Chapter 5
Thinking about their discussion kept Darcy awake most of the night. Whilst he was aware that the admiral’s conversational skills had been influenced by the numerous drinks he had enjoyed over the day, his reasoning was sound, though hardly applicable in their society.
Yes, it would have been the perfect match for him to marry the only woman who delighted all his senses, as the gentleman stated.
He was bewitched while watching Elizabeth supporting her ideas, carrying on teasing conversation, smiling, dancing, walking.
And most importantly, she seemed so natural in her manners, as though she was unaware of the effect she had on him.
Perhaps she was unaware, after all; she could not have much experience with men.
In their confined society, she could know little about the art of seduction, he mused, smiling to himself.
And yet, she had succeeded where many others had failed.
If the admiral could hear his thoughts, he would call him arrogant again.
No, he was not arrogant, only realistic; he had little doubt about that.
Imagining himself married to Elizabeth, having her by his side day by day — and night by night — caused him an inner thrill that worried him. If he allowed himself to dive into that dream, he might be in real danger of dismissing his reason entirely.
Mostly against his will, he would attend dinner at Longbourn. Since the admiral wished to go, he could not possibly refuse; and even if he could, an evening in Elizabeth’s company was almost worth bearing her mother’s offensive manners.
The admiral might have been correct in justifying Mrs Bennet’s desperate efforts to find eligible husbands for her daughters.
In all honesty, most mothers had that goal, even those with less difficult situations than the Bennets.
Yet, it was no excuse for the woman’s lack of decorum and thoughtless actions.
She was obviously pushing Jane Bennet towards Bingley, and — much worse — she supported that clergyman’s ridiculous inclination towards Elizabeth.
Darcy shivered, wondering what would be worse: to know Elizabeth was attracted to Wickham or to see her married to a man so beneath her in intelligence and spirit.
Darcy was the last to arrive at breakfast, and he noticed Bingley’s sisters were in low spirits, while Bingley was engaged in another conversation with the admiral.
“Darcy, Bingley just told me something intriguing. One of the officers we saw yesterday — I thought he looked familiar. Was that Wickham, whose father managed Pemberley? Who was George’s godson?”
“Yes,” Darcy replied while taking his seat.
“Did you know he was here? Are you still friends? I remember you were displeased with him at some point.”
“No, we are not friends. I never imagined I might meet him here and even less that he would join the militia. It is just an unfortunate coincidence.”
“Ah, I see you are still displeased with him.”
“That would be an understatement. But truly, this is not a conversation to be carried on during breakfast and certainly not in the presence of ladies,” Darcy concluded, concentrating on his plate.
“I have heard — and I have noticed on one or two occasions — that Mr Wickham is a great favourite at Longbourn. He seemed especially close to Eliza Bennet,” Miss Bingley interjected.
“Have you? I am rather astonished you know so many things about the Bennets, even though you are reluctant to see them,” Bingley intervened. “And speaking of the Bennets, are you certain you will not join us for dinner tonight?”
“Dear Lord, I am absolutely certain!” Miss Bingley said, rolling her eyes.
“As you wish. I am going to call on Colonel Forster this morning and present him with the invitations to the ball. Darcy, Admiral, would you care to keep me company?”
“If you do not mind, I would rather decline, as I have to write several letters today,” Darcy answered. He did intend to write to his solicitor, to Mrs Reynolds, and to Georgiana. But even more, he wished to avoid another meeting with Wickham.
“Write one to your uncle, my brother, too. They are waiting for news from me,” the admiral requested. “I shall go with Bingley. I intended to meet Colonel Forster regardless.”
“And you, Hurst?” Bingley enquired.
“I have no desire to go out in such weather,” the man answered. “Lord, it is so dull here. Nothing to be done most of the day. I hope we shall return to London soon.”
“We shall. Hopefully immediately after the ball,” his wife said, glancing at her brother. Bingley said nothing.
When the other gentlemen left, Darcy chose to write his letters in his room; staying in the library, as he wished to, would expose him to Miss Bingley’s company, which was no more pleasant to him than that of Wickham’s.
Not equally appalling but irritating enough.
He wondered how it was possible that the lady continued in her efforts to insinuate herself with him, even though his response to her was always cold and barely polite.
