Posted on Friday, 26 September 2003, at
Lizzy was much disappointed to learn from Mrs. Gardiner that their trip to the Lakes was going to be delayed and shortened. While she could find pleasure in visiting Derbyshire instead of the Lakes, the delay bothered her greatly.
Life at Longbourn was trying to say the least: Mrs. Bennet´s nerves, Kitty‘s wailing of not being in Brighton and Jane‘s quiet suffering, topped by a period of rain which had prevented Lizzy from being out of doors – all this together made her want to cry out of sheer frustration.
With the same post Mr. Bennet got a letter from his sister-in-law. Knowing her niece’s disposition and therefore anticipating her disappointment, Mrs. Gardiner asked Mr. Bennet´s permission for Lizzy to come to London. For Mrs. Bennet‘s and Kitty‘s sake the reason she gave was that she needed Lizzy‘s help with packing and the children during their trip to Longbourn. Indeed the aforementioned started to complain about the injustice of the invitation – Lizzy having been away already – but on learning of the reasons, acquiesced soon enough.
As Sir William Lucas was to take his wife and Mariah to London two days hence and offered Elizabeth a place in his carriage, not even the expense was left for Mrs. Bennet to complain about.
Therefore Lizzy happily subjected herself to Sir Lucas´ rattling for the time of the journey.
Mrs. Gardiner received a fierce hug and warm thanks from her niece. Elizabeth’s days in Gracechurch Street were spent with her little cousins and in the company of her aunt and uncle and their friends, many of whom she had already known for years. After a week or so Mrs. Gardiner proposed a day out, dedicated to purchasing some items for their travels and visiting an old friend.
Their shopping went well and in good time the two called on Mrs. Nicholson. The good lady was a friend from Mrs. Gardiner’s Lambton days. She had married a clergyman and moved away but had stayed in touch with Mrs. Gardiner. Left childless at the age of forty after her husband’s untimely death, she had taken the position of running an orphanage in London.
The house was in an unfashionable but not disreputable part of town and Lizzy and her aunt were received in the sitting room of Mrs. Nicholson’s apartment in the building.
As Mrs. Gardiner and her friend were discussing mutual acquaintances, Elizabeth excused herself to visit the nursery and the school room as was her wont on these visits.
A servant there told her that all the children were in the back garden. Lizzy made her way out there and found them, gathered around a large walnut tree near the rear wall.
Usually she was greeted with enthusiasm by them but now their eager faces were turned upwards to something going on in the tree. A new swing was dangling there. Curious Elizabeth stepped closer. Just then legs appeared from out of the tree and a man jumped down from it with a rather unceremonious thump.
Lizzy couldn’t believe her eyes. It was Mr. Darcy! He, like the children hadn’t noticed her presence yet. Pulling on the rope to test its strength, he addressed one of the smaller children
„Abby, won’t you try whether it isn’t mounted too high?“
The little girl did as she was bid and nodded her approval. She wanted to start swinging right away but Mr. Darcy halted her.
„Not yet, my dear.“
Turning to the tallest boy, a lad of about thirteen, he asked him to swing, all the time watching the knots that secured the rope to the branch, closely. When he seemed satisfied as to the safety of the swing, he faced the waiting children.
That was when he saw Elizabeth.
„Miss Bennet!“
„Mr. Darcy.“
Elizabeth curtseyed, blushing a deep shade of red. Darcy bowed, too embarrassed to say anything further.
As the silence stretched Amy, one of the older girls, stepped forward. Naturally not guessing the true reasons for the odd behaviour of her two dearest visitors she offered
„Do not fault Master Will for `aving donned `is coat, Miss Lizzy, `e´d asked permission of us girls `fore doing so like a real gentleman.“
Despite the awkwardness of the situation Lizzy had to smile.
„I am sure he did.“
As the little ones were growing quite impatient by then our couple returned its attention to the swing. Mr. Darcy proposed they all have their turn, starting with the smallest ones. Naturally the amount of time each child could spend on the swing led to disagreement. Lizzy had an idea and quietly slipped away. Darcy was torn between helping the children and following her because he feared she wouldn’t return.
From cook Elizabeth got an egg-timer and a manservant provided her with a hammer and a nail. Seeing the expectant glances she explained
„That’s how we solved this problem amongst us five sisters.“
She handed Darcy hammer and nail and explained to the children how they were to use the swing as long as the sand would run and then relinquish it for the next in line.
As the children were doing nicely by themselves Darcy stepped back. He had found enough of his composure again to enquire after the health of her family, determined to show her by every civility in his power that he’d taken her reproofs to heart. Elizabeth answered him in kind and after awhile they were conversing pleasantly if still not very much at ease with each other.
During their talk Lizzy learned that the orphanage had been founded by Darcy’s late mother and that he and his sister were regular visitors when in London.
