Chapter 3 #2
“Uncle, we all know you well enough to appreciate your humour, but I do not believe it is fair to expose Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth to such a conversation. Besides, the answer is quite simple. I had the pleasure of first meeting them during an assembly, and I am sure there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that it was not my favourite pastime.
If I remember correctly, Miss Elizabeth heard me declare openly to Bingley that I do not enjoy dancing. ”
Mr Darcy’s intervention and his veiled scolding of his uncle took the others by surprise.
Even Elizabeth, who bore the earl’s behaviour and questions easily, was startled by Darcy’s long speech, clearly meant to protect her sensibility.
Before he ended, her attention and her eyes were fixed on his face, and she could see he was, indeed, solemn.
At his last words, he turned his eyes to her, and his gaze locked on hers.
“And to Sir William, if I remember correctly,” Elizabeth added, and to her shock, she saw him puzzle a moment before a tentative smile lit his face.
“You do remember correctly,” he answered.
“I thank you for clarifying my dilemma, Nephew. I am also grateful that you brought the impropriety of my question to my attention. It is providential to have such a detached mind among us, always attentive to propriety and decorum. I have often wondered whether it is not tiresome to be a man without fault.”
The earl’s reply sounded offensive, and Miss Darcy, together with Jane, stared at him in shock. Elizabeth did not know what to expect next; she looked worriedly at her aunt, but a moment later, the earl and the colonel began to laugh loudly.
With no little wonder, Elizabeth noticed Mr Darcy himself shaking his head in disapproval before smiling and turning to his uncle. He laughed, too, and then replied with a small voice, his eyes turned to his uncle but his words clearly directed to her.
“I have enough faults myself, as you well know, Uncle, and I am occasionally inattentive to propriety and decorum; Miss Elizabeth must remember that, too.”
His voice—words with hidden meaning—and smiles she had rarely seen before all suggested to Elizabeth that there could be only one reason for Mr Darcy’s strange behaviour: he indulged himself with one glass of brandy too many before dinner!
Moreover, the earl and the colonel apparently kept him company!
The first course was served, and that briefly put an end to their conversation.
“So, Miss Elizabeth, you met Darcy first at an assembly. That sounds like an interesting story.”
“Yes we did, Lady Selina, but I am sorry to disappoint you. There was nothing interesting, only a common introduction,” Elizabeth said lightly.
She was not certain whether it was only an impression or whether Mr Darcy suddenly had become tense next to her.
Was he worried, perhaps, that she would reveal more of his behaviour during the assembly ball and expose him to additional teasing from his uncle?
She smiled to herself and tried to keep her eyes on her plate.
“Well, I hope you are fond of dancing, Miss Elizabeth…both you and Miss Bennet, I mean,” the viscount intervened once more.
“Of that, you may have no doubt, sir,” said Mrs Gardiner. “I am proud to tell you my nieces are both proficient dancers.”
“Excellent,” added the colonel. “I must ask for at least one dance from each of you ladies, and I intend to secure my dances this very evening.”
Jane gave him a disconcerted look while Elizabeth began to laugh again.
“Colonel, may I inquire once more of what ball we are talking and who will host it?”
“My sister, Selina. It has been a family tradition for the past five years to have a ball at her house on the first evening of the New Year.”
“Oh, I see…” Elizabeth knew very well that neither she nor Jane had the proper gowns for such an event, and it was not possible to order new dresses in such a short time. Fond of dancing or not, they would certainly not attend the ball.
“We thank you for your kind invitation, Lady Selina, and we happily accept it,” said Mrs Gardiner with perfect composure, and Elizabeth’s puzzlement increased.
Even her dear aunt seemed to behave strangely that night, and everything distressed Elizabeth’s state of mind.
However, she quickly decided to put aside what she could not solve immediately and pay attention to the aspects that might have a favourable resolution that evening—like discovering more about Mr Bingley and his plans from Mr Darcy himself.
After all, she could not ignore the opportunity of having the gentleman a few inches from her all evening.
∞∞∞
As the second course was served, Elizabeth turned to her companion, keeping her voice as low as possible in order not to draw the attention of the others.
“Mr Darcy, I hope Mr Bingley is well.”
