Chapter 18
Darcy did not miss Elizabeth’s distressed countenance as he abandoned the party and hurried to the door, where Mr Ross was waiting.
“I deeply apologise for disturbing you, Mr Darcy. I did not know you were entertaining. Perhaps in future I should send you a note rather than appear at your door unannounced again.”
“No note is necessary, Mr Ross, and no apology. What news do you have?”
“Sir, in regard to that house I previously mentioned, it seems a young woman is expected to move there soon. Several maids have been hired to prepare the place. Mrs Younge has visited to supervise them.”
“Do you know when?”
“No. We could hardly gather any information from the maids as they do not know the particulars, and we did not wish to insist and raise suspicions. But we shall watch it every day.”
“Very well. I expect any news as soon as you have it.”
With that, the man took his leave, and Darcy returned to his guests, thoughtful.
He was grateful to Elizabeth for her efforts in hosting the small party and felt increasingly uncomfortable for keeping her in the dark about his plans, especially since her money was involved.
Before he entered the dining room, he took a deep breath, cleared his throat, and tried to put a composed expression on his face.
“Well, that was fast, Darcy,” Lady Matlock said, while Elizabeth only gazed at him.
“Yes…I apologise, it was a brief but urgent matter that required my attention.”
“At this hour? It could not have been so urgent since you resolved it so quickly.”
“Or perhaps Darcy was exceedingly efficient in resolving the matter,” Colonel Fitzwilliam interjected, his tone half in jest. “We all know how diligent he is with his duties.”
“Regardless of the reason, it is good we can eat,” Lord Matlock concluded.
The first course was served, and Darcy glanced at his wife a few times; she seemed determined to keep her attention on their guests and avoid his eye.
“Mr Bennet, how are you enjoying London?” Lord Matlock enquired. “I understand your wife and other two daughters are at home?”
“Yes, they are. To be honest, your lordship, I am not particularly fond of London, and I am anticipating returning home tomorrow, but I am happy and honoured to finally meet Mr Darcy and make the acquaintance of you all.”
“Mr Bennet must be one of the most educated men that I have had the pleasure to meet, with a vast knowledge of literature, theatre, history, and politics,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said.
“You are too kind, Colonel,” Mr Bennet replied. “I confess I am very fond of reading. I greatly anticipate spending some time exploring Mr Darcy’s library.”
“You are most welcome to do so at any time, Mr Bennet,” Darcy said. “I understand Elizabeth inherited her passion for reading from you.”
“I hope so, though I have to admit her mother was also a great reader and exceedingly fond of the arts, including the theatre and opera.”
Elizabeth’s soft smile turned wan, and she sipped some wine in an obvious attempt to conceal the effect of her father’s words; Darcy regretted he could not comfort her.
“I greatly admire people who are fond of reading and studying, though I was never one of them,” Bingley said. “As for the arts, my sisters and I go to the theatre or the opera mostly for social reasons, to see and be seen.”
“Charles, how can you say that?” Miss Bingley chided.
“Oh, come now, it is the truth, Caroline, no need to pretend. Mr Bennet, I have heard of an estate located not far from your own, called Netherfield, that is currently vacant. My agent recommended that I look into it. I might consider it in the future,” Bingley said.
“Might you? That would be very agreeable, Mr Bingley,” Mr Bennet answered. “Yes, Netherfield is yet to be let, and I dare say it is a fine property!”
“Now that I have had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with you and your family, I am even more interested in it,” Bingley continued. “In recent years, I have often considered learning how to run an estate before purchasing one.”
“I am not sure an estate in Hertfordshire is what you need, Charles,” Miss Bingley intervened again.
“Well, you are not an expert in estates, Caroline, so I shall rely on Darcy’s opinion on that matter,” Bingley responded.
“A man should listen to his family’s advice.” Mrs Hurst took her sister’s side, throwing her brother a scolding glare.
“Not always,” Mr Bennet replied rather absently, then took a swig from his drink.
During that conversation, Darcy only looked at Elizabeth. The atmosphere was awkward, far from what a family dinner should be, and he finally engaged in the discussion.
“I believe a man should listen to his family’s advice but decide how to act according to his own mind and heart and accept the consequences, good or bad.”
“I agree,” Mr Bennet said. “There is nothing sadder — or should I say more pathetic — than a man who hides his weakness and poor choices by blaming others for his mistakes.”