Miss Bingley’s attempts to draw his attention made her no better than Mrs Bennet, or his aunt Lady Catherine de Bourgh, if he was to be completely honest. Just as the admiral had stated.
Darcy also expected that the admiral would have much to say — and much to ask — in regard to Wickham; the subject would not be easily dropped, and the admiral was not a man to be easily deceived.
Therefore, he had to carefully decide what to reveal regarding his dealings with the scoundrel.
The admiral was also not a man to be easily calmed once his ire had been raised, and while Wickham deserved all possible anger, Darcy had to consider the consequences of a scandal, especially related to Georgiana.
∞∞∞
“Upon my word, I knew Mr Darcy was rich, but I did not know he was quite so important,” Mrs Bennet said.
“My sister Phillips hardly believed me when I told her about his connections. Truth be told, now I better understand why he refused to dance with you, Lizzy. You must not be upset. He is certainly accustomed to much prettier women, not to mention much wealthier.”
“You are perfectly right, Mrs Bennet,” Mr Collins interjected. “Lady Catherine de Bourgh says Mr Darcy has been blessed with everything a young man could hope for. That is why she says he is a proper match for her daughter.”
“Well, Mr Darcy is certainly too rich for us,” Mrs Bennet replied. “I mean, for all of us, here in Meryton. Mrs Long complained about him not addressing a single word to her, but why would he, if he is related to earls and admirals?”
“I am not upset with Mr Darcy, but I do not agree with excusing his rudeness based on his connections,” Elizabeth said, mostly as a joke. “He might be related to an admiral and an earl, but the admiral himself — who is the son of an earl — behaves amiably and is neither arrogant nor presumptuous.”
Elizabeth felt amused by the conversation and exchanged glances with her father, who was reading in a corner, rolling his eyes occasionally.
“That is because you rescued the admiral when he was lost in the woods, Lizzy. I bet if you saved Mr Darcy, he would be more amiable and would dance with you,” Mrs Bennet replied, making Elizabeth laugh.
“I would rather leave Mr Darcy to wander until he became more amiable by himself,” she said, receiving an appalled look from Mr Collins, who interjected with apparent distress.
“My dear cousin Elizabeth, please mind your words! I understand you enjoy teasing, but one cannot speak in such a manner about Mr Darcy! Lady Catherine would never approve of it, and she would not easily forget such an offence.”
“Mr Collins, I shall try to mind my words when Mr Darcy is present. As for Lady Catherine, fortunately, she cannot hear me speaking, so she has no opportunity to approve or not.”
She felt exceedingly diverted, while Mr Collins’s displeasure and anxiety were visible.
As the hour for dinner approached, Mrs Bennet sent all her daughters to change into their best gowns to make a good impression ‘just in case’ the admiral had some nephews or younger friends to whom he might recommend them.
Elizabeth was the first to return, and she noticed her mother’s scolding glare for not being elegant enough.
She disregarded it and went to the window and gazed out.
She had chosen one of the muslin gowns she had worn for dinner at Netherfield; it was fashionable enough for a mere family dinner, even with an admiral and an earl’s nephew and grandson in attendance.
Jane and her younger sisters all were received with an approving nod by their mother. Even Mary looked her best, and Jane was simply stunning, as Mrs Bennet repeated.
“Now, girls, one more thing. You know Mr Darcy is upset with Mr Wickham. Since Mr Darcy is related to the admiral and is Mr Bingley’s friend, we must be careful not to annoy him by mentioning his enemy. So, no speaking of Mr Wickham tonight, remember?”
“But Mama, why can I not speak of my friend?” Lydia argued, supported by Kitty.
“Because I say so! And do not make me say it twice, young lady!” Mrs Bennet scolded her. “My nerves are not to be challenged further! Now go and sit there. Mr Collins, you may sit next to Lizzy, if you wish.”
With such arrangements that made Elizabeth — as well as Jane — blush with mortification, time passed, and the guests arrived. They all gathered together in the drawing room for a little while, and the conversation was slow to begin.
When dinner was served, everybody moved to the table, which barely accommodated so many people, so they were slightly cramped, as Elizabeth observed.
Mr Darcy had certainly noticed, especially since Mr Collins kept leaning towards him to say something.
The admiral seemed not to care, being too busy debating politics with Mr Bennet and asking for Elizabeth’s opinion from time to time.