Chapter 5

The next months flew by, as Darcy learned more of his companions at the warehouse, as well as meeting more tradesmen at various dinner parties and balls of the lower circles. He found it fascinating, as he could see the similarities and differences from the first circle gatherings he had attended. The manners were the same: The vain single ladies wishing to capture wealthy husbands, the pompous men trying to appear more important than they were, while the rest of the group attempted to suffer through it all with as much decorum as possible. The main differences were the location and the accoutrement of the clothing; otherwise the beverages were better and the music more cheerful.

Darcy could not help but be his usual stiff and taciturn self at these gatherings, although now, it was mostly due to his mode of dress and fear of being recognised.

This night at the Gardiner residence, Elizabeth laughed at him several times before their departure to the ball and she helped him correct his cravat.

"You will never attract a pretty woman looking like this, Will!" Elizabeth untied his cravat to retie it better. "How will you ever capture an heiress with your hair so grown out and these blotches on your face?" She inspected him closer, leaning in precariously close, "Have you cut yourself shaving again?" She pressed his chin with her fingertip to check for blood.

"OW!" Darcy yelled, as he grabbed her by the waist to startle her at the same time, making her jump. "I am jesting. It does not hurt, Lizzy. You worry like an old lady. I do not want an obnoxious heiress and I have no desire to marry any time soon. The lady I marry will be someone who captures my heart as well as my mind, and I will never marry but for the deepest affections. Someone very clever has taught me that." He pulled out his old pocket watch and looked at the time. "Blasted, I am already late. I must meet your uncle in the study. He wanted an update on last month's earnings before we left for the ball." Darcy quickly leaned down and pecked Elizabeth's cheek with his lips. "Thank you, Lizzy." He rushed towards the study.

Elizabeth stood frozen and blushing with the affection since he had not kissed her cheek before. It was done in friendliness as he would do his sister, but it was so new to her that she did not know how to react.

A moment later, Mrs. Gardiner entered the drawing room. "I finally found it. Will you help me get this bracelet on, Lizzy? Whatever is the matter," she touched her niece's cheeks. "You are flushed. I hope you are not getting ill."

"I am fine. It was just a bit warm in here. I will be fine, aunt. Let me help you with that." Elizabeth turned and worked on getting her aunt prepared for the ball. He thinks of me like a sister and I think of him like a brother. It was innocent and he did not mean anything by it. He is a friend. A brotherly friend.

Darcy stood frozen in front of the door to the study. Did I just kiss Lizzy? Good god, why did I do that for? She is like a sister to me and I reacted like I normally do with Georgiana. Lord, I hope she does not take it the wrong way. She has grown a bit more mature these past months but she is still a child. Darcy shook off his thoughts. Lizzy knows I think of her like a sister. Perhaps I will need to look for a lady with a womanly figure to inspire me. I am going to need to look for a wife eventually. He smiled and spoke with Mr. Gardiner before departing for the ball.

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"Do you not wish to dance, Mr. Pembers?" Mrs. Gardiner asked. "I appreciate that you are keeping me company but you should be seeking some ladies to see if anyone captures your attentions for a while. It is what young men do, am I correct?" Mrs. Gardiner was large with child but only in the front, and her dress had continued to conceal her status, having gained very little weight overall. She was now nearly at seven months but could be seen as only slightly heavier.

Darcy finally relaxed from his stiff posture. "Thank you, no, Mrs. Gardiner. I do not have any wish to dance. I am uncomfortable with strangers and I find the company too… loud." He looked at several overdressed women who were gossiping about him loudly, who believed they were whispering but their conversation could be heard fifty feet away. He hated being the topic of conversation but he was at least relieved that these ladies looked at his direction for his appearance rather than his wealth as he had been accustomed. These so-called ladies were not mercenary but only dishonourable, as several of them were wives of Mr. Gardiner's associates.

"I hope to bring Lizzy to the next ball if she will only agree. She has been shying away from many of the public outings, except for the theatre and musicales, but she will be leaving soon to return home and her mother did make me promise to take her to at least one ball. Hopefully the next party will have a few handsome gentlemen to dance with her." Mrs. Gardiner continued, "There is such a shortage of dance partners at a ball like this."

