Chapter 17
“Why on earth did you return home so soon, even though Mr Bingley insisted you should stay longer? I am sure that you did more harm by moving Jane and Felton,” Mrs Bennet said.
“I should be offended by your assumption, Sister,” Dr Gardiner responded. “I assure you we returned home at the right time.”
It was late afternoon, and they had arrived at Longbourn about an hour ago; Jane was finally comfortably settled in the room she shared with Elizabeth, while Felton had been placed with his family, under Dr Gardiner’s strict supervision.
“It is a pity that Jane stayed so many days at Netherfield yet barely saw Mr Bingley at all,” Mrs Bennet continued. “And by the time she felt slightly better, you brought her home!”
“There are times when I am not sure how to reply to your statements, Mrs Bennet,” her husband said. “Your logic defeats me.”
“Oh, you know too well what I mean, Mr Bennet!”
“I do, and that is what worries me the most, madam!”
“So, I shall meet Mr Jones today and discuss the future treatment of Jane and the coachman,” Dr Gardiner said.
“And I trust Lizzy will assist Mr Jones if needed. I must return to London the day after tomorrow. I cannot stay longer. Besides, your cousin will arrive tomorrow, and the house might become a little crowded.”
“Luckily, you will be here to make Mr Collins’s acquaintance,” Mr Bennet said. “I dare say you will be entertained enough to make it worth it.”
“I dread meeting that awful man!” Mrs Bennet declared. “If I could, I would stay away from Longbourn for as long as he is here!”
“You may go to London with your brother, if you wish,” Mr Bennet teased her. “I am sure the girls and I shall accommodate him properly. Though I am a little bit concerned about Lizzy — she is unusually quiet and pensive.”
“What? Oh, I am sorry… I think I am a little tired, and I have a slight headache.” Her cheeks warmed at her own lie, and she sipped from her cup of tea.
In truth, the moment she had left Netherfield, her heart had become heavy, and a grip of ice had grasped her stomach.
As they entered the carriages, Mr Darcy had followed them with his intense stare, which still gave her quivers.
He had asked her permission to call on her; did that mean what she assumed it did?
He was an honourable man, with an apparent fondness for decorum.
He would surely not have asked her if he only intended to visit her father.
“Oh, you will forget all about tiredness when I tell you about the officers!” Lydia said. “They are the handsomest men I have ever met!”
“Good for them, but I doubt they will help my headache,” Elizabeth joked.
“They might when you see them!” Kitty interjected. “There is Denny and Sanderson and Gibson! Denny went to London yesterday, and he said he would bring a friend back with him who intends to join the regiment. Can you imagine the next ball, with all the officers?”
“They will stay in Meryton till the summer, so we have time for many balls and parties!” Lydia added. “And Colonel Forster’s wife, Harriet, is about my age. I think we shall be good friends!”
“Is Colonel Forster so young?” Dr Gardiner enquired.
“Oh no, he is much older than Harriet,” Lydia explained. “They only married a month ago.”
“I am stunned how you manage to find out so many things about complete strangers in such a short time, yet you cannot acquire any knowledge that would benefit your education,” Mr Bennet commented in a low voice.
Lydia, Kitty, and their mother completely disregarded him and continued to converse on the same subject.
Elizabeth felt tired and had decided to withdraw to her room when a servant entered to announce Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy. Everyone was immediately silenced, while Elizabeth held her breath and pressed her palms to her cheeks.
The two gentlemen entered — Mr Bingley with his usual smile, Mr Darcy with his stern countenance.
He looked uneasy, glanced at Elizabeth briefly, then kept his attention mostly on her father and uncle.
Embarrassed, Elizabeth prayed that her mother would not mention anything about the incident in the gentleman’s apartment.
“Mr Bennet, Mrs Bennet, we apologise for intruding. We shall not stay long. We called to enquire how Miss Bennet bore the move. And Felton, of course,” Mr Bingley said.
“Oh, you are most welcome, sir!” Mrs Bennet replied.
“Please come in. You may stay as long as you want! I was just telling my brother that I disapprove of their haste in moving Jane when her health is still so frail. I am sure she would have been much better if she had stayed at Netherfield a few more days!”
“My sister is merely concerned, like any loving mother,” Dr Gardiner said. “My niece and the coachman are as well as can be expected, considering the circumstances. I am sure Jane will be fully recovered in less than a week.”
“I am glad to hear that,” Mr Bingley answered.
