Chapter 26 #2
Miss Bingley harrumphed and turned to walk away.
It was only then that Elizabeth saw Mr. Darcy scrutinizing her, being close enough to have heard their exchange.
Even when Miss Bingley spoke to him, he barely replied, his eyes still on Elizabeth.
Bemused as to why, after all this time, the man continued to stare at her but would not speak, she turned to find Jane and Mr. Bingley.
Elizabeth appreciated the music immensely and decided to look for sheet music for two of the more complicated pieces when she joined Jane, Miss Bingley, and Mrs. Hurst for shopping on Bond Street the next morning.
Although Aunt Gardiner and Elizabeth had commissioned gowns for Jane to be ready upon her arrival, she wanted additional ribbons and different shoe roses, so the ladies went to several shops before making afternoon calls.
Jane had previously met most of the women they visited, but Elizabeth had not.
She soon discovered Miss Bingley had told them about her, however, so they all received her coolly.
She held her head high and responded to their questions and veiled insults as though they had extended friendship.
Most were too discomposed by her replies to continue their attacks.
Jane insisted Elizabeth take a brief rest when they returned to Gracechurch Street, as she did not want her to refuse to stay out late. Although Elizabeth would have preferred to be with Edith, she was not unwilling to go out again.
That evening, when the Bingleys, Hursts, and Bennets arrived at a card party, about a dozen others were already in attendance, talking in groups throughout the room while waiting for the tables to be set up.
Elizabeth was startled to see Mr. Darcy conversing with two other men not ten feet from her.
He instantly saw her, and she hurriedly looked away, but Mr. Bingley greeted him, and Mr. Darcy came to their group.
She and Mr. Darcy exchanged the barest of civilities, but he looked as though he wished to say more before Miss Bingley insisted he partner her in whist and pulled him away while Elizabeth remained with the rest of her party, soon joined by several more young people, to play a rousing game of speculation and other round games.
At first, she could not be easy, seeing Mr. Darcy’s steady gaze on her whenever she chanced to look up.
Before long, though, she lost herself in the speed of the games and her own laughter and that of her lively companions.
Over the next week and a half, Elizabeth continued to amuse herself with Jane and Mr. Bingley.
Twice, Edith and Mr. Cage were at the same events and joined their party.
She avoided Miss Bingley as much as possible, although they were in company constantly, and ignored her comments when necessary, for Jane’s sake.
She saw Mr. Darcy in the periphery of nearly every ball, dinner, and soiree she attended, but he never approached her unless required and never smiled or spoke to her though he was often among their larger group.
He was stiff and aloof, barely conversing with anyone, as far as Elizabeth could tell.
She did her best not to notice the prideful man, however.
The night before Jane was to return to Longbourn, they all went to another elegant dinner party, followed by the theater. Elizabeth was uncomfortable to find they were sharing Mr. Darcy’s box, but he still did not approach her.
She sat on the right of the front row, an empty seat beside her, with Jane and Mr. Bingley to her left.
Mr. Darcy chose the far left in the row behind, along with Miss Bingley, Mrs. Hurst, and her husband.
She found it difficult to focus on the performance with the distinct feeling that he stared at her even now.
She confirmed it throughout the play with glances out of the corner of her eye.
Was he so upset that she had been invited to share his box that he would attempt to drive her away?
He would be glad, she thought, when he no longer had to endure her company after tonight.
She had heard he and his sister were visiting their aunt in Kent for Easter.
Regardless, she had no plans to frequent the same society once Jane departed and she returned more fully to Edith’s company.
Back at Gracechurch Street after the unnerving evening, Jane came to her room.
“You and Mr. Bingley were rather late returning to the box for the third act,” Elizabeth said after inviting her cousin to join her on her bed to talk, as they had often done these past weeks.
“Oh, Lizzy!” Jane was too elated to speak.
“You are engaged, then?”
“Not yet, but surely he will propose when I return to London next spring.”
“If he did not propose, what kept you both away so long?”
Jane only blushed. Elizabeth’s concern must have shown on her face.
“Do not look at me like that, Lizzy. It was only a kiss, or a few kisses.” She sighed. “And they were heavenly.”
“That…is…wonderful, Jane. But this is his final term, is it not? He will graduate this June?”
“He will.” Jane’s serenity showed she saw no reason he should travel to Hertfordshire or secure her hand before another year had passed.
Elizabeth fought her own misgivings and embraced her cousin. “I am so happy for you, Jane. I am glad you have both been able to endure your extraordinarily long courtship.”
Jane laughed and sighed. “Thank you, Lizzy.”
“For what? I did nothing.”
“You have been patient with me for so many years. I was awful to you—”
“We have already discussed this, Jane. It is all in the past,” Elizabeth said.
“I must still thank you for your forgiveness and for your renewed friendship. And do not forget you introduced me to Charles in the first place.”
“Charles, is it? Does that mean I may call him that again, as well?” Elizabeth teased.
Jane blushed again. “I should not call him that until we are engaged, but when we are married, I give you permission to address him thus.”
“It is such a long time to wait,” Elizabeth groaned theatrically, wanting to question Mr. Bingley’s pace without hurting her cousin.
Jane explained that he wanted to give Miss Bingley a little more time to find a suitable husband, as she still insisted her brother marrying Jane would harm her prospects.
“Has she given up her hopes of marrying Mr. Darcy, then?” Elizabeth laughed.
Jane’s look was a gentle reprimand. “She would like nothing better and is far from reconciling herself to finding someone else, even after her brother informed her Mr. Darcy cares for someone else.”
“Does he?” Elizabeth felt an odd pang. She could not explain it, so she ignored it. “Has he confided a secret engagement to his friend?”
Now it was Jane who laughed. “I cannot imagine such a thing. Can you? No, Mr. Bingley said only that Caroline should seek a husband elsewhere, as Mr. Darcy’s heart is already engaged.”
“That does sound serious, though,” Elizabeth returned weakly. “Did you or Miss Bingley not ask Mr. Bingley who the woman is?”
“She did, but her brother only indicated he should not have said anything at all but that Caroline must move on to other prospects.”
“Hmm. Well, giving her another year could be good for you all. It will not hurt for Mr. Bingley to be a bit older, either,” Elizabeth said.
Jane agreed that he was still young to marry, although she admitted a long betrothal would have made their separations easier to endure because they would have been allowed to correspond.