Chapter 24 #2
Darcy could not be forced to do anything against his will, Bingley claimed.
This could only mean that although the circumstances had required it, they had not forced Darcy’s marriage proposal.
It was a conclusion that she feared to accept, and her eagerness to see him turned into anxiety as the carriage stopped in front of Netherfield.
They entered, and as they removed their wet coats and bonnets, Bingley ordered tea, asking about Darcy and his sister.
Then he escorted Elizabeth and Jane to the drawing-room, helping them to sit close to the fire.
However, Jane was already warmed by his attention and Elizabeth by the prospect of seeing Darcy.
When he entered a few minutes later with a bright expression on his face, a little smile twisting his lips, and the dimples in his cheeks, the warmth inside Elizabeth only grew, while shivers ran down her spine and her knees became weak.
Darcy’s eyes fell on Elizabeth, but he bowed properly to both sisters.
“Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, what a pleasure to see you.”
“It is a pleasure to see you too, sir,” Jane answered.
“I hope the rest of your family is in good health? My sister told me she invited all the ladies from Longbourn for tea.”
“They are all in excellent health, but they were engaged in other activities. However, they look forward to seeing you and Miss Darcy again soon.”
Although Jane was the one replying to Darcy, his questions, his interest, and his repeated glances were directed towards Elizabeth, who felt them without daring to look into his eyes.
“How is Mrs Annesley? Improved, I hope?” Bingley asked.
“A little better. Georgiana will know more. She will join us soon.”
“And you, Darcy? I pray your escapade through the rain did not cause you to catch a cold too.”
Darcy looked at Elizabeth before he replied briefly to Bingley, “I am sure it did not.”
Elizabeth spoke with reasonable composure, “Mr Bingley told us about your morning ride, sir. To be honest, I intended to take a walk before breakfast, too, but the rain was too heavy, and I regret to say I preferred to stay inside. I was sorry that I missed my morning walk yesterday as well.”
Darcy’s gaze rested on Elizabeth’s face, and his smile widened, reaching his eyes, while the dimples appeared even clearer in his cheeks.
Elizabeth managed to smile too, pleased with the little understanding they were sharing, unknown to the others.
“It was very wise of you to not walk in such rain, Miss Elizabeth. I am sure more appropriate weather for such enjoyment will come soon.”
“I agree, sir. But you should heed the same wisdom. The danger is the same whether you are on foot or in the saddle, and an appropriate moment should be waited for.”
“You are right, of course. But sometimes, eagerness and excitement might be stronger than wisdom, despite the danger.”
Their eyes locked momentarily, and his intense look caused her more thrills. She shivered and Darcy readily observed it.
“Miss Elizabeth, are you cold? May I be of assistance? Shall I ring for the fire to be built up? Would you like a shawl?”
He made to ring the bell when the housekeeper entered, followed by a maid.
“Master, I have brought shawls for Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth, and the tea is ready. Miss Darcy said she will be with you directly.”
While Bingley placed one shawl around Jane’s shoulders, the maid, having no expectation of other assistance, helped Elizabeth.
She thanked the girl kindly and, indeed, the soft fabric was warm and pleasant, but Elizabeth’s mind kept wondering how she would have felt had it been Darcy placing it around her.
The mere thought of his hands on her shoulders, the scent of him lingering in the air, his nearness, made her dizzy and she wrapped the shawl closer around her.
With a gentle smile, Jane thanked the housekeeper, then she dismissed the maid. Slowly, with kindness and patience, Jane Bennet was gaining her place as the mistress of Netherfield, and the servants were almost as eager to accept her as the master himself.
Jane poured tea for herself and for Elizabeth, and the little group warmed up together — from the fire and from each other’s closeness.
Georgiana finally entered and welcomed the guests, sitting between Elizabeth and Bingley on the only free chair.
Elizabeth could not conceal her satisfaction knowing that Darcy had purposely chosen to sit by her side.