Finally grasping the hint, Darcy bowed with a smile, "May I have this dance, milady?"

Mrs. Gardiner laughed, "Yes, Mr. Pembers. I would be most happy to dance."

After their dance was completed, Mr. Gardiner approached them with a grin and requested a dance with his glowing wife. Darcy stood on the edge watching them laugh and converse during their dance and hoped that his future wife would make him happy like that someday.

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"Are you angry with me?" Darcy asked. "Did I do something wrong again? You will have to tell me, Lizzy. You know how thick I can be at times; I do not know what I did to upset you."

"You did nothing, Will! Why do you assume I am angry with you? Can I not have a moment of introspection without your thinking the worst? Why are you so insecure of yourself?" Elizabeth retorted.

Darcy scoffed, "Because you always speak your mind. I have not seen you be so introspective in the four months I have known you." He touched her forehead with the back of his hand. "Are you ill? You do not have a fever. Do you need a glass of wine?" He smiled at her raised brow, "All right, no wine. Perhaps a cool beverage? Shall I take you to the bookstore and get you something new to read?"

"Why are you being so nice to me, Will? I am only morose because…" Elizabeth ceased speaking.

"Because of what? You are morose; but why?" Darcy probed. "You are the happiest person I know and I cannot stand to see you so gloomy. Tell me what the matter is, Lizzy."

Elizabeth could no longer contain her ire. "Because I am leaving tomorrow and you will not be in Hertfordshire! I am, once again, going to be the wild, unruly second daughter who is ugly and nothing compared to my beautiful sister and I will miss my friend. Even when I return here to the Gardiners, you will be gone and I do not know if I will ever see you again! These stupid rules in society says we cannot write to each other and I will miss you, Will!" Her tears began to roll down.

Darcy's heart broke to see the young lady in despair. He had not thought about the break in their friendship once he departed for home in two days. He was ecstatic to go home to the comforts that he had missed dearly and could not wait to see his father and Georgiana. He, knowing that Elizabeth came to stay with the Gardiners every year, had planned on visiting her again at the next opportunity and had not thought further of their separation.

He would be home with his duties as the son of George Darcy, who would have his grand rooms and stallion and valet and £5,000 a year. He would have his friends and would be residing in Darcy House upon his return to London in the winter, to attend grand parties and enjoy the theatre in his private box.

Elizabeth Bennet, the obscure second daughter of a modest family with an entailment would return to being hidden away in the rustic country of Hertfordshire, to be considered last in her family, to be in the shadows of her handsome older sister and rowdy younger sisters, with few friends of her own age to keep her company. She would be lonely and he had not considered her.

Darcy gathered her in his arms as she cried and gently rubbed her back. He gave her his handkerchief and after her tears were spent, he continued to hold her after leading her to the couch at the Gardiner home.

The Gardiners trusted him explicitly and approved the very close friendship that they had developed. Knowing that Fitzwilliam Darcy was trustworthy and that each thought of the other like a sibling, as long as the doors remained open, they were often left alone. Mr. Gardiner was at an appointment with a colleague and Mrs. Gardiner was speaking with the housekeeper.

"I am sorry, Lizzy. I had been so excited to return home and did not consider to what situation you will be returning. I will miss you dearly, my friend. I do have several things to share with you and I had told your uncle and aunt that I would be revealing it all today. I hope to return when you are next in town and I promise to take you to the museum and Kew Gardens and to the theatre. Would you like that?" Darcy smiled, as Elizabeth's head popped up in excitement.

Darcy continued after releasing her from his embrace and sitting up. "I am not William Pembers, Lizzy, I hope you will forgive me for the deception. My name is Fitzwilliam Darcy and I am the son and heir to my father's property in Derbyshire called Pemberley. My father is a very great man and Pemberley was given to my ancestor by William the Conqueror and is surrounded by a park about ten miles all around in northern Derbyshire. It is often reported that Pemberley brings £10,000 a year but those reports are quite old, I am afraid. My father's income is close to £20,000 a year and I also have my own property that I manage and lease that brings £5,000 a year. My father and his father before him and so on, they have had a tradition of sending of their sons to live in near poverty for months to understand how the world works around us. To help me correct my temper and to follow good principles in humility and civility, he sent me here to your uncle's so that I would learn to be unselfish and respectful of the hard-working men and women of all classes."

