Chapter 1.28 #2
However, she proved herself wrong, as shame was the last feeling she experienced!
Less than a quarter of an hour later, Mr Darcy awoke and asked about their location, as it was late in the afternoon.
At that time, though startled at his voice, Jane managed to keep her countenance—as well as her ‘improper’ position.
A few minutes later when Elizabeth opened her eyes, she saw her sister’s crimson cheeks and smiled at her.
Elizabeth’s heart ached for a moment, as dark, painful memories of their journey to London less than a month before came vividly to mind; now, they were returning home, filled with blissful happiness.
As Mr Bingley had stated, it truly was the most pleasant journey of their lives.
∞∞∞
It was dark when Mr Darcy’s carriage stopped in front of Longbourn. The rest of the party was eager to reach Netherfield as soon as possible. Neither Miss Bingley nor the Hursts were in the mood to bear the Bennets after such a long journey; besides, no invitation had been extended to them.
As Elizabeth had presumed, her mother found no reason to be displeased at seeing all of them descend from the carriage; in fact, Mrs Bennet saw little else than the grandeur of the carriage and paid little attention to anyone except her soon to be son-in-law.
She embraced her daughters lovingly but quickly, congratulated her second daughter, exclaiming far more loudly than was proper, how smart Elizabeth had been in securing such a husband.
Her duty done, she thereafter bestowed her complete attention upon Mr Darcy.
The gentleman could not hide a smile, thinking it was the first time Mrs Bennet had ever treated him with more solicitude than Bingley, and he remembered Becky’s words: “She must be very fond of you.”
The elder Miss Bennets retreated to their rooms to change clothes before dinner.
Though the gentlemen were also in need of proper dinner attire, since the hour was late and everyone was hungry, it was decided that they would forego the formalities—for once—so they immediately could enjoy the most extraordinary dinner Mrs Bennet had ever prepared.
Truly delighted to be in the presence of the young gentlemen again, Mr Bennet insisted they join him in the library for something stronger to whet their appetites, an invitation they accepted with pleasure.
Seizing his opportunity, Mr Bingley lost no time in asking Mr Bennet for a few private moments.
Mr Darcy was allowed to remain in the room but politely retreated to a corner, looking with great interest at Mr Bennet’s bookshelves.
However, a few minutes later, Mr Bingley’s enthusiastic voice could not be ignored, especially when he unexpectedly appeared immediately next to Mr Darcy’s ear, shouting joyfully that they would be brothers after all.
Half an hour was spent in pleasant conversation until dinner was ready.
All three decided it was wiser to delay telling Mrs Bennet their news as Mr Bennet was afraid her poor nerves could not bear so much felicity in one evening.
Dinner was a pleasant affair for everyone despite their fatigue and the excitement of the day.
Mr Bingley did not have the opportunity to speak to Jane privately, but from his few whispered words, she understood that the next step had been taken.
She barely touched her food, her heart and mind occupied with happy thoughts of her future.
Elizabeth could not have been more pleased with the behaviour of her betrothed.
Although her mother’s attentions were overwhelming and difficult to bear—even for a man with more patience than Mr Darcy—the gentleman was all kindness and politeness.
He took every opportunity to praise Mrs Bennet’s courses at dinner, the talent of her cook, and her own skill in running the household.
Such compliments from a distinguished, handsome gentleman with ten thousand a year, a house in town, and more than one beautiful carriage were almost too much for Mrs Bennet’s vanity to bear.
Realising the day had been exhausting for all, the gentlemen announced they would take their leave shortly after dinner.
Both Elizabeth and Jane escorted them outside to their carriage, wishing for a few private moments, though nothing more than a tender squeeze of hands could be expected.
To Mr Darcy’s surprise, however, Elizabeth grabbed his arm and delayed him in the darkness of the hall, while Jane and Mr Bingley were already in front of the main entrance.
“Thank you for the patience you showed towards my mother.”
“Well”—he lowered his head so he could whisper to her—“you have every reason to be grateful. She asked me three times about the number of rooms in my London house and the colour of Lady Ellen’s ball gown.”
