Chapter 17
Elizabeth, mindful of Jane’s censure, determined to do better, and on entering the breakfast room the next morning, she addressed Mr Darcy cordially.
“I trust you rested well, Mr Darcy,” she said, and saw that gentleman’s eyes rise at her engaging with him directly. It was only then that Elizabeth realised that although they had had many conversations during his days in Longbourn, it had always been he who opened the conversation.
“I rested quite well, I thank you,” he replied and then added, “I trust you also slept well?”
“I did, I thank you,” Elizabeth said, her answer a near mirror to his own, her mind having wandered away in contemplation of Mr Darcy being so willing to engage with her.
Elizabeth, therefore, added nothing else to her reply and instead drifted towards the sideboard to inspect the breakfast offerings.
She did, however, note her father’s raised eyebrow, and she supposed it was at her unusual address to Mr Darcy’s comfort.
Elizabeth ate her meal in silence, lost as she was in thoughts which were so unformed she could not fully articulate, even to herself, what they had contained. But as the morning meal drew to a close, she again reminded herself that she must be more polite to Mr Darcy.
However, she need not have concerned herself, for when, after breakfast, Mr Bennet and Mr Darcy again rode out to inspect the stream, they found that the rain, having eased off yesterday, had allowed the water to drop sufficiently to allow the gentlemen to wade across the stream on their mounts.
As they departed, Elizabeth felt a twinge of regret, but it did not last long, for as their father saw the gentlemen out, Elizabeth re-entered the front parlour, which overlooked the front of Longbourn. The window having been opened to allow some air in, she heard Mr Darcy proclaim.
“I have never been so glad to leave a place: a footman stationed at the ladies' bedchambers; Mr Bennet giving me concerning looks whenever I addressed Miss Elizabeth... do they imagine that I would leg-shackle myself to such a family?” Mr Darcy said.
Mr Bingley made a sound as if to dispute him, but Mr Darcy continued.
“Their want of connections, their family in trade, and Longbourn entailed away – I doubt that they even have much in the way of dowries.”
“I found the family most agreeable,” Mr Bingley said, when finally Mr Darcy took a breath.
“Yes, I’m sure you did,” Mr Darcy owned, but then added, “It was insupportable to be treated thusly, as if I were a man so lacking in honour that only a guard would keep the ladies of the household safe from me,” he said.
He continued his rant, but as he was now some distance from the entrance to Longbourn, Elizabeth was quite unable to hear whatever else he said.
But she was sure it was along the same vein.
Hearing his vitriol, she was glad she had not behaved more cordially towards him during his stay.
She did not find his words an acceptable response to her family’s hospitality.