Chapter 14 #4
Lord Markham followed Miss Bingley, a most enchanting smile spread over his face, acknowledging their party politely.
Georgiana greeted him properly while Elizabeth remained a little behind, amused by Miss Bingley’s bad manners in ignoring her.
Lady Cassandra turned slightly pale, and her eyes narrowed with obvious anger; the colonel breathed deeply, wondering how long he would be able to sustain his manners.
However, to Miss Bingley’s utter shock and complete disappointment, Lord Markham stepped forward to Elizabeth and bowed to her. “Miss Bennet, what a delightful surprise to see you again!”
∞∞∞
In their carriage ride back to Longbourn, accompanied only by Jane, Elizabeth could not but recollect and analyse the reactions of her friends toward the viscount.
She had seen that reaction before—during the ball hosted by Lady Cassandra—but had overlooked it quickly as Lord Markham was not in her sphere of interest. Yet, now their responses were repeated and apparently with greater intensity.
The last hour she spent at Netherfield, Lord Markham behaved more than properly.
He was quite amiable, congratulated both Charles and Jane on their betrothal, and praised Netherfield and the entire county.
Elizabeth was certain she would have nothing with which to reproach him if not for the hostile attitude of the colonel and Lady Cassandra.
To herself, Lord Markham seemed especially cordial—to Miss Bingley’s furious displeasure.
Except for Mr Bingley, the atmosphere at Netherfield was neither easy nor light, so Elizabeth was pleased they were not invited for dinner that evening. She had had enough of Netherfield for a while.
∞∞∞
Lady Cassandra was so angry that she remained outside to take a stroll around the house in order to calm herself.
The nerve of that bastard Markham! What was he doing there?
And that stupid Caroline Bingley, almost jumping on him!
What was in her head? Was that the man she suggested was her suitor?
He could not care less for her—that was obvious.
Oh, just wait until Darcy returned and saw him.
That might result in a scandal, she thought, instantly searching for a way of calming Darcy enough to bear the viscount’s presence until after the ball.
What an idiot! she thought, so preoccupied that she nearly bumped into the very idiot who appeared in her way.
“Lady Cassandra, what a pleasant surprise!”
“The pleasure is all yours, sir,” she answered, attempting to move past him.
“Lady Cassandra, please…only a moment.”
“What do you want to tell me in a moment, Markham?”
“I know we are not friends, but I was hoping we could be civil while we are both guests here.”
“I assure you I will be quite civil, Markham; I was civil when you sneaked into my ball without invitation, was I not? But now I cannot help wondering what you are doing here. Do not offend me by suggesting it is a mere coincidence.”
“But it was a coincidence, I assure you. I would have attended this ball in any case.”
“Is that so? Are you suddenly so fond of Hertfordshire?”
“I am! My family is visiting my aunt only twenty miles from here, and since Miss Bingley and I have become friends lately, I was happy to receive the invitation.”
“Really? You and Miss Bingley are friends? What kind of friends? Come now, Markham. I know you too well; you could not have serious designs on Caroline Bingley. Admit it!”
“Indeed, there is nothing to admit. As I said, my only request is that we be polite to one another. I would not want to hear all manner of rumours about me—
“Oh, now I see. You are afraid I would betray your true nature—
“Lady Cassandra, you would not dare—
“What would Lady Cassandra not dare, Markham?” The colonel’s voice fell as thunder upon them.
“Colonel Fitzwilliam!”
“Markham, what the hell are you doing in Hertfordshire? What business do you have here? And what the hell are you doing alone with Lady Cassandra?”
“Colonel, I will not be spoken to in such a manner. I am a guest in this house as you are, and—
“Markham, I could not care less about you, so spare me. I will tell you this only once: if you dare to bother Lady Cassandra or Georgiana even with a breath, I will break your face, guest or no guest. So be careful to stay away from me.” Without another word, he offered his arm to Lady Cassandra; she took it instantly, and they departed together.
Around the corner, she stopped and leaned against the side of the house.
Her countenance was pale, and her hands were trembling.
“Cassandra, are you unwell? Did he do something to you?”
