner. How long has it been since you last visited Derbyshire?”

  “I have not been back since my eldest was born, eight years ago. My parents are gone, and my brother and sisters have moved elsewhere. I have been glad to see old friends and the few cousins I have who remain in Lambton. It has been a good decade at least since I last visited Pemberley, though never did I see as much then as I have today.”

  “And have you found much changed since your last visit?”

  “The grounds have always been beautiful, and little can be done to improve upon what is already perfect. Though my previous experience is quite limited, I understand that substantial changes have occurred internally.”

  Mrs. Gardiner’s gaze was penetrating as she assessed him.

  “I hope these changes are well received,” he
replied cautiously.

  “Improvements are always well received. Improvements such as these speak to dedication to an overarching goal.”

  “Some goals are worth the efforts.”

  “Indeed they are,” Mrs. Gardiner responded with a pleased smile, and Darcy felt he had passed some sort of test.

  He had never thought he would find himself desirous of the approval of the connections he had previously considered so far beneath him. Elizabeth’s aunt and uncle were far better people than many of those with whom he associated. While he had determined that he would find something to value in all those Elizabeth loved, he was quite glad to discover that valuing the Gardiners required no effort whatsoever.

  Mrs. Gardiner watched Elizabeth and Georgianna as they played. Georgianna appeared far more relaxed than she had previously, and Darcy was glad she should find such comfort in Elizabeth’s presence.

  “Lizzy is a joy to listen to, though she has not put in the practice that would make her a true proficient.”

  “I have often enjoyed listening to your niece perform.”

  “She has focused her own efforts in other areas.”

  Darcy looked to the woman, uncertain exactly what message she was trying to convey.

  “Lizzy has long been a practical girl and I do believe her capable of running any household in the country, for she has done more than her share of managing her own household since she was a child.”

  “She is a very skilled lady indeed,” Darcy replied, for lack of anything better to add. Mr. Gardiner was sending hard glances in his wife’s direction, but she deliberately ignored him.

  “Some skills, like playing the pianoforte, are born of love and dedication. Other skills are often the result of necessity.”

  “I am sure that is true.” Darcy had no idea what they were actually talking about.

  “When one has felt one must take on a role, allowing others to share that role later may be difficult.”

  Was she attempting to warn him off? Did she not think him worthy of her niece? Mrs. Gardiner frowned at him and sighed. She then leaned slightly closer and spoke in a softer voice.