Hertfordshire Christmas #2
Bingley disappeared almost immediately, making his way across the crowded room towards his betrothed.
Miss Bennet beamed, her face lighting up like a candle.
Darcy could see in an instant that she truly affected his friend, and his worries in that area were at last satisfied.
After his trip to London, Bingley had gone directly to Longbourn to his bride-to-be, a visit Darcy had only learned about after it occurred.
He could hardly blame his friend for wanting to see the lady he loved.
Darcy looked around for Miss Elizabeth and saw her across the room speaking to Miss Lucas.
The toadying parson Mr. Collins was nowhere to be seen, and Darcy could only conclude he had returned to Hunsford and his flock.
His intent on speaking with the lady who had occupied his thoughts so thoroughly for the past few weeks was imminent.
Ever since his conversation with Bingley, he had allowed himself to imagine her on his arm as Mrs. Darcy.
It tantalized him, and with each passing moment, he grew more resolved to pursue his happiness, regardless of what anyone else thought.
As he approached her, Darcy overheard his name. He paused, looking around for the source. Two matrons had their back to him, their heads bent together in conversation.
“Yes, that is what Miss Maria told me,” the first said. He recognized Mrs. Long, one of the matrons in Meryton. “Poor Mr. Wickham! Deprived of a valuable family living out of spite. I knew Mr. Darcy was disagreeable, but this is beyond the pale!”
“Are you sure we can trust the tales?” That was Mrs. Goulding. “Mr. Darcy is wealthy. Surely, he would not behave so abominably.”
Mrs. Long laughed, her horse-like chuckle grating on Darcy's ears. “Of course, it is true! He called Miss Elizabeth ‘tolerable and not handsome enough to tempt him’! Is it so difficult to believe him capable of destroying a man’s prospects?”
Mrs. Goulding hummed and nodded her head. “I see your point. Mr. Darcy has not tried to make himself agreeable, either. I heard he left Netherfield Park with Mr. Bingley’s family, so against his friend's engagement was he. Nora, a housemaid there, said there was a grand row after the ball.”
“But he did not go!” Mrs. Long sounded excited. “Perhaps that means he is not so disapproving!”
“You think that if it gives you comfort.” Mrs. Goulding did not seem convinced. “I have yet to see any evidence he is anything but a disapproving, haughty gentleman who believes himself above his company.”
Darcy moved away, his mortification complete.
Is this really what they think of me? he thought.
I cannot let it stand. And Wickham! Of course, he is spreading his old tales again.
Resolve built in his chest. Darcy would prove them wrong.
He could be agreeable when he took the trouble.
And Miss Elizabeth had overheard his slight!
He groaned. I shall have no success with her until I rectify my wrongs.
Darcy decided against seeking her out that night.
Instead, he went around the room, speaking to anyone whose name he could remember and making himself agreeable.
By the end of the night, he was exhausted, but pleased with his success.
***
15th December 1811, Longbourn
ELIZABETH
“What a lovely evening this has been, Eliza. Your mother’s parties are wonderful as usual. I shall miss them when I go to Kent.” Charlotte Lucas held a glass of punch in her hand, surveying the gathering at Elizabeth’s side.
The reminder that her friend was to marry a fool made Elizabeth’s insides twist. She did not approve of marriages of convenience, but if her friend had no objections, then she would keep her reservations to herself.
“Yes, it has been a lively event. Jane and Mr. Bingley have ignored the rest of us whilst Kitty and Lydia pranced about the room.”
They chuckled and shook their heads. “Mr. Darcy seems to have improved upon further acquaintance.”
Charlotte’s words caused Elizabeth to frown.
“I have not noticed a difference. He still looks upon me to find fault.” She glanced around the room, searching for the proud, cold gentleman.
He stood with Sir William, an affable and attentive expression on his face as he listened to the older gentleman's ramblings.
“Really, Eliza, you are daft! Mr. Darcy watches you because he admires you. I warned you once not to let a man of such consequence slip through your fingers. See how kindly he speaks to my father. How could you have missed the change in his demeanor these past weeks? Have we not been to the same events?”
“We have, but clearly you are more occupied with the gentleman than I. Why should I care what he does? What is Mr. Darcy to me?” Yet, she had still noted his gaze following her around the room, the intensity pressing into her back and drawing her attention even as she attempted to ignore him.
