Chapter 1.16 #4
Dinner arrangements were made to everyone’s comfort.
Mr and Mrs Gardiner were seated at each end of the table; on one side was Mr Bennet with Mr Darcy to his right, followed by Elizabeth and then Colonel Fitzwilliam; on the other side sat Mr Bingley, Jane, and Lydia.
Of course, Mr Bingley paid attention to no one other than Jane, wondering how Darcy managed to propose and become engaged in such a short time while he had not even voiced aloud his admiration for Jane.
The first course was about to be served when the doorbell rang, and to the mortification of all but Lydia, Mr Wickham appeared in the doorway, bowing to the host and moving to the table without hesitation.
“Mr Gardiner, I apologise for my intrusion. I hope I am not disturbing you. You said earlier this morning that I could visit my betrothed whenever I pleased, and I take the opportunity to do so now.”
“You could have sent your card first,” answered Mr Bennet harshly, but Lydia rose and ran to him.
“Oh, my dear, I am so glad you came. I am so bored, and I have missed you. And you will never guess what has happened: Lizzy’s got engaged to Mr Darcy.”
Mr Wickham could not hide his shock at this revelation and moved his gaze to Elizabeth. He found her face red with mortification at her sister’s behaviour and his own impertinent intrusion. He then moved to look at Darcy who only honoured him with a brief, cold glance.
Mrs Gardiner invited him to join them and placed him near Lydia, facing the colonel.
“Mr Darcy, Miss Elizabeth, allow me to congratulate you. This is indeed a surprise. I never should have guessed.”
“Thank you, Mr Wickham,” answered Elizabeth, trying to sound polite.
Although dinner was not as pleasant as it should have been—everyone obviously uncomfortable with the uninvited guest—Darcy decided the day was too important to allow Wickham to ruin it.
He tried to ignore the man, engaging in pleasant conversation with his future father-in-law and his intended while the colonel enjoyed Mr Gardiner’s company.
But Lydia and Mr Wickham interrupted every discussion without showing the slightest sign of remorse or decorum. He even dared to mention how honoured and grateful he was to be accepted into their family, a remark that forced Mr Bennet to respond sharply.
“Well, young man, we are all very anxious to see how you might express that gratitude, but for some reason, I do not expect to be surprised.”
Elizabeth tried to enjoy the dinner and Mr Darcy’s nearness.
On more than one occasion, their movements allowed brief touches of their hands or arms, and his eyes were fixed upon her lovely profile most of the time, making her blush continuously.
However, she could not stop casting intense glances towards Lydia and Mr Wickham, searching for any sign of affection in his attitude that might give her the smallest hope for her sister’s future happiness.
The only result of her observations was a deep shame with herself for trusting the man so readily in the past.
The separation after dinner was brief, and when the gentlemen returned to the drawing room, Mr Darcy did not hesitate to secure a seat next to Elizabeth. He wanted a few private moments with her before the evening came to an end, and she welcomed him with pleasure.
“Elizabeth, you look remarkably well this evening.”
“Thank you, William. I wanted to ask you the moment you arrived: How did Georgiana take the news? Did you tell her everything?”
“Yes, I did. She was as happy as I presumed regarding our engagement, but as for the other subject, I must confess her reaction surprised me. She said nothing beyond thanking me for informing her. But it is precisely her lack of reaction that worries me.
“Was she well when you left the house?”
“I checked on her, but Mrs Annesley said she was asleep, and I did not want to disturb her.” After a short pause, he continued, “I was wondering…could you perhaps pay her a short visit tomorrow? I shall be out on business until late in the afternoon, and I intend to call on my aunt and uncle to inform them of our engagement. I know she would enjoy your company again.”
“Of course. I look forward to it.”
“Thank you, my love. And I hope I shall find you there when I return.” The tenderness of his address in a room filled with her family coloured her cheeks highly.
Moreover, he was discreetly squeezing her hand and caressing the finger wearing the ring.
