Chapter 10 #3
The expression of delight on his face melted her heart, and with a sensation of deep happiness, she departed again, almost running from him. She did not know that, had she stayed a moment longer, she would have received the first real kiss of her life.
∞∞∞
Miss Bingley had her first good moment in recent months: an invitation for tea with her old acquaintance, Lady Sophia, an exceedingly rich heiress of three and twenty. What a wonderful surprise the invitation was, considering Lady Sophia had rarely invited her in the past!
Of course, she refused to accompany Charles to Netherfield; that could wait another week or so, but Lady Sophia’s invitation could not be refused under any circumstances.
It was unbearably warm, and Miss Bingley blamed the carriage, the driver, the roads and the sun for her discomfort. Oh, what a pity they had to leave Pemberley! Pemberley was everything she ever wanted; it was ideal for both summer and winter. Pemberley was simply perfect.
That Eliza Bennet—it was all her fault; Miss Bingley was certain of that.
As soon as she left, Mr Darcy left too, and they were practically forced to leave Pemberley and return to London in the middle of summer.
What horrible distress! Then they all went to Hertfordshire—close to all the Bennets!
It was unacceptable, especially after the youngest Bennet girl eloped so scandalously with that officer.
Yes, they married, but she knew what that meant—oh, those reckless, thoughtless, tiresome Bennets!
Finally, the carriage stopped, and she descended in front of Lady Sophia’s home—an imposing, wealthy structure, speaking clearly of its mistress’s situation in life—such a home as she, Caroline Bingley, deserved and craved.
The servant opened the main door, and Caroline was shown into the drawing room where Lady Sophia and other guests were gathered. At her entrance, she had the impression that they all paused in their conversation and many pairs of eyes turned to her.
The hostess hurried to greet her, and she was pleased to be so welcomed; a moment later, her satisfaction grew, and she congratulated herself for accepting the invitation when she was introduced to the most charming gentleman she had seen of late—Lord Markham.
∞∞∞
Mr Bingley, Mr Darcy and Lady Cassandra left Longbourn after a long and satisfactory visit.
Mrs Bennet reminded Mr Bingley many times that he still owed her a dinner from last autumn. Only Mr Darcy’s mention that his sister was at Netherfield—resting after the journey and waiting for them to join her at dinner—stopped Mrs Bennet’s insistence.
However, Lady Cassandra, who—shockingly for Elizabeth—managed to get along well with both Mr and Mrs Bennet, assured the mistress of the house that she, for one, was most eager to accept a dinner invitation at Longbourn, as were the gentlemen.
From that moment, Lady Cassandra became the object of Mrs Bennet’s unrestrained admiration and the recipient of her complete attention, especially once she was certain the lady had no interest in Mr Bingley.
Jane Bennet was more beautiful but less talkative then ever during the visit.
She and Mr Bingley barely took their eyes from each other, and every time the gentleman spoke to her directly or smiled at her, she nearly fainted.
She managed to answer Lady Cassandra’s polite and friendly questions reasonably enough.
However, she was grateful that her sister took care of her ladyship, allowing her to fully enjoy Mr Bingley’s presence—Mr Bingley, whom she had been certain she would never see again and the one who still possessed her heart and her thoughts; Mr Bingley, who said he had no intention of leaving Netherfield again soon.
Elizabeth was both happy and embarrassed to meet Mr Darcy again. Only minutes after their arrival, Mr Darcy approached Elizabeth, who was sitting on a sofa near the window. She immediately asked about Georgiana, whose absence surprised her.
“Georgiana is fine,” he answered after a brief hesitation. “She is at Netherfield, resting after the long trip. She seemed a little tired.”
“I was hoping she would join you today; I confess I dearly missed her.”
“Thank you. I am sure my sister has missed your company as well.”
Then why did she not come with you? she wondered to herself.
“Mr Darcy, I cannot help inquiring further if everything is well with Georgiana. You seemed…Something seemed to worry you when you talked about her.”
“Miss Bennet, your discernment amazes me again. I am not certain whether I should be happy or concerned that you know my disposition so well as to see behind my words.”
“I cannot answer to that, sir. It is for you only to decide whether there are reasons for concern regarding me and my discernment.” Her lips narrowed in a smile. He smiled back.
“I shall try to be in your company as much as possible in order to clarify this aspect of your character, Miss Bennet.” Elizabeth was upset at being able to do nothing but blush again at his words.
