Chapter 1.20 #4
“I am glad you approve of it, and I dare say you will be delighted with the Pemberley library as well. Speaking of which, please consider that you will need no invitation to visit us at any time, both here and at Pemberley. I shall be as happy as your daughter to see you, sir.”
“Thank you; it is good to know that.”
They returned to the drawing room where Mr Darcy moved closer to Elizabeth and announced the established date to the party.
Congratulations came with great delight from all except Lydia—annoyed by all the attention her sister received—and from Bingley, who was growing more and more envious of his friend’s happiness and ashamed of his own lack of determination.
Turning his eyes to Jane, Bingley was sure he could read in her face the same thoughts.
He soon recovered and joined the others in expressing congratulations, taking the opportunity to mention that he, too, intended to return to Netherfield in a fortnight and offering his home to host all the guests who would come for the wedding.
The happiness that spread over Jane’s bright face was a welcome reward.
Before dinner, Mr Darcy proposed a tour of the house for his guests, as none of them—not even Elizabeth—had had the opportunity for an ‘official’ excursion.
As the children had no interest or curiosity in visiting empty rooms—quite the contrary—they remained with Georgiana, surrounding her with their gaiety.
Mr Darcy took the lead of the little group but not before he offered Elizabeth his arm, this little gesture of intimacy being the only one allowed for the evening.
More than once during the tour, Mr Darcy found various opportunities to brush Elizabeth’s hand with his—briefly, but nonetheless intensely.
They were walking so closely together that it was impossible not to touch each other.
The group returned when a servant was sent to announce that the first course was ready to be served, and Mr Darcy invited Elizabeth to stay at his right, opposite Georgiana, while he invited the rest of the guests to choose their places as they wanted; it being a family dinner, no formal arrangements were made.
Georgiana was thrilled with the evening. The Gardiners were indeed very pleasant, Mr Bennet very kind and witty, and the children adorable. She was delighted to have the little girls around her and to be the object of their innocent admiration so openly displayed.
Many comments made by Becky made her laugh aloud, to her brother’s delight, and she was sure she had not had such a pleasant time in years. Before the children returned home, Georgiana extracted from Mrs Gardiner the promise that she would allow them to visit her again, together with Elizabeth.
It was very late when the guests left Mr Darcy’s town house, content with a most delightful evening. The next morning, Mr Bennet left for Longbourn, and a few hours later, he rejoined his family after days of absence—three days full of more events than his last ten years.
Mrs Bennet’s reaction to the news was everything he had feared. In fact, it was far worse.
∞∞∞
Mr Darcy was having his breakfast alone—hardly touching the food and enjoying a cup of strong coffee to help him awaken fully after a night filled with dreams and little sleep—when a note from Lady Matlock was delivered.
He opened it, expecting to see the invitation to tea to which his aunt had previously referred, but instead he read something quite remarkable.
Darcy,
Last night I was considering that it has been too long since I last hosted a ball.
And what better occasion could there be than my nephew’s engagement?
So this is what I have decided: we shall have a ball in a fortnight!
And this time you will have no excuse. It would be quite strange to miss your own engagement ball, though from you I could expect it.
Fortunately, I am sure you will not tolerate any other men dancing with Elizabeth, so if nothing else, this is sufficient reason for you to attend.
I shared my intentions with your uncle, and although he was not exactly pleased with the idea, he was not opposed to it either.
Please tell Elizabeth that I shall meet her tomorrow morning at your house while visiting Georgiana, and that she should not make plans for the next few days.
She will be quite busy choosing her gown for the ball.
I have already made appointments at Madame Claudette’s for the day after tomorrow.
Of course, Elizabeth’s relatives will be invited to the ball, except that impertinent Wickham character.
Oh, do not be shocked, Darcy; of course I know about the youngest Bennet and that rascal.
I know everything that is of any interest to me.
Do tell Wickham not to dare appear anywhere near me, or I shall punish him as I did a few years ago when I caught him…
but that is not your business. Just tell him to stay far away, and he will understand, I am quite sure.
