Chapter 5
Darcy stared listlessly into his cup of coffee, lost in endless thoughts of the previous day’s recriminations.
Sleep had been difficult to come by—he had wrestled with Georgiana’s words and revelations until the early hours of the morning before a fitful somnolence had overtaken him in his exhaustion.
Now he sat, alone, breakfasting at a much later hour than was his custom.
How could I have been so arrogant? As he repeated his conversations with Elizabeth in his mind, Darcy was filled with uncertainty.
If Georgiana was right, and Elizabeth truly thought poorly of him, all her previous teasing in the drawing rooms of Netherfield suddenly held a far different interpretation.
Flirting? Ha! She—she might not…perhaps she… no. She despises me.
It was as though a veil had been lifted from Darcy’s eyes.
His cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam had accused him of becoming a little too high in the instep of late.
Darcy had merely attributed his words to the colonel’s jesting manner, but now he could see that his cousin was right.
How could Darcy despise the earl’s machinations to find him a suitable marriage partner and then judge Elizabeth by the same standards?
Georgiana had compared him to Lady Catherine of all people!
Lady Catherine de Bourgh, his excessively officious and supercilious aunt—whose behaviour Darcy must admit was no worse than any of the Bennets at their most indecorous—would have certainly judged Elizabeth as harshly as he had done the previous day.
She was the daughter of a country gentleman of little consequence—but Georgiana was correct, Elizabeth was undoubtedly a gentlewoman with the grace and manners to match.
Few untitled gentlemen possessed Darcy’s level of wealth, and Pemberley had no need of a well-dowered bride.
So why could he not pursue the only woman to ever stir his interest?
She had relations in trade—but was not one of Darcy’s closest friends the son of a tradesman?
While the Bingleys possessed wealth, they were clearly still considered amongst the nouveau riche in London society.
In fact, the earl had been pestering Darcy for years to drop the acquaintance altogether, yet Darcy had summarily refused.
The earl and countess would most certainly not approve—yet when had Darcy ever shown the slightest interest in the débutantes they promoted?
Truth be told, the earl and Darcy rarely saw eye to eye on anything, so why should Darcy allow the spectre of his uncle’s disapprobation to prevent him from pursuing Elizabeth?
He had behaved abominably in Hertfordshire.
Looking back on his visit, Darcy could admit that he had made little effort to recommend himself to Elizabeth’s family and neighbours.
More often than not, he had joined in Miss Bingley’s derisive appraisals—and not even Elizabeth had emerged unscathed.
What was it he had said? “She, a beauty! I should as soon call her mother a wit.”
He could hardly think of his behaviour without abhorrence.
“Ah, Miss Bennet, welcome again to Darcy House. Miss Darcy will be down shortly—she asked for coffee and tea in the front parlour. Shall I escort you there?”
Hearing the voice of his butler brought Darcy to his feet and out into the entrance hall. There, bedecked in snowflakes, a veritable vision in a festive red morning dress, stood Elizabeth, smiling brightly at his butler as she handed him her bonnet and pelisse.
Finding his voice, Darcy called out, “Thank you, Higgins, but I believe I can do the honours.”
“Of course, sir. I shall have word sent to Miss Darcy that her guest has arrived.”
With a brief bow, the butler left to attend to his duties, leaving Darcy standing with his arm outstretched, hoping that Elizabeth would allow even the smallest of courtesies.
As she tentatively grasped his arm, Darcy inwardly sighed in relief.
“I had not known you were to join us, Mr Darcy. I apologise for arriving so early—my uncle thought it would take more time to navigate the roads, but it seems there have been great improvements over the last day or so.”
Grateful to discuss anything with Elizabeth, even something as humdrum as the weather, Darcy made an effort to continue their conversation.
“Yes, I do believe we are past the worst of it now. One of the kitchen boys arrived with word of the Frost Fair ending yesterday afternoon. Apparently, one of the stalls fell into the river as the ice began to break up.”
