Chapter Thirteen #2
Colonel Brandon appeared greatly affected by this as she withdrew her hand and resumed the music. “I had thought perhaps I shall wait until Miss Marianne has been told the truth, but I might visit when I travel north again to see Eliza wed.”
Elizabeth tightened her face as she considered, for she did not share his confidence that she would know what Marianne might desire. Her cousin had spoken of her unease at Colonel Brandon’s interest in her, but perhaps that might alter if Marianne was made aware of Mr. Willoughby’s dilemma.
“I think you are right not to attempt anything until she has considered the revelation about Mr. Willoughby; only she can decide if she still desires his addresses, and can accept what little he has to offer at present. It is so strange that she has not written; I cannot guess what she may be feeling, but I will own that she was very deeply attached, before…. But if her wishes have changed, she may still require time to reflect.”
“I understand you perfectly. I will surely see her again when she returns to Barton. But I do hope her silence is not from unhappiness.”
“If it is, I hope the next letter from Jane will lift her spirits.” Elizabeth glanced back at Jane, who had abandoned her letter and was speaking intently with Mr. Willoughby.
“I mean to speak to Lady Allen on his behalf; I think it a right thing, for he ought not lose her patronage for a lie that I bear half the blame of.”
Elizabeth beamed at him, impressed by his honor toward a rival. Perhaps in Lady Allen’s forgiveness, there may be some hope for Mr. Willoughby and Marianne. If only there were somebody for the colonel, for Elizabeth doubted that lady was her cousin.
***
Mr. Darcy was surprised, and not at all pleased by the sight of Colonel Brandon seated so close to Elizabeth on the piano stool. He moved near enough to hear them as he and his sister and cousin were shown into the room.
The colonel leaned close to Elizabeth, and Darcy heard him say, “I know what I am, what a dismal old bore I make as a suitor, but I do have a romantic heart.” He nearly stumbled as he moved to a chaise and sat beside Phillip, who positioned himself so that he might stare at Jane Bennet.
Darcy likewise watched Elizabeth. She was playing an unusual melody; fragments of it were recognizable to him, and he suspected the rest was of her own invention.
She was distracted. Indeed, she was listening to Colonel Brandon with rapt attention – she briefly took his hand in her own as she spoke.
Darcy’s heart lurched as if it might cast up its accounts.
Phillip produced a letter from his coat pocket and began to show it to Mrs. Gardiner. “My sister has written again, so I have news of the Miss Dashwoods, if the Miss Bennets do not,” he said with a glance in Miss Bennet’s direction.
The lady looked over, and moved away from Mr. Willoughby, though Elizabeth appeared so lost in her conversation with Colonel Brandon that she was not aware what was passing. Phillip moved away from Darcy so that Jane might sit between them and hear his news.
“My sister writes that she has visited twice more at Longbourn. See her praise of all your relations.” Phillip offered her the letter, and Miss Bennet examined it with interest.
“I was just beginning another letter to them, in case our first went astray. My goodness, Lady Rebecca is indeed generous – but I am pleased that she likes Meryton, and sorry that Mr. Bingley has had a difficult time finding his footing in local society.”
“I found it a charming village, when I passed through and paid my respects to the Dashwoods,” Edward said, moving that way and sitting across from Jane. “I hope your family is in good health.”
“Lady Rebecca reports no illness at Longbourn; perhaps they do not write because they are too vastly diverted,” Miss Bennet said curtly, subtly moving closer to Phillip.
Darcy might have smiled, but his gaze lingered on the letter. Lady Rebecca had determined it most efficient to compose one letter to her brother, step-mother, and both her cousins in residence at Matlock House, and had included comments directed at all of them individually.
Her letter called Darcy’s attention to the description of Miss Elizabeth that she had received from Marianne Dashwood, and Darcy’s eyes traversed the page until he found the passage and agonized as he had done at the first reading.
“Cousin Darcy, I must own to a great curiosity about Miss Elizabeth Bennet, who chastened you so thoroughly! My new confidante Marianne tells me that her cousin is a young lady of high courage, lively wit, and tender affections – as well as possessing all one could desire in beauty and fortune. Miss Marianne told me of an acquaintance of hers, Colonel Brandon, who is presently in London – she supposes them to be well-suited, but I should like to hear your opinion on the matter. Richard knows the man a little, and says he is honorable and generous; I hope he has received kinder treatment than being scolded in a ballroom.”
