Chapter 6
The three gentlemen returned to Netherfield close to midnight. The weather was cold, and the wind brought the smell of winter.
All three were in reasonably good spirits, and despite already having enjoyed several drinks, they still stopped in the library to enjoy another one and share their opinions of the evening.
“I was more diverted than I expected,” the admiral declared. “What an interesting family the Bennets are! Mr Bennet and his wife could not be more different, and their daughters have inherited a fascinating variety of traits that make them utterly charming.”
“I admit Mr Bennet is more pleasant company than I anticipated,” Darcy replied.
“Well, considering you had never spoken to him until yesterday, how could you have even formed an opinion?” Bingley enquired.
“True,” the admiral said. “I am glad to see you more decided, young man! Good for you. And I must say, Miss Bennet seems to have a nature as pleasant as her appearance.”
“I believe Bingley should be more cautious in showing his admiration,” Darcy declared. “He has already roused expectations, and it will be difficult to deal with the consequences. In such a small town, people assume much, judge quickly, and rumours are easily spread.”
“That is a sound statement, Darcy,” the admiral answered.
“I would also recommend any gentleman to show prudence in his manner towards a young woman. Society can be quite unfair in its judgment, whether in a small town or in the city. What is acceptable for a man might ruin a woman’s reputation forever. ”
“I am aware of that,” Bingley responded. “Did you notice any flaws in my behaviour towards Miss Bennet? If so, please tell me. I would by no means do anything to harm her.”
“Your behaviour was flawless, from what I noticed,” the admiral said. “However, you do realise that Mrs Bennet is waiting for a proposal very soon. That is not necessarily your fault, but hers. Mr Bennet seems more reasonable in his expectations.”
“Indeed. Mrs Bennet seems determined to understand only what is convenient for her,” Darcy uttered.
“Yes, very much like your aunt Lady Catherine!” The admiral laughed.
“By the way, that clergyman pushed me to the edge of my patience. Dear Lord, could a man be more annoying? Can you imagine him in a conversation with Catherine? He might be a good man, after all, but he is ridiculously irritating.”
The admiral was laughing openly, but Darcy was not equally diverted.
“What upsets me the most is that Lady Catherine has seemingly discussed with him matters that should have stayed within the family. Not to mention they are untrue.”
“You mean your engagement to Anne? Catherine has been carrying on this nonsense since you were infants — speaking of ridiculously irritating.”
“Please forgive my intrusion,” Bingley interjected, “but if there is no truth in such an engagement, why would Lady Catherine claim something that might affect her daughter?”
“Because she is very much like Mrs Bennet,” the admiral answered in jest. “She understands only what is convenient for her. And sadly, age has not improved her. Poor Anne. I wonder how she bears her mother’s obsession.”
Each sipped from their glasses, then the admiral continued, “That clergyman seems inclined towards Miss Elizabeth. I hope he does not propose to her. And if he does, I hope she does not accept him. That would be deeply disappointing for me, since I find Miss Elizabeth absolutely enchanting.”
Darcy sipped more brandy; the same matter troubled him, but he did not dare speak openly about it.
The admiral laughed again. “Dear Lord, I just realised I have the same taste in women as the clergyman! That is worrisome and frightening!”
“Sir, I do not feel comfortable making sport at the expense of Miss Elizabeth, after we just dined with her family,” Darcy said in earnest.
“Oh, come now, do not be unnecessarily serious, Darcy. I am not making sport of Miss Elizabeth. Quite the opposite. I am declaring my admiration for her. Her wit is just as sparkling as her pretty eyes.”
Darcy smiled to himself; he had confessed his admiration for Elizabeth’s pretty eyes to Miss Bingley — an error for which he still blamed himself.
“Did I mention Darcy refused to dance with Miss Elizabeth on the first evening they met?” Bingley interjected, clearly induced by the brandy.
“We were at an assembly in Meryton. He called her tolerable, and I believe she heard him! I have heard rumours about it. People know you offended her, my friend.”
The admiral choked on his drink. “Surely you did not, Darcy!”
“He did!” Bingley insisted. “Every time they have met, they have fought. Over anything! No wonder she despises him.”
