Mr. Bennet interjected, “Darcy, really. Gardiner did not doubt your honour, he only wished to not affront your pride, which you have admitted you have.”
“But the reputation of your daughter—even your whole family’s—was at stake! Even had I not such an attachment to Miss Elizabeth, I could not have walked away!”
Elizabeth came toward him and placed her hand on his arm. “Please, it is all my fault. If only I had not been so prejudiced and unguarded in my writing. Can you ever forgive me for causing so many to believe the worst of you?”
“You at fault! No, no. It was my own actions that encouraged that belief.” Darcy sighed. “And it is my pride that is offended again as a result.”
Elizabeth smiled slyly. “Perhaps I will save your reputation again!”
Entirely forgetting Mr. Bennet’s presence he leaned in for a kiss, before hearing the older gentleman clear his throat.
“I must meet with Mrs. Bennet.” Looking at his daughter and Darcy he admonished, “Do not tarry long.”
*****
In Mrs. Bennet’s chambers, Mr. Bennet found his wife staring off into space.
“Fanny?”
“Oh, Thomas! An earl and countess? Here? The girls! Can they behave?”
“Do you not believe they have learned much in the last fortnight? We have no reason to believe Darcy’s family is hateful; they surely cannot expect much from the match as they have never heard of us before. Now, let us use our Bennet pride to some good. We will not be put down by anyone, but we can acknowledge when one is of superior rank. More than that, Kitty and Lydia will not be able to participate in all the adult functions as they are no longer considered out. Besides, Darcy is not changing his mind.”
“I must meet with Hill and call on Lady Lucas. Oh, dear. How many are coming? I am certain Bingley will host us at Netherfield some, but the first dinner must be here.”
Mr. Bennet smiled at his wife and left her to her tasks.
*****
Thursday, December 19, 1811
Netherfield
11 am
Bingley arose early as his sisters and brother were expected to arrive shortly after breakfast. He had already seen to it all, with the help of Darcy and Georgiana. The rooms were ready for their guests, but he knew Caroline would desire to look things over as well. Although usually, given to sleeping late, he knew Caroline would arrive on time for hosting the Fitzwilliams. They were all invited to dinner at Longbourn.
“Charles! How could you allow this to happen?” Caroline cried as soon as she saw her brother.
“Keep your voice down!”
“I simply do not understand it. Darcy was more than happy to leave the area when we departed and he fervently agreed with me on the matter of the Bennets, and yet only a few days later he returned and I hear in Town he was engaged to Eliza all that time? Why would he conceal the engagement? It is so unlike him to lie, or even omit things!”
Bingley was growing nervous. Who knew what Caroline would concoct to explain this discrepancy or when she might voice it?
“Have you never wanted to veil your true opinion of things? Perhaps affection for someone? We all know you never had romantic feelings for Darcy.” Caroline blushed, and Bingley continued, “I hope you had a pleasant drive, but I do believe Mrs. Clark needs your help in the blue room.”
“Oh! Why did you not say so earlier? All must be well for the Co…the Countess!”
She scurried off and Bingley released a sigh, before finding Darcy to apprise him of his concerns.
He found his friend in the library.
“Darcy, I need to speak with you.”
“Very well.”
“Did you and Lizzy discuss how to present your engagement?”
“I proposed the night of the ball and left for London to settle matters.”
“That is all very well, but Caroline has determined that it makes no sense for you to conceal your attachment from her.”
“I suppose the notion that I simply did not wish to hear her vitriol would not cross her mind?”
“No, and I daresay you cannot respectfully say that to her face.”
Darcy sighed, and Bingley understood it all. Darcy hated fake civility and had certainly needed to use it constantly on Caroline. Bingley continued his point. “I worry what reason Caroline has formed in her own mind, and what she may say to others. We cannot rely on her to be guarded in her statements.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, the correspondence is known here and, if there is no reason to think that you were not engaged when they were sent, then it is of no concern. But I fear she will imply the engagement happened due to scandal.”
