Chapter Thirteen
“… tormenting a respectable gentleman.”
WITH RELUCTANCE, DARCY RETURNED TO THE SALON.
HE COULD NOT leave Georgiana alone with the Bingley sisters.
As anticipated, Caroline Bingley’s disdain for Elizabeth overflowed with criticisms of Elizabeth’s person, behavior, and dress.
To no avail, Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley attempted to redirect Caroline’s censure.
“Georgiana, my dear,” he said as he entered, “do you not have lessons to which you should attend?” Darcy shot his sister a swift glance.
“Yes, brother, I do, and then I have several letters to write.” She made a quick curtsy, and left the room.
With Georgiana’s departure, Miss Bingley repeated to Darcy what she had said to his sister.
As jealousy consumed the woman, she neglected to check her sharp tongue before Darcy’s hearing, and he, at first, tolerated her comments for Bingley’s sake.
She began with renewed disapproval of Elizabeth’s looks, noting she believed Elizabeth’s countenance to be “brown and coarse.”
Darcy said coldly, “Miss Elizabeth travels in the summer months. It would be odd if she were not affected by the sun. Other than that, I perceive no great change in her looks.”
Apparently, this did not satisfy Miss Bingley, and she reminded Darcy of his initial dislike for Elizabeth Bennet.
The tirade included a profound dislike for Elizabeth’s thin face, lackluster complexion, and unattractive features, including her nose, teeth, and “her fine eyes.” Caroline referred to Elizabeth as having an air of self-sufficiency without tolerable fashion.
During this, Darcy stiffened in repulsion. It took great constraint not to order Miss Bingley from Pemberley.
The lady, unfortunately, did not realize she had stepped across the line of his patience.
“I recall when we first knew her in Hertfordshire, how amazed we all were to find that she was a reputed beauty, and I particularly recollect you saying one night, after they had been dining at Netherfield, ‘She a beauty! I should as soon call her mother a wit.’ But afterwards she seemed to improve on you, and I believe you thought her rather pretty at one time.”
Her words spoke to Darcy’s former pride.
He did not recall saying such things about Elizabeth, though he knew he might have once been so callous where Miss Elizabeth was concerned.
Steadying his voice, he turned a look of steel upon Miss Bingley.
She gasped at the intensity of his stare and dropped her eyes quickly as he delivered his cut.
“Yes,” he snapped, “but that was only when I first knew her. It is many months since I have considered Miss Elizabeth as one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance.” He then went away, quitting the room.
He must be away from the venom Caroline Bingley spread.
He required the companionship of intelligent, genteel people.
Darcy returned to the stream to find Mr. Gardiner still leisurely enjoying the pleasures of the day in sport.
He turned his attention to learning more of the man whom Elizabeth admired and found his day improved by the effort.
Supper awaited, but Darcy found he had lost his taste for both the food and the company occupying his dining room.
The fragrance of roses filling his senses wafted over him, followed closely by the light scent of lavender.
Sitting in the conservatory, he pleasantly recalled the last three days, praying he still possessed an opportunity with Elizabeth Bennet.
He sat deep in his thoughts until Georgiana found him. “William, here you are.”
Darcy looked up as his memories retreated to be called forth again on a moment’s notice. “I apologize, dearest, I have neglected you since our visitors’ departure. Please sit with me for a few minutes before we must go in to supper.”
“Are you not well, William?”
“I am as well as I can be.”
“Is it Miss Elizabeth of whom you are concerned?”
“Georgie, how is it that you have become so wise?” He smiled as he kissed her hand and then held it to his cheek. “I fear Miss Elizabeth is rarely far from my thoughts.”
“I do like her, William. Just as you said I would. I find Elizabeth Bennet to be one of the most amiable people of my acquaintance.”
Darcy smiled down at his sister’s countenance overspread with happiness. “I am delighted you found her to be so. She is uncommon.”
“William, tomorrow evening, when the Gardiner party dines with us, I would extend an invitation to Miss Elizabeth to spend time at Pemberley, but I do not wish to pain you. If it would harm you, I could possibly ask her to come to London with Mrs. Annesley and me instead.”
