by Zoë Burton
Darcy had been so surprised at the appearance of the huge animal that he had been unable to react, but seeing Elizabeth’s pleasure, and the way she instantly relaxed in the dog’s presence, he stepped back. It was obvious to him that the animal was hers, and the two were close. A small smile lifted his lips at the way a single word from the tiny young woman made the massive canine drop to a sitting position.
“I take it that you know this enormous beast?” Darcy’s amusement was clear in his voice.
Elizabeth smiled at his wry tone, though her gaze never left her dog, and her hands continued their stroking.
“I do. This is Brutus. We have been friends since he was a puppy.” She paused to look at Darcy. “Though he looks intimidating, he is a big baby.” She looked back at Brutus and clasped her hands in front of her. “Brutus, this is Mr. Darcy.” Brutus tilted his head, ears perked up and attention riveted on Elizabeth. “Shake hands with Mr. Darcy, Brutus.”
Darcy watched in amazement as the large animal stood, took two steps to his left and sat again. When Brutus lifted his paw for Darcy to shake, the gentleman laughed and bent down to take it. Letting go of the dog, who promptly returned to press himself against his mistress’ side, Darcy extended his compliments to Elizabeth. “That was amazing! It was as though he understood every word you said to him.”
Elizabeth beamed, burying her hand in the dog’s neck once more. “Thank you. He is very clever. I could not do without him.” As she spoke, Elizabeth began to choke up. She fell silent and looked down.
Maddie stepped in, then. “Lizzy, we must get in the carriage now.” She watched her niece’s face carefully. “Brutus is here to help you. Come.” Maddie gestured to the waiting equipage, its door held open by the coachman.
Swallowing hard, Elizabeth looked at the carriage, her grip on Brutus’ fur tightening.
“All is well, Miss Bennet.” Darcy had seen her lose her color and recognized that she needed support. He spoke soothingly to her as he stepped up to offer his arm. With one eye on Miss Bennet and one eye on his destination, he watched her carefully as he slowly escorted her across the crowded sidewalk.
They paused as they reached the carriage, Elizabeth in front of the open door, with Brutus on one side and Darcy on the other, and her aunt behind them. Elizabeth’s grip on Brutus’ neck left her knuckles white, but the dog never complained.
Elizabeth took a deep breath as she faced the equipage, tears filling her eyes. She had a faraway look in her eyes, and Darcy repeated himself a few times until she answered. All the while, she leaned against Brutus. Finally, Elizabeth nodded, allowing him to take the hand that had been tucked over his forearm to help her up. She lifted her foot to the step, and with an ease which did not show the anxiety Darcy had seen in her before, she was on the seat with her faithful furry friend half in her lap.
Darcy smiled at the picture Elizabeth made with Brutus draped all over her. He was happy that she had been able to board so calmly, and that he had been able to help. He turned to Mrs. Gardiner and bowed. “I suspect your ride home will be a far easier one than the trip here was.”
Mrs. Gardiner curtseyed, smiling at him. “Thank you for your assistance. It has been much appreciated.”
Darcy smiled back, just a brief quirking upwards of the corners of his lips. Reaching into a pocket, he pulled out a calling card, handing it to Mrs. Gardiner. “I should like to know how your niece gets on. If I can be of any further assistance, please call on me. I hate to see a young woman so terrorized.” Darcy felt protective of the young lady, and though he did not understand why, he pushed the feelings aside. “I would hope someone would do the same for my sister, were she in a similar situation.”
Taking the card, Maddie gratefully replied, “I am certain all will be well, but thank you for your kind offer. I shall have my husband write to you in a day or two.”
Murmuring his thanks, Darcy handed Mrs. Gardiner into the carriage, mindful of the fact that Miss Bennet did not need to sit in it any longer than necessary, and closed the door behind her, giving a signal to the driver that he could move on. Turning to his own carriage, Darcy climbed up in, watching out the window as it pulled into traffic and wondering why he was suddenly so interested in the welfare of a stranger.
Brutus to the Rescue
The next afternoon, Darcy was in his library, his favorite volume of Shakespeare in his hand, relaxing after a long morning of answering correspondence, when his solitude was interrupted by his butler.