“Oh my goodness! I do hope no one was hurt.”
“Do not be troubled—he had it on good authority that the stall had already been abandoned, though apparently a few reckless youths took a dip in the waters during a game of nine-pins. They had a wager going on how long they could play on the thinnest ice in the river.”
Elizabeth laughed lightly at that as she sat down on the sofa. Coffee and tea already awaited them, and Darcy urged her, “Please, enjoy. Georgiana seems to be delayed for some reason, and no doubt some tea would help take the chill off.”
“Thank you.” Darcy watched with surprise as she prepared a cup of coffee in the exact way he preferred. Puzzled—for he had never seen her drink coffee before—he was even more startled when she offered him the cup.
“For all their foolishness, I do still hope that no one was hurt.” Elizabeth paused, the proffered drink still held in her outstretched hand. “Sir? You do drink coffee, do you not?”
“I do. Thank you—pardon my inattentiveness. I did not have a very restful night, and I fear a lack of sleep has made me rather dull.” Taking the beverage, Darcy sat on the chair opposite Elizabeth as they awaited his sister.
“While I cannot admit to knowing you too well, Mr Darcy, I doubt you could ever be considered dull.”
To Elizabeth’s obvious surprise Darcy released a bark of laughter.
“Actually, you would be quite wrong. ’Tis a most common descriptor applied to my name amongst the gentlemen of my acquaintance.
My father raised me with a firm sense of duty and responsibility, not to mention a certain moral rectitude that often places me at odds with those of my circle.
According to my cousin the viscount, I am a very dull boy indeed. ”
“If duty, responsibility, and an honourable character make a man dull, then I say you ought to be proud of such a designation,” Elizabeth replied, looking at him with more favour than he could ever before recall.
Suddenly embarrassed, Darcy looked down into his cup before cautiously responding, “Yes—well, my father was a good man, though I fear I do not often live up to his example. My behaviour in recent months has certainly been lacking—as you are undoubtedly aware…”
“Miss Bennet! I am so sorry to keep you waiting!”
Georgiana burst into the room clearly pleased to see her friend before abruptly registering Darcy’s presence, her face a picture of surprise.
“Good morning, Georgiana. I hope you do not mind my waiting with Miss Bennet.”
He offered his sister a brief smile, attempting to convey a small apology for the previous evening while Elizabeth watched the pair in mild confusion.
“No—of course I do not mind.” Turning to Elizabeth, Georgiana continued, “I was just confirming with Mrs Slattery that we have all the trimmings needed for our decorations.”
Darcy’s face must have shown his bafflement, for Elizabeth added, “Your sister wished for assistance in decorating the house, otherwise I never would have called on Christmas Eve. Fortunately for our plans, my aunt’s mother and sister are visiting the Gardiner residence today, so I would have only been in the way had I stayed at home. ”
“I see. Well, we are grateful to host you here.”
What a tempting picture this is! Although a future with the enchanting woman sitting across from him seemed hopelessly unattainable given his previous behaviour, Darcy could not be more pleased at the thought of her engaging in festive merriment with his sister in his own home.
“Your brother was just mentioning that the Frost Fair has ended—I suppose we are lucky to have already had our ice-skating adventure!” Elizabeth remarked.
“I believe you know well enough that while the Thames may have melted somewhat, the Serpentine will remain frozen for a long time to come. I am determined you will become an accomplished skater yet!” Georgiana laughed merrily.
Looking at Elizabeth with a wry smile, Darcy asked, “Are you truly so terrible? You forget I have seen you dance—and a more graceful partner I have never had.”
Eyes twinkling with mirth, Elizabeth replied, “While I thank you for the compliment, Mr Darcy, your sister speaks true. ’Tis a pity she could not find a more tolerable partner for the endeavour.”
At Elizabeth’s words, a memory rushed to the forefront of Darcy’s mind.