And Darcy, for heaven’s sake, did you inform Catherine about your engagement? I imagine she will learn of it eventually, and I would not want to be around when the information reaches her. Poor Anne, she will be alone to bear her mother’s fury, poor dear!
That will be all for the moment.
Your affectionate aunt.
Mr Darcy did not know whether to laugh or to be distressed at what he read.
Lady Ellen did not brook any contradiction or opposition to her plans.
She did not ask their opinion about the ball, only informed them.
He knew it was a very considerate gesture and further evidence of her approval his intended, but he could not help feeling uncomfortable about anyone—even his aunt—making decisions for Elizabeth and him.
He smiled to himself at her reference to Wickham, and he was grateful to her for not holding this situation against Elizabeth.
But then again, Lady Ellen also had been deceived by Wickham’s charming manner until one day more than seven years ago when she changed her opinion entirely without anyone knowing the reason behind it.
The prospect of the ball was more annoying than pleasant for him.
He was still angry with his uncle over the way he had insulted Elizabeth and was reluctant to meet him at a social event.
He delayed forming a conclusion until he had spoken to Elizabeth, which would happen in a short time as he was to call at Gracechurch Street as soon as the clock showed the proper time for a visit.
For quite some time, he had not even thought of spending his days on his former schedule.
The last time he had gone to his club was before departing with Bingley for Netherfield, but he did not miss any of the enjoyment he would find there.
He gave little importance to anything except Elizabeth and Georgiana.
Regarding his sister, her recovery was better than he would have hoped a fortnight ago, and even the doctor—who had visited her that very morning—expressed his surprise at her improvement.
Everything had changed for the better for him since Elizabeth had reappeared in his life ten days before.
She brought joy into their lives as he had told her that night before their engagement.
The bond between them was everything for which he had hoped, and her love for him and her shy passion, which induced her willingly to accept his attentions and return them, exceeded anything he had ever dreamed.
The happiness of knowing that in only six weeks she would belong to him forever was almost too much to bear.
“I say, Darcy, you seem very pleased with yourself. I do not even dare to ask what kind of thoughts crossed your mind to make you smile like that.”
“Bingley! What a pleasant surprise. I did not hear you enter. Do come in, please. Did you already eat?”
“No, I did not. I simply had to leave the house as soon as I could. Caroline has not ceased yelling since yesterday when she found you in…um…private conversation with Miss Elizabeth.” He expected to see Darcy embarrassed and ashamed, but his face expressed nothing of the kind.
“I am sorry, Bingley. You have every reason to be angry with me. Indeed, it was my behaviour that put both Miss Elizabeth and Miss Bingley in an unpleasant situation. I shall apologise to your sister when I meet her next. In fact, if you do not mind, I should like to come to your house and apologise no later than today.”
“Oh, spare me, Darcy. Indeed, you put all of us in a ridiculous situation, but that is not why I am angry with you. And if you want to go to my house and speak to Caroline, you must go alone, for I have no intention of returning before midnight when I am sure she is asleep.”
He was so serious that Darcy could do nothing but laugh. “Do not look so miserable; I can offer you more than one room here. After all, it is entirely my fault. And please, do tell me why you are angry with me.”
“Why am I angry with you? Why?! Darcy, do you remember the evening we returned to Netherfield after you and Miss Elizabeth were caught in the storm?”
“I do.”
“That night we had a very interesting discussion about my feelings for Jane, and you advised me to act prudently and not to display my affection so obviously before I was sure of my true feelings for her and of hers for me. Am I correct?”
“You must be. I do not recollect the exact words, but I remember that I did give you that advice—and wisely too, I might say.”
“Really? Wisely, you say? Well, Darcy, I followed your wise advice: I acted prudently and patiently, and I did not display my affection in an obvious manner while we remained in the neighbourhood.”
“Indeed, Bingley, you have behaved very gentlemanlike as you always do. But what is the point of this?”