Chapter XI #2
Thereafter, they allowed the fraught subject to rest, the company turning to other, more desultory subjects.
Mr. Bennet spoke to them privily, suggesting he dispatch his footman to guide them to the cottage, to which they both responded with gratitude in the affirmative.
With Georgiana’s effects delivered and the afternoon waning, Darcy contemplated suggesting to his cousin that they depart. Bennet watched them with amusement.
“If you believe my wife will allow you to escape without an invitation to dine with us, I must wonder that you have failed to take her measure.”
Sure enough, within moments of his comment, Mrs. Bennet extended the invitation, with a clear sense that she would not accept a refusal.
“At Longbourn, we can offer you fare far superior to anything you might receive at the inn, I am certain. I understand if you do not wish to stay, but surely you may dine with us.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Bennet,” said Fitzwilliam. “We should be delighted.”
Nodding, as if they had just paid her the greatest of compliments, Mrs. Bennet left the room, presumably to speak with the housekeeper.
If she had not already given directions to the kitchen, Darcy would eat his hat; but he was grateful for her hospitality, for an evening spent at the inn consuming their food would be most disagreeable.
With the good wife absent, Darcy spoke with Mr. Bennet and arranged for his sister’s care, receiving Mr. Bennet’s assurance that his footman was a capable man he would task with remaining near the ladies and ensuring their safety.
That allowed Darcy to keep Thompson nearby, for he was certain the man would be an asset in their quest to rid England of one George Wickham.
Later, as they waited in the sitting-room for the call to dinner, Darcy found himself near Miss Elizabeth.
The situation between them, complicated as it was, had rendered it politic to refrain from imposing his company on her, though his eyes were often on her, something that did not go unnoticed by certain members of her family.
Fitzwilliam noticed it, and even if Georgiana was much engaged with the Bennet sisters, he was certain it had not escaped her attention either.
Darcy was grateful no one made much comment on the subject, and even more so when Miss Elizabeth approached him.
“Thank you for opening my sister’s eyes, Mr. Darcy.”
Darcy’s eyes found Miss Lydia, noting how she sat amid the group, but not participating or paying any heed to what was passing about her.
Darcy was not at all averse to confessing he was not well acquainted with the girl and could not speak to the truth of her character, though certain memorable events in her company suggested even now that she was little better than wild.
Even in his limited time observing her, he had seen nothing near to her current behavior, which was no less than pensive.
She looked as if all joy had gone out of the world, that nothing would ever be right again, though he well knew her character was such that she would rally in the end.
“It seemed something she needed to hear, Miss Elizabeth,” said Darcy at length. “I only hope that it prompts her to hesitate should she come face to face with him.”
Miss Elizabeth nodded, and for the first time in Darcy’s memory, she fixed him with a soft smile. “It appears I was incorrect, Mr. Darcy. There is nothing of a selfish disdain for others in your present actions. Instead, I suspect you are a very good sort of man.”
Then with a clear wish to avoid giving her family something to discuss, she went away, situating herself near Georgiana, where she joined their conversation.
As vexed as she must be with her sister at present, she made every effort to include Miss Lydia in their conversation.
The girl remained less voluble than was her wont, but there also appeared a slight lightening of her mood, such that she took part tolerably well in their discussions.
Darcy could not help but be proud of his sister, for she spoke with Miss Lydia without hesitation and an apparent resolve not to hold harsh words spoken in anger against her.
Mostly Darcy watched Miss Elizabeth, his eyes on her with even greater frequency than before.
She was a jewel among women, her actions proving her to possess all the best parts of wisdom, liveliness, charity, and compassion while boasting the soul of a diplomat.
If Darcy had thought himself in love with her before, it was now clear his previous feelings were a pale facsimile of what he felt now.
“Well, Darcy,” came his cousin’s voice from behind, “if her family was not aware of your feelings for Miss Elizabeth, I dare say they would know all now, given your behavior since we arrived.”
“I welcome it,” said Darcy. “I have hidden it long enough.”
Fitzwilliam snorted. “Well, I hope for your sake she does not string you along. You would not last a week if she toyed with you.”
“On the contrary, she is such a woman that would never stoop to such arts. You have used the correct word, Cousin, for she has, indeed, given me hope.”