Darcy scoffed. “First of all, she was much more aware than Elizabeth was of my admiration. Secondly, I doubt she is foolish enough to question my honour to my face or in front of my noble relatives. Lastly, my uncle brings Arlington with him. She will be far too distracted with a viscount to worry about me at all.”
“You do sound confident. Do you really think you can understand her better than me?”
“Charles, I do not mean to insult you or your sister, but the only way I have tolerated her so well all these years is precisely by understanding her and knowing what to say to have some peace. I could almost feel sorry for my cousin, but he can fight for himself. Besides, Miss Bingley is not so terrible. I daresay she is not very different than me, she is quite aware of her duty to the family to marry well. Perhaps one day she will, like me, learn that affection is superior to consequence.”
“Well, then I will have no worries.”
“Come, let us prepare for the afternoon. When do you announce your engagement to Jane?”
“She has asked to inform my sisters.”
Darcy raised his eyebrows, and the two friends laughed and readied themselves for all the pomp and circumstance Miss Bingley would roll out for the arrival of Darcy’s family.
Chapter Ten
Thursday, December 19, 1811
Longbourn
At five o’clock the entire Netherfield party arrived at Longbourn, nearly bursting it at the seams. Elizabeth sat nervously in the drawing room as Darcy introduced his family.
“May I introduce my uncle, Lord Robert Fitzwilliam and his wife, Lady Eleanor Fitzwilliam? Aunt, Uncle this is Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bennet and their daughters Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Catherine and Lydia.”
He paused to allow Mr. Bennet to speak. “We are very pleased to meet you and honoured to have you in our home. Allow me to introduce my wife’s brother and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Gardiner of London.”
Elizabeth held her breath, fearing looks of disdain from Darcy’s family towards her London relations, but they all looked pleased to make the acquaintance.
Darcy spoke with surprising civility to the Gardiners, despite his earlier affront at the letter, and then spoke again to the whole room. “Allow me to also present my cousins: Joseph, the Viscount Arlington, Richard, a colonel in the royal Horse Guards Blue, Lady Emilia and Lady Alice Fitzwilliam and Anne, the daughter of Lady Catherine de Bourgh.”
There was an awkward pause after the greetings but the earl burst forth. “I very much like this room, it is very comfortable!”
Everyone smiled and relaxed, breaking into small groups before dinner was announced. Elizabeth was surprised to see Caroline so easily gave up attending to Darcy in favour of the Viscount, but then it should not have surprised her if Caroline frequently cared for only the highest rank in the room. She had some kind of odd, teasing relationship with the Colonel frequently glancing in his direction while speaking with the brother. The Colonel, when not slyly insulting Caroline, was one of the most amiable gentlemen Elizabeth had ever met.
Georgiana, remarkably relaxed, was beneficial in easing the conversation between the younger Bennet girls and Anne, Alice and Emilia. Jane and Mrs. Gardiner easily conversed with Lady Fitzwilliam, and even Mrs. Bennet spoke calmly and rationally. Eventually the Viscount and Colonel broke a
way from the ladies to speak with the other men. Darcy was listening with keen interest to Mr. Gardiner on Lord Elgin’s latest acquisitions of ancient Greek marble, and Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief. Her betrothed seemed ready to befriend her uncle. Elizabeth was left, for the moment, with making conversation with Caroline and Louisa.
“Miss Eliza! I offer you congratulations on your engagement,” Caroline began.
“Thank you, Miss Bingley.”
“Such a superb match for you! I was rather surprised to hear the news, for Mr. Darcy hates deceit of any kind and yet he never mentioned the real reason he was so eager to part for London.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Perhaps, like understanding how to tease him, your intimacy has not yet taught you his reserved nature. You can certainly understand his desire to keep the engagement a secret, especially when he was uncertain how long his business might take.”
Louisa interjected then, “He and Charles were off very suddenly. I suppose he hated being away from you at all.”
