Chapter 26 #2
With such thoughts, he prepared for dinner, The first to arrive was Colonel Fitzwilliam, with whom he had a drink in the library until he was informed the ladies were waiting for them in the drawing room.
He took a moment to admire Elizabeth before he greeted them.
She was wearing a pale-yellow muslin dress, simple yet very flattering to her figure.
Both she and Georgiana were wearing matching necklaces, offering the colonel a perfect subject to start the conversation and engaging both Elizabeth and Georgiana in it.
Mrs Annesley, as well as Darcy, watched silently.
Soon enough, the other guests arrived. Mrs Gardiner explained the children had been left in the care of the maids; having them travel back and forth across town in such weather would have been too tiring.
“They were perfectly happy to stay at home without their mother’s strict supervision,” Mr Gardiner added as Darcy escorted them towards the dining room.
Mr Gardiner and Mr Bennet were invited to sit either side of Darcy, for easier conversation. The colonel was delighted to remain with the ladies, and the conversation resumed while the first course was served.
The dishes, the arrangements, all were a little too much for a mere family dinner, Darcy mused while watching his guests. He had requested it to please Elizabeth.
Georgiana seemed comfortable enough, although still timid; Mrs Annesley actively participated in discussions, showing more wit and knowledge than Darcy had had the chance to witness before.
Mr and Mrs Gardiner, as well as Mr Bennet, were delightful company, but most enchanting to him was the expression of joy on Elizabeth’s face and her lively eyes sparkling every time she looked at him.
As the evening progressed, the guests accepted an invitation to stay overnight.
“If I return home tomorrow, Mrs Bennet will compel me to go to the ball, I fear,” Mr Bennet said.
“Well, you may claim a cold,” Mr Gardiner offered.
“I really cannot understand why you despise balls so much,” Mrs Gardiner said. “You may at least amuse yourself watching others.”
“Well, I am sure Mr Darcy understands me,” the gentleman said. “I would be amused if I could withdraw to the library whenever I want, otherwise it is dull and tiresome. Hiding in the library is not such a bad idea after all. I shall ask Mr Bingley to give me the key.”
“I am sure he would be happy to oblige,” Darcy interjected. “Nobody uses the Netherfield library, so you should be quite safe there.”
“I am surprised to find someone else who dislikes balls as much as Darcy,” the colonel said. “To me, there are few things more enjoyable. What is not to like?”
“I notice most officers favour balls and parties. It must be because ladies are usually charmed by the uniform,” Mr Bennet said.
“You are probably right.” The colonel laughed. “I assume you do like balls, Miss Bennet.”
“I confess I do. In a small town like Meryton, we have few other entertainments.”
“I hope Georgiana will not take after Darcy,” the colonel said. “My mother is looking forward to preparing her coming out party. That is, if Darcy does not marry before then and his wife takes over the task.”
Georgiana looked suddenly pale, and Darcy felt embarrassed; he cast a quick look at Elizabeth, who looked amused and slightly flushed.
“I do not need a coming out party,” Georgiana whispered, and her obvious discomfort induced the others to change the subject.
***
After dinner, the colonel asked for some music, but Georgiana declined. She apologised to the guests and withdrew to her room. Considering it was her first gathering in a long time, nobody opposed it. Elizabeth accompanied her to her apartment and helped her prepare for the night.
“I hope you will not leave soon, Lizzy,” she whispered. “I shall miss you dearly. I wish you would never leave, but I know that is not possible.”
Elizabeth kissed the girl’s cheek and stroked her hair.
“Let us not worry about that, my dear. I shall stay for as long as you need me.”
Georgiana finally climbed into bed and, covered in blankets, fell asleep while Elizabeth was still watching.
Before she exited, she put another log on the fire and looked back at the girl.
With surprise and distress, she admitted having the same thoughts as Georgiana but did not dare to voice them.
As much as she missed her sisters and her mother, she did not want to ever leave either, but she knew that was not possible.
Elizabeth returned to the others in the drawing room, and the first thing she noticed was Mr Darcy’s gaze upon her.
The gentlemen were enjoying a glass of port and the ladies a cup of tea.
The conversation focused on Derbyshire and Pemberley.
With great delight, Mr Gardiner informed her that Mr Darcy had just invited the entire family to spend a month at Pemberley in the summer — news that sent chills down her spine and made her cheeks burn.
The entire family for a month? Was their new friendship enough reason for such courtesy?
Was the invitation proof of his gratitude for Mrs Gardiner’s involvement in Georgiana’s case?
Or could he have another reason — one she feared to even consider?
It was close to midnight when everyone withdrew to their rooms. Unlike Elizabeth, the others were hosted in the guest wing, so Elizabeth found herself in the hall leading to her chamber with only Mr Darcy.
They had found no time to speak much in person that evening, and certainly it was not the most proper time or place to do so now, and yet she spoke.
“Thank you for your generosity towards my family, sir.”
“That is a strange sentence from someone to whom I am indebted for life,” he said, smiling. “Of the two of us, I am the only one allowed to speak of gratitude, Miss Bennet.”
“That is rather arrogant of you, sir, to forbid me from speaking of something I wish to,” she teased him back, while she felt her cheeks burning.
“I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours, Miss Bennet. Yet, in this matter, I must insist, even if you call it arrogance.”
“Considering you are the master of the house, I shall not argue with you. But are you sure you meant your invitation? Having my entire family at Pemberley, with my parents and my sisters as well as my four young cousins, might be a daunting task even for you.”
“I am sure. Besides, you may not remember many details, but Pemberley is a large enough place to provide entertainment but also privacy for many people,” he continued in the same light tone.
“Please note that I have warned you,” she joked.
Her lips, slightly parted, curved into a playful smile, a feeble attempt to disguise her unease.
She was mortified to discover that she held a secret desire for Mr Darcy’s lips to meet hers in a kiss.
Elizabeth could not help but feel a sense of dismay at the intense want.
Her left hand grasped the folds of her gown, and she took two measured steps backwards.
Mr Darcy stood in perfect stillness, his countenance betraying no hint of emotion.
Elizabeth found herself captivated by his presence, unable to suppress her curiosity.
Were Mr Darcy’s thoughts aligned with hers?
She felt the tension, and a shiver thrilled her entire being.
She remembered the touch of his lips on her skin and hoped — or rather feared, she was not certain any longer — it might happen again.
Uncertain of her own desires, she only curtseyed gracefully and said, “Good night, Mr Darcy. I am quite content to be here.”
With that, he stepped away and walked towards his apartment. Elizabeth needed a moment to recover before she opened the door to her chamber.
***
The following morning, chatter and laughter filled the house as the party gathered for a very early breakfast. Georgiana seemed more at ease than the previous evening, and her newfound contentment and improved rest had started to brighten her countenance.
Elizabeth and Mr Darcy were less talkative though, and they mostly spoke to others, their eyes barely meeting.
Afterwards, Elizabeth embraced her father, wishing him a safe journey. Mr Bennet looked a little more emotional than she expected, and that made her embrace him even tighter as she demanded he wrote the moment he arrived home.
Mr Darcy left the house together with his guests, informing everyone he would return in the afternoon.
Elizabeth remained with Georgiana and Mrs Annesley, in a sudden silence that felt strange and heavy.
Her companions clearly shared the same sensation, and Georgiana accepted Mrs Annesley’s suggestion to practise the pianoforte for the first time in many weeks.