The Houseguest A Pride and Prejudice Vagary (20 page)

Fitzwilliam let out a bark of a laugh. “And you cannot imagine why she would
feel distress?” He looked at Darcy as if he were the stupidest man alive.
“I said nothing that was not true.” Darcy stood straighter and squared his
shoulders defensively. “Miss Elizabeth herself has been embarrassed on numerous
occasions by her family. It’s no secret that they are coarse and ill-mannered.”
“Darcy,” the Colonel took a deep breath and looked his cousin in the eye. “I
know you like to keep your own counsel, and that is your right. But let me ask
you a few questions.” Darcy nodded, looking skeptically at Fitzwilliam.
“Are Miss Jane and Miss Elizabeth Bennet sisters?”
“Yes, of course they are.” Darcy looked surprised at the simple question.
“And they have the same mother and younger sisters?”
“Yes.”
“They have the same undesirable connections?”
“Yes.”
“And Miss Bennet is well-mannered and graceful, and all that is beautiful and
kind?”
“Yes.”
“And you felt that Miss Bennet, who is all that is desirable in her person, was
not suitable for Mr. Bingley, because of her status and family?”
“Yeeeees,” he said hesitantly, his eyes squinted in confusion, clearly not
seeing where the colonel was going.
Fitzwilliam released an exasperated sigh. “Would you say that Bingley has the
same social status as yourself?”
Darcy almost laughed. “No, of course not.” Where was the Colonel going with
these ridiculous questions?
“And he does not have an ancient estate or an important family to impress, does
he?”
“No, he does not.”
“And yet, according to you, the beautiful Miss Bennet was not good enough
for 
him
.” 
“I …” Darcy was about to speak, but he was caught by the emphasis in
Fitzwilliam’s speech as well as the sharp expression he was giving him.
“As I said Darcy, you have every right to keep your own counsel, but I like
Miss Elizabeth – I would hate to see her hurt. I don’t want to see you hurt
either.”
Darcy looked warily at his cousin.
“I also think she’d make an excellent addition to the family.” Darcy’s eyes
widened in shock. “I’ll see myself out.” 
Colonel Fitzwilliam set down his glass and walked out the door, leaving a
stupefied Darcy staring after him.

~

An hour later, Darcy was still in his
study. That Colonel Fitzwilliam knew about his feelings was not the most
surprising thing. They had known each other their entire lives and Fitzwilliam
was observant and understood him well. What was surprising was that Darcy had
behaved like a prize idiot. Even after he knew Elizabeth had overheard him, it
took Richard pointing out that what he’d said was insulting for him to realize
he had probably wounded her with his words. She was likely mortified that
someone she regarded as a friend would say such things about her family. Even
if it was true, he should not have said it, at least not in public, and certainly
not to someone wholly unacquainted with them who had absolutely no business
knowing her private affairs.
And Richard had made a point of Darcy’s rank, and more importantly, his opinion
of his own status. If Bingley was too high for the Bennet sisters, would Darcy
not be completely out of reach? Did Elizabeth think his speech meant he would
never consider offering for her? Did she think she had been trifled with? Was
she heartbroken? Was that why she had fled? Or was she merely angry at him for
ruining her sister’s happiness?
There was another thing troubling his mind. She had said they were 
friends
. Twice. He wondered if she had
made that point on purpose, or was she just saying it because it was the only
proper description of their relationship?
Her recent actions in combination with what Richard had just told him were
causing Darcy to feel doubt; something he had not entertained until this
moment.
He did not like it. 
He was Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley. There wasn’t a woman in the ton who wouldn’t
accept him; he had everything to offer and was a good man in addition to all of
that. He would not gamble away his inheritance, or get drunk and beat his wife,
or humiliate her in public. He was a catch, and he knew it. 
He began to feel indignant at her sudden removal; she should have allowed him a
chance to explain, or at least had the courage to tell him goodbye properly. He
had been about to propose to her! She should be 
grateful
 he was willing to offer to
someone so beneath him. To connect himself permanently with people as crass as
her mother and younger sisters was a degradation at worst, and a folly at best.
He paced until his anger began to cool, and he finally stretched out on the
couch in front of the fire, his aching head on the cushion Georgiana had
embroidered for him. He read the dedication on the back before settling: 
For My Brother, The Best of Men
.
A new wave of guilt washed over him, and he lay silently contemplating his
thoughts and actions, waging a war with himself until his mind drifted to his
time with Elizabeth.
The Colonel had said she would only marry for the deepest love. For the first
time, he wondered whether Elizabeth loved him. He believed she cared, but
beyond that he couldn’t be sure. She had refused a man before, a man set to
inherit. 
But surely he wasn’t just any man! He had more to offer than any other single
man he knew; she must accept him.
But did she love him? 
All of a sudden, Darcy realized that he wanted her to love him. With a twinge
of embarrassment, he understood he’d never thought about her feelings before.
He had planned his proposal, and gone straight ahead to planning their life
together. The thought that she might not want him had never occurred to him.
Was he really that arrogant? 
And did he want her to accept him out of gratefulness or duty? Yes, they were
friends and that was an excellent basis for marriage, but was it enough for
him? Suddenly, and with great force, he knew it was not. 
He didn’t want to marry his friend and take her home and make love to her. He
wanted a 
wife
. He wanted
all her passion and fire and tenacity turned to him. He wanted to be the reason
for the brightness in her smile, to hold her and know she needed him as much as
he needed her. He wanted to see desire for him burning in her eyes and know
that he was the only man she would ever look at that way. He wanted her to want
him. Not Pemberley, not the house in town or his ten thousand a year, but 
him
. 
Now how the devil was he supposed to accomplish that?

