Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Hertfordshire
Elizabeth hardly knew what to think. The solemn, quiet, rude, arrogant Mr. Darcy had somehow been replaced by an amiable, conversant twin.
After being introduced to Miss Darcy, a shy and quiet young lady, Elizabeth had thought the occupants of Longbourn would see little of the brother and sister from the north.
Surely, Miss Darcy’s disapproving brother would wish to keep his sister unsullied by the rustic country nobodies.
But such was not the case. Mr. Darcy escorted his sister to nearly every gathering the Netherfield Party was invited to, and they accompanied Mr. Bingley whenever he visited Longbourn, which was daily.
During those visits, Miss Darcy was largely engaged in conversation with or engrossed in other activities with Lizzy’s younger sisters.
Lydia and Mary seemed to take great pleasure in their new acquaintance, and though Elizabeth knew not what they spoke of, she approved of the changes in her sisters’ comportment as they began to emulate the fashionable young lady.
Kitty seemed to be a more reluctant participant, and Elizabeth overheard her sister complaining to their mother at least once that Lydia had become positively dull lately.
But, as she had nothing better to do, Kitty joined the other three ladies, and Lizzy was pleased to see her second youngest sister’s behavior slowly improve as a result.
As happy as she was with Miss Darcy’s influence on her sisters, Elizabeth was equally perplexed at the change in Mr. Darcy’s behavior.
The normally aloof man was suddenly voluble and engaging; he spoke readily with Mrs. Bennet and engaged Mr. Bennet in debate or games of chess.
Though confused at first, Elizabeth’s mother soon warmed to the man’s attention and in a matter of days she went from openly disdaining Mr. Darcy to singing his praises.
Mr. Bennet’s opinion also altered rapidly, for he found great pleasure in the companionship of an intellectual equal.
Though Elizabeth’s father was pleased to be gaining Bingley as a son, Lizzy overheard him telling Mrs. Bennet that it was a shame none of his daughters were tempting enough for the gentleman from Derbyshire.
Lizzy puzzled over this strange turn of events one afternoon about mid-February as they waited for the usual visit from the Netherfield party. The bell rang, but rather than the gentlemen and Miss Darcy as expected, Mr. Wickham was announced.
Elizabeth’s feelings towards her uncle’s clerk were neutral.
On one hand, she knew from Mary and Lydia of their conversations with the gentleman, and how he had directed their behavior in positive ways.
On the other hand, she wondered at his motivation.
Beyond his connection to the Bennet’s uncle, what could possibly be driving the man to intervene in the usual goings on of the residents of Longbourn?
Their acquaintance was of some months’ duration, and yet Elizabeth still could not puzzle out what he could mean by it.
Her sisters and mother greeted Mr. Wickham and invited him to take tea. He politely declined, indicating his need to speak to Mr. Bennet on some legal matter. Mrs. Bennet pressed, and Mr. Wickham relented to joining them briefly after his meeting with Elizabeth’s father.
He left the room as the bell was heard yet again. This time, the Netherfield party was shown in.
“Good day to you all,” Mr. Bingley said cheerfully as he entered the room. He placed a chaste kiss on Jane’s hand. “The day is uncommonly fine for this time of year,” he continued. “Can I convince any of you to venture out of doors?”
Jane agreed readily; she had scarcely had a moment alone with her betrothed in the last week. Mary, Lydia, and Miss Darcy also were quick to agree.
Mr. Darcy did not speak, and when Lizzy glanced at him, his expression seemed to say he was waiting to hear her preference before speaking up. When Elizabeth did not move to join the walkers, he took up a chair near her.
“How are you today, Miss Elizabeth?” he asked.
“I am quite well,” Lizzy replied. She did not know what to think. Had he really chosen to stay at Longbourn because of her?
She asked after Mr. Darcy’s health, and they embarked on a rather stilted and polite conversation.
Elizabeth noted Mr. Darcy shifting as though anxious, and an unexpected flash of pity filled her chest. She scrambled for something – anything to say that would disburse the awkward cloud hanging over them.
“Your sister seems to have settled in nicely,” she said lamely.
Mr. Darcy latched onto the conversation topic with enthusiasm. “Oh yes,” he said. “Georgiana appears to have found friends in your sisters. I had hoped she would.”
“Really?” Lizzy said in disbelief. “I had thought your opinion of my family would have deterred you from allowing Miss Darcy to form any friendship with my sisters.”
