by Kay Bea
Finally Elizabeth remarked, “Mr Bingley’s call today was most unexpected.”
“But not unwelcome, I think,” Darcy answered with his usual aplomb.
“It would not seem so. I believe we have you to thank for this, sir.” Elizabeth kept her eyes resolutely on Georgiana and the children feeding the geese but gestured towards her sister and Bingley.
“It was my error to correct. I sent for him immediately upon arrival at Darcy House yesterday. I confessed all and informed him of my plans to call here today.”
“I believe your actions will greatly improve the atmosphere in the household. My sister’s countenance is lighter already.”
“If I am to be honest, Miss Elizabeth, it is not your sister’s countenance I was thinking of at the time.” Darcy risked a small sideways glance at his companion and was rewarded with a most becoming blossom of colour across her cheeks.
Elizabeth shook her head but made no reply. Having noticed the movement, Darcy asked, “Have I displeased you?”
“It is not that. It seems that I am still trying to comprehend you.”
“And what have you learned?” Darcy was not entirely certain he wished to know the answer but too much had been risked and almost lost due to their misunderstandings.
The words came tumbling from her lips. “I confess, Mr Darcy, as to seeing so many different aspects of your character that I cannot make you out at all. You puzzle me exceedingly. Are you the gentleman of Meryton and Hertfordshire who alienated the entire community with his proud manners, the man who dismissed me as only tolerable? Or are you the impassioned lover of Hunsford Parsonage, who was so consumed by his own desire, so assured of his acceptance that he never considered his feelings might be unrequited? Are you the kind and amiable gentleman who was all ease and friendliness on the journey to London, the gentleman who has been so considerate of my family, my relations whom you previously made perfectly clear were beneath your notice? Truly, I cannot make you out at all. Who are you, Mr Darcy?”
Shocked at the outpouring of such frankness, Darcy took several moments to form an answer. “First, allow me to apologise for the remark I made the night of the Meryton assembly. Not only were my words unjust, it was reprehensible to speak such sentiments aloud. I admit I was in a foul temper that evening and did not wish to attend. However, remaining behind would have been even less appealing.”
Elizabeth replied with a small smile. “It was that remark, you know, that set me against you. Now you must think me ridiculously vain to allow such a small thing to incite my prejudice.”
Darcy shook his head. “I cannot think of you ever as ridiculous. I must admit, though, that I am surprised to learn of your great offense. Of course, I had not thought you heard me, but even so, I recall your laughter as you walked away that evening.”
“I could hardly do otherwise and remain in company, Mr Darcy. Although I prefer to think of myself as a rational creature, I will confess you could not have chosen a more well-formed insult had you intended it. My earliest memory of my mama is hearing her say I would never be considered pretty. It is worse for poor Mary. After she was born, my mother changed her insult to say I would ‘never be considered pretty but at least would always be more handsome than Mary.’ The night of the assembly she came into our room, pronounced Jane to be all that is perfection, turned her eyes to me and said, ‘I suppose you will not embarrass your sisters.’ So, you see, Mr Darcy, I am afraid I was determined to see you well and truly punished for proving my mother to be correct.”
“Your mother is mistaken, Miss Elizabeth. To my eyes, you grow more handsome with every meeting.”
Elizabeth blushed, and there was a long silence as each of them considered the words that had been spoken. Darcy was the first to resume the conversation. “Now I must answer your earlier question. I am, in truth, all the men you described. I have been a selfish being all my life, in practice though not in principle. As a child I was taught what was right, but I was not taught to correct my temper. I was given good principles but left to follow them in pride and conceit. Unfortunately, an only son—and for many years an only child—I was spoilt by my parents, who, though good themselves, encouraged me to care for none beyond my own family circle. Such I was, from eight to eight and twenty; and such I might still have been but for you.”
