“So it would seem,” he replied at length.
“Well, in Mrs Bennet’s esteemed opinion, that will never do.”
“I beg you would tell Mrs Bennet that it is not in my power to do anything about it.”
“Fortunately for you—or unfortunately, depending on your perspective—my wife has a strong aversion to any matter in which she cannot be involved. She, therefore, very often thrusts herself, with a zeal I am quite unable to contain, into matters the rest of us might be forgiven for thinking have absolutely nothing to do with her. Which is why I am come, at her insistence, to invite you to dine with us tomorrow at Longbourn.”
Darcy stared at him. The memory of Elizabeth’s final look, rife with pain and anger, had haunted him all afternoon. Now, it seemed that would not be their last encounter, for apparently, he was to spend Christmas Day with her. His life was growing more ridiculous by the moment.
“That is an exceedingly generous offer.”
“I thought so, too. But then, as well as suffering from a vast number of nervous complaints and being staggeringly silly, Mrs Bennet is an exceedingly generous-hearted woman.”
“Even so, I hope you will not be offended if I observe that she has not always seemed to care overmuch for my company.”
“No, but slight one of her girls and you will rarely be treated to her gentlest side.”
“I beg your pardon,” Darcy said tightly, affronted by the insinuation, “but never have I and never would I slight one of your daughters.”
Mr Bennet displayed that disquieting smile again. “Perhaps I misunderstood, then. But to business! Can I engage you for attendance? Mrs Bennet will be offended beyond repair if I return with the report that Mr Darcy of Pemberley would rather dine at the George and Crown than at her table.”
Darcy knew not why he was prevaricating. Because it would be an imposition? Because most of Elizabeth’s relations were ghastly? Because being in Elizabeth’s presence made him ache for her in a way he did not think he could bear? He sighed discreetly. It was for all those reasons, but he had not the resolve to stay away from her.
“I should be delighted to join you, though I have one small problem in the form of my cousin. I am unsure whether she will be expected to dine at Lucas Lodge tomorrow.”
“I doubt it, from what Lady Lucas was saying about her in my parlour not two hours ago.”
For the love of God!If he ever escaped Hertfordshire, Darcy swore to himself he would never return for as long as he lived. “Then I am afraid, if you have me, you will be obliged to have her and her companion as well.”
“Excellent! If I am to spend Christmas Day with a house full of my own silly women, the least you can do is bring a few of your own.”
Darcy could not accustom himself to the man’s irreverence, and the comparison of Anne to any one of Elizabeth’s younger sisters was sobering, thus he did not smile as they stood to shake hands. “Before you go, might I ask you something about your eldest daughter?”
Mr Bennet pulled a face that made clear his curiosity. “You may.”
“Was sheparticularlydisappointed when my friend Bingley left the country?”
Mr Bennet’s countenance relaxed into one of comprehension. “More so than her mother, do you mean? Aye, Jane does appear to have been in low spirits since, but do not all girls like to be crossed in love at some point, Mr Darcy? But Jane is usually less apt than her sisters to make a fuss of things, and Lizzy seems to think her melancholy is genuine. And Lizzy, you understand, is the most sensible of all my girls. If anyone is likely to have the right of it, ’tis her.”
Darcy thanked him, and they parted ways. When he was gone, Darcy threw his letter to Bingley on the fire and wrote it out anew. He sent a boy out with it and a bag of coin heavy enough to ensure it would find its way to London despite it being almost Christmas. Then he retired for the night to fight a losing battle against the pangs of agitation that assailed him every time he thought of seeing Elizabeth on the morrow.
9
Hostages were exchanged at church on Christmas Day. Mr Darcy retrieved his cousin and her companion from Sir William’s carriage and sat with them at the rear of the nave, as far away from both the Lucases and the Bennets as the modest building permitted. To Elizabeth, this was proof of his disdain for both families. Charlotte, who had wasted no time retrieving Elizabeth fromherfamily party, was more inclined to think his intentions good.
“I am sure he means only to spare us all as much inconvenience as possible, Eliza. Mr Darcy was most sincere in his apology to my mother for the trouble they have given us. In truth, I think he was rather embarrassed.”
“Who would not be? Miss de Bourgh has made a nuisance of herself from the very first.” Seeing Charlotte sigh resignedly, Elizabeth checked her tone and added, “I am sure she will not always be so unreasonable. In any case, I expect they will live at Pemberley once they are married, and you will not have to deal with her at all.”
“Perhaps,” replied her friend with a humourless smile. “Though I suspect she may not be so tiresome when she is away from here.”
They were obliged to cease conspiring to join in a hymn. Elizabeth did so with uncommon eagerness, for when she was not singing herself, she could hear Mr Darcy doing so. She could not have said why she preferred not to listen to him, except that it made her lose her place so often.
“It was very good of your mother to invite them both to dine with you today,” Charlotte whispered when they were seated again.
“She only invited Mr Darcy. And only becauseyourmother was not disposed to have him—for which none of us blame her, you understand. Miss de Bourgh is quite enough bother on her own, but he would not come without her.”
“He ought to be applauded for that. It shows an affection for his future wife that is very pleasing.”
