Chapter 2.19 #6
The first moment I saw you entering the Meryton assembly, I said to myself that you were the handsomest man I had ever seen.
Half an hour later, I was certain beyond any doubt that you were the handsomest man I had ever met—and the most aloof—and the most proud—and the most unpleasant—a man who considered me not handsome enough to tempt him to dance.
Can you imagine, my love, what that means to a 20-year-old young woman?
Surely you did not know for some time, but you learned it quite painfully… ”
She continued to write, word by word, row by row, page by page, with no restraint, no hesitation, no self-censure. She allowed her thoughts, her memories, and her feelings to flow out on the page. She put her mind and her soul on the page—to meet his.
And when he returned, she would give them to him—one letter for each day—his letters and hers.
∞∞∞
The ride to London passed sooner than Darcy expected.
He had spent the entire previous night writing the letters, so fatigue overcame him immediately.
That was a very good thing as he already felt—most painfully—Elizabeth’s loss.
The more time they spent together, the more she opened to him and allowed him as close to her as he wished; and the more he got from her, the more he desired and the more he missed and craved her.
Opposite him in the carriage, Bingley talked, happy and animated, but Darcy could not attend.
He was relieved when they finally reached London. First thing, they went to the solicitor’s office to apply for the special license, which would take a few days. Afterwards, each of them left for his own house with the promise of meeting again the next day.
Alone in his carriage, Darcy decided to call briefly at Selina’s to inquire after Anne and, if possible, to find Georgiana there, too. His intuition proved correct: in the drawing room were his sister, Anne, Selina and her children, all of them hurrying to welcome him.
He briefly asked about Anne’s health and about Lady Catherine, and he was provided with satisfactory answers.
Georgiana and Selina asked countless questions about Elizabeth, as if she had been away for months.
He explained the reason for his return to town, and news of the imminent wedding brought a storm of inquiries, suggestions, advice, and laughter.
Immediately, Selina began to write Elizabeth and Jane, to ask if they needed her to purchase anything for them.
Then she sent a note to the modiste to schedule an appointment.
Darcy looked at them sternly. After all, there was not such a difference between Mrs Bennet and the ladies of the ton.
“And Lord Brightmore? Is he away?” Darcy finally asked a reasonable question.
“He is with Robert and Thomas at the club. They tried to take Father too, but he refused. I do not know what to do with him; I cannot allow him to continue in such a way. He has not wished to speak to us for more than two days.”
“Who?” Darcy asked dumbfounded.
“Father, of course. I just told you, Darcy; pay attention.”
“Lord Matlock does not speak to you? Why?”
“We do not know; that is precisely the problem.”
“What do you mean, Selina?”
“I just told you—since two days ago, the day after you left. He went to his club then called on Mrs Gardiner then went home, but neither Robert nor Thomas was there, so we do not know what happened. When they returned, Father was alone—with his drink—and from that moment he has refused to speak to any of us.”
“Did you fetch a doctor? He might be ill. I shall go to visit him immediately.”
“We did, but he would not admit us—or the doctor.”
“That is extraordinary!”
“Perhaps my mother’s visit affected him,” Anne spoke up. “It was such a trying time, and poor Uncle was so kind and protective of me and—”
“I doubt that is the reason, Anne. I shall insist on speaking to him immediately. Have you spoken to Mrs Gardiner? She might help us. You know how much he respects and admires her. He would not dare refuse to talk to her.”
“I went to Madeleine to ask her help, but she is ill. She has not left her bed for more than two days. She is weak and cannot eat, and the doctor said she was feverish too.”
Darcy stared at them in utter shock. “Lord Matlock refused to speak to you for two days and Mrs Gardiner is ill? She has been ill for the same length of time?”
“Yes, quite strange, is it not?” asked Georgiana.
“Very strange,” repeated Lady Selina. “I do not know what to do. I send the doctor to Madeleine daily. I go to check the children. I try to make her eat but—”
“Do you remember, William? It was the same with you back in January. You left Town for more than a week without a word. It is almost the same with Uncle. Oh dear, what a strange coincidence. Elizabeth was ill that time, too. Do you remember?”
“I do remember, dearest; I could never forget that week. I do remember quite vividly.”
“Perhaps you should talk to Uncle. Maybe you can find a way.”
“I will, my dear; that is exactly what I will do. But first, Selina, may I have a glass of brandy—a very large one, please?”
Ten minutes and two glasses of brandy later, Darcy was still in the drawing room, staring out the window while his sister and cousins watched him with worried looks.
Then, suddenly, he began to laugh.