Chapter 2 #2
Elizabeth delayed in following them, casting another look toward Miss Darcy; there still were no gentlemen in the box.
Her glance caught Lady Cassandra’s notice once more, and Elizabeth felt her face flush as though she had been caught doing something improper.
She turned her head, embarrassed, and quickened her steps to catch up to her relatives.
No more than a minute passed before Elizabeth had the answer to what would happen during the first intermission. Her party had barely entered the foyer when they were abruptly stopped by the surprising appearance of Mr Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam.
Elizabeth was so startled she did not have time to feel embarrassed; her unwavering gaze met Mr Darcy’s eyes for a few moments. Without a doubt, he looked pleased at their unexpected meeting though he remained a little behind the colonel and considerably more silent.
Colonel Fitzwilliam did not lose a moment in his joyful greeting of their party, and before Elizabeth could fully recover, Mr Gardiner had already been introduced to both gentlemen.
“It is a pleasant surprise to meet all of you here this evening,” declared Darcy with the same warm politeness.
He then lowered his head a little as though attempting to address her directly.
“I had the impression I saw Miss Bennet earlier, but given the fact that only a few moments remained before the play started, I could not be certain. I am pleased to see I was not wrong.”
“Yes, we were very late,” explained the colonel with an openness that greatly amused both Mr and Mrs Gardiner, “and I am afraid it was entirely my fault. We arrived only a few moments before the play began.”
“I am sure there was a good reason for your delay, Colonel,” offered Mrs Gardiner. “I know how easily a man’s demanding business can interfere with one’s fixed engagements. Certainly, Mr Gardiner finds it so.”
“I thank you madam, but unfortunately, I cannot claim such a worthy excuse.
I simply forgot we were to attend the theatre this evening, but I could not refuse the invitation; Darcy would not have it, though I must admit I am wondering at the wisdom of this.
Who would willingly spend an exceedingly warm evening crowded among hundreds of little-known acquaintances now that the season has ended?
Must be the reason Covent Garden is closed during the summer; any reasonable man—
He caught himself and stopped, the smile frozen on his suddenly deeply chagrined face while his eyes looked in panic from the Gardiners to Elizabeth.
“Oh, please, I sincerely beg you excuse me. I truly meant no offense. Of course a good play—a good performance—is to be enjoyed anytime in any season.”
Mrs Gardiner smiled kindly. “Sir, no need to worry; we took no offense.”
To the colonel’s utter relief, Mr Gardiner added, “Indeed no offense is taken, sir. I totally understand your meaning and find I share your feelings. Given the opportunity, I would gladly prefer a quiet evening at home in the cool solitude of my study; however, this is a sacrifice I gladly make for my wife and my dear niece as this play is a particular favourite of theirs.”
“I easily understand your desire to gratify the ladies’ wishes, sir; our own presence this evening is due to the insistence of my cousin Georgiana and Lady Cassandra. What gentleman would not sacrifice his comforts to please a beautiful lady?”
Mr Gardiner laughed and hurried to approve the colonel while Mrs Gardiner smiled, trying to catch her niece’s eyes to share their amusement—with no success.
The mere mention of her ladyship’s name caused Elizabeth to startle, and instinctively, she cast a quick glance towards Darcy who returned her insistent gaze. Blushing, she quickly averted her eyes.
“Mr Darcy, is Miss Darcy enjoying her time tonight? Has the performance been to her liking thus far?”
“Yes, Mrs Gardiner, she likes it very much, thank you. I must say she was very happy to notice your presence and has expressed her hopes that she would be able to speak with you this evening. She did not join us presently because she finds herself uncomfortable among the crush of the crowd.”
“Well,” the colonel intervened, “perhaps Georgiana could have been persuaded to join us; however, we left the box in quite a hurry. We did not want to lose the opportunity to greet you properly.”
Mrs Gardiner smiled again and insistently looked at her niece, whose face turned crimson; neither of them failed to understand the reason for the gentlemen’s hurry to greet them.
Mrs Gardiner could only suspect which of the two gentlemen was more eager to meet her niece.
For a moment, it even crossed her mind that both of them shared an eager interest in that regard; however, she dismissed it instantly, hoping it were not true.
In an attempt to hide her uneasiness, Elizabeth finally gathered her wits sufficiently to speak. “I did have the pleasure of seeing Miss Darcy a few minutes ago; in fact, we greeted each other from afar.”
