Chapter 11 #2
And then, there was much more she had to comprehend and accept.
To her, Mr Darcy’s behaviour had changed far beyond her expectations, beyond gratitude.
He trusted her with his personal secrets, he smiled at her differently, he had befriended her father, he had asked to speak to her privately, and he had teased her.
And now he had expressed his desire to dance with her and asked her opinion about his remaining longer in Hertfordshire.
All this could not be understood, and the possible explanation could not be accepted.
That Mr Darcy could have some particular interest in her was more inconceivable than all the other unbelievable things she was already considering.
∞∞∞
The day of the ball arrived, and Elizabeth had mixed feelings about it. She briefly remembered that they had all received the news of the ball with much anticipation, and she had hoped to dance with Mr Wickham, the same man she now loathed and wished to never see again.
Her disposition had changed, and she felt a strange desire to see Mr Darcy and talk to him more. She even imagined dancing with him — which was utterly silly.
Her sisters slept later than usual and, since they were already at Netherfield, began to prepare later. For the first time, they had maids to help them, about which they were overjoyed.
Miss Darcy and Mrs Annesley were to go to Longbourn, and the same carriage would return with Mr and Mrs Bennet as well as Mr Collins. Dr Bates had declined the invitation for the ball.
Elizabeth was impatient; therefore, she dressed herself and arranged her hair quicker than her sisters. For reasons she refused to acknowledge, she offered to accompany Miss Darcy to Longbourn and then return with her parents. The arrangement seemed perfect, and nobody opposed it.
Miss Darcy seemed exceedingly pleased with her company and complimented Elizabeth’s appearance several times.
The carriage passed through Meryton, and from there it was only a short distance to Longbourn. The streets were already animated, with groups of people dressed up and ready to attend the ball. Most of them recognised Elizabeth and waved to her, while Miss Darcy was hidden behind the curtains.
In front of a shop, Elizabeth noticed a large group of people, including some officers.
She startled, fearing Mr Wickham would be among them, and she immediately glanced at Miss Darcy.
Fortunately, moments later, Elizabeth noticed the wretched man was not there, and she breathed in relief, forcing a smile.
However, when she looked back at Miss Darcy, the girl looked disconcerted and fearful, biting her lip.
“Miss Elizabeth, do you know who that lady is?”
“Which one?”
“The one with the tall hat with green feathers?”
“Let me see. Ah, that is Mrs Harriet Forster, Colonel Forster’s wife. I understand they married less than two months ago.”
“Oh…”
“Do you know her? Or did she look like an acquaintance of yours? Do you wish to stop?”
“Oh no, please no! Let us continue.”
Miss Darcy leant back into the bench as if trying to hide herself. Her nervousness was so obvious that Elizabeth gently squeezed her hand.
“Miss Darcy, what has happened? Is something wrong? Do you know Harriet Forster?”
“I do know her…”
“You do? May I ask how? I do not wish to intrude, but you seem truly troubled.”
The girl glanced through the window as the carriage left Meryton behind.
“I met her in Ramsgate this past summer. I shall be well, do not worry,” Miss Darcy finally answered, squeezing Elizabeth’s hand in return.
Elizabeth escorted Miss Darcy and Mrs Annesley to Longbourn, where they were met by Mrs Bennet in her usual state of agitation.
“My dear Miss Darcy, I am sorry I cannot be a proper host, but I must dress for the ball, and I am already delayed. Hill has prepared a room for you — the one shared by Lizzy and Jane. There are two beds, all clean, ready for you to rest. It is not as large and elegant as you are used to, but I hope you will find it comfortable enough. Cook will prepare dinner for you and your companion and Dr Bates. I trust you will find the food to your liking. If you need anything, please ask Hill.”
“Mrs Bennet, please do not trouble yourself so much. You have been exceedingly kind to us already, and I cannot thank you enough.”
“Well then, I am going to change now. Hill, can you please help me a moment? Lizzy, you look very pretty! You are not as beautiful as Jane, but you look lovely tonight.”
“Thank you, Mama. Do you wish me to help you?”
“No, no, stay with Miss Darcy. We cannot all abandon her. Your father is with Mr Darcy and Dr Bates. I barely slept last night, and the doctor gave me some herbal tea for my nerves, and now I feel strange and dizzy. I might need to lie down a little at Netherfield. I hope Mr Bingley will have a room for me. Hill! Where are you?”
Mrs Bennet continued to shout as she walked to her chamber, while the ladies smiled at each other. Miss Darcy seemed to have regained her composure.
Mrs Annesley remained in the drawing room, while Georgiana and Elizabeth went to meet the gentlemen. Elizabeth took advantage of her father’s presence in Mr Darcy’s room, and she entered too.
The moment he laid eyes on her, his expression changed; his gaze warmed, and a little smile twisted the corners of his lips.
“Lizzy? What are you doing here? What happened?”
“Nothing, Papa.” She spoke to her father, while her eyes and her interest were a little bit behind him. “I was ready early, so I accompanied Miss Darcy.”
“How kind of you, Miss Elizabeth,” Mr Darcy said. “And please allow me to tell you that you look lovely too.”
“Thank you, Mr Darcy,” she replied, wondering why she was blushing at a compliment she had received so many times before from so many people. “May I ask how the patient is progressing today?” she asked the doctor.
“He is improving. I dare say we are on the right path,” Dr Bates responded.
“I am glad to hear that. Papa, are you ready? We should leave soon.”
“I am ready, Lizzy. Though I am still hoping for a reason to stay at home. An accident or an illness would be very welcome.”
“Papa!”
“Do not worry, Lizzy, I shall go, or else I shall hear of nothing else from your mother. Besides, I heard you will dance with Mr Collins, and I cannot miss such a spectacle.”
“Papa!” Elizabeth cried again, her cheeks heating with embarrassment. She stole a glance at Mr Darcy and noticed his amused expression and mischievous smile, which vexed her.
“Come, Lizzy, laugh with us. After all these distressing days, we need a bit of diversion.”
“I would rather not laugh at my own expense, Papa. But I do prefer to laugh at distress, and in the meantime, I shall seek revenge,” she concluded with mock seriousness.