The Only Way: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice

by Ola Wegner

  The front door was pushed open, welcoming Mr. Gardiner. He was understandably surprised to see Darcy and his niece. Consequently, the entire situation had to be explained one more time. After refusing another dinner invitation, Darcy said a final goodbye to the Gardiners and Elizabeth, and left their home.

  ***

  They had spent a pleasant evening with Mr. Gardiner and all the children, who were allowed to go to bed later than was their usual routine. Little Fred presented the family with his new found ability of walking, which he had been mastering for the last two days. Elizabeth had clapped and cheered her youngest cousin as it was expected. Then, she told the children the promised story.

  “I can see that relations between you and Mr. Darcy have improved,” Mrs. Gardiner noted as she followed Elizabeth into her room.

  Elizabeth could not prevent the blush on her cheeks. “Yes, Aunt.”

  “You seem so much more at ease in his company.”

  “Yes, I think that I truly like and respect him,” Elizabeth acknowledged, pausing, trying to find the right words. “I do not mind his presence.”

  “I see,” Mrs. Gardiner sat on the edge of the bed, obviously eager to hear more.

  Elizabeth joined her, sitting closely. “I must admit that Uncle and you were right about him from the beginning. He has proved many times in the last weeks that he is a man of his word, and that I can rely on him.”

  The older woman leaned over and hugged her niece. “I am so happy for you. You deserve it, Elizabeth”

  “Thank you, Aunt.”

  Mrs. Gardiner wished her goodnight and moved to the door, when Elizabeth spoke hesitantly.

  “If you have a little time, there is something I would wish to talk about with you.”

  Mrs. Gardiner instantly returned to her side, watching her with an earnest expression. “Yes, dear.”

  Elizabeth lowered her head, twisting her hands nervously. “I thought to talk about it with Jane, but then I thought that perhaps she might not have enough of life’s experience to help me. You are married... and older than us so...”

  “Of course, Lizzy,” Mrs. Gardiner smiled, her tone neutral. “I hope that I can help you.”

  They went to sit down on a cushioned bench under the window.

  “Well, it is about Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth started with determination written on her face.

  Mrs. Gardiner nodded encouragingly. “I guessed as much.”

  Elizabeth looked at the ceiling before glancing back at her hands folded in her lap. “He confuses me.”

  “Your uncle confuses me too, even after ten years of marriage,” the older woman offered. “Men can have a different outlook on certain matters. In time you will learn to read him better.”

  “I meant to say that... when we are alone,” she cleared her throat. “Oh, it is so difficult to talk about, so embarrassing,” she groaned, covering her face with her fingers.

  “I see... You do not like when he tries to touch you perhaps? You are worried about your wedding night?” Mrs. Gardiner tried to guess.

  “No, no, I am not afraid of him,” she assured quickly, blushing. “He is very ... gentle, and never insists on doing something I do not wish him to do. It is all very... pleasant.”

  “That is good then, I do not think that he will pressure you. He is a gentleman. He wants you to feel comfortable with him, especially taking into consideration your unusual courtship. As for the wedding night you know that you can always ask me questions if you are confused about something. In general, there is truly nothing to fear.”

  “I am not afraid, but...”

  “Yes,” Mrs. Gardiner prompted gently.

  “I am concerned about his past experiences with...,” she paused, “other women.”

  “Ah, I see,” Mrs. Gardiner nodded. “Have you heard some rumours perhaps? Someone told you something about his past from the time before he met you?”

  “No, but I noticed how adept he is...,” she blushed harder. “I mean when he kisses me... oh, Aunt, he knows exactly what he is doing. He is not a fumbling youth.”

  “How old is he exactly, surely older than five and twenty?”

  “Eight and twenty.”

  “You expect a man of eight and twenty, with his social position and financial independence to have no experience at all?” Mrs. Gardiner asked dryly. “Is this not a bit naive?”

  “No, I always knew him to be a man of the world in every sense. Still, I thought that there were perhaps one or two women in his past.”