„My sister would have dearly liked to have accompanied me today. She will be very sorry to have missed the opportunity of an introduction to you.“
Elizabeth felt that any wish of Miss Darcy to know her must be the work of her brother and was gratified by the sentiment.
„I do hope nothing of a serious nature prevented her from coming.“
„No, no, Miss Bingley visited quite early, and ,er, ...“
Darcy didn’t know how to proceed, he couldn’t tell Miss Bennet that Georgiana had sacrificed herself for the sake of the orphanage’s occupants – sending Miss Bingley on her way was as impossible as bringing her here.
„I comprehend, Mr. Darcy, your sister didn’t want to subject her friend to a visit that would give the latter no pleasure. That is very generous of her.“
Darcy couldn’t suppress a smile. Elizabeth felt her heart skip a beat. He couldn’t still love her, could he?
„I will offer your explanation to Georgiana; it will console her, I am sure.”2
They returned their attention to the children. It became clear that it would take a very long time until each one would have had their turn. Elizabeth intercepted the next one to claim the swing.
„This is taking far too much time, you will have to swing in pairs. Do you know how to stand on the swing facing each other?
She tried to explain and show them but somehow they didn’t get it.
„Miss Bennet, I think we’ll better show them. The swing will easily hold the two of us.2
Darcy couldn’t believe his own boldness – the idea had looked marvelous just moments ago but now he wasn’t so sure anymore.
„I believe that is a sensible plan, Mr. Darcy.“
Blushing Lizzy stepped closer to the swing, taking the ropes. Darcy gripped them too, slightly touching her hands in doing so.
„Ready?“
„Ready.“
Both set their left foot on the board of the swing and Elizabeth motioned Darcy with a nod to push off. They found their rhythm in pushing the swing and soon it had reached a quite daring height. After her initial embarrassment Lizzy couldn’t help but enjoy herself and Darcy seemed to relax likewise. He gave her a dazzling smile which she returned in kind.
The necessity of letting the children have their turn made them venture back to earth, in more than one sense. After seeing that the little ones were capable on their own, Darcy retrieved his coat and enquired
„Miss Bennet, would you do me the great honour, or do I ask too much, of introducing me to your aunt?“
„Of course I will.“
The introduction was made and Lizzy was pleased that Darcy betrayed no reaction whatsoever on hearing Cheapside
Mrs. Nicholson was nowhere to be seen and Mrs. Gardiner and Mr. Darcy were conversing politely. He addressed her
„Madam, will you grant me permission to call on you and your family with my sister?“
„That will not be possible I am afraid, as we will leave London tomorrow.“
„I am sorry to hear it.“
Just then Mrs. Nicholson came into the room, unaware of Darcy being there, too.
„There Madeline, I have found it. Will you please give this book to Mrs. Adderley when you see her in Lambton, it won’t bother you when traveling; it is just a slim volume but I do not want to send it by post. – Mr. Darcy! I didn’t know you were here.“
„Mrs. Nicholson, forgive me my negligence. As Cook informed me that you had a visitor I proceeded to the back garden with important business and the intention to call on you later.“
„Important business indeed, Mr. Darcy. Though I might have guessed your presence as I heard a great commotion from the garden.“
Darcy was slightly embarrassed by this but not any longer when he noticed Lizzy’s fond and amused smile because of their conversation. Darcy turned to Mrs. Gardiner again
„You will be visiting Lambton? You must come to Pemberley!“
„Yes, our travels will end in Lambton. First we wanted to go as far as the Lakes but due to my husband’s business we can only go as far as Derbyshire.“
„My sister and I will be in Pemberley in ten days time, I hope that you will visit us there.“
„We will gladly take up your kind invitation, Mr. Darcy, won’t we, Lizzy?“
Elizabeth blushed again and nodded only, studying the carpet. Thus, she nearly missed the heartfelt delight that overspread Darcy’s features upon learning that his beloved would be in Derbyshire, too.
„Miss Bennet, you are to accompany Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner! This is wonderful; Georgiana will be delighted. If you’ll allow us to show you the peaks, I assure you that you won’t be sorry to miss the Lakes any longer.“
Elizabeth was pleased to notice that Darcy had shown the extraordinary civility of inviting her Cheapside relatives to Pemberley before knowing her to be with their party and voiced her acceptance. She couldn’t resist a little teasing though
„Are you perchance biased concerning the natural beauties of Derbyshire, Mr. Darcy?“
„Maybe just a little bit.“ He replied with a smile.
Soon Mrs. Gardiner reminded her niece that they should be going. They bade Mrs. Nicholson and Mr. Darcy farewell but not before he again earnestly entreated them to visit Pemberley.
Mrs. Gardiner was too discreet to ask her niece about her obvious change of sentiment concerning the master of Pemberley but she had to smile when in the evening she spotted Lizzy from an upstairs window – sitting on the swing in their back garden, her face turned up to the stars with a dreamy smile.