“Georgiana, you recognize my prayer of one day earning Miss Elizabeth’s regard and bringing her to Pemberley, but even if those hopes are never achieved, I have come to realize I must have her in my life.
I could not bear never seeing her again.
Having Miss Elizabeth at Pemberley as your special friend would give me nearly as much pleasure as having her with me. ”
“William, I know little about affection except for what I read in novels and poetry, but the greatest fool can see you and Miss Elizabeth Bennet belong together.”
“From your lips,” he whispered, “to God’s will, but even if Miss Elizabeth never returns my affection, she already has provided me with a new life.
She has opened the door for me to emerge from the shadows of a prideful existence and without abandoning my ideals, and she has created a new understanding between us.
It pains me to think I once offended the woman I most respect.
Therefore, I have sought Miss Elizabeth’s acquaintance again.
Any effort I might now make to shun her presence would create suspicion, would it not?
You may invite her to Pemberley if you so wish. ”
“William, if Miss Elizabeth finally realizes what an honorable man you are, she will possess a great love: a different type of admiration.” After an awkward pause, she began again, “I know I disappointed you when I turned to Mr. Wickham.” Despite his best efforts, Darcy stiffened at the mention of George Wickham’s name.
“I knew nothing about interpreting real character in a person. Now I see what superior affection really is.” Darcy realized his sister was not as na?ve as he had once thought her to be.
She was a young lady seeking affection and carving her path in the world.
That being said, he would not welcome her leaving him anytime soon, but he thought he understood her better since he had permitted her to know his weaknesses.
“Did you see what Miss Elizabeth did today when Miss Bingley broached the subject of the –shire Militia in Meryton? I was mortified; my first thoughts were that Miss Bingley knew of Mr. Wickham, but, of course, she did not.”
“No, Miss Bingley directed her comments to my memory of Elizabeth once preferring Mr. Wickham to me. It seems you and Miss Elizabeth were both fooled by his facade of caring.”
“Obviously, Miss Elizabeth knows my secret; you told her. Is that not so?”
“At Hunsford in an impulsive act, I proposed—a droit du seigneur, so to speak; but, when I professed my love for Miss Elizabeth, her reproofs included charges of my abuse of Mr. Wickham. I was angry, at first, and wished to defend my actions, and then I wanted to protect Elizabeth from George Wickham’s deceit.
I am afraid I betrayed you, but I did not do so lightly.
I knew enough of Miss Bennet’s character to realize she would never use the knowledge against you.
You observed her strength of character today. ”
“The pressure of her hand on mine provided me with the strength to raise my eyes and to look in her face. Her countenance told me I had nothing to fear from her.”
Darcy continued, “We hold mutual admiration for Miss Elizabeth, it seems. But we must put these thoughts aside and attend to our guests. Come.” He offered his sister his arm. They paused before the boxwood rose to touch its petals lovingly before leaving the conservatory.
That evening, Darcy retired early. Hope mixed with a bit of confidence flowed through him. His sister’s words involving his and Elizabeth’s futures rang in his memory, but only one person could accurately supply the information he required: Elizabeth. He must see her, and he must see her alone.
The master of the house rose early. He wished to be away from his guests.
He thought only of Elizabeth and of discovering if she could learn to love him.
If her wishes had changed, Darcy would renew his proposal and face the consequences of his choice later.
The ride into Lambton took a little over three quarters of an hour.
It was early, but not unreasonably so. He would simply ask Elizabeth for permission to call upon her in advance of the rest of her party.
He would bring a curricle, and they could take a drive around the grounds of Pemberley before supper.
Darcy would make his intentions known again and let Fate take its course.
Upon reaching the inn, he learned the Gardiners had departed only moments prior.
Disappointed, he first considered seeking the Gardiners in the village before the servant told him the young lady remained behind in her quarters.
Therefore, he instructed the servant to announce his presence to the young woman.
As the servant knocked on the door and opened it to the sitting area of the guest rooms, coming face-to-face with Elizabeth startled Darcy.
Her pale face showed her to be in a clearly agitated state.
So great was her discomposure, she barely saw him, and before he could recover enough to speak, she started past him by saying, “I beg your pardon, but I must leave you. I must find Mr. Gardiner this moment on business that cannot be delayed. I have not an instant to lose.”