––––––––
The following morning, events gave Elizabeth a premonition of major consequences to come.
It was a typical morning in the Bennet household, Elizabeth departing on a short constitutional, mindful of the need to stay close to home.
When she returned and entered the dining-room to break her fast, Lydia was already there, seated with the rest of the family and their guest. Elizabeth met her father’s eyes, accepting the imperceptible nod he directed at her, and took her place at the table.
For some time, there was little conversation, for the diners all attended their meal, though the younger girls carried on a whispered conversation throughout. Lydia, though she did not join them, appeared to be listening closely.
“I believe I shall go to Meryton today,” said Lydia near the end of the meal, her manner designed to be casual.
Elizabeth again exchanged a glance with her father, her look encompassing Jane, to whom she had related their suspicions about Lydia’s planned adventure.
It may be nothing, but Elizabeth was certain Lydia, who had never possessed any talent at misdirection, wished to go to the town for a specific reason, one that almost certainly included a certain libertine of their acquaintance.
“Then I believe I shall accompany you,” said Elizabeth, turning a smile on her youngest sister. “I have not been to the bookshop for some time—I believe I should like to see if Mr. Lodge has any new books.”
“I shall go with you, Lizzy,” said Jane.
It was a bald lie, for they had been there only a few days before, but Lydia nodded and said nothing; her manner did not speak of annoyance or a wish to go alone, and perhaps that was not a surprise, for Elizabeth was usually the only sister that walked alone.
“It is a splendid day,” said Mrs. Bennet. She turned a smile on Georgiana and added: “Would you care for a walk? Meryton is not London, but it is a pleasant enough town.”
Georgiana saw something of what Elizabeth had, for she shook her head. “It appeared lovely as we passed through it yesterday, but I believe I shall stay here today. Perhaps we may walk there another day.”
As she had no doubt intended, Mary and Kitty indicated their willingness to stay with her.
As Elizabeth was watching, she noted the crease in Lydia’s brow, a sign she was not happy with Kitty, who had been her partner in so many of their escapades.
Then she shrugged and excused herself from the table, remembering that she did not wish for company that day.
Elizabeth was certain the girl would make herself scarce as soon as she could after they arrived in Meryton.
When Elizabeth left the dining-room, she noted her father’s expression and joined him in the hall. “It appears our Lydia has some particular reason for wishing to go to Meryton.”
“I noted it too,” said Elizabeth.
Mr. Bennet appeared a little annoyed and said: “Since I cannot trust her to have listened yesterday, I am of a mind to forbid her from leaving. Surely we can capture this Wickham without her presence.”
Elizabeth nodded. “I shall not gainsay you if you do. If Lydia goes to Meryton, we shall watch her. My only fear is that he will not come if she is not there.”
A snort comprised Mr. Bennet’s response.
“I would not have the threat of this man hanging over us. Colonel Fitzwilliam assured me that he had enough men to prevent a mouse from entering Meryton without his hearing of it. Then let her go. I shall also go to Meryton and meet with the gentlemen to inform them of her coming.”
“What is the meaning of this?”
The sound of her mother’s voice behind her startled Elizabeth so much that she almost jumped three feet in the air. Mr. Bennet acted at once—he stepped to his wife and grasped her hand, pulling her closer, speaking softly so only she could hear.
“I have not the time to speak of it now, Mrs. Bennet,” said he, giving her a look that compelled her to silence. “I must go to Meryton at once. While I am gone, I will task you with watching over Kitty and Mary, and especially Miss Darcy.”
Mrs. Bennet regarded him, a flash of annoyance in her eyes. She appeared to sense she would receive no further explanation, for she huffed, but nodded with obvious reluctance.
“I shall insist on your explanation later, Mr. Bennet. Shall we keep all our daughters at home?”
“No, let them go,” replied he, darting a look at Elizabeth.
“This has something to do with the gentlemen returning to Meryton, does it not?”
“It does. I shall explain it further. Elizabeth is involved because the gentlemen initially suspected the situation involved her. I apologize, for I have no further time at present, but you will know all later.”
“Very well,” said Mrs. Bennet, and she hurried off into the house.