Chapter 1.21 #6
Their eyes locked again and battled silently for a time—David, immovable in his determination, Cassandra, pale and powerless, lying against the pillows, biting her lower lip to conceal her turmoil.
“You are right; I should rest now. I am very tired,” she finally said.
He rose to obey but barely took a few steps before she called his name. He stopped.
“David, thank you for your care.”
He nodded, walked further, and then stopped again, looking down at her. To her surprise, he sat close to her bed.
“Cassandra, may I speak honestly? I do not wish to distress you even more, so please tell me if I should leave.”
“We have always spoken honestly to each other, so please do,” she whispered.
“Very well, then. I understand you must be uncomfortable with my presence here. However, I must stay for Darcy’s wedding; I promised him as much.”
“Please do not consider leaving because of me. You have more right to be here than I. You are Darcy’s cousin.”
“And you are his lifelong friend. He surely needs you as much. However, it is not a matter of rights. For me, your wishes are more important, so I would like you to put aside our differences and tell me what you want me to do.” She turned her eyes to the fire, and then returned her gaze to him.
“I cannot offer you an answer now—
“No, no, you misunderstand me! I am not insisting upon that subject any longer. In fact, that is precisely what I wanted to speak to you about: my insistence. I know everything happened unexpectedly—my confession, my proposal and everything that occurred afterwards—and now your accident. I have considered only my feelings and desires, but that will change from now on.”
He paused a moment. His eyes still looked into hers, carefully searching her astonished expression.
“I shall not insist upon this matter any further. My feelings and wishes are not a secret to you, and they will never change. As for your own feelings—you must determine them. It is your decision whether I ever raise the subject between us again. I will not require an immediate answer; your health is all that matters for the moment. I can wait as long as necessary! Unless you tell me there is nothing to wait for…”
David looked at Cassandra hesitantly, fearing another harsh reply. She had told him frequently not to hope or wait. She would likely repeat her declaration—and then how would he dare continue?
“Thank you for your patience. I promise I shall give you an answer as soon as I am certain of one.”
He was shocked in a pleasant way; his burning stare was the evidence. For a few moments, he could not find the words to respond. Her forced smile seemed finally to break his silence.
“Good…” was all he said and she smiled. He rose halfway and then sat again. She laughed lightly.
He seemed disconcerted for a moment and then smiled back at her. “Cassandra, I…I shall leave you now; you must rest. Georgiana said she would visit you later.”
“Very well…”
He rose and hurried to the door; from there, he turned to look at her once more—and was gone.
Cassandra’s eyes remained fixed on the door; she did not notice the tears coursing over her cheeks.
∞∞∞
Caroline Bingley did not leave her room that morning.
She was in the worst mood ever and could not abide the happy faces around her.
Fortunately, Jane and Eliza Bennet had left the house the previous day.
She could not tolerate them any longer! As for Lady Cassandra—although Caroline was not pleased to see her hurt, she was indeed relieved that she was confined to her room and would likely remain so until the wedding.
What a torture to have Lady Cassandra around the house day after day!
On her little desk were spread the letters she had received from her friends, Miss Cardington and Lady Sophia.
She finished her own missive to the latter and looked at it with great satisfaction.
Yes, that was the best solution: she would accompany Lady Sophia on her tour!
There was no better way to put behind her everything that had happened than an extended tour with a well-known member of the ton.
There would certainly be many opportunities to meet desirable and worthy gentlemen—to be sure!
She had not said anything to Charles and did not plan to tell him yet. He did not deserve that much consideration after he had supported Eliza Bennet against his own sister!
∞∞∞
Mr Bennet was content at last! Following weeks of difficulties—the frightening incidents with his beloved Lizzy and later with Lady Cassandra, and day after day of complaints and cries from his wife—he was relaxing in the perfect solitude of his library with one of his favourite books.
Mrs Bennet—together with Mary and Kitty—was calling on Lady Lucas, while Elizabeth and Jane were visiting at Netherfield.
Mr Bennet smiled to himself, feeling gratitude and affection.
His elder daughters had been indeed fortunate in their choice of husbands.
He knew for certain they would both be happy—though in different ways. Yes, Mr Bennet was enormously content.
As he read, enjoying his favourite port, he could not but wonder at how blissful silence was.
The day was perfect. Unfortunately, as with other happy moments in the past, the silence was short-lived.
Less than two hours later, thunder fell upon the house in the form of an annoying, female voice.
It took Mr Bennet only an instant to determine that it was not his wife; Mrs Bennet’s tone—though frequently loud and tiresome—was ten times more agreeable, he thought.
He could hear “the voice” approaching and Hill’s unsuccessful attempt to stop her with pleading requests to wait until she was announced to the master of the house.
“I shall not wait! Do not dare ask me to wait! I demand to speak with him this instant! Where is he?”
That was the last thing Mr Bennet heard before his library door was unceremoniously thrown open, and a lady whose stature was as imposing as her voice barged in. She remained close to the door, peering around with unconcealed disdain and apparent concern for her own safety.
“I suppose you are Mr Bennet! What a small, uncomfortable library you have here.”
Mr Bennet laid his book on the table and politely rose to greet his guest, a smile of satisfaction spreading over his face.
What an incredible moment, worthy to be noted down and kept among the most treasured family mementos—close to Mr Collins’s memorable visit from last autumn.
Yes, the day had enormous potential, and it would certainly prove more diverting than any book of farce.
“Yes, madam. I am Mr Bennet and very honoured to receive your ladyship in my humble abode. Without any doubt, you must be Lady Catherine de Bourgh—the noble patroness of my cousin, Mr Collins!”
“I am indeed, sir, but I have no time for civilities. I wish to speak to your daughter, Elizabeth.”
“I am afraid that would be impossible, as none of my daughters is home at the moment. But may I take the liberty of asking your ladyship whether you left Mr and Mrs Collins in good health?”
”They were perfectly well.”
“Does Mr Collins still visit your ladyship daily? I understood the parsonage is quite close to Rosings.”
“It is indeed, but that is not the purpose of my visit.”
“Oh, I am sorry. May I ask the purpose of your visit, then?”
“To speak to your daughter. Where exactly is she?”
“I am afraid I have to inquire about the nature of your business with my daughter before answering further.”
“Oh, you can be at no loss to understand the reason for my journey hither. A report of a most alarming nature reached me two days ago, and I came to insist that rumour be universally contradicted!”
“To what is your ladyship referring? I do not have the pleasure of understanding you.”
“I am talking of the rumour that your daughter is engaged to my nephew! Though I know it must be a scandalous falsehood, I instantly resolved on setting off for this place, that I might make my sentiments known to you all.”