Before she could form a coherent sentence, he continued in a more serious tone.
“As for Georgiana, I am grateful for your concern, and I can assure you my sister is in excellent health. However, there is indeed something concerning her about which I would like to speak with you. Could we talk more privately—tomorrow morning, perhaps, should we happen to meet again on your morning walk?”
She was certain her cheeks coloured so highly that they were burning.
“I…that would be lovely, sir. I look forward to…I mean, if we should happen to meet again tomorrow. It is my habit to walk early every morning before breakfast.”
“An early morning walk before breakfast is beneficial to one’s health, I am sure. Perhaps I should try it as well, rather than riding.”
“Riding might be desirable, as well. Fortunately, the paths between Longbourn and Netherfield are appropriate for both riding and walking.”
“And for private talks, I hope,” he added with a deep voice that made her shiver.
Private talks? she wondered, barely controlling her emotions. Could he mean “that” private talk? Or did he simply intend to talk about whatever bothers Georgiana? Oh, I am so foolish!
“Miss Bennet…?” his voice startled her and she managed to gather her wits enough to reply.
“Yes indeed, sir, for private talks, too.” She knew her answer was an agreement—but to what?
Mrs Bennet’s high voice drew their attention toward the others in the room. Darcy whispered a thank you for her time and then moved toward Mr Bennet and took a chair close to him; a few minutes later, they were engaged in a serious, and apparently pleasant, conversation.
Not for a moment did Mr Darcy become as exuberant as Mr Bingley, but his behaviour was pleasant and almost friendly, unlike his brooding aloofness in the autumn.
However, just as last year, he spent most of his time staring at Elizabeth with intense, dark eyes that made her shiver and kept her cheeks crimson; this time, however, she understood the meaning of his gaze.
Their eyes met quite often across the room.
When he spoke to her father, she knew his affability was meant for her; when he congratulated her mother on her youngest daughter’s marriage, Elizabeth blushed in mortification but was grateful for his generosity toward her mother.
He is everything a man should be, she concluded as she watched every gesture, every movement—and every handsome feature.
They would meet again the next morning, and she wondered how she would be able to endure the hours of waiting.
Mrs Bennet gave her eldest daughters several causes for mortification during the visit, but Lady Cassandra appeared relaxed, entertained, and not at all bothered by her hostess’s lack of propriety.
When the call ended and the guests departed with the promise that they would return the next day, everyone agreed it was the most pleasant visit they had had in many years.
Jane and Elizabeth, completely absorbed in their personal happiness, hardly heard a word of the praise their mother bestowed upon the gentlemen and the beautiful, elegant Lady Cassandra.
∞∞∞
“So Darcy, what do you think?” They were in the Netherfield library, enjoying a glass of wine before dinner.
“About what, Bingley?”
“About Miss Bennet, of course! Is she not the most beautiful angel? Oh, if she could forgive me, if she could still think well of me and accept my attentions…What do you think, Darcy?”
“Bingley, I am sure you have no reason to worry; Miss Bennet seemed pleased to see you, though her pleasure was not as exuberantly displayed as Mrs Bennet’s. As for her feelings toward you, the coming days will soon clarify everything for you.”
“Whose feelings?” Lady Cassandra entered the room impetuously.
“Miss Bennet’s feelings. Bingley asked my opinion, and I told him the next few days would offer him all the certainties he needs.”
Lady Cassandra looked at them and rolled her eyes in utter exasperation.
“Excuse me, but is Miss Bennet the young lady we just met at Longbourn?”
“Yes, of course she is,” answered Bingley, puzzled.
“The beautiful one with blond hair and blue eyes—am I correct?”
“Yes, your ladyship.”
“The one who looked at you, Mr Bingley, as if you were some sort of idol? The one who almost swooned when you spoke to her and appeared to forget how to breathe when you were smiling at her? That was Jane Bennet? That was the lady whom you exceedingly perceptive and intelligent gentlemen believed to be indifferent last year and about whom you are still uncertain, Mr Bingley? She was the one you were talking about?”
Lady Cassandra’s tone grew more sarcastic, matching her sharp gaze that moved from Darcy to Bingley. Before any of them could answer properly, she turned and exited the room as she whispered loudly enough to be heard, “What utter fools…”
A surprised Bingley and a furious Darcy tried to protest Cassandra’s insult, but they were thwarted as the door closed behind her. Later that evening, Bingley easily accepted that he was a complete fool and worse, but he understood precisely what he must do the next day.