Chapter 4
Caroline Bingley, as well as Mr and Mrs Hurst, arrived one day after Darcy, and surprisingly, they were accompanied by Colonel Fitzwilliam.
That gentleman’s presence brought a stir to Longbourn.
A colonel and the son of an earl, he instantly became the favourite of Mrs Bennet.
His pleasant manners, easy ways, and ready conversation made him a desirable companion, even to Mrs Gardiner and Jane.
Mrs Bennet expressed her admiration for the uniform and the men who served their country, Kitty chuckled frequently, and Mary was more silent than usual.
Mr Gardiner and Mr Bennet considered Colonel Fitzwilliam a pleasant addition to the gentlemen’s circle, as his manners were not the extremes of the perpetually cheerful Mr Bingley or the silent Mr Darcy.
To Elizabeth, the colonel’s company was as pleasant as before, but she gave it less consequence as her whole interest lay elsewhere.
Countless times, she thought of her discussion with Darcy and wondered about the meaning of his interrupted confession, but there was little hope that it would continue for the present.
There would be no time for long walks or a single moment when they could be alone.
She felt something had changed in their relationship since that conversation, but to what extent, she feared to consider.
The stronger her desires became, the more enigmatic his seemed to be.
She did remember clearly that he admitted having thought of her when he interfered in Wickham’s situation.
He confessed he did everything for her. But the nature of his interest remained unspoken.
The previous year she was confident she understood the meaning of his gazes, smiles, and small talk. But she was proved to be completely wrong. Now, caution and fear of disappointment prevented her making any assumptions.
The next evening, the gentlemen again dined at Longbourn.
Mr Bingley’s sisters and brother-in-law remained at Netherfield, claiming exhaustion after the long journey.
Even when the carriage had stopped at Longbourn’s gate, they refused to enter.
They spoke little and made no effort to hide their unanimous disapproval of the upcoming wedding and ball.
Though they invited Jane to call on them the next day, it was their only gesture of civility.
Their absence, however, was not missed. Despite Mr Bingley’s obvious embarrassment when he conveyed his sisters’ regrets, the others quickly moved past the situation.
Even without them, the dinner table was almost too small for such a large gathering, and the chairs were closer than usual. Mr and Mrs Bennet took their usual seats; the others sat at their convenience. Mr Bingley faced Jane while Elizabeth was across the table from the colonel.
Astonished, she noticed Darcy approaching with her uncle.
He looked around briefly then chose the place next to her, silently asking her approval.
Startled, she nodded, so he settled to her right, between Elizabeth and her uncle.
He was now next to her by his own desire; of that, there was no doubt.
But perhaps he sat by her because there was no other free place.
Or he simply preferred to speak to both her and her uncle, as he would do with any other close acquaintance.
Elizabeth cast her eyes to the right then suddenly became warm and thirsty.
She picked up her water glass and drank eagerly, but her fingers trembled as she felt Darcy’s looks.
She tried to ignore him and conceal her distress as he arranged his chair, his knee touching her under the table.
She startled, hoping nobody noticed the incident, and both moved to increase the distance between them.
Yet, their legs and arms were only inches away, making Elizabeth even more flustered.
“Miss Elizabeth, would you like some more water?” Darcy asked, leaning toward her.
“Yes…thank you,” she managed to reply, and he filled her glass.
Fortunately, everyone’s attention was turned to the cheerful colonel, who addressed Jane with genuine admiration.
“Miss Bennet, allow me to say that I am delighted and honoured to be here. And descriptions I have heard of your beauty did not do you justice.”
The soon-to-be bride blushed, looking at her betrothed for support.
“Thank you, sir. You are too generous,” Jane replied. “We are delighted and honoured to have you join us.”
“Indeed, sir, the pleasure is all ours. Mr Darcy informed us you would arrive,” added Mrs Bennet.
“You are very kind, ma’am. I hope I am not intruding by coming so early.”
“You are very welcome, Colonel,” Elizabeth finally said.
“I am glad to hear that, Miss Elizabeth. I confess I was very fond of the time we spent together in Kent. We did not have a chance to take proper farewells since you were not at home when we departed, so I looked forward to meeting you again—and the rest of the family, of course.”
