Chapter 13 #3
“I am also grateful for the patience you showed with the Bennet family. I remember your having many objections against them, and not all of those were undeserved. So I imagine it was not easy for you to spend such a long while in their company. I admit that Mrs. Bennet’s manners and comments are not always proper.
I apologise if you felt offended, but as Mr. Bennet said, she rarely intends harm. ”
“Well, my earlier objections to the Bennets might have been warranted, but they were surely uncalled for, and I hope I have grown wise enough to understand that. As for our visit today, I assure you I found it quite pleasant. Challenging, but pleasant.”
“Truly? I am relieved to hear that. I confess I feared that my marriage to Jane would ruin our friendship. I believed you would wish to keep as much distance as possible from the Bennets, especially considering their present connection to Wickham. And as much as I love Jane, my heart was heavy at the thought of losing my best friend.”
“Bingley, I would be a fool unworthy of your loyalty if I gave up our long friendship so easily. I admit, however, that I shall do everything in my power to keep Wickham as far from Georgiana and me as possible. I would not have come to your wedding if Wickham were here. But it still would not have affected our friendship, which I trust will last for many years.”
“Good…excellent…well, I will leave you now. I believe you are already familiar with this room. Shall I see you in two hours? I am very glad that you came —very glad indeed.”
“So am I, Bingley, never doubt that,” Darcy said in complete honesty.
“Oh, and…Darcy, you are indeed an excellent teacher. One of the best I ever had. Also, you must not worry; I will never reveal any story about you, not even to your aunt,” Bingley said seriously.
“I never worry about your loyalty, my friend.” Darcy patted Bingley’s shoulder then continued less grave but equally earnest. “I believe you are wise not to tell stories about me, or I could share a few, too, when we are next in Miss Bennet’s company.”
Bingley’s mouth and eyes opened in bewilderment and mistrust; Darcy laughed to ensure that his friend knew he was only joking, and Bingley breathed in relief.
“I say, Darcy, people are often anxious around you when you are haughty and aloof, but when you tease and mock them, you are truly frightening.”
Their lighthearted exchange was both diverting and consoling. It was proof that Bingley had gone past their disagreement and forgiven Darcy’s interference, and it ensured their friendship would continue. Darcy was astonished once more by Bingley’s generous heart and kind nature.
Once alone, he looked around, and his chest clenched. He was more than familiar with the room.
It was the same one he used last year, the one that hosted his turmoil and struggles, the one from which he attempted to escape his obsession with Elizabeth. And he had failed. Now he returned, and his obsession was still alive —as was his discontent.
∞∞∞
Dinner took place at the exact hour with perfect arrangements and five tasteful courses.
The conversation, however, was scarce; no subject seemed to raise anyone’s interest for more than a few minutes.
“I hope you found your rooms to your liking,” Caroline addressed Georgiana and Lady Hardwick.
“Having had the pleasure of spending some time at Pemberley, we know Netherfield cannot compare to it nor with your ladyship’s estate, I am sure,” Louisa added. “But we hope you are comfortable enough.”
“Very much so; your care is appreciated,” the countess answered.
“My room is excellent too. I could not ask for a better one,” Georgiana responded. “And Caroline, I want to thank you for taking care of Mist and Didi before our arrival.”
“Oh, it was nothing, truly. We have enough servants here to accomplish any domestic tasks. However, I could not but wonder why Charles delayed you for so long. It was hardly acceptable.” She glared reproachfully.
“Mr. Bingley is not to be blamed; it was our decision to stop at Longbourn. I especially insisted on doing so,” Georgiana declared daringly.
Both sisters looked puzzled. “Why would you insist on that?” Caroline asked.
“I wished to see Miss Elizabeth.”
“Eliza Bennet? What for?”
“She is my friend, and I missed her,” Georgiana replied with serenity, and Caroline‘s fork froze in the air.
“Your friend? How can that be?”
“I met Miss Bennet in London a couple of months ago, and we became friends.”
“That is unheard of. Forgive me, but I find it hard to believe. You and Eliza Bennet? How could you be friends?”
“I cannot understand why you are so surprised, Miss Bingley,” the countess intervened.
“Why? Because the Bennet family is surely not one to be connected with the Darcys or with your ladyship.”
“I am surprised to hear that. We visited them today, and we had a pleasant time. And Miss Elizabeth is a spirited and lovely young woman. Both Georgiana and I like her very much.”
A grimace twisted Caroline’s handsome features.
“This is quite astonishing; I have known Eliza Bennet for almost a year now, and I see few things to be admired in her. She has neither beauty nor manners, and her impertinence is very unbecoming.”
“Caroline, you are unfair as usual,” Bingley interrupted, but his sister continued, much to Georgiana’s embarrassment and discomfort.
“There was a time when Mr. Darcy shared the same opinion, but it seems things have changed lately. There must be a new trend in Town to befriend people from lowclass families.”
Lady Hardwick’s eyebrow rose in obvious displeasure, and she frowned while answering sharply, “Well, the definition of ‘low-class’ has changed lately too. I have great affection for Bingley, and I believe he is an excellent and valuable friend to my nephew; however, only a few years ago, it would have been unacceptable for a gentleman to be friends with or to marry someone whose fortune was made in trade. I am rather pleased that times have changed, are you not, Miss Bingley?”
Caroline and Louisa were frozen in silence at such severe censure.
“I for one am very content, Lady Hardwick” Bingley answered. “Not long ago, we never would have been admitted to Pemberley, nor could we have imagined having a countess at our dinner table. And I could not have hoped to marry a gentleman’s daughter of perfect beauty.”
At such a conclusion, nobody had much else to add.
Offenses had been given and received in a manner mean enough to ruin the general mood.
Caroline and Louisa abandoned any attempt at conversation, and Mr. Hurst’s suggestion of playing cards was rejected.
As the guests were rather tired, the evening ended, much to everybody’s relief.
But few of Netherfield’s inhabitants found sleep easily —and Darcy less than anyone.
To him, that half day spent at Longbourn brought a revelation that settled his long-lasting struggles.
He might have been angry, resentful, disappointed, and pained after Elizabeth’s harsh refusal, but his love for her had never vanished.
He knew it the moment he laid eyes on her again in the grove and her mere smile burst into joy in his heart.
His love had changed; the passion and impetuosity that made him propose that day at the Parsonage had been crushed by his reason and hidden deeper within his soul. But it was always there —she was always there —safely tucked away in his heart.
He dared not consider that Elizabeth might ever reciprocate his affection.
That path was closed to him. Her behaviour towards him became less embarrassed, a bit more composed, and friendlier, but he would never be mistaken about her again.
It was not affection but politeness, gratitude, amiability.
It was enough though —much better than he could have imagined a few months ago.
Since fate decided to bind them through their friends and family, it was a relief to know they could bear to be in the same room.
The struggle in his mind and the turmoil in his heart would never be known to her, and he would gradually learn to live with it.