Chapter 10 #2
“No, not at all. I have long planned to return to London to spend Christmas with my sister, although my previous plan has changed significantly lately,” he said. He was avoiding her eyes and Elizabeth thought she noticed a trace of redness on his neck. Was he embarrassed by something?
“I see…but you intend to return, you said?” she continued, tormented by her own inquisitive boldness.
“Yes.”
“And Mr Bingley?” She knew she had no right to ask so many questions but he did not seem to disapprove.
“Bingley has some important and unexpected business. Forgive me but I am not comfortable providing you with more information. I am sure he will tell your sister all the details,” Darcy answered.
“Of course. As long as all is well,” Elizabeth agreed. To her surprise, he continued.
“I will leave later than the rest of the party and I was wondering… Is there any chance that you still enjoy walking early in the morning?”
This time, her amazement was complete. “Yes, I do … every morning, when the weather allows me…”
“I am glad to hear that… If we happen to meet tomorrow morning, there is something that I would like to speak to you about. Something related to a common acquaintance. Please, do not worry, it is nothing grave. But I thought it would be fair for me to provide you with some information that you and your father may find important and useful.”
Elizabeth was now lost; her mind spun, trying to guess what he could tell her that would require a private meeting in the woods. It was clearly not in regard to her. But who could be the common acquaintance about whom he possessed private information? Mr Bingley? Mr Wickham? Mr Collins?
“I hope I have not disturbed you,” he whispered.
She startled and looked at him. “A little,” she admitted. “But a long walk in the morning would be beneficial in any circumstances,” she concluded.
He looked so content that Elizabeth was left with even more questions. Why was the meeting so important to him? She had no time to enquire further though, as the music started and Mr Collins walked towards them, bending over and grinning with satisfaction.
“My dear Miss Elizabeth, I have come to claim your hand…for the first set. Mr Darcy, I heartily thank you for keeping company with my cousin.”
“It was my pleasure, I assure you,” Darcy replied, exchanging a glance with Elizabeth as she departed with Mr Collins. His mind, still foggy from tiredness and the ill state that had troubled him for days, started to speculate.
What was in that ridiculous man’s mind? Surely he could not consider pursuing Elizabeth! Was he completely irrational?
The musicians tuned their instruments and the music cut through Darcy’s temples. It sounded so loud that he could hardly bear it.
Bingley and Miss Jane Bennet led the dance. Couples took their place in line and his eyes met with Elizabeth’s annoyed glance. He tried to smile at her but she looked utterly uncomfortable.
Wickham was dancing with Mary King, a young lady whom Darcy had seen for the first time that evening.
Darcy planned to watch him closely, but his headache allowed him little strength for such intense scrutiny.
He would speak to Elizabeth the next morning and she would know what to tell Mr Bennet to avoid any danger from Wickham’s disgraceful behaviour.
The first set started. With the impressive number of officers, all the young ladies were engaged for the dance, while the married ladies were sitting by the wall, enjoying tea, sweets and a bit of gossip.
Darcy retired to a corner with a glass of brandy. His head felt sore and his temples were burning, his neckcloth restricted his breathing. His gloves felt like a trap on his heated hands. His entire body was warm, unbearably warm.
He watched people lost in noisy discussions.
The music sounded so loud that his head felt pierced by knives.
The light was so powerful that his eyes could hardly bear it.
He wondered if there were too many candles or simply his disposition was inappropriate for such an event.
He had never found a ball more tiresome and disturbing than this one.
He wished for nothing else but peace and silence and darkness but he was there for her, for Elizabeth.
For that half hour when he would dance with her.
And he had already been rewarded by their short encounter earlier, when he felt alone with her in the room filled with people, by her smiles and teasing and by her generously offering him the supper set.
It was worth bearing the crowd, the noise, the discomfort, for the opportunity to see her, to fill his mind with her image, to carry with him as many memories as possible for the time he would be in London.
He was delighted by her easy acceptance at meeting him in the morning.
He could see she was surprised, but not displeased.
Just as she was taken aback by him asking her to dance.
Had he been so ungentlemanlike in manners that she did not expect even a simple dance request?
