Chapter 25 #4
“I intended to surprise you, Darcy, but I am afraid the surprise is even greater than I intended.
I left my regiment together with my friend Colonel Thomason and his family as they planned to reach London before Christmas, but their carriage had an accident ten miles back; we barely managed to ride a few more miles, and I am asking your assistance to host them here for the night.
Please forgive me, I know I have no right to impose, it is just that—
Elizabeth approached him with a warm smile. He kissed her hand and apologised again while Elizabeth, with a short glance at her husband, continued.
“Surely you must not apologise for bringing friends, especially as they were in such a dangerous situation. Please invite them in, and we will have their rooms ready in no time.”
A few minutes later, Pemberley’s dining room was filled with Colonel Thomason—a handsome gentleman in his late thirties—his wife and his two sisters.
They were all embarrassed by the intrusion, but the colonel made the introductions with a perfect mix of politeness and friendliness.
If Darcy seemed rather restrained in his expression, Elizabeth’s warm manners and genuine welcome managed to dissipate the new guests’ tension and embarrassment.
Half an hour later, the newly arrived were shown to their rooms to refresh and prepare for dinner.
The colonel joined them after he assured the others in the room that he would return as soon as possible.
As soon as they left the room, opinions about the new acquaintances were shared.
Elizabeth looked at her husband and then at Cassandra, who was now ghostly pale; her eyes stared at the table while her hands were entwined to stop their trembling, and she appeared oblivious to everything around her.
The colonel had not greeted her beyond the strictest civility.
“Thank you, my love,” Darcy whispered to Elizabeth and she smiled back at him.
“You are quite welcome, though I do not know what for.”
“For the way you handled this awkward situation; you never cease to amaze me. It is as though you always know what to do and what to say to make people comfortable.”
“Well, I had little else to do. They seem such agreeable people—and even if they were not, how could we possibly leave them outside to freeze, especially as they are the colonel’s friends.”
“No, of course not—but still…”
“However, I am not sure what I can do to make you feel comfortable, as you are clearly not in the best disposition,” she teased him.
“Well, I could tell you what you might do, but it is not possible with a thousand people in the house,” he burst out in frustration, and she laughed heartily.
“You are not only highly improper, but also quite disagreeable and haughty, dear sir.”
“I am glad you are so amused, because I really am not. I did understand David’s reasons, but really—the last thing I needed was a new party of people here. And they did not even say clearly when they would leave! Their carriage could be fixed in two weeks or so; can you imagine that?”
Elizabeth placed a quick kiss on his chin. “Let us hope that will not be the case, my love.”
The colonel’s voice called out to make his presence known. Elizabeth blushed slightly.
“Mrs Darcy, thank you for your hospitality. I am grateful to you, as are my friends.”
“I am glad I could be of some help, sir. I hope they will be comfortable in their rooms.”
“I am sure they will, but, Darcy, may I have a word with you?”
The colonel looked positively distressed and embarrassed as he spoke animatedly.
“I know I am already being impertinent with my demands, and I would never dare if it were not Christmas in only two days…What I mean is…Darcy, I beg you to loan them one of your carriages to take them to London tomorrow morning. I know I am asking too much, but—
Elizabeth could hardly hold back her peals of laughter as she saw Darcy’s face light with relief.
“Say no more, David! Of course, I will give them a carriage; in fact, I will loan them my best, largest one as we will not need it for the time being. I will send my coachman with you, and he can bring it back. Is that arrangement satisfactory, do you think?”
“Darcy, you are simply the best man,” the colonel shook his hand. “I will go and inform Thomason. The poor fellow did not dare ask you such a favour. He will be so relieved!”
He left instantly, so he did not hear Darcy mumbling. “Not more relieved than I am.”
∞∞∞
An hour later, the entire party was assembled in the dining room again.
Colonel Thomason seemed as amiable and pleasant as Colonel Fitzwilliam, and his wife and sisters were voluble, amusing and quite pretty.
Mrs Bennet did not forget to mention she had a daughter married to an officer, but Mr Bingley quickly changed the subject so Wickham’s name was avoided.