Elizabeth smiled at the true compliment from Mrs. Hurst. “I assure you, it was keenly reciprocated.”
Caroline narrowed her eyes, clearly trying to find some kind of flaw in the argument, but Louisa spoke again. “It was very sly of him to have Charles stay with him so he could be off to Netherfield the instant he was available to return.”
“Oh, and Charles was able to spend so much time with dear Georgiana!” Caroline nodded to the girl and smiled in triumph.
“Yes, it must have been a relief to Mr. Bingley to experience the sisterly companionship Georgiana could give in your absence. I am very pleased to gain such a pleasant sister, but of course you know that joy as you are such dear friends with the one you are to gain.” Elizabeth glanced at Jane.
Caroline’s eyes widened in alarm and she looked to Jane.
Jane, having heard the pre-arranged cue, turned her attention to Caroline and Louisa. “Your brother has made me so happy! My joy is all the better as I know I am bringing pleasure to so many as well. For all my family wished for the match and now with two such dear friends, who have always showed me every attention, as sisters my life will be complete.”
Louisa stammered some kind of agreement. Caroline looked distressed for only a moment, but seemed to take the news with a fortitude Elizabeth did not expect.
“Happy am I that Charles found himself such an agreeable bride and one who is, as you say, such a dear friend. I can scarcely believe how fortunate I am.”
Jane leaned in closer. “I can see your concern, dear Caroline, but have no worries. Wherever I am mistress there will always be space for you. I could never treat you wrongly.”
Caroline gulped, but before she could say anything in response, dinner was announced and they all moved to the dining room. The Countess and Darcy were seated next to Elizabeth.
“I could not help hearing your conversation with Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst, and I must tell you how much I admire your subtlety,” Lady Fitzwilliam said to Elizabeth.
“Thank you, your ladyship.”
“It is plain for everyone to see how much my nephew cares for you.”
“I am pleased to hear it.”
“You are much more sly than he.”
“Do you mean to suggest I am too reserved in my admiration?” She nearly laughed at the idea that she could be like Jane.
“If he is convinced of it then it is quite enough for me; however, I have seen your relatives cast confused looks at you.”
Elizabeth allowed her eyes to find her aunt and uncle, who indeed were looking at her in perplexity, and she blushed. “They were surprised by the news of our engagement.”
“I like them very much. I would suppose it natural for them to wonder why a man in my nephew’s position would desire to marry a tradesman’s niece, but it is you they seem confused about. I daresay they find my nephew infinitely sensible to marry a lady with such beauty, intelligence and talents.”
Elizabeth took a sip of wine while she collected her thoughts. Lady Fitzwilliam spoke with kindness but a shrewdness she had not expected. “Thank you, your ladyship.”
She took a deep breath and decided on honesty. “Mr. Darcy and I had an unconventional courtship. He believed he owed a duty to his family to marry better, and so he concealed his admiration. I believed he disliked me and all my friends and family. I understand he was surprised by his feelings and, I assure you, so was I. We both masked what we believed was imprudent to feel, we acted accordingly, and spoke unguardedly to others about it. Miss Bingley likely has some stories of Mr. Darcy insulting my origins and, sadly, the whole of Meryton knows of my declared dislike.
“I was also free in expressing my feelings in my letters to my aunt and uncle, but was too embarrassed to write to them of my changed understanding of Mr. Darcy’s character and the enlightenment of my own admiration. It was only when Mr. Darcy declared himself, and I understood the true depth of his regard, that I was able to openly reveal my attachment. My Aunt and Uncle are simply very protective of me.”
“I am pleased to hear it and thank you for speaking so honestly. My nephew has had a false sense of duty about him. His education was not managed very well due to his parents’ death at an early age. He has frequently felt he must be irreproachable and has desired to live up to a very idealized version of his parents.”
