Chapter 27 #2
“Then you will have to teach me, since I have never taken the trouble to practise consistently,” Elizabeth admitted with another laugh. “That is why I do not excel in anything.”
“I strongly disagree about that, Miss Bennet,” Mr Darcy interjected. “No one admitted to the privilege of knowing you can think anything wanting.”
Elizabeth stared at him, their eyes locking for a moment. He seemed serious, and his statement sent chills down her spine. Such praise in front of his sister was disquieting as much as it was pleasant.
“Both Darcys are too generous to me. I fear I might become accustomed to it,” she joked.
“Both Darcys love you dearly and are grateful to you. Are we not, Brother?”
Georgiana said genuinely and innocently. Her eyes were indeed bright with affection, but her honest yet na?ve statement stunned both Mr Darcy and Elizabeth, and turned one pale, the other red-faced.
“We certainly do,” Darcy admitted after a brief hesitation, and Elizabeth’s hands trembled with both anxiety and exhilaration. She was not a simpleton — she understood that the profession of love was innocent and without any strong meaning, but still, it affected her greatly.
“Thank you…both…” she whispered.
“Now excuse me. I have some letters to write. I hope I shall have the pleasure of your company at dinner?” Mr Darcy asked.
“You will, Brother,” Georgiana answered, and he removed himself from their presence with some haste.
***
The little indiscretion caused by Georgiana’s statement of affection left both Elizabeth and Darcy disconcerted and uneasy, and they needed a little time to get over it.
That evening, the ladies joined Darcy for dinner; they did the same for breakfast the next morning and every day that followed.
Elizabeth spent most of her time with Georgiana and Mrs Annesley.
Darcy was always there, only to provide them support and comfort, without imposing his presence on them.
He longed to see Elizabeth first thing in the morning and last thing at night.
His sleep remained restless and full of dreams of Elizabeth, but he preferred that sort of thrill over any proper rest. As long as she was there, near him, he was content.
Fulfilled. Although she had been there only for just over a fortnight, he dreaded even imagining not having Elizabeth in his home.
Even though he still struggled to keep a fair distance from her and to act with nothing but friendship, his heart knew better.
He noticed that she was growing closer to him too. They became accustomed to reading together in the library, with or without Georgiana present, or he assisted while they practised the pianoforte.
They discussed — and often argued over — books or the theatre, politics and war. They both enjoyed heated debates and mutual teasing, much to Georgiana’s amusement.
They played chess, something they discovered they had in common, and their skill was evenly matched. For the first time in a long time, open laughter sounded in Darcy’s house.
He accompanied them to visit the Gardiners, and they spent almost an entire day in Gracechurch Street.
He also joined them in Hyde Park and took them to visit Lady Matlock, where Elizabeth was introduced to Lord Matlock, as well as his eldest son, the viscount, and his wife.
At Lady Matlock’s insistence, an appointment was made with Madame Yvette, which Elizabeth accepted with even more reluctance than Georgiana.
Darcy simply mentioned that he would ‘settle things’ with Madame Yvette accordingly after their purchase, and the matter of payment was closed without further embarrassment on Elizabeth’s part.
***
From Hertfordshire, Elizabeth received notice that her father had arrived home safely, and everyone was in good health.
A more detailed letter arrived from Jane three days later, containing details of her sister’s pleasure in the ball and a faithful narration of it; although more discreetly expressed, Jane’s increasing attachment to Mr Bingley was also obvious.
Her letter also contained news of Mr Wickham.
Lydia and Kitty are upset too, as Mr Wickham, whom they favoured, seems to be continuing his attentions to Mary King.
Even though we know Mary very well and have the highest opinion of her sweet nature, that is not enough for Lydia, Kitty, or Mama, who are all most put out.
I hope you are as happy as you hoped in London, Lizzy.
Papa brought us the extraordinary news of Miss Darcy’s recovery, and please know we shall continue to pray for her.
The knowledge that Mr Wickham was still pursuing Mary King was worrisome.
