Chapter 10
To Elizabeth, the day was the most arduous she remembered in a long while. Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy had been shown directly to the library, stayed only for half an hour and only greeted the ladies briefly on their way out.
Elizabeth’s eyes locked with Darcy’s for a lingering moment, and she noticed the slight bow of his head and a discreetly mouthed ‘thank you’. His countenance was honest and almost humble in his gratitude, as Elizabeth had not seen him before.
Mr Bingley’s partiality for Jane was displayed more openly with every visit, and Jane’s happy glow and smiles increased accordingly. There were hopes enough on that score, and Elizabeth prayed for their fulfilment.
As soon as the gentlemen left, Mrs Bennet resumed her sobbing, reproaches, and wailing over Mr Collins’s engagement. She held an unmistakable grudge against Elizabeth and did not hesitate to accuse her repeatedly of being arrogant, selfish, and reckless with her family’s future.
Elizabeth tried to remain calm and reasonable until she reached the edge of her patience and hurried to the library, seeking succour and protection in her father’s company. She was exhausted, and her mother’s raucous presence was one too many reasons for discomfort that had to be avoided.
The confession in front of the magistrate had exhausted her for reasons she could not understand. Strangely, for Wickham she felt no more sorrow than for a mere, distant acquaintance.
The man she had believed to be charming and whose partiality had flattered her a fortnight ago, spurred no profound sensation of grief inside her. The proof of his deception had wiped away any other memories from her mind.
Of Darcy, she also did not think much. She was relatively pleased to notice he seemed to enjoy her father’s company, and his scrutiny of her family did not look as pointed and disdainful as before. Such a slight change in him was beneficial for the relationship between Jane and Mr Bingley.
She pondered that Mr Bennet’s approval of Mr Darcy must have some basis. Her father was not a man to flatter someone insincerely, and his good impression of Darcy must have been based on clear evidence.
“Papa, may I enter?”
“Of course, my dear. What is it? Are you hiding from your mother?”
“I am trying to.” She smiled and sat on the sofa next to his chair.
“Well, at least you are safe from Mr Collins’s attentions. On the other hand, you might be thrown out of the house once I am dead, as your mother fears.”
“Papa, please do not tease me about your death. This is not a subject to joke about! Especially under the circumstances…” Elizabeth interrupted him severely. “And you may prevent such an outcome if you take care of yourself and live at least twenty more years!”
“I shall do my best,” Mr Bennet answered. “You know, I was asked to convey to you Mr Darcy’s appreciation and gratitude. Both he and Mr Bingley seemed quite impressed with your gesture, although I am not quite sure why.”
“Perhaps they have such a poor opinion of me that they were astonished that I was capable of a decent and absolutely normal action.”
“Or perhaps they did not believe a woman capable of any action that does not involve needlework, painting, playing an instrument, or singing. That is what accomplished women do, not traipsing alone across the fields or witnessing fights between gentlemen,” Mr Bennet jokingly admonished her with a glance over the frame of his glasses and a broad grin which Elizabeth mirrored with one of her own.
“I shall have you know, Papa, that Mr Darcy’s notion of an accomplished woman is much more comprehensive. And on top of everything else, he absolutely requires a lady to improve her mind by extensive reading,” she replied dryly.
“I cannot blame him for knowing what he wishes for in a woman.”
“Neither can I, but I hope he knows that his manner needs great improvement too, in order to be desirable to women.”
“Well, my dear, you may express your opinion on his manners tomorrow as decidedly as you wish. They both said they would call on us again before they leave.”
“Leave?”
“Yes. Apparently, they will leave for London at the end of this week.”
“Oh…I hope Mr Bingley will not stay in London too long.”
“He seems determined to return soon. And…”
“And? What is it, Papa?”
“Do not say a word to your mother, or I shall not have a moment of quiet but…Mr Bingley suggested that, if I and the weather allowed, he would be happy to accompany ‘my daughters’ for a stroll in the garden,” he said with his eyebrow arched meaningfully.
Elizabeth received the news joyfully. “Oh dear…could this mean…?”