He went on to explain his role as Mr. Gardiner's clerk and that the duty itself was an easy task, but to step out of his shyness and to interact with the other workers and to attend dinners and balls here were the true challenges of this task. Elizabeth remained very quiet throughout his explanation and Darcy became worried when she did not say anything after he concluded.

Elizabeth was very thoughtful for several moments then finally blew out a deep breath. "Thank goodness!"

Darcy furrowed his brows, "What do you mean?"

Elizabeth looked at him and broadly grinned, "I mean thank goodness that you are not some poor young man! I had been so concerned that you had purchased that expensive book for me for my birthday and have been saving every penny to repay you. Now I will not have to!" She giggled as Darcy burst into laughter.

"No, my dear. I have no need for your shillings. I would buy you a roomful of books if only to make you happy, Lizzy. I am sorry for the deception." Darcy squeezed her hand.

"I do understand. Your father is very wise. So, you are Mr. Darcy. I have heard of Pemberley before from my aunt. She told me some of the descriptions from her memory and how large the park is all around." She stiffened for a moment, "Am I still allowed to call you Will?"

Darcy chuckled, "Yes, although probably not in public. You will have to call me Mr. Darcy instead of Mr. Pembers in society but it would be my honour if you will continue to call me by name. You are like a sister to me and I should not like to lose that."

"Me, too, Will." Elizabeth sighed. "Although I now understand the gap between us will be even greater. You would be ashamed to be seen with a young girl like me. I will understand if you do not acknowledge me in public should we happen to come across each other in town."

"Never, Lizzy," Darcy embraced her again and kissed the top of her head. "I would never scorn my dear little sister, even if you might be tempted to poke my face or scowl at me for indulging in a glass of wine." He heard her laugh from his chest. "I will not forget you. I will be writing to your uncle often and once he tells me of your plans to visit Cheapside again, I will come and call on you. I will take you to several outings and if you are being courted by then, I will take both you and your gentleman friend to show you off to my friends. If that man is not worthy or if any other dubious characters wish to get to know you better, I will ball up my fists and scare them away. I might even draw out my foil so I can threaten them with more than just a glower. Does that sound good? I will be fiercely protective of you and safeguard you from men of questionable character, dear sister."

Elizabeth tightened her grasp around his waist. "Thank you, big brother. I will miss you so much. Thank you for being so kind to me and for tolerating my horrid manners. I know I am such a hoyden and not many have the patience to endure my criticisms. You are a very understanding older brother."

"Well, I am almost eight years older. I should hope I have some wisdom to bestow on my little sister." Darcy laughed. He stood her up. "I am taking you to Mr. Blotts' right now. I plan to purchase a stack of books for you today to remember me until we see each other again. Come, let us go now."

Elizabeth jumped in joy. "Thank you! Thank you so much, Will!" She went to one of the tables and reached for a small envelope she left there. "I made these bookmarks for you, Will. I hope you like them. I could not think of anything else to give you to remember me by but I made them for you. The red one is so you remember me when I am angry with you, the blue one when I am sad, and the yellow one when I am happy." She laughed, "I know I vex you often but I could not think of a colour for vexation."

Darcy gleamed in joy with her thoughtful gift. "I shall treasure these, Lizzy. It was very kind of you to think of me." He was truly touched. He turned and placed her hand on his arm. "I am going to spoil you proper next year when we reunite. Let us go."

Mrs. Gardiner just then entered the drawing room. "Go where?" She asked.

"Mrs. Gardiner, I have revealed to Lizzy of my true identity and we are going to the bookstore to purchase an armful of books. My dear little sister here will need some entertainment in Hertfordshire and I plan on spoiling her." Darcy crowed.

"Not that many, Will!" Elizabeth responded.

"As many as your little arms can carry, sister! Let us go!" Darcy bowed and walked Elizabeth out of doors.

"Have a good time, children!" Mrs. Gardiner called out as they departed. It will be so good to have a child in several weeks. I cannot wait to be a mother!