Chapter 7 #2
“I did not say such a thing,” Mr. Bennet responded.
“Not by far. What I mean is that Lizzy’s lively talents would place her in the greatest danger in an unequal marriage.
She could scarcely escape distress and misery if she knew that a man had married her only because he was forced to do so by his honour and the demands of duty.
How could she ever open her heart to tender feelings, when she must live with the turmoil of being the victim of such happenstance and perhaps the ruin of that man’s life?
I could never escape the grief of seeing her miserable as the price of her family’s comfort. ”
Mr. Bennet’s voice trembled slightly and the distress seemed to burden his shoulders. He had obviously given much consideration to the matter and his affection for his second daughter was without doubt.
Darcy’s feelings were strong, yet unclear. The long reply to his improper question lowered his spirits and he had not enough tranquility to consider it properly. Even worse, he was uncertain what he wished and hoped that Mr. Bennet would do or say.
“Thank you for your honesty, Mr. Bennet. I cannot recollect having such a sincere and trustworthy conversation with anyone outside my family. This entire situation is strange for all of us…”
“The feeling is mutual, I assure you. But I do not see the situation as being strange, now that we have clarified everything. And to be absolutely honest, there is another reason why I will not consider forcing Lizzy to marry in order to secure the family’s future.”
Darcy turned to look at him with puzzlement.
“May I dare ask what you mean, Mr. Bennet?”
“I mean that I certainly hope my eldest daughter will soon enter a happy marriage based on mutual affection, which will end all my worries for the future.”
The blunt answer disconcerted Darcy. He took a step back, staring at the gentleman’s amused face.
“I am sure you did not expect such an open admission, Mr. Darcy. But why would I conceal my feelings, when we both know this would be the best resolution for both Jane and Mr. Bingley. He is a very amiable man, while Jane is the sweetest woman. She has no dowry–which is a fault of my own again–but she will be careful with his wealth and will never waste anything on herself. He is rich but with a fortune made in trade. She is the daughter of a gentleman, although a rather poor one. I doubt there can be a better match for either of them. Would you not agree?”
Yes, there was no doubt about it: Darcy had never had such a conversation with anyone, inside or outside his family.
He was lost for words, distressed by Mr. Bennet’s reasoning, ashamed for his previous assumptions regarding the Bennets’ manners and intentions.
He had been wrong in everything so far, so he eventually declared, “I do agree with your words, Mr. Bennet. But you cannot be sure that such an event will happen. I have a great deal of affection and consideration for my friend Bingley. He is truly a worthy man, with a good, loyal heart and a most honourable character. But he is very young and easily impressed. I have seen him in love many times. As for Miss Bennet, I have found no faults in her, but I also have not seen any sign of preference for Bingley. I dare say she does accept his admiration but does not necessarily return it.”
“Well, those observations are fair enough, Mr. Darcy. And I have no means to contradict any of them. Therefore, I would rather leave the two alone and wait to see what will happen. As for Jane’s feelings–I might say you two are very much alike.
People can hardly guess the truth of your feelings beneath your reserved manners. ”
At that statement, Darcy’s face paled. He was uncertain how much seriousness and how much mockery was in Mr. Bennet’s words, but they tormented him nevertheless. He delayed his reply long enough for Mr. Bennet to utter, “Well, after such an exciting conversation, we should return to the others.”
“Yes,” Darcy said briefly, opening the door. He was relieved to end the discussion.
“Mr. Darcy, I thank you for coming here today. It has been a pleasure to be able to know you better.”
“Likewise, sir, I assure you.”
“I am sure that, just like me, Lizzy and anyone else would readily esteem and respect you, if you allowed your manners to reveal your true character.”
Darcy threw him a quick look. “My manners need improvement, I am well aware of that.”
“Manners are easy to adjust when the character is commendable,” Mr. Bennet offered, and Darcy found he had nothing to respond.
In the hall, Darcy’s composure returned, while Mr. Bennet’s amusement grew dangerously.
“Mr. Darcy, just a fair warning: do not dare say a single word in Mrs. Bennet’s presence.
She has none of my scruples and her main goal–like any other loving and caring mother–is to have her daughters well married.
A single gentleman, tall, handsome and worth ten thousand a year, who happened to spend the night in the library with one of her daughters, has no chance of escaping unwed. ”
Pleased with himself, the gentleman stepped forward towards the drawing room, while Darcy remained stunned, looking at his retreating figure.
∞∞∞
The gentlemen left soon after Darcy finished his discussion with Mr. Bennet and were expected to return for dinner.
The impromptu visit lasted only a short time, but it was equally surprising and intriguing to Mrs. Bennet.
So when her husband returned to the library, she followed him, determined to acquire an explanation.
Mr. Bennet had resumed his reading in his favourite armchair and did not welcome the interruption but his wife remained oblivious to his preference.
“My dear Mr. Bennet, pray tell me, did you have a nice conversation with Mr. Darcy?” she enquired.