Chapter
17

Elizabeth
spent the next week hiding from her family. If her mother only knew that her
own behavior had cost Jane Mr. Bingley! 
Elizabeth remembered the ball at Netherfield with shame. She had sat next to
her mother at dinner, across from Mr. Darcy, while her mother went on and on to
Lady Lucas about the advantageous match Jane was making. Elizabeth had asked
her repeatedly to lower her voice or change the topic, but to no avail. She had
even told her Mr. Darcy was listening and that as a close friend of Mr.
Bingley’s, it could not help her to anger him. Her mother had loudly replied
that she did not care what Mr. Darcy thought and that she would say what she
liked. Elizabeth felt herself blush from the memory. 
Her feelings toward Mr. Darcy alternated between indignation for what he had
said to Sir Malcolm, anger that he had interfered with her sister and his
friend, which was really none of his business, and sadness that their brief
friendship was at an end. 
Any time a feeling of melancholy tried to creep over her, she would push it
away and remind herself that he was not the man she had thought him, that he
was arrogant and self-serving and cared for nothing beyond his own interests.
How can you miss a person that does not exist? Despite her careful regulation,
her emotions did not always comply with her wishes. Her sense of fairness would
insist on being heard.
Wasn’t what he had said about her family true? He should not have said it, and
to Sir Malcolm of all people, and certainly not in a ballroom, but she could
not fault him completely for thinking it. Bingley was his very dear friend, and
he wanted him to have a happy marriage; was that so wrong? 
He had said that Jane’s heart was not touched. He was completely wrong of
course, but he did not know that. Jane was modest and did not show her feelings
to the world – his presumption was understandable – even Charlotte had said
Bingley might not see her regard because he did not know her character as they
did. Elizabeth did not like these thoughts, but her good sense demanded she be
reasonable. 
She pulled out the letter she had received from Jane, praying for good news to
distract her from her own relentless thoughts. She hoped her sister was in
better spirits. 
Elizabeth couldn’t help but be angry at Mr. Bingley for leaving Jane like he
did, no matter how convincing the argument. He had made his preference known to
the whole neighborhood, only to leave Jane in the lurch, humiliated for her
trust in him. How could anyone be so easily persuaded? Had he no backbone at
all? 
If I really loved someone, I would
not care what my friends or my sisters said,
 Elizabeth
thought. 
She broke the seal and began to read.
20 February, 1812
Gardiner Residence
Gracechurch Street, London
Dear Elizabeth,
The most extraordinary thing has happened!
But I must tell you from the beginning. Saturday, Mr. Darcy called. He stayed
half an hour and asked about you and if you were safe. Aunt told him you had
already gone to Longbourn. They spoke of Derbyshire and he mentioned your
planned trip to Pemberley and Aunt invited him to dinner for the following
Tuesday. 
He came, and made pleasant conversation with
everyone. He was quite different from his behavior in Hertfordshire! He was so
pleasant and amiable - though I never thought so ill of him before. He and
Uncle spoke of fishing at great length and seemed to enjoy one another’s
company. Then Mr. Darcy brought up Mr. Bingley. Oh Lizzy! I faltered only for a
moment, and managed to maintain my composure. He would bring him up several
more times throughout the evening, sometimes to me directly - it was rather
odd. 
The strangest thing was yet to come. Who
should call the next day but Mr. Darcy again, this time with Mr. Bingley! He
said he had had no idea I was in town until Mr. Darcy had shown up at his home
that morning to inform him. And he insisted on calling on me right away! 
Can you believe it Lizzy? You were right
about Caroline all along. I am grieved to think how deceived I was in her
character.
The gentlemen stayed for nearly an hour,
then Mr. Bingley came again this morning! We walked out and he asked if he may
court me - I have never been so happy! Oh Lizzy, I hardly know what I have
written!
Your Sister,
Jane Bennet
Elizabeth stared at the page and reread the letter. What had happened? Mr.
Darcy delivered Mr. Bingley to Jane? But why? Had he changed his mind about her
unsuitability? Questions began rushing through her mind at an alarming speed.
She did not trust her feelings and decided she would apply to her aunt; that
was the best place to get clear answers.
Before Elizabeth had a chance to write to her Aunt Gardiner, she received a
letter from the lady herself. It said much the same as Jane’s, only less
excited and added that Mr. Darcy had seemed quite agitated and disconcerted
when he visited on Saturday, and that he was relieved to receive the dinner
invitation. Elizabeth’s head spun. That did not sound like Mr. Darcy! 
Her aunt went on to say that she had shared with him that she had arrived safely
and all was well in Hertfordshire. He had asked many questions about Elizabeth
and the rest of their family, and seemed genuine in all his discourse. 
What was going on? Why had he called on her aunt? Her heart whispered that it
was for her, but she could not fully believe it. He had considered an alliance
with her family a degradation. 
Yet, he had restored Bingley to Jane. What could it mean? Did he somehow puzzle
out the true reason for her sudden departure? He must have been greatly
concerned for her to go to Cheapside. Three times in one week! What could cause
such a change as this? 