With his character still unknown in the community, with his deceptive skills and wish for an easy living, Mr Wickham was free to scheme to deceive honourable people and na?ve girls, and that Elizabeth could not allow.
With the letter in her hands, she went in search of Mr Darcy and found him in the library.
She knocked, and he called to her to enter, but she remained at the door until he came to open it.
Even then, she felt shy entering; she had not been alone with him, not even for a moment, in quite some time, and she felt equally thrilled and anxious about a private encounter.
He seemed somehow uneasy too but invited her inside.
“Miss Bennet? Is something wrong?”
“No. I mean yes, perhaps. I have come for your advice, and I do not wish to trouble Georgiana more.”
Handing him the letter, she briefly explained the problem. Mr Darcy looked as concerned as she had expected.
“Please have a seat, Miss Bennet. What would you like to do next? After our last discussion in regard to Wickham, I hired Mr Dodge — a man truly proficient in ferreting out secrets and acting with the utmost discretion and efficiency. He has the assignment of discovering anything that can be used against Wickham and Mrs Younge.”
“Oh. And has he been successful?”
“Yes. I have received some satisfying information so far, but nothing surprising to me. I agree that Miss King’s uncle needs to be warned.”
“I believe the same,” Elizabeth said. “I am sorry to expose him, but if Mr Wickham has genuine affection for Mary and honourable intentions, he must prove his worthiness.”
“I agree. However, I am still waiting for Wickham to prove his worthiness in anything. I shall write to your father too. He is the right person to assist me in this matter.”
“Very well. I shall leave you now. I do not want to bother you any longer. I know you have more important things to do,” she said, standing up. He rose to his feet too.
“You never bother me, Miss Bennet,” he said seriously, his eyes locking with hers. “And nothing is more important than you.”
Another thrill ran down her spine. She averted her eyes, too nervous to hold his intense, dark gaze.
“Please forgive me, I do not wish to embarrass you. And you must not worry. I would never say or do anything that might make you uncomfortable. I have been trying very hard from the day you entered this house, and I apologise if I have not always succeeded.”
He looked apologetic and remorseful, and she struggled to understand his distress.
“Mr Darcy, I shall not deny that at times I feel uncomfortable in your presence, but it is not your fault, sir. You have been nothing but gentlemanly in your words and actions since I arrived here. Even long before that. My unease is not due to something you have done, and it is certainly not unpleasant.”
“Miss Bennet, I…I am not sure what to make of your words, and I am afraid of assuming something that is not there.”
They were standing, facing each other, a short distance apart, both overcome with emotions that neither dared express.
“Then perhaps a thorough clarification is in order, sir? To avoid further miscomprehension and embarrassment?” she suggested with a boldness that astonished and frightened her, as she realised it might cause irreparable harm if it was misplaced.
His stare expressed doubts and hesitations, mixed with fearful hopes and repressed feelings hidden for too long.
His lips moved to speak, but his words froze when the door was opened suddenly.
Dumbfounded, they both turned to see Miss Caroline Bingley, leaning against the wall, staring at them in apparent shock.
“Eliza Bennet? How is this possible? What on earth are you doing here? You are the last person I expected to find here!” Miss Bingley finally uttered, her eyes wide and her hand on her chest.
Mr Darcy stepped towards her, his anger at being interrupted barely concealed.
“Miss Bingley, what a surprise. Miss Bennet has been living with us for a while now, as my sister’s guest. I would rather ask what you are doing here, without invitation or notice?”
His voice was sharp, at the edge of politeness, and his resentment could be easily heard. Miss Bingley gulped a few times, her mouth open in a gasp.
“I shall return to Georgiana. She must be waiting for me. I shall leave you two to clarify your mutual surprise,” Elizabeth said with a satisfaction she could not control seeing Miss Bingley’s increasing despair.
When she passed by, she added with amusement, “It is lovely to see you again, Miss Bingley.”
Elizabeth felt ashamed of herself for rejoicing in the lady’s distress. Only for a brief instant, though. Then the tumult of thoughts invaded her mind, wondering what would have happened if they had not been interrupted.