Any response Elizabeth might have made was interrupted by the sudden presence of her three young cousins. Having left the confines of nursery and home, the Gardiner children were exuberant in their play. The children particularly enjoyed playing with their cousin and grew tired of waiting for her to join them. The boys grasped Elizabeth by each hand and pulled her enthusiastically towards the water, chattering ceaselessly and begging her assistance in catching frogs. Young Susannah had likewise tugged at Darcy’s hand. He bent down to the little girl’s level, and she whispered something in his ear.
He then nodded most solemnly and turned to Elizabeth. “I am afraid I must abandon you, Miss Elizabeth, for this fair maiden has claimed my hand, and my honour demands that I attend to her at once.” Then, with a flourish and a bow, he looked to Susannah and gestured her forward. Helpless against the boundless joy of her young cousins, Elizabeth chanced to look up at Darcy. Whatever Elizabeth had expected of their outing, it was not the sight of the fastidious Mr Darcy chasing her cousin through the park. She flashed him a brilliant smile, shrugged, and chased after the boys without another thought for propriety. She reached her destination in time to see Darcy catching Susannah up in his arms and swinging her in a wide arc before and leading her to a gaggle of hungry geese.
Miss Darcy joined her at the water’s edge. She smiled softly in the direction of her brother and said, “That is how my brother was with me when I was a child. He could not often play with me, but when he did, it was like that.”
“I cannot imagine growing up without other girls. My sisters and I were forever teasing and chasing one another and driving my mother to distraction.”
Mr Darcy soon joined them, followed by Jane and Bingley, and the group stood in amiable conversation for some time, watching the children play.
On returning to the Gardiner residence, the Darcy party took their leave but not before Darcy invited the Gardiners and the Miss Bennets to join them for dinner in two days’ time. The invitation was graciously accepted, and Darcy offered to send his carriage.
Elizabeth, for her part, was astonished at the invitation. She wondered what he could possibly mean by it. Could Jane be correct? Could he still love her? He had been silent when he first called at Gracechurch Street, but that was only in the beginning. Once he became comfortable in the room, he was all openness and friendliness. While standing with her in the park, he had again been silent until she ventured to speak, then he had made himself vulnerable with his honesty. And to entertain Susannah as he might have his own sister in her childhood? Vexing man! So caught up was Elizabeth in her thoughts that she nearly missed out on her sister’s happiness, for Bingley had a request of his own.
“Miss Bennet, I should very much like—that is, may I call on you tomorrow?”
Jane turned crimson but raised her eyes to meet his. “Yes, Mr Bingley. I should like that very much.”
“Excellent, I shall see you tomorrow then. Good afternoon.”
Elizabeth smiled, worried for the state of Mr Bingley’s gloves as it seemed he could not cease twisting them in his hands.
The following afternoon found the Bennet sisters excitedly preparing for an evening of Shakespeare with the Gardiners. The lone upstairs maid was assisting Mrs Gardiner, so the sisters found themselves able to have a private conversation as they helped each other with buttons, lacings, and hairpins.
“I am glad to see you happy,” Elizabeth said as she noticed that Jane’s eyes had a wistful look and the faint pink that began with Bingley’s call earlier in the day was spreading over her cheeks.
“Oh, Lizzy, I do not dare to hope. But I cannot help it. I thought I would be able to think on him
as only an indifferent acquaintance, but”—Jane sighed deeply—"I cannot. I am still in love with him. I believe he loves me as well, though he has not yet declared himself.”
“Of course, he is in love with you! It is evident in his every look. I think he was almost uncivil to everyone else in the room for his inability to look away from you.”
“Do not tease me!”
“I am not teasing you. I am perfectly serious. I shall be surprised if, well, I shall say no more on that for I do not wish to sound like my mother. But I am happy for you. I do fear for the reaction of his sisters, though. Surely they are not any happier now than they were in November?”
