Chapter Nine #4
Elizabeth looked up at him in astonishment. “That is very kind of you, sir.”
As they went down the dance together, Elizabeth attempted to make sense of Mr. Darcy’s behavior, which had been even more agreeable tonight than the previous evening, despite her own tempestuous rage.
When they reached the end and began the next figure of the dance, Elizabeth smiled brightly at Mr. Darcy, ready to behave as she ought.
“Thank you for telling that horrid Lady Allen that Jane and I are under your protection. If Papa had been present, he would not have done so much – he would only have laughed uproariously.”
“Perhaps ere long, we might be able to laugh about the whole ordeal.”
“I had not supposed you to be so optimistic, Mr. Darcy.”
“A hidden virtue of mine. Do you approve of it?”
She laughed and nodded emphatically. “I do – but then, I have already told you that a man of your situation in life has no justification for being sullen.”
“Oh, I am also that. I daresay it lends me an air of distinction, to be so complex.”
“Another privilege of being a wealthy man. When a country miss is contrary, it only makes her….”
“Miss Elizabeth, before you slander yourself once more, allow me to say that I find your contrariness to be utterly delightful – when I am not the object of it.”
“Then you may be sorry to hear that I intend to reform myself entirely and be vastly agreeable. My resolution is sure to last the rest of the evening at least, and for perhaps as long as a fortnight.”
He grinned at her as they spun together. “Perhaps you shall inspire me to do the same. I had thought to nettle my cousin by preventing him from being introduced to your sister, purely as a lark, but Georgiana has allied herself with him, and I stand little chance of outmaneuvering him, anyhow.”
“And is your cousin’s interest in my sister only a lark? Mr. Bingley was a disappointment, and now Mr. Willoughby has been another. If your cousin is merely a flirt, I beg you would not introduce him to Jane.”
Mr. Darcy’s countenance turned serious. “I was surprised at his open eagerness to meet her; I have seldom seen him express himself in such a way. He was a parson before he became the earl’s heir, and he has been a widower for three years now.
He and his daughters remained at the vicarage until about six months ago, when the family came out of mourning, and he has since been occupied in learning everything he can from his father, of the duties that he never expected would fall to him.
The notion that he should be sought after in society, especially by charming and beautiful women, is entirely new to him. ”
“He may have something in common with my sister, then. I fear Mrs. Jennings means to tell everybody she meets about our sudden inheritance, and Jane is sure to appear even lovelier to gentlemen that would not have looked twice at her a month ago.”
Mr. Darcy surveyed Elizabeth curiously for a moment. “I hope you will not think me impertinent, Miss Elizabeth, if I ask… what happened?”
“I nearly wish you would be impertinent, if only to assuage my own guilt for behaving badly. But I do not mind your question. It is all very recent and unexpected. Mr. Collins was killed in a carriage accident on his way to Meryton days before he was to wed Charlotte Lucas. When my family was discussing the matter, my Aunt Gardiner informed us that my late uncle and grandfather had set a sum aside for us as well.”
“Poor Miss Lucas.” Mr. Darcy looked thoughtful for a moment, and then added, “Your friend seemed perfectly suited to the role of parson’s wife in my aunt’s domain; I expect she would have been adept at maintaining the lady’s good opinion, and borne her meddling with cheerful delicacy.”
Elizabeth was not keen to hear such praise of her erstwhile friend, who had not been delicate when last they had spoken. “I do pity her, though she has given up any claim to my sympathy. After such a loss, she was not kind about the turn of my family’s fortunes; we have fallen out over it.”
Mr. Darcy looked pained. “I am sure it was through no fault of your own. For what is it worth, you may find a very devoted new friend in Georgiana. She spoke about her eagerness to see you again all night when we returned home, and again today – only ceasing in her effusions to sleep. Whatever our disagreements have been, Miss Elizabeth, I hope you will keep an open mind about Georgiana.”
“Of course,” Elizabeth cried, giving him a reassuring smile.
