Lydia scoffed. “He is all looks and no manners.”
“What makes you say that?” Elizabeth enquired.
“He promised her the first set at the last assembly and then danced it with Miss de Bourgh,” Kitty explained.
“I did not know he had done that,” Jane said. “How unkind.”
“Oh, I do not care,” Lydia replied. “Denny said he owes him ten shillings from their last game of loo, and I could never love anybody who cannot win at cards.”
“Or pay his debts,” added Mary.
“How odd that so many people connected to one family should have arrived in the same place all at once,” Mrs Gardiner observed.
“Mr Darcy seems to have that sort of influence,” Elizabeth replied. “Everybody follows him about the country. I am convinced Mr Bingley would still be here if his friend had not left.”
“That does neither gentleman much credit,” Jane said softly. “Nor me.”
“Forgive me. I do not mean to pain you, but Mr Bingley was so obviously in love with you, I cannot believe he left of his own accord. And I can easily believe that if Mr Darcy had made up his mind to go, nothing would persuade him to remain, no matter how it might affect his friend, who was too complying to refuse.”
“It is strange that the son should have turned out so disagreeable if his father was as excellent as you say, Aunt,” said Mary.
Mrs Gardiner turned from Jane, whom she had been regarding with a worried expression, to frown instead at Mary, this time pensively. “I spent some years in that part of the country, and I cannot recall ever hearing it said that Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy had turned out markedly unlike his father. I think I heard it said that he was reserved. Perhaps that was the beginning of a more conceited sort of pride.” She shrugged. “I left Derbyshire some years ago. Anything could have happened since then to affect his character.”
There was much in what her aunt said that was of interest, yet Elizabeth could attend to only one part of it. “Fitzwilliam? Is that his Christian name?”
“Yes. It was his mother’s maiden name, I believe.”
She knew not why this information gave her such a sense of satisfaction. Perhaps it was that knowing his name made him seem less forbidding. Perhaps it was how well the name suited him—pompous, imposing.
Distinctive. Striking. Elizabeth blushed deeply at the direction of her thoughts and, undesirous of being asked to account for it, rose to help herself to another cup of tea.
“Well, if both of them are disagreeable, at least they will be well suited in marriage,” Mrs Gardiner said, holding out her cup for Elizabeth to fill.
“The same can be said for the Collinses. I wish them all the happiness they deserve. Which is none,” said Mrs Bennet.
A commotion erupted elsewhere in the house that grew louder and louder until the parlour door was thrust open, and Mrs Philips burst into the room. “Sister! Oh—and Sister!” she added upon noticing that Mrs Gardiner was present. “How wonderful to see you, dear. But attend, I have such news! You will never guess who I have just seen arriving in Meryton.”
“Tell us quickly, then,” Mrs Bennet said eagerly.
Mrs Philips grasped her sister’s outstretched hand. “Why, none other than Mr Darcy!”
Mrs Bennet cried out in delight and began to rhapsodise about what this meant for Jane’s romantic aspirations, for surely, they had just settled it that Mr Bingley followed Mr Darcy everywhere!
Elizabeth hoped her mother’s transports would mean nobody noticed how the tea she was pouring shot over the side of the cup and pooled in the saucer, but Mrs Gardiner’s querying gaze was awaiting hers when she glanced up to return the cup. She prayed she would not be called upon to account for herself, for she had not the slightest idea why that gentleman’s name should startle her.
It was likely because she had talked about him so frequently of late, courtesy of his cousin. Or perhaps because she had just that moment surprised herself with the recollection that he was uncommonly good looking. Mayhap she was simply pleased for Jane. Indeed, upon reflection, Elizabeth thought it most likely that it was herauntwho had moved her hand, and thatshehad not flinched at all. She turned her attention to Jane, who looked considerably less collected than she herself was bound to feel once her heart slowed to a more natural pace.
* * *
“I beg your pardon, Mr Darcy, but your fair cousin is not here. Mr Collins has taken Miss de Bourgh to Longbourn for one last visit before she returns home. But pray, come in. You are more than welcome to await her return here with us.”
Darcy stared at Sir William, trying his hardest to neither snarl nor swear. He had not thought his day could deteriorate any further. The journey had been long and difficult thanks to inclement weather, a broken wheel, and the tide of memories that harried him along the way. Despite his man’s most persuasive efforts, the only lodgings they had been able to secure this close to Christmas were at the George and Crown—the least salubrious establishment in Meryton, with a name disagreeably reminiscent of the reprobate who had necessitated his trip hither.
To make matters worse, he had stepped down from his carriage onto the High Street at precisely the same moment as Mrs Philips had come out of the milliner’s shop. She had curtseyed, blasting his hopes that she had not recognised him and making a mockery of his wish to remain incognito. He could envisage her, even now, announcing his arrival to all her acquaintances. To all her relations. To Elizabeth. As though all of that were not objectionable enough, he discovered now that he need not have come at all, for Anne was about to leave anyway!
“No, I thank you, Sir William,” he replied. “I have some business in Meryton. I shall make use of the time and see to that whilst I wait.” That his business consisted of skulking in his lodgings to avoid any more unwanted encounters was neither here nor there. He took his leave and with the promise to come back in two hours, mounted his horse and returned in the direction of the inn.
He reached as far as the end of the lane before his resolve began to waver. What was to be gained by avoiding Longbourn? Anne was already there. He did not doubt that Mrs Philips was already or had recently been there, telling them all he was in town.