Or was she stunned by him asking for the first set?
It was always a meaningful one and people would have surely gossiped about it, just as they were now talking about Bingley and Miss Bennet, and about Elizabeth and that Collins man.
Elizabeth’s uneasiness seemed to increase during the dance and he felt the need to protect her. It was a silly, but strong impulse, against which he had to fight. And only inches from him, Mrs Bennet was discussing the future of her daughters with Lady Lucas and Mrs Phillips.
“If I could see Jane at Netherfield and one of my other daughters married to Mr Collins as the future mistress of Longbourn, I would wish for nothing more. Seeing my daughters well married is my only desire and all I pray for.”
“But sister, I believe you must not worry about Jane any longer,” Mrs Phillips replied. “And Mr Collins seems to favour Lizzy, which is only right. She is the second in age and beauty.”
“My dear sister, if only Lizzy would not be so stubborn. I worry about her constantly. I saw her talking to Mr Darcy earlier and I pray she did not say something to upset him. I know Mr Darcy’s opinion carries much weight with Mr Bingley,” Mrs Bennet said.
Lady Lucas whispered something to her companion and all the ladies turned to look at Darcy. They nodded to him, he responded, and the ladies continued to speak in a lower voice.
Another thought caused Darcy a slight panic. He was about to leave the following day. Was there any chance that Elizabeth would accept a marriage proposal from that man? But could she afford to reject it?
He realised that the situation was not favourable to any of them.
Bingley was leaving the next morning without any arrangement between him and Jane Bennet.
Therefore, a future engagement, though desired and presumed by all parties, was still uncertain.
Under those circumstances, if the man to inherit Longbourn and to be responsible for their fate proposed to any of them, who would dare refuse and jeopardise the family’s safety?
But still–could any parent force a woman like Elizabeth to marry someone like Collins? What parent would want such a tragic fate for a daughter? He glanced at Mrs Bennet–who was talking and gesticulating wildly, pointing at the dance floor. There was the answer–in front of his eyes.
The notion of seeing Elizabeth married to Collins–or to any other man– made him nauseous. His head ached so badly that he had to close his eyes to seek some relief.
“Mr Darcy? Are you well, sir?”
He startled, looking around somewhat confused.
“Mr Bennet. I am well, thank you. Why would you presume otherwise? Forgive me, but Miss Elizabeth asked the same thing earlier. I am starting to worry about my appearance,” he joked.
“Forgive me for saying so, but you look rather ill. However, since you are amused, I might be wrong.”
“I have a slight headache. It might be because I am not very fond of balls,” Darcy replied in jest.
Mr Bennet nodded in agreement. “I can well understand that. Sir, I want to express my gratitude for your heroic rescue of my family. It was as generous as it was brave. My wife and daughters would have been in serious danger without you.”
“Please do not mention it, sir. I did no more than any other man would have done.”
“If only he had been able to. If it was I who happened to be with them, I would have been of no use, as I have no knowledge of calming a wild horse, nor how to start a fire from nothing. But in my defence, neither of the two officers–the ladies’ favourites–were in any way better.
Admittedly I did not expect such skills in a gentleman who does not need them,” Mr Bennet said.
“I used to spend much time outside with my father, uncle and cousins. We learned many things that we might not need on a daily basis but would be helpful in dangerous situations.”
“So you did and we were happy to benefit from them. To Mrs Bennet, you are more of a hero than if you had won a battle!”
“I am happy to see Mrs Bennet recovered. I know she has been ill.”
“Well, thank you, it was only a trifling cold.”
“I am glad. And all the Miss Bennets seem in good health.”
“They are. All thanks to you.”
“I am glad I could be of help.”
Each took a sip of wine, while watching the dancers.
“I noticed you watched Mrs Bennet earlier,” Mr Bennet eventually spoke. “I know you disapprove of our family’s manners and I am aware you rightfully do so. Mrs Bennet’s public discussions of her daughters’ marriages seem especially appalling to you and I cannot blame you.”
Darcy startled, staring at his companion. He did not expect such an open approach to such a delicate matter.
