19. Chapter 19

June 16, 2014 – I hope you all had a lovely Father's Day, if you celebrate such things. We did. I think I'm all caught up replying to all the lovely reviews you all have left. If I haven't replied to yours it's because you've not been signed in or your account settings do not allow PM's.

Time for Darcy's reaction to Elizabeth's first new frock purchased mostly with Darcy's money.

Chapter 19

Madeline Gardiner looked at her oldest niece. Jane was radiant. It was as if the happiness of her countenance accentuated her God-given natural beauty in a way she had never seen before.

"Well Jane, did you and Mr. Bingley find much to talk about when I was tending the children?"

"Oh Aunt, I do not know where to begin! Mr. Bingley came to gain my consent to be courted!"

"Did he think it actually necessary?" Mrs. Gardiner teased.

Jane blushed and said, "Yes, he must."

"And is it really necessary, Jane?" Jane would not answer.

"Then enjoy this time, Jane. Get to know the man for who he really is. Make sure he is worthy of your trust, respect and love."

"He is on his way to Longbourn now."

"Mr. Bingley wasted no time!"

"He was worried that Papa would deny his courting me." Jane added mischievously.

"As if Fanny would let him!" Mrs. Gardiner teased back.

"I told him the same thing!"

"Good for you, Jane, he needs to see that side of you, too. Very few people know that you can tease just as much as your sister Elizabeth. I suppose that Mr. Bingley will make every effort to be here for dinner tomorrow and I would not be surprised to see him arrive slightly early. Do you wish to inform your uncle of what has transpired?"

"What is your opinion, Aunt?"

"I would like for you to tell him, Jane, since much of your courting will most likely take place whilst you are here in London with us. He should know sooner rather than later."

"Then I shall inform him as soon as possible. Thank you, Aunt."

"I am so happy for you, Jane. Mr. Bingley appears to be a good man. Now did he have anything else to relate?"

Jane told her all about Caroline Bingley's deception. Somehow Mrs. Gardiner was not surprised and sincerely hoped that woman would learn her lesson, for Jane's sake. Mr. Gardiner was overjoyed when Jane relayed her news that evening. He looked forward to meeting the gentleman and seeing if he was good enough for his eldest niece.

Bingley arrived at Netherfield shortly before dinnertime. A very surprised Housekeeper greeted him.

"Mr. Bingley, sir, we had no notice that you were to arrive, sir. I am afraid that we do not have the house ready to be opened, sir."

"That is quite all right. I only intend to stay the night. I have business to attend to first thing in the morning and then I will be off to Town again. Please do not trouble yourself too much on my account. A simple meal will be fine. All I desire is a bath, hot meal and comfortable bed."

"I will order water to be heated immediately. I will have your room made ready and I will personally see that your meal is waiting for you after your bath. It will be simple fare, sir."

"That will be fine. Why do you not have it served in my chambers? I will only require a simple breakfast in my room in the morning as well. Have it sent up to me at 8 o'clock. I will make an early start to my day and most likely I will not return to Netherfield, but will return immediately back to Town when I am finished with my business."

"Very good, sir. Mr. Bingley? I have not had any directions from your sister when you plan to return. Do you have any firm plans yet, sir?"

"If all goes well I will be coming back within six weeks. When my plans are firmer I shall send you word. I know there is much to do to open this house. Do not worry, I will not show up unannounced on the doorstep like this again, but will inform you of my plans for immediate occupancy."

"Thank you, sir. We look forward to your being in the neighborhood for an extended period of time."

Dinner that evening was indeed simple yet delicious fare. He suspected that he was sharing the same dinner as the servants but he did not mind. He had not given them any notice and they had performed admirably under the circumstances. He was exhausted from the experiences of the day and fell asleep quickly when he retired for the evening. The next morning he was awakened as requested at 7 o'clock. A servant assisted him with his morning routine and he was famished when his meal arrived at 8 o'clock. Fed and ready to depart he ordered his bag packed and his horse saddled. By 8:30 he was on his way to Longbourn. He knew it was too early in the day to call normally, but he also knew Mr. Bennet to be an early riser. Indeed, his host greeted him in the study.

"Mr. Bingley, I had not been informed you were in the neighborhood. What brings you to Longbourn so bright and early today?" Mr. Bennet had a good guess but decided to see how his guest reacted.

