Chapter 23 #5
Mr Darcy looked at her and smiled. The thought filled him with both hope and apprehension.
With the support of the Sinclair family, Elizabeth would undoubtedly be welcomed into London society.
A lady as lovely and amiable as she was would soon attract many admirers, and he could not suppress a pang of jealousy.
“Miss Elizabeth...” He hesitated for a moment before gathering his courage. “When you return to London... would you permit my sister and me to call upon you here, at your aunt's house?”
Elizabeth smiled so warmly that, for a fleeting instant, Mr Darcy thought his heart might burst with happiness.
“Of course, Mr Darcy. I shall be delighted to receive you and your sister. In fact, my sisters are now such good friends with your sister. Georgiana is such a dear girl. So, yes, we would eagerly welcome you both.”
“Thank you, Miss Elizabeth. We shall look forward to your return with the greatest anticipation.”
As he spoke, and without anyone noticing, his fingers briefly brushed against her hand.
Elizabeth looked at him nervously but did not withdraw her hand.
Her heart fluttered, but she was not sure: was it just from the surprise of it all, or was she starting to enjoy his attention?
The latter choice did not now seem as unthinkable as it once did.
“You should also know, Mr Darcy, that your sister’s kind words about her older brother have helped me to realise that perhaps you are not so hopeless a cause as I had originally thought.
“Is that so?” grinned Mr Darcy, bemused.
“She speaks very highly of you,” said Elizabeth. “Clearly she loves her older brother very much.”
“Well, I am all that she has since our parents both passed,” said Mr Darcy modestly.
“Then it is all the more important that her older brother is a caring and considerate gentleman,” said Elizabeth softly and with respect.
“I have to admit I find that her praise makes you a very appealing match, Mr Darcy, very appealing indeed,” and with that she looked straight into his eyes, and he was instantly intimidated by her.
Her unexpected openness and praise had caught him utterly by surprise.
Her voice and those eyes, those blasted lovely, intelligent and thoughtful eyes, had allowed him to let his guard down inadvertently.
She had been so honest and open with her gaze; it was both intoxicating and terrifying.
Now it was his turn to blush.
Flustered, he managed to stammer as he looked away and said matter-of-factly, “Thank you, Miss Elizabeth, but I simply try to be a responsible and supportive older brother.”
He felt momentarily at war with himself; the Mr Darcy who was distant and aloof versus the Mr Darcy who wished nothing more than to share his every last thought with this sweet and enchanting woman and to hold nothing of himself back.
Elizabeth gasped ever so slightly and said quietly, “Modesty too. You continue to surprise me, Mr Darcy.”
Darcy only smiled by way of reply. He was temporarily at a loss in dealing with Elizabeth. He feared that he had met his match in this woman and that thought intrigued him greatly. Here was a woman who would never be a boring or trite companion. Here was a woman he could both adore and respect.
The remainder of the evening passed most pleasantly. Mr Darcy's heart was filled with hope for the future, and he was delighted to see Georgiana so happy in the company of her new friends.
Two days later, Elizabeth would leave for Hertfordshire, where the saddest event of her life awaited her.
◆◆◆
Mrs Bennet, Lydia, and Jane arrived at Longbourn towards the end of the afternoon.
Jane could not help noticing how unusually quiet her mother had been throughout the journey.
It was evident that something was troubling her.
At the same time, she became increasingly concerned about Lydia, whose behaviour grew more vulgar and ill-mannered with each passing day.
She and Elizabeth had agreed to speak to their father and beg him to do something to correct her.
Mr Andrews had even suggested that Lydia attend an excellent finishing school for young ladies, kindly offering to bear all the expenses himself.
As they were stepping out of the carriage, Mr Bennet appeared. Without so much as a greeting, he turned to his wife and demanded,
“Mrs Bennet, where is Elizabeth?”
Mrs Bennet answered in little more than a whisper.
“She remained in London with Eleanor. She is to return tomorrow with her and the rest of the family.”
Mr Bennet could scarcely contain his fury.
Without another word, he strode to his study, where he poured himself a generous glass of brandy and began planning what he would do when Eleanor confronted him.
He was now convinced that his sister knew the truth, though he had no idea that she had finally married the love of her life.
‘Damn you, Ella! I shall not allow you to fill my daughter's head with your foolish ideas. It seems I have no choice but to take drastic measures. Once you discover what I intend to do, we shall see whether you are still so eager to interfere in my affairs. Elizabeth is my daughter, and she shall remain by my side.’