“I did. Is that of any concern to you, Mrs. Bennet?”
“No, why would it be? I was just curious…”
“I cannot remember you being curious about any other conversation I have had with other gentlemen in five and twenty years of marriage.”
“Oh, I am sure you are wrong! Besides, why would I be curious about your conversation with Sir William? Or with any of our other neighbours?”
“My point exactly.” He returned to his book but his wife remained steady to her purpose.
“Well?”
“Well what, Mrs. Bennet?”
“What did you talk to Mr. Darcy about?”
“Men’s business.”
“But alone? Without Mr. Bingley? What business?”
“Mrs. Bennet, do you not believe that I would have informed you myself, if I wished you to know?”
“But you cannot blame me for being curious.”
“I can and I am. If you must know, Mr. Darcy gave me a few bits of advice about estate management. Actually, he is quite a bright fellow. And not as annoying as I assumed.”
“Estate management? Out of the blue?”
“I have offered you all the answer that can be given. May I have some peace and quiet now, please?”
“It is very strange that Mr. Darcy never came to even call on us before, yet after Lizzy and Jane stayed at Netherfield for a few days, he suddenly has private business with you. Besides the estate, does this business have something to do with my daughters too? Did he say anything about Jane?”
“Why would he speak to me about Jane? Would that not be Bingley’s concern, if there was something to discuss?”
“True. But perhaps he said something about Mr. Bingley’s intention to propose to Jane.”
“My dear Mrs. Bennet, even you must notice how absurd that sounds!”
Mrs. Bennet admitted he was right and sighed deeply, prepared to abandon her endeavour.
“Well, I am sure you did not discuss Lizzy, so I will give up any attempt to guess. If you are determined to torment me, I will leave you, however vexed I might feel.”
Mrs. Bennet stepped towards the door, then suddenly stopped, hit by a revelation so disturbing that it took her breath away.
She did not even dare to end her thought, as her heart ached and her mind was spinning.
Surely it could not be true, but she needed to ask, or she would instantly die of distress.
“Did you speak of Lizzy?” she enquired, approaching her husband again. Mr. Bennet kept the book in front of his face to conceal his surprise.
“Whatever do you mean, madam?”
“You said you did not talk of Jane, but did not deny that you spoke of our daughters. The only one who has been in Mr. Darcy’s company lately is Lizzy.”
“You just emphasised the obvious.”
“Perhaps. But you still did not answer.”
“Mrs. Bennet, I am begging you, let us not expose ourselves to ridicule by talking nonsense. Surely not even you can imagine Mr. Darcy could have any particular interest in our daughters.”
“So you give me your word that you did not discuss Lizzy?”
Mr. Bennet lost his patience. “Mrs. Bennet, this conversation has become rather unpleasant. Just as I have consideration for your nerves, you should not mistreat mine. If you must know, Mr. Darcy apologised for his rude remark during the Meryton assembly. That was the most important point of our conversation. And I have nothing more to say on this subject.”
Any other human being would have been discouraged, but not Mrs. Bennet. Her main purpose in life was to see only what was beneficial for her and her daughters. And a gentleman of such importance, no matter how rude and haughty, was certainly beneficial in anything he might do or say.
“Mr. Darcy must have some interest if he willingly apologised. He must be concerned about our opinion of him. This is quite astonishing, is it not?”
“Mrs. Bennet!”
“And he walked with Lizzy yesterday! Why would he do that? This can only mean that he either supports his friend’s marriage to Jane or, God bless us all!
Something has twisted in his mind and he has started to like Lizzy!
Maybe he is tired of all the women who try to please him and he wishes for more challenging company!
Could you imagine something like this happening?
Lizzy and Mr. Darcy? She does not seem to hate him as much either, now that I think of it.
And she is somehow more…demure in his presence!
But what if he likes her being more impertinent?
Should I tell her that? But then perhaps she would be too impertinent and upset him? Dear Lord, what should I do?”
She was at the edge of reason, pacing around and speaking in an increasingly high voice, her face turning red and her breathing becoming irregular.
“Mrs. Bennet, you should get back to earth, think more and speak less! Do you hear yourself? Have you lost your mind? Are you completely oblivious to common sense? I am really displeased with you now and I am close to cancelling this entire dinner business!”
Mrs. Bennet ignored him completely. “Mr. Bennet, we both know you will not do such a thing. And I know I might be unreasonable, but can you imagine what this would mean for us?”
“I cannot imagine, as I do not think of it. Let us pray and hope that Jane will be very happy soon and do not allow our imaginations to defeat our sense and sensibility! I do not wish to raise my voice to you, Mrs. Bennet, but sometimes you just bring me to the edge of my patience.”
“Oh, I am sure you will be fine,” Mrs. Bennet uttered, ignoring her husband’s words. “Now I must check on Hill. We need enough courses to satisfy Mr. Darcy’s expectations!”
She exited in a hurry and Mr. Bennet sighed, then shrugged his shoulders, then eventually poured himself some more wine and returned to his book.