Chapter Thirty-Two
The next day, Mr. Darcy accompanied Mr. Bingley on his visit to Longbourn. As they traveled the three miles in Mr. Darcy’s coach – it being too wet to venture out on horseback – Mr. Bingley gave voice to a concern that had haunted him since his friend’s arrival.
“See here, Darcy,” he began, and then stopped, seemingly embarrassed.
“Yes?”
“Well, it is just that…” Mr. Bingley trailed off and seemingly could not find the words he needed.
“Bingley, what on earth is the matter?”
“Why, I suppose I am rather concerned that you will steal Miss Bennet – that is, Miss Elizabeth – away from me!”
“I would never do such a thing to a friend,” Mr. Darcy said, solemnly. “That would be everything ungentlemanly and completely unforgiveable.”
Mr. Bingley rushed on. “It is just that you are ever so much more eligible than I, and were you to set your sights on her –“
Mr. Darcy interrupted. “I promise not to set my sights on her, Bingley. Will that content you? Besides, Miss Bennet – the one I met in London – is utterly lovely. It is unlikely that your Miss Bennet – Miss Elizabeth, that is – could compare. I intend no offense, you understand.”
“Aha! So that is the way the wind blows!” Mr. Bingley sounded quite satisfied.
“This particular wind has done nothing but escort Miss Bennet to her family home, and has no intention of doing anything more,” Mr. Darcy said. “In truth, we have scarce exchanged a dozen words. But no one could deny her beauty.”
“Huh! Well, we shall soon see,” Mr. Bingley said, as the carriage pulled up on the gravel path leading to the Longbourn entrance.
Dismounting from the carriage, the two gentlemen gave their hats and coats to the housekeeper, Mr. Darcy noting that there was no butler, and proceeded into the parlour.
All the Bennet ladies were present, from Mrs. Bennet down to Lydia, and there was a good deal of chattering and exclaiming going on.
“Oh, Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy, you find us in quite a state!” Mrs. Bennet said.
“Mr. Collins and my Mary are engaged, and of course there is a good deal to be decided on!”
Mr. Darcy had not yet met Mr. Collins, Mary, or Elizabeth, all of whom had been out of the house the day before, and so he introductions were made at once. Mr. Collins acknowledged the introduction politely, but said nothing more about Mr. Darcy’s name sounding familiar.
Mrs. Bennet called for refreshments, and then sat down to receive the congratulations of her guests.
She fanned herself rapidly, causing Lydia, who had perched beside her, to complain of her hair being mussed.
Putting the fan down, Mrs. Bennet said, “Oh, what could be more exciting than having a daughter married! Particularly to Mr. Collins!”
Mr. Darcy wondered what made Mr. Collins so very special; the man was not particularly handsome, nor well-dressed, nor evidently titled.
The question evidently showed on his face, as Mrs. Bennet supplied the answer at once.
“Longbourn is entailed to Mr. Collins, and now that he marries into the family, why, I need not worry about being asked to leave my home!”
Mr. Collins rushed to assure her that he would never, never ask any of his relatives to leave Longbourn.
During this conversation, Elizabeth had looked again and again at Mr. Darcy.
He was certainly very handsome. She had always preferred darker colouring, and this Mr. Darcy was practically the epitome of a dark, brooding hero.
Well, he did not brood, exactly, but he seemed to hold himself rather above all the furor around him.
There was an air of gravity about him that she found very appealing.
And at the same time, Mr. Darcy managed to sneak in several looks at both Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth.
Miss Elizabeth was certainly pretty, far prettier than Mr. Bingley’s faint praise had indicated.
It was true that she did not fit the modern preference for blonde hair and blue eyes, but good Lord, there must be fifty different shades in her hair!
From chestnut to chocolate to cocoa to ochre to umber to russet to sable to sepia to taupe to walnut!
And her eyes were green, a true emerald green, not a greyish moss colour that was so often referred to as green.
Miss Bennet was still, unquestionably, the most beautiful woman in the room, of that there could be no doubt; but there was something about this Miss Elizabeth…
Glancing over at Mr. Bingley, he saw the man staring hard at Miss Bennet. Not at Miss Elizabeth, but at the eldest Miss Bennet. His mouth had fallen open.
Mr. Darcy was suddenly aware that an unpleasant situation was in the process of unfolding. Even as the thought took shape in his mind, he saw Mr. Bingley change his seat so as to sit beside Miss Bennet, rather than Miss Elizabeth.