Chapter 1.6 #4
The set ended, and Mr Darcy led Elizabeth to her father, bowing to Mr Bennet, as he had not had an opportunity to greet him properly that evening.
The elder gentleman met them with a smile and, after the proper salutation, wasted no time in saying, “Mr Darcy, you seem to be enjoying the ball, I should say.”
“I must confess I am, sir.”
“I am glad to hear it. Lizzy, where did you lose our cousin Mr Collins?”
“He was indisposed and could not dance, Papa.”
“Indeed? Well, I must confess I am very disappointed. I was looking forward to your dancing and quite prepared for considerable entertainment.”
Seeing Mr Darcy’s uncomfortable fidgeting, he added, “I mean no offence, Mr Darcy, but you dance so well that I was not at all diverted. To see Mr Collins exhibiting—now that would have been a spectacle.”
“Papa! I never should have thought you capable of finding amusement in your daughter’s discomfort.”
Lizzy’s reproach only brought laughter to her father, and she was about to say something more but was stopped by Mr Darcy’s sudden chuckle.
She looked at him reproachfully, trying to restrain herself from joining them; more than one person was looking at their little group.
They had clearly become the centre of general observation—and gossip, no doubt.
She quickly excused herself, saying that she wanted to talk to Jane; before Mr Darcy could apologise for his behaviour, she was in the middle of the room beside her sister, whispering something in Jane’s ear and casting furtive glances in their direction.
“I am sorry for my reaction, Mr Bennet. I hope I did not offend Miss Elizabeth. I shall go and apologise at once.”
“You will do no such thing, Mr Darcy, for it will put me in an even worse position. You laughed with me, thus you will have to suffer the punishment with me.”
“As you wish, sir.” Darcy smiled, his enthralled gaze following Elizabeth around the room.
Mr Bennet’s voice stirred him from his reverie. “Mr Darcy, am I wrong in saying that you and Lizzy seemed to get along quite well?”
Darcy looked at him, slightly embarrassed, but said lightly, “No, sir, you are not wrong. I mean…I believe you are not wrong. I can only hope Miss Elizabeth’s opinion is the same.”
“Well, I dare say it is the same. Apparently, I was correct the other day in assuming that Elizabeth’s opinion of you would improve.”
“Yes, sir, I hope so.”
“However, Mr Darcy, we must discuss another matter since it seems that things have changed a little in the last couple of days.”
“Certainly, sir.”
“I could not help but notice that your attentions towards Elizabeth are quite obviously and openly displayed.”
Darcy felt again like a young boy caught doing something wrong and began to fidget with his wine glass, obviously embarrassed.
“Mr Bennet, do you consider my behaviour towards Miss Elizabeth in any way offensive?”
“No, sir. And I am sure my daughter would let you know if something improper had occurred. Mr Darcy, my good opinion of you has grown consistently since our last meeting. I believe you to be a responsible man but also a young one as I myself was once. I just want to be sure that you are aware of your behaviour and of the possible consequences in terms of gossip and expectations raised.”
How strangely amusing. He is telling me exactly the same things I told Bingley! Nevertheless, he knew the answer perfectly well and gave it, looking the elder gentleman straight in the eye.
“I am fully aware, sir, and I assure you my behaviour is in accordance with my intentions.”
“I see. And have you and Elizabeth come to an understanding?”
“No, sir. Miss Elizabeth and I have not discussed anything of this sort.”
“And you have no intention of discussing the matter anytime soon?”
Darcy was trying diligently to find the proper words, but he finally decided on honesty.
“Mr Bennet, if I were to consider only my wishes, I would immediately ask for a private audience with Miss Elizabeth and then with you. However, although I have reason to believe her opinion of me has lately changed for the better and hope it will grow more favourable in time, I believe such a discussion at this moment would, unfortunately, give Miss Elizabeth great discomfort and would not assure me of a favourable answer.”
He stopped a moment without averting his eyes.
“That is why I ask your permission to call on you for the next several days on my own—and with Mr Bingley after his return from town—in order to become…better known to your entire family.”
Mr Bennet smiled at his choice of words.
“I am sure my ‘entire family’ will be more than pleased to know you better, especially Mrs Bennet and Lydia.”
His obvious amusement made Darcy gulp violently from his wine glass. He could accept Elizabeth’s teasing, but being the object of such sharp irony from both her and her father in one evening was somewhat overwhelming.
Their conversation was interrupted as the music for the second set began, and he was forced to go in search of Miss Bingley. He knew that Elizabeth had accepted Wickham, and it was the perfect time for him to fulfil the obligation to dance with his friend’s sister.
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