Chapter 1.14 #2
“Miss Bingley, you do not need to worry,” interrupted Darcy, addressing her for the first time. “Mr Gardiner possesses quite a fine carriage, but it was my pleasure to escort them personally to my home.”
“But is that area quite safe?”
The question was so rude that Bingley started and cast a meaningful glare at his sister, who decided to ignore him, looking expectantly at Mrs Gardiner. The answer, however, came from Elizabeth’s mocking voice.
“Indeed it is, Miss Bingley; thank you for your concern. We have been visiting our aunt and uncle many times a year since we were children and have never had any reason to complain. But, of course, for someone like yourself, accustomed to more fashionable locales, perhaps it would be preferable not to venture into that quarter.”
The colonel smiled behind his napkin Hmm…that was harsh but deserved. Well, it seems this is the first sign of the real Miss Elizabeth…
“It is more than safe; it is quite a delightful area, I assure you,” replied Mr Darcy. “I am particularly fond of the park near the Gardiner’s house…charming.”
Elizabeth could not help blushing, as did Jane when Mr Bingley enthusiastically agreed.
In the next moment, Elizabeth startled, feeling Mr Darcy’s foot slowly touching hers under the table—or rather, his boot touching her shoe!
It was not an insinuating touch, seeming more like an accidental movement of his long legs under the table than a purposeful sign, but still she felt a sudden need to swallow some cold water.
After a few moments, she dared to glance at him and saw a small, comforting smile on his lips.
She was assured that his touch was not accidental.
She smiled in return without moving her foot from his.
Miss Bingley continued, knowing she made a mistake but growing angrier as she understood she had nothing more to lose.
“Well, I must believe you, Mr Darcy, but I have to say your tastes seem to have changed dramatically in the last months in more than one respect.”
The allusion touched everyone at the table, and a moment of silence followed until Bingley answered with a determination that made Jane gaze at him with growing admiration.
“Really? And how can you tell that, Caroline? I am sure you never knew Darcy’s true tastes—or mine for that matter.” His remonstrance was rude, especially as it was made in public, but his sister seemed determined to offend everyone and ruin the evening. He would not allow that.
His success was complete as Caroline was briefly at a loss for words, allowing the colonel to take control and direct the conversation to a more neutral topic until dinner ended.
As no lady of the house was present to do the honours as hostess, Darcy proposed—and it was accepted—that they forego the separation of the sexes after dinner, and they all moved together into the drawing room to enjoy their after-dinner drinks.
∞∞∞
As the evening progressed, some music was requested by the gentlemen, and all the ladies in the party agreed to favour them. Mrs Hurst began the entertainment, and the colonel took the opportunity to join Darcy, who was in the corner with a glass in his hand.
“Well, cousin, I must thank you for this evening. It has been enlightening as well as entertaining.”
“Yes, I saw you truly enjoyed yourself.”
“No more than you, I am sure. I was just wondering: Is there some news you wish to share with me, cousin?”
“About a particular subject or you are interested in any kind of news?” Darcy hid a satisfied smile as he teased his cousin.
“Well, any kind of news…about the war, the economic situation, Miss Elizabeth Bennet…”
“Ah…I understand. No, there is no news for the moment. But I hope that will change tomorrow.”
“I see…Are you sure, absolutely sure about this, Darcy?”
“Cousin, I never have been more certain of anything in my life. Trust me, I have thought about every aspect of this…situation…for the last two months. I know her connexions and fortune are not what our family and relatives would expect and desire. I have no doubt your parents and Lady Catherine will be resentful and disappointed, as I am also fully aware that they will express strong arguments against this alliance with eloquence and indignation. Nevertheless, my decision is made. If I should be so fortunate as to secure Miss Elizabeth’s hand and affection, I shall be the happiest of men. ”
His tone was almost a whisper, but his voice was more determined and fervent than the colonel had ever heard him speak. In fact, he never before had heard Darcy speak of happiness—of his own happiness. He patted his cousin’s arm.
“Well, if this be the case, call me when the storm begins. I shall be there for you. You may rely on me.”
Then he leaned his head towards Darcy and whispered, fighting his own mirth.
“You looked so ridiculously lost during dinner, looking only at her like a puppy…and…did you by any chance make her a sign under the table?”
