Chapter 20 #2
“That was quite strange. It is the first time I have encountered such a request,” Miss Darcy concluded, and the incident was dismissed as they returned to their preferred activities.
Miss Darcy invited Mary to play the pianoforte with her, while Jane, Mrs Annesley, and Elizabeth carried on a conversation about how crowded London was at that time of year.
Sooner than expected, they were surprised by the appearance of Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley. Jane’s pleasure made her face glow, while Elizabeth felt her cheeks colouring and had to struggle to temper her heart while smiling properly.
“Ladies, we apologise for interrupting you,” Mr Darcy said, returning the smile. His gaze was fixed upon Elizabeth, and her eyes locked with his.
“It is a little strange that you are apologising for being in your own house, Mr Darcy,” she teased.
“It might be my house, but it is still ungentlemanlike behaviour to impose.”
“I can speak only for myself, but I am sure that is not the case,” Elizabeth answered.
“Indeed, Brother, please join us,” Miss Darcy invited him.
Mr Bingley was already sitting next to Jane, and Mr Darcy chose a chair for himself.
“How lovely to hear you play with Miss Mary,” he told his sister.
“It is lovely, indeed! Miss Mary’s technique is excellent,” Miss Darcy said.
“Please do not allow me to interrupt you,” Mr Darcy offered. “I just wished to inform you that I have invited Mr Bennet to dine here, at our house, tomorrow evening. I hope that is not inconvenient for anyone.”
Again, he looked at her, and Elizabeth nodded in approval.
“Oh, Brother, I forgot to mention. There was a messenger enquiring about you.”
“A messenger? From whom?”
“I am not certain. He said he was sent to ask whether you were at home. I told him that anyone who wishes to know should send you a note.”
“It must be some business matter. Whoever wanted to know, if he is not capable of stating his name, it is not worth bothering about.”
More refreshments were brought in, and some time passed; the girls were playing, and Mr Bingley and Jane were whispering together when suddenly Mr Darcy said, “Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, you are in our home for the second time. Were you offered a tour of the house?”
“Oh, I am so sorry! I completely forgot!” Miss Darcy replied, slightly panicked.
“Do not worry, my dear. If you wish, I may give you a tour now,” the master offered.
Mary looked at Miss Darcy, then responded shyly, “If I may be excused, I would rather continue to play.”
“Of course,” Mr Darcy agreed, then glanced at Elizabeth and Jane.
“I would be delighted,” Elizabeth whispered.
“So would I,” Jane added. Mr Bingley of course offered to escort his betrothed, so the four of them walked together, while the girls continued to play, watched by Mrs Annesley.
Since Jane was holding her betrothed’s arm, Elizabeth walked with Mr Darcy again.
He presented the house to her, including a gallery of paintings, but his hoarse voice and the awareness of his body at her side, brushing against hers at times, stirred inside Elizabeth sensations that distracted her from paying proper attention.
The tour was taken at a slow pace and lasted a while, then they stopped in front of a large door.
“Here is the library, where Mr Bennet has promised to spend his entire evening tomorrow,” Mr Darcy joked. “Would you like to enter?”
“I would love that,” Elizabeth agreed, and they stepped in with Mr Bingley and Jane following. Inside, she could not withhold a gasp of pure pleasure, and she heard Jane’s sigh of admiration too.
“Mr Darcy, I am quite tempted to spend my evening here too, with my father,” Elizabeth whispered to him. “And as soon as Mary sees this exquisite room, she might join us.”
“You are welcome to spend as much time as you wish here, Miss Elizabeth, and so are your sister and your father. Hopefully without ruining your dinner,” he jested in reply.
Mr Darcy asked them to sit, but Elizabeth was too charmed by all that surrounded her.
She walked along, admiring the shelves, filled with hundreds of volumes, and touched a few of them with trembling fingers.
She had read some, she had heard of others, but many were still unknown to her, like treasure waiting to be discovered.
She heard her sister and the two gentlemen talking, but she was still in raptures until the sound of loud voices and hasty steps startled her.
Mr Darcy went to the door with apparent irritation, but before he had time to open it, it was pushed wide.
To Elizabeth’s amazement, a woman of middle age filled the frame.
She was tall and impressive, especially considering her elegant hat and her fashionable clothes.
She was holding a stick, glaring at them with narrowed eyes, her lips pressed together.
“Lady Catherine?” Mr Darcy asked, perplexed.
“Yes, Nephew, it is me! I assume you did not expect to see me!”
“Of course not! What happened? When did you arrive in London? Where is Anne?”
“I am surprised you care about Anne! I was brought to London by a most alarming report, which I refused to believe until I gathered my own information. Are either of these women Miss Elizabeth Bennet?” she asked sharply.
“Yes. This is Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and this is Miss Jane Bennet, who is engaged to my friend Mr Bingley. You are already acquainted with him. And this is my aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, whom you have heard about.”
Elizabeth and Jane curtseyed, but the lady showed no gesture of civility.
“So this is Elizabeth Bennet! Not even the prettier one — just as I was told.”
“Excuse me?” Darcy raised his voice and straightened his shoulders as if trying to dominate his aunt.
“Do not shout at me, Darcy! If the rumours I heard prove to be even partially true, your actions could be called outrageous! I still cannot believe that my beloved nephew would defy honour, decorum, and prudence!”