Mr. Darcy Came to Dinner (18 page)

But what of their conversations at Netherfield? He treated her as he treated no other woman in his life. He tried to be careful, tried not to raise expectations, but he could not help himself. He listened to her, debated her, and laughed with her.

Darcy reconsidered Miss Elizabeth’s actions. Perhaps she was laughing
at
him.

“Mr. Darcy has done nothing but impress me with his conceit and selfish disdain for the feelings of others,”
she had said. How could he have done that?

Snippets of conversations with Miss Elizabeth returned to him — of dances refused, of accomplishments of women, of implacability of temper, of whether pride could be held under good regulation.

“Your defect is a propensity to hate everybody,”
she had said. Had she really believed that about him?

Apparently she did.

Oh, good God!

Darcy fell into a temper, a debate raging in his mind. Justifications for his actions and conduct warred with the reality that the
perception
of his character by the one woman in the world he wanted to impress was unfavorable. His headache only added to his misery.

It was during this silent struggle that Darcy’s solitude was broken by Miss Mary Bennet. She entered the room with a sheaf of music under one arm, obviously intending to practice upon the pianoforte in the corner. She started at Mr. Darcy’s presence.

“Oh, you are out of your room! I did not know you could — pray, excuse me. I shall practice another time.” While her words were all that was correct and polite, her tone was not. She was disappointed and peeved at the hindering of her intended activity.

Darcy heard the unpleasantness in her voice, and his initial inclination was to thank her for leaving, but just then Miss Elizabeth’s words returned to haunt him.
“Conceit and selfish disdain for the feelings of others.”

Is that what you believe, Elizabeth, my fine country beauty? Well, we shall see about that!

“No, Miss Mary, do not leave, please,” he said kindly. “This is your house, and you obviously look forward to your time with the instrument. I am the guest here. Pray, come and practice. I hope my presence does not disturb you.”

Mary looked askew at Darcy, her expression clearly saying that she was surprised at his statement. She paused for a moment and then slowly made her way across the room to the pianoforte. She sat down, ruffled through her music for a selection, and proceeded to play.

Almost at once, Darcy regretted his gallantry. Mary had selected a ponderous religious canticle, and unfortunately for Darcy’s ears, the chord changes were beyond the lady’s talents. What was worse, Miss Mary thought she could improve her performance by attacking the keyboard. Gritting his teeth, he tried to suffer through her recital, but the loud poundings from both the pianoforte and his head were too much for him.

Mary must have noticed his discomfort, for the music ended abruptly, her face flushed in mortification.

“It is apparent you are not enjoying yourself, sir. I think it best that I leave.”

Darcy was determined to prove Miss Elizabeth wrong. He would be a pleasant gentleman, no matter how it hurt. “I am afraid I must admit to a headache. I regret that such a . . . passionate . . . performance is more than I can bear at present.”

“I am very sorry,” she mumbled, her eyes watering.

“But stay, I beg you,” continued he. “I am sure that music is just the thing I need to soothe my head. Perhaps something lighter and softer?”
Please!

“Are you certain?”

“Yes. My sister’s playing has had just that effect, and I suspect yours will, too.”

Mary frowned, doubt written on her face, but she dutifully searched through the music before her. “Here is a lullaby that might serve.”

The room was soon filled with a light and cheery air, played at a soft volume, and to Darcy’s surprise, the pain in his head did lessen somewhat. He sat back in the armchair, the sounds washing over him, and felt rather pleased with himself.

The music done, Mary asked with trepidation, “Is your head any better, sir?”

“Indeed it is,” Darcy answered truthfully. “You played that piece beautifully.”

“You . . . you
liked
it?” It was apparent that Mary did not hear much praise for her playing.

“Yes. Would it be too much to ask for another?”

Mary’s eyes opened in astonishment before a bright smile broke out. It made her look rather pretty, Darcy considered. The girl immediately searched the pages for another lullaby, eager to fulfill her audience’s request.

