Chapter 11 #3
The day passed with eager anticipation for the upcoming dinner with Lord Matlock.
In the afternoon, Mr Bennet returned; Elizabeth hoped he might have company, but he entered alone.
In a jovial disposition, he declared he had a lovely time with Mr Darcy, the earl, and the colonel and declared he would rest before dinner.
It was already dark and had started to snow gently when the Gracechurch Street party arrived at Matlock’s house.
Their reception was as amiable as they expected; Lady Selina and her husband were present as well as Lady Brightmore, who was entertained by the colonel and Miss Darcy.
The viscount was absent, as urgent business required his presence out of town for two days.
From a corner, Mr Darcy greeted them warmly but did not approach.
Mr Bennet was introduced to those who had not yet met him, and the conversation began easily.
“I hope Bingley is not late; I am already hungry,” said Lady Brightmore.
“I am sure he will be here shortly. He is not late; we were early,” Lady Selina replied.
“I know he will be late if he brings his sisters!”
“Mama! That was unkind!”
“Oh hush, Selina; you know I am right. I have known the Bingley siblings from infancy, and the girls grew up with pretensions of greatness, exactly like their mother. Old Bingley was a pleasant, hardworking man. It is fortunate that Charles has only the looks of his mother; in character, he is all his father. By the way, Jane dear, are you pleased that Bingley has returned? You positively look happier than I last saw you.”
“Mama!” cried Lady Selina while Jane turned crimson.
“Selina, you are annoying today! Nothing is to your liking. What did I say?”
“Darcy also looks remarkably happier than the last time I saw him,” said Lord Matlock, and Darcy almost choked on his wine. He stole a glance at Elizabeth, whose cheeks now matched her sister’s, and after a short pause, he spoke to the earl.
“You are as perceptive as always, Uncle.”
“Well, well—such a short, meaningful answer, Nephew. So, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, what about you. Are you happy or sad to return home?”
“That is not an easy question, your lordship,” Elizabeth replied. “We are happy to see our mother and sisters and sad to leave our friends.”
“Yes, yes—happiness is never easy,” the earl concluded as the colonel began to laugh.
“I told you Bingley would be late because of his sisters,” Lady Brightmore repeated, and Elizabeth brushed her fingers over her lips to cover a laugh.
She lifted her eyes and saw Darcy’s smiling eyes staring at her.
She felt herself blushing, but she returned the smile, and for a moment, their gazes held.
“Well, well, you are finally here,” Lord Matlock exclaimed as the newly arrived entered.
Elizabeth returned her attention to the room and saw Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst entering. Their appearance was faultless, as were their manners. They greeted everyone with perfect politeness and displayed their surprise at the new addition to the group.
“Mr Bennet! Are you alone, or is your entire family in town?”
Mr Bennet responded with a slight move of his head and an amused grin while Elizabeth replied sharply, forcing a smile.
“We thank you for your inquiry, Miss Bingley. My mother and younger sisters are still at Longbourn. But you will be pleased to see them on another occasion since Mr Bingley is returning to Netherfield.”
Miss Bingley reddened, but Mr Bingley, oblivious to Elizabeth’s irony, rhapsodised about living in Hertfordshire again. With every word, Jane shone while his sisters blanched. Elizabeth was content.
The dinner table was large enough to accommodate a great number of people.
No formal arrangements were made, so Lady Brightmore demanded that Elizabeth sit by her.
Miss Darcy took the remaining place beside Elizabeth while Jane sat near her aunt.
Mr Bingley needed only a moment to claim the free chair next to Jane.
Miss Bingley was thrilled to find herself at Mr Darcy’s left; however, that gentleman appeared more interested in Mr Bennet, who was on his right. Nobody was as pleased as Mr Bennet, who had the good fortune to sit between Mr Darcy and the earl, and across the table from his favourite daughter.
“Miss Eliza, you are eager to return home, I understand? I imagine you are not accustomed to being in town for so long.”
“I am eager to return home, indeed, Miss Bingley.” She returned her attention to her plate.
“I hope you and Jane had a lovely time, but Meryton is not London, and it must be more daunting than pleasant to move from a Meryton assembly to a ball in London.”
Georgiana turned pale while Darcy looked at Elizabeth, attempting to reply. Elizabeth smiled at him with calmness and amusement.
“You have no reason to worry, Miss Bingley. I had the benefit of illustrious company, which helped me overcome any difficulties.”
