Chapter 6
Darcy followed the carriage with a yearning gaze long after it disappeared from view. The night became cold. He felt cold when she was gone.
Now that she had been there and left, he became more certain than ever of his need for her presence.
Fortunately, he finally had reason to hope: she told him she was happy to be at Pemberley—perhaps happy to be with him, too.
Indeed, she looked delighted, especially when she spent time in front of the window simply admiring the grounds.
When he entered the drawing room, the first thing that crossed his mind was to find an excuse and retire to his apartment.
He wanted simply to lie in his bed and think of Elizabeth.
He wondered where Georgiana planned to take Elizabeth for their walk; his sister had been quite secretive as she confessed she wanted to spend some undisturbed time with Elizabeth, and he knew well which the possible disturbances were.
“How very ill Eliza Bennet looked this morning, Mr Darcy,” cried Miss Bingley the moment he poured himself a glass of wine and took a seat.
Speaking of disturbances, he thought, unconsciously rolling his eyes.
Miss Bingley continued impassively: “I never in my life saw anyone so much altered as she is since the winter. She has grown so brown and coarse! Louisa and I were agreeing that we should not have known her again.”
However little Darcy liked her ridiculous statement, he remained calm, content with coolly replying that he perceived no other alteration than her being rather tanned—no miraculous consequence of travelling in the summer.
“I think Miss Bennet has looked quite well every time I have met her,” Lady Cassandra interjected. “She is indeed one of those ladies whose natural charm needs little adjustment to be very agreeable. I can understand why both Darcy and Georgiana seem to approve of her so much.”
“Oh, Mr Darcy did not approve so of Miss Bennet in the past, as I well remember. He shared his opinion of her long ago when we were at Netherfield,” said Miss Bingley, looking at the named gentleman.
She saw him somewhat nettled, and she considered she had all the success she expected.
Darcy remained resolutely silent, however, and she continued: “I remember, when we first knew her in Hertfordshire, how amazed we all were to find that she was a reputed beauty, and I particularly recollect your saying one night, Mr Darcy, after they had been dining at Netherfield, ‘She a beauty! I should as soon call her mother a wit.’ But afterwards she seemed to improve on you, and I believe you thought her rather pretty at one time.”
“Yes,” replied Darcy, who could contain himself no longer, “but that was only when I first knew Miss Elizabeth; for it is many months since I have considered her one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance.”
Miss Bingley blinked repeatedly as she could not believe the gentleman’s words.
Allowing no misunderstanding, he continued.
“It is also many months since I understood how wrong I was in hastily judging not only Miss Elizabeth but many other things during our stay in Hertfordshire. I will make sure never to repeat such a grave mistake again.”
His last words were spoken in a severe tone that admitted no reply, while his gaze, which lay upon Miss Bingley for a moment, showed no warmth or cordiality.
Miss Bingley remained strangely silent for the rest of the evening.
His response gave no one any pain but herself—pain, rage and the strongest desire of never seeing Miss Bennet again, even at the risk of having Mr Darcy married to Lady Cassandra.
After all, being defeated by her ladyship was considerably less humiliating than being defeated by Eliza Bennet.
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It was a little before noon that Elizabeth and Mrs Gardiner descended in front of Pemberley. A strange sensation of peaceful bliss brought a smile to Elizabeth’s face as she admired the beauties around her.
A servant showed them in to where the other ladies were expecting them.
Half an hour was spent in pleasant conversation—mostly between Lady Cassandra and Mrs Gardiner.
Miss Darcy whispered to Elizabeth a couple of times about how anxious she was to spend the afternoon together.
It was not difficult for Elizabeth to notice that Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst were even less friendly than the previous day, and they seemed unpleasantly impressed by the obvious closeness between her and Georgiana.
Less than half an hour later, Mr and Mrs Gardiner departed as they were expected to make a few calls. Mr Darcy promised to take care of Elizabeth’s being sent under proper escort to the inn later that day; he expressed his hopes of their all being reunited at Pemberley in the evening.
Elizabeth knew little about how Miss Darcy intended to spend their day together or who else would attend them; so, when her hostess invited her on a long walk around the grounds, she accepted with pleasure. She only hoped neither Miss Bingley nor Mrs Hurst would be tempted to join them.
