Chapter 11
More than a week had passed since Mr. Bennet had written to Mr. Darcy.
A reply had arrived, thanking him and Elizabeth for the considerate message, but it contained no other news to satisfy Elizabeth.
She knew Georgiana should arrive in London soon, and she was aware she could accept the invitation and stay with Miss Darcy for as long as she wished, but Darcy returning to Hertfordshire was utterly different from her going to London to meet him.
The ball was approaching and the excitement could be felt all over Meryton, with Longbourn at the heart of it. The officers were a wonderful addition, ensuring that no young lady would be without a dance partner.
Among his fellow officers, Wickham was still a great favourite, and Kitty and Lydia eagerly awaited dancing with him.
However, of all the houses in the village, Longbourn was the only one to which Wickham had not yet received an invitation.
He had formed an apparent partiality for Miss Mary King, a young girl who was being raised by her uncle and aunt and had just inherited a dowry of ten thousand pounds that had brought her several suitors and much envy from her former friends.
Mr. Collins had chosen to extend his visit until after the Netherfield Ball.
With the Bennets not providing him the attention he wished for, he had found a proper welcome from Sir William and Lady Lucas, the only titled people in Meryton.
Furthermore, unlike the Bennet girls who treated him with little consideration, Charlotte Lucas was everything a young lady should be—modest, demure, educated and obedient—so she was the one whose hand Mr. Collins had requested for the first set at the upcoming ball.
Two days prior to the ball, Mr. Bingley was at Longbourn, discussing the white soup and other dishes for the supper with Mrs. Bennet and Jane. Elizabeth was completely oblivious to the conversation, lost in her own reflections and smiling occasionally.
They were startled when the servant entered and announced Mr. Darcy, asking for the master.
So astonished was Elizabeth that she dropped her cup of tea into her lap and let out a small cry.
Immediately, Darcy was beside her, kneeling and trying to wipe her gown.
As she did the same, their fingers briefly touched and both mumbled an apology.
His gesture was so spontaneous and so unlike what one would expect from Mr. Darcy, that even Mr. Bingley was surprised. Coming out of his library, Mr. Bennet shook his head.
“Mr. Darcy, what a delightful surprise to see you again, sir! Welcome! Of course, one might enquire why are you kneeling beside my daughter Lizzy, but I am simply content to enjoy your presence.”
The tease-coloured Darcy’s cheeks as well as Elizabeth’s. The former immediately stood up, while the latter continued to brush her hands over her gown.
“Forgive my intrusion, I have just arrived from London and I suspected Bingley might be here,” Darcy said. “I hope I did not cause an accident, Miss Elizabeth.”
“Your suspicions were correct,” Mr. Bennet said. “We are very pleased to see you; I am sure Lizzy will recover from the accident before the ball,” he continued the teasing. “Come, let me offer you a drink, sir. You surely need it after the journey.”
The two of them disappeared into the library, where Mrs. Bennet sent them a tray of refreshments. Mr. Darcy was not among her favourite people, but she was willing to impress him, nevertheless.
Elizabeth hurried to change her dress, almost running upstairs, her heart beating wildly. So he had returned and stopped at Longbourn directly. And he had hurried to help her clean her gown, kneeling by her side. Mr. Darcy, of all people!
The sensation of his fingers on hers was still vivid in her mind and on her skin, and even stronger than the burn of the hot water.
She put on a new dress, then brushed her hair a little and tried to regain her composure before she returned to the others.
However, she was surprised to find Hill in the hall, informing her that her father was waiting in the library.
She knew she would find Darcy there too, so she entered hesitantly, feeling nervous, fearful and hopeful at the same time.
“Come, my dear,” she heard her father inviting her. “We were just talking about our friend Wickham, the one who has charmed half of the ladies in Meryton, including your mother and youngest sisters.”
“Papa...”
“It is the truth, Lizzy. We were debating how to act. Mr. Darcy intends to speak to Colonel Forster and I shall discuss the matter with Mary King’s uncle.”
Elizabeth took a seat, thoughtful. “But … what do you wish to tell them? While I do not doubt Mr. Wickham’s past errors, would it be fair to expose him publicly, before he has made any mistakes in Meryton?”
“No, it would not be fair,” Darcy admitted. “That is why we are discussing the best way of handling the situation.”
