Chapter 7
Darcy gazed after Elizabeth until she disappeared from his sight, wondering how it was possible that every smile, every tease, every glance of hers had such a powerful effect on him and melted his heart.
He had come to know that her behaviour did not betray some special inclination towards him; that was simply her way–unassuming, unpretentious–but he was completely besotted.
When he received Mr. Bennet’s note, for a moment he believed that the gentleman might claim reparation for the compromising situation that could ruin his daughter’s future.
And he was ready to offer it, aware that failure to provide such a gesture would be only a sign of weakness and cowardice on his part.
Instead of openly declaring his feelings for Elizabeth – even with the risk of a harsh rejection–he chose to wait and see what fate had prepared for him.
He was disappointed in himself and felt unworthy of gaining Elizabeth’s affection.
But the danger of a hasty, unwelcome declaration and of losing her newly-gained, timid friendship was too fearsome.
He knocked and entered, then closed the door behind himself and waited.
“Do not worry, the doorknob works fine,” Mr. Bennet said in jest and Darcy breathed deeply. He had already started. “I am glad to see you, Mr. Darcy. Please do come in.”
“Mr. Bennet…”
“Would you like a glass of wine?”
“Just a little bit, thank you.” Darcy took the glass and sat.
“Mr. Darcy, the reason for my invitation is clear to both of us, I assume.”
“Not quite, Mr. Bennet. I assume you wish to discuss the incident which involved me and Miss Elizabeth. But as to the purpose of the discussion, I remain oblivious.”
“The only purpose is to clarify the situation and to ask you if you wish to add anything to what my daughter has told me.”
“I imagine Miss Elizabeth related to you everything that occurred. Which, in truth, is not much. We were both victims of Mr. Hurst’s careless behaviour.”
Mr. Bennet scrutinised him, sipped some wine, then put the glass on the desk and continued.
“It must have been very unpleasant for you both, since I know how much you dislike each other,” Mr. Bennet continued.
Darcy frowned.
“I regret that my manners suggested I dislike Miss Elizabeth. Quite the contrary – she is a lady with remarkable qualities which I truly admire.”
“This is surprising, indeed,” Mr. Bennet replied. “Not that Lizzy possesses remarkable qualities; that is entirely true. But that you noticed them and acknowledged it aloud. We were certain you found her barely tolerable.”
Darcy’s face coloured slightly. He did not expect such open mockery and censure.
“I spoke to Miss Elizabeth on this subject and I apologised for my unfortunate comment at the Meryton assembly, which I understand was overheard and wounded her. I did not even notice Miss Bennet at that moment. I was tired and overwhelmed by some family matters when Bingley insisted I join him at the ball, then pressed me to dance and make conversation, although my state of mind was not appropriate for such activities.”
Mr. Bennet released a peal of laughter. “I can well empathise with your sentiments. So, you and Lizzy debated that matter. This must be the reason for your slightly improved opinion of each other.”
“I know I am not pleasant company and my manners are far from being enjoyable. But I would by no means intentionally offend someone who never did me any wrong.”
“Well, I am glad we clarified this. But, Mr. Darcy, what surprised and intrigued me was your insistence in having this story narrated to me. I barely know you, but I am absolutely certain you are no fool. So why would you reveal a completely insignificant happenstance that could change your life for the worse, to the only man who has such power?”
“A man of honour does what his duty requires, even if he is not always pleased with the consequences. It is easy to be honourable when it is to your benefit, is it not?” Darcy replied.
He felt uncomfortable under Mr. Bennet’s sharp questions and curious gaze and the notion that he was not being completely honest increased his distress.
“You are right, I suppose. But since nothing improper happened between you and Lizzy–and I would never doubt her word on this–why would honour and duty be involved?”
“I know how rumours and faulty reports arise and spread. And while a forced marriage between me and Miss Elizabeth would be unthinkable, I felt it was important for you to be aware that people might find out about the incident and discuss it in a way that might harm your family’s reputation.”
“And yours,” Mr. Bennet said.
“And mine,” Darcy admitted. “But in unfortunate circumstances, only too often the lady’s reputation is always more affected than the man’s.”
“True. Very considerate of you indeed. I only have one more question that troubles me and I hope you will not mind my asking.”
“Not at all.”
