Chapter 21 #2
Elizabeth chose to distance herself from the turmoil, knowing that contradicting her mother was of no use.
She spent time talking to Jane and making plans for their reunion, then with her father, whose health she watched closely, and also with her younger sisters.
During the nights, she hardly slept in her maidenly bed, which she would soon leave.
She imagined her future bed and her future apartment, as well as his.
She wondered about her time alone with her husband and what sort of clothes he would wear in the privacy of his apartment.
She rested little during the night, and her agitation was exhausting during the day. At times, she escaped and went for a stroll in the garden, but she did not enjoy it as much as before, as though something was missing. Or someone.
On the day of Mr Darcy’s return, Elizabeth woke up at dawn.
It was cold and raining, and soon it turned into sleet.
Worries overwhelmed her, as she imagined how difficult such a journey might be in the winter.
She was aware that in three days’ time she would have to leave with him, in the same sort of weather, but strangely, she was not as concerned for her safety as she was for his.
The gentlemen arrived around four o’clock, and their first stop was at Longbourn.
Mr Bingley and the admiral entered with their usual amiability and introduced Colonel Fitzwilliam — whose manners, uniform, and appearance were immediately admired.
He addressed a few words and some friendly congratulations to Elizabeth, showing his approval for the upcoming wedding.
Mr Darcy was more restrained and, after everyone had moved towards the drawing room, he remained a few steps behind. Elizabeth did the same, realising how loudly and quickly her heart was beating and how pleasantly disturbing were the chills that ran down her spine.
They exchanged greetings but nothing more, since the others were calling for them.
“I hope Miss Darcy is in good health?”
“Yes, very much so. She looks forward to meeting you.”
“And your other relatives?”
“They are in good health too,” he replied, and she did not insist further.
“Everything is prepared for you,” Mr Darcy added.
“Thank you. I am glad that you arrived safely,” she whispered. “I was worried about you travelling in this weather.”
“You have no reason to worry. I am accustomed to travelling long distances in any weather. My concern is for your discomfort when we return to London.”
“You have no reason to be concerned,” she answered, smiling at him. He smiled back.
“I missed being here and talking to you. Very much.”
“And you have been missed. Very much,” she replied.
He took her hand to his lips, but only briefly.
“I am glad to see we are in agreement, Elizabeth.”
“So am I, Fitzwilliam,” she ended, as her mother’s voice called to them.
∞∞∞
Instead of going to Netherfield, the gentlemen remained at Longbourn for dinner.
The dishes were tasty, the guests were hungry, and the company was pleasant for everyone.
The ladies were mostly entertained by the colonel and the admiral, and Mr Bingley sat close to Jane, paying attention to little else except her.
Darcy was caught up in conversation with Mr Bennet, but his glances often turned towards Elizabeth, who was talking to the colonel.
As charming as Colonel Fitzwilliam was, Elizabeth felt flushed each time she felt her betrothed’s eyes upon her.
The evening progressed better than she expected. Her mother and sisters — including Mary — were so enchanted by the colonel that they all behaved reasonably well.
When the guests were preparing to leave, the admiral approached Elizabeth and said, “Miss Elizabeth, I must tell you that you look beautiful. It seems this engagement has not distressed you as much as we both assumed and feared.”
“It has not. Quite the opposite, I would say,” she said with a smile.
“I am glad to hear that. And relieved. I have great hopes that all will turn out well in the end.”
“So have I, sir.”
Farewells were taken, and Elizabeth had a short moment of privacy with Mr Darcy, even though they were in a room full of people.
“There is something I would like to speak to you about tomorrow. And I have something to give you. Your father has promised to bring you and Miss Bennet to Netherfield tomorrow so we can talk more privately.”
She only nodded, as he was holding her hand, and she was not quite composed.
“My uncle and aunt from London will arrive tomorrow afternoon,” Elizabeth said.
“Yes, I know. We have been invited to dinner at Longbourn tomorrow to meet them.”
“Oh, have you? I had not heard.”
“I noticed you were a little distracted by your conversation with my cousin. He is skilled at charming people,” he said, and she detected a trace of jealousy in his voice.
“Colonel Fitzwilliam is the second most charming officer I have ever met, after the admiral. But it was not him who had me distracted,” she whispered, trying to tease him but blushing instead.
He bowed his head, brought her hand to his lips for an instant, and then left, leaving her with a mixed sensation of regrets and thrills.