~

My Dearest Elizabeth,
I dreamt of you again last night. You wore a
yellow dress and smiled at me, then held out your hands. I took them, so small
in my own, and held you in my arms. I can hardly wait to see you again, my
love. You fill my every thought and are ever present in my heart. I have never
before looked forward to my annual trip to Rosings, but knowing you will be
there makes me count the days to my departure. 
Are you well, dearest? Do you miss me at
all? I miss you beyond what I ever thought I could experience – I feel an ache
that cannot be subdued except by your presence. I long for the day I will see
your sparkling eyes and hear your laughter once more. 
Your Aunt and Uncle came to dinner last
night with your sister and Bingley. Georgiana was quite pleased with them. It
looks like she and Miss Bennet will become good friends. I imagine the three of
you will spend many happy hours together. 
I have called at Gracechurch Street several
times in the last fortnight – I’ve gotten to know your uncle and find him to be
intelligent and well-informed. We have become friends. Your aunt is very
pleasant and she has done much to make Georgiana comfortable in their home. I
can see why you enjoy spending time with them. 
I am greatly looking forward to your visit
to Pemberley this summer. I invited your Aunt and Uncle to stay with us while
they are visiting the area. Does that please you, my dear? In a fortnight I
will see you at Rosings. I can hardly wait.
Until then, I remain,
Yours,
William
Darcy held the letter in his hand and read its contents with a cynical
expression. Shrugging his shoulders and shaking his head, he crumpled it into a
ball and threw it into the fire. He watched until it burned to ash, then sat at
his desk. A few moments later, Hawkins announced that Mr. Bingley had arrived.
“Bingley! What brings you here this morning?”
“Darcy! I am the happiest of men! I have asked my sweet Jane to marry me and
she has accepted! Can you believe it?” Bingley was practically bouncing in
excitement. 
“Congratulations, Bingley! I couldn’t be happier for you!” Darcy clapped him on
the back as they shook hands.
“I can hardly believe my luck! My angel will be by my side all my days! I am
truly the most fortunate of men!”
“Do you plan to go to Longbourn to ask for Mr. Bennet’s consent?”
“Mr. Gardiner has been given leave to consent in his stead, which he has
granted. I have sent a letter to Longbourn and hope to hear from Mr. Bennet
within the week.”
“Will Miss Bennet remain in London?”
“She was meant to stay on until after Easter and return with Miss Elizabeth,
but her plans may change now.”
“Do you have a wedding date set yet?”
“Not yet, no. We are waiting to hear from Mr. Bennet. I do not want to wait
overlong, though.”
More congratulations followed, toasts were made, and Bingley asked Darcy to
stand up with him, which of course his friend quickly agreed to do.

