Mr. Darcy had instructed Mercer, his manservant, to put out his very best evening clothes, and the effect of the green jacket with the black waistcoat and beige breeches was more than satisfactory. There was nothing conceited in his appraisal as he knew that he was handsome in an imperfect sort of way. A broken nose, a result of a sparring match at Jackson’s Boxing Academy, had forever altered his profile, but his dark hair and gray-green eyes seemed to have appeal for the ladies, or so he had been told.

Mercer, who had been in Mr. Darcy’s employ since his return from the Grand Tour five years earlier, was adept at sensing the changes in his moods. But, of late, even he was surprised by the range of his master’s emotions. The day after the assembly, Mr. Darcy had ridden to Longbourn for the unpleasant task of apologizing to a young lady for a statement he had let slip as a result of his desire to be anywhere other than at an assembly in a country market town. Mercer had been anticipating that his master would return in the same mood in which he had left, but, instead, he had entered the house in a joyful mood and had climbed the stairs, taking them two at a time. The dramatic fluctuations continued, depending on whether he was discussing Letitia Montford or Elizabeth Bennet.

Pulling on his waistcoat and tightening the knot on his neckcloth, Mr. Darcy took one last look in the mirror and said, “Mercer, do you recall the saying, ‘Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die’? In my case, I would say, ‘Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow I must go to town,’” and out the door he went in search of diversion from the events that awaited him in London.

Chapter 11

When Jane had written to Aunt and Uncle Gardiner to announce her engagement, she had also mentioned that there was to be a ball at Netherfield Park. Mr. Gardiner, having once kicked up his heels in the manor house before moving to London, was mildly interested in attending, but after thinking about days spent away from his business, arranging for the carriage, and having to ask his mother-in-law to come to stay with the children, he decided to stay put. However, when Mrs. Gardiner read the same letter, she started to think about what she would pack for their journey.

“My dear husband, it is not just a matter of attending a ball at Netherfield Park; you must understand that Mr. Darcy of Pemberley will be there. I grew up not five miles from his great estate, and I have very fond memories of harvest festivals held in late summer at the manor house. Although I cannot picture Miss Darcy, I do recall the young Fitzwilliam Darcy, a handsome boy, and I would very much enjoy seeing him now that he has grown to manhood.”

Mrs. Gardiner continued on with detailed descriptions of Sunday strolls along Pemberley’s many streams, but it was only when she mentioned that her father had occasionally fished in the estate’s waters that her husband’s interest was piqued. There was nothing that gave him more pleasure than a day spent fishing, as it was the one sport that allowed him to forget about his business and all it entailed.

“Of course, it was necessary to apply to the steward for permission to fish on the property,” Mrs. Gardiner cautioned her husband, “but I cannot remember it as ever having been denied.”

“I wonder if the young Mr. Darcy is of a similar mind? Since we are to visit Lambton in a few weeks’ time, it would be beneficial to know if that were the case. If so, I could write to the steward, and if I were in a position to mention Mr. Darcy by name, that might do the trick.”

Mr. Gardiner went to the bookcase and removed Isaak Walton’s The Compleat Angler, a book nearly as dear to him as his Bible. After scanning a number of pages, he looked up and smiled at his wife. “Mrs. Gardiner, please send word to your mother that we are in need of her assistance.”

“My goodness! What has decided the matter for you?”

Turning the book so that the title faced his wife, he explained, “The Darcy estate is mentioned in The Compleat Angler as having some of the finest fishing in the Midlands.”

While Mrs. Gardiner was thinking of which dress she would wear to the ball, Mr. Gardiner went looking for his servant. “Finch, where are my waders?”

When the Gardiners arrived at Longbourn, they were always greeted with great enthusiasm. Mr. Bennet greatly enjoyed his brother-in-law’s company, while Mrs. Gardiner provided a new audience for all of his wife’s stories. Despite very different temperaments, one exuberant and the other restrained, the two ladies got along quite well, and although Aunt and Uncle Gardiner loved all of their nieces, they were especially fond of the two eldest. They were greatly pleased to learn of Jane’s betrothal, not just because Mr. Bingley was a man of wealth and good temperament but because Jane was in love with him. This was no marriage of convenience.

The two sisters sought some private time with their aunt, and so the trio went to an alcove in the garden. Jane, who was still giddy at her unexpected good fortunate, shared everything she knew about Mr. Bingley and his family, including his sisters’ disapproval for the match. “Caroline and Louisa would have preferred someone who would have raised the family’s standing in London society. Of course, I accomplish no such thing. In any event, they are to return to town after the ball.”

“Where, hopefully, they will stay so that they can cause no more mischief,” Lizzy added.

“And what of you, Lizzy? Now that your sister is to be married, has anyone touched your heart?”

“There are few single men in the neighborhood who can afford a wife with such a meager fortune,” Lizzy quickly answered. “As for the many officers encamped nearby, I cannot see myself marrying an officer and following him from camp to camp. Therefore, as Mama often says, I am hoping Mr. Bingley will throw me into the path of other rich men. If that plan does not meet with success, then I shall rely on you, Aunt, to introduce me to eligible bachelors when I visit London.”

“And what of Mr. Darcy?” Aunt Gardiner asked.

Both Jane and Lizzy exchanged glances and said, “What?” at exactly the same time, causing their aunt to study them with that peculiar look unique to mothers who think their children might be up to mischief.

“Jane mentioned in her letter that Mr. Darcy is a friend of Mr. Bingley’s and that he is staying at Netherfield Park. My interest in Mr. Darcy is that I grew up in Lambton very near to the Darcy estate.”

“I did not know that Lambton was so near to Pemberley, but, of course, until recently, I did not know that Pemberley even existed. Did you know the Darcys?” Lizzy asked.

“Not personally. But when Pemberley was open to view, I did go with my parents to see the house. It is a lovely Georgian stone mansion that absolutely glows in the setting sun. All the public rooms were beautifully decorated by Robert Adam, and I must admit that the pale green in their dining room has been my favorite color ever since.”

“Did you ever meet Mr. and Mrs. Darcy?” Lizzy asked.

“Yes, I did. It seems that the elder Mr. Darcy and Lady Anne truly enjoyed Pemberley and spent a good deal of time there. The present master’s father vastly expanded the gardens and supervised the changes himself. However, my father had moved the family to London to set up his own apothecary shop before the undertaking was finished—if a garden can ever truly be finished.”