“A message has just come for you, sir.” Mr. Baxter held out the silver salver containing the missive as he bowed.
Brows furrowed, Darcy’s curiosity was piqued as he reached out to accept the letter. Light, he thought. Must be a single sheet. As he waved Baxter away, Darcy turned the missive over to examine the direction. Gardiner. Gracechurch Street. Gardiner. Mrs. Gardiner and her niece; I have been waiting for this. Darcy broke the seal and unfolded the letter, where a short but polite message filled the space.
Gracechurch Street
London
Mr. Darcy,
My wife shared with me your invaluable assistance with our niece yesterday afternoon, and told me of your wish to be informed as to our Lizzy’s condition.
First, let me thank you for stepping in to help. The assistance of someone of far greater consequence than ourselves was greatly appreciated by us both, though it was not at all a surprise to my wife, once she had learned your name and estate. She spent part of her youth in Lambton and remembers the Darcys as being kind and liberal, in general. She has fond memories of Lady Anne Darcy visiting her grandparents’ home and giving her sweets.
My niece is much recovered from her fright. Mrs. Gardiner tells me that Brutus’ presence made a distinct difference; the ride home was easier for Miss Bennet than the trip to Hatchards was. It has been more than half a year since we brought her to London; yesterday was her first ride in a carriage since her accident.
Mrs. Gardiner has decided to force our niece to learn to ride in carriages again. I am uneasy about subjecting my sister’s only surviving child to doing something that obviously terrifies her, but my wife insists the only way to get over a fear is to face it. We will begin by taking Brutus with us whenever we go, in the hopes that Miss Bennet will learn to ride without fear and leave him at home once again.
Thank you again for your timely and much-appreciated assistance.
Yours,
Edward Gardiner
Darcy nodded as he finished reading. They were right to require their niece to face her fear. To allow it to continue would be to limit her, socially and mentally. Miss Bennet was too bright a jewel to allow that to happen. Folding the letter, Darcy tucked it into his pocket, picked up his book, and began to read once more.
Kensington Gardens, Two weeks later
Elizabeth had endured several carriage rides of varying lengths in the fortnight since the trip to Hatchards. Her aunt had insisted upon them, saying that the more Elizabeth practiced riding in a carriage, the easier it would become. Though Elizabeth had begged and pleaded with her relatives, both insisted she comply. Her only consolation had been having her beloved pet with her.
Brutus loved riding in the carriage, almost as much as he loved his mistress. He sat in various positions, sometimes on the seat beside her, and sometimes stretched out across her lap. The latter he did most often, but now, after a couple weeks, Elizabeth seemed calmer, and Brutus began to sit up more.
Elizabeth could not explain the comfort she found in her dog. Even to her, it was strange. Elizabeth could find peace no other way than by stroking the dog’s massive head, or holding him close, or burying her face in his fur. She had stopped trying to rationalize it. Brutus helped her hold the fear at bay, she was going to cling to him, and that was that.
Now, here they were, about to explore Kensington Gardens. Brutus sat beside her, his head on her shoulder and his paw clutched in her hand. Across from her sat her aunt and uncle, surreptitiously keeping an eye on
her. Though Elizabeth’s terror had diminished a bit, getting her into the carriage took time, and sudden stops and the sounds of neighing horses often sent her into a panic. She sat still and erect, but also stiff and alert to an unhealthy degree.
Mr. Gardiner peeked out the window. “Lizzy, the carriage is going to slow soon.”
Elizabeth nodded, gulping in a huge breath and letting it out. “Thank you, Uncle.”
“You have done very well today, Lizzy.” Maddie Gardiner squeezed Elizabeth’s hand.
“Thank you, Aunt,” Elizabeth whispered. “I think you were correct; avoiding carriages would limit my life.” She did not let go of Brutus until the equipage had come to a complete stop and it was her turn to descend. Then, turning to her faithful companion, she wrapped her arms around his neck and momentarily buried her face in his fur. She pulled back and spoke quietly but firmly to Brutus, instructing him to stay. He took a quick swipe at her cheek with his tongue before meekly lying down on his belly.
