Chapter 14
Dinner at Longbourn offered Mrs Bennet the opportunity to live out a life long dream: savouring the announcement of the engagement of her eldest, most beautiful, and most deserving daughter to the best man available in Meryton.
Perhaps in all Hertfordshire. With all the other men of their acquaintance — including the officers — Mr Bingley was easy to compare.
The others all fell short in terms of income, manners, amiability, and acquaintances.
Mrs Bennet did not even attempt to include Mr Darcy in her comparison; with his ten thousand a year, tall and handsome figure, and close connections to nobility, he was too far from their circle to arouse her interest.
“Mr Bingley, it is such a pity that you have to leave! You will be dearly missed! Can your business in London not wait?” Mrs Bennet asked.
“I am afraid not, Mrs Bennet. My presence was required by the end of November, but due to the peculiar circumstances, I had to postpone it.”
“I hope the delay did not affect your affairs?” Jane enquired with genuine concern and a most becoming blush.
“No, not at all. I shall complete everything as soon as I can, and I hope to return in a week. I look forward to celebrating Christmas at Netherfield,” Bingley replied, lost in his betrothed’s pretty eyes.
“Mr Darcy, will you return too?” Mrs Bennet addressed him out of politeness but no real interest whatsoever.
“I am not certain of my schedule yet, madam. But I plan to spend Christmas with my sister, as always.”
“How lovely. Your dedication to your sister does you credit. You have been rather quiet tonight. I hope you are enjoying your food, sir? I know it is nothing to what you are accustomed to, but I hope it is tolerable enough?”
Whether Mrs Bennet intended the quip or not, it was difficult to say, but Elizabeth paled and lowered her eyes, not daring to look at Darcy, while Mr Bennet’s eyebrow rose in surprise, not anticipating such witty teasing from his wife.
Both expected that Darcy would take offence.
The gentleman was surprised indeed, but he took the hit elegantly, his breeding prevailing.
“The dishes are remarkably well-chosen and very tasty, Mrs Bennet. I was about to compliment you and your cook for the meal. If I was silent it was due entirely to my enjoyment,” he answered, with a little smile on his face that confused Mrs Bennet.
“I am very glad to hear it, sir,” the lady eventually answered.
Darcy had been indeed silent for the entire evening, too caught up in his own thoughts to participate in the others’ conversation.
He was about to make the most important step of his life and, the more he considered it, the more his contentment, feeling of rightness, and also his nervousness increased.
He was waiting for the proper moment to address Mr Bennet, but he often stared at Elizabeth, something he recognised now as being customary when in her presence and something he could not help.
She seemed perfectly at ease with the evening, rejoicing in her sister’s happiness, comfortable amidst her family, and several times she had turned towards him with friendly glances and smiles, but she had also spoken rather little.
As the meal progressed and the dessert was brought out, Darcy looked forward to the favourable moment to address Mr Bennet. It arrived only moments later when Bingley proposed they forgo the separation from the ladies, a suggestion accepted unreservedly by everyone.
“Mr Bennet, if you do not mind, I would greatly appreciate a few minutes of your time, either tonight or tomorrow morning, at your convenience. There is a matter of importance that I would like to speak to you about before my departure.”
“I am, certainly, at your disposal. I hope nothing else worrisome has happened. To be honest, I have had enough excitement for a few years at least,” the older gentleman replied in jest. But his humour made Darcy even more uncomfortable.
“I cannot say for certain…this is precisely what I wish to discuss with you, sir.”
“Indeed? You do sound very serious, Mr Darcy, so let us finish our drinks in the library. Mr Bingley’s company is very entertaining, and I am sure the ladies will not miss us.”
They left discreetly, but Darcy noticed Elizabeth’s curious glance following them, while the others seem to be completely unaware of their absence.
After the library door had closed behind them, Mr Bennet gestured to Darcy to take a seat and sat in his armchair, expectantly, while Darcy chose to stand up, pacing the room restlessly.
“Mr Bennet, it pains me to inform you that the unpleasant rumours you mentioned earlier might be more dangerous and harmful than we first estimated. Sadly, I have the proof in a letter I received from my aunt today.”
His voice was grave and apologetic, but Mr Bennet started to laugh.