“Everything you said is thoughtful and honourable. But, following your reasoning, would you have acted the same, regardless of the woman with whom you were locked in the library? Would you have been so willing to confess the happenstance with the risk that her father would demand you marry her? You must know that you are tempting prey for any woman.”
Darcy averted his eyes for a moment, enough to regain some composure and find the proper answer.
“The incident occurred because both Miss Elizabeth and I find great pleasure in reading and we both search for the company of a good book before falling asleep. The improvement of one’s mind through extensive reading is a quality I very much appreciate in both men and women.”
A smirk changed Mr. Bennet’s expression. “We seem to have similar preferences, Mr. Darcy. But still, plenty of women like to read, including my middle daughter, Mary. Should I assume you would have done the same no matter your incidental company?”
Darcy paused again before responding to his inquiring host.
“If I had been locked in the library with any other lady who possessed an equal passion for books and nature, who is brave and caring enough to walk three miles to care for her ill sister, who is determined and strong-willed enough to sustain her opinion, and able to overcome any unpleasantry with her wit–then yes, I would have done exactly the same. However, somehow I do not worry that such a situation might be repeated, since it had never before occurred in my eight and twenty years.”
Mr. Bennet listened and with each word his countenance changed from mockery to surprise, to puzzlement and finally to comprehension. He nodded in approval, but he did not reply, only filled Darcy’s glass again.
“I believe we should join the ladies and Mr. Bingley very soon,” Darcy said a few moments later.
“Yes, very soon,” the host agreed. “I am sure Mr. Bingley has already been informed, but I will tell you too: we will have another guest at dinner tonight. My cousin, to whom this estate is entailed. I hope you will not mind.”
“I see. Not at all, I am sure.”
They rose and walked to the door, when Darcy stopped and turned to his companion.
“Mr. Bennet, may I ask you a very delicate question which is now bothering me? I beg you not to take it as arrogance on my part, I just wish to know…”
“Please feel free to ask, sir. I am sure your question cannot be any more improper than mine was.”
Darcy was embarrassed and reluctant to continue; Mr. Bennet looked at him with a mix of curiosity and amusement. Finally, Darcy spoke.
“Mr. Bennet, you said earlier that I am tempting prey for any woman. I am not sure that is accurate, but I know that, by marrying me, a woman would benefit from a comfortable and secure future. So I was wondering, why did you not even consider such a marriage, since you had the opportunity? Even more so as this property is entailed, for by making me marry your daughter, you would offer her sisters and your wife a comfortable life.”
Mr. Bennet’s eyebrow rose and his eyes narrowed and Darcy immediately recognised that Elizabeth had inherited the gesture from her father.
“You wish to know why I did not pretend that Lizzy had been in a compromising situation with you and ask you to marry her?”
“Yes…I understand that Miss Elizabeth’s strong dislike of my person would deter her from even considering such an alliance, but I am sure you can see the benefits. And still–to completely dismiss it.”
Another moment of silent confrontation followed, then Mr. Bennet said, “Your question makes me wonder if you wish to marry Lizzy or not. I mean–I would have asked that before if it had been any other man who had been involved, but I am sure it is inconceivable in your case.”
Darcy thought he noticed a trace of mockery in the gentleman’s voice, but could not be certain. So he responded briefly.
“Mr. Bennet, it would be inconceivable for me to force Miss Elizabeth or myself into any unwelcome circumstances.”
“I imagined as much. Well, your question of why I did not take advantage of this situation and at least attempt to force you to marry my daughter, needs several blunt answers. Just like you, I would never push Lizzy to do anything against her will. Then, even if I tried to do so, I am sure I would fail. Perhaps I am not a cautious enough father to ignore my daughters’ wishes to the benefit of their comfort and security.
If something happens to me, I am sure Lizzy will not starve to death, nor will she let her sisters and mother suffer.
But I know I would break her spirit and sentence her to a life of misery, no matter how rich it would be, if I forced her to marry a man she cannot truly esteem and look up to as a superior. ”
The words cut Darcy’s heart, although Mr. Bennet probably did not realise their effect.
“I see. So you did not even consider such an alternative, as you are certain that Miss Elizabeth could not esteem and respect me. This is not a complete surprise, as I know her opinion of me is rather low.”