Chapter 12 Darcy
Darcy
Something was off about Richard.
Darcy was not particularly worried about him. His cousin was a strong man; Darcy had heard many unfiltered stories of life in the army, and he had no doubt that anyone who could still be standing, after all of that, was strong.
But Richard did seem almost frenzied in his attempt to portray a happy and good-humoured man, these days.
Richard had always had a natural friendliness and affability, plus quite a wicked sense of humour, but the longer he was in the army, the more blue-devil he seemed when it was just the two of them, when he did not have to pretend to be happy.
When they were in public, Richard still played the role of the flirt, the wag, the merry fellow, always ready with a whimsical story or a jest. But Darcy knew how much of that was pretence.
For more than a week now, Darcy thought, his cousin had given over to pretence entirely. And he was not certain why.
Miss Cartwright seemed lovely, and he hoped his cousin would find solace in her. Especially since he himself had become caught up—
Darcy felt a sudden pang. Was Richard more low-spirited than usual because he himself had been so busy calling on Elizabeth? Had he been less available to his cousin? He promised himself to do better.
Turning his thoughts to more agreeable matters, Darcy was proud of Miss Bennet.
She was warm and witty, and she immediately positioned herself as a woman worthy of notice.
His friend Arthur Moore was in attendance at the musicale, and he soon clapped Darcy on the back with the murmured words, “Well done, friend. She is a delight!” Several other men and ladies were as welcoming to Miss Bennet and approved of his connexion with her.
But Darcy was even more proud of how Miss Bennet dealt with those who wished to gossip or disdain.
Their hostess, Mrs Brummel, asked several leading questions as if she wished to learn about her life, her family, her circumstances.
But Miss Bennet smiled charmingly while answering minimally and then somehow took over the conversation with a compliment or a question for Mrs Brummel.
After Miss Bennet turned the tables on her four times, their hostess excused herself and hurried off to other guests.
Darcy’s friend Charles Bingley did not attend the musicale, the more the pity, but his sisters had made an appearance and hurried to Darcy’s side.
When Miss Caroline reached him and noticed Miss Bennet accompanying him, her mouth puckered as if she had tasted something bitter.
He made the introductions, and Miss Caroline attempted to embarrass Miss Bennet but found herself dealt with kindly but firmly.
Miss Bennet sailed away from the encounter the clear winner but with no apparent notion of having been challenged.
After eating with Richard and Miss Cartwright, Darcy and Elizabeth spoke a bit more with a few other acquaintances.
That was when Darcy saw a duchess who was famously snobbish bearing down upon them, and he bowed low and saw that Elizabeth had taken her cue from him and dipped a respectful curtsy.
The duchess asked for an introduction, and of course he complied, but then the duchess stared disdainfully at Miss Bennet as if she were an exotic creature in a menagerie.
It was hard for Darcy to think of a way of protecting Miss Bennet from unspoken disrespect, but while he attempted to think of what to do, Miss Bennet smiled warmly at the duchess and praised her intricate hairstyle: “Your Grace, I am in awe of your beautiful Fonesca-Bust hairstyle. That is truly magnificent!”
Darcy asked, “Fonesca-Bust?”
Miss Bennet explained, “It is also called Portrait Bust of a Flavian Woman.”
“Oh, my, I see it now. Your Grace, it is unparalleled.”
The duchess seemed very happy with the compliments, and she lightly tapped Miss Bennet’s arm with her fan. “You know your Classical art, it seems.”
Of course, Miss Bennet lit up, and she said, “Oh, Your Grace, you have no idea how much I long to stroll through the Capitoline Museums in Rome! And of course, the Roman Forum and the Colosseum! Have you been able to see these wonders in person?”
The duchess smiled, apparently ecstatic to meet a young lady with a genuine interest in Roman art. She convinced Miss Bennet to take a turn around the room, arm-in-arm, and Darcy found himself standing alone, following the two with his eyes and, likely, grinning like an Eros-struck fool.
It was during this time alone that Hugh Wright approached Darcy. They had not seen each other for more than a year, and they greeted one another with enthusiasm.