“Is that so? I am glad to hear it. Indeed, I— Darcy paused briefly, as he looked from Mrs Gardiner to Elizabeth.
He seemed to search for the proper words until he finally voiced an invitation that Elizabeth never would have expected to hear.
“Mr and Mrs Gardiner, Miss Bennet, if we are not intruding on your plans, I…we would be very happy to have your company this evening. My box is quite spacious, and I would be only too happy if you would do me the honour of joining our party for the rest of the performance.”
Their surprise was complete, and for a few moments, none of them knew how to answer.
Mr and Mrs Gardiner exchanged wondering glances, trying to discern Elizabeth’s opinion—as it was clear she was the main object of the invitation—but she insisted on keeping her eyes averted as she bit her lower lip in a barely perceptible gesture.
She was nervous; her aunt was certain of that, but what was the cause of her unease?
Mrs Gardiner could not tell for certain, yet neither could she imagine any serious reason for Elizabeth to be displeased with it except for the modesty and shyness inherent in accepting attention from a man of Mr Darcy’s consequence.
After a moment of reflection, Mrs Gardiner decided it was unwise to lose such an opportunity of improving their acquaintance with the Darcys.
“Mr Darcy, we would be honoured and delighted to join you; however, we do not wish to intrude on your private family party.”
“It is no intrusion at all, I assure you. My sister will be as pleased as I am to see you again, and I am certain you will find Lady Cassandra’s company equally pleasing.”
“Mr Darcy, perhaps Lady Cassandra will not be pleased with unexpected additions to your group.” Elizabeth did not realise she was speaking until the words were out of her mouth, at which moment she panicked, desperately attempting to discern how her words sounded and affected the others.
“You must not concern yourself, Miss Bennet,” Darcy continued with warm persuasion in his voice. I am certain Lady Cassandra will be pleased to make your acquaintance and highly appreciate your company, as will we all.”
The warmth of his response did little to settle her unease—in fact, quite the contrary.
The compliment, as well as his insistence, again took her by surprise, but this time she dared to lift her eyes to meet his.
Whatever relationship might exist between Mr Darcy and Lady Cassandra, it could not be doubted that he wished for her company.
He remained equally as attentive toward her as he was two days before—even more so.
However, the motives for his attentions—so openly displayed in front of her relatives and his—she could not resolve, nor did she make the attempt; the circumstances did not allow for such reflections.
The second act of the performance was about to start, and the pressure of time forced a reply to the invitation. Mr Gardiner accepted on behalf of himself and the ladies, a fact that drew a jovial “Excellent!” from the colonel.
Darcy chose a more restrained but no less eloquent manner of expressing his satisfaction. He offered his arm to Elizabeth—only a second earlier than the colonel did. Elizabeth accepted it with obvious restraint, barely daring to touch the sleeve of his coat with her gloved hand.
Elizabeth began to wonder and worry about Lady Cassandra’s reception, not only toward herself but her relatives as well.
Of course, she did not expect open rudeness—not when their presence was at the invitation of Mr Darcy—but how would her ladyship receive her relatives from Cheapside and her appearance on Mr Darcy’s arm?
The moment they faced each other, Elizabeth’s eyes were instantly drawn toward Lady Cassandra’s intense, inquiring stare.
She witnessed the surprise on the lady’s face and the unmistakable change in her countenance when the introductions were made.
Elizabeth was grateful for the advantage of having a little time to prepare for their encounter.
Miss Darcy seemed to waver between the pleasure of seeing the ladies again and shyness at her new acquaintance with Mr Gardiner.
However, the gentleman—whose manners were easy and pleasant—managed to obtain the hint of a smile, a couple of monosyllabic answers, and a deep blush from her in less than a minute.
To Elizabeth’s surprise, the introduction to Lady Cassandra was not at all unpleasant.
Her Ladyship’s manner resembled that of the colonel or Mr Bingley.
She openly smiled at the Gardiners, declared she was informed by Miss Darcy of their previous encounter, and was indeed pleased to have at last made their acquaintance.
Finally, Lady Cassandra turned to Elizabeth—who seemed content to remain silent—and their eyes met once more.
“So, Miss Bennet, we meet again; at least this time, we have the advantage of being properly introduced.”