Mr. Darcy Came to Dinner (24 page)

The seemingly recovered Miss Bingley thanked Mrs. Bennet for the invitation to Sunday dinner at Longbourn, and were it not for some undisclosed matter at Netherfield, the Bingleys and Hursts would have been more than happy to accept. But decline they must. Elizabeth did not need a gypsy’s crystal ball to tell her that Mr. Bingley was not happy about his absence from the Bennet table.

This turn of events gave Elizabeth leave to accept an invitation from Lady Lucas for dinner. Permission was quickly secured from Mrs. Bennet, and soon Elizabeth was in Charlotte’s bedroom in deep conversation, the subject being the abandonment of Meryton by Mr. Collins.

“Eliza, I must thank Mr. Bennet for his counsel to my father. He would not tell me what he was told, but whatever it was, it was enough for Father to be distressed by Mr. Collins’s attentions towards me. On Friday when Mr. Collins came for tea, Father had him come into his study for a private talk. We in the parlor could not make out the words, but we soon heard raised voices. We grew alarmed, and my brother was about to see what the argument was about when the door flew open and Mr. Collins emerged, his face very red. He did not take his leave of us but quit the house directly, mumbling to himself. We learned later that he left the inn at Meryton in an angry mood that very evening, taking the mail coach to London. It is believed he has returned to Kent.”

“My goodness!” cried Elizabeth. “How very singular! Did Sir William say anything about his conversation with Mr. Collins?”

“No, he did not, except to say that Mr. Collins was
persona non grata,
and he was not permitted to enter Lucas Lodge again. Father so much as commanded that should Mother, Maria, or I encounter him in the village, we were not to speak to him but rather cross the street directly and either seek shelter in a shop or return home.”

Elizabeth allowed this was an extraordinary demand from the habitually affable knight.

“It was,” Charlotte agreed. “Father only uses Latin when he is most upset.”

Elizabeth was pleased that her father had kept his promise to warn Sir William about Mr. Collins, but she was concerned. For Sir William to grow so incensed about the clergyman, Mr. Bennet must have told him about his attempted assault on her. Sir William Lucas was a good and kind man, but he was not known to keep a confidence. Could Elizabeth depend upon the knight not to spread tales about Mr. Collins’s perfidy all about Hertfordshire, using her own unfortunate interactions with the man as an example?

Charlotte continued. “Mother was, of course, taken aback by this turn of events. I am afraid that she had set her cap on my catching Mr. Collins. But after a long, private talk in my father’s study, she seemed more sanguine over the incident and has not spoken of it since. Maria is full curious but can get no details from our parents. Eliza,” she took Elizabeth’s hands into her own, “I believe your father must have shared some of your adventures with Father, but do not fear. Not a word of them shall leave this house, I am persuaded.”

Elizabeth was relieved to heard Charlotte’s words.

“But I have a question.” Charlotte’s brow wrinkled. “I said that Mr. Collins was mumbling to himself in an angry manner when he left the house. I could not make out anything he said, save two words:
Mr. Darcy.
” She turned to her friend. “Whatever could he mean?”

Elizabeth was astonished that Mr. Darcy’s name was mentioned in this matter, but she was able to maintain a reserved countenance as she replied that she had no idea to what Mr. Collins was alluding. It was a lie, of course. Elizabeth knew full well why Mr. Collins spoke his name.

Her father must have given a full accounting of Mr. Collins’s actions at Longbourn, including Mr. Darcy’s spirited defense of her. This was distressing news indeed! Elizabeth had not yet come to a satisfactory conclusion over the meaning of Mr. Darcy’s words and behavior then or of his actions since. Until she did, she would be mortified if all of Meryton became acquainted with the incident.

Elizabeth was unhappy about deceiving her friend, but there was nothing for it. She was not prepared to speak about Mr. Darcy to anyone, and this was intelligence that must be contemplated in detail at a more appropriate time.

