Chapter 3
At Netherfield, Darcy looked at the two open letters on the desk — one from his sister, Georgiana, the other from her companion, Mrs Annesley.
He was finally enjoying some privacy, hidden in the library, away from his friend’s sisters, Miss Caroline Bingley and Mrs Louisa Hurst. Bingley was out, likely visiting the Bennet family again, as he had declared he would, despite the idea being strongly objected to by his sisters.
It was only one of the assembly’s unpleasant consequences.
Since that disquieting night, there had barely been another subject of conversation at Netherfield beyond Bingley’s approval of the people in the neighbourhood and his particular admiration for Miss Jane Bennet, mixed with his sisters’ contrary opinions.
Darcy’s mood was so low that he had no interest in the subject.
He did not take Bingley’s attraction to the lady seriously, considering he had seen his younger friend bewitched many times.
Bingley’s amiable nature made him blind to people’s flaws, and any pretty lady showing him some interest would be successful.
Luckily, Bingley was also a deeply honourable gentleman, so, although he enjoyed being the centre of attention, his admiration for a lady would never induce him to cross the boundaries of decorum.
Dancing two — or was it three? — sets with Miss Jane Bennet had been an obvious gesture of partiality, and calling on her family would only add to the rumours that were undoubtedly circulating already.
However, after several attempts to convince Bingley to see reason on the morning after the assembly, Darcy had abandoned the endeavour.
He was too tired and too immersed in his own problems to waste any more effort on such an insignificant matter.
His mind was rather perturbed by the second Bennet daughter, who had challenged him beyond the edge of his tranquillity.
He had regretted his rude remark regarding her the moment he realised she had heard it.
He had no intention of offending a young woman — neither his nature nor his education would allow him to do so.
His words, as harsh and hurtful as they had been, were meant to be heard by Bingley alone.
It had been true — he had been in no disposition to dance at the assembly, and Bingley’s insistence had irritated him.
Also, his concern about being watched with too much interest was genuine, based on his own observations and past experience.
How could he even have imagined she was curious about him due to her previous knowledge of his family?
Who would have believed such a coincidence?
Miss Elizabeth looked young — she must have been a child when his mother died.
How was it possible that they were acquainted?
In what circumstances? She could not have befriended Georgiana, since his sister had been an infant at the time, and she had no friends outside the family.
In what way was the daughter of an insignificant gentleman from Hertfordshire connected to his family in Derbyshire?
Miss Elizabeth’s behaviour intrigued Darcy almost as much as the connection itself.
She possessed a self-confidence rarely seen in a woman of her age and situation in life, and a boldness — which was rather appealing if he were to be honest — that was clearly displayed in her eyes as well as in her posture.
She was not a flawless beauty based on society’s rules and expectations.
But she was pretty — certainly more than tolerable, as he had claimed — though he had only realised that later.
She was the first woman he had known who had possessed the audacity to scold him, although they were barely acquainted, which at first he had been inclined to see as rudeness.
She was also the first woman — as far as he recollected — who had refused to dance with him after such a public invitation.
She had granted him a concession by agreeing to answer his questions on their next meeting, and in doing so, she had practically demanded that there be a second meeting — one that would please her enough to satisfy his curiosity.
Was she too impertinent? Too condescending?
Too daring? Or a fool, perhaps? Should he continue their acquaintance or just forget her?
After all, even if she had met his family in the past, why should he care?
Surely she was not in possession of any secret that might affect him, he mused, smiling to himself.
Very likely her acquaintance with his mother and sister alluded to a brief encounter in which they had exchanged a few words.
Was it worth the effort of another meeting with her, considering he would return to London soon?
At that point, tired of all his musings, Darcy’s attention returned to the desk and the two opened letters.
He read Georgiana’s first, with interest but also concern.
The letter was written impeccably and elegantly.
He had made his sister promise to write to him often, and he had promised to do the same.
As always, Georgiana had kept her promise.
But her letter was impersonal, the words sounding like they were hiding more than they were revealing.
While Georgiana never mentioned sadness or pain, Darcy could feel they were still vivid in his sweet sister’s heart.
Dear Brother,
I beg of you not to worry about me. While you are away, I am employing my time visiting my aunt and Lady Amelia, playing the pianoforte, or reading.
Mrs Annesley is the most reliable and pleasant companion anyone could wish for.
So please stay in Hertfordshire as long as you like or as long as Mr Bingley needs you.
I miss you, but I shall be happy if I see you at Christmas.
Until then, I am looking forward to receiving letters from you as often as you can spare a few minutes to write to me.
Your loving sister,
Georgiana.
While her letter did not say as much, Darcy felt like his sister wished for him to be away for a while.
Perhaps she needed time without him; perhaps his presence was a reminder of the failed elopement planned with that scoundrel Wickham.
She seemed to prefer the company of their aunt Lady Matlock and her daughter-in-law, Lady Amelia — the viscount’s wife.
Georgiana missed him, but she preferred his absence. Perhaps he was not a good enough brother to give her the comfort she needed and deserved. Regardless, she clearly did not wish him to be near her, and he knew he should reconsider his hasty return to London.
After that, he read Mrs Annesley’s letter, and his worries increased.
The lady — whom he had carefully chosen after the betrayal of Mrs Younge — expressed once again her admiration for Miss Darcy and her dedication to her studies, as well as her worry for her tendency to spend too much time indoors.
Yes, Georgiana was hiding from the world.
She had always been shy — too shy — and felt awkward in the company of strangers.
He knew the reason but could not find the remedy.
“Darcy, what are you doing here all alone?” he heard Bingley’s voice calling.
“I am reading a letter from Georgiana. I am surprised you have returned already.”
“I have been gone for quite some time, Darcy. Besides, in a few hours, Miss Bennet will come to take tea with Caroline and Louisa. I understand her sister Elizabeth will join her.”
“Is that so?” Darcy replied, concealing his puzzled expression from his friend.
“Yes. I need to send some papers to my solicitors by express, so I must go into Meryton. Since I shall be nearby, I intend to escort Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth to Netherfield in my carriage. I understand their father needs the horses on the farm.”
“How interesting. I imagine everybody knows everything about everyone in such a small place. Gossip spreads easily. Which is precisely why you must be cautious about any rumours that might be spread due to your actions, Bingley.”
“Yes, yes. I am cautious enough, Darcy. I hope my actions are always respectable and proper. Would you not agree?”
“I do agree, Bingley. And yet, even proper and respectable actions might cause harm if they give rise to expectations that cannot be fulfilled and hopes that are to be dashed.”
“Darcy, you are always too serious and grave! Will you not join me in Meryton and then at Longbourn? I have found Mr Bennet to be a very pleasant gentleman. He seems very fond of books, which is an interest he shares more with you than with me.”
Visiting Longbourn was something Darcy had not considered, and his first impulse was to refuse.
“I shall,” he heard his own voice answering on an impulse he could not comprehend.
“Good! Excellent! Mrs Bennet has invited me to dine at Longbourn one of these days. Caroline and Louisa have declined any interest, but you may come with me if you wish.”
“Bingley, let us take one step at a time. I shall call at Longbourn with you today, but that is all. I cannot commit to any other engagements.”
“As you wish. You should know that Mrs Bennet was not impressed with your manners at the assembly, and neither were half of the attendees. But I tried to sketch your character in a favourable light. Not that their opinion would mean much to you.”
“You must not worry, Bingley. Since I agreed to this call, I shall present myself with my best manners,” Darcy replied, half in earnest, half jesting. Surprisingly, even to himself, there was at least one person’s opinion that he cared about at Longbourn.
***