“No, they are not. We spoke today of his leaving last autumn. He confessed to being influenced by his friend and sisters. He owned he has learnt a good deal about himself and will not be so easily led in the future. Mr Darcy, he has forgiven, as have I. He might have been willing to forgive his sisters as well, but any time he has mentioned returning to Hertfordshire, they have been no less violent in their opposition than they had been before. Now that he can also charge them with wilfully keeping us apart, he has even greater cause to be angry with them. I do not wish to be the source of distress in his family, but I find I do not feel badly that Miss Bingley is to spend an entire Season with her aunt in Scarborough, and the Hursts have found themselves without an invitation to his townhouse.”
“Why, Jane, that is the most unkind thing I have ever heard you say. I am proud of you.” Elizabeth smiled and took her place at the dressing table.
Jane changed the subject. “Do you think that we shall see your Mr Darcy at the theatre tonight?” Jane asked as she began to arrange Elizabeth’s curls.
“He is not my Mr Darcy, and I do not know if we shall see him or not. I know he enjoys the theatre, but whether he shall choose this production I cannot say. We did not discuss the particulars of our plans with him.”
Seeing Jane’s raised eyebrows, Elizabeth continued. “Truly, Jane, we do not have an understanding. I will confess that I am beginning to better comprehend his nature, and I do not find him at all disagreeable.”
It was Jane who nearly laughed then, and Elizabeth could not understand it. “What have I said? Do I have something odd in my hair?”
“No, sister.” Jane smiled. “It is only that your description of his character reminded me of his slight at the assembly. I wonder, do you suppose that he is not amiable enough to tempt you?”
Elizabeth laughed at this portrait of herself, “Oh, ’tis a dreadful failing to sound so much like the implacable man from the assembly that night. I shall have to reform myself immediately and say that I do like Mr Darcy, though I harbour no hope of ever regaining his particular regard.”
“Elizabeth Bennet, you are blind if you cannot see that man loves you!”
“He cannot. Not after—”
“Oh, for goodness sake, do not speak again of the events in Hunsford! You are being excessively obstinate and I dare say even irrational for reasons I cannot comprehend. Why would a man who did not care for you seek out your company after such a refusal? Does it not speak of his regard that he would introduce you to his sister, then bring you to the same relatives you say he so recently disdained, call on them, and invite them to dinner?” Elizabeth could see that Jane’s confidence was rising as she felt the security of her situation with Bingley, and she was torn between pride in her sister’s newfound assurance and exasperation at being its target.
As Mr Gardiner decried the lateness of the hour, the ladies of the house were at long last ready, the carriage was called, and the family departed for the evening’s entertainment.
Darcy was exercising every bit of his considerable willpower to avoid offending the current Duke of Avondale. His Grace was engaged in a long-winded recounting of the current goings on in the House of Lords.
Darcy suspected the duke’s true motive was to orchestrate an introduction to his granddaughter. Though the Avondale family title was ancient, its fortune was nearly depleted. The Darcy fortune would do much to restore the dukedom. That the granddaughter was not to make her curtsey until next Season seemed to disturb no one other than Darcy. The duke’s obvious desperation reminded Darcy in no small way of Mrs Bennet’s putting all her daughters out too young, and he determined he might have to reconsider his opinion of some of that lady’s actions.
It was Darcy’s usual habit to arrive at the theatre early, go directly to his box, and then enjoy the performance either alone or in the exclusive company of his invited guests. In truth, he cared little for the opinion of society and detested the entire spectacle of seeing and making oneself seen by the ton. His preferred early arrival also assured he might avoid distasteful conversations such as the one from which he was currently attempting to extricate himself.
He had especially wished to arrive early tonight so that he might improve his chances of spying Elizabeth and her family should they choose this evening to attend as he suspected they might. However, he had been delayed by an unexpected but not unwelcome visit from his cousin Richard. The colonel was giving serious consideration to resigning his commission. Richard had not known civilian life for many years and was seeking Darcy’s advice. The visit was not short, and nothing was resolved, but both men felt progress had been made by the time it was complete. When Darcy was at last compelled to leave for the evening, Richard declined his invitation to join. Happy as the reason for the delay may have been, the result was that Darcy now found himself in an untenable situation with no foreseeable means of escape.