"Mr. Bennet, I arrived at Netherfield late in the afternoon yesterday. I caught my staff rather off balance for they had no idea of my coming."

"What brought about this sudden journey?"

"To see you sir," Bingley blushed.

"I am here as you see." Mr. Bennet decided a little sport was called for.

"Er yes, you are Mr. Bennet. What I mean is to say that I have come to speak to you about your daughter, sir."

"I have five of them still, I think. Of which do you speak?" It was diverting to watch him squirm.

"Of your eldest, Miss Jane, sir."

"Well, what do you wish to speak about her, Mr. Bingley?" It was too early to let him off the hook.

"When I returned to London I learned she was staying with her family in Gracechurch Street. Yesterday I was finally able to call on her. Whilst there I had the opportunity to finally ask her if she would allow me to formally court her."

"Did she say yes, Mr. Bingley?" One more barb was called for.

"Of course she said yes, why else would I be here?"

"Then why are you here?" It was too tempting to keep going.

"I am here to ask your consent to court Miss Bennet, sir!"

"Ah, I was wondering when you were finally going to come to the point Mr. Bingley. Tell me, why I should allow you to court my daughter?"

"Because Mrs. Bennet will not allow you to refuse!"

Mr. Bennet was delighted. Maybe there was hope for the young man yet. "Well, when you put it that way, Mr. Bingley, I suppose I must give my consent. Well done, sir!"

Bingley finally began to relax. "Will you be this hard on all of your daughters' suitors, Mr. Bennet?"

"If they give me the chance, of course I will. Never pass on the chance to make young men nervous, Mr. Bingley. And you are not completely off the hook yet. You still have to obtain Jane's hand in marriage. If you thought today was difficult, wait until then!"

"I look forward to the day when I may be able to come to you with such a request, Mr. Bennet. My intentions to your daughter are honorable, sir."

"If I had doubted your intentions I would have denied your request, Mr. Bingley. But tell me why you waited until after you returned from Manchester to make your intentions known."

"I did not think it fair to make such a request before, knowing I would be leaving the next morning with no fixed date of return. But before I left I assured Miss Bennet of my intentions to return to call on her. I did not wish her to believe I was fleeing from her."

"That was very wise of you. Now perhaps you ought to be off before my wife and other daughters make an appearance. You would be safe from Mary, but the others…"

"I understand sir. But perhaps you would like me to wait so that I may take any letters back to London with me."

"An excellent idea; saves me postage. I have a letter ready for Elizabeth but I will write one to Jane and my brother Gardiner. Would you like anything while you wait?"

"Thank you, Mr. Bennet. I have already eaten but I would like some coffee."

Mr. Bennet had coffee brought in and then quickly wrote his two letters.

"I take it you will call again on Jane soon and be able to give her these letters. She will be able to send Lizzy hers."

"Actually I am invited to dine at the Gardiners' this evening with Miss Elizabeth and the Darcys."

"Why am I not surprised? Give my best to Edward and Madeline, Mr. Bingley."

"Indeed, I will, sir."

"Now be off with you while you still can," Mr. Bennet said as he shook the young man's hand.

Mr. Bingley left just before the family came down for breakfast.

"You had an early visitor today, Mr. Bennet. What did he want?"

"It was not much, please do not concern yourself with it Mrs. Bennet." Mary looked up at her father. She had seen Mr. Bingley come into Longbourn as she was leaving for her walk. She would have said something but her father gave her a wink. She grinned back at him and went back to her breakfast. She would give Jane the peace her father obviously intended for the moment. It would change soon enough.

Bingley arrived back in London tired but exhilarated. He was impatient to share his news with Jane. As soon as he arrived home he ordered his bath and an hour later was out the door and on the way to Gracechurch Street.

Mrs. Gardiner was not too surprised to find Mr. Bingley at her front door much too early for dinner. "Mr. Bingley you are early, sir. I am afraid Jane just went upstairs to prepare herself. Mr. Gardiner though should be home any minute. Perhaps you would care to wait in his study?"

"Thank you for your forbearance at my early arrival. I should very much like to meet Mr. Gardiner when he arrives. I shall be happy to await him in his study."