  “You mean that there were more than one or two,” the other woman said quietly.

  Elizabeth nodded.

  “How did you come to that knowledge?”

  “He told me.”

  “He did?” the incredulity rang in Mrs. Gardiner’s voice. “Just like that?”

  “I was curious, and I pressed him for information.”

  “And he simply revealed it to you?”

  “Well, he did not want to talk about it at first, but I nagged him long enough and...”

  “And?”

  “He said that he had been with ten women,” Elizabeth confessed with a heavy heart.

  Mrs. Gardiner was silent for a long moment. “You think that it is too many?”

  “Yes,” she answered with honesty. Then giving her aunt a worried look, asked, “What do you think?”

  The older woman hesitated. “Are you afraid that he will not be faithful to you?”

  “Yes... you have heard the stories about aristocrats, the many lovers they keep and illegitimate children they have.”

  “I think that you must be careful here, Elizabeth,” Mrs. Gardiner said at last. “Very careful. I would not try to return to that subject, being in your place. No man is comfortable talking about such things with his wife. Remember that you have already misjudged him more than once in the past. On the other hand, I would not be pleased hearing what you heard from your uncle at the beginning of our life together.”

  Elizabeth looked at her trustingly. “What should I do?”

  “You cannot do much now. I presume that he has a strong need to be with a woman, which explains the number of his...” she made a gesture with her hand, not finishing.

  “He said he had no feelings for them. He claims that I am the first woman of his acquaintance he paid any attention to, whom he loved.”

  “You do not believe him?”

  “I want to believe him,” she said with force. “Nevertheless, how I can explain those ten women? He had to have liked them to be with them.”

  “Lizzy, it is different for men. They can be intimate with a woman without having true feelings for her. They can separate these two matters. Do you understand?”

  She shook her head. “No, Aunt, I do not. It does not make much sense to me. It seems so insensitive.”

  “Do you find Mr. Darcy insensitive then?”

  “No, he is far from that, I believe.”

  “Lizzy, I understand your concern. I truly do,” Mrs. Gardiner assured. “I think that you have valid point here, but you worry too much about it. He loves you; anyone can see that.”

  “Yes, but I cannot stop thinking about it,” she insisted.

  “You are jealous,” the other woman stated, smiling.

  “More like possessive,” Elizabeth acknowledged. “What would you do in my place? You have been married for ten years, have experience in these matters. What do you think?”

  Mrs. Gardiner put a hand on her arm. “Well, I would keep an eye on him, discreetly, of course. You are smart enough to do that without him noticing something. Observe him carefully; see how he behaves in his home and outside it. I would also advise you not to banish him from your bed for prolonged periods of time. He may not deal with a withdrawal very well. That should not be hard for you though, he is very handsome, after all. I do not know what more you can do.”

  Elizabeth embraced her. “Thank you, Aunt. I do appreciate your advice.”

  “You are welcome, dear,” Mrs. Gardiner p
atted her back. “Now, you should go to bed and have a good rest. Tomorrow is an exciting day for you, meeting your new sister. I will order a bath for you. It will be ready when you get up in the morning.”

  “Thank you,” Elizabeth repeated.

  “Good night,” Mrs. Gardiner spoke before closing the door after herself.

  “Good night,” Elizabeth whispered, deep in thought.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The next day Elizabeth woke up later than her usual custom and had breakfast in her room. She took a long bath and dressed with care. Mrs. Gardiner helped her with pinning her hair in a more elaborate style, curling it around her face. Lately she had simply pulled the heavy mass smoothly off her face in a simple bun, low above her neck. Today, however, she wished to look her best, more for Georgiana's benefit than for Darcy's, truth to be told.

  Once married to Darcy and living in far away Derbyshire, she could only benefit from having a female friend. She was very much aware that Darcy would not spend his days with her - nights and evening perhaps - but not days. He would be busy with the estate and his own matters. If she and Georgiana formed a friendship and she gained an amicable companion in the girl, she would feel less lonely there. Understandably, when she had children, she would have someone to love and occupy her time with.

