Chapter 7 #2
So astounded was Mrs Bennet by Darcy’s approach and amiable tone, that she stared at him in disbelief.
The others’ surprise was no less but better concealed, so no one observed Elizabeth’s flustered expression; the cup of tea burned her fingers, but her attention was fully captured by Darcy’s hidden confession.
“True,” the colonel declared. “If not for my friendship with Bingley, I would not have travelled in this weather for a ball. But I am glad I did after spending such a lovely time in your company.”
“And we are glad you came too, sir,” Mr Bennet replied. “Will you dine with us, gentlemen? I imagine you will leave after the ball, and I would like to benefit from your company as much as possible.”
“I am not sure…I…my sisters said…” Bingley responded, torn between his desires and the requests of his family.
“I would be happy to,” Darcy added. “I am certain Mr and Mrs Hurst, as well as Miss Bingley, will be fine without me. Besides, the next two days, we shall be at Netherfield entirely.”
“I would like to stay for dinner too,” the colonel seconded his cousin. “Unfortunately, we are not dressed for dinner. Perhaps we should go and change properly then return later.”
“Oh, do not mind about that,” Mrs Bennet intervened, determined to avoid their departure. “You are all handsome enough to look just fine whatever you wear. Surely, you cannot go and change in this storm.”
“I thank you in behalf of my friends, Mrs Bennet. Day attire it is then,” the colonel responded in jest, bowing ceremoniously.
“Excellent. Would you excuse me now? I have some things to discuss with Hill…” Mrs Bennet’s pleasure at having the gentlemen for dinner again was countered by her worry about not rising to their expectations, so she exited the room in a hurry.
The gentlemen retired to the library with Mr Bennet, and Elizabeth had no time to speak to Darcy directly.
A stolen glance was all they shared, but she was excited by the notion of his being in their home for another few hours.
She still did not know what he planned to do after the ball.
He said he wished to assist Bingley on his wedding day, but that was two weeks hence.
Would he stay? If so, surely they would find an opportunity to speak again—privately.
The rest of the afternoon and dinner were a family affair.
The degree of familiarity amongst the company allowed for no restraint or awkwardness.
Even Mrs Bennet’s occasional breaches of propriety brought nothing but amusement.
Elizabeth was delighted with Darcy’s manners.
His obvious efforts to keep a smile on his face, to participate in every conversation, and to address her parents at every opportunity could mean only a desire to please her.
The rain and wind outside contrasted with the warmth of the friendly gathering, so when the windows shuddered under the force of the wind, Mr Bingley declared, “This weather discourages any attempt to leave. I feel so comfortable that I am reluctant to return to Netherfield.”
He stared at Jane, who blushed and smiled shyly.
“Indeed, sir, I was thinking the same,” Mrs Bennet hastily answered.
“And I was wondering: since Lizzy and Jane will dine at Netherfield tomorrow and the weather is so nasty, perhaps they should carry their ball gowns and remain at Netherfield overnight. It would make little sense to return home in the middle of the night only to go back the following day through the storm.”
Disbelief fell over the rest of the family while Bingley seemed dumbfounded, looking from his intended to her mother.
“Mama!” Jane whispered in a voice lowered by shame.
“Would you not agree?” Mrs Bennet continued, ignoring her horrified daughter.
“I completely agree…I mean, if that is acceptable to Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth—I mean to Jane and Elizabeth—I believe it is sound reasoning,” Bingley mumbled.
“We would be perfectly fine at home, despite the weather,” Elizabeth intervened, trying to avoid Darcy’s gaze. “And Netherfield will be crowded with guests.”
“I agree with Lizzy. We would be better at home. And with so many guests, there will likely be no spare chambers,” Jane said.
“Actually, the Millers wrote that they are forced to decline; did I mention it? So there are spare rooms,” Bingley responded, growing excited by the notion.
“See? Two free rooms and you girls need only one. How fortunate!” Mrs Bennet concluded.
“It is a good idea indeed. And you will be in no haste tomorrow after dinner. You will not have to leave immediately. Even more, you will have the opportunity to suggest any changes in case you are not pleased with the decorations or something,” Bingley addressed Jane, whose opposition subsided as the redness on her cheeks increased.
“I…perhaps…I am not sure. We do not want to intrude.” Jane searched for the right answer.
“What intrusion? Netherfield is your future home,” Mrs Bennet cried, and Jane’s eyes widened in shameful surprise.
