Chapter 17 #6
“I am afraid I do not understand what you mean, Lady Sinclair.”
“Of course you know…and I am disappointed to discover that you attempt to deny it—as I was disappointed at your sudden disappearance from your room last night. Why did you run from your own room? Did I scare you, Mr Darcy?”
He took a step back and removed her hand from his arm then replied sternly.
“Lady Sinclair, if you are joking, I shall try to be amused; but I cannot possibly imagine what you mean when you say you frightened me and I ran from my own room. Surely, you cannot mean that you were in my room last night.”
“I see… So you prefer to deny the truth and play at ignorance. Be it as you wish, sir, but you cannot expect me to join you in this disappointing game. I expected more from you, Mr Darcy. You are less a man than I believed you to be.”
“Lady Sinclair!” he interrupted her unceremoniously, and she looked at him impatiently.
“Lady Sinclair, listen to me carefully as it is the only time I shall tell you this; after that, I shall forget this conversation and all the facts behind it. Last night I did not return to my room until nearly dawn. Miles, my valet, was there—alone—waiting for me. Miles was there,” he repeated, looking at her pointedly.
At first, she held his gaze incredulously, showing nothing but daring and disdain for his presumed weakness; then the truth became clear and anger utterly changed her handsome features.
She began to tremble with helpless fury, her eyes betraying only hate and rage.
She turned without a word, and her steps retreated at a quick pace until she disappeared around the corner.
Darcy looked after her, telling himself that he should feel sorry for her.
The situation was deeply disturbing; to know that she ended by seducing his servant must be something she could not easily bear, and he briefly wondered how she would be able to face him again—or to bear the shame.
But everything that happened was of her own fault and recklessness.
She selfishly and carelessly played the game of seduction with him on a whim with no consideration for the distress she might cause to others, and now she had to face the result of her own behaviour.
He should feel sorry for her—but he could not.
He considered whether he should go to the music room but decided that fresh air would be more beneficial to his present state. He went to the stables and was pleased to find Bingley and both his cousins ready for a ride.
When they returned to the house an hour and a half later, they received the surprising news that Lady Sinclair and her husband had to return to London immediately.
Lord Sinclair’s sudden departure was regretted by all the gentlemen, as the earl was known as the soul of any successful hunting party.
But, after all, as Lord Matlock wisely concluded, the hunt was over.
∞∞∞
After three more days spent in pleasant and less agitated company at Matlock Manor, the entire party returned to Town.
Elizabeth and Jane were expected to remain with Mrs Gardiner for only a couple of days before returning to Longbourn together with Mr Bingley, his sisters, and Mr Hurst.
Mr Darcy settled his plans to return to Netherfield with Miss Darcy, which brought much joy and happy anticipation to all those involved.
The evening of their arrival in town was spent by each family at their own house with a peaceful dinner and pleasant recollections, so it happened that neither Jane nor Elizabeth succeeded in sleeping until well after midnight as they found countless things to share.
With complete trust in her sister, Elizabeth did not hesitate to reveal the extraordinarily news of her own engagement.
After the first moments of surprise and disbelief, Jane’s happiness was all the reward Elizabeth needed.
Jane declared she had always admired Mr Darcy, and she was certain he would be an ideal match for Elizabeth; the animated, happy conversation continued until late into the night, keeping the sisters awake until dawn.
On the other side of town, the Darcys did not sleep either but for different reasons.
After the many days and nights spent in Elizabeth’s company, Darcy bore the silence and solitude of his large dining room with great difficulty.
He was alone with Georgiana, attempting to have a pleasant conversation during dinner, but that easy task suddenly seemed difficult unless the subject of the conversation included Elizabeth.
As the second course was served, the housekeeper rushed in unceremoniously.
“Mr Darcy, excuse me for interrupting you, sir. Miss Anne de Bourgh has just arrived,” she managed to explain before Anne entered the room.
Anne’s appearance surprised them exceedingly, and Darcy, after a moment of disbelief, hurried to offer her a chair and a glass of water. She looked exhausted; her face was pale, her eyes surrounded by dark rings and her gown in disorder.
While Darcy looked for Lady Catherine and wondered why she remained behind, Anne spoke weakly, pleading with her voice as well as her eyes.
“Forgive me for coming here at this hour, Cousin; I did not know where to go… I had a violent argument with Mama and left Rosings. May I stay here for a while?”
Darcy was certain he did not hear her rightly. Did she say she had left Rosings?
“Of course you may stay here; there is no need to apologise! This is your home for as long as you want, but who brought you here? Where is your luggage? Does Aunt Catherine know you are here?”
“I came alone in my phaeton,” she declared, and Darcy exchanged a shocked look with his sister. “I have no luggage,” she added while Darcy and Georgiana were still unable to reply. “And no, Mama does not know I left; I think she believes I only went for a ride.”
She paused a long moment, then continued to speak in a low, trembling voice, her face coloured with embarrassment.
“Mama received a letter last night by express. It said that you are involved in a relationship with Miss Elizabeth Bennet. You cannot possibly imagine how angry she was and what she said. I argued with her because I could not bear her tirade any longer. I never argued with her before, and it affected me so! You cannot possibly imagine…”
Darcy smiled warmly at his cousin, attempting to calm her distress while struggling to conceal his own anger; then he gently squeezed her hand in comfort and support.
“I can easily imagine, my dear. Please do not worry about this unpleasantness. You must rest now, and tomorrow I shall take care of everything.”