Chapter 13 #2
The countess’s statement normally would have diverted Mr. Bennet.
However, at that moment he could not decide whether he should be amused at his wife or angry with her.
His most important guest and primary concern, Darcy, looked uncomfortable; he was certainly not the sort of gentleman to laugh at his own expense.
That was reason enough for Mr. Bennet’s worry to overcome his mirth.
In truth, Darcy was more distressed by Elizabeth’s mocking compliment than by Mrs. Bennet’s remarks. He stared at her but had no luck in catching her eye again. And, while he realised he was being ridiculous, he could not help wondering whether the statement reflected her true feelings.
Slowly, the conversation returned to safer ground. Mr. Bingley invited Mr. Bennet to hunt with them as soon as Mr. Gardiner arrived.
“I am sure my brother Gardiner will be very pleased with the invitation,” Mr. Bennet said.
Then he addressed Darcy. “Also, I would ask for the favour of your joining us for dinner at least one evening if there is no inconvenience.”
The guest exchanged quick looks with his sister and aunt before answering. “It would be our pleasure.”
“Would tomorrow evening be acceptable?” Mrs. Bennet quickly asked.
“Perfect,” Darcy replied.
“If you gentlemen plan to hunt tomorrow, I would be happy to show Miss Darcy and Lady Hardwick the neighbourhood,” Elizabeth said.
“A short carriage ride would be nice, but I am certain I will spend quite a lot of time resting since we have a long journey ahead of us,” the countess declared.
“And we could also go riding sometime, could we not?” Georgiana asked animatedly.
“Of course.” Elizabeth smiled. “Jane is a skilled rider, and she will keep you company. I will be content to follow you on foot as long as I can then wait for your return.”
At Georgiana’s silent question, she continued. “Sadly, I am no horse-woman; better said, I have not ridden since I was very young and have no plan to do so. I confess I am rather afraid of horses.”
Miss Darcy showed genuine surprise and said with the innocence of a child, “You are afraid of horses? I would not imagine you were afraid of anything, Miss Lizzy.”
Elizabeth responded with mock seriousness.
“I am sorry to disappoint you, Miss Anna —Miss Darcy —but you must accept me either on foot or by carriage.”
“Oh no, you do not disappoint me; I was just surprised. I am sorry I insisted on riding…we will manage without it.”
Elizabeth laughed and took Georgiana’s hands in hers.
“If we are to spend more time together, I must warn you about my bad habit of teasing those around me. You must not take me seriously too often. Jane may testify to this.”
“It is true, Miss Darcy,” Jane replied. “As for her riding skills, we will try to make her change her opinion once I move to Netherfield. She must visit me daily, and she cannot always walk, so she has no other choice. And you are right, Miss Darcy; Lizzy is the most courageous person I know.”
“I believe it. And I pray that you will succeed in convincing her to ride. There is nothing more enjoyable. My brother taught me when I was very young. If we had more time, I would ask William to teach Miss Elizabeth. He is an excellent teacher in everything,” Georgiana continued without noticing the sudden blush that her words brought to both Darcy and Elizabeth.
Bingley added, bringing a chair close to his betrothed, “Darcy might be an excellent teacher, but he is stern, sometimes impatient, and always frightening. You must take my word on that; he was my tutor on several occasions when we were at university.”
Darcy glanced around until his eyes finally met Elizabeth’s. He noticed a sparkle of laughter behind the long lashes, and with an impulse stronger than his will, he let his guard down and replied mockingly: “A teacher can excel only as much as the pupil allows.”
Bingley laughed wholeheartedly.
“On that, I cannot argue with you. It might be the reason you were successful with Miss Darcy and less so with me.”
The tension was gone, and cheerfulness and good humour returned.
Darcy watched his sister and aunt obviously enjoying their time in a rather small and crowded room, surrounded by a din of voices that never occurred in their home.
They stayed for more than two hours, and neither of them appeared willing to leave for the more comfortable Netherfield.
It was the first time he had been at Longbourn, and it felt more comfortable than the houses of some old acquaintances.
He felt well. At peace. Comfortable. Feelings he rarely experienced at the same time.
The Bennets did not behave differently than before, but his judgment and response to them had changed.
Yes, Mrs. Bennet’s manners were questionable, but on closer look, they reminded him of those of another aunt —Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
Mr. Bennet might have treated his family rather too casually, but so did his uncle —Lord Matlock —who was only fortunate in having two sons instead of five daughters.
