Chapter 23 #2
“My dear, surely nobody could hate you,” Jane replied, appalled by such a notion. “But we cannot force either Miss Darcy or Miss Cecilia to perform. Hopefully, we will have many opportunities to meet again and they will decide if and when they will play for us.”
The colonel laughed. “You are the last man in the world one could hate, Bingley,” Darcy said, then he immediately turned pale, glancing at Elizabeth in panic.
She was also pale and held his look for only a moment.
Clearly, the statement had slipped out with no ill-intention but the familiar words made them both miserable.
Fortunately, the colonel laughed. “Indeed, you are the least hateable man, Bingley. And I fully support your request. Upon my word, having the most talented ladies in the whole of England in our company is a rare occasion.”
“I would be honoured to play with Miss Darcy anytime, if she agrees,” Cece declared.
“So would I,” Miss Darcy replied. “That would be lovely, indeed. Your pianoforte is a beautiful instrument.”
“Lady Sedgwick purchased it for me when I turned eighteen.”
“My brother brought me a wonderful instrument for my sixteenth birthday, but it is at Pemberley. I have not had the chance to play it yet,” Georgiana said, with an adoring and grateful glance at Darcy.
“Well then, you must go to Pemberley and try it,” the colonel ordered.
It was Elizabeth’s turn to jest. “I have always admired the colonel’s determination. He always finds a solution to any problem. A real army man.”
“It is not from the army, this has been his habit since we were children,” Darcy interjected, also joking.
“Well, you were always serious, wise and thoughtful and have always pondered things carefully. I was left with no other choice but to be impulsive, heated, even reckless in my decision-making.”
“I was not implying that, Colonel,” Elizabeth interjected.
“My cousin does not speak in earnest. He is not reckless and I am not always thoughtful. Quite the opposite. But I must say, his present suggestion is spot on. The pianoforte at Pemberley is waiting to be played as soon as possible.”
“We have visited Pemberley every summer, for the last few years,” Bingley said. “It is truly the most beautiful place I have ever seen, and I look forward to showing it to Jane too.”
“I am very sorry that I have ruined your plans. Truly sorry,” Elizabeth apologised.
Bingley paled and dropped his fork onto his plate.
“Oh no, I did not mean that! Not at all!” he cried.
“Lady Barrington, I trust we all agree that we want to be nowhere else except here for the time being. My sister and I would be exceedingly happy to welcome all of you at Pemberley as soon as circumstances allow it. Please do not think otherwise, not for a moment,” Darcy addressed Elizabeth, his voice grave but warm.
She nodded silently. “I know. This is precisely why I feel as much regret as gratitude.”
“I dare suggest your ladyship puts both regrets and gratitude aside,” Darcy concluded, and she nodded again with a resigned smile.
She felt foolish, embarrassed. It had been a lovely evening, and she had ruined it again with her dark thoughts. She had even upset Bingley, who now appeared to have replaced his joy with nervousness.
“I heard Bingley’s estate is quite charming too,” the colonel intervened to break the awkward moment.
“Netherfield is beautiful,” Jane hastily answered. “We are very eager to return there soon.”
“It is close to your father’s estate, I understand,” the colonel continued. Carefully, he turned the conversation to comfortable subjects and Bingley quickly regained his usual spirits, pleased to speak about the place where he had found happiness.
The colonel’s partiality towards Elizabeth was apparent to Darcy, despite his cousin’s guarded manners.
He could not avoid examining Robert’s interactions with Elizabeth—just as had happened in Kent.
Even under the current, delicate circumstances, the friendship between them had been immediately reestablished.
He was pleased to see Elizabeth less troubled, but he could not deny that the claw of jealousy gripped his chest.
“What do you think, Darcy?”
“What? Excuse me, Bingley. can you repeat the question?”
“We were talking about returning to Hertfordshire. Since you and Georgiana could not return to Pemberley, perhaps a fortnight in the countryside would be a little compensation? We would be delighted to host you at Netherfield.”
He was taken by surprise and needed a moment to compose himself. Considering the rumours that were circulating, he preferred to keep some distance from Elizabeth, in order to protect her from gossip.
“If my presence is needed, of course I will come,” he answered.
Before she had time to ponder her words, Elizabeth heard herself speaking.
“Your presence is not needed, but much desired, Mr. Darcy. Mr. Bingley wished to invite you and Miss Darcy as friends. Of course, Colonel Fitzwilliam is most welcome too.”
Darcy gazed at her with a slight frown, trying to comprehend her words properly, then he looked at his sister.
“Unfortunately, I must return to my regiment the day after tomorrow and will remain there for the next two months,” the colonel said.
“I would like to go, if my brother agrees,” Georgiana answered.
“Excellent! So what do you say, Darcy?”
“We are grateful for the invitation. My sister and I will discuss it and let you know.”
Bingley was ready to insist but Elizabeth threw him a quick glare.
“It was Darcy that convinced me to choose Netherfield! Little did he know that by renting that house, I would lose my heart and find my forever happiness,” Bingley declared.
“Well, you do not look lost at all, my friend; quite the opposite,” the colonel teased him. “Darcy has always had a good eye for property. On matters of the heart—not so much.”
Darcy glanced at Elizabeth again then turned to his cousin. “As you say, each of us may be proficient in one matter, but not in all.”
“True. A perfect man would be annoying,” the colonel concluded.