Chapter 24
Elizabeth awoke after a restless night; it was still early and dark, and she glanced outside with disappointment.
It was raining, and the wind was blowing furiously.
No walking or riding was possible in such weather, and she was surprised to realise how despondent she felt.
She longed for that meeting more than she should; after all, she would see Darcy again soon.
Even if they did not meet in the next two days, it was established there would be another dinner party at Netherfield on New Year’s Eve, so her regrets were rather unreasonable.
True, they would not be alone, but he would certainly manage to address her.
And yet, she could not dismiss her sentiments.
He had slowly — and perhaps unwillingly — gained a special place in her thoughts and in her life, and she dreaded the moment he would finally leave.
Even her father’s changed attitude was influenced by his relationship with Darcy, just as her father had probably influenced Darcy’s change from his previously proud and arrogant manners.
He could have truly been part of her family and her life if only she had agreed to marry him. But such a thought was distressing and pointless, so she discarded it immediately.
Hours passed but the weather did not improve. As the entire family gathered for breakfast, the rain seemed to increase, along with Elizabeth’s regrets.
Before noon, the otherwise cold and cloudy day was suddenly brightened by Mr Bingley’s unannounced call. He had been in Meryton to deliver the invitations for the ball, and he could not waste the opportunity to visit Longbourn, he declared, much to everyone’s delight.
“I have also come to convey to the ladies Miss Darcy’s invitation for tea,” Bingley said after sitting next to Jane.
“Her companion, Mrs Annesley, has caught a cold, and Miss Darcy wishes to be close to her, but she would like a little company. With Darcy and I being caught up in our own affairs, I believe Miss Darcy feels a little lonely.”
“How lovely of Miss Darcy to invite us. She is such a dear girl, and we are happy to entertain her,” Mrs Bennet replied. “I cannot possibly leave the house in such weather, but I am sure Jane would like to go. Would you not, my dear?”
Bingley could not conceal his pleasure at such a prospect. Jane, however, blushed with embarrassment at such an obvious scheme and answered shyly, “Of course. Miss Darcy’s company is always delightful. Lizzy will join me. And perhaps Mary, Lydia, and Kitty?”
“La! Lydia and Kitty cannot go anywhere without your father’s approval. Is it not true, Mr Bennet? And Mary must stay and study with them. You may go with Lizzy,” Mrs Bennet concluded.
“If that is acceptable to you, I shall wait for you to be ready and escort you to Netherfield myself,” Bingley offered, and Mrs Bennet again approved energetically.
“Is Mr Darcy well?” Mr Bennet enquired. “I am accustomed to seeing the two of you together.”
“He remained at home to write some business letters. I hope he is well, although he imprudently went for a ride early this morning and returned all wet and frozen.”
Elizabeth was following Jane to collect her bonnet and coat, but Bingley’s words arrested her, making her stop and turn.
“Mr Darcy went for a ride?” she asked incredulously before she had time to mind her words.
“Yes, he did. Can you imagine, in this weather? He took a ride yesterday morning too, but luckily yesterday it did not rain. I enjoy riding too, but I find it far too cold in the depths of winter.”
Feeling her cheeks burning with disguised pleasure and her heart pounding, Elizabeth remained still for a long moment.
There could be no other explanation for Darcy’s strange fondness for riding in bad weather at the risk of his health except his wish to meet her.
He had been there, waiting, she concluded, feeling sorry for not meeting him.
Of course, walking in that rain would have been outrageous, but the regrets remained, regardless.
Eventually, Elizabeth composed herself and hurried to dress. When they were ready to leave, the Gardiner children begged to be allowed to join her and see Mr Darcy — a request sternly opposed by their mother.
The short walk from the main door to the carriage, even protected by the umbrellas, had Elizabeth and Jane wet, and the wind blowing made the cold bite even sharper.
Again, Elizabeth imagined Darcy riding from Netherfield and perhaps even waiting for her in the grove for a while.
Her cheeks were burning despite the chills that made her shiver.
What must he think of her? That maybe she did not care to come?
Not care to see him? Chills of fright ran through her.
“I hope Mrs Annesley is not too ill?” Jane asked.
“No. She is somewhat feverish and has a cough. We sent for the apothecary, and he was able to come and bring her some medicine,” Bingley answered.