How was it possible that he treated these people with such unfair disdain and accused them of all the wrongs in the world? And why had he amended his judgment so drastically?
Might it have been because he had recently felt the pain of groundless accusations, that he had been awakened to the unfairness of his previous opinions?
Or that his lasting affection for Elizabeth made him more indulgent towards her family?
Or perhaps it was just due to his effort to know them better, acknowledging their qualities together with their faults.
∞∞∞
Late in the afternoon, the guests resumed their travel after a friendly farewell and the promise to meet again the following day.
When they arrived at Netherfield, Bingley dismounted in a hurry to welcome them ceremoniously into his house.
Miss Bingley and the Hursts appeared, and salutations were exchanged.
“Miss Bingley, Mrs. Hurst, Mr. Hurst, how nice to see you again,” the countess said. “What a lovely home your brother has. Mr. Bingley, I congratulate you for it.”
“We are honoured to have you here, your ladyship,” Caroline answered. “Please come in; we have been waiting for you for hours.”
Not a word was said about their stop at Longbourn as if Mr. Bingley’s sisters pretended it had not happened.
“Did you have a pleasant journey, I hope?” Caroline continued.
“Quite,” the countess replied. “Fortunately, it was rather short.”
In the drawing room, they took comfortable seats and then looked at each other in awkward silence.
“Georgiana, we are happy to see you again,” Mrs. Hurst finally said.
“Thank you; I am very pleased to see you too.”
“Have you been in Town all summer? Alone?” Miss Bingley went further with the inquiries.
“Yes…and no, not alone. With my brother and my aunt.”
“London is horrible in the summertime,” Mr. Hurst added.
“Still, it has some particular charms if one knows how to discover them,” the countess intervened. “But I agree that summer is better spent on a lovely estate when the heat becomes unbearable. And speaking of that, Netherfield looks charming, Mr. Bingley.”
“It is pleasant enough, but Charles could have chosen better,” Mrs. Hurst answered sharply, and it was no mystery to anyone that she referred to more than just the estate.
“No, indeed,” Bingley responded decidedly. “Renting Netherfield was the best decision of my life. Now, would you allow me to show you to your rooms? You must be tired.”
“We will have dinner in about two hours —is that acceptable?” Caroline asked.
The countess expressed her approval. “Perfectly, thank you. We will have time to rest until then.”
Bingley led them personally, inviting each of them to their own room. As they were about to enter, the countess addressed Darcy, wearing a broad grin.
“Nephew, I look forward to hearing more about the circumstances of your refusal to dance with Miss Elizabeth, as well as those when you did dance. Would you be so kind as to indulge me, or should I ask Mrs. Bennet about the details tomorrow?”
Georgiana chuckled, and Darcy looked momentarily perplexed. Bingley answered with a mischievous smile on his lips.
“I can also provide those stories to your ladyship at length as I was present on both occasions.”
“Really? Well, I always knew you were a thoughtful young man,” Lady Hardwick joked.
“Bingley, I begin to suspect that you invited me to Netherfield to use me for your own amusement,” Darcy replied with mock severity.
“No, indeed; but if the opportunity arises, I cannot waste it, my friend. For years, I dared not smile in your presence, let alone tease you. It is time for revenge now that I am about to marry —would you not agree?”
“I must think carefully about this: What does one’s marriage have to do with being cruel to his guests?” Darcy answered.
“I stand ready to compensate for it with a glass of brandy if you wish,” Bingley offered.
“And I will join you and have a glass of port while I listen to your stories,” Lady Hardwick concluded; then both she and Georgiana entered their rooms.
Darcy entered his room, followed by Bingley. Once they were inside, his host’s voice suddenly changed, as well as his countenance.
“Darcy, I must thank you.”
“What on earth for?”
“For coming to Netherfield as I requested. Our last meeting in Town was mostly an argument, and I did not restrain myself from casting a lot of blame on you for my leaving Jane. Now I know that my weakness and indecisiveness are more to be condemned than your interference.”
“Bingley, you are too generous, as always. You must know that we came to Netherfield not only because you asked me but also because it gives us real pleasure. We were looking forward to seeing you again. It is I who must thank you for forgiving me so readily and placing our friendship above your justified anger.”
“I am sure you know how valuable your friendship is to me.”
“As yours is to me.”