Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
At Longbourn after the ceremony, Darcy wanted to drift towards Miss Elizabeth, but thought better of it. He even tightened his jaw to refrain from calling out to her.
Bingley said, “Would it hurt you to smile, Darcy?”
“In this moment, yes.”
This made Bingley laugh heartily, causing several heads to turn. Darcy reached for a teacup and filled it.
“Darcy,” Bingley whispered, “just go speak with her.”
“Who?” He locked eyes with his friend, who was fighting back another laugh. “Bingley, I cannot apologise at her sister’s wedding,” he said quietly.
“It is why you attended, is it not?” Bingley asked as they moved to a corner of the parlour.
Darcy wished for a more private location. Though well appointed, Longbourn’s rooms were not large enough to accommodate a conversation such as this one. “I came as an ambassador for my aunt.”
“So you say.”
Darcy glared at Bingley. How dare he act as if this were all a lark?
His aunt had said he ought to attend. Mr Collins was clearly devoted to her, but when Mr Collins declined to have the wedding at his church, which abutted Hunsford Parsonage, despite it being Lady Catherine’s suggestion—a shock from which she had yet to recover—she decided Darcy ought to go in her stead.
She knew Darcy had spent time in Hertfordshire with a friend, and she would not deign to travel such a way for a rector’s nuptials.
Somehow, she seemed to like this Mr Collins.
Like him? No, she did not seem to like much of anyone, but she tolerated him with more patience than she did most, and more than Darcy thought Mr Collins deserved.
Perhaps she enjoyed one as equally fond of hearing one’s own voice.
An uncharitable thought and one he would not share with anyone, not even Bingley.
His eyes drifted to Miss Elizabeth again, who was merrily chatting with a friend to whom he had been introduced at the ill-fated assembly, but he forced himself to study his tea instead.
“Darcy, I wish to seek out Miss Bennet.”
“You do not need my permission.”
“No, but let us cross the room together. We should appear to be deeply in conversation so that we are not bothered by—”
“Mr Bingley! Mr Darcy!” Mrs Bennet was greeting them with such effusion that all heads turned. Most notably Miss Elizabeth’s.
The gentlemen bowed, and Darcy felt his fists clench. This woman was the chief reason he dreaded coming here.
“We are so pleased you could join us. Mr Bingley, have you seen my Jane yet? She is just over there.” She pointed, and Darcy noted not only Miss Bennet but also Miss Elizabeth looking in their direction.
There was no way of escaping now. Though he did not wish to escape.
In theory. In reality, his anxiety for what might transpire in the next moments threatened to send him running for the door once again.
He and Bingley had discussed it, and it was settled that he would not flee but face his trials today.
Was Miss Elizabeth a trial? Yes, in every way, but he did not wish to run from her. Not truly.
Bingley said, “We shall speak with them presently, Mrs. Bennet.”
The woman actually clapped, and Darcy once again fought the urge to dash for the nearest exit.
The men crossed the room and bowed and the young women curtsied.
All was as expected. Mr Bingley asked after Miss Bennet’s health, she returned the expected inquiry, and then they discussed the ceremony, agreeing that it had been perfect in its modest simplicity.
Miss Elizabeth stood uncharacteristically quiet as the conversation proceeded, but glanced at him every so often.
Darcy plucked up the courage at last and asked if she was well.
She startled. “Oh. You are speaking to me?”
Darcy, despite his irritation, noted Miss Bennet elbow her sister in the side. So they had spoken of him. Of course they had. Sisters will talk.
“Indeed, Mr Darcy, I have been in good health and filling my hours with worthy pursuits, though there has been a suspicious lack of dancing.”
Miss Bennet clucked quietly.
Darcy felt his cheeks burning but noted the laughter in her eyes. How could one be so merry even in the face of offence? Remarkable.
Miss Bennet asked after Bingley’s family, and, as his friend’s rapt attention was elsewhere, Darcy took the opportunity to turn and quietly say, “Miss Elizabeth.” He had to clear his throat, for, though he was determined to speak what had been in his heart, she had already vexed him by hinting at his poor behaviour at the assembly.
“Miss Elizabeth, I did wish to apologise to you. I was not—I felt ill at the assembly, and said things I ought not to have said.”
She opened her mouth as if to say something and then clapped it shut, before nodding her thanks.
He hoped she might say something, for he had felt tremendous guilt every time he recalled how the evening had transpired, but just then, one of the younger sisters ran up and said in a whisper that carried too loudly, “Our carriage wheel has broken and Mama is in a flutter since Mary and Mr Collins are set to depart shortly.”
Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth exchanged glances, and Bingley looked to him, and they all, without discussing it, walked out together to the front of the house.
Indeed, the carriage was tilted, and it would take far too long for it to be fixed for the couple to leave in a timely fashion. Without thinking, Darcy said, “They must take mine.”
Bingley said, “Darcy, they are going a fair distance, and you were to return to Pemberley tomorrow.”
“If you do not mind entertaining me at Netherfield for another two days while the carriage goes and comes back, I would be only too pleased to be of assistance to the newlyweds.”
Perhaps he might use the time to make amends and get to know Miss Elizabeth a bit better.