"Right this way." Mrs. Gardiner led him into the study. "You must excuse me, I need to see to dinner."

Mr. Gardiner arrived ten minutes later. He was immediately summoned to his wife.

"Edward dear, Mr. Bingley is here and waiting for you in the study. Be kind to him, he appears anxious enough as it is and if I know Thomas, he did not have the easiest time seeing him."

"Madeline, it has not been THAT many years since I was in the same position myself! I will have pity on the poor soul but I will set the rules with him."

"I would not expect any less from you, dear. Now go meet your guest!"

Mr. Gardiner found the object of his scrutiny pacing in his study. "You must be Mr. Bingley. I am Edward Gardiner and I am pleased to meet you, sir"

"It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, Mr. Gardiner. I have three letters to deliver to you, sir. I was in Hertfordshire this morning."

"You have certainly traveled much today then, sir."

"My business was concluded in a most satisfactory manner which negated any fatigue I might be experiencing now. I was asked to see that you read your letter at your earliest convenience. Please do not mind my presence."

Mr. Gardiner smiled knowingly at the young man and opened his letter. He was not at all surprised by its contents. After he concluded he looked up to address its main subject.

"Mr. Bingley, I see that my brother has granted his consent for your courtship with my niece. Since it appears that much of this will take place whilst she is my responsibility I think that we need to clarify what I expect from you in this matter."

"I completely understand, sir, that was the main reason I came early this evening, to meet and talk with you, sir."

"Come now, that may be a secondary motive but I hardly think it was the main reason you came early." Mr. Gardiner teased. Bingley could only blush and smile at this. The gentlemen discussed expectations and then settled into comfortable conversation waiting for the woman to come downstairs.

Darcy and Elizabeth had spent much of the week away from each other's company. They saw each other at mealtimes and after diner but they were never alone together. Secretly both were happy with this arrangement.

Georgiana insisted that Elizabeth wear one of her new gowns that evening. The first of them had been delivered that afternoon along with a new cloak. Elizabeth had never worn such fine clothing before and she wondered what Jane and her Aunt might have to say about it. She would have an awkward time explaining it to them.

"You must wear the burgundy one, Elizabeth. I think the color becomes you very well," Georgiana ordered.

"If you insist, Georgiana, I will. It is hard to refuse when you paid for most of its cost!" Elizabeth replied.

The journey to the Gardiners was the first time Elizabeth and Darcy had been in the close confines of a carriage together since Darcy and Georgiana had collected her on Sunday. Elizabeth had thought nothing of sharing a carriage ride with Darcy that first day. She had been too excited about seeing Georgiana again to allow his close proximity to affect her. Georgiana had sat across from her next to her brother on the ride home and commanded her attention.

Tonight was a very different experience. Georgiana was seated next to Elizabeth with Darcy across from them. Elizabeth was forced to look either at him or at her hands. Georgiana's constant conversation made it impossible for her to stare out the windows, since it would be rude to seem to ignore her friend. Elizabeth forced herself to not stare at Darcy and tried focusing on a point next to his head. She found his close presence slightly intoxicating. She had to will herself to attend Georgiana's conversation and was much relieved when they finally arrived at their destination.

Darcy on the other hand was grateful to his sister for sitting next to Elizabeth. That way he could focus on his sister and not have to try not to stare at Elizabeth. He had been avoiding being alone with her all week but he found her close proximity in the intimate enclosure of the carriage rather disconcerting. She looked stunning in her new gown and he was much relieved when they arrived at their destination.

Elizabeth could tell her sister was agitated when they entered the room. Mr. Bingley was already there and he appeared to be enjoying a quiet conversation with her Uncle. Jane motioned for Elizabeth to join her apart from the rest of the party.

"Do you have some news for me, Jane?" Elizabeth asked coyly.

"Oh Lizzy!" Jane began, "Mr. Bingley called on me yesterday. In the course of our conversation he asked permission to court me! He then rode to Netherfield yesterday afternoon and spoke with Papa just this morning. Papa has given his consent to Mr. Bingley! Can this really be happening to me?"

Elizabeth contained the urge to exult and instead quietly said to her sister, "Oh Jane, I told you not to worry! I am very happy for you. Enjoy this time away from Longbourn, Jane."

The two sisters looked at each other knowingly. Jane then noticed her sister's new gown.