“How are you doing with all that you inherited, Darcy? Still overwhelmed, I imagine?”
“To be honest, I feel much more confident and in-control, and thus I am tempted to claim a complete lack of ‘whelm.’”
Wright laughed and said, “Always with the dry wit, Darcy. But if that is true, then, perhaps you could help my brother. He inherited earlier this year—”
Darcy interrupted to say, “I had not heard. Did your father pass or step down?”
“No, he is gone. His heart.”
“I am very sorry to hear that.”
“Thank you.” Wright paused to swallow down his emotion, and then continued, “At any rate, Nelson has inherited and seems under water with just one medium-sized estate. I cannot imagine how you do so much for so many….”
Darcy said, “Honestly? I do not need much sleep, and I am able to work really hard in the early morning, when almost every human my age is still abed.”
“Hmm, well, I fear my brother will not like that advice!”
“It was not meant to be advice, as everyone has strengths and interests as well as weaknesses. I suppose a landowner, like anyone else, must attempt to work hard while also being willing to try things that may or may not work, to ask for help and at times hire experts, and to take breaks so that both body and mind may rest and rejuvenate. Everyone will have his own way of succeeding—and that is my advice.”
At that point, the duchess and Miss Bennet returned, and Darcy was able to introduce his beloved to Wright.
They all chatted, and his friend seemed to appreciate Miss Bennet but kept looking at Darcy in amazement.
Finally Darcy jested, “You seem to be shocked that I could earn the high regard of Miss Bennet, and I only hope that this shock is due to praise of her excellence and not to insult of my lack of such.”
Wright shook his head. “You have misinterpreted me entirely. Although I find Miss Bennet to be a treasure beyond compare, I know that you deserve her; you deserve everything wonderful. No, what has amazed me is the difference she has made in you. I was speaking with you a full five minutes, and you seemed to be exactly the same man who was created in the trial by fire three years ago, but the moment Miss Bennet emerged from the crowd and took your arm, you transformed into a smiling, jovial, even teasing version of yourself.”
Miss Bennet flashed her brilliant smile and said, “I suppose significant events change all of us, Mr Wright. You have characterised as a trial by fire Mr Darcy transforming from a young man who had completed his education but had no real responsibilities into a young man with enormous responsibilities and a burden of grief. I find that an excellent description. I wonder at the characterisation of the transformation that we are making as two strong individuals learning to become a strong couple.”
“Metamorphosis through the power of love?” Wright suggested with a smile. He turned to Darcy and said in a low voice, “Whatever one might call this transformation, I am deeply envious of it, my friend. I hope I have a similar experience one day.”
“I hope that for everyone,” Darcy said sincerely, and they bowed to one another as they said goodbye.
He checked with Elizabeth, who confirmed that she, too, was ready to go home. Darcy called for his carriage and Becky to meet them at the entrance, and then he guided Elizabeth to their hostess to thank her for the invitation to the event.
“It is I who thank you, Mr Darcy, Miss Bennet. I have been told by multiple people, including the Duchess Albright, that this has been the most fascinating event of the month. I know it is due to the two of you.”
Darcy looked at Miss Bennet, who looked every bit as bemused as he felt. But they nodded and waited until the carriage was under way before he asked her, “The most fascinating event of the month…because of us?”
Miss Bennet grinned and said, “Was it something we said?”
“Was it, perhaps, visible evidence of metamorphosis through the power of love?”
“I believe,” Miss Bennet said, a merry twinkle in her eyes, “it is the novelty of the most eligible but elusive bachelor in the country escorting a lady. Hearts breaking, no doubt; teeth gnashing, drama abounds.”
Darcy laughed. “Just do not read the newspaper for a few days, Miss Bennet, unless you desire to see that F. D. and E. B. frolicked through Mrs Brummel’s parlour.
“Ooh, could we have made the newspapers? And perhaps even the scandal sheets?”
Miss Bennet looked downright eager, and Darcy chuckled again. He realised that he had laughed more in the fortnight since he met Miss Bennet than he had in the three years since his father died. Metamorphosis, indeed.