Chapter 5 #2
“Admiral, I know you are a hero and spend most of your life at war, fighting for our country,” Mrs Bennet interjected solemnly, “but may I ask — do you have no family? A wife or children?”
“No, ma’am, no wife or children. But I do have a family — my sister and brother, my nieces and nephews, as well as some close friends, like this young man Bingley over here. And I would not call myself a hero, by any means.”
“Oh, but I am sure you are! You will not return to the sea, will you?”
“No, not again. I am too old for that. My age and an injury caused me to be discharged from the navy,” he answered, keeping a light tone.
“Then you still have time to marry and have children! You are certainly not too old for that!” Mrs Bennet concluded, causing her husband and her eldest daughters more embarrassment.
Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley were clearly also uncomfortable, but the admiral laughed.
“You are too kind, ma’am, but my youth is gone. I have been married to the sea for so long that I cannot imagine another wife, even if the first one left me. Or I left it.”
“One can hardly imagine what a lifetime in the navy and on the sea means,” Mr Bennet interjected, to silence his wife. “However, it might be easier than some marriages.”
The admiral laughed again, and so did Mr Bennet.
“I was talking about marriage last night with these two young men,” the admiral added. “I have never been married or even engaged, but I have the audacity to give advice about it. You know what is said: when you cannot do a certain thing, teach others how to do it.”
“I have not heard that saying before, but it certainly sounds like a wise one,” Mr Bennet agreed, and Elizabeth smiled too. She was pleased to see her father so much at ease with the admiral, and the illustrious guest treating her father as an equal.
“Lady Catherine always advises me on important matters,” Mr Collins interjected. “Her ladyship’s knowledge and wisdom are valuable on any occasion, even when she is not familiar with a certain issue. I never disobey her requests, and I am proud of that.”
“Mr Collins, I do not wish to be rude, but we should make a pact not to mention Lady Catherine so often tonight. She is my sister-in-law and Darcy’s aunt, and neither of us mention her in a month as often as you do in a few hours.”
Mr Collins took the unexpected censure with an offended air and seemed tempted to reply but remained silent.
“I hear Mr Darcy is engaged to be married to Lady Catherine’s daughter,” Mrs Bennet said, unaware of the mortification she caused.
“Such a report is not correct, ma’am,” Mr Darcy responded. “I am not certain where you heard it from, but I would suggest giving it no credit.”
Mrs Bennet looked at Mr Collins, whose expression revealed increasing agitation.
“I must follow the admiral’s suggestion of not mentioning Lady Catherine de Bourgh so often, by adding the subject of marriage to the same list,” Mr Bennet intervened.
“Mr Bingley, did you give the officers an invitation to the ball?” Lydia asked, changing the subject as requested.
“I did, Miss Lydia. Just earlier today.”
“How wonderful! I cannot remember another ball with so many officers! Now we can all dance as much as we like! There is nothing worse than a ball where gentlemen are scarce and some ladies cannot enjoy every set.”
“I am ready to dance with all my cousins,” Mr Collins declared. “As well as with other young ladies that might be in attendance.”
Lydia rolled her eyes in exasperation, and Elizabeth frowned, realising that the gesture had not escaped the notice of anyone at the table.
“Are you sure Lady Catherine would approve of you dancing so much?” the admiral asked. The mere question, although asked obviously in jest, panicked Mr Collins instantly.
“You believe she might not?”
“I can hardly say, but I know Darcy is her favourite nephew, and he barely dances at all, as far as I remember. Unless he has changed his preferences.”
“He has not,” Elizabeth answered before she had time to consider her words. “He does not like dancing and considers it a diversion popular amongst the less polished societies of the world.”
“Yes, that is how I remember it.” The admiral laughed.
Elizabeth smiled while wondering why Mr Darcy looked so uncomfortable. She smiled, but he did not.
“I have not changed my preferences,” Mr Darcy eventually admitted. “However, to complete my statement to Sir William, I accepted that dancing can be a refinement of polished societies too. I hope you also remember that part, Miss Elizabeth.”
“I do, sir. In other words, you admitted that a well-educated gentleman can dance just as well as a savage.” She ended with a smile, pleased with her teasing tone. He deserved to be reminded that his arrogant declarations did not go unnoticed.
“I did not say such a thing,” Mr Darcy immediately argued somewhat harshly, though Elizabeth kept her smile while their gazes locked. A long moment passed, then he finally averted his eyes.
“In fact, you are right, Miss Elizabeth. I did admit that.”
“Well, let us drink to that,” the admiral said with amusement. “Seeing Darcy defeated and forced to admit his errors is something rare and utterly entertaining.”
“Mr Darcy does not look very entertained, but it is a good opportunity to drink nevertheless,” Mr Bennet accepted.
While the two had their glasses filled, Elizabeth and Mr Darcy smiled at each other across the table, though for different reasons.