“Mama, please—”
“Although I am not entitled to an opinion,” the colonel offered, “I would say that, if my sisters or mother were in such a situation, I would support Mrs Bennet’s suggestion. However, as I said, it is for others to make the decision.”
“You see, Jane? Even the colonel agrees,” Mrs Bennet said with deep satisfaction.
Silent questions were wordlessly sent to Mr Bennet, who appeared to hold little interest in the matter and nodded to his daughters to decide for themselves.
Darcy’s words sounded as Elizabeth hoped and feared.
“While I sense Mrs Bennet’s suggestion is correct and wise, I believe Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth must decide.
It depends on their degree of comfort and convenience.
There are situations in which poor company can make a stay less comfortable than riding through a storm. ”
The shadow of the failed visit that troubled Elizabeth was dissipated by the gleam in Darcy’s eyes. His thoughts were difficult to read. He admitted his support of the idea but also allowed her the liberty to decide free of any pressure and distress.
The unexpected—and highly improper—possibility of spending two days and a night under the same roof with Darcy took her breath away.
In truth, no impropriety could occur either for her or for Jane.
With so many guests and the Bingley sisters there, nobody would have a single moment of privacy.
Still, that would mean they would sleep in the house.
They would meet several times. They could even share the library—more pleasantly than a year earlier.
Was there a reason strong enough to convince her against such a prospect?
It was for Jane to make the final choice, but Elizabeth found herself speaking,
“The company at Netherfield is hardly poor—quite the opposite. Jane and I shall discuss this further, and if the weather is as bad tomorrow, we shall consider Mama’s suggestion in earnest.”
“Yes, we shall discuss it. But we are grateful for your care, Charles,” Jane whispered to her betrothed, who tenderly kissed her hand.
Elizabeth and Darcy had no right to speak more or to share other sorts of closeness. But it was not necessary. The concealed smiles and the words hidden behind meaningful silences were enough.
∞∞∞
Later on, when the guests eventually departed and the family retired for the night, Jane openly expressed her displeasure with her mother in a way unseen before.
“What on earth is wrong with you, child? Why would you be upset with me?” Mrs Bennet inquired.
“Why? Mama, how could you do that to me—expose me to such a situation? Is it not enough that you sent me by horseback last year so that I was trapped at Netherfield for days? Should we repeat the experience in such an obviously improper manner?”
“Oh hush, girl! You speak nonsense. Did you not see that all three gentlemen agreed with me? I only want what is best for you! If not for my help, I wonder whether Mr Bingley would have come to know you and to fall in love with you so quickly. You should be grateful to me!”
“I am grateful, Mama! But you cannot continue to expose us to these distressing situations.”
“Of course I can. If I am doing it, it is for your own good. And I never mentioned that the rain could ruin your appearance. You cannot be less elegant and beautiful than other women in attendance. And even more—oh dear, you are so na?ve—how should I put this?”
“What do you mean, Mama?”
“Well, you cannot possibly allow other women to sleep in the same house with your betrothed! What if one of them tries to compromise him and ruins your wedding?”
“Mama!”
“No ‘Mama’! I know I am right. One cannot be too cautious in these matters.”
Jane’s growing wrath and opposition were so strong and unusual that it amused Elizabeth.
“And pray tell me, Mama, how can I prevent such an incident if it is to occur? Should I guard Charles’s room? Perhaps compromising myself by such foolishness?” Jane asked angrily.
“Not at all. Just being there will be enough. And since you are about to marry, you cannot be compromised. It is nonsense. Lizzy, on the other hand, could easily be put in a compromising situation.”
“Mama, what are you talking about? Your allusions are really disturbing,” Elizabeth responded in shock.
“Come now, I am not suggesting anything, I am just saying…you know, I have wondered for some time… It is obvious to everyone that Miss Bingley would do anything to gain Mr Darcy’s attention and even more so to have him marry her.
How is it that she has not put herself in a compromising situation with him since they are so much in each other’s company?
He appears to be an honourable man; he would surely marry her if necessary. ”
“Mama, for heaven’s sake, please stop, and never speak of this again!” a dumbfounded Jane pleaded. “Dear Lord, I cannot believe you said that…”
“Nonsense,” Mrs Bennet repeated lightly. “Be sure you both prepare your luggage for tomorrow. You will stay at Netherfield two full days.”
Any other opposition or reasoning was useless, and the girls abandoned any attempt. However, long after their mother left, her words continued to sound in their minds and keep them awake and restless as they realised that Mrs Bennet might not be entirely wrong.