Chapter 20 #2
Elizabeth laughed softly. “My dear friend, you are too clever to believe such exaggerations. I did nothing but run to Netherfield and ask for help. The rest was done by others, especially Mr Jones and later my uncle.”
“You are too modest, I am sure! Tell me everything. How is Jane? And your servant? I heard Mr Bingley calls at Longbourn daily. Rumours say we should expect a happy announcement as soon as your sister is fully recovered.”
“The same rumours that consider me the saviour of the whole world?” Elizabeth laughed again. “Yes, Mr Bingley does call on us, and so did Mr Darcy for a while. They are genuinely concerned about Jane.”
“Yes, yes, I am sure it is nothing but a slight concern,” Charlotte replied. “And what about Mr Collins? I hear he is a clergyman. Is he the one who will inherit Longbourn one day?”
“The answer to both your questions is yes. I confess I am grateful that your father has engaged Mr Collins in conversation — he is exceedingly tiresome. He might be a good, educated man, but he is painfully annoying.”
“Perhaps you are tired and in need of rest and silence, dear Eliza. Let me fetch you some tea. Have you met the officers?”
“I have. I heard Mr Wickham was the last one to join the regiment.”
“Indeed. Lieutenant Denny brought him from London a few days ago. It seems they are old friends.”
“I see,” Elizabeth whispered.
“I have noticed you glance at him often, Eliza. Are you charmed by him already, as all the other women are?”
“You should save your teasing for a better purpose, Charlotte. Charmed is the last word you should use to describe my interest. I confess I am rather intrigued that someone went to London and returned with a new officer. I always imagined it required much effort and determination to become an officer, not just a trip to town.”
“I am sure it was not quite so easy, but Papa asked Colonel Forster, and he said a commission in the militia is far less expensive than in the regulars and might be granted based on family connections or income. So my brother Jeffrey might qualify too.”
“Is it? I did not know any of this.”
“Well, Jeffrey is already on friendly terms with the officers — he plays cards with them every night,” Charlotte said.
“How fortunate that a man might choose a career based on his family’s income or his skill at card games, and a woman cannot aspire to earn a decent living even if she studies for years,” Elizabeth answered, half in jest.
“My dear Eliza, do not say such a thing! My mother and yours would be shocked if they heard you! Surely you are not considering finding a career yourself. You are a gentleman’s daughter!”
Elizabeth laughed heartily. “Not at all. There is no need to look so frightened. If I need a career, I can always help my uncle with his patients.”
Most of the evening, Elizabeth was granted the solitude she longed for. But Mr Bingley came to greet her and talked for a little while.
“Darcy should return tomorrow or the day after tomorrow,” the gentleman said, leaving Elizabeth dumbfounded.
“Mr Darcy has left?”
“Yes, yesterday. He had some urgent business to attend to, but he will not be away long.”
“I see. I hope he completes the business to his satisfaction,” she whispered.
“I hope so…he seemed very preoccupied, even concerned. I did not ask any questions, and he did not provide many details.”
“I understand…” Elizabeth said, though she was nothing but puzzled. He had left without saying a word? What sort of business took him away in such haste but would allow him to return so soon? Or would he?
Her disposition, which had been poor from the beginning, took a turn for the worse as the hours passed. She felt lonely and disappointed in a room full of joyful people.
Kitty and Lydia stayed close to Mrs Forster and the officers all evening, together with Mary King, Maria Lucas, and Jeffrey Lucas.
Mr Wickham glanced at her several times, their eyes met occasionally, and he even smiled — most charmingly. He seemed tempted to approach her, but he was too busy with his company.
Mr Collins appeared to be having a splendid time, surrounded by Sir William, Lady Lucas, and Mr and Mrs Phillips. He spoke about the mantelpieces and the windows of Rosings Park, about Lady Catherine and his fortunate meeting with Mr Darcy.
At the end of the party, they all returned to Longbourn, satisfied with the evening’s entertainment. Elizabeth wasted not a moment before she retired to her room, avoiding seeing or speaking to anyone. Her only companion a sleeping Jane.
∞∞∞
The following day it rained again, and by the next one, Elizabeth’s turmoil had become unbearable. Early in the morning, she hurried out before the rest of her family woke up and only mentioned to Hill that she was going for a stroll before breakfast.
As on previous occasions, she took the path towards Oakham Mount, fighting the unreasonable hope that she might meet Mr Darcy again.
He was still away, she was certain, since there had been no news of his return.
And if he had returned, it was even more upsetting that he had kept his distance and his silence.
Since he had found no time to call on them, he surely had no time for morning rides.
When he wanted to speak to her, he found a way to do so.
Since he had not approached her for days, his interest had probably diminished.
Elizabeth kept walking, pondering whether she should go farther or return.
She spotted the cottage a short distance away and decided to take a look since she had not been there for a long time.
A few moments and a few steps later, her entire body quivered and her heart began to beat wildly, taking her breath away.
There was Mr Darcy, sitting on a stump, looking towards her.
Her knees weakened, and she struggled to put one foot in front of the other, her lips trembling.
“Mr Darcy?”
“Miss Bennet,” he said with a hoarse voice and a warm smile.
“I heard you had gone to London, sir.”
“I had. I just returned last night, and I intended to call on you, but I was waiting for a proper hour. I thought a ride before breakfast would be invigorating.”
“Have you not ridden enough in recent days, sir?”
“I have, but I missed this kind of morning ride. I see you are still fond of morning walks.”
He was teasing her, and she felt silly for not being able to respond properly.
“Shall we walk farther? Or would you rather return? It might rain again soon.”
Her eyes held his gaze, and before she minded her words, she said, “Perhaps we could stay a little and talk?”
He looked surprised and delighted.
“There is nothing I would like better, Miss Bennet. I have missed talking to you even more than I have missed my morning rides.”