Without thought, Elizabeth wiped her face with her hand, but then pulled her handkerchief out of her pocket and wiped both hand and face.
“Lizzy.”
Turning at the sound of her uncle’s voice, she placed her shaking hand in his and allowed him to hand her out. Standing on solid ground again, Elizabeth remained still for a few moments as her trembling legs quivered underneath her. She accepted her uncle’s arm, leaning on him for support. Finally, when she felt as though she could move without falling, she breathed a sigh of relief, gripped her uncle’s arm more tightly, and allowed him to lead her and her aunt away.
By the time the trio approached the gated entrance to the gardens, Elizabeth had composed herself, and none who looked at her would have noticed evidence of her recent distress, save a little redness around her eyes. As they walked she visibly relaxed; she greatly enjoyed both nature and walking, and this trip gave her a little of both. As they began to stroll the many paths in the garden, admiring the trees and flowers and general layout of the place, Elizabeth’s naturally cheerful disposition began to come to the fore. She began to entertain her aunt and uncle with her observations about the people around them, making them laugh at her vivid verbal pictures.
“Look, Aunt,” Lizzy murmured, leaning in front of her uncle. “I think that couple must be courting. Look how the gentleman tries to impress his lady. Oh! He has plucked a flower and has presented it to her!”
Maddie and Gardiner looked in the direction their niece had indicated by a tilting of her head and saw the beaming young man and blushing lady. They smiled at the scene.
“They appear to be very much in love, do they not?”
“They do,” Elizabeth happily sighed. Her attention was caught then by a child attempting to escape his nurse, and she laughed. “Look there.” She gestured toward the red-faced and huffing servant and the laughing toddler.
“Oh, my,” Maddie gasped, “his poor nurse! Our youngest is just that way, is he not, Edward?” She laughed as she watched the servant catch up to the baby, snatching him up and scolding him as she walked him back to his family.
The trio had wandered about for close to an hour when they stopped to sit for a few minutes on a bench that was charmingly arranged beneath the boughs of a shade tree. They continued to quietly converse amongst themselves until they were suddenly interrupted.
“Mrs. Gardiner, Miss Bennet, I am happy to see you both.” Mr. Darcy stood in front of them and bowed.
“Why, Mr. Darcy, what a surprise to see you here!” Maddie smiled.
Darcy smiled back, his lips just lifting the corners of his mouth. “I was equally surprised to see you.” He turned to Elizabeth. “Are you well, Miss Bennet?”
Elizabeth had risen along with her companions, and she now curtseyed. “I am. You must allow me to thank you again for your assistance at Hatchards. It was very much appreciated.”
“Think nothing of it. I would hope that, if it were my sister in such a position, someone would come to her aid. Speaking of whom, may I introduce her to you?”
“I should love to meet her; please do.”
Darcy introduced his sister, Georgiana, to Elizabeth and her aunt and uncle. He smiled to see that Georgiana did not retreat into herself, but instead responded to their warm greetings, blooming like a flower under their gentle welcome.
Darcy could see that Elizabeth and Maddie both enjoyed meeting new people, and took to Georgiana right away. They seemed to understand that she was shy, almost painfully so, and they took care to rein in their enthusiasm while at the same time being welcoming and friendly.
The group decided to walk together for a while, with Elizabeth and Georgiana taking the lead, and Darcy and the Gardiners behind them. Darcy smiled every time he heard his sister giggle and remained near enough to overhear much of their conversation.
Turning her head to momentarily glance at the girl walking beside her, Elizabeth asked, “Do you enjoy nature, Miss Darcy?”
Georgiana nodded. “I do. My brother and I come here often to enjoy the gardens, and almost every day we walk in Hyde Park. It is just across the street from our house.”
“I greatly enjoy being out of doors, as well. There is a small park near my uncle’s house that I like to walk to as often as I can,” Elizabeth answered. “I have always enjoyed walking, and in Hertfordshire, I could wander all over my father’s estate. I studied the flora and fauna, and got to know each bird and animal almost by name.” She laughed. “When I was younger, I tried to get them to eat out of my hand, and was heartbroken when they would not approach.” Shaking her head, Elizabeth laughed again.