“Mr Bennet, I do not…”
“Come now, Mr Darcy. It is obvious that you loathed hearing about Jane marrying your friend or Lizzy marrying Mr Collins. Just as I am sure you despise hearing about Mrs Bennet arranging husbands for our daughters. You cannot deny that, and I admit my own personal feeling is not far from yours.”
“Mr Bennet, my opinion means little to anyone. What I think I am keeping to myself,” Darcy said.
“Not quite,” Mr Bennet laughed. “I do not wish to be impertinent, but your expression is quite open and apparent. I imagine it is not just I, but everyone else who is able to read your thoughts.”
“My thoughts should be private and I will keep them that way. I apologise if I was not careful enough.”
“You seem to disapprove of everything and everyone, Mr Darcy. And yet, you were generous enough to jeopardise your own life to save some unknown people. If I were bold enough, I would ask which one is the real Mr Darcy? The proud and arrogant one or the hero? The one who criticises my family’s behaviour or the one who seems to enjoy spending time in our company? ”
“I am certainly not a hero, Mr Bennet. I did what was required under the circumstances, and I would do it anytime if needed. And I surely do not despise everyone. In fact, the better I know Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth the more I come to admire them. And I have enjoyed the time I have spent with your family.”
“I am glad to hear that. But I think it would be more accurate to say you enjoy spending time with some of my family.”
“I believe very few of us enjoy everyone’s company,” Darcy declared.
Mr Bennet smiled and approved. “True. And I am one of them. In this, we are very much alike.”
The music soon stopped and the couples joined their families and friends. Mr Collins was holding Elizabeth’s arm and continued to talk close to her ear while she was obviously trying to keep some distance. He frowned, forgetting that Mr Bennet was watching.
“Mr Collins is surely not one of those whose company any of us enjoy,” Mr Bennet said.
Darcy startled and looked at him.
“And yet, your aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, granted him her good opinion and her protection. His position, his situation in life, her patronage, would surely make him a desirable husband. Would you not agree?”
Darcy could not decide if Mr Bennet was being genuine in his statement or only mocked him, so he replied politely.
“I believe it depends on the lady who will be his wife. Mr Collins has a steady income, he seems to be serious about his duties and I assume he will be careful and attentive to his family.”
“Indeed. Sadly for him, he seems to have chosen in such a way that he will face a severe and painful rejection. I almost pity him,” Mr Bennet continued, offering Darcy the relief he needed to ease his fear.
He should not have doubted either Elizabeth or her father. One would never accept such a marriage proposal, and the other would never force her to make such a sacrifice.
Now, he had time to act according to his desires. He had to arrange his plans carefully, so he did not delay his return too much.
By that time, Elizabeth and her sisters were in a group surrounded by officers.
Wickham’s closeness to Elizabeth displeased Darcy even more, although he had little reason to worry in that regard.
But Lydia and Kitty, as well as Maria Lucas, seemed to have forgotten their manners under the officers' charms.
“Forgive me, I must have a word with my youngest daughters,” Mr Bennet said, excusing himself from Darcy.
“Mr Bennet!” Darcy called after him and the gentleman turned. “In case we do not have another chance to speak tonight, I want to inform you we will all depart for London tomorrow morning.”
“Really? That is unexpected. You will not be away too long, I hope,” Mr Bennet responded with obvious concern.
“Bingley intends to stay away for as short a time as possible. I plan to spend Christmas in town with my sister, so I am not certain of my plans yet. But if I may be of some use, if there is a certain book you would like to acquire or anything else from town, just let me know.”
That mere statement was enough for both to understand that his return, although not established, was beyond doubt. Mr Bennet bowed to him.
“You are too kind, Mr Darcy. I wish you a safe journey and we will anticipate seeing you again at Netherfield when your plans allow it.”
“Likewise, Mr Bennet.”
Elizabeth’s father left and the music started again.
The pairs returned to the dance floor; voices and laughter were all around and Darcy’s headache increased.
He gulped a little more wine, but he felt even warmer and could hardly breathe.
He exited into the hallway, hiding from anyone who could approach him and rested against a wall.
A moment later, he decided to retire to the library for a little while but was startled by Mr Collins repeatedly calling his name.
He had no other choice but to stop and bear the boredom.