* * *

As it was Sunday and he could not attend services, Darcy thought he might as well read some Scripture in observance of the day. He looked up from his Bible just as a giggling gaggle of pretty young ladies burst into his room, still in their bonnets and coats. Cassandra, who had taken her usual place in his lap, was not disturbed by the interruption of her mid-morning nap.

“Oh, Mr. Darcy, wait until you hear what we heard!” cried Kitty.

“You will never guess,” proclaimed Lydia. “It is all too funny!”

“No, you will all get it wrong,” Mary declared. “I should tell Mr. Darcy.”

“Oh, Brother,” said Georgiana, who knelt by his chair and took his hand, “it is all over Meryton that Mr. Collins has been chased away from the neighborhood!”

“Georgie! I wanted to tell him!” Kitty took Darcy’s other hand. “We heard that Sir William Lucas turned him out of his house.”

“Denny said Mr. Collins was running through the streets like a dog with his tail between his legs!”

“Lydia, how rude! I am sure that Mr. Denny knows nothing about it. But it is true, Mr. Darcy, that Mr. Collins has quit Meryton. He did not even stay for Sunday services! Is that not strange for a man of the cloth?”

The girls were all talking over one another, and Darcy found he could not get a word in. It was left to Jane to restore sanity to the scene.

“We should not judge other people’s actions, Mary,” she said as she entered the room, her coat and bonnet already handed to a servant. “All could be perfectly reasonable. What is not reasonable is that you have assailed poor Mr. Darcy while still in your out-of-doors clothes. Pray give the man some air.”

“Yes, yes, Jane has the right of it!” cried Mrs. Bennet. “Where are your manners? You act like wild savages in your bonnets and coats — except you, Miss Darcy, of course! Why, no one could accuse you of uncivilized behavior, I am sure.”

“Actually, I believe you were correct in your first observation, Mrs. Bennet,” said Mrs. Annesley. “Come, Georgiana, please restrain from assaulting Mr. Darcy until you are more presentable.”

Mrs. Bennet gathered her brood in, chattering all the time about preparations for Sunday dinner and how sad it was that Mr. Bingley could not attend and good riddance to Mr. Collins. Georgiana obediently followed her companion from the room, leaving only Jane and Mr. Bennet with Darcy and the maid Sally, who was puttering about.

Darcy spoke to the gentleman. “Is it true, sir, that Mr. Collins has quit Hertfordshire?”

“Yes,” Mr. Bennet quipped. “It seems my talk with Sir William Lucas had a most stimulating influence.” The grin slipped from his features. “I am more determined than ever to postpone the event that places
that
man in charge of Longbourn, as I am certain he has no kind feelings towards his family or neighbors.”

“Amen to that. If there is anything I can do — ”

“You have done quite enough already!” Mr. Bennet said gruffly. He seemed to catch himself. “I thank you for everything you have done, but this matter should fall to its proper place. Well, I will be in my book room. I shall see you at dinner.” With that he left the room.

“I am sorry, Mr. Darcy,” said Jane. “My father is — ”

“Say no more, Miss Bennet, I quite understand. We all have our pride. Indeed, I should act in exactly the same manner, should the tables be turned.”

“Somehow, I doubt that.” She gave him a small, sisterly smile, and then glanced at the creature in his lap. “You have made a conquest of Cassandra. Lizzy will be jealous. Is your leg giving you much pain today?”

Darcy reported he was well, and the two fell into an easy conversation, Jane making herself comfortable in a nearby chair. It was not long before Darcy asked about Bingley, and he was able to comprehend the disappointment hidden in Jane’s expression as she relayed Miss Bingley’s excuse for her family’s absence from Longbourn that day. Darcy was more convinced than ever that Jane had feelings for his friend and hoped, rather than expected, that they were of the most fervent kind. He practiced patience — it would not do to openly question the young lady about Bingley — and was soon rewarded.

Jane absentmindedly picked up a book and fiddled with it before remarking, “I believe you are very fortunate in your friends, Mr. Darcy. Colonel Fitzwilliam has been most obliging, going to Town on your behalf. And Mr. Bingley — he speaks about you constantly, singing your praises.”

Darcy smiled. “Bingley is very kind. I am sure I deserve no special commendation.”