She shook her head almost violently as she put her hand on his arm. “No, do not worry. Please calm yourself. We do not need a scandal here—not now, just before the engagement ball.”
“I shall speak to Bingley about throwing him out.”
“You cannot do that, Colonel. As he said, he is a guest as we are and did nothing against us, not the slightest gesture. In fact, we were the ones who offended him just now. Perhaps he is telling the truth. Perhaps he is only an acquaintance of Caroline, and his presence here is a mere coincidence.”
“Yes, indeed…and perhaps it will snow tomorrow,” he said with angry mockery.
“Colonel, trust me. I will be fine. I give you my word he has neither done nor said anything improper; it is just that, seeing him, recollections assailed me, and some of them are difficult to bear, but that is my fault, not his. He had no direct involvement either in my past or my present distress.”
He took her hand gently. “Perhaps you should not join us for dinner; you should rest. You do not look well at all.”
“Oh, I will surely not hide because of Markham, be certain of that. Of course I will be ready for dinner soon.”
“Very well, but I demand a seat next to you.”
“Oh come now…” She was tempted to laugh at his protective attitude but suddenly changed her tone. “Colonel, you do not have to do that—
“To do what?” he asked, with a puzzled expression.
“To become involved in an argument with Markham or with anybody to protect me. It is not your duty to…We are not— She stopped, not knowing how to continue.
“Cassandra,” he said, using her given name for the second time. “I must tell you something though you might become angry with me; yet, I cannot be other than completely honest with you.”
She nodded, and he continued firmly. “For me, nothing has changed since that day in London. Neither my affection, nor my wishes, nor my desires are different or less powerful. I will not insist upon, nor will I force a courtship upon you. However, despite the fact that the nature of my feelings for you has grown so different lately, my care and my concern for you are the same as ever. Anyone who dares harm you—or Georgiana—in any way will have to confront me. That will never change—not even if you decide to marry another man.”
“You are very kind,” she whispered. “Thank you.”
“Very well then—it is settled! Do not try to tell me it is not my duty to protect you, because it is!”
She rolled her eyes and then took his arm again, and they walked to the house together. “Oh dear…and I thought of how I would calm down Darcy when he sees Markham! Now I see you are an equally big problem!” She sketched a smile, attempting to laugh.
“Ah, yes…Darcy! Now that will be an interesting meeting—one I would not want to miss!”
They finally entered the hall and separated in front of the main stair. Before she started climbing it, she turned to him and, looking straight in his eyes, smiled at him, this time openly and brightly.
“Thank you, David!”
Then she left in a great hurry while the colonel remained still, following her with his eyes. She had not called him “David” in almost ten years.
∞∞∞
Elizabeth became tired—quite tired and bored—with all the agitation.
She and Jane were again at Netherfield having dinner, but for her those visits were not as pleasant as they used to be.
In fact, now that dinner was over, she retired to a corner, looking absently around her.
The gentlemen chose not to separate from the ladies; Miss Bingley was preoccupied with Lord Markham, and Mrs Hurst kept them company; Lady Cassandra and the colonel, together with Jane and Mr Bingley, formed another group, talking animatedly.
Georgiana had retired a little earlier as she was bothered by a slight headache—and Elizabeth could understand only too well!
Since Caroline’s return—with her usual impertinence and continuous, concealed offences—and with Lord Markham’s presence in the house, Elizabeth lost all her interest in Netherfield.
Well, not quite all my interest, she corrected her own musings, smiling to herself.
She used to sneak into the library and the billiard room, and meander around the gardens—every place that Darcy’s image was palpable.
The library was her favourite room, and she spent as much time as she could there in peaceful solitude.
If she closed her eyes, she could vividly sense his touch, his kisses, and even his scent.
Only two more days until I see him again and less than six weeks until we are married.
Suddenly, in that crowded, noisy room, the longing for him became difficult to bear, and she cast a quick glance around, looking for an opportunity to get out of the house for a few minutes.
She did not even see Lord Markham approaching; she noticed his presence only when, with the most charming smile, he bowed politely to her.
“Miss Bennet, I hope I am not disturbing your solitary reverie?”