Chapter 29
Elizabeth never imagined she would be so nervous to enter her parents’ house.
Thoughts and questions spun in her mind, making her head dizzy and her steps hesitant.
From the drawing-room, the reunion could be heard, loud and joyful.
When did he arrive? What was he doing with her father? Was Georgiana truly having tea with Mrs. Phillips and her mother?
“Miss Bennet?”
Shivers ran down her spine and her face felt feverish. His voice tantalised her senses and even before he approached her, she could detect his scent.
“Mr. Darcy. I did not expect to see you here, sir.”
“We arrived two days ago. You are not displeased, I hope?”
“No, not at all.”
“I am glad. Our plans were settled before Bingley informed me about the delay in your return. But we decided to come, nevertheless. It was a good opportunity to become better acquainted with your family.”
Her eyebrow arched in challenge and he gave a little smile, revealing the dimples in his cheeks.
“I can imagine why my previous behaviour would induce you to distrust my statement. Your father reminded me that I never addressed a single word to him during my previous stay at Netherfield.”
“It is never too late for a proper acquaintance. But you must be cautious about my father. He is a little too inclined to make sport at others’ expense.”
“I have already noticed that,” Darcy replied, his smile broader. “I dare say one of his daughters has inherited his spirit. Would you allow me to escort you inside?”
She took his offered arm, too conscious of his nearness.
“Did your journey meet your expectations?” he continued.
“Very much so. Although we faced some unpleasant surprises and difficult decisions. I again need your advice on several matters.”
“I would be happy to assist you. But from what I learned from Bingley’s letters, you proved to be exceedingly proficient in matters of business yourself.”
“Hardly. But I admit I have learned more than I expected. You have been an excellent teacher, Mr. Darcy.”
“Anyone could teach such a gifted and industrious pupil.”
“It seems we make a good pair,” she said teasingly, then immediately her face coloured with shame. She felt his gaze on her and her eyes met his briefly.
“I hope so,” he whispered, as they entered the drawing-room.
Elizabeth let go of his arm to greet Georgiana most warmly, then the conversation began, with much talking and very little listening.
A very early and exceedingly rich dinner was served, much to Mrs. Bennet’s utter delight.
Darcy sat near Mr. Bennet and spoke to him most of the time, but he found several occasions to compliment Mrs. Bennet too.
Elizabeth felt overjoyed and overwhelmed.
She had much to ask and much to say but chose to watch and enjoy the view of domestic felicity in front of her.
Bingley and Jane’s affectionate small gestures; her mother inviting everyone to eat; her sisters talking much too loudly and barely properly; Cece and Miss Darcy, interjecting in the discussion with obvious amusement; and her father talking privately and in apparently mutual understanding with Mr. Darcy.
An image that she would previously never have dared to even consider possible.
Her glance met Darcy’s quite often and each time it locked briefly. Nothing more was needed for the time being.
Eventually, the Netherfield party retired for a well-deserved rest and some peace fell over Longbourn.
Only then was Lydia allowed to complain to her mother about how cruel Elizabeth had been to her and how uncivilly she had treated poor Mr. Wickham.
“Oh hush, child! Do not speak of Mr. Wickham again in the presence of Mr. Darcy! And your sister might treat anyone as she pleases! Do you not know how wealthy she is now? Mr. Darcy himself said so! You should be quiet and do not argue with her if you wish to be invited to town for the season!”
“But Mama, I think I love him!”
“Do not peak nonsense, silly girl! How can you love him after just a week? You are such a fool! Can you imagine how many rich and handsome gentlemen you will meet from now on? Who cares about Mr. Wickham? I heard he left many debts in Meryton. What use is there in speaking of him?”
After several more arguments, Mrs. Bennet retired and sent Lydia to her room. The girl threw herself on the bed and cried until she fell asleep, convinced her life had ended.
In the morning, however, she woke up in good spirits, ready and eager for the London season.
∞∞∞
“Papa, I am so happy to see you in such good health,” Elizabeth said the next morning, embracing her father. They were both in the library, just after breakfast.
“I do feel very well, my dear. Sit next to me, please. I have news for you.”
“Good news, I hope?”
“Indeed.”
“What is it? Please do not tease me!”
“My dear, it is not a matter for teasing. A few days after you departed, I received a note from your uncle.”
“And?”