Elizabeth, though flustered and embarrassed, managed to squeeze his hand briefly in return while whispering to him, “I shall be waiting for you.”
As everyone was in need of rest after the previous sleepless night, and the following day was announced to be eventful, the guests prepared to leave quite early without indulging themselves in any other pleasant evening activities.
The colonel and Mr Bingley had shared the latter’s carriage on their way to the Gardiners, but the colonel expressed his desire to return with Mr Darcy as they had several details to conclude for the following day.
Since Mr Wickham was the only one without a carriage, and he was obviously hinting that he needed a means to return home, Mr Bingley felt obliged to offer his assistance After all, no matter how little he enjoyed his company, if things progressed as Mr Bingley was hoping, this fellow soon would be his brother-in-law.
∞∞∞
In the privacy of the carriage, the colonel teased his cousin.
“So you did it, did you not? You simply could not wait any longer. I should have guessed that last evening.”
Darcy laughed, well humoured. “Well, you may put it that way if you like. The truth is that the right moment came, and I could not let it pass.”
“Yes, I am sure you could not. And I do not dare to ask about that right moment. So…when do you plan to inform our family?”
“No later than tomorrow. I shall fetch you in the morning, and I think later in the afternoon would be a good time to tell them.”
“I hope you know there is a great risk that it will ruin your whole day.”
“I am aware that they will raise many objections, but I am prepared for that.”
“Many objections? They will throw themselves on you like vultures. You know, I tried to prepare my mother today and told her some nice things about Miss Elizabeth.”
“Did you? And may I ask what ‘nice things’?”
“Well, it suffices to say that mother was so interested that she intends to meet the lady personally. But of course, I neglected to mention your romantic interest in her.”
“Well, I am grateful for your preparatory work. Let us hope, then, that Lady Ellen will be softer hearted.”
“No indeed, you cannot entertain such hope. You know how important to her are one’s situation in life, wealth and connexions. She has explicitly given us her opinion on the matter more than once.”
“Cousin, I am sympathetic to your parents’ wishes, and I know they will be disappointed by the news, but nothing will make me change my opinion no matter the consequences. I can only hope I shall not be forced to make a choice between them and Elizabeth, for my choice is already made.”
“Well, let us be optimistic. We shall find a way to conquer this. But Darcy, I think you might have another, more serious problem.”
“Another? And what problem might that be?”
“Wickham!”
“That is not a problem, it is a—Do not make me say the word, cousin.”
“Oh, by all means, say the word! I did not like at all the way he stared at you and Miss Elizabeth tonight. I am afraid he will reconsider his position now that he knows you are to be his brother-in-law.”
Darcy let escape such a curse that the colonel started to laugh. “I thought about that too. If I had known the rascal might appear, I would have kept our engagement secret until they had signed the settlement, but there is nothing to be done now. We shall see what awaits us tomorrow.”
“There is always something to be done about Wickham.”
“Do not start that again. And yes, I confess I was tempted many times today to wipe that impertinent, provocative smirk from his face! I only restrained myself because I did not want to ruin his pretty face for the wedding and thus cause more embarrassment to the Bennet family.”
“If you put it that way, I see your point. I shall not insist upon the subject.” The carriage stopped in front of the earl’s house.
“Well, Darcy, that is all for tonight. I had a very pleasant dinner. I truly like the Gardiners you know.”
“I am glad. I shall see you tomorrow at eight.”
The colonel had descended from the carriage when a sudden thought crossed his mind.
“I say, Darcy, since it is still early and my parents usually retire quite late, why not come in and talk to them now? Maybe they will be tired and not react too harshly. In any case, you will settle the whole affair tonight, and then you may go home, drink a bottle of brandy, and sleep until tomorrow.”
Darcy hesitated only a moment. “You are absolutely right—sound advice. I have no reason to delay until tomorrow. Let us go in and be done with this.”
“Very well then. And do not worry; I shall not leave you alone with the vultures.”
“I am truly grateful for your help, but I am not in the least worried. I am perfectly capable of defending my decision to marry the woman I love.”