Chapter 1.23 #3
However, the most important thing Lady Matlock noticed was the warmth and tenderness in the small interactions between the two betrotheds.
When she entered the room, Darcy had clearly been holding Elizabeth’s hand, a gesture completely improper in company.
However, she did not disapprove of their overt gestures of tenderness.
Instead, their love for one another melted her heart.
For Darcy to break with propriety in front of his sister was astonishing.
She remembered her son’s words when they first spoke about the engagement: “I saw how happy Darcy is.”
Lady Matlock savoured her tea and smiled, contented and relieved.
She congratulated herself on being wise enough to give this young woman a chance.
Elizabeth Bennet was a gem—a natural, unpolished one—and as Darcy’s wife, she would sparkle as a priceless jewel.
I shall be around to be certain of that.
She saw Darcy touch Elizabeth’s hand and arm with unobtrusive movements of his hand, hoping the others would be too caught up in their conversation to notice.
For her part, Elizabeth made obvious efforts to remain focused on the topic, but her face coloured every time he touched her.
Moreover, as Lady Matlock noticed, she did not encourage his behaviour nor did she try to put an end to it.
Soon, Lady Matlock could bear it no longer. “Oh, for heaven’s sake, Darcy, take her hand and be done with it. You are acting like a schoolboy!”
Elizabeth’s mortification made her face crimson.
She tried to hide her eyes behind her lashes and fixed her gaze on the ground.
However, in the next moment, Elizabeth did the most astonishing thing: she put her hand in Darcy’s strong palm, and he closed his fingers around it with no intention of letting go.
The colonel and Georgiana burst into laughter, and Lady Matlock smiled and nodded her approval.
About an hour later, Georgiana showed signs of fatigue, and they insisted that she rest.
∞∞∞
The remainder of the party removed themselves to the parlour, Lady Matlock having many details to discuss about the ball. Elizabeth took the opportunity and excused herself to pay a short call on Molly, who was following the doctor’s directions to remain in bed for the day.
As Elizabeth walked down the hall to rejoin the others in the parlour, she could not miss the shadow of a man waiting there.
Though she was convinced the visitor noticed her presence, she determined to pass by him, as it was Mr Darcy’s duty to receive the visitor and eventually to make the introductions.
She was startled by the sound of a deep, severe voice addressing her. “Miss Bennet? Miss Elizabeth Bennet?”
She stopped and turned to face him as the man took a few steps forward. The moment they faced each other, the resemblance left her in no doubt that he was the colonel’s father, Lord Matlock.
They gazed at each other, eyes fixed searchingly on the other’s face, waiting in silence. They were, after all, two strangers with no one to introduce them properly.
The earl could not hide his surprise at seeing this pretty, unpretentious girl with evidence of fatigue in her eyes. Her hair was simply arranged, her clothing equally simple though tasteful, lending her an overall appearance of natural beauty. Nothing was as he expected it to be.
“I must apologise for this unannounced visit. I know it is very improper of me, but I was concerned for my wife and my niece. I requested an audience with my nephew as there are some pressing matters I need to discuss with him. I am Lord Matlock.” He bowed politely, and she curtseyed.
“I am Elizabeth Bennet. It is an honour to meet you, Lord Matlock.”
“I am afraid I cannot say I am pleased to meet you, Miss Elizabeth”—he paused a little before adding—“I would rather have made your acquaintance under more pleasant circumstances and in a more proper manner.”
“In that case, I can only hope that at least our second meeting may be under more favourable circumstances.”
He nodded slightly.
“If you will excuse me, I shall go and inform Mr Darcy and Lady Matlock of your arrival, sir.”
“Miss Elizabeth…” She turned to him in surprise.
“The servant has already gone to announce me. However, I was wondering whether you would allow me to have a few words with you.”
She hesitated only a moment before agreeing.
“Miss Elizabeth, thank you for your understanding. I want to offer you my deepest apologies for any injuries you suffered because of Lady Catherine’s unwelcome visit.
I shall not deny that I myself was strongly opposed when Darcy informed me of your engagement, and I still have many doubts regarding this union as you and my nephew come from very different circles, but neither of us had any right to offend you, and it was not to our credit that we questioned your character or Darcy’s decision. ”
“Lord Matlock, you are correct in assuming that I was offended and undeservedly accused with a harshness I could scarcely believe, especially from someone of Lady Catherine’s station.