“Oh, such nonsense!” Lady Brightmore intervened, enjoying a glass of wine. “Elizabeth was perfectly at ease at the ball; her only daunting task was to choose whom to dance with.”Miss Bingley stared at her for a moment then redirected her attention.
“My dear Georgiana, I dearly missed you lately. Have you been away?”
“No, I have been in town for the last month,” Miss Darcy replied gently.
“Oh, such a shame! You did not come to see me at all. And I called a couple of times, but you were not at home! Where could you possibly go in such horrible weather?”
“I was out most of the time…” Miss Darcy replied uncomfortably.
“With the Miss Bennets,” said Lady Selina. “In truth, since they arrived in town, I do not think there were two days in a row when we did not visit.”
Lady Selina smiled while Miss Bingley’s gaping mouth needed a long moment to close.
Dinner then passed pleasantly; afterwards, the earl invited the gentlemen to join him in the library while the ladies remained to amuse themselves.
More than once, Miss Bingley’s rudeness irritated everyone but Elizabeth, to whom it was chiefly directed.
Elizabeth struggled to remain calm since, no matter how undeserving both ladies proved to be, they were Mr Bingley’s sisters and—with God’s will—would soon be family.
Furthermore, Elizabeth now understood that Miss Bingley’s insolence to her was due to jealousy.
It was quite pitiful the way Miss Bingley struggled unsuccessfully for Mr Darcy’s attention.
“Caroline dear, you are a handsome woman but so annoying! Why do you keep fretting Elizabeth? For heaven’s sake, no man will marry you if you continue to be bitter and mean.” Lady Brightmore took a last gulp from her wine glass.
The ladies frowned, and Jane and Georgiana stared at each other in shock while Caroline Bingley pressed her chest, gasping for air, until her sister helped her sit.
“Miss Bingley, a little water will help,” Mrs Gardiner said gently, handing her a glass, and Lady Selina declared it was time for the gentlemen to return—and hurried to fetch them.
As the next day was the last before their departure, the long-planned sleigh ride was anticipated.
Elizabeth wanted to ask Miss Darcy whether her brother would join them.
It was a daring presumption, considering the circumstances.
Besides, the thought of spending time in relative privacy with Mr Darcy was not at all comfortable for her, so perhaps it would be for the best if he did not come.
However, if he were willing to come, it would not be fair of her to reject the idea—that is, if he were informed about the sleigh ride at all.
“I say, Mr Bennet, you must admit I was right in suggesting you ask for Darcy’s help,” said the earl, enjoying his brandy. “Upon my word, this young man is the best landlord I know—I dare say even better than his father!”
“Uncle, you are too kind, and your praise is generous but undeserved. Let us change the subject.” Mr Darcy seemed completely uncomfortable as he briefly glanced at Elizabeth.
She looked at him, intrigued, wondering at the disappearance of the proud, aloof man whose cold look of superior contempt would intimidate anyone who might happen near him.
“If I may be so bold as to give you advice, you should learn to bear praise better, Mr Darcy, especially when you deserve it,” said Mr Bennet.
“Darcy, are you coming with us tomorrow? In the sleigh? I mean—it is your sleigh, after all,” Mr Bingley inquired, and for a moment, Mr Darcy seemed pleased with the change of subject.
Yet, the new one made him equally uneasy as Mr Darcy looked at his friend and then at Elizabeth.
When he met her inquiring gaze, he averted his eyes for a moment.
“Oh, Brother, you cannot miss such an opportunity. The weather is lovely, and we will all be together. You must come!” Miss Darcy said, animatedly.
“I would be happy to join you, but I have another engagement…”
Elizabeth’s struggle to keep her countenance was unsuccessful; she acutely felt the regret, and only that moment did she admit her wishes: she wanted and hoped that he would come.
She was furious with herself for allowing him to see her disappointment, as she was certain he did not miss it. He had other engagements… Of course…
“I invited Mr Bennet to visit. It seems that we share a passion for books, and he was eager to see my library. I… He will be my guest tomorrow. Otherwise, I would be pleased to keep you company. I hope you have a lovely ride.”
Elizabeth raised her eyes, hardly believing her ears. That was his ‘engagement’?
“And, as I can imagine how frozen you will be after the ride,” he said as Elizabeth blushed violently, remembering his hands warming hers, “I shall await you all with hot tea and refreshments.”
“Very well, I guess that is as perfect as it can be,” Mr Bingley concluded. “I have just one request: may I have a glass of your fine brandy instead of that hot tea?”