~

Elizabeth watched her sisters in dismay. Kitty and Lydia were running through
Lucas Lodge, one carrying a saber and the other a lieutenant’s hat. They were
shrieking and shouting out dares for the officers to catch them. 
Elizabeth had tried twice already to calm them, only to be told by Lydia that
she didn’t know how to have any fun and that just because she was a bore, she
should not force them to be bores alongside her. At that point, Elizabeth had
given up and wished that Jane or Charlotte could be there with her. 
Another week and I shall be away from all of
this.
 
Ever since her return, she had not looked at her family the same way. What had
been merely annoying antics and slight embarrassments now became deeply
troubling and intense mortifications. What was to become of girls such as these? 
“You seem troubled, Miss Elizabeth.” She turned around to see Mr. Wickham
watching her intently. Obviously, he had only been taken off the guest lists
for her family’s gatherings.
“Not at all, Mr. Wickham. I was merely woolgathering.”
“I heard you have recently spent some time in London.” 
“Yes, I returned a little over a fortnight ago.”
“Did you enjoy your stay?”
“Yes. London is quite diverting.”
“Your sister tells me you stayed with Miss Darcy.”
“That is correct.”
“And how did you find Darcy House?” he asked intimately.
“It was all that was inviting, Mr. Wickham.”
“Yes, it is quite comfortable. It is too bad the Darcys are not as inviting as
their home.”
“On the contrary, I found them to be very amiable and welcoming.”
“Both of them? Really?” He looked at her with mock incredulity, as if they were
enjoying a private joke. “Miss Darcy is not so bad I suppose, but rather averse
to entertainment – like her brother. But I can hardly believe you find Mr.
Darcy amiable.”
“I do not find Miss Darcy averse to entertainment at all. In fact, she is
rather pleasant company and a charming girl. She has become a very dear
friend.” 
“Well, perhaps she has improved in the years since I have seen her.”
“Has it been that long, Mr. Wickham? I was under the impression that it was not
above eight months,” she replied with practiced innocence.
He lost his carefully constructed expression for a moment, but quickly reverted
to his pleasing demeanor. “I believe I did run into her last summer, but it was
not an overly long visit.”
“I can imagine that your relationship with Mr. Darcy would make overly long
visits rather uncomfortable, and of course it would be difficult to establish a
relationship with Miss Darcy without her brother’s presence.”
“Yes, you are quite right, Miss Bennet,” he answered carefully, wondering what
she was getting at.
“I also met Colonel Fitzwilliam while I was in London,” she said with a false
air of distraction.
Wickham’s face became a little paler. “You did?”
“Yes, we were frequently in company. I found him to be very agreeable. Did you
know he was decorated in the army? He has received two special commendations
for courage in battle. Is that not extraordinary?” Elizabeth leaned in as if
she were telling especially juicy gossip. “And he did not buy in as a Colonel.
He started as a major and earned his rank. Such a man cannot help but be
respected. I understand he is quite revered by his men.”
Wickham swallowed visibly. Elizabeth pretended not to notice and continued.
“You know, I met a fellow officer at a ball, and he told me that Colonel
Fitzwilliam has survived more battles than any other officer of his rank. He
could not give me particulars, but I got the impression that his affable
manners are not always so affable when one gets on his bad side. I am happy to
be called a friend; I imagine he would be a frightening enemy indeed! Would you
not agree, Mr. Wickham?” She pertly tilted her head to the side and looked at
him with clear eyes, a small smile on her lips.
“You are quite right, Miss Bennet. I have seen the Colonel angry on occasion.
It was a memorable sight,” he said, as he self-consciously straightened his
collar.
“I daresay it would be. I hope I never have cause to see it myself.” She looked
at Wickham meaningfully.
“I understand you perfectly, Miss Elizabeth.”
“I am glad, Mr. Wickham. Good evening.” She curtseyed and walked toward her
mother.

