Chapter 12
There was no doubt that Mrs Bennet missed her daughters dearly and was content to see them back home, but nothing could compare with her happiness at the sight of Mr Bingley. It was without doubt Mrs Bennet’s best day in many years.
Elizabeth felt relieved that Mr Bingley was an amiable and tolerant gentleman, or else he would have hastily departed for Netherfield.
Instead, he expressed his delight in seeing Mrs Bennet again and eagerly accepted her impromptu invitation for dinner, as he could appreciate the advantage of a meal in the midst of pleasant company versus dining alone.
As soon as she retired to the comfort of her room, Elizabeth remembered her promise to write Miss Darcy—not that she would have forgotten for a moment.
Nor could she forget Mr Darcy’s insistent gaze when he gently suggested she inform them as soon as she arrived safely.
He was worried for her—that was obvious!
He was worried, caring and understanding, and he seemed elated that she had read his letter and trusted it.
Surely, she could do as much as to write his sister a short letter immediately.
A sharp knock on her door interrupted her, and she was surprised to see her father requesting entrance.
“Certainly, Papa! What is it?”
“It is about Wickham. I know he was your favourite, but he really irritated me. I sense a sort of duplicity in his behaviour, and I truly dislike his continuous references to how badly Darcy persecuted him. It has become quite tedious. I could tolerate him reasonably well in the past when I had the liberty of retiring to my library, but I found it impossible to bear him in a small carriage. I hope I was not offensive; I would not wish to spoil your pleasure of dancing with him in the future.”
She felt her cheeks warm with embarrassment, and she forced a laugh.
“I thank you for your concern, Father. I am sure I will manage at the next ball even if I have no partner. I think your words to Mr Wickham were well deserved. I used to consider Mr Wickham a friend, but that changed some time ago. I am ashamed to admit that I was wrong in my first impression of his character.”
“Good—for a while, I was worried that you resembled your mother and youngest sisters more than I would like. My mind is at ease. I shall go and rest a little. Oh, I forgot—please do me a favour and send a letter to Mr Darcy.”
“Excuse me? I cannot write a letter to Mr Darcy! Papa, are you teasing me?”
“Oh come, Lizzy, do not be missish. Just drop him a few words in my name to inform him we arrived safely and apologise that I cannot write him myself. My eyes hurt, and I am in no mood to write, but I think I owe him as much. He was considerate to come and say good-bye, and I appreciate his concern; he seemed genuinely worried about our trip. I tell you, that young man is a continual surprise to me. He is uncommonly kind and friendly, considering our brief acquaintance.”
“Very well, Papa. I was about to write Georgiana, so I suppose I could send a short note for Mr Darcy, too.”
“Thank you, my child.” He took a few steps and then suddenly returned. “By the way, Lizzy, I am quite curious—what was the urgent thing you wanted to tell Mr Darcy? If it is not too great a secret…”
She froze and for a moment was lost for words. She stared at her father, both waiting. She bit her lower lip, desperately seeking a convenient answer.
“It was not such a great secret but…I did not want Mr Wickham to hear us.”
“Oh?” Mr Bennet’s puzzlement mixed with apparent interest.
“I confess that Mr Darcy and I spoke quite a lot while I was in London…and we talked a little about Mr Wickham. Mr Darcy kindly offered me a bit of information that helped me to understand that Mr Wickham’s easy cordiality is not always genuine.
And…when Mr Darcy saw Mr Wickham in our carriage, I was certain he would be displeased…
and I thought he deserved to know that I did not take his words lightly and it was not I—we—who invited Mr Wickham to join our group. ”
“Well, well—such a surprise. Not Wickham—I could have told you the same without knowing the details—but Mr Darcy talking to you about Wickham. I would not expect that, considering he seems to be a very private man. I think you did well in speaking to him before our departure if only because your secret conversation made Wickham angry! So amusing, truly! I shall go to sleep now. Please remember to write Mr Darcy, though I somehow doubt there will be any danger of your forgetting.”
