Chapter 1.3 #4
“My dear,” Mr Bennet’s calm voice cut her off. “Let us be grateful that nothing bad has happened. And let us go into the house as quickly as possible before we are all soaked.”
He did that, taking his wife’s arm and inviting everyone to follow him.
“Oh, Mr Bennet, just look at her wild appearance; she is like a savage. What will Mr Collins say? And in front of Mr Darcy! No wonder he did not want to dance with her! I wonder whether any man will ever want to dance with her again, not to mention make an offer to her…”
It cannot be said who was more mortified at her words, Elizabeth and Darcy—who exchanged embarrassed glances, their cheeks deeply flushed—or sensitive Jane. However, it is certain that Mr Bennet was extremely diverted by his wife’s words and the reactions they produced.
In those few minutes, he made some interesting observations.
Both Lizzy and Darcy looked uncomfortable but in no way irritated or displeased with each other’s presence.
Furthermore, from time to time they exchanged stolen glances.
They were wet but not wet enough to have stood in the rain for long.
The gentleman was obviously dressed for riding, but his horse was absent.
He could hardly wait to learn everything, but this was not the proper moment, and he kept any questions to himself.
Suddenly, Mrs Bennet—of all people—realised the import of the situation and turned to them, making her husband do the same.
“And Lizzy, what are you doing in the company of Mr Darcy? Mr Darcy, where did you find her? Sir, it would be very ungentlemanlike of you to tell anyone about what appears to be an unfortunate incident. I assure you Lizzy is not always so wild and—”
Darcy bowed deeply and spoke solemnly to her. “Mrs Bennet, please rest assured of my secrecy; indeed, it was a fortune circumstance that I met Miss Bennet since my horse had just escaped, and I was completely lost in the woods in the midst of the storm.”
Hastily, Elizabeth interrupted him. “Indeed ma’am, I managed to find shelter from the rain in the cottage for a while, and on my way home I was fortunate enough to meet Mr Darcy, who was so kind as to accompany me so that I could return quickly and safely.”
She gave Darcy a pleading, embarrassed glance while Darcy responded with a wondering gaze of his own. Not for a moment had it crossed his mind not to tell the truth regarding their meeting. All saw their exchanged looks, but only Mr Bennet and Jane gave them any weight.
The gentleman addressed his wife calmly. “As you see, my dear, they both seem to be very fortunate in meeting each other, and they managed to come home safely. That is good enough for me. Let us not delay in this weather.”
“Well, I suppose we must thank you, Mr Darcy,” said Mrs Bennet coldly.
Saving her second daughter was not enough for her to excuse him completely for his previously rude behaviour; nevertheless, his promise not to reveal to anyone what had happened was certainly a point in his favour.
“Let us all go inside,” said Mr Bennet. “The two of you must change out of those wet, dirty clothes. We have not yet breakfasted and will surely starve to death if we do not eat something immediately.”
Darcy felt he had endured enough of the Bennet family for one day, and the sight of a strange-looking gentleman in the doorway, expressing his happiness at the arrival of his fair cousin Elizabeth, was too much for him.
“Mr Bennet, I do not want to impose on you and your family. If you would be so kind as to lend me one of your horses, I shall leave for Netherfield without delay. My friends must be concerned about my absence.”
They had reached the main door, and everyone else entered.
“Mr Darcy, the rain has started again, and you are in no condition to travel, not even for a distance of three miles. You are wet through and almost frozen, and the main road is very bad indeed. I shall send John—properly dressed for the weather—to Netherfield to inform everyone you are safe. Perhaps you would like to write a note yourself?”
“Thank you, Mr Bennet. I am grateful for your concern but—”
“Mr Darcy…” Elizabeth’s voice from the doorway made them both turn to her. “I beg you to accept my father’s suggestion, sir. You have seen for yourself how dangerous it can be outside in this weather. After all the help you offered me, I could not forgive myself if something happened to you.”
They gazed at each other briefly, forgetting they were not alone.
“Lizzy! Where are you now, child? Come here at once! You will become ill, and your nose will be red at the ball!” Elizabeth turned to attend her mother, giving Darcy a last glance before disappearing through the door.
“Well, Mr Darcy? Shall we go in? Or would you prefer to have Mrs Bennet beg you as well? That is, of course, if you do not find it insupportable to spend more time with us. If that be the case, I should be more than happy to lend you a horse to return to Netherfield.”
Mr Bennet’s tone was very polite, but the subtle irony was not unnoticed by Darcy. He tried to keep his countenance while answering, “Thank you, sir, for your hospitality.”
“Well, good then. Let us enter.”