Elizabeth let out a light laugh. “Forgive me, your ladyship. I was previously convinced your nephew and I were very much alike in many ways, but on this we could not be more different. My own parents never provoked that sentiment in me.”
Lady Fitzwilliam cocked her head and looked at Mr. Bennet and then his wife for a moment. “I believe I can understand how it might feel to a child, but I see two very affectionate parents. It is a parent’s prerogative to be embarrassing. Allow the Earl to have more than two glasses of port with the gentlemen, on top of this wine, and you shall see why Alice and Milly keep casting me worried looks.”
Elizabeth glanced at the parties mentioned and had to stifle her laugh. “Forgive me.”
“Nonsense, child. We all laugh over it. We must all have some folly in us.”
“Yes, your ladyship,” Elizabeth said smilingly brightly.
“Please, call me Aunt Eleanor.”
Elizabeth eagerly agreed and the rest of the meal passed, surprisingly, without incident. When the ladies withdrew, Darcy’s female cousins sidled next to Elizabeth to speak with her.
After some time, Alice blurted out, “When did you know you were in love with Darcy?”
“Alice!” Emilia chided.
“What? As if you do not wish to know?”
“Well…”
“We certainly do!” Lydia said, joining them, and Elizabeth looked up to see the entire room fixed on her.
Blushing profusely, Elizabeth mumbled incoherently at first. Seeing the confused looks the others gave her, she took a deep breath and tried again. “After one of our arguments, while explaining to myself all the deficiencies in his character, I had a sudden moment of clarity, an epiphany. I had attempted to make out Mr. Darcy’s character, but realized my own instead.”
Alice frowned. “That is not very romantic.”
Elizabeth laughed. “I am afraid I am not very romantic.”
“Well, then when did you fall in love with him?”
Elizabeth laughed again. “If it was a surprise to learn it then, how would I have known when it happened?” She shrugged her shoulders. “I can only say that I believe my heart knew his even before I understood my own.”
“Do you know when he fell in love with you?”
Elizabeth laughed. “I do not think I should say, for it would give you a very poor impression of him.”
“Tell!” Alice and Lydia cried together and even Caroline seemed intrigued.
“Well, I am convinced that he could only admire me for my impertinence. In my confused feelings and supposed dislike I treated him very badly, being both impertinent and argumentative, but he is so noble and
just he turned my faults around. It is reasonable to think that he was simply tired of those that flattered him, for there was no actual good in me at all.”
Elizabeth did not notice the men begin to filter in, or the glances of her audience, until she heard Darcy’s voice rather near. “Was there no good in your affectionate behaviour to Jane while she was ill at Netherfield?”
She startled for a moment but recovered quickly, “Dearest Jane! Who could have done less for her? But make a virtue of it by all means. My good qualities are under your protection, and you are to exaggerate them as much as possible; and, in return, it belongs to me to find occasions for teasing and quarrelling with you as often as may be; and I shall begin directly by asking you what made you so shy of me during all that time?”
“You certainly gave me no encouragement.”
“You might have encouraged me more. You never looked like you cared for me and you scarcely talked to me.”
“A man who had felt less, might.”
“How unlucky that you should have a reasonable answer to give, and that I should be so reasonable as to admit it!”
Smiling at Darcy, she heard her aunt ask the room, in general wonder, “Goodness Gracious! Are they always like this?”
Bingley laughed outright, but Caroline answered, with laughter in her voice. “Always! I daresay they border on incivility to the rest of us.”
“Could there be finer symptoms? Is not general incivility the very essence of love?” Colonel Fitzwilliam said while glancing at Caroline, who blushed.
Not perceiving his words could mean anything else, Elizabeth laughed. “It is true, Darling. It was always as though no one else existed when we would speak.” Belatedly she realized she used such an endearment in company but a quick glance around the room showed no one seemed shocked.
“And now you know why I could never be sociable with anyone else.”
Elizabeth scoffed in disbelief. “You were unsociable your first night in the country!”
Seven Days With Mr Darcy Page 19