“She is delightful, and I hope we are past our disagreements. In your affection for your sister, I find at last that we have something in common.” The memory of Mr. Wickham’s tale of woe flitted through her mind, but Elizabeth swatted the unhappy thought away; she was beginning to think rather well for the man who had borne her distemper with considerable grace.
When they went in to supper, Mr. Darcy introduced Jane to Viscount Bellamy, who appeared endearingly nervous at making the acquaintance of a woman who was, though beautiful, entirely beneath him in station.
He was equally charming to Mrs. Gardiner and Elizabeth, and invited the three ladies to dine with him and his cousins.
Small banquet tables filled the dining room, each seating six or eight people, and Elizabeth felt herself fortunate to be in such fine company.
Mr. Darcy and the viscount amused the ladies by taking turns mortifying one another with tales of their youth, and Viscount Bellamy echoed Miss Darcy in asking the ladies a great deal of questions about their interests and pursuits, as well as their plans while they were in London.
Jane appeared too lost in thought to notice the viscount’s particular interest in her, and Elizabeth worried that her sister would grow forlorn over the ordeal with Mr. Willoughby.
Miss Darcy could not resist inquiring about it, for she was certain that Elizabeth would not have disparaged him without cause.
Elizabeth was also curious, and wished to know what the blackguard had said to her aunt and sister, though she feared they had been moved by some pretty excuse of his.
Even the gentlemen could not conceal their intrigue, and Mrs. Garinder related the substance of their conversation.
It was just as Elizabeth dreaded – the man had a tragic story ready to soften their hearts to him.
The viscount listened to it all with the same relish that Mrs. Bennet might have shown at such juicy gossip, and afterward asked Mrs. Gardiner, “Are you well enough acquainted with Mrs. Hatchard to trust her faith in him?”
“I believe I am. His own actions speak well enough of him, for he cared more for explaining himself to us than for salvaging his aunt’s good opinion, and it seems she holds the purse strings.”
“That must count for something,” Jane said with a sigh.
The viscount nodded. “I daresay your good opinion is well worth deserving, for Georgiana has been full of praise for you. And I suppose a guilty fellow might have fled; I am sure I should run away from Colonel Brandon if I were caught doing him a great wrong, for he is a most imposing man! When I saw him, I thought you must be a princess, and he was your bodyguard.”
The other ladies laughed, but Miss Darcy looked stricken. “I do pity this Miss Williams, though. I cannot think why she would lie. What a horrid thing that has been done to her!” Her eyes misted with tears, and Mr. Darcy drew his seat closer to hers so that he might rest an arm about her shoulders.
“It is strange, though, that she had previously refused to reveal the identity of her… her child’s father, until that moment,” Mrs. Gardiner mused. “And then to taunt a stranger with the revelation! Did you not say, Lizzy, that there was a look of malice about her?”
Elizabeth had observed this on that awful day, but she did not acknowledge it, and only grimaced.
The viscount nodded knowingly. “You think she may be protecting the true culprit, while vexing the woman who spurned her guardian?” Elizabeth furrowed her brows, chafed at what might vindicate Mr. Willoughby.
“Well, I cannot say what I admire more,” the viscount said with a wide smile. “Miss Bennet, Mrs. Gardiner, you have been wonderfully circumspect – it is no small thing to allow one’s mind to be changed.”
Mr. Darcy coughed, and smiled at Elizabeth, who made a droll face at him.
“On the other hand, Miss Elizabeth, brava! Your devotion to your wounded cousin does you credit,” the viscount told her.
“I shall never forget the sight of watching you attack him! If he is proved to be a villain, he will have entirely deserved it, and I am sure your heartbroken cousin will be grateful.”
Elizabeth shook her head, still mortified by her own actions. “But if he is not a villain, perhaps I am. I will certainly owe him an apology, which is not a pleasant thought at present.”
“But your apologies are so very charming,” Mr. Darcy drawled.
Viscount Bellamy guffawed. “And Darcy ought to be the judge of such things, as often as he is giving offense!”