  Darcy spoke with love and adoration about his sister, describing her as very kind, accomplished, and tender hearted, but at the same time painfully shy. Elizabeth was determined to make the girl feel at ease in her company.

  Before she knew it, it was a quarter to one, and Darcy's carriage was waiting for her in front of the house. Her aunt must have sensed her apprehension, because she squeezed her hand in a reassuring gesture.

  "You look lovely, dear. I am sure all will go smoothly today."

  Elizabeth took a deep breath before responding. "I hope she will like me."

  "Most people like you, Elizabeth," Mrs. Gardiner assured her. "You have an easy manner, which makes you very likeable. Why should Miss Darcy be different?"

  Darcy's town house was a handsome building situated on a fashionable street across from a small square. Elizabeth wondered shortly what his country house looked like. Aunt Gardiner claimed it to be one of the most beautiful places she had ever seen, a perfect combination of wild nature and refined architecture. She knew that people came to Derbyshire with the sole purpose of touring Pemberley. It must be impressive, and she found herself looking forward to seeing it.

  Darcy greeted her warmly, helping her out of the carriage. He stared at her intensely as she removed her bonnet.

  "You look lovely," he blurted as they were left alone for a moment in a foyer.

  "Thank you," she smiled at his compliment. "I wanted to make a good impression on your sister."

  "You have made a good impression on me, too."

  Taking a step closer, she stood on her toes. "Good afternoon," she whispered, kissing his cheek, before lightly touching his lips with her own, which was difficult for her if he did not bend his head down.

  "You minx," he half groaned, half whispered. "You owe me some time alone later," he urged, nuzzling her temple.

  She cocked an eyebrow. "Do I?"

  His face fell instantly. "You do not wish to…?" he started, but she interrupted him.

  "No, it was not what I meant," she placed her hands on his chest. "I was only teasing." She made a point to look into his eyes. "My aunt clearly said that she was not expecting me before supper. We have some time till then, I believe."

  He stroked her shoulders, his thumbs grazing her collarbones. "Let us go. Georgiana is awaiting us."

  Elizabeth's first impression of Georgiana was that she and Darcy looked little alike. There was a slight similarity in their features, and they were both tall and well built. Georgiana, however, was blonde, and her eyes were blue, not dark hazel like her brother's. Though shorter than Darcy, she could be called tall for a woman, and her figure was fully formed. She reminded her of Jane, comparing their postures and height. Her face retained much of the baby roundness, puffiness, and innocence, but she had the body of a grown woman. From what Darcy had told Elizabeth about his sister, she had more imagined her as a little girl, and he probably still saw her as such.

  Georgiana had a sweet, quiet voice, and she spoke slowly, as if carefully considering her every word. A few times she went silent in the middle of a sentence, biting down on her lower lip before speaking again. She twice repeated how she liked the lavender journal which she had received from her brother and that her new sister, as she put it, had chosen for her. Elizabeth could see that this behaviour resulted from nerves, as the girl desperately wanted to make a good impression. They were both apprehensive about their first meeting, and that awareness helped Elizabeth to relax.

  Gradually, in the course of their conversation, Georgiana calmed down, stopped twisting and wrinkling the skirt of her silk gown, and began responding more coherently. Elizabeth asked her about her music and other things which she was studying. Georgiana began asking shy questions, mainly how it was to live in a house with four sisters. Elizabeth indulged her by telling silly stories from her childhood. By their third cup of tea, Georgiana was laughing animatedly.

  "Georgiana, dear, I think that it is time for your piano lesson," Darcy said, bringing the women's attention to him.

  Both Elizabeth and Georgiana stared at him slightly confused. It was the first time he had actually spoken since introducing them. They had forgotten about his presence.