“It means that he wishes to walk in our garden. Let us not assume any more, Lizzy. To be honest, my dear, I hope Lydia and Kitty will visit someone in Meryton. You will have to chaperone your sister. But do not mention this call to anyone until it actually happens, to avoid unnecessary discussions or disappointment.”
“As you wish, Papa,” she said, light-hearted and happy with anticipation for her sister. Such a request from Mr Bingley could not be misinterpreted, despite her father’s advice for restraint and caution.
***
Louisa Hurst put her cup of tea on the table, breathing deeply in relief.
“Thank God that you finally decided! I cannot wait for these few days to pass quickly and to leave behind the torment of recent days. Would that the time could fly!”
“I cannot understand why you would call it a torment, Louisa. There was no real change for either of you. A man tragically died, and Darcy was the one who suffered some difficulty over it. Thankfully, Miss Elizabeth came out with her declaration and clarified everything.”
“Surely, nobody would have blamed Darcy anyway,” Hurst said. “That was all just an annoying damn waste of time.”
“Nobody would have blamed Darcy because he was faultless. But he is very careful with his good name and with his family’s image. Even doubts and rumours could affect him. Not to mention Miss Darcy. This is why Darcy appreciates Miss Elizabeth’s gesture.”
“Oh please! Why would dear Georgiana care about their father’s late steward’s son? I would wager she does not even remember that man,” Caroline interjected. “We could have left long ago, it was not like we were chained here and Eliza set us free,” she concluded, rolling her eyes for good measure.
“Regardless of what you may believe, we are happy that things are now settled so well. Now, please excuse me, I must prepare for dinner.”
Bingley left, still hearing, but ignoring, his sisters commenting animatedly and quite loudly behind him.
Their opinion did not affect him as it had in the past — his mind was otherwise and more happily engaged.
He had been restless and excited since the moment he had set his mind and made his plans.
He had the boldness to confess it to Darcy even before he asked Mr Bennet’s permission and, while his friend received the news with his usual reserve, he expressed no opposition and agreed to accompany him to Longbourn the next day.
Before dinner, he shared a drink with Darcy, discussing his plans.
Bingley intended to propose to Jane Bennet, then to go to London and complete his business.
He hoped she would accept his hand in marriage, but he was still nervous and worried about a refusal.
Secretly, he hoped for Darcy’s assistance in procuring a common licence so they could marry whenever Jane decided — but that was a step ahead and it was not the time for it yet.
His sisters’ reaction troubled Bingley. From them, he did expect strong disapproval; therefore, he kept his intention secret until the betrothal became official.
What Bingley did not know was that Darcy’s disquiet about the following day matched his.
Supporting Bingley’s plans would mean walking with Elizabeth so they could offer Bingley and Jane some privacy.
He wondered whether the other Bennet sisters would be there or if he would have the chance of a private conversation with Elizabeth before his departure.
He would certainly spend Christmas with Georgiana, and while the rest of his plans were not fixed yet, they did not contain a date — or at least a clear intention — for a return to Netherfield.
He enjoyed Mr Bennet’s company, and his thoughts — as well as his feelings — about Elizabeth were still frightfully strong.
And all signs showed that, even if she had despised him once — as Wickham had arrogantly suggested — her opinion had improved lately.
Perhaps they could be friends eventually, especially if Bingley married Jane Bennet, and if he, Darcy, would grow enough strength to see Elizabeth often and keep his love and desires locked inside himself.
Bearing Bingley’s sisters with proper civility, due to his respect for his hosts and his friendship with Bingley, was an effort that exhausted Darcy.
Both Caroline and Louisa abused the Bennet family at every opportunity, and, perhaps feeling guilty that he had once agreed with them, Darcy could barely temper his anger.
He realised Caroline’s attitude was mostly borne of jealousy — a jealousy provoked by his statement regarding Elizabeth’s fine eyes.
He had been a fool to speak so unguardedly.
But the sisters’ general arrogance and airs of superiority were as annoying as they were ridiculous, and Darcy looked forward to gaining some distance from them.
His worst fears proved correct and his patience was seriously tested when the party gathered for dinner. While the servants were carrying out the first dishes, Caroline had already started the conversation about the Bennets.
For a while, as he had done during breakfast, Darcy refused to engage with her and allowed Bingley alone to reply.