“Gentlemen, would you like a drink? Perhaps in my library?” Mr Bennet invited them. They accepted, so all four gentlemen left the ladies’ company.
“How kind of Mr Bingley to ask about Jane!” Mrs Bennet said. “What a dear man. He looked so genuinely concerned about her! If this is not a sign of admiration and affection, I do not know what is!”
For once, Elizabeth agreed with her mother, but her interest was elsewhere. She had been offered no chance to speak to Mr Darcy at all, but his mere presence had thrilled her. He had looked so composed, so calm, that, by comparison, her anxiety had appeared laughable, even to herself.
The gentlemen left without any other words exchanged with the ladies, and dinner was served at Longbourn.
Afterwards, Dr Gardiner examined Felton one more time, while Elizabeth was pleased to share a bit of conversation with Jane, whose improvement was obvious.
Upon hearing of Mr Bingley’s visit, Jane’s spirits and her wish to chat further were increased, and it was a while before the sisters finally fell asleep.
In the morning, after breakfast, Lydia and Kitty went into Meryton, and Mary practised the pianoforte.
Once convinced her assistance was not needed at home, Elizabeth decided she needed a walk.
The weather was pleasant and inviting, but even stronger was her secret hope that Mr Darcy might enjoy a ride at the same time.
He had mentioned on several occasions his desire to see Oakham Mount, possibly in her company.
Did he truly mean it? Would he take that opportunity?
Or was she assuming and expecting more than there really was?
She was determined to put aside any distressing musings and just enjoy a stroll through the fresh, cool morning air, but her resolution soon failed.
She left behind Longbourn’s gardens and continued to walk until her hopes met reality in the form of Mr Darcy, waiting, holding the reins of his horse.
She walked towards him, her heart pounding; he stepped forwards.
“Miss Bennet, good morning.”
“Good morning, sir. What a surprise to meet you.”
“Not an unpleasant one, I hope. I remember telling you that I intended to ride towards Oakham Mount on the first day the weather allowed it.”
“I do remember, but from Netherfield, you could ride directly there without passing Longbourn.”
“Could I? Perhaps, but I was counting on meeting you to direct me there. Or even accompany me, if I were so very fortunate.”
His voice was light; his dark eyes bore a hint of a smile. Was he teasing her?
“Then you may consider this a fortuitous and fortunate encounter, sir. I am in the mood for some exercise, and I would be happy to lead the way for you.”
“The encounter is fortunate but not entirely fortuitous. I confess I have been waiting here for a while, and I was determined to do so until we met.”
The direct admission stunned her, and, too pleased yet too embarrassed for words, she just began to walk, with Mr Darcy at her side and his horse following them. At times, she glanced over her shoulder at the impressive stallion with slight discomfort.
“Is there something wrong, Miss Bennet?”
“No…I was wondering whether your horse follows you freely.”
“We have known each other for ten years, so we need only a few words to communicate.”
She looked at him, wondering whether he was joking; he smiled, but his expression was serious.
“Is there any particular reason why you are uncomfortable around horses, Miss Bennet?”
“So you noticed… I am not sure. I actually love and admire horses — from afar. I remember Jane had a little accident when we were younger. One of Papa’s horses threw her, and it gave me a fright. Jane recovered quickly, but to this day, the discomfort remains with me.”
“This is why you enjoy walking?”
“No, I believe I would have enjoyed walking regardless. It gives me great pleasure to be alone, only me and my thoughts, in complete solitude.”
“I am afraid my presence has ruined your enjoyment…”
“Oh no, not at all,” she replied with a little too much enthusiasm.
“I am glad to hear that,” he said hoarsely.
They walked in silence for a little while, then she asked, “Did you settle your plans? Will you stay in Hertfordshire long?”
“I am not certain. I must return to London to attend to some business, but I might return for Christmas. Bingley has invited me and all but insisted upon it.”
“It would be a pity to accept only because of Mr Bingley’s insistence. You should only return if it gives you pleasure,” she replied, wondering whether her voice sounded as harsh to him as it did to her.
“If I were to decide based on my pleasure alone, I would not leave Netherfield at all. At least not for a while,” he answered, gazing at her.
“But some matters in London, and in Kent at my aunt’s estate, require my presence.
As for Christmas, I must agree with my sister, Georgiana — we have spent Christmas together all her life, either in London or at Pemberley, but this year, Netherfield sounds like an excellent choice. ”