I feel I deserve an apology, and I shall accept yours, though it was not you who offended me, at least not directly. ”
She spoke with bitter determination and did not try to conceal her hurt feelings against those who had slighted her.
She was pointing out the incivility of his sister, but the earl knew himself to be equally guilty.
Lord Matlock blinked several times, but Elizabeth finally offered a release from the tension that surrounded them.
“Sir, I think you have every right to have and express doubts about me as well as about this—I agree—sudden engagement. As long as your motive is the well-being of your nephew, your concern is justified and legitimate, and I cannot fault you for it.”
It was another strike—a subtle allusion to those not-so-legitimate motives—and the earl could not help but perceive the wit and quickness of the young woman’s mind, even under such difficult circumstances.
She was not intimidated, nor did she try to hide her opinion behind polite statements. She was conciliatory and reasonable without allowing her pride to be damaged or her self-esteem to be lowered. He could do nothing but bow to her as she continued.
“Sir, I can only hope that the future will prove all your doubts and concerns without foundation.”
“Then let us hope together, Miss Elizabeth. My nephew’s felicity will be the strongest proof of my mistaken judgment. And I would be more than willing to humbly recognise my failure if that should be the case.”
“Thank you, sir. I know that I have done nothing to earn more than your politeness and fair judgment, and I ask for nothing more at this time. However, neither would I accept anything less.”
“Miss Elizabeth, I can already see that I have been mistaken in some of my previous statements about you.”
“If that is meant to be a compliment, I thank you, sir.”
The truce between them had been signed—mutually and silently.
It was not long before Mr Darcy, Lady Matlock, and the colonel appeared, each of them wearing a worried expression. Instantly, Mr Darcy was at Elizabeth’s side, protectively gazing sternly at his uncle.
“Lord Matlock, what an unexpected pleasure.” His tone betrayed many feelings—none of them pleasurable. Lady Matlock and her son chose to remain a little behind, allowing the others to resolve the issues between them.
“Darcy! I have come to fetch my wife and to ask for a private conference with you if you would favour me.”
“Of course.” His voice did not warm in the slightest. “Lord Matlock, allow me to introduce to you my future wife, Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Elizabeth, this is my uncle, Lord Matlock”
She smiled, her eyes giving him the answer he needed and the reassurance to ease his tension.
“Lord Matlock and I have become acquainted. Apparently, both of us are well qualified to introduce ourselves to strangers and even to carry on enlightened conversation at our first meeting. I can only imagine how charming our second meeting will be.”
The earl gazed at her a moment and then turned to Darcy.
But the master of the house was no longer looking at his uncle, only staring into Elizabeth’s eyes, his countenance suddenly lightened, the expression of adoration so evident that it made the others feel like intruders.
In that moment, the earl bowed to Elizabeth, took her hand and—to everyone’s astonishment—lifted it politely to his lips. He was kissing the country girl’s hand, a gesture of which only his wife knew the value.
“Miss Elizabeth, I look forward to our second meeting and to our future conversations.”
Then he turned his attention to Darcy. “Nephew, I have apologised to Miss Bennet on Lady Catherine’s behalf and my own.
Our reactions have been preposterous and unforgivable.
I confessed to Miss Bennet that I was opposed to your engagement and that I still have not changed my opinion.
But I also expressed my hope that your marriage will prove me wrong and will force me to recognise my failure to judge the situation properly. ”
Darcy averted his eyes from Elizabeth and met the earl’s gaze, holding it so long that everyone could feel the tension filling the room.
“If that be the case, I think there can be nothing more to say on the subject. Would you care to join us in the library for a glass of port, Uncle? I think the ladies have some ball details to arrange.”
Accepting the invitation with obvious relief, the earl dared to meet his wife’s smouldering stare, and though she did not say a word, he knew he would be reminded often that he had been wrong once more in a quarrel with her.
∞∞∞
With Mr Darcy in the house, Elizabeth knew she could not remain another night under the same roof; propriety—not to mention her aunt and uncle—would forbid it.
So, while the gentlemen were in the library, she sent a note to her aunt, explaining the situation and informing her she would return in time for dinner.