P&P The Untold Stories: Darcy and Mr Gardiner Fishing

At Pemberley, Darcy and Mr Gardiner go fishing

August 6, 1812

Darcy regarded the older man who was standing about six feet from him, Mr Edward Gardiner. They were by the banks of the stream on his estate, enjoying a day of fishing with his good friend Bingley and Bingley’s brother-in-law, Hurst, who were staying at Pemberley. It was a magnificent summer day, perfect for outdoor sport, and he was just about as happy as he could remember being in a very long time.

Mr Gardiner was recounting a story from his recent travels with his wife and niece, Miss Elizabeth Bennet. It was she who was responsible for Darcy’s good mood. How could he be anything other than overjoyed to see her again, given how friendly and inviting her manner had been? Returning to Pemberley in advance of his party just two days earlier, Darcy had been shocked to recognise one of the people touring his gardens. It was her, the woman who had captured his attention and, unknowingly, his heart. The months since he had proposed in Kent and been rejected—rightly so, in hindsight—had been difficult. What she had said to him that horrible day had been harsh, and while some of it was unjustified, the deeper message—that he was not conducting himself as a gentleman should—had been entirely correct. The punishment for his ill-behaviour had been losing any chance of winning her as his wife.

And then, there she was, walking his grounds, like a vision from a dream. When he had greeted her, she had looked…so many things. Beautiful, for certain, but a little shy and embarrassed, and there was something in the way she regarded him, how she spoke, that made him believe she regretted the argument they had at Easter. He had known at once that he would do everything possible to earn her affection so that, when he proposed again, she would accept.

Meeting Mr and Mrs Gardiner had added to Darcy’s chargrin. Without knowing them, he had dismissed them as beneath his notice. Yet, Mr Gardiner was a pleasant, well-spoken, intelligent man. If one did not know of his situation in life, they would think he had been born a gentleman. Darcy had not hesitated to introduce him and Mrs Gardiner to his sister, and naturally, he longed for Georgiana and Elizabeth to become the closest of friends, and, if he were exceedingly fortunate, sisters before long.

I might not succeed in making her like me enough to marry me, but I must try.

He had every expectation of seeing her again soon. She and the Gardiners would dine at Pemberley, and he had other ideas he would propose for her amusement, such as taking a tour of the neighbourhood, and there were two or three very pleasant walks nearby he knew she would enjoy. As long as I spend as much time with her as possible while she is in Derbyshire, provide her with the opportunity to see that I have learnt to be a better man, and that she could be happy as my wife, I shall be satisfied that I have done all I can.

“This is a most pleasant way to pass the day. I cannot thank you enough for inviting me, Mr Darcy,” Mr Gardiner said, pulling Darcy from his reflections.

“You are most welcome, sir. I am glad you were able to join us,” he replied.

Mr Gardiner smiled in a way that reminded Darcy of Elizabeth. There were other points of resemblance, such as the gleam of quickness in his eyes. Possibly, that made Darcy more likely to approve of him.

“Living in London, I seldom have the opportunity to indulge in this amusing pastime,” Mr Gardiner said. “It has always been my favourite. I have many fond memories of fishing in Hertfordshire when I was a lad. This summer, we had hoped to go to the Lakes, but business kept me in London longer than I had hoped. My wife proposed we take a tour that ended in Lambton instead.”

“Why Lambton?” Bingley asked.

Darcy had not missed that his friend was particularly pleased to see Elizabeth and her family. Already, he had spoken more of Miss Jane Bennet than he had in months. It was never much, but a mention here or there, enough to show that he recalled his time in Hertfordshire fondly. I ought to tell him I have reason to believe I was mistaken about her feelings for him and that she was in town last winter. He had not yet done so because Bingley had not spoken of Miss Bennet for months, giving the impression he long longer thought fondly of the lady. Darcy was no longer certain that was true, however, and if he were a good friend, he would make the disclosure soon.

“Mrs Gardiner lived there for some years,” Mr Gardiner explained. “She maintains a correspondence with several people who still live in the neighbourhood, and she has wanted to visit her old home and see her friends for years. As much as I would like to see the Lakes—and my niece wished to even more—none of us regret the change. We have been delighted with our tour, and my wife is especially glad to be in Lambton once again. That I have the opportunity to fish in such magnificent surroundings only adds to my happiness. I thank you again, Mr Darcy.”

“It is my pleasure, sir. I am glad we have had the opportunity to meet,” Darcy said, bowing his head in acknowledgement.

“What are Mrs Gardiner and Miss Elizabeth doing while you are here?” Bingley asked, and Darcy silently thanked him. He was almost desperate to know where Elizabeth was.

“They might be very close by. Indeed, I expect they are!” Mr Gardiner laughed. “My ladies intended to call on Miss Darcy. They were so pleased to meet her. Your sister is a charming girl.”

The last statement was directed at Darcy. He stared at the older gentleman for a brief moment, unable to immediately reply. Elizabeth might even at this minute be in his house? “Do-do I understand correctly that they are here, with my sister? Now?”

Mr Gardiner nodded. “Yes. They spoke of coming while I was thus occupied. It was so kind of you to bring her to meet my niece, especially so soon after she arrived. Lizzy was much taken with her. My wife and I as well, but poor Lizzy has been stuck with just us for company. I expect she is happy to have other young people to converse with, especially one she would like to know better, as she does Miss Darcy. That likely made her all the more excited to return her call.”

Darcy’s mind cried, She is here, in my home—the home I hope will one day be our home! He had to see her, had to welcome her himself, see that she was comfortable, grasp this chance to demonstrate that he had accepted her reproofs and sought to correct the flaws in his manner, let her see who he truly was, and that he still loved her.

“If you gentlemen will excuse me, I-I must return to the house for a few moments. There is…something I forgot to attend to his morning. I shall return,” he said, his voice sounding coarse and unsteady to his ears.

Hurst murmured something, Bingley gave him a cheery wave, and Mr Gardiner said, “I suppose you had best see to whatever it is.”

His expression at that moment reminded Darcy of Elizabeth when she was teasing someone. What it told Darcy was that Mr Gardiner knew of his interest in her and did not disapprove. Darcy met his eye, and Mr Gardiner gave a slight nod as though saying they understood each other perfectly.

Darcy said, “Thank you, sir. I shall.”

© Lucy Marin 2024

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