“Even if he has improved as you say, how can we excuse his past behavior? What of his treatment of poor Mr. Wickham? And his dreadful insult!”
Charlotte looked contemplative. “I begin to doubt Mr. Wickham’s accounts,” she confessed.
“He was eager to share his woes to all and sundry when he thought Mr. Darcy had left the area. When he learned the opposite, the complaints ceased. Indeed, Mr. Wickham is very careful to be absent when Mr. Darcy is present.”
“Who could blame him?” Elizabeth huffed. “I would not wish to be around someone who had so wounded me.”
“Yet his behavior directly contradicts his words. Did you not tell me Wickham said if Mr. Darcy did not wish to see him, then he would have to depart? But it is Mr. Wickham who makes himself scarce.”
Elizabeth's mouth opened, but she closed it again as another snippet of information came to her mind.
“He said he could not expose the son out of respect for his father,” she murmured.
“I believed it at the time -when I was his sole confidant. But now…” she trailed off, doubts creeping into her thoughts.
“Consider both gentlemen,” Charlotte prompted.
“We must weigh them fairly, and allow for improvement of character. For now, I shall withhold my final judgement until I know them better.” She turned to Elizabeth, an imploring look on her face.
“Watch Mr. Darcy, Eliza. You will like what you see. Promise me you will do this. You could not ask for a better match in terms of fortune and consequence. If he loves you, then that is all the better.”
Elizabeth promised, her mind a muddled mix of conflicting emotions and impressions.
Had she been wrong about Mr. Darcy? She watched him the rest of the night.
Though he did not approach her, he spoke to everyone, including Mrs. Bennet.
Whatever he said to Elizabeth’s mother made her titter and blush, a pleased expression on her face.
***
20th December 1811, Longbourn
ELIZABETH
The gentlemen from Netherfield Park were invited to dine at Longbourn that evening.
Mrs. Bennet had exacted the promise from Mr. Bingley during the soiree five days prior.
It was for Jane’s benefit, or so she said.
With no hostess, Mr. Bingley could not have guests at his estate, and so it was up to Mrs. Bennet to provide opportunities for the young lovers to meet.
Elizabeth had no cause to repine, for she wished for other opportunities to observe Mr. Darcy.
After her conversation with Charlotte, she had taken an eager interest in the gentleman and his changed behavior.
Gone was the proud, haughty, disdainful man, and in his place was a conscientious and attentive, if quiet, creature.
He complimented, flattered, interacted, and engaged with her friends and neighbors.
Where others once avoided him, now they welcomed him openly, greeting him as a friend.
Matrons with daughters or nieces in need of a husband made no attempt to thrust their daughters in his direction, which Elizabeth took as a sign of respect.
Mr. Darcy treated everyone he encountered with unfailing politeness, giving no one person a greater share of his attention.
In contrast, he completely avoided her. But for his intense stares, Elizabeth would think he had forgotten she existed.
The only logical conclusion she could seize upon was that he was afraid to approach her, but that seemed absolutely ridiculous.
Did he think she would bite him? The thought made her chuckle, but she felt oddly bereft at his lack of attention.
It should not matter, she told herself. But it did.
She wanted him to pay her the same courtesy he had bestowed upon others.
She wanted to be seen as worthy of his notice.
That evening, she prepared with greater care.
Elizabeth wanted to draw Mr. Darcy’s attention, and so deliberately dressed in her most fashionable and flattering gown.
Jane helped her style her hair in a becoming arrangement, dotting the twists and curls with jeweled pins that sparkled in the candlelight.
She added a touch of jasmine and rose water at her wrists and neck, and observed herself critically in the mirror.
Satisfied, she went downstairs to await their guests.
As the gentlemen entered the room, she kept her eyes on Mr. Darcy, waiting for the moment he saw her. His expression did not disappoint. He froze briefly, his eyes widening slightly. He licked his lips and swallowed hard before turning back to Mrs. Bennet.
***
DARCY
Beautiful. Elizabeth was a vision in her pale blue gown.
She must have procured it in town, for the exquisite construction spoke of having been created by a London modiste.
The fabric draped perfectly, and his throat felt tight as he observed her.
Mrs. Bennet claimed his attention again, and he tore his gaze away from the breathtaking sight before him.