Darcy looked at him questioningly, only to amuse the colonel even more. “Oh, don’t worry, it was not noticeable, but I was very attentive to you both and observed the moment. I must confess I have done it many times in the past with many charming ladies, and I can recognise the reaction.”
Darcy cast him a serious and reproachful glare, censuring his words.
“I hope you are not implying anything improper. I have never done such a thing before with any other lady, and nothing disrespectful happened between Miss Elizabeth and me.”
“I know, I know, I was just teasing you, but do you not know that she will have you eating from her palm in no time? She can do anything she pleases. You will never be able to refuse her anything if she knows how to ask…appropriately! You will be at her mercy.”
“I am already at her mercy, and trust me, I shall be happy to refuse her nothing.”
“Yes, I am sure you will. Oh my—I never would have thought that you, of all our acquaintances, would make a love match.”
Mrs Hurst’s performance concluded and then Miss Bingley’s; it was then Elizabeth’s turn.
She took her place at the pianoforte and began to play, blushing and trying to control the trembling of her hands as she felt Mr Darcy’s ardent gaze bestowed on her.
She lifted her eyes from time to time, meeting his and smiling tentatively.
Her performance was not as masterful as the others were, but it was pleasant and unpretentious.
When she finished, the colonel approached her and requested another song, offering to turn the pages for her, so Elizabeth was obliged to continue.
Casting another glance at Mr Darcy, she could see that he looked content, and that simple fact made her happy.
During Elizabeth’s second song, the butler approached his employer and whispered to him.
Mr Darcy left the music room without a word, which worried both the lady and gentleman at the instrument.
With a strange sensation of fear, Elizabeth managed to finish her song and return to her aunt on the settee, escorted by the colonel.
∞∞∞
As Darcy entered the main hall, he was shocked but pleased when he recognised the guest who had interrupted his party.
“Mr Bennet!”
“Mr Darcy…” came the reserved and reluctant answer.
“Please excuse me for bursting into your home in such a manner, but I understand my brother Gardiner is here, and there is an urgent situation that requires his immediate assistance.”
“Of course, sir. Please do not make yourself uneasy. Would you care to join us? The entire Gardiner family is here, together with Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth.”
“No, sir, thank you. I understand you have other guests, and I do not want to disturb them. In fact, I do not want the reason for my visit to be known at all, if possible.”
“Then let us go into the library; I shall have Mr Gardiner fetched at once.”
He sent the butler to summon Mr Gardiner as discreetly as possible while they entered the library and Darcy poured each a glass of brandy.
He watched Mr Bennet carefully, and he was worried by his unusually distressed and grieved countenance, wondering what could have happened to reduce him to such a state.
It could not be something regarding the family’s health, or he would not have left them but sent an express instead.
“Mr Bennet, I know I have no right to insist in a private matter, but I beg you: let me know whether there is something I can do to relieve your present distress. I hope you know you can rely on my help and secrecy, sir, whatever the situation might be.”
Mr Bennet breathed deeply, unable to bear Darcy’s inquiring look.
“I would have told you in any case, sir, and asked for your help with any information you might have. It is my youngest daughter, Lydia. Last night she ran away…she eloped…with Wickham.”
Darcy was stunned into silence and could not react for a few moments, staring mutely at his companion. When he finally found words, he could not formulate a reply, for Mr Bennet continued pacing the room restlessly, his fatigue making him almost at a loss for words.
“It never crossed my mind that something like this could happen. I have found out so many things about Wickham lately. I spoke with Colonel Forster, and he promised he would make inquiries about the man’s previous activities, and then last night he just disappeared, taking Lydia with him.”
Darcy violently swallowed the rest of his brandy. “But, sir, are you sure? Absolutely sure?”
“Yes, my foolish daughter left a note for her sister Kitty in which she explained they had gone to Gretna Green to marry, but we both know that will never happen. She has no money, no connexions, nothing to tempt him. He is merely hiding from his creditors. Most likely he will abandon her somewhere on the streets and—”
Mr Bennet could not continue but poured himself another brandy; at that moment, the door opened and not only Mr Gardiner but Colonel Fitzwilliam as well entered the room, asking what had occurred.