Chapter 3
“My dear cousins, you must not worry, I shall dance with each of you tomorrow at the ball,” Mr Collins assured them, and Elizabeth could not help rolling her eyes. She was too agitated to mind her manners, and since her return from Oakham Mount, she had barely managed to regain her composure.
“How kind of you to put them at ease,” Mr Bennet interjected with disguised mockery. “I am sure they will sleep better tonight.”
“I hope the officers will all be there. At least our favourites,” Lydia said, ignoring the clergyman. “Lizzy, I hope you will not keep Mr Wickham to yourself the entire night. We want to dance with him too, you know!”
“Do not worry, I have no intention of keeping Mr Wickham anywhere near me,” she answered with a sharpness that surprised the others.
“I am glad to hear that!” Lydia replied, oblivious to her sister’s tone. “With Wickham, Denny, Sanderson, and Archibald there, we shall surely have our dance cards full!”
“Archibald is almost more handsome than Wickham,” Kitty dreamily added.
“No, he is not!” Lydia disagreed. “He might be Harriet’s brother and she might be my friend, but nobody is more handsome and amiable than Wickham!”
“Nobody indeed?” Mr Bennet challenged them. “Has there been a contest throughout the world that Mr Wickham has won?”
“Papa, do not tease us. We only speak as we find,” Lydia uttered.
“I hope so. And may I enquire who this Archibald and his sister Harriet are?”
“La! Papa, how is it possible that you do not know? Harriet is Colonel Forster’s wife!
She is only four years older than me, and I have recently become her most particular friend.
Archibald is her brother. He is an officer too.
And very handsome. But not more so than Mr Wickham,” Lydia repeated stubbornly.
“Handsome or not, you should consider their situation in life too,” Mrs Bennet interfered. “A man’s appearance might be a pleasant asset, but it will not provide you with a good living.”
“I could not agree more, madam,” Mr Collins approved.
“Lady Catherine always insists that a young woman with a modest dowry should look for security and comfort when choosing a husband. In the case of gentlemen, if one has a good situation in life, one should look for wife to enhance his qualities and support his future success.”
“Such advice is the very essence of wisdom and common sense!” Mrs Bennet exclaimed.
“But Mama, you have said many times that there is nothing more enjoyable than a handsome man in uniform!” Lydia said.
“Hush, child! If I said that, it certainly does not contradict my present opinion. Nobody knows what a mother has to suffer until she sees her daughters happily married. Nobody has compassion for my poor nerves!”
“My dear Mrs Bennet, for the benefit of your nerves I would suggest you avoid the subject of matrimony,” Mr Bennet responded. “I shall do so by retiring to my library to finish reading my book.”
“Unfortunately, I cannot join you, sir,” Mr Collins said. “I promised Sir William that I would visit him today.”
“Then do not let me delay you any further. I am sure Sir William is eagerly waiting to enjoy your company. Anything else can wait,” the elder gentleman concluded with a glance at Elizabeth. However, unusually, his favourite daughter did not return his mischievous grin of amusement.
Indeed, Elizabeth was in no disposition to be diverted.
She watched her family and, despite her deep love for each of them, their flaws were painfully clear.
Now that she had admitted that Mr Darcy’s faults in his past dealings with Mr Wickham were considerably smaller than she had assumed, she could not help but re-examine his behaviour since she had first met him.
She now knew that Wickham had attempted to elope with his sister — who was still a child — last summer, only a few months, weeks really, before Mr Darcy had arrived in Meryton.
What stopped that villainous attempt, she could not even imagine, but how it had affected Mr Darcy was not difficult to estimate.
It was no wonder that he was in no disposition for assemblies, parties, and entertaining new acquaintances wholly unconnected to him.
But he still had no right to offend her or anyone else; if he loathed company, he should have stayed at home.
Nevertheless, her new evidence had given her enough reasons to wonder whether his character was as bad as she had previously believed.
The family separated around noon, each of them attending to their own business.
Lydia and Kitty waited for Mr Collins to leave, then, half an hour later, they announced they would walk to Meryton.
Elizabeth tried to oppose the idea, but her requests sounded strange and unconvincing since they had never been forbidden before, and she could provide no reason for her change of mind.
In truth, there was nothing particular that she could say; she was reluctant to share her secrets even with Jane.
With only a day till the ball, worrying Jane and ruining her excitement seemed cruel.
As for the rest of the family — their prejudice against Darcy was as strong as hers had been, and they would likely not believe anything she might tell them, just as she would not have believed anyone else.
A little later, she joined her father in the library and tried to speak of her concern without revealing too much of her recent knowledge.
“Papa, do you believe it wise for Lydia and Kitty to walk alone to Meryton? It might be dark by the time they return home.”
“Wise? My dear, nothing is wise in regard to your youngest sisters. But walking to Meryton is not really a problem whether it is dark or light. They are together and know the road. They could return home with their eyes closed. Just like you. And you walk much farther, regardless of the time and the weather, alone.”
“True. I understand your subtle reproach. But they are very young, reckless, and completely unguarded in the presence of men — especially officers. They should not even speak of men with such liberty, let alone spend time in their company! Most girls of their age are not out, not allowed to attend balls or parties—”
“Very well, Lizzy, criticise me as much as you like. I shall not deny that your censure is grounded. But we live in a small village, we know everybody, and everybody knows us. They know that your sisters are silly girls with no dowry and no connections except your uncle and aunt Gardiner. Nobody takes them seriously, and I can hardly believe they could be in any danger walking between Meryton and Longbourn.”
“It is not for me to criticise you, Papa. I am simply suggesting more prudence. While we do know our neighbours, there are many others in the area whom we barely know and whom we should treat with caution. We have our safety as well as our reputation to protect.”