He left with a last glance at his daughter; by that time, Elizabeth was sitting in the chair, silent again and positively flustered.
Mr Bennet felt too tired to think properly of everything he just discovered, but there would be time in the next few days.
He felt more pleased and lively than he had been in many years.
Elizabeth finished her letter to Georgiana and folded it carefully. Then she took another sheet and breathed deeply before she started.
Mr Darcy,
Allow me to convey my father’s apologies for being unable to write this letter himself and to inform you that we have arrived home safely after an uneventful trip. Everything was perfectly fine on the road as well as at Longbourn, and we kindly thank you for your concern.
She read the short note and found it cold and impersonal, but she did not dare write anything more private. Yet, if she were to receive such a letter, she would be disappointed. She thought for a bit, put the paper aside, then took it again and added:
You must not worry that my father did not write this letter personally.
He is quite well; his eyes are just a little tired from the delightful effort of enjoying, during the entire trip, one of the books you kindly loaned him.
I am afraid he is a little too eager to finish each book as soon as possible in order to move on to the next, an eagerness quite easy to understand.
I thank you for offering my father this opportunity as well as for all of your help.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Bennet
She read it once more and folded it immediately, afraid that she might change her mind. Then she handed both letters to John to be sent as soon as possible.
∞∞∞
Darcy had dined alone with his sister countless times, but that night the silence seemed heavier. Neither of them appeared interested in conversation, and as soon as the meal was finished, he retired to his study while Georgiana returned to her rooms.
Darcy was pacing his office impatiently.
Many things required his attention, but he could concentrate on none of them.
His mind was completely occupied remembering his last conversation with Elizabeth—her last smiles, her hand resting in his, her sharp replies to Wickham, her daring invitation to speak to him privately in the presence of her own father…
She had courage and determination, and her gesture had more meaning than he first understood.
She had willingly broken with propriety for his benefit only; she had nothing to gain from their brief conversation, but she insisted upon it for his sake.
She guessed his distress when he saw Wickham, and she was concerned enough to seek a way to dissipate it.
She also discovered a means to express her opinion about the letter and to assure him of her confidence in his words.
She did all those things for him—because she cared for him! There could be no other reason!
He dared not consider the nature of her caring for him nor ask himself whether she would ever offer him the opportunity to propose again.
Those were questions whose answer was yet to be found.
Nevertheless, he was certain that her poor opinion of him had improved.
She no longer hated him, nor was she indifferent to his feelings and concerns.
Whether that happened because of the letter, because of her father’s partiality for him, or because of her attachment to his sister, he could not be certain nor even speculate.
He was content that, at least, he was given another chance to prove he was worthy of her good opinion.
He knew it was more than he hoped in the last weeks and more than he deserved.
Until the last moment, he unwisely considered returning to Netherfield with Bingley, and if only his wishes were considered, he would have done it.
However, there were two persons more important than himself whose well-being was his main concern: Georgiana and Elizabeth.
He knew his sister would be happy at Netherfield, if only to be close to Elizabeth, but Wickham’s proximity required supplementary measures in order to protect Georgiana.
As for Elizabeth—he knew he was too insistent in forcing the acquaintance with Mr Bennet and frequently imposing himself in the Gardiners’ house during the past three days.
Moreover, by helping Mr Bennet with business advice, he was aware that he had obliged Elizabeth to behave politely towards him, even had she wanted to distance herself.
Making an appearance at Netherfield—when surely Bingley spent most of his time at Longbourn—would put him in Elizabeth’s path again, and she would have little choice but to accept his presence whether she liked him or not.
It was fortunate that her feelings for him seemed to be changing; there was no reason to force her trust. Therefore, he decided it was impossible to join Bingley at Netherfield for the time being.
However, when he saw Wickham’s impertinent face and discovered his mischievous scheme to impose himself in Bingley’s carriage, his previous resolution dissipated; for a moment, he was decided to go to Netherfield with them.
Happily, he needed little time to realise how ridiculous such a gesture would be—and even happier, Elizabeth guessed his struggle and put an end to it with a few wise words and a smile.