“Mr Jones’s remedies are effective. They helped me to get well in only three days when I stayed at Netherfield,” she reminisced.
“Which I thoroughly regretted,” Bingley answered. “I was grateful that you got well so soon, but I would have wished for you to stay longer,” he said affectionately.
“I was embarrassed to stay longer as I felt I was intruding. But I had wished to stay longer too,” Jane admitted.
“You have never intruded. I felt blessed to have you in my house,” Bingley concluded, kissing his betrothed’s hand, almost oblivious to Elizabeth’s presence.
“I feel blessed to hear you say that. But I remember your sisters were not equally pleased with our stay. They seemed displeased with having guests.”
“I shall not deny that,” Bingley said, trying to conceal his embarrassment under a jesting tone. “And Darcy was not too happy with visitors either at the time. I am astonished how changed he seems to be of late. At least in regard to your family. I have not seen him in other company recently.”
“Mr Darcy’s manners are much more amiable lately, and I dare say it suits him very well,” Jane admitted. “My father likes and admires him very much.”
“And it is well deserved. I have the firmest reliance on the strength of his regard and the highest opinion of his judgment. Darcy is superior in understanding to most people I know, including me.”
“I am sure Mr Darcy has the highest opinion of you, too,” Jane offered warmly. “If not, why would he value your friendship so much? He has nothing to gain except your value and worthiness.”
Bingley kissed her hand again. “I thank you, my angel. I hope that is true. It must be, since indeed, I see no other reason why he would choose to be my friend. He is very clever, and I have learned so much from him. I cannot return the favour.”
“I am sure you can,” Elizabeth interjected.
“When we made your acquaintance, your behaviour was flawless and everyone admired you. Mr Darcy’s manners were haughty, reserved, and forbidding — not at all inviting.
In that respect, you had the great advantage, and I have noticed some of your amiability has rubbed off on Mr Darcy. ”
Bingley laughed heartily. “I am pleased and relieved to see you and Darcy finally being friends, Elizabeth. It pained me when you disliked each other so deeply, especially since I intended to become your brother, and I did not wish to lose Darcy’s friendship either.”
“Mr Darcy has become a great friend to our entire family,” Jane admitted with a catch in her voice. “I hope Louisa and Caroline will soon accept me as a sister, too. I am grieved to know you have argued with them because of me.”
“My darling Jane, please do not worry about my sisters. You have been nothing but perfection — they have to mind their behaviour. Even Darcy was so angry with Caroline for offending Elizabeth that he argued with her quite violently and even wished to leave Netherfield. Since then, he has not seen either of them, and I do not believe they will receive another invitation to Pemberley any time soon.”
“Mr Darcy argued with your sister because of me? When?” Elizabeth asked, astonished by yet another revelation.
“Before I left Netherfield. I must beg your forgiveness, Elizabeth. My sisters have been always rude and uncivil towards you, and I cannot understand why. They acted like they were jealous of you, which is ridiculous, of course.”
“One is allowed not to like me. I know I am not perfect by far,” Elizabeth smiled.
“I can imagine how much Caroline suffers now. She had the unreasonable expectation that she would marry Darcy one day. My poor sister refused to see how far beneath Darcy she was but mostly how little regard he had for her.”
Neither Jane nor Elizabeth replied, so he continued.
“To be honest, I wonder and worry about Darcy’s future wife. She might demand he cease our friendship as I know I am beneath him too. Luckily, I do not know him to hold any lady in special regard, unless he finally agrees to marry his cousin Anne de Bourgh,” he concluded with an amused expression.
Elizabeth’s heart stopped and she held her breath. “Mr Darcy is engaged to his cousin?”
“Lady Catherine pretends there is a peculiar engagement between them, since their infancy, agreed upon by her and Darcy’s late mother.
I even heard her myself once claim that.
Darcy says it is just his aunt’s obsession, and she will try any scheme to force him to accept it.
I find it laughable that anyone could attempt to force Darcy into something against his will. ”
Elizabeth’s head was spinning, while her heartbeat increased. She breathed deeply, trying to comprehend everything she had learnt that day, in less than an hour, in Bingley’s carriage. His last words especially jolted her.