Chapter 1.12 #3
For two days, Darcy was preoccupied with making sure everything was perfect for the dinner as it was Elizabeth’s first visit to his town house.
His agitation transferred itself to Georgiana—worried that the state of her health was not proper for such an important event—and then to the staff.
He knew he was irrational, for Elizabeth, Jane, and the Gardiners were not the kind of people to be impressed by richness or greatness, but he continued in the same manner until his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam—coming for his usual visit with Georgiana—could take no more.
“Darcy, for heaven’s sake, stop commanding others about. You are driving your servants to distraction. Let them do their jobs; they are exceedingly well trained as far as I know. Sit down and tell me about this dinner—to which, by the way, I was not invited.”
“I am sorry, cousin. I am completely irrational today. You are right, of course; let us drink something, and I shall tell you the news.”
As with Georgiana, Darcy also had become more close to his cousin during the last trying month, so close that he dared to talk with him a little about Elizabeth Bennet.
However, until that moment, the colonel never understood how determined Darcy was towards the young lady or how anxious to make his intentions known.
As Darcy related Miss Bingley’s deceit, his two meetings in as many days with Miss Elizabeth, and the invitation to dinner, the colonel began to worry.
He was fully aware of the lady’s family, and while he was not so rigid as to despise or disregard her for her lack of fortune or connexions, he was fully aware that, for a man of Darcy’s situation and expectations from family and society, it would not be an insignificant problem.
He looked contemplatively at his cousin who seemed not to consider how this news would spread through town, not to mention the storm that would brew when their aunt Lady Catherine found out.
Nor will my parents be at all pleased. I can only imagine my father’s reaction.
Determined to be well informed and have the most accurate personal opinion of the matter, he invited himself to dinner, already formulating a credible excuse for leaving a party hosted by his parents.
∞∞∞
Elizabeth’s trepidation exceeded Mr Darcy’s, and though both her aunt and Jane agreed she looked splendid, she was still worried about her appearance and about the entire evening’s events.
At last, Mr Darcy arrived, and as soon as he entered the room, their eyes met. Each thought the other looked extraordinarily well, but their anxiety only increased, causing them, quite naturally, to appear impolite and somewhat peculiar to the other members of the party.
Mr Darcy handed all the ladies into the elegant carriage. There was little talk during the ride, and shortly they arrived at the Darcys’ town house.
The moment she was in front of the impressive entrance, Elizabeth could not help being overwhelmed by the elegance and magnificence of the house, ‘ten thousand a year’ resonating menacingly in her head.
She closed her eyes in an attempt to control her emotions before entering, having the first material proof that Mr Darcy was not just the man with whom she had danced, walked, flirted, and held hands but also master of all this and so much more. The thought gave her little comfort.
“Miss Elizabeth…?” His voice was low but warm, his worried eyes studying her and his smile tentative.
He understood her; she was convinced of that. As at other times, he understood her uncertainties and was ready to relieve them.
“Shall we enter? I cannot tell you how thrilled I am finally to have you here.”
She blushed, smiling at him.
As they walked arm in arm, he leaned closer and whispered, “Thrilled is good, you know?”
Elizabeth only managed to whisper back, “Yes, I know,” as thrills diffused in a warm-cold wave inside her body, weakening her knees as the couple entered the main room to join the Gardiners and Jane.
They expected to see the Bingleys and Hursts later—not that Elizabeth or Jane anticipated seeing Caroline Bingley with any pleasure.
They were happy that Mr Darcy was so thoughtful as to call for them earlier so that they could become better acquainted with his house before the imposing Miss Bingley arrived to reclaim her rights as his intimate friend.
Mr Darcy was everything charming, his wish to please them so obvious that it was touching. Refreshments and drinks were offered as dinner was to be served somewhat later.
“Mr Darcy, is Miss Darcy feeling well today?” asked Mrs Gardiner.
“Yes she is, and I must say quite eager to meet you. I was just about to ask you to accompany me to her apartment for a few moments.”
Mrs Gardiner, a wise woman, knew when she was actually desired.
“I should also like to meet Miss Darcy, but I shall await another opportunity; I do not want to fatigue her, and I
know that I am not the one she wants to see at the moment.”
He started to protest, but then understanding her meaning and the fact that she was honest and caring in her offer, he only bowed respectfully to her.
“Mrs Gardiner, I want to assure you that you will be welcome any time in our home. Please consider this an open and permanent invitation. Now, if you would allow, I shall guide your nieces to my sister, and later I should be honoured to show you the house.”