“Perhaps…” she attempted, then stopped.
“Yes? Please do share your thoughts, Miss Elizabeth. Your opinion has proved to be valuable on many occasions,” Darcy said. Mr. Bennet was only sitting in his armchair, observing them with new interest and doubtful reflections.
“Could you not speak to Mr. Wickham, Mr. Darcy? You two are well acquainted and you probably know details about him unknown to everyone else. Could you not warn him that, if his intentions are dishonourable, he will be exposed and thrown out of the regiment, but if he intends to follow his new career and to make an honourable living, he will have a chance to do so?”
Darcy smiled bitterly. “I could. But sadly, Wickham’s word is not to be trusted, and his real intentions will likely be different from what he claims them to be.”
“You may be right, but even so, then he will know that you are watching him and that he must at least pretend to behave in an honourable manner.”
Darcy hesitated a moment. “I will do as you suggest, Miss Bennet. But … as horrible as it might sound, if Wickham is showing an interest in a young heiress, I would suggest Mr. Bennet speaks to her uncle. Wickham has … on several occasions, proven he is not to be trusted with young ladies, whether they are servants or young heiresses. If his affection and intentions are honourable regarding this particular young lady, he will have to prove himself to her family.”
As he spoke, his voice and his countenance were both troubled and he avoided looking at Elizabeth, but she immediately understood.
The image of the two children at Pemberley, resembling each other so much, and Georgiana’s tearful whispers as she spoke of an old family friend who had betrayed her trust…
Anger and resentment grew inside her and she unconsciously touched Darcy’s arm.
“Mr. Darcy, I believe you are correct. I have been foolish enough to ignore the real danger. I believe you and my father should follow your initial plan, without my silly suggestions.”
“You are neither foolish, nor silly, Miss Bennet, but attentive and considerate to other people’s feelings. These are some of the reasons we admire you,” he said in complete earnest.
Emotions and his intense gaze made Elizabeth almost ignore her father’s presence. She looked at Darcy for a long moment, and she knew—she felt—that he had much more to say, and she wished to hear much more. But he took a step back and gulped from his glass, while Mr. Bennet cleared his throat.
“Well then, I am glad we have agreed on the next step. You may return to your mother, Lizzy, she will surely be asking about you.”
***
On the first day of his return Darcy, together with Bingley, remained at Longbourn for more than an hour.
He left with a sorrowful glance, and with an expression of repressed feelings that Elizabeth did not fail to notice.
Nor did Mr. Bennet, who could still not trust his own comprehension.
Despite the clear evidence, he could not admit the most astonishing truth.
His Lizzy and Mr. Darcy? Was it possible?
It would surely be a perfect match, one that rarely happened and he had never seen yet.
But was it possible, despite all the obstacles and obvious objections against their family?
One of the most annoying objections arrived precisely when Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley were about the exit the main gate.
Mr. Collins returned from Meryton. Mr. Bingley had the imprudence to perform the introduction and Mr. Collins seemed instantly awestruck.
He bowed several times, said something to Darcy, repeated it and bowed again, while Darcy seemed stunned and motionless.
He looked back to the door, where Elizabeth was mortified and Mr. Bennet highly amused.
Eventually, the Master of Longbourn took pity on the Master of Pemberley and went to his rescue.
“My dear Mr. Collins, let us allow Mr. Darcy to leave. He has spent the entire day travelling and it would not do to exhaust him even further. We have bothered him enough.”
Mr. Collins seemed disconcerted, but ceased his praise long enough for Darcy to mount his horse. From the saddle, he expressed his silent gratitude to Mr. Bennet.
“If you wish to reach Netherfield sooner, you may take the left path. There is a shortcut with some lovely views. Lizzy is very fond of it, she used to walk that way almost every day, early in the morning,” he said.
“Thank you, we will do that,” Bingley answered, while Darcy looked at the older gentleman with slight puzzlement, unsure of his meaning.
Mr. Bennet nodded, and then returned to the house, taking his cousin with him. Darcy glanced at Elizabeth one more time, then followed his friend and began counting the hours till morning.
***
When, during dinner, Mr. Bennet suggested she should resume her habit of a morning walk, Elizabeth was puzzled. Her father had never been fond of outdoor activities and she wondered about his interest in her exercise, eventually putting it down to his usual mockery.