“True,” the colonel said. “As a single man, I enjoy the liberty of making my own mistakes and have nobody to blame for them. You should do the same, Bingley. Dare to be wrong and regret it later,” he concluded with a laugh.
“Colonel Fitzwilliam, I beg you do not encourage my brother in acting irrationally,” Miss Bingley said.
“Making my own decisions — different from yours, or rather with different goals — does not mean I am acting irrationally, Caroline,” Bingley said.
“Besides, you should not even care about the estate I shall lease. You are certainly not forced to live there but are free to make your own arrangements!”
“It is a little amusing,” Lady Matlock intervened, “that you seem to distrust your brother and assume you know better than he, Miss Bingley. You certainly cannot know more than he does about estate management unless you take a particular interest in the matter.”
“I am only trying to protect my brother,” Miss Bingley responded, obviously irritated.
“Usually, protection goes the other way. It is your brother who should take care of and protect you since you are living in his house. And I dare say he is doing a good job in protecting you,” the lady concluded with a meaningful smile that caused Miss Bingley to blush.
The next course was served, and Elizabeth had not addressed Darcy directly yet, nor did she engage in the conversation more than politeness or duty required.
“Miss Bennet, will you stay in London longer than your father?” Bingley asked.
“Oh, yes…I shall stay with the Gardiners for at least a month.”
“We hope Miss Bennet will spend some time as a guest in our house,” Darcy added. “We would have been delighted to have Mr Bennet for a longer stay too.”
At that, Elizabeth finally looked at him, her eyes locking with his for a moment.
“That would be capital,” Bingley responded with a grin as wide as his face. “I hope we shall have the pleasure of seeing you again soon.”
“Thank you, sir. So do I,” Miss Bennet answered with a timid smile and a becoming blush.
“Speaking about seeing you again,” Lady Matlock interjected, “I wish to ask Darcy and Elizabeth whether they would accompany us to the theatre the day after tomorrow. And of course, it would be very pleasant to have Mr Bennet and Miss Bennet’s company, too, if Mr Bennet would be willing to extend his stay. ”
“I am always grateful for the chance to watch a play,” Elizabeth replied. “But I shall discuss it with Mr Darcy and see if he has any prior engagements.”
“We have a box for the winter season, which we share with my uncle and aunt, so we may attend any play at any time you like,” Darcy explained.
“I apologise for not mentioning it to you sooner. As for this occasion, I have no other prior arrangements, but even if some urgent business does arise, you are all welcome to attend without me.”
At this, everybody glanced at him, and he noticed Elizabeth’s pallor.
“Come, Darcy, I am positive any business could wait till the next morning,” Lady Matlock uttered incredulously.
“That is not always true, dear Mama,” the colonel interjected.
“Oh, you men, always having some ‘business’ ready to excuse you from an engagement you might find unpleasant,” Lady Matlock continued, her eyes slightly narrowed.
“I assure you, dear aunt, that watching a play with you, my wife, and her family would not be even remotely unpleasant,” Darcy answered. “However, as Richard said, there are times when duty demands and one cannot refuse.”
“So, what do you say?” Lady Matlock addressed Elizabeth’s father and sister.
“I would rather delay my return to Hertfordshire than refuse such a generous invitation, your ladyship,” Mr Bennet answered.
“Mr Gardiner, Mrs Gardiner, you are welcome to join us too. I did not mean to slight you, you know that.”
“We thank you, Lady Matlock, but we have already accepted a dinner invitation for that particular evening,” Mr Gardiner answered.
“Well, perhaps another time,” Lady Matlock concluded. “Mr Bingley, in that case, you and your sisters may come, if you like.”
Despite being invited as an afterthought, Bingley agreed enthusiastically; his sisters, rather surprisingly, declined with an air of self-satisfied indifference, citing a prior engagement.
“Speaking of the play, Mr Darcy, do you have news about dear Georgiana? Will she return to London soon? I miss her dearly, and I remember how she adored going to the theatre,” Miss Bingley suddenly enquired, and Darcy needed a moment and several sips of wine before he responded.
“I have to say, the whole of London was surprised that both Mr and Miss Darcy married without notice,” Mrs Hurst added before he could reply.
“It is quite a wonder that you have spoken to the whole of London, Mrs Hurst. And that the whole of London had no more sense than to occupy itself with the Darcys’ matrimonial state. As for my sister, I thank you for your concern. I do have news, of course, but her plans are still undecided.”