“I would never have imagined my cousin being so efficient. And, while I do not have the pleasure of your aunt’s acquaintance, I never imagined anyone knowing Mr Collins for any length of time would be so hasty in accepting his words.”
“Mr Bennet, while I am pleased you are able to find amusement in this situation, I respectfully wish to point out that it is not something to laugh at. Mr Collins has been very unkind in representing your family. He even insinuated that he intended to propose to Miss Elizabeth, only to change his decision due to some flaws in her character…”
“How very nice of him. This is a cousin anyone would be proud of,” Mr Bennet replied sarcastically.
“Please know that I have already replied to my aunt, stating my honest opinion. But the harm has already been done, and the rumours might spread. My aunt is not celebrated for her discretion, nor is she known for her consideration of the feelings of others.”
“I am truly sorry to hear that. Lizzy does not deserve anyone’s bad opinion and, as a father, I am hurt.
But I confessed I expected as much from my fair cousin.
He is a resentful man, and if he felt injured or rejected, he would not hesitate to hurt in return to protect his vanity.
I hope we shall not see him too often once he marries Charlotte Lucas. ”
“Yes, but…I feel I am at fault for this entire situation. From the very beginning I should have revealed Wickham’s true character to avoid people trusting him.
Then, I should not have allowed Miss Elizabeth to make a confession which was entirely to my benefit and possibly hazardous for her.
And I feel guilty learning that one of my closest relatives, instead of being grateful to Miss Elizabeth for helping me, would so readily offend her.
I feel I have failed you, Mr Bennet, and Miss Elizabeth, and now Bingley too. ”
“I believe you take too much upon yourself, Mr Darcy. You cannot be held responsible for your relatives, as I cannot be for mine. As for Elizabeth’s confession, the decision was not yours. So, you should calm yourself and try to relax while we enjoy our drinks and be done with this.”
“Mr Bennet, sir, I have to insist! As an older brother and head of my family, I cannot but be concerned about how such reports might affect Miss Elizabeth’s reputation.
It might raise doubts regarding her character, as outrageous as they would be untrue, and could ruin her future and that of her sisters! ”
“Yes, I am well aware of that, Mr Darcy,” Mr Bennet replied in a completely serious tone.
“Do not believe me oblivious or careless in this matter. I have reflected on it for the last two days. But there is nothing I can do but let the rumours die slowly, as there is nothing to support them, and comfort Lizzy, ensuring it will not ruin her spirit too.”
“Forgive me, sir, I did not mean to imply you were careless—”
“Mr Darcy, I am rather confused about this conversation and, while I do not agree with you taking all the blame upon yourself, I can also see you wish to warn me about something. Please be honest — do you think your friend Mr Bingley might withdraw his proposal to Jane because of these rumours?”
Darcy stared at him, shocked and completely taken aback by this conclusion, then took a step back and shook his head.
“Bingley? No, not at all! Bingley’s deep feelings for Miss Bennet and respect for you would prevent him from behaving so uncharacteristically.
Besides, he admires Miss Elizabeth very much, and even before his proposal to Miss Bennet, he was angered by any ill or unfair word against her.
This is not about Bingley. I am afraid you have completely mistaken me… ”
“I am relieved to hear that, truly relieved. If this is the case, we can only wait for all this to pass and see what happens. Would you not agree?”
“No…I apologise, but no. Mr Bennet, I have earnestly considered all the aspects of this matter and I am here to tell you that I am ready to take responsibility for the harm caused to Miss Elizabeth. Just as she declared in my favour, I am ready to declare anything to protect her reputation. I am ready to present her with a marriage proposal, which would settle things and secure her future. I am aware that Miss Elizabeth’s opinion of me is not of a nature that would suggest marriage, but I am certain we could have a civil relationship, as good as any other, while she would be offered a generous settlement to save her from any future concerns. ”
Mr Bennet’s expression changed with Darcy’s every word, and had he been able to look at the older man’s countenance instead of looking at the pattern on the carpet while determinedly pacing, he would have witnessed the changes from amusement, to confusion, to disbelief.
When he had finished, Darcy stopped in front of Mr Bennet and looked him in the eyes, waiting for the answer that could change his life.
A heavy silence followed, then Mr Bennet sipped from his glass and cleared his throat.