Chapter 11
The next day came with much joy and relief for the Bennets.
The previous evening, Mr Collins had apprised them he must return to Kent immediately to inform his esteemed patroness of his success in the mission of finding a wife and to start the preparations at the parsonage for receiving the new Mrs Collins.
He demanded their congratulations several times, and Mrs Bennet indulged him with less pleasure than she had ever granted to anyone.
Fortunately, her deceptive polite smiles were rewarded with the early departure of the man she deeply resented.
As soon as the carriage had taken the unwanted guest away, Mrs Bennet addressed her husband. “Mr Bennet, it is lovely weather, and some fresh air will do me good after being inside for so long. I shall visit my sister Phillips, as I have not seen her in many days.”
“Very well, Mrs Bennet. I imagine you have news to share and to discuss with your sister, which I find very beneficial to your comfort.”
“Mama, I want to come too! And Kitty. Can we? Please say we can,” Lydia asked, excited, eager, and willing as always to partake in her aunt’s usual gossip.
“Of course, my dears. We shall have a pleasant time with your aunt Phillips. Will you not join us, Jane?” Mrs Bennet enquired, purposely ignoring Elizabeth who was seated with a book, only inches away from her eldest sister.
She may resent Mr Collins for easily transferring his attentions to Charlotte Lucas, but she was not ready to forgive Elizabeth for giving him the opportunity to do so in the first place.
“I would like for Lizzy and Jane to help me look over the ledgers today in my book room,” Mr Bennet interjected. “But only if you girls do not object.”
“I would gladly help you, Papa,” Elizabeth immediately offered.
“And I, Papa. Mama, would you mind if I stayed behind? I could visit Aunt Phillips another day,” Jane asked demurely.
“No, not at all. You may do whatever you please — you never listen to me anyway!” Mrs Bennet replied grudgingly. “What about you, Mary? Will you come with us?”
“Forgive me, Mama, but I would rather stay at home and practise. I have neglected my study lately.”
“Oh well — lock yourself in your room! That will certainly offer you the chance to find a good husband,” Mrs Bennet scolded her middle daughter, rolling her eyes.
Soon afterwards, in a flurry of bonnets and cloaks and gloves, escorted by Lydia and Kitty — her favourites in nature, tastes and inclinations — she hurried towards her sister’s house, anxious to discuss the most vexatious event of Charlotte Lucas’s betrothal and her plans to become the mistress of Longbourn.
A short while later, when calm had descended again, Elizabeth and Jane knocked softly and then entered their father’s sanctuary without waiting for an answer.
“Papa, how may we help you?” Jane asked.
Mr Bennet was comfortably ensconced in his favourite armchair by the window, reading.
“My dears, I shall tell you later. But now, I just remembered I have to write to my brother Gardiner. Lizzy, Jane, Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley might call later. Would you be so kind as to keep them company until I finish my letters? Perhaps take a stroll in the garden? The weather is lovely and I can see you from my library window…”
Jane blanched and then flushed, staring at her father and then at Elizabeth; her hands trembled while an incredulous look adorned her face.
“Papa, you cannot mean… Have you? Has Mr Bingley… Has Mr Bingley told you something?”
“Do not worry yourself, child, you are starting to look like your mother when her nerves get the better of her. Yes, Mr Bingley told me he would call today and he indicated that he would enjoy a stroll in the garden if the weather allows it. Why should I assume more?” he gently teased her.
You should not either. Just consider it a lovely way to spend the afternoon in good company. ”
Jane nodded repeatedly, her cheeks rosy still, nervously fingering her gown, glancing from her father to her sister.
“Yes…of course…thank you, Papa. I shall…”
“Lizzy will, of course, chaperone you, if needed. Now go and tend to your hair or whatever you do before a call,” he jested, amused by his daughters’ apparent nervousness.
Elizabeth could not avoid sharing some of her sister’s distress.
She had great hopes, anticipating Jane’s happiness if the purpose of the visit was the one they all secretly hoped for.
But at the same time, she fought against the fear that they expected and assumed too much, that Bingley might wish only to take his farewell — or not come at all.
In such a case, Jane would be heartbroken and Mr Bingley would not even be to blame for their unrealistic expectations.
