Chapter 1.23 #2
He bowed to her, and she rose with the intention of greeting him, but she could not do so properly as Mr Darcy’s grip on her hand was strong and possessive. The colonel noticed her gesture and started to laugh.
“Darcy, do you intend to release Miss Elizabeth’s hand at some point? She might need it to greet me, you know.”
Elizabeth’s mortification made her cheeks burn.
Her first look was at Georgiana to see her reaction to such improper behaviour, but the girl seemed deeply amused, chuckling and hiding her mouth behind her hand.
Before Elizabeth could say anything, she felt her hand clasped by Mr Darcy in an even tighter grip.
“No, cousin, not anytime soon. If you want to take Miss Elizabeth’s hand, you must be content with the left one, as this one is otherwise and permanently engaged.”
“Mr Darcy!” Elizabeth’s tone was full of reproach, her eyes shooting darts at him. “I think this is a very improper joke.”
Her voice was drowned out, however, by the colonel and Georgiana’s laughter, and her embarrassment grew to the point where she became upset with Mr Darcy for putting her in such a humiliating situation.
Sensing her obvious discomfort, he became more serious, not letting her hand go but loosening his grip in case she chose to withdraw it.
“I am sorry if I embarrassed you, Elizabeth. I shall have to beg your forgiveness once more. I am sure that my cousin and my sister already know I am incapable of acting properly where you are concerned. And you look so beautiful this morning that I had to take your hand to be certain you were not an illusion.”
He sounded and looked completely serious. While his words warmed her with the greatest pleasure, she could not help bursting into laughter at his exaggeration. “Well, sir, you find the most perfect excuses. What woman could deny you this little reward after such a public declaration?”
She resumed her seat but did not pull her hand from his, which made the colonel comment—between peals of laughter—
“I agree: he deserves this little reward after making himself completely ridiculous in front of his little sister. Miss Elizabeth, I do not know what you did with the real Darcy or what spell you cast on him, but I pray that such a thing never happens to me.”
“You are more the fool, cousin,” answered Darcy, his voice utterly serious and his eyes embracing Elizabeth with a tenderness that everybody in the room could sense. “You should pray something like this happens to you. You should pray to someday feel the same love and happiness that I do.”
Saying that, he kissed Elizabeth’s hand again, staring into her eyes and reading her silent response to his unexpected declaration.
The love and gratitude that lightened her face could not be misinterpreted.
And Georgiana’s whispered words confirmed that.
“I do pray for that, brother. I hope the Lord will allow me someday to be as happy as you are.”
Darcy moved closer, still holding his betrothed’s hand, and bestowed a tender kiss on his sister’s forehead.
“I am sure He will, dearest. Have no doubt of that.”
After years of service in the army, the colonel found himself in the unacceptable and absurd situation of hiding emotion that would forever compromise him in the eyes of his fellow officers. He forced himself to laugh again without really succeeding in deceiving his companions.
“Let us not be so sentimental. And, Darcy, Miss Elizabeth has already given you permission to keep her hand, so you need not act the hapless lover any longer.”
Having Georgiana chuckle again at his words allowed him to turn the conversation to an easier and less emotional topic.
He inquired and received a favourable report about Georgiana’s state of health.
She was pleased to tell him that she might be allowed to start using her leg for a few minutes each day, and she expressed her happy anticipation of being able to take a short walk in the room within a week.
“That is wonderful news, dear. Lady Ellen will be thrilled to hear it.”
“Thank you, Robert. I cannot wait to tell her myself. But how is Lady Ellen? I expected to see her this morning as she said she would visit me after breakfast.”
“Ah…she is well; do not worry. It is just that…a special situation has occurred at the house and…” He cast a brief glance at his cousin, silently asking for help, as he did not know how much he should relate to the young ladies. Darcy did not fail to understand his meaning.
“Georgie, Robert told me that the situation has been difficult in their house today. Apparently, Lady Catherine had an enormous argument with the earl and—” He sensed the tension in Elizabeth’s hand as Georgiana’s face tuned white, her eyes opening wide.
He knew both his sister and his intended shared the same fears, but it was the former who voiced them.