Georgiana tried to hide a grin and could not contain a giggle. “I confess to attempting the same at Pemberley. There was a rabbit that took up residence on the front lawn when I was eight. I loved to sit in the yard and watch it. One day, I hid lettuce in my pocket and tried to get the rabbit to eat it. Now that I am older, I think that I should have set the lettuce out and moved away, but back then, I was disappointed that it would not come to me.”
Now that the ice was broken between them, Elizabeth and Georgiana moved on to other topics, the chief being music. Elizabeth learned that it was Georgiana’s passion, and Georgiana learned that Elizabeth had not practiced enough to play really well.
Behind them, Darcy forced his attention to the Gardiners, asking about Mr. Gardiner’s business.
“I am an importer, mainly of goods from exotic locations; silks from China, spices from India, and cottons from the West Indies, among other things.” Gardiner spoke confidently, his pride in his accomplishments clear.
Darcy nodded, intrigued. “Mrs. Gardiner said you live on Gracechurch Street, I believe. Is it close to your warehouse?”
“Within sight of it, from the top floor of either building. When we purchased our townhouse, we did not wish for our children to be raised in the center of the business district. The houses are bigger in the section of Gracechurch Street where we live, as well, so there is more room for our growing brood. It is a perfect location for a growing family.”
“Excellent. I can remember my parents saying something similar about our homes, but with an opposite meaning. They preferred for all of us to be at Pemberley, rather than at the townhouse here in London.” Darcy smiled at the memory.
“I think it must be common to parents everywhere, the desire to give their children the best they can.” Mrs. Gardiner’s tone was thoughtful.
After a pause, Darcy changed the subject. “You took your niece in. Have her parents passed on?” When Gardiner confirmed his suspicion, informing Darcy that the entire family, with the exception of Elizabeth, had died in a carriage accident, Darcy continued, sadness for Miss Bennet’s situation filling his voice. “How awful for her, to have gone through such a terrible experience and find herself alone in the world! She seems happy now, though, except for riding in carriages. I must commend you on that; too often, a lady in her situation is taken in but treated as a servant, or resented.” He thought of what woul
d happen to his sister if he were to die before she married. He did not worry as much about his uncle the earl taking her in, but his aunt, Lady Catherine, would crush Georgiana’s tender heart. His mind could conjure up all manner of ways the demanding woman would make his sister remember “her place” in that situation. Mentally shaking off such melancholy thoughts, Darcy turned his attention again to the Gardiners.
“Elizabeth is my sister’s daughter,” Gardiner began. “I loved my sister, and would have done the same regardless, but Elizabeth and her older sister, Jane, have always been our favorites. We would have gladly taken Jane in, as well, had she survived the accident. It still grieves me to know they are all gone.” Gardiner fell silent visibly struggling to control his emotions.
Maddie clarified her husband’s words and squeezed his arm. “We would have gladly taken any of them in. We simply were not as well-acquainted with the younger girls; by the time Mary was old enough to come for visits the way her sisters had, we had begun our own family and were not able to give our attention to nieces the way we had before.”
Darcy was impressed with the intelligence displayed by not only Miss Bennet, but also her relatives. Had he not already known that Mr. Gardiner was in trade, he would have taken him as a man of fashion; a gentleman, the same way he had assumed Mrs. Gardiner was a gentlewoman. Darcy was not one to turn away from someone based on their social rank alone, and he had learned enough of the Gardiners to want to extend their acquaintance, and so asked the Gardiners and Miss Bennet to tea on the morrow. When he learned they were unable to attend that day but were free the day after, he amended his offer to match their schedule, and they happily accepted.
A few minutes later, Mrs. Gardiner was hailed by a well-dressed lady whom Darcy recognized as the widow of a friend of his father’s, Lady Marlee. Darcy was surprised at first that the Gardiners would know someone from his circle, but quickly felt shame at his arrogance and prejudice. Their social status did not preclude them from knowing peers any more than his did.
