Chapter II #3
It was an excellent question; Elizabeth had to tip her cap to a man she had not thought so discerning.
Though the time to reveal the truth had come, Elizabeth felt reticence steal over her—was it not petty to despise a man forever for such a minor reason?
The amusement in Mr. Hurst’s eyes caught her attention, as if he were privy to a joke she had not known.
Suspicion formed in her breast, and she glared at him.
“Forgive me if I read too much in your manners, sir, but I suspect you have some knowledge of it.”
“Perhaps I do,” acknowledged he. “But I should like to hear it from your lips all the same.”
Elizabeth’s glare deepened. “Then you shall. On the night of the first assembly you attended in Meryton, Mr. Bingley suggested Mr. Darcy should dance with me. Rather than resisting his friend’s suggestion or walking away if he did not wish to dance, he called me ‘not handsome enough to tempt him,’ and said he ‘was in no humor to give consequence to ladies slighted by other men.’ Tell me, Mr. Hurst, is that the behavior of a gentleman? ”
To Elizabeth’s astonishment, Mr. Hurst burst into chuckles, though when he saw her look, he shook his head.
“I beg your pardon, Miss Elizabeth, for I was not laughing at you. Though I do not know Darcy so well as Bingley does, I have heard enough tales of his exploits to know that his comment concerning you was not singular.”
The comment only made Elizabeth more vexed. “That only proves my point, Mr. Hurst. What sort of man goes about offending young women when he could instead remain silent?”
“A man who feels extreme discomfort in society.”
Elizabeth scoffed. “Has he not been out in society for several years now? If he is that uncomfortable, perhaps he should avoid society altogether.”
“With that, I would not disagree,” said Mr. Hurst. “Please understand, Miss Elizabeth, that I am not trying to defend Darcy—you are correct that his comment was beyond the pale. However, there are a few things about Darcy that help explain his behavior. I will share what I have observed, if you are willing to hear.”
Despite her skepticism, Elizabeth was not unwilling—she could even confess to a little curiosity. “I have no objection.”
Mr. Hurst nodded. “That is more than he deserves. Darcy is a reticent man, Miss Elizabeth, as I am certain you have already seen.”
“I have.”
“Then consider what the attention of every person in society wishing to attach themselves to him, and more particularly, the attention of every miss of a certain station hunting for a husband must do to a man’s equilibrium.”
“Are you suggesting Mr. Darcy is a target?” asked Elizabeth, trying to understand.
“More than he wishes. Darcy does not like the attention, and he chooses his friends with care. Though he has extensive connections to the nobility—not only through his mother’s family—he is not himself a noble with all the power and protection such a station would offer; thus he often receives far more attention than he wishes.
“Darcy takes great care to avoid raising expectations, going so far as to refuse to dance twice with any young lady at an event, and never the first. While he should not have said what he did the night of the assembly, it is his means of keeping himself safe from those who would take away his freedom.”
“Is he truly so prominent?” asked Elizabeth, beginning to see another side of the gentleman despite her wish to continue to disapprove of him.
“In some ways, the Darcys are as good as nobility. I know of two instances in which his vigilance has foiled compromise attempts.” Mr. Hurst shrugged.
“Though I am not so well acquainted with Darcy as to be a confidante, I suspect he cultivates his aloof demeanor to keep those with whom he does not wish to associate away.”
Elizabeth nodded, absorbing this information.
While it did not make her like Mr. Darcy more than she had before, she could understand him better.
The understanding would lead nowhere, but at least her feelings toward him would soften a little.
For a moment, Elizabeth considered asking Mr. Hurst about Mr. Bingley and his failure to return, but she suspected it would be best to hold her tongue on the subject.
“One more thing I should like to say,” said Mr. Hurst, “is that Darcy is the firmest friend one could find when he bestows his loyalty. As evidence for that facet of his nature, I can point you to his willingness to stay at Netherfield to assist Bingley, even though my sister-in-law was to preside over the house.”
This pierced Elizabeth’s reflection, provoking a grin at his witticism. “For shame, sir. Are you jesting at your sister’s expense? It is my firm conviction that Miss Bingley is a fine lady—why, she owns it herself.”
Mr. Hurst laughed at Elizabeth’s witticism.
“Yes, she does. I shall say nothing more about Caroline except to acknowledge that she can be tiresome. As she and my wife are close and I do not wish to make Louisa choose between her sister and me, I keep my own counsel. The way Caroline behaves, I suspect it will not be much longer before she offends Louisa enough to drive a wedge between them. I await that day with anticipation.”
It was perhaps fortunate that the summons to dinner came at that moment. The gentleman rose and extended his arm. “I am to escort your mother into the dining-room, but as there are more men than women, it would please me if you would allow me to escort you as well, Miss Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth agreed and rested her hand on his arm. The man was still a bore, but she now knew that there were depths to him she had not expected.