Chapter 4
Elizabeth was not certain whether she had slept an hour the entire night.
She could remember falling asleep a few times, but she would waken after only a few minutes.
After she recollected, more than once, every minute of the previous evening, the image of Mr Darcy’s expression right before their departure would not leave her mind.
Did he mean what she believed he did? Would he tell Mr Bingley about their presence in Town?
Could she expect Mr Bingley to visit them soon?
If so, should she tell Jane? But what if Mr Darcy did not keep his word?
Was this possible? Would he mention such an important thing if he did not wish to do it?
And what if he told Mr Bingley, but that gentleman still did not come to visit Jane?
What if they all misinterpreted Mr Bingley’s affection for Jane?
Would Jane be able to bear another disappointment?
No, indeed. There was nothing to be shared with Jane for the moment.
And Mr Darcy…was it possible that he changed his mind about Mr Bingley and Jane? Why would he do that? What if she had misjudged him from the very beginning? What if he was not responsible for Mr Bingley’s decision to leave Netherfield?”
“No, this will not do,” she said loudly, furious with her own thoughts.
She rose from the bed and went to open the window.
The cold winter wind assaulted the room instantly while flakes of snow fell on her face.
She shivered but remained in the window frame, looking along the empty, white, frozen street.
The snow had covered everything in white, and she closed her eyes, allowing herself to be wrapped in happy memories.
She had loved winter and snow since she was an infant and used to spend her days skating, playing, or simply walking in the snow, or riding in her father’s small sleigh.
None of her sisters—not even Jane—shared her love for the cold and for snow, and Mrs Bennet spent every winter complaining that Elizabeth would catch a very bad cold and die from it, and her nerves would never recover after losing a beloved—though wild and disobedient—child.
With a smile frozen on her lips and missing her family, whom she had only left three days ago, she wondered how they spent their Christmas and whether it were snowing at Longbourn; Elizabeth then shut the window and, shivering, hurried to the warmth of her bed.
It was dawn and a deep sleep finally wrapped her.
∞∞∞
Why he had promised he would talk to Bingley, Darcy could not explain to himself.
Did it take so little for him to change his mind?
He believed himself to have been fair and correct in his opinions; he rightly insisted that Bingley should remain in town for the winter.
However, he was forced to admit privately that his insistence was increased by his wish of keeping himself away from Hertfordshire—away from Elizabeth Bennet, the same Elizabeth who had been brought by fate into his uncle’s house on Christmas evening.
When they departed and he promised he would speak to Bingley the next day, Elizabeth had been surprised by his words—pleasantly surprised and incredulous, looking at him with her eyes , her lips half parted.
And that moment he understood the reason he made the promise: precisely to see her looking at him with wonder.
Had he completely lost his reason? What purpose could it serve?
On the subject of lost reason, surely that was the case with his uncle.
Darcy could easily understand why and how the earl had been charmed by Elizabeth Bennet as soon as he met her.
But to express his admiration for her so publicly and to insist that both his sons should court the Bennet sisters—that was unacceptable.
Suppose one of them took his words seriously?
He might raise expectations and hopes impossible to fulfil?
Surely, he could not be serious about wanting both ladies in his family?
The earl had taken his information about the Bennet family and dismissed it instantly.
Yet, only one evening in the Bennets’ company—as at the Netherfield ball—would surely change the earl’s intentions immediately.
In any case, such a union was not possible.
If Miss Bennet was attached to Bingley, she could not possibly accept the courtship of another man—even a viscount—so easily.
If she did, that would mean that he—Darcy—had been correct in his judgement all along, and he would have every reason to congratulate himself on saving his friend from such a disastrous relation.
As for Miss Elizabeth, she appeared to enjoy the colonel’s company, and it was obvious that he was smitten with her.
Robert was easily taken with any beautiful woman, but he also made no secret of his intention to pursue an advantageous marriage as he had long declared his disbelief in lasting love.
Oh, for heaven’s sake, I am being ridiculous! This is not about my uncle or my cousins! What should I do tomorrow?
Yet, he knew there was only one thing to do.
Just before sleep took hold, he remembered Georgiana’s lively chat on their way home: how pleased she had been to meet the Bennet sisters and how she and Selina planned to call on them the next day. He knew he should be alarmed by the recollection, but he was too tired to think about it.