“Lady Catherine is still here? What did Lady Ellen say? William, what if she comes again? You will not go away, will you?” Both gentlemen felt the sharp pain caused by the girl’s distress, so strong that she could barely speak coherently.
Darcy took hold of his sister’s hand and tightened his grip on Elizabeth’s suddenly cold fingers. “Georgie, there is nothing to worry about. I shall protect both you and Elizabeth against anything and anybody, I promise you. And I shall not go anywhere; I shall stay here with you.”
He wrapped both her and Elizabeth in a protective gaze, and his betrothed tentatively smiled back at him. However, Georgiana’s state did not improve. It was the colonel’s turn to intervene.
“Georgie, for heaven’s sake, there is no need to be so frightened. She is your aunt, not some foreign enemy. What can she do except shout? Try not to give her so much importance.”
“Oh, cousin, you do not know how angry she was! And what she said…and how she spoke to Elizabeth! I cannot bear that to happen again. The things she said about my father…and about Elizabeth, and—”
“Do not worry, sweetie; she will not return. And if she does, you can throw her out of the house. Elizabeth will teach you how to do it.”
Everybody’s eyes turned to Lady Matlock, who stepped into the room with her usual elegance and perfect appearance.
However, traces of fatigue and the effects of recent events could be seen on her face and in the hint of sadness in her smile.
On greeting the new guest, Darcy and Elizabeth separated their hands, but the gesture had not escaped the lady who smiled and exchanged meaningful glances with her son.
She bent to kiss her niece’s forehead, and she was pleased to see her so recovered. She took Elizabeth’s hand and squeezed it affectionately, while Darcy offered her the most comfortable armchair in the room.
“Thank you, nephew. So…from what I hear, I dare say you are still discussing yesterday’s events.”
“No, Aunt,” answered Darcy, “we were having quite a pleasant conversation…until now…but I am afraid Georgiana is still a trifle worried, though I assured her she has no reason to be.”
“I see… Georgie, sweetie, let us move beyond this story, shall we? We have a ball and a wedding to plan, and I left my home precisely to get away from that relative of ours. I hoped she would finally leave, but the doctor confirmed that Anne is too weak to bear the voyage back to Kent. She must rest for at least a week. And Catherine, though she was very angry with us, refused to return without her daughter, so she was offered a guest room in the east wing. Dear me, we shall be the laughingstock of the ton if the servants start gossiping.”
Her unusual tirade disconcerted Georgiana even more. “Dear Aunt, I do not understand. What is happening with Anne? And when did Elizabeth throw Lady Catherine out of the house?”
Lady Matlock grinned with an uncharacteristic lack of elegance.
“I am acting strangely and talking nonsense, am I not? I beg you to excuse me. It must be the bad influence of a certain rude visitor I had recently. Robert dear, please be so kind as to entertain your cousins with the ridiculously dramatic story of what took place this morning in our house. And please, could someone ring for fresh tea? I am in desperate need of a cup or two.”
Though neither of them could be certain whether Lady Matlock was speaking in jest or not, they obeyed.
The colonel started to re-tell the story for Elizabeth and Georgiana in a much lighter and more amusing manner, with proper care so as not to distress them while Elizabeth, without hesitation, rang for the tea.
The maid entered with a tray, and looked to Elizabeth for further instructions.
She thanked her with a kind smile before dismissing her.
The place was very crowded with all of them gathered near Georgiana’s bed, and the maid would not have had enough room to move around them, so Elizabeth offered to pour the tea herself.
Graciously, she offered each a cup and helped Georgiana to sit more comfortably before handing the tea to her.
When she was certain that everybody was contented, she resumed her place beside Mr Darcy.
Once more, Lady Matlock marvelled with pleasure at the mix of qualities in Elizabeth.
Her natural, unpretentious manner made everyone around her feel comfortable.
She was kind and attentive, not because propriety demanded it, but because that was her way.
It was as simple as that. However, Elizabeth’s harsh words and sharp looks when she had censured Darcy in the library and the way she stood up to Lady Catherine proved that she had a strength rarely found in young women.
Mrs Hamilton was generous in her praise and showed no restraint in expressing her admiration for the future mistress of this great house, and she was correct, thought Lady Matlock.
Elizabeth Bennet has many admirable qualities.