"Elizabeth, when did you get this gown? It is exquisite!"

Elizabeth blushed, "Georgiana and I went shopping on Monday and this came today, along with the new wrap I was wearing. Do you like it then?"

"Oh Elizabeth, it is stunning on you! But it looks very expensive. How can we afford such things?"

Elizabeth appeared even more embarrassed. "I warned Georgiana about this," she sighed. "When we left Longbourn and Papa asked to see me alone it was to tell me that he was providing me with extra funds to enhance my wardrobe. He was aware that I would be needing more sophisticated clothing while I am staying in town with the Darcys. Before Georgiana and I had a chance to start shopping, Mr. Darcy informed me that they had much of the same expectations of my need to enhance my wardrobe as our father had. He then told me that they would cover the extra cost incurred by shopping at their accustomed shops. I tried to decline but was overruled. So I ordered the same number of items that I was planning on, only from Miss Darcy's shops and the Darcys are making up the difference. I asked not to be told what that amount was. I really do not wish to know! There are more things coming and they are all so beautiful, Jane. Perhaps now I will not be completely overshadowed when I stand next to you. And by the way you look stunning in YOUR new gown, Jane."

"Thank you, Lizzy. It was very generous of the Darcys to do this for you but I do understand the wisdom of their thinking."

"Yes," Elizabeth sighed, "and tomorrow evening only proves their point. We dine at the home of the Earl of Matlock, the Darcys' uncle."

Changing the subject Jane replied, "Elizabeth, Mr. Bingley brought a letter back for you from our father. Mr. Bingley offered to carry his correspondence back to London for him."

"That was very generous of him. There was not, by chance, a letter there for you as well?"

"Yes, Papa only wished to let me know he approves of Mr. Bingley and that he was happy for me. He also said that he was relieved that the courtship should take place mostly away from Longbourn. He has promised not to tell Mama for the time being."

"So then if neither you nor I tell her she will not know?"

"Unless Papa changes his mind."

Elizabeth gave Jane one of her saucy looks and in her best imitation of Sir William Lucas cried, "Capital! Oh Capital, Miss Bennet."

Their laughter attracted the attention of the others. "Elizabeth," Mr. Gardiner said, "I have a letter for you from your father. Let me fetch it for you before I forget."

"Thank you, Uncle. Would you please have the servant place it with my things? I will read it later."

"As you wish my dear."

The seven of them had an enjoyable evening together. Mr. Darcy once again found himself amazed at Mr. Gardiner. He was a man of sense and education and Darcy was glad to know him better. His home, while not nearly as large as his own, was tastefully decorated and displayed the obvious comfort of its inhabitants. The servants were well trained and efficient. Overall Darcy was impressed. He was also happy that the eldest Miss Bennets had some relations that they could be proud of. And if Bingley's happy demeanor of the evening was any indication, he would soon find himself in their company more often.

No one was more disappointed when the evening was over than Elizabeth. She wished she could stay there and stay up late talking with Jane. But it was not to be. As they departed. Darcy surprised everyone, even himself with an invitation for the Gardiners, Jane and Bingley to attend the theatre next Friday with him in the Darcy Box.

"The Taming of the Shrew is opening that night. It would be a pleasure for all of you to join us."

"Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I see that Jane and my wife appear amicable to the idea." Mr. Gardiner responded.

"And you must come back to Darcy House afterwards." Darcy added.

"We would be honored, sir." Mr. Gardiner countered.

"Mr. Gardiner, please allow me to offer you my coach, I would be honored to escort all of you." Bingley offered enthusiastically.

"Of course Mr. Bingley, that would be lovely," Mr. Gardiner accepted.

The ride back to Darcy House played out in the same manner as their earlier journey except this time Georgiana was much less talkative. Neither Darcy nor Elizabeth were able to pick up the slack in the conversation. They were much too busy trying to keep the other from noticing their distraction. This time, however, Georgina noticed the discomfort of her brother and friend. Fitzwilliam's did not surprise her, but Elizabeth's did. Perhaps matchmaking between them would be easier than she feared. She had been watching her brother's reactions to Elizabeth. Now she would have to watch Elizabeth's reaction to her brother. The darkness inside the carriage hid Georgiana's sly smile.