∞∞∞
“You must admit that you owe us an explanation, dear Aunt. What happened last evening could not have been a mere coincidence.”
Elizabeth had purposely wakened early to spend time alone with Mrs Gardiner. The latter smiled.
“What sort of explanation do you wish? On what subject?”
“Hmm… Let me consider… Perhaps on Mr Darcy’s connection with the earl’s family?
Or Mr and Miss Darcy’s unexpected presence at the dinner where we were also invited?
And a few words about why you allowed my severe criticism of Mr Darcy without even mentioning that you are well connected with his relatives? ”
“Not so hasty, my dear. The only blame I take upon myself is that I kept Mr Darcy’s presence at dinner a secret. I could easily see that both you and Jane were surprised to see him so suddenly. I should not have trifled with your feelings.”
“No, you should not. I imagine you planned this little charade together with Lady Selina. Was the earl part of the scheme, too?”
“No, indeed. And it was not a charade; as Lady Selena informed me, it is a family custom to have dinner together on Christmas evening”
“I imagine so, but that was no excuse for your secrecy. Indeed, you are culpable—not on my account but for poor Jane.”
“You are right. However, I trust Jane’s time was not entirely unpleasant. She seemed to have formed a friendly acquaintance with everybody, including Miss Darcy. And even Mr Darcy was more amiable than I would have expected considering your stories about his many faults and his evil character.”
Mrs Gardiner’s irony did not escape Elizabeth.
“I never believed that Mr Darcy had an evil character, Aunt! And I never declared he had many faults…only pride, haughtiness, an uncivil attitude, and disdain for everybody around him—oh, yes, and his unfortunate influence over his friend Mr Bingley.”
Mrs Gardiner laughed. “Not many faults, indeed…”
“However, I truly liked Miss Darcy,” Elizabeth declared seriously.
“Making her acquaintance was one of the good things to come from the evening. And speaking of Miss Darcy, I cannot be more certain that there is no attachment of any kind between her and Mr Bingley. She has a good opinion of him but nothing more. I am convinced that Caroline Bingley tried to deceive Jane—and us—regarding Miss Darcy’s attachment to Mr Bingley. Hateful woman!”
“In this, I completely agree with you, my dear. And what other good things?”
“What do you mean ‘other good things’?”
Mrs Gardiner smiled again. “You said Miss Darcy’s presence was one of the good things to come from our gathering. What are the other good things?”
“There were many good things, but the most important…Mr Darcy mentioned to me that he will inform Mr Bingley of our presence in Town. What do you think of that?”
“Of Mr Darcy?”
“Aunt, please do not tease me! Do you think he will keep his word? Should we expect Mr Bingley to call soon?”
“Lizzy, please take a seat and let us talk calmly, child. Neither good nor bad anticipation are desirable regarding Mr Bingley or Mr Darcy. I am inclined to believe Mr Darcy will keep his word, but I am not confident that, in doing so, all the problems suddenly will be solved. Besides, from my knowledge, Mr Bingley has been out of town for the last few days. That is why Lady Selina and I did not call at his house yesterday,” concluded Mrs Gardiner to an incredulous and silent Elizabeth.
∞∞∞
It was almost midday when the first visitors to Gracechurch Street were announced.
The joyful appearance of Lady Selina, together with a shy, blushing Miss Darcy brought equal pleasure and disappointment to Elizabeth.
Yet, she admitted, it would have been strange for Mr Bingley to appear at the door so quickly, so she decidedly welcomed the guests and called for tea and refreshments.
“Such cold weather,” exclaimed Lady Selina, taking off her gloves.
“I am not fond of cold weather, either,” admitted Jane with a smile.
“It is cold indeed, but the snow is wonderful,” replied Elizabeth. “I confess I rather love winter. I was tempted to play with my cousins in the snow this morning.”
“Really? Well, Georgiana actually did play with my boys in the snow earlier, and I thought that was singular,” laughed Lady Selina while Miss Darcy averted her eyes in embarrassment, incredulous that her cousin had revealed her secret.
“Not singular at all, Miss Darcy. Please let me know next time you intend to have an outing, and I will join you,” Elizabeth offered, and her laughter stole a smile from her guest.