Then there were questions about the balls in the North, and the young Misses Thomason seemed as willing to talk about dancing and officers as were Kitty and Mrs Bennet.
Elizabeth smiled with indulgence the whole time, casting meaningful glances toward Georgiana and Darcy.
It was also obvious that the Misses Thomason shared a deep admiration for Colonel Fitzwilliam and nearly competed for the favour of flirting with him.
The colonel appeared to tolerate them with good humour and even winked at Colonel Thomason a few times.
Another thing Elizabeth noticed was Cassandra’s unusual silence. She expected that Cassandra would be slightly uneasy at the colonel’s sudden appearance; however, it was more than that. Cassandra’s torment was so obvious that it was difficult for Elizabeth to see it without enquiring.
The gentlemen were invited to accompany Mr Darcy to the library following dinner. Colonel Fitzwilliam remained a little behind and approached Cassandra, who was standing near the window.
“Lady Cassandra, I am very happy to see you finally. Please forgive me for not speaking to you more when we entered. It was such a situation—
“Do not worry, sir; I noticed you were busy when you entered, as well as later during dinner. You cannot possibly neglect your friends; I understand that.”
Her sharp voice and refusal to meet his gaze silenced David for a moment. “I hope you are well?”
“I am quite well, thank you.”
“Well then…Darcy is waiting for me. Perhaps we could talk later?” He searched her face as she stared through the window.
“Whenever you can spare a moment,” she replied coldly.
The colonel could find nothing more to say and hurried to catch the other gentlemen.
As soon as he exited, Cassandra asked for a cup of tea and joined the ladies for a few minutes.
A short while later, she excused herself as she was feeling unwell and wished to retire to her room.
Everyone offered assistance and expressed regrets and hopes for her recovery.
Cassandra could not bear the small talk any longer.
She hurried from the room and briefly met Elizabeth’s eyes. She knew Elizabeth understood, but she was in no disposition to talk to anyone. All she wanted was the complete solitude of her chamber—and her thoughts.
∞∞∞
It was almost midnight, and Colonel Fitzwilliam was pacing the room, his heart racing , trying to maintain his composure.
What was happening with her—again? She promised she would have an answer for him once he returned, and in truth, their last meeting gave him every reason to hope for a happy conclusion.
Now things were even worse than before; she simply ignored him!
She barely looked at him the entire evening and answered him coldly as though he meant nothing to her.
Even more, when he returned from the library, she had long retired, apparently to avoid him.
How could she be so deceitful, and how could he be so foolish as to allow her to hurt him repeatedly?
He came all that way only to be with her for Christmas, and she cared nothing for him.
So why should he remain? The only thing he could not bear was her indifference, and that was precisely what she was showing him after almost two months apart.
He opened his window, allowing the wind to blow in his face.
It was still snowing, and the Pemberley grounds were covered in white.
It was freezing cold, but that was nothing compared to the empty coldness in his heart.
He leaned against the balcony and closed his eyes; he wanted to feel the snow falling upon his face in hopes that it would make the pain disappear.
When he opened his eyes again, he frowned, not from the cold, but from fear and disbelief.
In the near wing on the upper floor, he could see Cassandra leaning against the balcony as he had done; her hair was down, and she was dressed only in her nightgown while the wind swirled around her.
Damn, she is completely out of her senses!
She will catch her death, that insane woman.
Without much consideration, angry at her insincerity, and worried for her careless behaviour, he pulled on his coat and shut the door behind him.
∞∞∞
The night was as beautiful as a fairy tale—as though fate wanted to laugh at her torment—and she deserved to be laughed at; Cassandra knew that. All her hopes deserved to be laughed at.
She had longed to see David again since the moment he had left, and now he had finally come.
He was safe, for which she had prayed; he was healthy, as she wished, and obviously he had not much interest in her, as she should have anticipated.
What could she expect from a man she had refused so harshly and decidedly—a man who had shown his affection and devotion for her honestly with no requite from her?