As she bent to her music, Darcy surreptitiously observed the young lady. Her eager desire for approval was much like Georgiana, he saw, although her talents were not of the same caliber. But, did not Georgiana practice constantly, and had she not the benefit of music masters? Mrs. Annesley aided his sister in her studies of languages, art, and music, as well as serving as her companion. This poor girl lacked his sister’s advantages. How much might Miss Mary improve with help? Darcy lightly applauded at the conclusion of the song.

“You liked it, too?” Mary clasped her hands together in elation. “Oh, I am so glad!”

“I did. You enjoy playing very much, I see.”

“I do, but I do not receive many requests to continue.” Mary looked at him with big, watery eyes. “You are the first.” Her lip trembled.

His heart breaking, Darcy replied, “I am honored to be the first of many, I expect.”

Mary made a sound half-way between a sob and a giggle. “Would you like another song? I am not tiring you?”

Darcy smiled. “I am at your disposal.”

Mary took a breath to collect herself and had just begun playing when they were interrupted by Mrs. Bennet and, to Darcy’s surprise, Georgiana.

“There you are, Mr. Darcy!” Mrs. Bennet cried. “Who is that playing? Mary? My goodness child, why are you bothering Mr. Darcy?”

Darcy interjected before Mary could take offence. “I have enjoyed the concert very much. Georgiana, welcome!”

“Brother, I am so happy to see you up and about.” Georgiana had a mysterious twinkle in her eye as she gave Darcy a kiss on the cheek. “Miss Mary, please do not stop. That song was very pretty.”

“I thank you, but surely you wish to spend some time with your brother.”

“I shall — after my trunk has been unpacked.”

Darcy’s ears pricked up. “I beg your pardon?”

“Your room is all ready,” Mrs. Bennet gushed. “Mrs. Hill had the staff clean the guest room from top to bottom after that unpleasant Mr. Collins quit it. You and your companion shall be as comfortable in there as any room in all of Hertfordshire, I declare!”

Georgiana smiled. “I am sure of it. Thank you for all you have done.”

“I beg your pardon?” Darcy repeated sharply.

Mary brightened. “Are you staying at Longbourn, Miss Darcy?”

“Yes!” said the heiress. “Perhaps we may play the pianoforte together. My companion, Mrs. Annesley, will be coming soon. Would you care to join me for my music lessons?”

Mary was beside herself. “What a wonderful idea!”

Darcy lost his composure. “Will someone please tell me what is going on?”

“You do not need to raise your voice,” Georgiana scolded him. “Now that Mr. Collins has left Longbourn, there is a room available for me. Mrs. Bennet was kind enough to agree to house both Mrs. Annesley and me while you are convalescing.”

“But . . . but Netherfield — ”

His sister cut him off firmly. “Netherfield is too far away for me to take proper care of you. And I
shall
take care of you.”

“Is your companion without, Miss Darcy?” asked Mrs. Bennet.

“No, madam, but her letter said she should arrive in Hertfordshire this afternoon. Colonel Fitzwilliam will direct her to Longbourn when she reaches Netherfield.”

“Well, we will make her very welcome when she arrives!”

“Georgiana, I really must protest — ”

Georgiana would not hear his objections. “It is quite useless, Fitzwilliam; I am decided.” She turned to Mrs. Bennet. “May I see the room now?”

“Of course, of course! Right this way. Mary, attend us. Good day, Mr. Darcy. Hill! Oh, Hill! Miss Darcy is here! See that her things are brought upstairs. Hill, where are you?”

A moment later, a bewildered Darcy found himself all alone in the sitting room. He did not like his will overruled, but he had to be thankful that his injury had reignited Georgiana’s confidence. It had reignited his headache as well.

It seems you were wrong, Elizabeth,
he mused.
If I am such an overbearing ogre, how is it that I have lost control?

* * *

Charlotte enjoyed meeting the calf, and the distraction gave Elizabeth time to reconsider her conversation with her friend. To her shame, she knew she had been unfair to Mr. Darcy. Yes, he had been overbearing at times, but he was in pain — because of
her
carelessness, she reminded herself. She also recalled that she was a less than compliant patient when she was ill.

