Mr. Darcy Came to Dinner (19 page)

Vexation soon turned into mortification when it quickly became apparent to Elizabeth that Mr. Darcy was only reserved with
her
. With everyone else, he was open and friendly. He complimented Jane on her dress, spent several minutes in conversation with Mary, and even laughed at one of Mrs. Bennet’s silly jokes! His contradictory behavior to
her
was so obvious that her mother sent Elizabeth a nervous, quizzical look, as if to ask what she had done to displease the gentleman.

Mr. Darcy was an enigma, Elizabeth concluded.

With so many talented ladies in the room, it followed that the instrument was opened and put to good use. Miss Darcy refused the opening honors, a post Miss Bingley filled with alacrity. Her performance was of a kind like those in the past — technically correct, but rather mechanical and cold. It was then Elizabeth’s turn, and her playing won approval from all — it was the only spark she could generate in Mr. Darcy’s eyes that evening.

Mary was delightfully surprising. Rather than some over-long dirge, her simple county tune was so well received that she was encouraged to play an encore. Never had Elizabeth seen Mary so happy. The strange thing was the affectionate look she sent to Mr. Darcy and the gentleman’s small smile in return. The exchange made Elizabeth wonder whether her plain sister was falling in love with their guest.

Finally, Miss Darcy was compelled to take to the pianoforte; Colonel Fitzwilliam attended to the turning of the music. The young girl played a beautiful song from Mozart’s
Don Giovanni
, singing in flawless Italian. Elizabeth listened with increasing delight to the song, her mind returning to a memory. Years ago, her uncle, Mr. Gardiner, had taken her to the opera to hear
Don Giovanni
, and Miss Darcy’s performance was the equal of the lead soprano.

Suddenly, Elizabeth realized something. Miss Darcy was not singing the lyrics phonically, as if they were musical notes as most ladies did when singing in something other than English. No, Miss Darcy was obviously fluent in Italian, and she performed the song as if she were a professional on the stage.

Miss Darcy is fluent in Italian
, she concluded,
and I dare say French and Spanish, too. I would not be surprised that her command of the Germanic languages is just as notable. If the library at Pemberley is half as grand as Miss Bingley alluded —

Oh, my goodness! Miss Darcy IS one of those half-dozen truly accomplished women of whom Mr. Darcy spoke! I mocked him, thinking he was exaggerating, but he was not. He was speaking of his sister!

Abashed at her foolishness, her eyes flew to Mr. Darcy. He was sitting happily, watching his sister with unmistakable pride and affection. She did not know whether he felt her eyes on him or it was just a coincidence, but in the next moment she was locked in his gaze. His look was searching, unreadable — and then it clouded over. He frowned, broke contact, and returned his attention to the performance.

Elizabeth’s heart sank. She was now certain that Mr. Darcy was displeased with her, and she knew not why.

Chapter 11

E
LIZABETH STOLE OUT OF
the house even earlier than was her custom. She had not slept well the night before and longed for the clarity of mind a long morning walk often afforded her.

Unfortunately, that lucidity eluded her. She could not understand Mr. Darcy’s sudden coldness towards her. Since his accident, the gentleman seemed . . .
gentle
in his dealings with her and her family. He treated the servants well, he won over her mother, and even serous Mary was taken with their guest. Only Mr. Bennet and Lydia proved impervious to his newly-displayed charm.

Mr. Darcy’s impassioned defense of her before Mr. Collins, now that she had time to think upon it, had given birth to new and strange thoughts. Mr. Darcy had declared himself champion of the Bennets, but only a lover would take a family with no advantageous connections under his protection. Did that mean . . . could that mean . . . ? Was Mr. Darcy in love with her?

Impossible! Mr. Darcy did not like her — she was sure of it! He was just being kind, was he not?

A realization came to Elizabeth. Perhaps Mr. Darcy made his assertion to Mr. Collins in stronger terms than he intended. Of course! Mr. Darcy had no intention of making her an offer of marriage, and his new reserve in regards to her was to make that clear to all. He knew that he had raised expectations and was trying to undo the damage by tamping down any false hopes he may had inadvertently created. Mr. Darcy was attempting to protect both their reputations, as a true gentleman should.