However, her latest fear proved ungrounded, as Mr Bingley arrived soon, together with Mr Darcy.
He entered and greeted them joyfully and tried to look disappointed when he was informed that Mrs Bennet was not at home and Mr Bennet had some matters of business to deal with and would receive them shortly.
Jane, blushing and with less composure than was her wont, offered them refreshments, but Bingley declined.
“Thank you, Miss Bennet. We would gladly enjoy a drink with Mr Bennet later. But until he is able to receive us, and since the weather is so lovely, could we perhaps interest you in taking a stroll outside? In the garden?”
“We would like that very much,” Elizabeth answered, as Jane seemed silenced by her emotions. “There is nothing more refreshing than a little exercise, and such a bright day cannot be missed.”
“That is true,” Darcy agreed. “I used to prefer riding, but lately I have learnt that walking can be equally satisfying,” he concluded in an earnest voice and with a meaningful look at Elizabeth.
Without many preparations, the four of them found themselves strolling through the gardens.
They all walked together, on a path that allowed only two side by side, so they naturally split into pairs.
Elizabeth found herself at Darcy’s side, as if by mutual agreement, allowing Bingley to pair with Jane.
Clasping her hands behind her and lifting her face towards the gentle sun, Elizabeth settled to enjoy the fresh air despite the embarrassment she was feeling.
The conversation started hesitantly and progressed slowly.
The embarrassment plaguing her was obviously mutual, although the reasons that caused it were different.
Despite the sun shining, it was weak and not warm enough, the cold and the wind starting to blow accounting for the colour on their faces.
Darcy spoke first, startling Elizabeth from her thoughts.
“Miss Elizabeth, I am grateful for the pleasure of your company. I was hoping for a brief private conversation with you before I leave Hertfordshire. There are things that I wish to tell you and thanks that must be offered directly.”
She looked at him with surprise mixed with joy, assuming it was a strategy to offer his friend some time with Jane — and for that, she truly appreciated him.
“No thanks are necessary, Mr Darcy, but I confess I wished to speak to you too. Have you heard from Sir Gifford? Is there any progress in the investigation?”
“I am afraid that for now there is nothing new to be reported. Aside from the coroner having concluded his report. Sir Gifford continues his interviews among the militia and the merchants in Meryton. It seems that I have offered all the information I was able to share, and I am free to leave if I wish to.”
“Have you decided when you will leave?”
“Yes, in three days’ time. I have already written to my sister. She is waiting for me…” While the awkward conversation started to flourish, they slowly stepped onto a path away from Bingley and Jane, who were walking towards a little wild spot at the end of the garden.
When she felt they were at a safe distance to afford the other couple some privacy, Elizabeth looked at Darcy and, for the first time since she had met him, she smiled with her heart open and light.
“What a lovely, little generous lie, Mr Darcy. Or should I better call it a scheme? Quite unexpected coming from someone as serious as you, I admit.”
A bit mystified, Darcy pressed his lips together to conceal his own smile.
“What lie do you mean?”
Her smile broadened. “You surely cannot pretend ignorance, Mr Darcy, unless you consider me a simpleton. It was commendable of you to provide your friend with the privacy he needed.”
“I have never believed you a simpleton, Miss Bennet,” he continued in a serious voice. “And while I am happy to support Bingley, I spoke nothing but the truth. I have wished to speak to you for many days now.”
Elizabeth’s smile faded slightly.
“Oh...”
“I hope you do not mind. I wished to thank you for your generosity in deciding to act with concern for my welfare.”
“Mr Darcy, please let us not speak of my statement to the magistrate any longer. I truly feel that you are giving my gesture more consequence than it deserves — even my father shares my opinion.”
“The revelation you offered was a generous and courageous act, I admit. And it was a significant help in dissipating any rumours which might affect my name, and for that I am grateful. But I am referring to something of more importance, which I have had no chance to mention until now.”
“It is my turn to claim ignorance now, sir. I cannot imagine what it could be.”
“Your discretion, Miss Bennet, and your considerate care for my sister. Since you mentioned that you heard my entire argument with Wickham, I can safely assume you also heard that part of our conversation.”
“Oh…yes, I did… but I have never mentioned it to anyone, not even to my father. And he did not enquire further.”