To give Mr. Darcy his due, he had been kind to her mother and sisters, and he had been very good to the servants. She wished Mr. Darcy would treat her father better, but Mr. Bennet had been very difficult of late. Elizabeth was still concerned over the issue of buying Mr. Wickham’s debts, but after further contemplation, she realized that no one could force her father to spend funds if he was unwilling. If Mr. Bennet had participated in helping the merchants of Meryton, she expected her father thought he could afford it.

Surpassing all else, the service he had rendered in protecting her from Mr. Collins was so great as to make her now feel ashamed of her slights against Mr. Darcy’s character.

She confessed all to Charlotte, and even though they still disagreed as to Mr. Darcy’s opinion in regard to herself, Elizabeth parted from her friend with a relieved conscience and a resolve to treat Mr. Darcy better.

Elizabeth re-entered Longbourn in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Miss Darcy’s surprising arrival. She was thankful to have the opportunity to spend more time with Miss Darcy; she felt that many of the answers to the mystery of her brother lay with the young lady.

But Mr. Bennet watched the proceedings grimly. “Well, Lizzy, what say you to this turn of events?”

“I am sure Mr. Darcy will be pleased to enjoy more of his sister’s company.”

“Of course. But it falls to me to have two more mouths to feed. Yes —
two
more. Miss Darcy’s companion is to join us before the day is done. Mr. Darcy’s misadventure is becoming more expensive by the day.” With that, Mr. Bennet retired to his book room.

Elizabeth blanched. While the Bennets were far from destitute, surely her father would feel the additional expense. Her inattention had cost her father a great deal of money, she reflected with remorse. She decided not to bring up the subject of Mr. Wickham’s debts.

All of Elizabeth’s sisters greeted their new guest warmly, save Lydia. With the news of Wickham’s fall from grace, which she alone bemoaned, and wary of offending the heiress again, Lydia gave the girl a wide berth and remained uncharacteristically silent when in the same room. Lydia’s pouting face was an embarrassment to Elizabeth, but Miss Darcy showed her good breeding and pretended not to notice.

Every moment Elizabeth spent in the young lady’s company raised her opinion of Mr. Darcy’s sister. She was good natured and unpretentious, and the initial shyness displayed upon her introduction to the Longbourn family was much reduced. Miss Darcy was a wonderfully charming girl of sixteen and, unlike Lydia, had no intention of acting as if she were older. By the time tea was called, Elizabeth was well on her way to loving the girl as much as if she were a sister.

Tea brought several guests. Mr. Bingley came, to Jane’s understated delight, as did Colonel Fitzwilliam, which sent Kitty and Lydia into raptures. Miss Bingley and the Hursts were also in attendance, which pleased no one. They did not hide their surprise and disapprobation of Miss Darcy’s removal to Longbourn, and only the colonel’s enthusiastic endorsement of his ward’s actions stopped their subtle disparagement of the scheme.

There was also a new addition to the party: Mrs. Annesley, Miss Darcy’s companion, had arrived from Town. She was a stately woman of a certain age, well versed in manners and conversation. Both Darcys were pleased to see her, but Elizabeth was surprised at Mary’s reaction. Seldom had her pious and withdrawn sister seemed so happy to make a new acquaintance. Elizabeth could only wonder at it.

Still feeling guilty for her unfortunate conversation with Charlotte about Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth endeavored to atone for her lapse in good manners. She made every attempt to pay the gentleman particular attention. She tried to engage him in conversation, kept her witty observations to herself, and smiled more than usual.

However, she was less successful than she hoped. While Mr. Darcy accepted her attentions with civility, Elizabeth could do nothing to arouse his interest. He seemed essentially as he was when he first came to Hertfordshire — coldly polite and saying only the bare minimum before falling silent. Having enjoyed his more pleasant behavior over the last few days, the lady was vexed to see him go back to his taciturn ways.