“He informed me that he had seized another business opportunity recommended by Mr. Darcy. He was quite excited to extend his affairs and was confident he could recover some of our lost capital within a year. You do remember our significant failure that damaged our income a few months ago?”
“I do remember, Papa. But you must not worry any longer, I can...”
“No, Lizzy, do not even say that! I will not accept continuing to live in negligence and allowing you to support me. I am hopeful about your uncle’s new investment, especially with Mr. Darcy’s assistance.
Indeed, life is like a swing. It takes you up and down, in chaos most of the time, unless you have someone to push you in the right direction. ”
Elizabeth listened, but her mind was blurred by emotions. This was Darcy’s business in town? Helping her uncle to extend his business. Without even informing her? Was all the time and effort he invested in assisting her not enough?
A lump in her throat forbade her to reply.
“And then he suddenly appeared at our door—I thought your mother would faint when she saw him and Miss Darcy. What a sweet, lovely girl! Upon my word, some men are fortunate with their sisters, others are like poor Bingley. Oh well...”
He was jesting, but Elizabeth still could not recover.
“Oh, and there is something else. Now I realise there are two pieces of good news, actually.”
Elizabeth struggled to pay attention, but her thoughts were too unsettled.
Mr. Bennet handed her a small, black, velvet box.
“What is it, Papa?” she asked, reluctant to even touch it.
“Open it, my child,” her father said in a soft and tender voice.
She did so, with slow and hesitant moves. A cry escaped from her lips and she ceased fighting her tears as she stared in utter disbelief at Lady Sedgewick’s lost ring.
She touched it, still doubtful, looking at it with her heart pounding. Mr. Bennet was completely caught up in his daughter's heart-wrenching excitement and his eyes moistened too.
“Papa, where did you find it?” she whispered. “I lost it a while ago and I thought Lord Barrington had sold it.”
“He had, my dear. Darcy brought me the ring—he said it would be more appropriate if you received it from me. He claimed it was not much of an effort to find the ring and retrieve it, but even someone like me, who is not accustomed to such affairs, knows better. He said Bingley showed him the ring in a portrait of Lady Sedgewick and they conspired together to find it. In fact, he suggested you had Bingley to thank for it.”
“Dear Papa, do you know what this means to me?”
“I confess I did not—until now. I was rather confused that he had put so much effort into finding a ring when you said you have so many others. But now that I see your tears...It must be very expensive.”
“It is, Papa—but its value is even more significant. The ring had been in Lady Sedgewick’s family for generations and she gave it to me! Of all people, to me! And he, her own nephew, stole it and sold it...And now it has been returned to me...Papa, this is...”
Lost in her tears and awestruck, she suddenly began to speak of the countess and her late husband, with restlessness and little coherence. Neither of them heard the knock, nor noticed the door opening and Darcy, Bingley and Cece in the doorway.
∞∞∞
“Forgive us, we did not mean to interrupt,” Bingley uttered, ready to withdraw.
“Please come in,” Elizabeth invited them. She looked at Darcy, this time without any reluctance. “You found my ring...”
He averted his gaze. “As I told Mr. Bennet, Bingley and I decided...”
“I did nothing but show Darcy the portrait,” Bingley interrupted. “Each must accept their fair share of recognition.”
“Mr. Darcy, I am afraid you have no other choice but to bear the gratitude,” Mr. Bennet declared, in an attempt to ease the young man’s discomfort.
“Your gratitude is not necessary, I assure you. I am glad I could retrieve a valuable object. There are very few places in London where one could sell such a ring and very few people who would have the means and the audacity to purchase it. I simply enquired until I obtained the desired outcome. There truly is no need to speak of this matter further.”
Darcy’s request was genuine and his uneasiness apparent. Any further insistence would have only made him more uncomfortable.
Elizabeth moved towards him, holding the ring. Her fingers were trembling.
“Thank you, Mr. Darcy,” she said simply. Their eyes locked again. Briefly. Deeply. Intensely. He knew not how to reply and did not trust his voice to sound reasonable, so he only nodded.
“So, where are the others?” Mr. Bennet enquired, to quell the heightened emotions in the small library.
“They are with Mrs. Bennet. We planned to walk to Oakham Mount and we wished to invite Elizabeth to join us,” Cece explained. “Mrs. Bingley...Jane says there is a lovely view and the weather is very fine.”
“Since it is quite a distance, we will take the carriage and will walk only the last part,” Bingley added. “We are not all such excellent walkers as Elizabeth.”