“How kind of you to say that,” Mrs Bennet responded hastily. “Lizzy, you should thank the gentleman,” she added while embarrassment coloured Elizabeth’s cheeks.
“I thank you, kind sir,” she replied with mocking obedience.
The colonel laughed. “I assure you it is I who must thank Miss Elizabeth. Her unexpected presence at Rosings made my visit much more agreeable. We usually visit our aunt later in April, but this year Darcy decided to go earlier. It was quite a fortunate coincidence.”
Elizabeth kept her eyes on her plate, willing away the recollections. Her heart raced when Darcy answered his cousin with perfect calmness.
“In truth, I must admit it was more than a coincidence. Lady Catherine wrote to me that Miss Elizabeth would visit Mrs Collins, and I thought it would be nice to benefit from a larger party at Rosings.”
“Well, in any case, I had a lovely time,” the colonel continued, but Elizabeth’s thoughts were captured by Darcy’s extraordinary revelation.
Did he just admit that he altered his visit on purpose?
Did he come to Kent to meet her? He must have…
he must have thought of her even after he left Hertfordshire.
Otherwise, how could his feelings be so strong as to make him propose?
She swallowed more water as she heard her mother complaining, “Lizzy spoke little of her visit in Kent. But then again, she rarely tells me anything.”
“Perhaps she did not consider it worth mentioning,” the colonel continued. “Miss Elizabeth might not have enjoyed herself. The estate is beautiful, but there is little entertainment there. It was probably quite boring for a young lady who enjoys company.”
Elizabeth struggled to form an answer that was reasonable for her family and meaningful to Mr Darcy.
“My visit to Kent was one of the most special times in my life in countless ways that I shall never forget. And it was a great pleasure to make your acquaintance, Colonel.”
“Oh, do you know that your aunt was here a few weeks ago?” Mrs Bennet informed the colonel. Elizabeth turned to Darcy, and their eyes met briefly.
“Lady Catherine? Here?” The colonel sounded incredulous. “What business could she have had?”
“She only spoke to Lizzy. She appeared to be in a great hurry. Did her ladyship tell you what she was doing in Hertfordshire, Lizzy?”
“No, Mama. It seemed she travelled with some specific purpose in mind, but I am not sure it was accomplished as she desired,” Elizabeth said.
Darcy intervened again with perfect composure, his words meant particularly for her.
“Aunt Catherine informed me of the reason for her journey and the conversation with Miss Elizabeth; indeed, she accomplished little of what she intended. I hope that she will consider more thoroughly when she next makes such plans. Bingley, speaking of travelling, do you have news about when the others will arrive for the ball?”
“A day or two prior to the ball. I am still stressed about this entire affair, but I admit I look forward to dancing with Jane. Now I shall not have to mind how many sets I am allowed to dance with her.”
Darcy’s masterful change of subject put Elizabeth at some ease. She attempted a smile then hurried to support the new conversation.
“I believe we all look forward to the ball, Mr Bingley. I am sure your distress will be worth the final success. We all appreciate it.”
“I hope so, Miss Elizabeth. And speaking of effort, I am counting on you, Darcy, to make an effort and dance, unlike your usual habit. It is your duty as a friend—and as the one who suggested this utter madness—to help me entertain the young ladies so none of them feels neglected. In Colonel Fitzwilliam, I have complete trust to behave at his best.”
“I will gladly do everything I can to help you, Bingley,” Darcy replied between sips of wine.
“For example, I shall take this opportunity to ask Miss Elizabeth for the honour of the first set and Miss Bennet for the second. That is, if they are not otherwise engaged—and, of course, if they can bear my company for half an hour. I know I am not always a pleasant companion, so I should easily understand a refusal.”
Mrs Bennet dropped her fork on her plate.
Mr Bennet and the Gardiners stopped eating, and Elizabeth felt her cheeks burn while a cold trembling ran down her spine.
The prospect of dancing the first set with Darcy—with all its implications—was equally astonishing and puzzling.
The surprise also disturbed her. She had secretly hoped that he would ask her to dance.
But to address such a humble invitation in front of everyone?
And to ask for the first set? For all the London guests, as well as the people of Meryton, that would raise countless questions and speculations.
She could see that the effect upon her own family was immediately powerful. Was he aware of that? Or did he merely ask her due to his friend’s demand?