Chapter 2.8
The next morning, Darcy and Elizabeth, followed by Bingley, returned to Longbourn soon after breakfast. Neither Louisa nor Caroline expressed any desire to keep them company and showed that quite clearly.
Even before she entered her parents’ house, Elizabeth wished to see the horse her husband had purchased for her.
Her gasp of delight was more heartfelt than her loudly expressed gratitude. She was awed by the appearance of the mare—a stunning red with white spots—from the moment she laid eyes on her.
Elizabeth had never had a horse of her own—nor had she ever wanted one—but the moment she touched the magnificent animal, she was charmed. The filly seemed a bit shy amongst the other horses in the stable, but she readily accepted the apple Elizabeth offered and appeared to enjoy being petted.
“William, I am lost for words! What a beautiful surprise! I already love her. She seems so gentle and patient!”
“I am glad you approve. Her name is Summer, but you may change it if you wish.”
“Oh no, I think it fits her very well. She is like a bright, summer day.”
He smiled approvingly and put his hands on Elizabeth’s shoulders. “I will ride her later today to check her traits and behaviour. I want to be sure she is safe for you,” Darcy said.
“I am sure she is,” Elizabeth replied, caressing the horse’s beautiful neck. “She is a beauty.”
“I am glad you like her, but I still need to assess her carefully. However, I purchased her from a most trustworthy source, so I hope there will be no problems.”
They were interrupted by the impromptu arrival of Becky, who hurried to embrace Elizabeth.
“Lizzy, I saw Mr Bingley, and I knew you had come too. Oh, is this the horse Mr Darcy bought? My Aunt Bennet said Mr Darcy would better purchase a phaeton too, so she could use the horse to go to Meryton. And Lizzy, you should send some money to Lydia, aunt said. She is very poor, but she is such a lovely, joyful girl, aunt said.”
Becky was proud of herself as she provided such firsthand information. Elizabeth turned pale from embarrassment at the new lack of decorum showed by her mother. She glanced at her husband but did not dare to hold his look, so she turned to pet the mare while she whispered an excuse.
“Oh, and Papa told Aunt Bennet that she always demands more and more, just like me. I do not think this was something good because Papa was solemn and Aunt Bennet was angry.”
Elizabeth’s cheeks changed from white to crimson. Although she trusted Darcy’s affection and his good opinion of her, she could not avoid wondering how much more rudeness he would be willing to accept from her family.
They entered the main door, Darcy carrying Becky in his arms, and were surprised to see a house more crowded than they expected. There were Sir William, Lady Lucas, and Mr and Mrs Philips—who all hurried to greet Darcy.
Elizabeth was speechless. She attempted to interfere but met with no success.
Defeated, she took a seat near Jane while Darcy chose a chair. Mr Philips and Sir William remained standing only to be close to him.
For the next half hour, Sir William continually asked when Elizabeth would be presented at court. Lady Lucas inquired about the number of balls she attended during her stay in London, and Mrs Philips was curious about the quantity of jewellery Elizabeth had received.
Not even during the Netherfield ball had Elizabeth been so embarrassed.
She felt an urge to run from the house and pull Darcy with her, but she remained frozen and constantly glanced at him with regret and silent apologies.
His eyes often met hers, but his expression was rather stern, and he seemed content to offer short answers and enjoy his brandy.
Elizabeth also glared at her aunt Gardiner and her father, silently asking for help, but there was nothing to be done against Mrs Bennet and her friends.
Finally, after more than an hour, Mr Bennet found a moment of silence to intervene.
“Well, well, look how the weather is changing. The sky has turned cloudy. It will inevitably start raining very soon. Spring rain can be very cold and dangerous. I am glad to be home.”
“My dear Mr Bennet, I thank you for noticing it. Indeed, it seems it will rain soon. My dear, we must leave. Mr Darcy, we apologise for not staying longer, but—”
“Sir, any wise man would hurry to return home before the storm starts. I heartily encourage you not to delay another moment,” Darcy said in earnest, offering a strong handshake that caused Sir William to admire his firm grip.
Mr Bennet hid his amusement behind his glass, and as soon as the guests left, he invited the gentlemen to his library and headed there without waiting for them.
Elizabeth wanted to speak to Darcy, but she hesitated to go after him. She chose, instead, to let him relax after the last trying hour while she took a seat near her aunt.
