Chapter 16 #3
After a few minutes, Claire finally relaxed and began chatting with Mary and Kitty.
Both girls were so kind that she soon found herself conversing with them animatedly.
She had more in common with Mary, but Kitty was delightfully entertaining and told so many amusing stories that she laughed more than once.
Her mother's friends and their daughters were nothing like Lady Campbell's nieces.
Instead, they were unpleasant women, always ready to offer criticism disguised as friendly advice.
Marcus took advantage of the fact that the young ladies were engrossed in their own conversation to sit beside Eleanor.
"You cannot imagine, my dear Eleanor, how concerned I have been ever since I learnt that you were ill. I am delighted to see you looking so well."
As Marcus spoke, he gently stroked one of Eleanor's hands.
Eleanor could not help blushing and growing very nervous. For a moment, she did not know how to react to the wave of emotions Marcus's words and caresses awakened within her. At last, she replied, gently withdrawing her hand from his.
"Thank you, General, for your kind wishes."
"'General'? You may call me Marcus, at least when we are speaking to one another, and no one else can hear us, as now.
I came because I should like to invite you to the theatre.
There is the première of a new play next week, and my family's box will be entirely at our disposal.
My brother and his wife do not care for either the theatre or the opera.
My niece will accompany me. You may invite your nieces, or anyone else you wish. "
Marcus took Eleanor's hand again and, this time, kissed it tenderly several times.
Eleanor was overwhelmed by the situation and, almost in a whisper, said, "General, please..."
"My love, my sweet and only love, why will you not give me a chance? Have you never thought that, if you once loved me so deeply, perhaps you could love me again? One chance is all I ask of you."
Marcus could sense that his Ella felt the same way he did, but she was holding back her feelings for some reason—perhaps out of respect for her late husband, or perhaps for another reason altogether.
Yet he had promised himself that he would not give up so easily and would continue to persevere for the rest of his life, if necessary.
"Marcus, I cannot... Please try to understand me." Eleanor struggled not to burst into tears.
"If it is because you still love your husband, do not worry. I can wait. At least allow me to be your friend."
Marcus continued to stroke and kiss Eleanor's hand while she blushed deeply.
By then, the three young ladies had realised what was happening, but they chose to pretend they had noticed nothing.
Secretly, however, they were all delighted, though for different reasons.
Claire was overjoyed to see how happy her uncle was.
It was as though he had come back to life.
Mary and Kitty believed that their aunt was such a good woman, and still so young, that she deserved to be happy.
From the admiration in the General's eyes, they could see how deeply he cared for Eleanor. They also made a handsome couple.
"Marcus, I only wish to spend the rest of my life in peace with my nieces. Why can you not understand that I do not want to reopen the wounds of the past? If you seek only my friendship, then perhaps... who knows? But if you believe we could ever have any other sort of relationship..."
"For now, your friendship is enough for me, my dear Ella.
If you only knew how much I love you, and how I have continued to love you all these years.
That is why I never married—because of you, my sweet and beloved Ella.
No woman that I have ever met has elicited the kind of feelings I have always held for you.
None of them has had the charm, the wit, or the beauty. "
Marcus held both of Ella's hands in his own, taking turns kissing first one and then the other.
"Marcus... I… please, you are making me blush."
At that moment, the butler announced three new callers—Lady Westcliff, her sister Lady Samantha, and her niece, Georgiana Darcy.
"My dear Lady Campbell, we were so concerned about you. We are delighted to see that you have recovered," Lady Samantha said. She had noticed that General Sinclair had been holding Eleanor's hands and that Eleanor had withdrawn them the moment they entered the drawing room.
"Lady Hellen, Lady Samantha, Miss Darcy, welcome. Please come in," Eleanor said, praying that no one had seen Marcus kissing and stroking her hands. She had been on the verge of being carried away by his words and was deeply grateful for the interruption.
Marcus was both excited and frustrated. He was certain that Eleanor had been on the verge of confessing her feelings when that hateful woman, Lady Samantha, interrupted them. At least he now had reason to hope, and that thought filled him with joy.
◆◆◆
The journey had been more tedious than usual, and his cousin had ignored him for most of it.
Fitzwilliam was always cheerful and delighted him with entertaining stories about his life in the military and his many social engagements.
Mr Darcy had always admired his ability to attract and hold the attention of everyone around him.
Whenever he began to speak—whether about gossip, trivial matters, or serious subjects—everyone listened.
That was why he had been surprised by his cousin's unusual silence.
When they finally reached Rosings, it was not yet time for dinner. Lady Catherine, Anne, and Mrs Jenkinson were in one of the gaudily decorated drawing rooms that their aunt loved so much.
"Darcy, Fitzwilliam, you have finally arrived. I am sure you did not follow my instructions on how to feed the horses before travelling. I hope you at least stopped at the Green Leaf Inn; there is no better establishment. Of course, the food at an inn can never compare with that of Rosings..."
Lady Catherine would have continued talking nonsense for much longer, but Richard was in a dreadful mood and had no patience for her endless lectures.
"Lady Catherine, it is a pleasure to see you again. Dear Cousin Anne, Mrs Jenkinson," the Colonel said courteously.
"Yes, it is nice to see you too, Fitzwilliam," Lady Catherine replied without much enthusiasm before adding, "Darcy, do greet Anne. She has been anxiously awaiting your arrival all day. You know how highly she esteems and respects you."
Anne had been smiling as she greeted Richard, but the moment she heard her mother's words, every trace of joy vanished from her face.
She always felt uncomfortable in the presence of her cousin Darcy.
She could not understand why her mother insisted upon their supposed engagement.
Anyone could see that Darcy had no interest in her, and she had no interest in him.
In that respect, she was very much like her mother.
She seemed incapable of loving anyone but herself.
"Aunt, Cousin Anne, Mrs Jenkinson," Mr Darcy said curtly.
"Dinner will be served in two hours," Lady Catherine announced. "I expect everyone to be punctual. I shall not tolerate being kept waiting."
After hearing their aunt's warning, they retired to their respective rooms to freshen up.
Mr Darcy changed his clothes, and with more than an hour remaining before dinner, he decided to take a walk in the gardens.
He had been confined to the carriage all day and needed some exercise.
Without realising it, he wandered beyond the gardens and into the park, where several beautiful paths wound through the grounds.
They had always been among his favourite places to walk.
He could not help thinking about what he had told Fitzwilliam regarding his intention of formally courting Lady Claire.
He knew that, sooner or later, he would have to do something of the sort.
He was glad that he had chosen a young lady of good family, with a generous dowry, a kind disposition, and a sincere affection for Georgiana.
At the same time, however, he knew that she lacked both spirit and personality.
What would it be like to kiss a woman such as Lady Claire, who inspired nothing in him beyond friendship?
Elizabeth stood gazing at the evening sun reflected upon the lake.
It was such a breathtaking sight that it made her want to sing.
She gathered a few wildflowers and, singing softly to herself, began to make her way back to the parsonage.
It would soon be time for dinner, and she did not wish to be late.
When Mr Darcy first heard the beautiful voice, he thought he was dreaming. He looked towards the lake and saw Elizabeth bathed in the colours of the setting sun, singing and smiling. She looked like a woodland goddess, as beautiful and as irresistible as ever.
Before he realised it, he was standing before her.
Smiling, he asked, "Miss Bennet, what are you doing here?"
Elizabeth turned and could scarcely believe her eyes.
"Mr Darcy, I think I could ask you the very same question."
She answered with evident exasperation. At the same time, Mr Darcy was certain that she was just as thrilled by their unexpected meeting as he was.