“She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me, and I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men.” His heart plunged into his boots at the remembrance and the likely source of Elizabeth’s antipathy towards him. He abruptly stood.
“Forgive me, Georgiana, Miss Bennet. I just recalled some business I must attend to. If you will excuse me, I shall leave you ladies to your decorating.” Executing a swift bow, Darcy turned on his heel and left the room.
Remorse flooded Elizabeth at the awkward departure of Mr Darcy—about which his sister offered no comment, instead urging Elizabeth to join her in the business at hand, trading stories of Christmas traditions as they spread holly, rosemary, laurel, and other greenery throughout the house.
Elizabeth turned to her young friend. “Is Mrs Annesley not joining us?”
“Oh! No, I forgot to mention—she is visiting her sister-in-law in Bloomsbury for the next few days. Mrs Wilkins runs a boarding school for young ladies. Mrs Annesley was even a teacher there for a time after she was widowed,” Miss Darcy explained as she arranged the evergreen bough above the mantel in the music room.
“Did you attend such a school? I must admit, I always longed for a more rigorous education. While my father hired a few tutors, most of my and my sisters’ instruction was left to our own direction. Something that has clearly not benefitted my youngest sisters.”
“Truly? Fitzwilliam would never allow me to neglect my studies—and yes, I did attend a school until this last summer,” Miss Darcy replied. Her face took on a more serious cast as she did so, but Elizabeth did not have long to wonder why.
“Can I— Would you mind if I shared something with you?”
Immediately, Elizabeth turned to her in concern. “Of course—if you wish it, I would gladly hear whatever it is you have to say.”
As the two young ladies sat down on the settee, Miss Darcy folded her hands in her lap and looked thoughtful for a moment. “Although you have not said anything directly, I gather that my brother was not on his best behaviour during his visit to Hertfordshire.”
“Pray do not concern yourself—”
Grasping Elizabeth’s hand in reassurance, she interrupted, “’Tis all right.
I know you were confused earlier by his conduct, but you see—it was all my fault.
We quarrelled last night, and although I would not take back the things I said, I was unbearably harsh with him.
He has always been the very best of brothers—but it was my actions, and mine alone, that caused his foul temper when he first made your acquaintance. ”
“I confess I do not understand—and whatever you may have done, Mr Darcy is a grown man and as such is responsible for his own actions. I can see that I judged him too severely upon our first meeting, but pray—do not take his poor conduct upon yourself.”
“You may be right, but allow me to continue. It all began when I left school. My brother hired a companion for me, a Mrs Younge, and created an establishment for me at Ramsgate. He thought I would enjoy the sea air, and my aunt felt I should spend some time away from my bachelor brother.” After a brief pause to gather her courage, Miss Darcy resumed her sorry tale, “I had only been there a week when I was approached by a former acquaintance—my father’s godson.
Suffice it to say I was a silly little fool, and I fell for his easy flattery and charming countenance.
He convinced me that he loved me and persuaded me to agree to an elopement.
If not for an unexpected visit by my brother, I would have made a horrible mistake—for you see, he was nothing but a fortune hunter who desired my dowry.
I had no knowledge of it before, but apparently it was not his first attempt to gain money from our family. ”
Elizabeth did her best to conceal her shock, but a small gasp escaped her.
“You are disappointed in me,” Miss Darcy stated, clearly disheartened by Elizabeth’s response.
“No—no! I am simply appalled by that man’s presumption! I gather this happened not long before Mr Darcy visited the Bingleys?”
“Yes—and I know he was in a terrible state when he left, no matter how adept he is at hiding his feelings.”
Elizabeth did her best to regain her composure. “Thank you for confiding in me—and I promise not to share your disclosures with anyone. As for your brother, if he desires to extend a hand of friendship, then I shall not refuse it.”
Seeming pleased, Miss Darcy encouraged the resumption of their Christmas trimming.