Chapter 14 #3
Georgiana and Bingley listened with great attention while Darcy metaphorically champed at the bit.
Would this never end? As others shifted position, he was left standing beside Elizabeth, and her eyes were on him again, accusing, appraising, and challenging.
A faint perfume of violets and woodland flowers reached his nostrils, and he realised with a jolt that it was her scent rather than that of any plant.
After what felt like an eternity to Darcy, the ladies began taking their leave of Georgiana, Mrs Gardiner thankfully declining Bingley’s unfortunate offer to escort them around the rest of the gardens.
His mouth dry and heart thumping, Darcy did not know what he would have done if the offer had been accepted and he’d had to spend several hours at Elizabeth Bennet’s side.
Georgiana’s invitation for her new acquaintances to call at Darcy House was easier to handle since Darcy might easily and legitimately arrange to be out. Gentlemen were surplus to requirements for such social calls, and Mrs Annesley was more than adequate supervision for his sister.
Bowing his farewells politely at last, Darcy heaved an audible sigh of relief as their parties finally separated and moved on along the path.
“How nice they all were!” Georgiana remarked once they had walked beyond earshot. “I do hope they will call. Mrs Annesley would like them too, I am sure.”
“Lord Grantchester is a very lucky man,” Bingley remarked. With that thought, the light and cheerfulness that had flared so brightly in his face during their encounter quickly faded. “A very lucky man indeed.”
“Miss Jane Bennet is very beautiful, I think,” agreed Georgiana, having no idea that she was only adding to Bingley’s burden of sad, hopeless attachment.
“She is the most beautiful young lady I have ever seen,” Bingley sighed, and Darcy sighed after him, for his own reasons.
Darcy had hoped that Bingley’s interest in Miss Bennet would fade naturally once they left Hertfordshire, but all such hopes had been disappointed.
Jane Bennet’s reappearance in London had hardly worsened the situation for his friend, since Bingley had never stopped thinking about her in the first place.
Absent or present, and regardless of her engagement, he seemed unable to put her from his mind.
If Elizabeth knew of his friend’s preoccupation with her sister, that would really give her cause for disapprobation, Darcy reflected grimly.
Or did she know already? He had the sense that there was little that missed the sharp hazel eyes of Elizabeth Bennet, even if her mind and heart were wont to misconstrue what she perceived so badly…
“I thought Miss Bennet looked pale, however,” Bingley added with a frown of concern. “I fear she is thinner, too. Didn’t you think so, Darcy?”
“I could not say,” Darcy responded noncommittally. Although he had noted Jane Bennet’s pallor, it would not contribute to Bingley’s peace of mind or either’s happiness to comment on it.
“My brother never sees such small things in the appearance of others,” said Georgiana with an affectionate smile.
“Do you, Fitzwilliam? I dare say you did not even notice Miss Elizabeth Bennet looking at you so intently. I liked her just as much as her sister and thought she seemed…livelier. Do you like her?”
At this series of small, unconscious comments and questions, Darcy felt his skin begin to glow self-consciously.
Indeed, he had noticed Elizabeth Bennet looking at him, the touch of her gaze almost as solid as if she had laid a hand on his arm.
It was true that she was livelier than her eldest sister, although thankfully more restrained than her youngest siblings.
Darcy could not, however, begin to explain to Georgiana why Elizabeth had been gazing at him, nor the clash of personalities and determination that had existed between them since the first moment they met.
He could not tell her that this young woman provoked, intrigued, and frustrated him unlike anyone he had ever met.
Liking could not begin to describe the relations between Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet.
“Miss Elizabeth Bennet has a quick wit and a lively temperament,” answered Darcy after considering his words carefully.
“That is high praise indeed from Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy,” Bingley observed, his face creasing into a smile. “Normally his views on young ladies are only that he wishes them to stop making eyes at him and leave him alone. Miss Elizabeth is privileged indeed.”
“Miss Elizabeth Bennet has never pursued me,” Darcy replied with some dignity, feeling strangely bound to defend both himself and the young lady in question. “I therefore have no reason for such views.”
“That is probably why you like her, Brother,” Georgiana concluded, apparently taking his liking for fact despite his cautious commentary.
“I hope we see them again before we leave,” Bingley now put in, his mind already turning back again to Jane Bennet.
“I fear she may be sickening for something. Her aunt or Grantchester ought to get a physician in. I shall recommend Dr Briggs, who saw both my sister and Mr Hurst through the influenza last year.”
“The Chinese gardens,” pronounced Darcy as they finally, and thankfully, entered through a wooden gate. “Let us see again what our pamphlet says.”