Chapter 13
If happiness could be by any means assessed, Mrs Bennet’s was quite close to Jane’s, although entirely different in its manner of expression.
The morning following the felicitous proposal and acceptance, Longbourn was awakened by its mistress very early, as the day was short and there was much to accomplish.
Firstly, a brief but carefully worded note containing the news of the engagement was sent to Lady Lucas, Mrs Phillips, and Mrs Long.
Secondly, Hill and John were sent to Meryton to purchase more meat, fish, and various other fare for an elegant and rich dinner which was mandatory before Mr Bingley and his relations and friend departed for London.
Mrs Bennet always congratulated herself on setting a good table, but this occasion required a full seven course meal.
By breakfast time, Mrs Bennet was already exhausted, and Hill finally persuaded her to leave the kitchen in Cook’s capable hands and to rest.
Shortly after breakfast, Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy arrived to call, and Mrs Bennet had the chance to kiss her future son-in-law. She would have kissed Mr Darcy too, but he was too tall, too stern, and too forbidding to invite such a display of affection.
While Mr Bingley smilingly endured Mrs Bennet’s praises, and would have accepted even more as long as Jane was sending such loving gazes his way, Mr Darcy chose to spend time with Mr Bennet.
He did greet Elizabeth warmly, with open friendliness and less severity on his countenance than before.
But he preferred the library and Mr Bennet’s company, where he seemed to feel comfortable and safe.
Darcy’s thoughts meandered in the same direction.
His improved relationship with Elizabeth as proved by their stroll the day before — more companionable, less strained, and animated by mutual confidence — allowed her, though unconsciously, to take even more control over his mind.
It had been weeks since her image had disturbed his nights and thwarted his sleep, but the previous night he had barely found rest until dawn.
He had long ceased denying his feelings for her.
He admitted he had fallen in love most unexpectedly, and most deeply, with a woman who despised him as much as he admired her.
Fortunately, as they began to know each other better, while his admiration and love remained unchanged, her abhorrence was slowly melting away.
He did not wish to impose his presence on her, so he enjoyed her proximity from some distance, happy to share Mr Bennet’s library and his brandy.
“You must forgive my wife, Mr Darcy, she is exceedingly happy and she is a stranger to moderation in expressing her feelings.”
“I cannot blame a mother for rejoicing in her daughter’s felicity,” Darcy replied politely.
“How interesting…I was led to believe that, until recently, you did not approve of your friend’s choice. And I shall not deny that I observed you at the ball at Netherfield and mostly reached the same conclusion. Or should I say it was not Jane you did not approve of but our family?”
Darcy felt like he was a young boy facing a scolding from his tutor. Face aflame, he found himself in turns teased and challenged, reprimanded and laughed at, admitting inwardly that not for the first time, Mr Bennet had taken him by surprise.
“I disapproved of Bingley’s tendency to rush into planning his future.
There are feelings which are easily aroused, and which in turn can equally easily vanish.
One should not base one’s life decisions on such passing fancies, especially if those feelings are unrequited.
And yes, I have changed my mind because I realised my estimation was wrong. ”
“Apparently, we all share a tendency for being hasty and wrong in our initial judgments,” Mr Bennet concluded in his usual sardonic tone. “Fortunately, some of us recognise our errors. Others persist in it and purposely disguise the truth. Such an example has recently left us.”
“I assume you refer to Mr Collins? I heard he proposed, was accepted, and returned to Kent in just two days.”
“Yes, my cousin is an exceedingly efficient man. I know he was eager to return to your aunt with a favourable report in regard to his marriage,” Mr Bennet said.
After a brief hesitation, Darcy replied, “I am sure my aunt is also eager to receive his report. There are very few things she enjoys better.”
Mr Bennet glanced at him, amused. “They seem an excellent match, then. I am curious what sort of reports he will present to your aunt in regard to our family. I believe he was rather displeased with Lizzy?”
Darcy was thrown by such a remark. “Miss Elizabeth? May I ask why?”