Beneath this passage, Lady Rebecca made a small, hasty sketch of a dark haired lady in a ball gown, pointing a saber at two gentlemen labeled W and D.
Darcy sighed, wishing he had prevented his cousin and sister from informing Lady Rebecca of the events of Twelfth Night.
He had only given her ammunition to bombard him with her wickedness.
And then a miracle happened; Elizabeth looked over at Darcy, her eyes betraying her surprise before she broke into a bright smile, scarcely managing to make her excuses to the colonel before she rose from the piano stool and crossed the room with a spring in her step.
Her joy at the sight of him was a thing of wonder to Darcy, who found himself motioning to the empty seat nearest him.
Elizabeth sat down and was instantly leaning toward him, ready for her share in the conversation.
***
Elizabeth hardly knew what she was saying as she hastened to join Mr. Darcy.
“How sly of you to sneak in so stealthily, sir; I had not thought you to be so serious about learning my style of trickery, but I heartily approve!” Elizabeth grinned at him, and then her gaze landed on the letter her sister was reading, as Phillip took full advantage of the chance to move in close.
“They have had word of our cousins from Lady Rebecca,” Miss Bennet told her sister, her eyes still roaming the page.
Darcy could sense the moment she read the passage about Elizabeth, for Miss Bennet looked between her sister and Darcy with a faint shade of uncertainty in her brows before returning the letter to Phillip.
“When next you write to her, do ask Lady Rebecca to tease our cousins for their negligence,” Elizabeth said.
Mrs. Jennings turned away from Mrs. Ferrars to address her guests with a merry wave of her hand. “I hope you will write them unceasingly, my dears! I am confident I have kept you well entertained, and you must inform them of all they are missing by refusing my invitation!”
Elizabeth could not resist a menacing glance at Edward Ferrars before she replied to her hostess. “We will make them well aware.”
But her satisfaction at nettling the person she disliked was fleeting, for there soon arrived another foe; Caroline Bingley was shown into the drawing room.
The woman surveyed them all with a haughty expression as she looked for a place to sit, pasting a false smile on her face as she found no place near enough Mr. Darcy and his cousin.
She instead sat beside Mr. Ferrars, drawing a gaze of appraisal from his mother.
“But where is your charming friend, Miss Steele? I have grown so fond of her since you introduced us,” Miss Bingley purred. She smiled at Mr. Ferrars, as if Lucy Steele had confided in her.
Jane said something polite and noncommittal about Miss Steele, carefully avoiding Mr. Ferrars’s eye, and then inquired after Mrs. Hurst.
Miss Bingley fanned herself idly. “My sister is very dull today, but I was of a mind for company, and I understand you have had a great deal of it, dear Jane. I called at Matlock House and was told my brother’s relations would be found here, and of course I have been delayed in returning your call, for we have had so much company at my sister’s house.
You must come and visit us there, Viscount Bellamy.
And you as well, Mr. Darcy – I did not think you were fond of morning calls, sir, but I suppose you are bearing them for your sister’s sake.
How pleasant it is to see you enjoying so much new society, Miss Darcy – but you must not forget your old friends.
Why, we are practically cousins, are we not? ”
Elizabeth knew that the viscount’s sister was the widow of Miss Bingley’s late elder brother, but it was apparent that neither of the Darcy siblings welcomed this familial claim. Viscount Bellamy forced a smile and nodded his head to the harpy.
“It is for my sake that Darcy has forced himself into more society; my mourning period is long ended, and I have come to London to move more amongst our intimate circle. At present, that has only included the fine folks you have found here today, Miss Bingley.”
It was not lost on Elizabeth that the viscount had worded his reply to exclude Miss Bingley herself; even Jane betrayed a little smile of amusement.
But Miss Bingley was not daunted. “How charming! Yes, I am sure it must be daunting to return to town after your sorrows, which is precisely why you must take care with whom you claim as intimates; but one might always depend upon family. But I am afraid I am not acquainted with all your new set.”
Mrs. Jennings did not appear the least bit chagrined by having omitted the introductions. “Miss Bingley, after our last visit, I confess I was so astonished to see you here that I quite forgot the usual niceties.”