She blushed, trying to force a smile. “I am sorry. I know she can be very tiresome at times, and—”
“Elizabeth…” His voice was by now even lower and his lips so close to her ear that they almost touched her. “I was only teasing you. I enjoy your mother’s company infinitely more than the company of some of my own relatives.”
“Oh…” She could not find more to say as he was taking her hands in his and entwining their fingers. His lips were so close to her face that her desire to feel them upon hers was making her dizzy.
“There is another problem that is tormenting me greatly.”
“A problem? Is something wrong?”
“Yes, there is. During our entire journey and the whole evening since we arrived, I have wanted nothing more than to kiss you.”
She startled and held her breath. “William, we cannot…I cannot… My father is just inside and…”
He lifted her hands to his lips and kissed them tenderly, smiling. “I know, my love…I must fight against those kinds of feelings or else I shall completely lose my mind before the wedding.”
His voice was half in jest, and they had already reached the doorway to join Mr Bingley and Jane when Elizabeth stopped him once again.
“Mr Darcy?” He turned to face her, surprised by the sudden change in her tone. “My mother never would forgive me if she knew that I was jeopardising your sanity a month before the wedding.”
He knew she was teasing him back, and he was about to tell her that he would ask Mrs Bennet’s assistance for the problem, but he was mistaken: she was not teasing him. The proof came a moment later, when he suddenly felt with delight her soft lips pressing and then moving gently against his.
For the first time, the thought occurred to him that Mrs Bennet did after all have a good influence over Elizabeth.
∞∞∞
More than a fortnight passed in the greatest excitement and agitation for the Bennet household. Mrs Bennet did not have a single moment of peace or silence in all that time, and neither did anyone else around her—family, servants, or neighbours.
The news of Jane’s engagement almost made her faint, and for a couple of days, she did not know how to divide her attention between her two prospective sons-in-law.
Eventually, she decided with much determination in favour of Mr Darcy since he was twice as wealthy and of much more importance than Mr Bingley.
However, she made a private resolution that, after Mr Darcy married Elizabeth and they left the area, she would then be able to re-direct all her affection and energy to her second favourite.
Her original favourites, Lydia and Mr Wickham, were long forgotten.
Despite her countless tasks with wedding arrangements, she had time to pay calls on her neighbours and receive even more calls in return.
Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley were daily visitors at Longbourn.
Though directly involved in the events, Mr Darcy’s business regarding the wedding finished quickly as soon as he and Mr Bennet had discussed and agreed upon the settlements.
From that moment on, his only efforts were exerted in keeping his countenance civil and polite towards all the visitors who bestowed endless attention on him and, occasionally, on Mr Bingley.
Mr Bingley’s amiable nature helped him display patience and forbearance tolerably well towards Mrs Philips, Mrs Long, and Lady Lucas, but it was a trying time for Mr Darcy.
He managed to secure relatively private time with Elizabeth only when he asked her to join him for a short turn around the garden, but even then, they were accompanied by Mr Bingley and Jane.
However, even if Mr Bingley did allow him some privacy on a few occasions, Mrs Bennet always managed to require Elizabeth’s presence in the house for one reason or another.
So, for most of the time spent at Longbourn, Mr Darcy enjoyed Mr Bennet’s library, his port, and his conversation.
About ten days after their return from London, an important event occurred in Meryton: Miss Charlotte Lucas married Mr Collins in a ceremony full of affability.
The Bennets attended the wedding with Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy, though the latter had a harsh discussion with Mr Collins just two days prior to the event.
It so happened that, as soon as he found a few moments alone with Mr Darcy in the parlour of Longbourn, Mr Collins wasted no time in bringing to his attention the fact that Lady Catherine de Bourgh was very displeased with his choice of wife, and that her ladyship had the lowest opinion of Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
The clergyman went so far as to suggest that Mr Darcy reconsider the idea of marrying his cousin.
It was at that precise moment that Kitty—who later anxiously reported what she saw—happened upon them in the parlour and was shocked at Mr Darcy’s violent reaction and Mr Collins’s hasty departure from the house.
The following day Mr Collins returned with Miss Lucas and bowed humbly in front of Mr Darcy, requesting a private meeting to express his apologies. His grovelling being satisfactory, Mr Collins had the pleasure of Mr Darcy’s gracious attendance at his wedding after all.