“Well, apparently she did not possess the qualities Lady Catherine and Mr Collins found essential in a proper young gentlewoman. And I understand he questioned her reasons for being at Oakham Mount the day when she witnessed your encounter with Mr Wickham. I am only mentioning this because Mrs Bennet might suggest you call him out and you should know the reason.”
“Excuse me?” Darcy enquired, knitting his brows in utter confusion. “I am afraid I am lost to your meaning, sir!”
“Do not worry, I was only joking. I am sure there will be no duel, although I would like to see my cousin running from a sword,” Mr Bennet continued his jesting. “Luckily, Lizzy is too wise to care about silly gossip, but her mother was quite affected.”
“Mr Bennet, I am still not sure of your meaning.”
Mr Bennet hesitated a moment, looking at the man who was almost a stranger. He would never have brought up this subject with him if he had not already been connected with the matter — both directly as well as through his connection to Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
“Apparently, some of our good friends and neighbours expressed suspicions that Lizzy might have had some particular reasons for being out there by herself.”
“Reasons? What reasons?”
“Sir, do not make me say it. I am not prepared to discuss such a topic more openly with you. Reasons in regard to her friendship with Mr Wickham…”
Darcy looked still confused for a few moments, then suddenly understanding dawned and he stared in stupefaction. “I do hope you are joking now, Mr Bennet.”
“Sadly, I am not. As I said, Lizzy does not care much, but to know that her effort to do what was right has been rewarded with gossip against her character, it is disappointing.”
Darcy needed a moment to regain his composure, and his preoccupied expression gave Mr Bennet pause.
“Mr Darcy, I do hope you will not give any consequence to such claims. I would be offended if you thought that my Lizzy would—”
“Oh no! No, no!” Darcy quickly interrupted him. “I am aware of Miss Elizabeth’s friendship with Wickham, but I would never doubt her actions. I am just trying to understand who might start such horrible rumours.”
“Well, I have my suspicions. My cousin does not easily accept being rejected when he is certain of his success…”
Darcy needed another moment of reflection to comprehend what Mr Bennet was saying.
“Ah…I understand…” he said, almost rolling his eyes in disgust. Surely that man was out of his mind to be certain of his success. How could he even dare to imagine that Elizabeth might accept him? The horror!
“In all seriousness,” Mr Bennet continued, “I understand my cousin’s grudge at how unsympathetically Lizzy treated him, but apparently old friends of our family engaged with and supported him.
As I said, I shall not deny that I am disappointed on Lizzy’s behalf.
It would have been easier and more comfortable for her and for her mother to have kept the secret. ”
“Indeed…” Darcy whispered, taking another swill. Then he took a few steps towards the window, stared outside in contemplation for several moments and turned resolutely to his host.
“Sir, since Miss Bennet’s gesture has been directly for my benefit, I would consider it my duty to call Mr Collins or anyone else out at any time if Mrs Bennet asks it of me.”
His expression and his tone carried so much seriousness and gravity that Mr Bennet spilt his brandy and started to laugh.
“You may well include Sir William too. And probably some of the officers also. In truth, you could start a little tournament here. It might be useful for the officers, since they seem to have too much spare time on their hands. And some exercise would be beneficial for Sir William as well as for my cousin.”
Darcy smiled a little and sipped more from his drink.
Mr Bennet was positively diverted and he took everything as a joke, but to him, the subject was important and disturbing.
As foolish as they were, such accusations against Elizabeth hurt him, although he knew them to be completely false, and she allegedly did not care about them.
Mr Bennet mocked him about starting a battle, but he was not far from the truth: he would have readily started an entire war to fight for Elizabeth!
***
Mrs Bennet insisted on them returning for dinner along with their entire party, and Bingley readily accepted.
He excused his sisters, pretending Caroline was not feeling well and Louisa should stay behind to care for her sister, but Mr Bennet, Jane, and Elizabeth understood the real reason as well as Bingley’s slight uneasiness.
The others missed it, as to them, Bingley’s sisters mattered little.
“But Darcy and I shall return later, shall we not?” Bingley said, and Darcy nodded, glancing at Elizabeth to observe any sign of distress or displeasure on her face at the prospect of being in his company again. There was none.