Such small gestures gave her a deep sense of joy and excitement she had never experienced before.
The conversation started and Elizabeth finished her tea.
She stretched to put her cup on the small table, but Darcy took it from her hands.
His fingers brushed over hers and they lingered a moment longer as neither of them hurried to withdraw.
The touch — the first time without gloves — enchanted and elated them both, and it lasted until Georgiana asked Elizabeth whether she wished for more tea.
She smiled, flushed and light-headed, and agreed.
She hoped that Darcy would be the one to hand her the cup back, which he did.
More than the tea, the sensation of his fingers on hers – now already known and expected — spread a delicious heat inside her.
The conversation centred on the usual subjects: the New Year’s Eve dinner, which everybody expected with excitement; the ball, which made Georgiana nervous as she was not even out yet; the upcoming wedding of Bingley and Jane; and again the invitation to Pemberley, this time brought up by Georgiana.
Elizabeth spoke little but enjoyed every moment of the visit, incredulous at how happy she felt simply being in the company of those people who had been strangers to her until a few months ago.
While she watched Darcy’s profile, she wondered how it was possible that less than a month ago, the notion of marrying him had been frightening and unthinkable, but now she counted and valued every moment in his company.
How could her conviction about him have changed so drastically?
Several weeks ago, she was certain a union of convenience would have made both of them miserable, and suddenly she was overjoyed simply by sitting by his side.
Could feelings change so soon? So utterly and completely?
Was it possible that she had fallen in love with the same man she had detested not long ago?
Was it the love which she read about in books?
The feeling that made her dizzy from his scent and from the view of his handsome profile?
With curiosity, she noticed a small scar on his forehead from the day she had seen him at Oakham Mount.
She wondered whether his hand was still painful, and she lowered her eyes, searching for a trace of the old injury.
His hands seemed strong and powerful with long and soft fingers that she had already felt.
There was no visible sign of the old wound, and she lifted her eyes, meeting his enquiring glance.
He had noticed her interest, so she simply admitted it.
“I was wondering whether your hand was still hurting. After that…accident.”
The recollection of that fateful day seemed to trouble everyone, and she regretted mentioning it. But Darcy stretched his hand so she could better see it and said calmly, “It still hurts at times but very little. There is only a small scar here. It will soon fade as though it never happened.”
Elizabeth felt tempted to touch that spot but held her impulse and replied, “I am glad it is not painful any more.”
Then Darcy turned to his sister — who looked slightly pale — and, with a comforting and affectionate gaze, he added, “All that happened that day will pass soon, as painful as it was. What remains is my gratitude for Miss Elizabeth and Mr Bennet and the valuable friendship that grew after that.”
Elizabeth’s heart melted and, oblivious to the fact that Darcy was lost in the sparkle of her eyes, she answered, “If the friendship is truly strong and deep and as valuable as my father and I consider it, we should not speak of gratitude any more, Mr Darcy. I remember that you promised as much to me before, and I know you to be a man of your word.”
Her statement was serious but ended as a tease, and she concealed her emotions under a smile that he accepted and returned.
“I shall try my best to keep any promise that I made to you, Miss Elizabeth. If dismissing the word gratitude is what pleases you, I am ready to indulge you.”
“That would be an excellent start, Mr Darcy,” she agreed. Then, overwhelmed by the little private exchange, she changed the subject and asked Georgiana about Mrs Annesley’s health, then continued with more comments about the ball and the guests that would soon arrive at Netherfield.
Elizabeth and Jane returned to Longbourn before dinner, escorted by Bingley. Both were delighted by the visit, but only one was ready to share her enjoyment with her mother and sisters.
Elizabeth’s mind and soul were too full, too excited to speak aloud of things that were still uncertain even to her, and, for the first time in her life, she preferred solitude and contemplation to company and conversation with her family.
When she finally retired for the night, the rain had stopped, and a bright moon was shining in the clear sky.