~

The next week went by rather quickly, and before she
knew it, she was in the Lucas’s carriage and on her way to London. She was
anxious to see Jane and find out what was happening with Mr. Bingley. All of
Jane’s letters had been filled with him and she was expecting to hear of their
betrothal any day.
They pulled up in front of the Gardiner’s, and Elizabeth was the first one out
of the carriage. She practically ran into Jane’s arms, and the two stood in the
passage hugging and talking over each other for several minutes before their
uncle interrupted them. 
“I hope the men you marry live close together, or they will face very large
travel bills.”
“Uncle!” Elizabeth improperly hugged her uncle, who had always been a favorite
of hers, and she of his, and went in search of her aunt.
“Aunt! It is so good to see you!” Elizabeth found she was close to tears. It
had been a difficult three weeks, and she'd had no one to speak to except in
letters. No matter how often she wrote, it was not the same as having a
confidante close by. 
“Come dear! Let’s get you upstairs. You probably want to freshen up.”
Elizabeth was lead up the stairs by her aunt and Jane, who followed her into
the room they would share while the Lucas’s were there. 
“Jane, you look wonderful. You’re positively glowing!” 
“Oh, Lizzy! The most wonderful thing has happened! I am engaged to Mr.
Bingley!”
“Oh, Jane, I am so happy for you!” She kissed both her cheeks and held her
hands in front of them. “You must tell me everything about it!”
As Elizabeth washed and changed out of her traveling dress, Jane told her the
story. 
“Mr. Bingley had come for a morning visit. We were all sitting in the parlor
when Nanny Kate came down and said she needed Aunt for something. Afterwards,
Charles told me he had asked her to take Aunt out of the room so he could be
alone with me.” She smiled giddily. “After they left, Charles sat next to me
and took my hand and told me how sorry he was that he had left Netherfield
without leaving word, and that if I would let him, he would spend the rest of
his life making it up to me. He said he never wished to be parted from me ever
again and that the idea of living without me was agony to him, and would I
please end his misery and agree to be his wife.”
“I had no idea Mr. Bingley was so poetic!” Elizabeth smiled at her sister.
“I believe he had been practicing it for some time.” Jane smiled and looked at
the floor. “It was very sweet and endearing.”
“Then what happened?” She could always tell when Jane was holding back.
“Lizzy, you must promise not to tell Aunt, or she will never let me be alone
with Charles again!”
“Jane, whatever could you have done that is so horrible?”
“I let him kiss me.” Her face flushed bright red and she cast her eyes down,
unable to hold back a small grin.
“That’s wonderful! You had just got engaged! What other occasion could warrant
a kiss more?” She gave her sister a teasing look as she brushed her hair. “So,
what was it like?’
“Oh Lizzy, it was wonderful! At first it was awkward and I was surprised, but
once I relaxed, it was everything I had hoped it would be and more.”
“Dearest Jane! I am so happy for you!”
Jane began laughing and could hardly speak for smiling. “Can you die of
happiness? Lizzy, if there were such a man for you! If you could be so happy!”
“I am content to see you happy, dearest. When is the wedding?”
“I wanted to speak with you about that. We just received a letter from father
yesterday giving his consent, so we have not really had time to discuss it.
Charles does not want to wait long, and I am inclined to agree with him. There
will be much to plan, though. What do you think of May?”
“I think it sounds perfect. The flowers will be blooming and the churchyard
will be beautiful,” she gave Jane a meaningful look, “and it gives us plenty of
time to shop for your trousseau.” 
“Oh, do not tease me Lizzy! Wait until it’s your turn!”
They laughed together for the next quarter hour, until their aunt rejoined
them.
“Lizzy, we will be leaving for the theatre in an hour. Are you hungry? Cook has
made a light meal if you want something sent up. We won’t be having supper for
several hours, so it’s probably best to eat now.”
“Yes, a tray would be lovely, thank you Aunt.”
“Amy will be here shortly to press your dress and help with your hair. I
suspect the carriage will be early; you know how Mr. Darcy is.”
“Mr. Darcy?”
“Yes. He is coming with us to the theatre tonight. Or I should say we are going
with him, it is his box. Mr. Bingley will also be joining us, of course. Don’t
worry, we shall be comfortable between the two carriages.”
Elizabeth turned pale and stared ahead of her. “Lizzy, are you alright?” Jane
asked.
“I'm fine, only surprised, that is all.”
Her aunt looked at her suspiciously. “Take care, Lizzy. I imagine you are tired
from traveling, and it will be a late night. We are having supper at the
Darcys' afterwards.”
“We are? All of us?”
“Sir William and Maria will come back here, as they are tired from the journey
and Sir William does not think Maria is old enough to be attending such
functions. The rest of us will go to the Darcys' to celebrate Mr. Darcy’s
birthday. Miss Darcy has planned something special. But he does not know
anything about it, so you mustn’t say a word, Lizzy. I’m surprised she hasn’t
