Mrs. Bingley’s Sister (The Austen Novels)

Chapter 35

Darcy couldn't believe it. The events at Faringwell Abbey were distressing enough, but to then learn that there had been expectations which had been raised for Miss Llewellyn and her family? It was unthinkable.

He only could imagine how all of it must have made Elizabeth feel.

He tried to catch her eye in the carriage, but she looked at him hardly at all. She stared out the window, looking quite forlorn. Darcy thought about the show of concern he must have made for the poor injured lady back at Faringwell—how it all must have appeared to Elizabeth.

Oh, what a damned fool he was!

Just as Darcy was quietly and meticulously planning what it was he ought to do to correct the misunderstanding regarding Miss Llewellyn, Bingley cleared his throat.

"Darcy, I do think this has caused a bit of a stop to the holiday house party, do you not think?"

Darcy glanced at him, unsure of what to say.

"You and your family are welcome to remain," he said very slowly, casting a glance toward Elizabeth, who was still not looking at him. Her refusal to look his way was painful for him, but he knew he deserved no special attention from her if she had believed that he was courting Miss Llewellyn.

"I know we are. And we may stay yet another few days, I am not sure. It just seems an ill time, given what's happened..." Bingley trailed off after seeing a raised eyebrow from his wife, who then turned and looked at Darcy with a serene smile. The conversation did not continue (Darcy figured it might be continued later when he and Bingley had privacy), and the carriage ride back was very quiet and dreadful. Darcy knew that everyone in the carriage must be under the belief that his intended bride was injured and thus, it was a solemn situation indeed. He let out a slight sigh.

If only he had made himself more clear to Elizabeth.

He tried to spend time with her alone, but it just seemed like every time they had a moment, it would be interrupted by one or another of the house g uests. And now that Darcy looked back, he saw with plain eyes that it was oftentimes Georgiana and Miss Llewellyn who imposed upon them. He closed his eyes in discomfort at the realization of how it all must have appeared to Elizabeth. If he had so much as even managed to reconnect with her and share special moments, then they were all dampened by his seeming preference for Miss Llewellyn.

He cursed himself for being so thick headed.

Once again, Darcy was learning a valuable lesson in pride and humility. Nearly eight years ago he believed the lady he was courting, Elizabeth, knew she was being courted, too. Now, in a sad ironic twist of fate, he was courting a lady, Miss Llewellyn, without knowing he was doing so.

Darcy sat there in dread, realizing just how foolish he truly was.