Chapter 21 #5
“Because I am an arrogant fool. Because, instead of trying to win her affection, all I did was conceal my own feelings. Because I believed no woman would ever reject me simply for being wealthy. I spent my whole life avoiding fortune hunters, yet I wanted the only woman I have ever loved to love me without regard to my fortune. Are you satisfied now, Fitzwilliam? You know everything. You may mock me as much as you please.”
“Will you not fight for her affection? Will you surrender so easily?”
“How can I compete with a national hero?” Mr Darcy asked bitterly.
“I do not know why you believe what our aunt told you. You know perfectly well how malicious she can be.”
“Did you not see Elizabeth embracing him? That must be why he was with her at the parsonage.”
Mr Darcy was beside himself. At times, he felt as though he might die of love and jealousy.
“Do not allow jealousy to cloud your judgement, Darcy.”
“Fitzwilliam, I do not wish to discuss this any further. Next week, I shall return to Pemberley and put all this behind me.”
Fortunately, Georgiana knocked at the door and entered the study, sparing Mr Darcy from having to continue such a painful conversation.
“Richard, will you still be here tomorrow, or must you return to your regiment?”
“I have a few more days' leave, and I intend to spend them with you. There is no other house where I could dine so well or enjoy such delightful company as yours, Georgie. I do not know if I can say the same about your brother; he is in a foul mood—an absolutely dreadful one.”
Richard continued teasing Mr Darcy for a little while longer, much to Georgiana's amusement, though she could not help worrying about her brother. It was plain that he was utterly despondent.
“Tomorrow, Lady Claire is coming to take tea with me. She thinks very highly of you, Richard, and I thought you might like to join us.”
“Of course I would. I should be delighted,” Richard replied rather too quickly, making Georgiana think that her efforts as a matchmaker might prove easier than she had expected.
“Claire was overjoyed for her uncle, and I can hardly wait to hear every detail of the wedding,” Georgiana explained.
“General Sinclair is getting married?” Mr Darcy asked in astonishment.
Richard looked at him with some concern before turning to Georgiana.
“Tell us more about the wedding.”
“The General was married this morning. By now, he and Lady Campbell—Mrs Sinclair now— are probably celebrating with their family. I believe they make a perfectly suited couple.”
“The general married Lady Campbell? Then he is Elizabeth's uncle. Now I understand everything, Fitzwilliam.”
Relief washed over Mr Darcy. His beloved Elizabeth was only the General's niece, which meant there was no understanding between them. Perhaps there was still hope. Perhaps he might yet earn General Sinclair's friendship and, one day, win Elizabeth's heart.
Sensing the remarkable change in Mr Darcy's spirits, Richard smiled.
“Georgiana, would you please favour us with a little music?”
“With pleasure.”
The cousins went to the music room, leaving Mr Darcy alone with his thoughts.
◆◆◆
The day before, after breakfasting with their three nieces and daughter, Eleanor and Marcus had departed on their honeymoon.
“They looked so happy! And the general is such a romantic; he absolutely adores Aunt Eleanor,” Kitty said with a sigh.
“I must admit that even I, who is not a romantic person at all, cannot help feeling moved when I see the way they look at one another and speak to each other,” Mary said with a smile. “But Aunt Eleanor deserves every wonderful thing that is happening in her life. She has been so kind to us all.”
“I agree, Mary. She and the General make a wonderful couple, and we are fortunate that they wish to have us in their lives,” Elizabeth added. “But we have another wedding to look forward to, between two people who are every bit as handsome and amiable,” she finished with a laugh.
“Do not tease me, Lizzy,” Jane replied, blushing as she smiled.
The four sisters were talking together in the drawing room at Eleanor's house. They had finished luncheon and were to leave for the museum with Captain Campbell in half an hour.
Elizabeth had not slept well during the past few nights.
Although she was immensely happy for her aunt and the General, she could not stop thinking about Mr Darcy.
That arrogant man—yet so handsome and intelligent—had confessed the ardent love he bore her and had wished to make her his wife despite the low opinion he held of her family.
Suddenly, the sisters' peaceful conversation was interrupted by the arrival of unexpected visitors.
“I cannot believe dull Aunt Eleanor has such a large house,” Lydia said dismissively.
“I wonder how many rooms it has. Let us stay here while we are in London. Oh, my dear daughters! Kitty, Mary, Jane, Lizzy—come and embrace your mother!” Mrs Bennet cried excitedly.
The four sisters were speechless, while Aunt Gardiner looked at them apologetically, as though begging their forgiveness for the interruption.