Mr. Darcy blushed. “I had once thought that perhaps your family lacked certain desirable qualities,” he admitted.
“But I find that their genuine nature is most attractive after my years spent attempting to identify those that liked me for my sake rather than my fortune. Their offer of friendship to my sister is for her sake alone; they do not seek her out to get closer to me.”
Another wave of pity as Elizabeth contemplated what Mr. Darcy had endured over the years of his life. How very dreadful to not know who your true friends are.
“I am quite at a loss for words,” she admitted. “A rare enough occurrence, I can assure you. I cannot fathom being so abominably treated. I suppose there is some benefit to my lack of fortune and connections, for I can be assured that those seeking me out wish to court my favor and not my dowry.”
A slight shock went through her as the implications of her words suddenly hit her. Mr. Darcy cocked an eyebrow at this statement and eyed her seriously.
“Indeed,” he said. “Your company is very desirable, and there is nothing wanting in it. I hope to repeat the experience often.”
“I am surprised to hear it,” Lizzy confessed. “I had once thought you found my company only tolerable, and certainly not enough to tempt you.”
Mr. Darcy dropped his gaze to his lap. “I believe I owe you a rather large, if belated, apology,” he said quietly. “What I said then was patently untrue. You are by far one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance, and I ought never to have uttered such a blatant falsehood.”
Elizabeth gaped at Mr. Darcy, unsure of what to say. He spoke instead.
“I wish to amend my behavior,” he said softly. “Your good opinion is well worth the earning, and I would hope your temper is less resentful than mine. Tell me, is your good opinion, once lost, lost forever?”
“I… I do not know what to say,” Elizabeth admitted. “Your behavior has puzzled me exceedingly, you see. The moment I feel that I am beginning to accurately sketch your character, something occurs to throw asunder any suppositions I might have had.”
“Perhaps a new beginning is in order?” Mr. Darcy asked.
“Perhaps,” she replied, “this is the new beginning. And if I might say, I believe it is a much better attempt than our last start.”
Mr. Darcy chuckled merrily and agreed.
A commotion from the entryway could be heard as the walkers returned to the house for tea.
Mary walked slowly into the room, deep in thought, and Lydia flounced in, looking so much like her old self that Lizzy cringed.
Her youngest sister looked around eagerly and then her face dropped in disappointment.
Lizzy was startled to notice that Lydia appeared to have tugged her dress lower than it ought to be, exposing more of her person than was acceptable for the time of day. Her brow creased in concern; Lydia had been behaving so well lately. What had happened?
Miss Darcy entered last, her head held high and her posture perfect. She took up a seat across from Elizabeth and eyed her brother. Mr. Darcy shrugged at his sister’s raised eyebrow, and Lizzy was left wondering what that silent communication had been about.
Jane and Bingley entered arm in arm with Mr. Bennet and Mr. Wickham following close behind them. Lizzy watched her uncle’s clerk survey the room before moving to sit next to Mary. He had barely made it three steps when Lydia rushed to intercept him.
“Dear Mr. Wickham,” Lydia cried, her voice high pitched and false sounding. “I have saved you a spot near me. Come! We shall have the grandest time.”
Mr. Wickham’s face looked carefully blank as he allowed Lizzy’s sister to drag him off.
Mary’s expression caught Elizabeth’s attention. The old, disapproving scowl was on her sister’s face, and a familiar, worn book in her hand. Where had that old thing come from? Lizzy thought Mary had resolved to set aside the dreary sermons for a time.
Elizabeth looked at Darcy in distress, fully expecting to see a scowl on his face. His expression was calm and agreeable, instead, which instantly set her at ease. She was filled with relief, and she rose to fix Mr. Darcy a cup of tea.
As she moved toward the tea service, she glimpsed a curious expression on Miss Darcy’s face. The normally shy girl had a look on her face that Elizabeth thought rather at odds with her character. It was sly and… calculating.
Miss Darcy glanced up and met Lizzy’s gaze. The curious expression on the young lady’s face instantly melted away to pleasant attentiveness, and Elizabeth was forced to dismiss the strange occurrence from her mind in favor of completing her task.
George was feeling rather confused. He and Mr. Bennet had encountered Miss Mary in the hall as she was entering the house. The lady had barely acknowledged him and had left his presence as expeditiously as she could.