  "I believe that your teacher will be here in a quarter of an hour," he prompted, when Georgiana did not respond immediately.

  Georgiana glanced over at the decorative clock over the mantelpiece. "I have entirely forgotten," she gasped.

  Elizabeth's followed her gaze. It was nearly four in the afternoon. The two hours of the visit had passed more like half an hour. It was a good sign in her opinion. It bode well for the future. Georgiana would make a wonderful companion. She was nothing like the Bingley sisters, which secretly Elizabeth had feared. Her only true fault seemed to be shyness, insecurity and perhaps a self-deprecating attitude.

  Both ladies stood, and Elizabeth was both surprised and pleased when Georgiana stepped closer to give her a timid embrace.

  "Remember that you are invited tomorrow to dine at my aunt and uncle's house," Elizabeth reminded her, returning the hug with enthusiasm.

  "Thank you. I am truly happy that we are going to be sisters," Georgiana said slowly, giving her a guarded look.

  "I feel exactly the same," Elizabeth assured, smiling warmly. "We must keep a steady alliance against your brother."

  Georgiana opened her mouth, clearly not certain how to respond to the last sentence. However, when she saw that there was a contented smile on Darcy's face, she visibly relaxed.

  As Georgiana left the room, Elizabeth turned to her betrothed. "She is such a kind hearted, genuine person," she spoke with sincerity."You approve?"

  Elizabeth nodded. "I truly do. I think I made a new friend today. I do not have many of them, only Jane, Charlotte, and Aunt Gardiner."

  "What about me?"

  "It is different with you. You are not a woman."

  "I cannot be your friend then?" he questioned with the edge to his voice.

  "I think that you are my friend," she answered earnestly. "The way we talk, well… I have never been so sincere with anyone, apart from Jane perhaps, and even with her, not when certain matters are concerned. You are so much more than my friend."

  "More?"

  "Yes," she acknowledged. "You are to be my husband, and I cannot compare the relationship I have with you to any other in my life."

  "I like the sound of that." He stepped closer, pulling her into his arms. "Now, my time alone with you has come, I do believe."

  "I cannot stay too long. The Gardiners dine at seven. I should be back before then."

  "Let us not waste a minute," he said, taking her hand, confidently leading her out of the drawing room.

 
; "What do you wish us to do?" she asked innocently.

  "Oh, I have some ideas," he said lightly.

  She followed him obediently, till they reached the staircase.

  She frowned. "What is up there?" she hesitated on the first step.

  He shrugged. "Bedrooms. My room."

  She looked around. "What if someone should see us?" she asked timidly.

  "We must hurry then," he said, and then without a word of warning, bent down, and put her over his shoulder.

  She was too shocked too protest as he ran upstairs, taking two steps at once. He reached the floor in no time and soon was opening the door to one of the bedrooms.

  He put her down gently.

  "What was that?" she demanded with a frown, putting her hands on her hips, her foot tapping.

  He took a step closer, mimicking her pose. "I told you that I was not as proper as you accused me of being."

  She burst out in laughter, shaking her head. "You are silly."

  "Am I?"

  "You can be silly if you want to," she corrected.

  He touched the curls around her face. "I am happy with you, which I guess makes me silly on occasion. We are fools in love."

  "May I…" she started.

  "Yes?" he enquired, breathing into her face.

  "May I refresh myself? I drank too much tea with Georgiana, I am afraid."

  He guided her to the small adjacent room, which seemed to be his personal bathing room.

  As she returned to the bedroom, he was standing casually by the window, with his coat and neck cloth removed.

  She came closer, standing next to him. "The garden is quite big for a townhouse," she noted.

  "Yes, it is," he agreed. "My great grandfather bought this plot, but my father built the house. My mother enjoyed London much more than he. She wanted to have a place to stay here. If it had depended on my father, however, they would never have left Pemberley, I believe."

  "I see," Elizabeth said.

  She looked around the room, taking in all the details. It looked more like a guest bedroom. There were not many personal things there.