Page 70 of Mr. Darcy’s Diamonds

Her uncle’s eyes widened in surprise, but he did not immediately answer.

“I believe your mother was an Asbury before her marriage to Grandpa Bennet, was she not? Did you give me a false name for my father when I was a child?”

He looked sheepish but admitted she was correct. “Forgive me, Lizzy. I have never wished to lie to you, but the promises made to your mother…You are nearly nineteen now, so you have not much longer to wait to learn all.”

“What do you mean, Uncle? Why will you not tell me now?”

“I cannot. I cannot, Lizzy. Please do not ask me again.”

“Only tell me this, if you will. Was my father a gentleman or a tenant farmer?”

Her uncle sighed deeply in resignation. “He was a gentleman, but you must ask me no more questions, Elizabeth. No, no more. I will see you at dinner.”

He looked away, and she departed with her answer. This conversation had changed nothing, really. He had only confirmed what she had suspected for years. She was Elizabeth Bennet, illegitimate daughter of a dishonorable gentleman. An hour or two alone in the garden would restore her spirits, which had somehow fallen despite her knowing what she would hear.

Like on all her previous visits to Longbourn, Elizabeth spent as much time outdoors as she could. Whether it was standing under an awning watching the rain, hopping over puddles in the garden, or taking longer walks to Oakham Mount, she stepped outside every day. Rusty had been sold, and no riding horse was available, but she had always liked long walks, as well as riding, so long as she could breathe fresh air. She had grown accustomed to London, but she still longed to live in the countryside again.

A few days before her return to London, the chill did not overshadow the bright day, so she walked through Meryton with Jane and Mr. Bingley, Mary and Mr. Lucas, and Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst.

“Miss Eliza, did you have a good conversation with Mr. Wickham?” Miss Bingley asked from behind where Elizabeth walked with Jane and Mr. Bingley.

“It was quite brief, but I did. Thank you for introducing us.”

“Do you have plans to see him again when you return to London?”

“He said he would call on me next week.” Elizabeth could not restrain a small smile. “Do you remember meeting Mr. Wickham, Jane?”

“Mr. Wickham? When did I meet him?”

“You remember, Jane, I introduced you at Lady somebody’s ball in April. He grew up with Darcy.” Mr. Bingley was correct in assuming that would be enough for Jane to remember.

“He grew up with Mr. Darcy?” Mr. Wickham had not mentioned that to Elizabeth. “He did say he grew up on a large estate in Derbyshire. Did he mean Pemberley?”

Miss Bingley laughed. “Did he neglect to tell you he was merely the son of a steward, Miss Eliza?”

“No. He told me, but he did not mention Mr. Darcy. What did you think of him, Jane?”

“I barely recall him, Lizzy. My focus that night was on Charles.” She gazed lovingly into his eyes.

“Your focus is always on Mr. Bingley. I do not know how you accomplish anything.” Elizabeth chuckled.

“My brother and I do not know him well, but I think you will admire his company, Miss Eliza. He certainly is a handsome man, is he not?”

“He is.” Elizabeth felt her cheeks warming and fought from showing her feelings to Miss Bingley.

“It is freezing out here, Caroline. We must return to the Lodge.” Mrs. Hurst pulled her sister’s arm, and the party turned back toward their carriage.

“Send the carriage to Longbourn, if you please, Louisa. Lucas and I will walk the ladies home. Unless any of you prefer to ride?”

Jane and Mary chose to walk with their suitors, while Elizabeth chose the crisp air and peace of a solitary walk behind them as chaperone. As she walked, she thought of Uncle Bennet’s inconsistent views on marriage.

Mary would not be nineteen for several more months, but her father had formalized her engagement to Mr. Lucas as a Christmas gift, symbolized by the gold chain. Until that moment it had been unclear to Elizabeth why her uncle had singled out those two daughters for his expensive gifts, but seeing her cousins so happy had made her think she would occasionally wear her charm bracelet again when she returned to London. She already had fifteen tokens of her uncle’s love, though she may never have cause to receive a betrothal necklace from him. She smiled as she remembered Mr. Wickham. Perhaps she would, after all.

Mr. Lucas was four-and-twenty and well-known to Uncle Bennet to be responsible. Her uncle was not yet as keen on Mr. Bingley.

Although his oldest daughter was one-and-twenty and could marry without his consent, Uncle Bennet had agreed to her engagement but refused his blessing for her to wed until her betrothed was three-and-twenty, in October. Having finally met him in July, Uncle did not trust that Mr. Bingley was fully prepared to marry. Part of his hesitation was his lack of control of his sister. Uncle Bennet had been disgusted by Miss Bingley’s never-ending complaints about their rented estate, Meryton, and the local entertainments. He knew Jane saw the best in everyone, but he was doubly shocked at Miss Bingley’s attitude because he remembered that Elizabeth had spent a good deal of time in her company several years ago, having called her a friend. Elizabeth assured him she had not always been so mean-spirited.

Jane and Elizabeth had both told him Mr. Bingley’s attitude was unlike his sister’s, but Uncle Bennet thought he should curb her tongue. Elizabeth found this hypocritical given the insults Aunt Bennet even now cast on her, but she of course said nothing, as it was not her place to criticize him. She was surprised and relieved when Jane gave her father an excuse for Miss Bingley’s behavior: Her brother had invited Mr. Darcy and his sister to join them in Hertfordshire, and Miss Bingley had been sure he would accept, but he wrote that they already had plans with their uncle the earl.