Miss Bingley clearly expressed her disapproval at the mere idea of walking a great distance rather than taking a phaeton, especially considering the sky was cloudy and there was the possibility of rain.
Mr Bingley quickly contradicted his sister, insisting the beauties of Pemberley were better enjoyed on foot, and he expressed his hope that the young ladies would have a wonderful time.
His sisters, however, seemed to ignore what little he said.
“Dear Georgiana, you should be careful how far you go. As for Miss Bennet, she is well known to be an excellent walker, despite the weather. I remember how surprised we were when she appeared one morning at Netherfield after walking three miles on a muddy road. I have always wondered how she managed to walk so far with all that mud on her shoes and petticoat. Mr Darcy, you remember that, I am sure.”
Elizabeth blushed lightly at the obvious offense. She cast a quick glance at the others, noticing Mrs Hurst’s satisfied smirk and Lady Cassandra’s frown of displeasure. Miss Darcy’s face was crimson; Mr Darcy’s countenance darkened.
“Indeed, Miss Bingley. I vividly remember how impressed I was with Miss Bennet’s courage and concern for her sister’s well being.”
“Perhaps,” insisted Miss Bingley, with a sharp voice and a meaningful look to Mrs Hurst, “but you also agreed you would not want to see Miss Darcy in such a state.”
Caroline Bingley’s attempt to show Elizabeth in an unfavourable light began to irritate her; before saying anything, though, she looked again at Mr Darcy. His face, vaguely pale, made it clear to her that Miss Bingley’s recollections were likely true.
Trying to put aside any doubts, the gentleman answered soundly, “You are correct, Miss Bingley. I did unwisely declare that I would not want to see Georgiana in such a state. However, what I did not declare at that time was that I would wish for Georgiana to have a sister who cared for her as much as Miss Elizabeth cared for Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth felt all the blood drain from her face. Did he realise what he was saying in front of all these people? She dared look at him only a moment; his slightly embarrassed expression and the uncertainty in his eyes proved to her that he knew very well the meaning of his words. She became dizzy.
“Miss Bennet, so—how did you come to walk three miles with your shoes and petticoat full of mud?” asked Lady Cassandra, and then she suddenly turned to Miss Bingley, adding, “By the by, Miss Bingley, as I told you last night, your perception amazes me again. I never look at a lady’s shoes or petticoats, no matter the situation.
I must be more attentive in the future.”
Elizabeth could barely contain a chuckle as she struggled to regain her composure and answer her ladyship coherently.
“My sister Jane, who was visiting Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst, was caught in the rain and fell ill; she sent me a note saying she needed my presence, and since I am not much of a horsewoman and our carriage was not available at the moment, I had no other option.”
“I see. I have to agree with Darcy; that seems very courageous and caring of you. I am sure the goodness of your reason can excuse the poor state of your gown. And I dare say you would walk three miles for Georgiana, too, if necessary.” Her words shocked Elizabeth as they were an obvious extension of the idea of Georgiana having a sister.
While she desperately sought a proper answer, Lady Cassandra rose from her seat.
“Now, if you will excuse me, I should go and prepare myself for riding. Darcy, please do not leave without me. I shall be ready in half an hour.”
She walked to the door, but after only a few steps, Miss Bingley’s voice stopped her.
“Lady Cassandra, do you plan to go riding with Mr Darcy?”
“Yes, I do. Why do you ask, Miss Bingley?”
“I…but I thought—I remember Mr Darcy mentioning it would be a full hour of riding.”
“And? What is your point?” Lady Cassandra was growing impatient; it was obvious that she was close to the edge of her tolerance.
“I was only wondering whether it would be wise for you to ride such a long way alone with Mr Darcy. I mean people could talk and…”
Lady Cassandra cast a quick glance at Darcy and then at Elizabeth and Georgiana before she turned to Miss Bingley, smiling with apparent warmth.
“Miss Bingley, I thank you for your considerate care, but I am an excellent rider. As for the impropriety of riding alone with Darcy, what harm can there be? In the worst case scenario, he would have to marry me, which is not at all an unpleasant prospect, would you not agree?”
She left the room without further delay while Miss Bingley stared at the door, so pale that Elizabeth was certain she might faint. Obviously sharing the same impression, Mr Bingley offered his sister a glass of water or wine, but she, again, did not hear him.
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