This new thought now settled in her mind, Elizabeth wondered why she was not content. She was still uneasy. Surely she was not . . .
disappointed
?

Of course not!

A rabbit skipped across the path, and Elizabeth surrendered to a sudden urge to follow. She made her way into some bushes that had not yet lost their leaves and crouched down to find the burrow, but she could find no sign of the hare. Giving up the search, she was about to stand and return to the lane, when she heard horses approaching. Elizabeth was embarrassed at her childish pursuit of the animal and decided to remain concealed.

The sound of Miss Bingley’s voice convinced Elizabeth that she had made the correct choice. She did not want to give the unpleasant snob any more reasons to disparage herself or her family. If Miss Bingley saw her climb out of the brush, Elizabeth was sure that she would never hear the end of the mocking. She sat down and waited for the riders to pass, for Miss Bingley had a companion.

This outcome was not what Elizabeth had hoped. Instead of continuing down the path, the riders turned just before her location and made their way through the underbrush into a pasture. They stopped, not ten feet away from Elizabeth’s position.

Now here was an unfortunate spot! Elizabeth was trapped; she could not move without giving away her location, and that would result in an awkward explanation. But she could clearly overhear the pair’s conversation from where she was hidden, and that was very rude.

There was nothing for it. Elizabeth accepted the lesser of two evils and sat as quietly as she could. She could only see parts of horses and not the riders, but the voices were clearly that of Miss Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam. The two were taking in the vista of the pastureland before them, the pale November morning sun painting the vast field of brown and gold.

“Are you enjoying your ride?” Elizabeth heard the colonel ask his companion.

“Yes!” Miss Bingley answered with more cheerful enthusiasm than Elizabeth had ever heard before from the lady. “The countryside can be
so
devoid of diversion, except for riding. This is a pretty prospect! There is something to be said for Netherfield, but little else. It is nothing to your home in Derbyshire, I am sure.” Her conversation was easy and pleasing.

“Yes, Matlock is more rugged, unforgiving — ha, and cold! The ground here is gentle and rolling. Not as pleasing to the eye, but kinder to the horses. Now, if you wish to ride in lush green fields, Kent is your place in springtime.”

“Your aunt lives in Kent, I recall. You must enjoy Rosings.”

“It is very easy to enjoy the place.” There was a pause. “To withstand the company there, however, requires fortitude.”

Miss Bingley giggled softly and then grew quiet. Elizabeth was puzzled and intrigued by this pleasant Caroline Bingley. She strained to put herself into a better position to see the pair without giving herself away. The lady spoke again.

“I believe it is time to return.” Her voice held a bit of an edge.

“If you wish,” returned the colonel carefully. “Have you appointments for the afternoon?”

“Of course — to visit with Miss Darcy! Surely, she must be rescued from the excruciating company she is suffering.” Miss Bingley’s voice had returned to her usual superior manner. Elizabeth relaxed; for a moment, she was apprehensive she had been wrong about Caroline, too.

“I do not think Georgiana finds caring for her brother excruciating,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said.

“That is not the company of which I speak. Oh, it is all well and good for dear Miss Darcy to so sacrifice her sensibilities in service to her brother, but really! It is such an uncultured, backward family with whom she is now forced to contend!”

Elizabeth seethed at Miss Bingley’s gross insult.

Miss Bingley continued on. “To be blunt, Colonel, I cannot see how you permitted your cousin to leave the refinement found at Netherfield and go to Longbourn and those country nobodies.”

Elizabeth did not know whether she had the strength to remain silent given the inducements to defend her family against such an ill-bred attack.

“Miss Bingley,” said Colonel Fitzwilliam evenly, “you should not speak so of your betters.”

Miss Bingley gasped. Elizabeth was shocked senseless. The colonel continued.