“What is it, Lizzy?” Mrs Gardiner asked in a low voice. “You seem upset.”
“I am—a little. I wonder what to do with Mama. She puts William in a very unpleasant situation, and I am afraid she will continue to do so every day we stay here. And if I talk to her, I am afraid I will only make things worse.”
“Oh, do not distress yourself, my dear. Mr Darcy seemed to bear the situation well,” said Mrs Gardiner, attempting to lighten the mood.
“He tries to be patient for my sake, but I know his real feelings. He is a private man. He cannot be an exhibition for the amusement of the Meryton inhabitants—not to mention Mama’s assumption that he should buy a phaeton or that I should send money to Lydia. That is equally rude and unfair.”
“Dearest, I believe you are taking this too hard. I shall speak to your mother—but tomorrow. She already had a harsh discussion with your uncle today on the same subject.”
“Yes, I know, and as a result, we had a houseful of unexpected guests at the most unsuitable hour. That is exactly what worries me: Mama always wants to have her way. Nothing will change her mind.”
Mrs Gardiner smiled soothingly. “Come, my dear, let us all have a cup of tea and calm ourselves. We must be patient—for Jane’s sake. She is rather distressed anyway. Let us not begin another argument.”
“You are right, of course. Poor Jane, she is trapped between mama’s enthusiasm and Caroline’s rudeness, and she is too kind to argue with any of them. I am going to speak to her.”
Elizabeth improved her disposition as she talked to her sisters.
She hoped her husband was comfortable enough in his present company and that his day was not completely ruined.
She missed her family dearly and was happy to be in their company, but she was not blind to her mother’s lack of decorum.
Yet, there was little she could do about it.
Another half hour passed, and then Mr Bingley entered the drawing room and walked directly toward Jane, wearing a large smile.
“You seem very pleased with yourself,” Jane said, blushing charmingly.
“I am,” Bingley replied. “I spoke to Darcy, and he made me think of something. I will tell you later—after the wedding.”
“Oh…” Jane needed nothing more than her betrothed’s adoring gaze. Anything else could wait.
Elizabeth smiled at the lovely couple. “I wonder whether I can go the library and speak to William. I hope I would not disturb them,” she addressed Bingley.
“Not at all. But Darcy is not there. He left some time ago.”
“He left?” Elizabeth was so surprised that she could hardly gather herself. “Where?”
“He said something about riding—on your horse, I think. I am not certain. I am sure Mr Bennet knows better. I confess I did not pay much attention.”
“Oh…” She was puzzled and slightly distressed. She knew about his intention, but leaving so suddenly was certainly another sign of his being troubled by the morning’s events.
She still went to the library, though, and she was welcomed by her father. Mr Gardiner excused himself to allow them privacy.
“Please take a seat, Lizzy. I am very glad to see you in my library. I truly missed you, child.”
She smiled and embraced him. “I missed this library, Papa. And talking to you.”
“So, how is London life? Quite exciting, I understand. A lot of lace and jewels and balls. Your mother speaks of little else since you married. Thank God she is now preoccupied with Jane’s wedding, but she still does not neglect to praise your husband daily.”
Elizabeth laughed. “I noticed, Papa. My life is not quite so glamorous, you know. William and I preferred to attend only a few events. We also spend quite a lot of time in the library,” she said then suddenly blushed with shame at the hidden implication of her words.
“Yes, Darcy told me you have a ‘keen interest and a bright mind’ to discuss his business. The poor fellow seems foolishly in love with you. Quite ridiculous at times—it is very entertaining to see such an impressive man acting like a schoolboy.”
“Acting like a schoolboy? What do you mean, Papa? And please do not mock him. He is having a hard enough time handling Mama and her unexpected guests.”
Mr Bennet dismissed her concerns with a gesture.
“Do not worry, Lizzy. Mr Darcy and I are good friends now. I can mock him whenever I want. He owes me as much for taking you from me. Oh well, he is a good enough fellow. Not as good as my cousin Mr Collins, but he will do. You may compete with your friend Charlotte about your felicity in marriage.”
“Papa!”
“Come, Lizzy, laugh with me. You know, your husband asked me if I wanted him to have a look through Longbourn finances and find ways to improve our income. I have always been a poor manager. You know that.”
“Oh—that sounds like a good idea. I hope you accepted.”