Seeing Elizabeth adjusting her hair, Aunt Gardiner stepped behind her and took charge of Elizabeth’s hair, rescuing it from her questing fingers, plucking up loose curls and wrapping them into a twist with an expert hand. All the while, Elizabeth saw her aunt’s eyes on her in the mirror, though she was not looking with censure.
“Tell me,” said her aunt as she worked, “am I mistaken or did I hear a measure of extra warmth in Jane’s voice when she spoke of this Colonel Fitzwilliam?”
“From what I remember,” replied Elizabeth with a laugh, “I do not think Jane spoke more than a few sentences.”
“That was enough,” replied Mr. Gardiner. “If it was not, then your mother’s comments on the subject more than filled in the gaps.”
Shaking her head at her aunt’s perception—Mr. Gardiner spoke a quiet word of reprimand as she grasped Elizabeth’s hair—she allowed her supposition to be true. “If you are asking if Jane is enamored withColonel Fitzwilliam, I do not think she is. But it is clear she likes him very well—unless I am no judge of the matter at all, Colonel Fitzwilliam returns the sentiment. Warmer, perhaps, considering he is not recovering from sudden heartbreak.”
Mr. Gardiner considered this. “Is that altogether wise?”
“Of wisdom, I know nothing,” replied Elizabeth. “Jane cannot control a man’s interest in her, after all. When Colonel Fitzwilliam first appeared in our midst, I spoke with Jane on the subject, and she agreed to guard her heart until Colonel Fitzwilliam makes his sentiments known. She has followed that advice, though I cannot say how dear her feelings for Colonel Fitzwilliam have become.”
For several moments, Elizabeth enjoyed the feeling of Mr. Gardiner’s deft movements, pinning her curls with an expert hand that rivaled the maid’s. When she finished, she stepped back, allowing Elizabeth to turn in her chair to face her, while she sat on the edge of the bed.
“Given your mother’s comments on the subject, I suppose she favors whatever attentions Colonel Fitzwilliam is paying your sister.”
Though Elizabeth avoided the heavenward glance the situation demanded, it was by the barest margin. “When has there ever been a man Mama did not see as a potential suitor?”
“You believe he is?”
“It is clear that he likes her,” said Elizabeth. “Beyond that, I cannot say.”
“Do you suppose he can support a wife?”
“I have no knowledge of his situation,” replied Elizabeth. “As he is the son of an earl, I am certain he is not destitute, and his industrious nature is beyond question, given he is a colonel.”
“The wealthy may purchase an elevated rank for their sons,” said Mr. Gardiner.
“Yes, they can. But I do not think that happened in this instance. When you speak to him, you may judge for yourself.
“What Icansay is this: whether Jane is enamored with him I cannot say, but she has recovered from her disappointment with Mr. Bingley far more quickly than she might have if Colonel Fitzwilliam had not come to the neighborhood.”
Mr. Gardiner considered this, then sighed. “That will do her little good if Colonel Fitzwilliam also departs without making his intentions known.”
“Perhaps,” replied Elizabeth. “Jane promised to guard her heart, and that will stand her in good stead should this business with ColonelFitzwilliam lead nowhere.”
“Very well, Lizzy. I shall not involve myself unless I find it necessary.” Mr. Gardiner smiled. “To own the truth, I am interested in making his acquaintance.”
Again, she became serious. “But I would suggest you watch carefully and speak to Jane if you witness anything concerning.”
“I shall, Aunt.”
When the Bennet family arrived at Lucas Lodge, Colonel Fitzwilliam was already present, greeting the family with a smile and a hearty word, along with a long, steady look at Jane. Seeing it, Aunt Gardiner turned an expressive look on Elizabeth, prompting her to nod; in some respects, it was not unlike Mr. Bingley’s attention to Jane, though there was a depth of gravity, of regard present in Colonel Fitzwilliam’s attention that Mr. Bingley did not display.
Jane offered the introductions to the Gardiners, and Colonel Fitzwilliam acknowledged and spoke to them with ease, showing no hint of the earl’s son in his manners. In every way that mattered, Elizabeth realized, he was a gentleman, unpretentious, and kind to everyone he met. When Elizabeth compared him to Mr. Darcy, a man his superior in consequence but inferior in standing, the contrast could not be more apparent.
“Lizzy!” said Charlotte, approaching and drawing Elizabeth’s attention away. “I am pleased to see you, my friend.”
“Charlotte,” said Elizabeth, exchanging an embrace with her dearest friend.
Upon drawing away, Charlotte directed a long look at her, then her gaze shifted to Jane and Colonel Fitzwilliam, who were now in close conversation. “I see that Colonel Fitzwilliam’s attentions to Jane continue unabated.”
“They do,” agreed Elizabeth.
“It brings Mr. Bingley to mind,” said Charlotte, voicing the thought that had stayed with Elizabeth since the colonel had come to Meryton. “The one thing I find curious is how Jane appears to welcome him.”
“Do you suppose she would rebuff him?” demanded Elizabeth, the humor in her tone drawing a laugh from her friend.