“Mr. Bennet is a landed gentleman of respectable reputation. He is not affluent and does not socialize in Town. That is unfortunate, true, but his daughters are gentle-born. The family is known to and approved by Mr. Darcy, Georgiana’s brother and head of their house. The Bennets are acceptable acquaintances for my ward.”

“But, but . . . ” Miss Bingley tried to defend herself. “Their manners, their lack of connections — ”

“Their connections are poor and their manners could be better, but the Bennets do not have to prove themselves. These deficits hurt their standing but do not eliminate it. It is a family of property.”

“Nevertheless — ”

“Miss Bingley, must I be blunt? Mr. Bennet did not come from trade.”

It was fortunate that Elizabeth was sitting down else her legs would have given way. She did not have to see Miss Bingley’s face to know it was awash in mortification.

“My dear Miss Bingley, the time has come for us to have a hard conversation. I speak to you as a friend. You must stop — you must withdraw — or you will ruin your reputation.”

“How dare you!”

“Do you think me blind? You only pay attention to Georgiana to please Darcy! You are wasting your time. I tell you now that the daughter of a tradesman shall never be mistress of Pemberley.”

Miss Bingley tried to speak, but instead she burst into sobs.

“Blast it!” cried Colonel Fitzwilliam. “Forgive my rough speech; I am too used to life in my tent.”

“You cruel, cruel man! Such hateful lies! I shall prove you wrong!”

The colonel spoke with more kindness. “Miss Bingley, you must be honest with yourself. It is not my cousin you desire but Pemberley and the connections in Town that come with it. Can you not see how ill-suited such a match would be for you? Darcy is quiet and reserved. He despises London society and balls and parties — everything you enjoy. He loves Pemberley and country living as much as he hates London. Even if you were gentle-born and acceptable to my cousin, you would be miserable. You would be locked up in Derbyshire, longing to be free. You would loathe such a life — and him, eventually.”

“Stop it! Stop it! I will hear no more!”

Fitzwilliam’s voice rose. “You will hear it all. You will hear the truth. I shall be a friend to you against your will. I tell you Darcy only sees you as the sister of his friend. But if he did admire you, he would do nothing, for you can never be acceptable. He is a gentleman, head of a distinguished family, with money in the funds. He has no need to marry a generous dowry, and all of London knows it. A gentleman’s daughter would be barely acceptable to the
ton
, and the expectations of his family are much higher. In such circumstances, a tradesman’s daughter would be despised and ignored by all, and Georgiana’s prospects would be damaged.

“These facts are obvious to everyone in London. Should you ignore my counsel, your character will be fixed by the
ton
as the most determined flirt that ever made herself and her family ridiculous. My dear girl, you
must
give up this quest, for his sake and yours.”

Miss Bingley’s sobs were redoubled, and she immediately urged her horse back to Netherfield. Elizabeth heard Colonel Fitzwilliam utter a rather colorful oath, which should have shocked her had she not already been astonished by the conversation she had overheard. The officer then urged his mount to follow, and Elizabeth now had her opportunity to escape. She had much to think of as she made her way back to Longbourn.

* * *

It was Georgiana’s idea to go out of doors after breakfast, and she would not be denied. So it was, after Hill and Bartholomew helped him into the Bath chair, that Darcy found himself again near the rose gardens of Longbourn, this time in the company of his sister and Mrs. Annesley. Darcy was unhappy with his sister, for in her intention to be kind — she well knew her brother enjoyed fresh air immensely — Georgiana had inadvertently reminded Darcy of his wretched experience of the day before.

Darcy had not slept well, brooding over Elizabeth’s behavior at tea and dinner. Had he not known better, he might have been deceived into thinking that he had improved Elizabeth’s opinion of him. She seemed to go out of her way to engage him in conversation. Her smiles, brighter than ever, were more than once directed his way. Her playing always stirred him, her sweet voice and lack of artifice filled his mind and soul, and yesterday’s performance at the pianoforte was more enchanting and enticing than ever. He wished that it was for him.