His awkward interlude with the duke was only the latest in what had been a thoroughly tedious evening, and he was beginning to heartily wish he had thought to invite the Gardiner party during his previous call. Already he had been introduced to four new-to-society young ladies. All of them were perfectly lovely, perfectly accomplished, and, to a mind filled only with Elizabeth, perfectly forgettable. None could converse on any topic other than the weather, their gowns, or the last ball they attended. Two of them seemed nearly to faint upon introduction, and all their parents were entirely too interested in determining the true size and nature of his estate and income.
As he was beginning to believe the evening could not get more uncomfortable, Darcy thought he saw the face he had sought near the entrance. At once, he excused himself and moved to intercept the party but was inhibited by the crush of people. His frustration mounted as he navigated the throng and eventually lost sight of her dark head. He was jostled on all sides as people made their way to their seats or their friends. When he had nearly reached the entrance, he stopped to look over the crowd in hopes of once again spotting his lady and her party. He could not locate them and decided he would go to his box. From there, he could search for them during the performance, then invite them to join him during the intermission. He was going that direction when a red-faced man strode past him and knocked an unsuspecting lady into his path.
His hands automatically reached to catch the young woman’s arm before she could fall. In such a crowd, he knew the lady’s mortification would be complete and he could not wish for anyone to become the subject of so much unwanted attention.
It was but a moment before he realised the lady in his arms was Miss Elizabeth Bennet. He was suddenly, and not uncomfortably, aware of the warmth of her arm against his palm, and he watched a delicate pink rise from her neck to stain her cheeks. Her eyes went wide, and he felt her pulse accelerate under his fingers.
He had not released her elbow and was entranced by her scent, her magnificent eyes, and her slightly parted lips. He was, in that moment, entirely lost. “Miss Elizabeth.”
“Mr Darcy.” Elizabeth’s voice was a breath. “I had not anticipated the pleasure of seeing you this evening.”
“I confess I came in the hope I would find you here. I had intended to ask after your plans when I called but was pleasantly distracted.”
Mr Gardiner cleared his throat and gave a subtle nod to Mr Darcy’s hand, which was still re
sting on Elizabeth’s elbow. Darcy drew away and seemed at a loss as to what he should say or do in the next moment. Elizabeth said quickly, “Perhaps then we should thank the gentleman who exited with such haste. Else we might have missed one another in this crush.”
“Should I ever discover his name, I shall do that, though I did have another purpose for seeking you out,” Darcy replied before giving his attention to the rest of her party. “Mr and Mrs Gardiner, Miss Bennet, might I persuade you to join me in my box this evening? We are to be joined by another who would also welcome your company. Mr Bingley is to arrive soon.”
Mrs Gardiner regarded her husband and indicated her approval of the scheme with a barely perceptible nod of her head.
“It appears, Mr Darcy, that your offer will make all of my ladies happy, and I am therefore obliged to accept,” Mr Gardiner replied.
“There you are, Dar—Miss Bennet! This is a surprise!” Bingley bowed and graced his lady’s hand with a kiss that brought roses to her cheeks. He did at last remember to greet the rest of the party, and it was soon decided they would be the happiest, the most well-entertained, and most content patrons of the theatre for the evening. “But what a dreadful muddle getting in here tonight. They are saying outside that something happened with Somersby.”
“Then it is to Somersby we owe the redemption of this night, Bingley. His misfortunes led to my discovery of our guests for the evening.” Darcy gestured to the Gardiner party.
As they approached the Darcy box, the first test of their felicity was presented in the form of Caroline Bingley, accompanied by Mr and Mrs Hurst for one last London entertainment before her banishment to the uncivilised environs of Scarborough.
“Why, Mr Darcy,” Miss Bingley gushed on espying them, “we had no idea you would be here this evening!” This she said with a pointed look of disgust at her brother. “What a merry party we shall make!”
