He had thought himself careful, measured, honorable. Yet his tongue had betrayed him. He had given voice to disdain and spread it to another man, and if Richard was correct, to half her neighbors. He had judged without the right to do so and trampled upon her hopes.
Pembroke had asked questions. Darcy could have deflected. He could have said nothing. Pembroke might have formed his own opinion, as Darcy himself had done. But instead of keeping his peace, Darcy had answered every question Pembroke posed without a trace of restraint.
He stared at the gate where she had passed, seeing again the tears streaming down her cheeks, hearing the sobs she had tried to repress in her desperate struggle for composure. The image was seared into his heart. Darcy could not remember a time when he had ever felt so ashamed.
He walked to his horse, mounted, and rode through the darkness back to Netherfield, where the ball was still in progress. He returned a chastened man.
Chapter 11: The Morning After the Ball
Georgiana sat at the breakfast table, her eyes bright with anticipation. She longed to hear all that had transpired at the ball, the music, the food, the gowns, and above all, Elizabeth. When Richard entered the breakfast parlor, she all but pounced upon him.
“Richard, tell me everything. How many sets did you dance? I heard the music, it was lovely. What dishes were served? And what did Miss Elizabeth’s gown look like? Did she have many dance partners? I imagine she must have danced every set. And what of my brother, did he dance too?”
Georgiana’s high spirits made Richard laugh. “Slow down, little cousin, so that I may begin to answer your many questions. I will answer them all, but you must give them to me one at a time.”
The colonel began to describe the evening. He spoke of the women in their beautiful gowns, the floral arrangements, the perfumed air, and then of Elizabeth’s many partners and her pretty gown. “It was a simple muslin, Georgie, but most charming on Miss Elizabeth.”
Bingley joined them at this point, and he could speak only of Jane Bennet and her beauty, her sweetness, and her modest, unaffected air. Richard and Georgiana exchanged amused glances, and they settled down to eat while they listened to his raptures.
Darcy entered last, his hair windblown from his morning ride, and Richard noted at once that his cousin was brooding. Darcy served his plate, sat down to eat, and spoke not a word to the others. Richard, still angry with him, did not spare him a glance, but he encouraged Bingley by asking questions and offering timely remarks.
When breakfast was almost over, Caroline swept into the room and served herself some raspberries. She greeted them all and seated herself, giving Mr. Darcy a sly smile which he didn’t see. Georgiana, still animated, was speaking of a visit to Longbourn.
“I want to hear all about the ball from Miss Elizabeth herself,” she said. “And I wish to see her new gown.”
Caroline could not resist. She leaned forward and purred, “My dear Georgiana, I very much doubt Miss Eliza will wish to discuss the ball this morning. I heard she left early on foot, mind you, because of an insult she overheard.” Her eyes flicked toward Darcy with a look of conspiratorial approval.
Georgiana’s face fell. “An insult? To Elizabeth? Who would dare such a thing?” She looked at her brother, then Richard. “Did neither of you defend her? How could anyone insult her? She is so very sweet and good.”
Caroline spread her hands, feigning sympathy. “It is always the way, my dear. A young woman of lively manners will attract envy, and tongues will wag. I should not wonder if she feels mortified.”
“Mortified?” Georgiana’s voice trembled with indignation. “Elizabeth does not deserve such cruelty. Who could say a word against her?”
Richard said gently, “My dear, you must not distress yourself. Miss Elizabeth’s comportment last night was all that it ought to be, polite, lively, and perfectly decorous. The insult of which Miss Bingley speaks had nothing to do with her conduct. I heard enough to know it concerned her mother, and not Miss Elizabeth herself. She bore herself with dignity, as she always does. You may be assured, Georgiana, she has nothing to answer for.”
He gave her a reassuring smile. “If others choose to be unkind, that is no reflection on her. Indeed, I believe her spirit is strong enough to weather such nonsense, though it is natural she should feel the sting of it in the moment.”
Caroline’s eyes gleamed, but she remained silent, savoring Georgiana’s distress. Darcy did not look up. He took a sip from his coffee and remained mute.
Richard rose. “We have finished our breakfast, little cousin. Come, I am sure I do not wish to dwell on idle gossip. I will ride with you to Longbourn, and we shall hear Miss Elizabeth’s own account of the ball. I am certain one poor insult was not enough to send her to her bed or rob her of her lively spirits.”
Georgiana sprang to her feet, her eyes full of anticipation. “Yes, Richard, let us go at once. I shall change into my riding habit.”
She left the room quickly, her step full of purpose. Richard cast a sharp look at Caroline, then followed his cousin, leaving Caroline with her half-smile and Darcy brooding in silence.
Richard and Georgiana rode at a leisurely pace toward Longbourn. The summer air was soft, the fields fresh with morning light. Georgiana, sitting very straight in her saddle, chattered of the ball she had longed to attend, of the gowns she imagined, and of Elizabeth, whom she hoped to see.
Richard and Georgiana rode their horses hard, and before long, they drew near the rise of Oakham Mount. The young girl pointed ahead, her voice eager.
“There, upon the crest! I see a yellow gown. I think that is Elizabeth out walking.”
Richard slowed his mount. “So it is. We shall go to her, admire the view for ourselves, and speak with her about the pleasures of the ball.”
They turned their horses up the incline, and at the summit they found Elizabeth at the far side, gazing out over the valley that stretched before her. She started slightly at their approach, but Richard was grateful to see that she was composed and elegant as ever.
He swung down and held his hands up to his cousin. Georgiana accepted his help with graceful eagerness and, the moment her feet touched the ground, she ran to Elizabeth, catching her hands with rapturous affection.
“We were on our way to visit you,” she cried. “I want to hear everything about the ball, and I long to see your gown!”