Jane glanced at him. “He says you are his dearest friend and ablest counselor. He looks to you as an elder brother. I do not believe he is given to hyperbole. How long have you been friends?”

Darcy explained that they had met at Cambridge, when Bingley was just starting his terms, and Darcy was an upperclassman. Something drew Darcy to the younger man. He took young Bingley under his wing, and they had been fast friends ever since. “Bingley was new to society, and there were many pitfalls. I was able to advise him.

“You must understand,” Darcy was quick to add, “Bingley is an excellent fellow. He has great natural modesty with a stronger dependence on my judgment than on his own. He wishes to be a gentleman, and he is afraid of making a mistake. But his principles are of the highest quality. I am proud that he is my friend.” Jane smiled a little, and without knowing why, Darcy blurted, “He is a deliberate man, but once he makes up his mind, he is unshakable. He would never mislead someone.”

Jane blushed and turned away, and Darcy knew that he had hit upon the crux of the matter. Jane was attached to Bingley but was becoming unsure of his friend’s intentions. This would never do. Darcy knew he must have a talk with Charles.

Jane recovered and immediately changed the subject to the weather. Darcy followed her lead, becoming more convinced than ever that Jane was very much like himself in temperament when it came to private matters, hiding her feelings from the world at large and showing a façade of contentment and composure. Did she conceal the same passionate impulses with which Darcy was forever struggling? He expected it was so.

Darcy knew he was attracted to open, pleasant, intelligent people, like Fitzwilliam, Bingley — and Elizabeth. If Jane’s temperament was very much like his, he thought that Bingley would be just the man to suit her while her steadiness would be a rock his friend could depend on.

Just then, the sister of the subject of their conversation burst into the room, followed by the man himself.

“Oh!” cried Jane as she rose. “Miss Bingley, Mr. Bingley! You are most welcome to Longbourn — but I thought you could not come today.”

Caroline, white as a sheet, stuttered, “Yes, well, I am afraid we cannot stay for dinner, but I — Charles and I wanted to visit with Mr. Darcy — and your family, of course.”

Caroline’s disjointed claims were patently false, but Darcy knew not what the woman was about. For Bingley’s part, he seemed as confused by his sister’s behavior as the rest, but he focused his attentions towards Jane.

“Where is the rest of your family, Miss Bennet?” asked he.

Jane explained that her sisters and Georgiana were occupied, but should be joining them soon in the sitting room. Bingley suggested that they repair there to await them, and the others agreed, Caroline declaring that she would accompany Mr. Darcy. Darcy selflessly gave Jane and Bingley an occasion for privacy and encouraged his friends to precede them. Caroline’s countenance bespoke of a desire to have a private conversation with him. Sally followed the young people out to fetch both Bartholomew and the wheel-chair.

Darcy waited as Caroline paced about the room in a distressed manner. “What is
that
in your lap?” she finally said.

“It is a cat, Miss Bingley.”

“Certainly it is bothering you. Shall I have a servant remove it?”

Darcy glanced down at the purring animal. “Cassandra is content, and so am I. We shall leave things as they are for now.”

Caroline nodded absently, her hands twisting anxiously. It was a few moments before she spoke again.

“You look very well, Mr. Darcy,” she exclaimed. “I mean to say, you
are
well — better. You have healed remarkably, I am sure.”

“As I have never before broken my leg, I have no source of reference, but it seems I am recovering tolerably well.”

“Of course, you are. When can you return to Town? Would tomorrow be too soon?”

“Tomorrow?” Darcy exclaimed. “Miss Bingley, the physician has requested that I remain here for at least a month complete. I shall certainly not be leaving Herefordshire tomorrow.”

“But . . . oh, but what does a physician know? They are forever overstating the case. I am sure they know nothing of the sort. We have but to ask, and Charles would be happy to transport you to your house in London.”

“I am sure you are correct about your brother’s willingness to be of service to me, but I shall not go to London.”

Caroline’s voice rose. “But you must! Your own physician, for example, can better care for you there!”