Chapter 12 #2
The guests were received with pleasure by Mrs Bennet and her daughters and with obvious partiality towards Mr Bingley.
Mr Darcy was welcomed with politeness and restraint, and he responded in the same manner.
While Mr Bingley took a seat between Mrs Bennet and Jane, Mr Darcy chose to accept Mr Bennet’s invitation to join him in the library.
Mr Collins looked disconcerted, as he was disregarded by both parties.
He rose to accompany the gentlemen to the library, but Mr Darcy suddenly requested privacy, claiming he had a private matter to discuss with Mr Bennet.
With a look of confusion, Mr Collins sat on the sofa next to Elizabeth, much to her despair.
Paying little attention to her cousin’s speech, she wondered about the private matter between the two men.
She had rarely seen her father so interested in being in the company of another man, except for her uncle Gardiner.
Since she knew that her father was not impressed by Mr Darcy’s situation in life, she assumed there must be something the two of them had in common, despite their obvious differences.
As in their prior meetings, the Bennet ladies and Mr Bingley were talking about the ball.
Mr Collins seemed interested and declared that such entertainment organised by an honourable gentleman was by no means disagreeable to a clergyman.
“Dear Cousin Elizabeth, I look forward to dancing with you and all my other cousins. May I ask why you are so quiet today? Your opinion is truly missed.”
“There is not much left to say on the subject, so my opinion can bring no value to the conversation, Mr Collins. Now please excuse me, I must see whether my father needs my assistance.”
“Your assistance?” Mrs Bennet intervened. “Why on earth would he need your assistance, Lizzy?”
To avoid answering, Elizabeth pretended she did not hear the question and left the room. She hesitated to disturb her father, but her curiosity was too strong, and returning to the drawing-room was not appealing, so she breathed deeply and knocked on the library door.
The invitation to enter came after a brief delay, but when she stepped in, her father welcomed her with a large gesture.
“Lizzy, how fortunate that you are here. Mr Darcy and I were just talking about you.”
“I am sorry you could not find a more diverting subject,” she replied, casting a glance at Mr Darcy, who looked as serious as ever.
“As always, I enjoy your teasing, my child, but you should sit down, as the matter is very serious.”
Elizabeth looked at Mr Darcy again, then at her father. Both men wore a frown which supported Mr Bennet’s statement.
“What is it, Papa?”
“I shall actually let Mr Darcy tell you, since it is his proposal, and it is addressed to you. I confess I was surprised when I heard it, and you will probably be the same.”
With another glance at Mr Darcy, Elizabeth finally sat.
“What proposal could it be, Papa.”
“Do not worry, he does not intend to propose marriage to you. That is a pleasure you should probably expect from my cousin.”
“Papa!” Elizabeth cried, mortified by such an improper, poor attempt at a joke. “Surely it cannot be something too serious, since you are not serious at all,” she scolded him.
“Forgive me, Lizzy. I shall move into the corner by the window with my glass and my book and let Mr Darcy explain everything to you.”
He did so while Elizabeth turned to Mr Darcy, intrigued and still flustered from her father’s jesting.
“Miss Bennet, I shall start by saying that I have received a letter from my sister, and she is as thrilled as I expected by my encounter with you and the prospect of her meeting you too. In truth, she does not remember much about your time together, since she was very young, but she has glimpses of recollections and a dear wish to renew your acquaintance.”
“This is wonderful news, Mr Darcy!” Elizabeth answered with genuine delight.
“I believe so too. My sister does not have many friends…in fact, she shows no desire to make new acquaintances, and except for her companion, Mrs Annesley, and our relatives, she rarely sees other people. I truly believe that your friendship will be of great help to her.”
“To me too, I assure you! Just yesterday I wrote to my aunt again and expressed my hope for such news. I shall write to Miss Darcy even today, before dinner!”
While Elizabeth rejoiced in the news, she could see Mr Darcy’s frown had not abated, and he cleared his throat before continuing.
“There is more that must be said, and my proposal — or I should say my plea to you — still has to be expressed.”
“Please speak freely, Mr Darcy. After you have brought me such happy news, you may ask me anything.” She tried to sound lightly to encourage him.
“You have asked me more than once whether Georgiana is in good health. She is — there is nothing that the doctor has found while examining her, except for…how should I put it? A lack of liveliness and self-confidence. She spends most of her time practising the pianoforte and finds little enjoyment in anything else.”
“You sound rather worried, Mr Darcy. More worried than your description would suggest. After all, my sister Mary also finds little enjoyment in anything but her study and practice. We are all different.”
“True. But there is more, and I cannot voice it properly. What I mean is that, while she has never expressed such a wish, I am certain Georgiana needs the company of someone closer to her age, someone she can confide in, someone who can support and guide her with affection and patience. Apparently, neither an older brother nor an aunt or cousins, not even her teachers or Mrs Annesley are capable of accomplishing such a thing.”
Elizabeth listened to him with growing concern; his expression spoke of deeper reasons for worry than his words voiced.
She tried to guess his meaning, but she felt so overwhelmed by the effort that she waited for his proposal with uncertainty.
“The more I have come to know your nature and your character, Miss Bennet, the more I have become convinced that you are the only one who might help my sister find what is missing in her life. I wish only to know that she is healthy, safe, and happy, and I fear I have failed. This is why I am asking — I am begging you — to continue the friendship that started ten years ago, not only through correspondence but also in person. To stay with her for a while, so she can learn from you what her teachers could not teach her and to enjoy that sort of intimacy which her present companion cannot provide.”