written of it to you.”
Elizabeth’s head was spinning. How had no one informed her of this? She knew
Mr. Darcy had called a few times with Bingley, and he had come to dinner at the
Gardiners' and she knew they had gone to Darcy House once for dinner, but she
had yet to figure out 
why
.
Was Mr. Darcy 
friends
with
her aunt and uncle? The same aunt and uncle he refused to let his sister visit?
And whose idea was this birthday dinner? 
Suddenly Elizabeth wished she had brought a nicer dress. She didn’t have a
proper theatre dress, only a few ball gowns and evening dresses. She brought
the gown she’d worn to the Netherfield Ball, as it was her nicest next to the
one she’d purchased with Lady Matlock, and suitable for an evening with her
family and the Lucases. Oh well, there was nothing to be done for it now. 
Amy curled her hair and piled it atop her head, leaving a few curls hanging
temptingly over her shoulder. Elizabeth knew she would not look her best after
a half day of travel and several stressful weeks, but when she looked in the
mirror she saw her color was high and it made her look healthier than she felt,
as long as one didn’t look too deeply into her troubled eyes.
She walked down the stairs behind Jane, who looked lovelier than ever, of
course, intending to wait in the drawing room for a short while until the
carriages arrived. But her aunt was correct – Mr. Darcy was early. She saw Mr.
Bingley standing at the bottom of the stairs, staring raptly at Jane, a silly
grin on his face. She could partially see Mr. Darcy behind him. She couldn’t
help but remember the last time she had walked down the stairs toward him; it
had been a decidedly different experience.
She focused her eyes on the back of Jane’s head and walked steadily down. She
refused to look at Mr. Darcy. She greeted Mr. Bingley and said hello to Darcy,
staring at his waistcoat buttons the entire time. They walked outside to the carriage
and she saw that the Gardiners and Sir William and Maria Lucas were getting
into the Gardiner’s carriage, and that she was to ride in Mr. Darcy’s carriage
with Bingley and Jane. 
Oh, dear!
If Darcy had had any doubts about Elizabeth’s anger toward him, he didn’t
anymore. Never, in the entire time he had known her, had she been unwilling to
look at him. She had always looked him in the eye, even when they were arguing.
She had never before shown fear or backed away from a confrontation. 
It’s going to be a long night
.
Georgiana was waiting in the carriage, and Elizabeth’s genuine joy in seeing
her friend helped her to overcome her discomfort. She decided there was nothing
to be done about Mr. Darcy’s presence, and she had been looking forward to this
event for over a month. And now she was to see the show from the comfort of a
private box. She decided to be happy about her improved comfort and enjoy the
company of her friends, and not think about the dark man brooding across the
carriage.
When they arrived at the theatre, Bingley offered his arm to Jane, of course,
Sir William to Maria, Mr. Gardiner to Mrs. Gardiner, leaving two women to one
Mr. Darcy. He looked between Elizabeth and Georgiana, trying to decide who to
offer to first, and slightly afraid Elizabeth would refuse him, when Sir
William stepped in to rescue him.
“Miss Elizabeth! Come, let us see what raptures await us inside!” He offered
her his free arm and she accepted it gratefully, walking briskly behind her
aunt and uncle. 
Darcy’s mouth set in a thin line as he and Georgiana followed their party
inside. They were greeted by many acquaintances in town for the little season.
They bowed and curtseyed and nodded where needed, until a gong sounded that it
was time to be seated.
The Darcy box was as she expected it to be: One of the best in the theatre and
very comfortable. Georgiana waved to Elizabeth to sit next to her and she
settled into her chair between her friend and her aunt. Mr. Darcy was on the
other side of Georgiana, desperately trying not to look at Elizabeth. 
Afterward, he could not remember anything about the play except that Elizabeth
had laughed in the middle of the first act. And Elizabeth could only recall
that the central actress had worn a purple dress and died just before the end.
Back in the carriage on the way to Darcy House, she was silent, happy to listen
to Georgiana telling her everything that had happened in her absence.
As she looked out the door at the familiar façade, she couldn’t help but feel a
sense of homecoming. It was almost as if she were seeing an old friend again
after a long absence. She didn’t know it, but her face betrayed her thoughts,
easily seen by Mr. Darcy who was watching her closely. The men got out and
handed down the ladies, Elizabeth exiting last, her eyes still absorbing the
house in front of her. Mr. Bingley was already heading up the front stairs with
Jane on his arm and Georgiana behind them. As Elizabeth reached her hand out,
she was surprised to find it grasped by Mr. Darcy and not the footman. She was
even more surprised that she recognized the feel of his hand without seeing
him. She looked up into his face and saw he was watching her intently. There
was a glimmer of something behind his eyes; was it pleasure? She gave a polite smile
and headed inside.