“Miss Elizabeth most certainly does not despise me, Bingley. We have never fought, only debated over various subjects, as two educated people should do. I called her tolerable at the assembly because you annoyed me, Bingley, and kept insisting on me dancing when I specifically mentioned I did not wish to. The offence was not aimed at her but at you!”
“I must agree with Bingley — it is no wonder she dislikes you,” the admiral uttered. “She might not despise you, but you are certainly not her most favourite man in the world. That is obvious to anyone. I hope you have apologised to her.”
“I have not…there has been no such opportunity yet. But I shall.”
“Miss Elizabeth stayed at Netherfield for four days, and Darcy did not find an opportunity to apologise,” Bingley said, trying to stand up; he was unsteady on his feet, so he resumed his seat but smiled widely, and so did the admiral.
“I am sorry to interrupt your amusement, but it seems we have had too many drinks tonight. We should retire and continue our conversation tomorrow.”
“That is a sound suggestion,” the admiral admitted. “Darcy always has sound suggestions.”
“So, Admiral, will you stay another week, to attend to ball,” Bingley asked hopefully.
“I would not miss it for the world.”
They left the library together, each walking to their own room.
“Darcy?” the admiral called him.
“Yes, sir?”
“Tomorrow, we should speak more about that Wickham fellow. I met him when we called on Colonel Forster, and there is something that bothers me about him.”
“Very well, sir. Good-night for now.”
∞∞∞
Talk of the dinner lasted long after the three gentlemen had left Longbourn. Mrs Bennet was the most thrilled about the success of the evening, but Mr Bennet also admitted it had been delightful.
Mr Collins still seemed offended after being silenced and scolded; therefore he retired to his chamber as soon as the guests departed.
Elizabeth had enjoyed the dinner exceedingly and felt grateful for the admiral’s amiability towards her family and for his apparent support of Mr Bingley’s admiration for Jane.
From Mr Darcy, she had still noted signs of disapproval, yet his manners had obviously improved during his two visits at Longbourn. He was still far from the friendly Mr Bingley, and even from the admiral, yet not as arrogant and haughty as he had showed on other occasions.
The detail that had grabbed her attention had been the subject of his engagement to Lady Catherine’s daughter.
Mr Collins had mentioned it several times, yet Mr Darcy had dismissed it readily.
She had not expected Mr Darcy to speak about his engagement — whether it was true or false — in the presence of her family, which she knew he despised.
Even towards her family, Mr Darcy had behaved fairly well.
He had hardly spoken to her mother, except for complimenting the meal, but he had participated in conversation with her father and the admiral.
She had noticed some disapproving glances when Lydia or Kitty mentioned the officers, or when Mr Collins expressed his opinion on a certain subject, but for that, Elizabeth could not blame him.
After more agitation, the family retired for the night. Once in their room, Elizabeth listened to Jane speak about Mr Bingley for a little longer until both fell asleep.
Two days of rain, cold, and wind followed, and the Bennets did not see the residents of Netherfield.
The ball was four days away, and the preparations kept the ladies occupied, despite being trapped inside.
On top of everything, they were forced to bear Mr Collins’s company, sermons, and long speeches.
As the recipient of his particular attention, Elizabeth found each hour spent in the house torture.
On the third day, the rain stopped, and Lydia and Kitty immediately planned a visit to Maria Lucas, while Mrs Bennet decided to take the carriage and call on Mrs Phillips. Mr Collins remembered he had been invited by Sir William to call on him, so he joined the party.
While Mrs Bennet insisted on taking Jane too, Elizabeth decidedly refused, claiming she was not feeling well. Indeed, the prospect of more of Mr Collins’s company made her feel nauseous.
She remained at home with her father, wrote to her aunt Gardiner, and since Mr Bennet was reading, she decided to go for a walk.
Careful to avoid any possible meeting with her mother and sisters — and especially with Mr Collins — she took the path leading away from Meryton.
In truth, she feared she would not be able to avoid Mr Collins for too long, and he seemed determined to disregard all her attempts to reject his attentions.
Since he planned to return to Kent after the ball, she dreaded the moment he would propose and the terrible fight which would surely follow when she refused him.
As she walked on higher ground, towards Oakham Mount, she glanced around, enjoying the view. She sat on a tree stump for a little while, putting her thoughts in order and trying to calm herself.