Elizabeth glanced at her father, noticing he was watching them, while she tried to fully comprehend Mr Darcy’s request.
“You wish me to go to London to be your sister’s companion?”
“No. She has a companion. I wish you to be her friend. To be the same Miss Lizzy that Mrs Reynolds mentioned in her letter and my mother was deeply fond of.”
Elizabeth gulped at the lump in her throat. She stared at Mr Darcy in shock, barely able to reply.
“You flatter me, sir, and I am not certain I am worthy of your trust.”
“I have complete confidence in you, Miss Bennet. Please believe me. I have given this matter much consideration in the last few days, and I fully understand it will be a significant effort which might disturb the comfort of your family.”
“That would not be an issue, sir. I would do anything for Miss Darcy if she needed and wished for my help. I could go to London and stay with my uncle and aunt for a while and visit her often if that is agreeable to you.”
“Anything you want would be agreeable to me. However, to be honest, I was considering that, after becoming reacquainted with Georgiana, you may like to move in with her, to live with her, so you can be with her all the time. However, I understand that might be inconvenient for you, so I shall be grateful for anything you decide.”
Elizabeth could not conceal her astonishment and looked at her father quizzically again.
Under usual circumstances, the chance to meet Georgiana and spend time with her would have been enough to make Elizabeth exceedingly happy, and she was tempted to accept immediately.
However, that would mean she had to go to London and stay in Mr Darcy’s house, which immediately increased her anxiety.
Even more disquieting, Mr Darcy’s voice, his eyes, and his entire countenance proved that he was truly begging, and that betrayed the depth of his concern and the gravity of Georgiana’s situation.
A cold shiver of apprehension ran through her. He had said the decision was hers, but that was not entirely true.
“Mr Darcy, meeting your sister again is something that I have hoped for more than ten years. I shall write to my aunt and make the arrangements for my travel to London. But first, I must talk to my father. He will decide what should be done.”
“Of course. That is why I took the liberty of addressing your father first. I must return to London at the end of this week, but I shall wait for news from Mr Bennet. Please allow me to make the arrangements for your journey to town. I could send you my carriage, and perhaps Mr Bennet might travel with you. Also, if you wish for one or more of your sisters to join you, that would also be agreeable. Furthermore, whilst she is living in my house at present, my sister also has her own establishment, close to mine, so if my presence is a reason for concern, please know you can move to a different residence with Georgiana and Mrs Annesley…”
He became more and more animated as he spoke, while Elizabeth and Mr Bennet glanced at each other.
“Mr Darcy, now that you have Lizzy’s acceptance, let us discuss further details over another drink while my daughter returns to the drawing room.”
“Of course, Mr Bennet,” Mr Darcy replied, and Elizabeth stood up, ready to leave.
“For the time being, I would suggest that, except for the three of us and perhaps Jane, everyone else be told that Lizzy is going to London to visit her uncle and aunt. I shall write to my brother and sister to conceive a little plan.”
“Thank you, Mr Bennet. I am sorry to give you so much trouble.”
“Do not mention it, Mr Darcy. I must consider whether I am to travel with her or if she takes one of her sisters. It depends on how soon you expect Elizabeth to meet your sister, as everyone is obsessed with this ball now.”
“Of course, I hope to see Miss Elizabeth in London as soon as possible, but you and she will choose the time.”
Before she left, Elizabeth felt the urge to ask the question that had bothered her for the last two days. She knew it was not entirely proper, but it might affect her final decision, and since he would leave soon, she might not have another chance to address it.
“Mr Darcy, you mentioned your sister has no friends at all. However, I remember that even in her childhood, she was very fond of George Wickham, who is here in Meryton, as you know. I understand you have not allowed him to see her lately, but perhaps his presence might entertain and amuse her.”
At the very mention of the name, Mr Darcy’s face pinched and paled, his eyes narrowed, and his lips pressed together as though trying to prevent an outburst.
“I assume Wickham has already told you some of his complaints against me, Miss Bennet. I assume he told you that I denied him a living…”
“He did…but it is not my business to interfere in gentlemen’s affairs. I was only thinking of Miss Darcy’s pleasure in meeting an old friend.”
“George Wickham is nobody’s friend unless he has something to gain from it.
He did see Georgiana a few months ago, in the summer, and he betrayed her trust and abused her affection, as he always does with everybody who allows him to.
His actions only added to her present unfortunate state and made her lose the little faith she had in people. ”
Elizabeth’s heart ached, and an odd fear enveloped her, again sensing that Mr Darcy’s statement hid something deeper and more painful.
She suddenly remembered Mr Wickham claiming he had not seen Georgiana for many years, and his effrontery irritated her.
Could he have taken her for a fool and lied to her so boldly?
“Lizzy, it is time you returned to your sisters,” Mr Bennet said, dismissing her. “Let everybody know I am not to be disturbed until I have completed my business with Mr Darcy. In fact, I shall lock the door to avoid any interference.”
“Very well, Papa,” Elizabeth replied, walking towards the door, still shaken by the gravity of everything that had happened in such a short time.
“Miss Bennet!”
Mr Darcy’s voice startled her, and she turned to face him. He walked towards her, and to her disbelief, he took her hand for a moment and bowed over it.
“Thank you, Miss Lizzy,” he said, adding so much meaning to that simple sentence that she quivered again, feeling that her hand, which he had just released, was burning.