Chapter 2.20 #3
“The story of your calling Miss Bennet ‘tolerable’ and refusing to dance with her. I asked her earlier, but she insisted you should be present when that tale is disclosed. It must be very grave,” the countess said mockingly.
The colonel was dumbfounded, and Georgiana blushed with worry for the discomfort of her brother and her friend.
“Aunt Amelia…”
“Oh hush, dearest.” The countess waved her hand, refusing to be deterred from her purpose.
Elizabeth flushed, torn between amusement and embarrassment, and wondered what Darcy would say. To her complete disbelief, a small smile narrowed his eyes and twisted his lips.
“Yes…that story; do I have any chance of refusing you, Aunt?”
“Not a single one, my dear.”
“Very well —I see you cruelly insist on laughing at my expense. Then it depends on Miss Bennet; if she agrees, I will tell it.”
“Do tell, sir. I have nothing against it. Why should we keep a secret that is disclosed by my mother at every opportunity and discussed frequently?” Elizabeth responded, still in jest.
Darcy breathed deeply then met Elizabeth’s gaze another moment, and his smile widened.
“It was the middle of October last year about three weeks after Bingley took possession of Netherfield. An assembly was held in Meryton. Bingley insisted I should go with them, and I had no argument to resist him. I confess that I found little enjoyment in the event for personal reasons,” he admitted, and everyone knew to what he referred.
He paused for an instant then continued in a tone that obviously struggled to remain easy.
“So, to end any argument, I attended, but my mood was not suitable for the occasion, and I am sure my behaviour clearly showed it. Once there, Bingley went on and on, insisting on my dancing. I struggled to deter him but with little success. I must also mention that I had danced with Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst and had every intention of avoiding a repetition.”
“Well, I can empathise with that,” the colonel intervened. “I have rarely seen a lady as handsome and smart —and as unpleasant —as Miss Bingley.”
“At that time, the only fault for my vexation belonged to my mood; Miss Bingley was not to blame. Instead of leaving me alone, Bingley returned to me after each dance and insisted that I dance. He pointed out Miss Bennet to me —whom, I confess, I barely noticed until that moment. I surely did not remember anything about her, but in order to escape Bingley’s annoying solicitation, I told him that Miss Bennet was tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me!
I was not aware that, sadly, Miss Bennet heard me —and was rightfully offended by my words —until much later when I discovered that all of Meryton was speaking of the incident. ”
“You did not!” the countess exclaimed.
“Oh, dear Lord,” Georgiana whispered.
Elizabeth forced a laugh. She was less distressed by the story itself than by the recollection of that crucial moment that marked the development of their acquaintance and led to the dreadful day at the Parsonage.
“It is truly not a reason for distress now. But yes, I confess that, back then, my pride was offended. There is nothing a girl wants more at a ball than to dance.”
“That is correct,” Lady Hardwick agreed. “Such behaviour is unacceptable. What was wrong with you, young man?”
The colonel hurried to take his cousin’s side, laughing loudly.
“Well, although I cannot understand why anyone would ever refuse to dance with Miss Bennet, I can sympathise with Darcy. Upon my word, Bingley is sometimes so annoying in his persistence that even I would say anything to get rid of him.”
“It seems his persistence ensured him a most fortunate marriage, so in the end, it turned out well. But that was the story Mrs. Bennet mentioned with understandable resentment. I take this opportunity to publicly and officially beg Miss Bennet to forgive my rudeness,” Darcy bowed towards her solemnly, his voice half grave, half in jest.
Elizabeth blushed, but her discomfort vanished.
“Gladly, sir. Your care in choosing a room with the perfect view for me at Pemberley surely compensates for your refusal to dance with me the first time we met, even more so as it eventually happened the second time.”
“I am grateful for your generosity. But our dance together occurred the third time I asked. You refused me twice: at Sir William’s party and one evening at Netherfield,” he replied teasingly.
It was Elizabeth’s turn to remain silent in astonishment.
“Is there another story I should know about?” the countess inquired. Georgiana chuckled while Darcy hurried to deny it with a firm shake of his head.
When the conversation on that subject seemed finally ended, the colonel turned to Darcy and said with apparent secrecy.
“Cousin, once we arrive at Pemberley, remind me to explain to you that dancing with a lovely lady at a ball alleviates distress and does not increase it. I wish I had taught it to you years ago so you could have avoided such awkward moments as you just related. But it is never too late to improve one’s knowledge and manners on the subject. ”