He hesitated a moment. “Yes, he was, the last time I saw him. Unfortunately, I have not met with him as much as I would wish to since we returned to London.”
“I am surprised to hear that; Miss Bingley told my sister and my aunt that Mr Bingley was very busy and closely engaged with you and Miss Darcy.”
She did not dare meet his eyes as she spoke, but she could feel his gaze on her face. I should not have said that!
“Miss Bingley’s estimations about certain things are not always…accurate.”
She lifted her eyes to meet his. “That must be true as I am sure you know her very well. She declared she has been an intimate friend of your family for many years.”
“As I said, Miss Bingley is not always accurate in her estimation of people…or situations.”
She thought she could detect a smile and a trace of sarcasm in his voice, and she was amused, but only for a moment.
“Miss Bingley said that Mr Bingley does not plan on returning to Netherfield. Is this accurate, do you think?”
“Well, I am not certain. It is very likely he will spend little time there in the future.”
“I see…so in this, at least, Miss Bingley’s estimation seems to be accurate. Then perhaps it would be better for the neighbours that he left Netherfield.”
“Yes, that could be one of his plans. I would not be surprised if he were to do that.”
Elizabeth suddenly abandoned the subject and asked Lady Selina something about the theatre.
The next moment, both the viscount and the colonel joined them, and the conversation became animated.
She could feel Darcy’s stare and could not say whether her cheeks turned red because of him or because of the anger caused by this new revelation.
So it was true that Mr Bingley did not plan a return to Netherfield!
She wondered whether Lady Selina knew the Bingleys well enough to invite them to a private ball.
Until the end of the dinner, she did not speak directly to Mr Darcy again. She thought of nothing but the arrogance in his voice when he informed her that Bingley had left Netherfield forever. He must rejoice in his success!
She was angry with him and furious with herself as she was aware that she actually enjoyed speaking to him.
What a mistake! Yes, he was fond of and careful with his sister.
Yes, she admitted he was a clever man, well read, and well educated.
Yes, he could be pleasant when he wished to be.
Yes, he had been polite, even friendly, with all of them—no doubt, because the earl demanded it.
But his pride and disdain for those beneath him, his selfishness in imposing his will regardless of the way his actions might affect others—these never would change!
∞∞∞
After dinner, the gentlemen did not retire as expected. Instead, they enjoyed their drinks in the pleasant company of the ladies.
Elizabeth took a cup of tea and retired to a corner, trying to maintain a pleasing countenance. With no little surprise, she noticed the approach of Mr Darcy; he asked permission to speak to her. She hesitated and looked around but could find no reason to refuse him.
“Miss Elizabeth, may I ask whether I offended you in any way? Forgive my boldness, but I cannot ignore that I had the pleasure of a conversation with you, and then suddenly you seemed to avoid my presence. Please allow me to apologise if—”
“You have not offended me, sir. I thank you for your concern, but it is unnecessary.”
“Then…are you unwell?”
“I am very well, thank you. I just do not feel inclined to speak.”
“I understand that but—”
“If you will excuse me, sir, I would like a few words with my sister. Again, thank you for your concern.” She left before he could reply.
She felt his gaze on her and was content.
Surely, his pride could not bear the notion that she would amuse him no longer with trivial conversation about nonsense.
It was such a pity that Miss Bingley was not there to mend his pen and comfort his wounded ego.
“Miss Elizabeth, I hope you will not refuse to play for us! We are all eager to hear you,” said the viscount. The others pleaded with her, but she was still angry and tired. She could not play and sing for Mr Darcy!
“Oh, I could not… I am sure we would all be much happier to hear Miss Darcy play. I have heard so many wonderful things about her talent that I could not possibly miss the opportunity to hear her. I am certainly not as accomplished as she is, and I would not want to ruin your evening with my performance.”
While speaking, she took a seat near Miss Darcy and sketched a smile to her, but the girl had turned pale and was struggling to speak.
As occurred earlier, the effect of her words upon Miss Darcy took Elizabeth by surprise, and she did not know what to do.
She saw Miss Darcy searching the room for her brother, and once their eyes met, Mr Darcy moved towards them.