“Another time, I hope you will actually heed my advice, Lizzy,” Mrs. Gardiner said. “You have disregarded my good counsel before, but never so swiftly!”
They were soon approached by Mr. Willoughby and Colonel Brandon, who seemed uneasy companions.
The colonel bowed and addressed himself to Mrs. Gardiner, while Elizabeth assiduously avoided meeting Mr. Willoughby’s eye.
“We have come to take our leave of you. We depart for Yorkshire tomorrow; I intend to discover the truth of the matter we have quarreled over.”
“And we mean to take your advice, Mrs. Gardiner,” Mr. Willoughby said.
Mrs. Gardiner perked up, looking satirically at Elizabeth, as their companions all laughed. “That is music to my ears.”
Mr. Willoughby bowed his head, his gaze locked on Jane. “My mother still wishes to call tomorrow with Sophie, if you will receive her.”
“Certainly! She is a charming girl,” Jane said, looking at Mr. Willoughby as if she might weep.
“She is about your age,” Elizabeth said to Miss Darcy. “I believe you shall like her, if you happen to visit us tomorrow, as well.”
Mr. Darcy stiffened a little, and Mr. Willoughby perceived it. “If you prefer to wait until my character has been vindicated before your sister becomes acquainted with mine, sir, I completely understand.”
“Pish, Darcy has no objection – he always looks this way. Of course we will call tomorrow,” the viscount said, beaming at Jane and seeming rather proud of how this unsettled Mr. Willoughby. Jane, however, seemed to finally realize that the viscount meant to pay her his particular compliments.
“And, Miss Elizabeth, I owe you my thanks,” Mr. Willoughby said, bowing deeply to her and waiting until she would finally look at him. “Miss Grey has flatly refused to ever enter into an engagement with me; I intend to send you every flower in London by way of thanks.”
“If you wish to make amends sir, and you are truly vindicated of your offense against the colonel, you need only apologize to my cousin,” Elizabeth said curtly. Colonel Brandon nodded his agreement, his expression stony.
“You are absolutely right, Miss Elizabeth. When we return to London and this sordid business is put right, I hope I may rely on you to communicate my sincere apologies to her, along with all that I told you,” Mr. Willoughby said, directing this last part at Jane.
She trembled a little but nodded her head.
When the two gentlemen departed, the viscount asked Mrs. Gardiner what advice she had given them.
She sat up a little straighter, looking proud of herself.
“Mr. Willoughby insists he has never met Miss Williams, and Mrs. Hatchard said that from April to September, her son never left London, not even for a day. She and I asked the colonel if his ward had come to London during that time, but she did not. If Mr. Willoughby is telling the truth, then Miss Williams would not know him by sight, for she has not visited the colonel in Devonshire in more than ten years, since she and Mr. Willoughby were children.”
The viscount nodded appreciatively. “The colonel might dress up a stable boy and present him to the girl as Mr. Willoughby, and catch her in the lie.”
“Exactly,” Mrs. Gardiner said. “And if it is a very handsome stable boy, she will agree most eagerly. He will likewise present Mr. Willoughby as a servant, and see if she knows him.”
“Vastly clever! Well done, Mrs. Gardiner,” the viscount said, clapping his hands in applause.
“I know I ought not indulge in such gossip; you have done me a great service in thrusting it upon us, Miss Elizabeth, for I am vastly diverted. I hope you ladies will all consent to stand up with me when the dancing begins again. I could not imagine better companions for the evening.”
The viscount proved an affable companion himself, for the newness of his elevation had rendered him humble and warm, though he was not as fine a dancer as his cousin Mr. Darcy.
Both of the Ferrars brothers also stood up with Jane and Elizabeth after dinner, which was not at all pleasant, though naturally Jane bore it better than Elizabeth.
Even so, Elizabeth was resolved to be in better spirits for the second half of the evening, and with Mr. Darcy, Miss Darcy, and Viscount Bellamy all resolved to remain close to the Bennet sisters, it was quite easy for them to be excessively diverted.