“My dear, what has caused this sudden change of heart? I know you are quite fond of at least one of the officers that you barely know yourself,” Mr Bennet teased her.
“I am not fond of any officer, Papa,” she answered in earnest. “I admit that I was partial to Mr Wickham’s manners and flattered by his attention, but on further reflection I realised I know nothing of him, except that he is a friend of Mr Denny and joined the regiment recently.
What he did prior to this, his real nature, and true character are a mystery to me. ”
“My child, I am impressed and very proud of you! I have rarely heard a young woman speak with more sense about a handsome man — especially one in uniform,” Mr Bennet continued with a half-teasing inflection in his voice but adding a measure of seriousness to it.
“But you must become accustomed to the notion that you have two of the silliest girls in England as your sisters, and no severity on my part can change that.”
Following such a conclusion, he kissed her forehead and opened his book again, dismissing her. Disappointed and confused about how to continue, Elizabeth had no other choice but to return to Jane and carry on bearing both her anxiety and her secret.
***
Darcy would have preferred to have dinner in his chamber, but his absence would only increase Bingley’s sisters’ speculations and arouse more questions.
He was in no disposition to discuss his accident as it reminded him of all the things behind it, and somehow, it made him think of Elizabeth even more.
While he recollected Wickham’s arrogant grin and his claim that Elizabeth would never believe him, Darcy pondered more and more the idea of warning Elizabeth about Wickham.
Yes, he had misjudged her feelings for him, yes, she despised him, but that did not change his feelings for her.
If she had fallen for Wickham’s falsehoods, she might be in danger of suffering a great disappointment — if not worse.
If he could protect her in some way — at least attempt to protect her, even if she were to reject his confession — it was his duty and his wish to do so.
Regardless of her loathing of him, he would not want to know she suffered for a rascal.
His thoughts and bruises kept Darcy in his room until dinner — which was a relief.
Mr Jones had, at Bingley’s request, examined his injuries, despite his irritation and opposition.
The apothecary gave him some herbal ointment for his forehead and his hand and insisted he should rest his hand and keep it bandaged as much as possible.
Such a recommendation Darcy rejected immediately, claiming he was perfectly well, but, at Bingley’s insistence, he agreed to obey until the following day.
Therefore, at dinner he tried to eat with his left hand, bearing his companions’ curious glances.
“Darcy, I never imagined you might be thrown from a horse,” Mr Hurst uttered mostly in jest. “I really believed you to never fall or fail in anything.”
“Obviously you were wrong,” Darcy replied.
“But in all seriousness, it is fortunate that you were not more seriously injured,” the gentleman continued.
“Mr Darcy, I cannot understand why you would ride alone in such bad weather and put yourself in danger!” Caroline interjected. “You are not well acquainted with these grounds, and accidents can happen at any time.”
“I thank you for your concern, Miss Bingley. I assure you there is no need to trouble yourself further. It was indeed only an accident.”
“Thank God we shall leave soon! I miss London, with its more polished society and more civil company,” Louisa added.
“Perhaps so. But I shall remind you, Louisa, that I intend to return in a week’s time, so you must think carefully if you want to travel to London and then back here in such a short space of time,” Bingley declared.
“Although, if you chose to spend the winter in town, I assure you I would not mind.”
“Yes, I can easily believe you would prefer to remain here alone. But those who love you are worried about you and concerned for your wellbeing,” Caroline said with meaningful glances at her sister and Mr Darcy.
“I could hardly do any better than spending time on my own estate,” Bingley replied. “Unlike you, I find the company in this part of the country polished and civil enough for my enjoyment.”
“You should be more fastidious when selecting your company, Brother!” Caroline said. “You cannot deny that, for example, dear Georgiana is far superior to any woman in Hertfordshire.”
“Of course I do not deny that. I consider Miss Darcy to be far superior to most women of my acquaintance, from any county. And, if you do not mind me saying so, I am sure Darcy and his sister have many other acquaintances that they consider to be superior to the three of us.”
Bingley’s genuine honesty and insight impressed Darcy and angered his sisters so much that they cried in outrage, searching for reasons to contradict his offensive statement. Unperturbed, Bingley filled Darcy’s glass, then his own, and focused on the first course that was being served.
“So, you will travel with us in the carriage, will you not, Mr Darcy?” Caroline changed her line of attack when she could not refute her brother’s statement. “In your present condition, you cannot consider riding to London.”
“I am not decided about my travelling plans yet, Miss Bingley, and my present state is not quite so worrisome. But I thank you. Your concern is unnecessary but appreciated.”
“And will you attend the ball, Mr Darcy? I know you were opposed to it from the very beginning,” Louisa asked.
“I have not decided about my plans regarding the ball either, Mrs Hurst. I shall probably stay just to greet your guests and then retire to my room.”
“Balls are such a waste of time for a married man,” Hurst declared.
“A ball in this community is a waste of time for everyone, but Charles has made this ridiculous decision and refuses to abandon it,” Louisa said.
“I declare myself guilty of these charges, and I confess to looking forward to tomorrow evening,” Bingley said, flushed and smiling after his second glass of brandy.
“I cannot wait to dance every set! As for Darcy, he would not have danced anyway, and now he has the perfect excuse not to. People will pity him instead of condemning his impoliteness — so in the end, everything has turned out well!”
“I am glad my accident pleases you, Bingley,” Darcy mocked his friend’s exuberance, sipping from his own drink.
He had intended to dance, at least one set — had actually anticipated the opportunity to do so. Alas, his intentions had been shattered, not so much because of his wounded hand as his painful disappointment, all related to Elizabeth.