Darcy got no further before a fist slammed into his stomach, making him double over in pain. He had trouble breathing and his eyes watered.
‘Thank you, Colonel,’ said Elizabeth before turning to Darcy. ‘I am here to have dinner with the Countess of Matlock and her family, and I came into the house by the usual means… I entered through the front door. You know, like a welcome and invited guest…’ Elizabeth smiled sweetly as she responded but her eyes would have put icicles to shame.
Darcy managed to stand up again and catch his breath while Elizabeth spoke. He also succeeded in at least partly gathering his wits. ‘I beg your pardon, Miss Elizabeth, for my poor choice of words. I only meant that having unsuccessfully looked for you in Gracechurch Street, where your father said you currently resided, I was surprised to encounter you unexpectedly.’
The icicles gradually melted during his speech. ‘Very well, Mr Darcy, I will pardonthisfaux pas since I understand from your family that your poor choice of words is a trait of long standing.’ She gave a tight smile. ‘And while I do not believe that I owe you an explanation, you could not find me earlier today because I am staying at an aunt’s house… a different aunt.’
Before Darcy could dig himself another verbal hole, Lady Matlock introduced him to the Gardiners and casually mentioned that they were the aunt and uncle of the Bennet sisters.
Darcy greeted them politely and privately thought that he was grateful not having to mingle with the tradesman relatives as they would not be able to behave in a polite manner. It did not occur to him to remember that Bingley was also from a background in trade. He also did not see the irony of the pot calling the kettle black.
~T~
Darcy looked around the room and realised with a sinking feeling that everyone here with perhaps the exception of Georgiana and possibly Deveril knew about his blunder in Hertfordshire and his invitation had been extended to give him an opportunity to apologise.
Since that had been his plan when he tried to find Elizabeth earlier in the day, albeit without this audience, he gathered his courage and addressed the lady.
‘Miss Elizabeth, since you were gracious enough to forgive today’s faux pas, will you also allow me to apologise for my poor behaviour at that assembly in Meryton. I was in a foul mood and truly had not thought to find anyone of consequence in that county.’
‘Of course, I accept your apology, Mr Darcy. After all, you could not possibly have known whom you were insulting… since no one ofanyconsequence would ever live in the country… would they… Mr Darcy?’
Elizabeth responded with such arch sweetness that it took Darcy a full minute to enumerate the multitude of barbs in that brief acceptance.
He had the grace to blush, particularly when he noticed the bland smiles by every Fitzwilliam present.
‘As you mentioned earlier, I am often found wanting when it comes to the correct choice of words. But I am truly sorry for my attitude. I am currently attempting to reform not only my behaviour but also the misguided thinking which led me to behave in that fashion, but I am afraid that it will be a long process and I suspect I will not always be successful.’
‘You do improve with practice, Mr Darcy,’ Elizabeth said with a sigh. ‘That apology will do for the moment.’
While Darcy realised that the acceptance of his apology was not wholehearted, he was grateful for not being called out again by any member of his family or the lady herself.
But there was one more lady to whom he needed to speak.
~T~
Darcy’s chance came when he was seated next to Jane Bennet during dinner, as the lady was placed between himself and Deveril.
Having never before seen Bingley as enamoured as he was with Miss Bennet, Darcy was concerned that his own behaviour, which had caused his friend being evicted from Netherfield, had also caused a rift between his friend and the lady.
‘Miss Bennet, since your sister has accepted my apology, even though I suspect she has some reservations, I hope that you will not hold my faults against my friend.’
‘Mr Darcy, I never hold anyone responsible for the actions of others.’
Darcy smiled with relief. ‘Then you will not hold my words against Mr Bingley and give him a chance to continue courting you now that you are both in town?’
‘Yes and no. Yes, I do not hold your words against Mr Bingley, but no, I will not give him a chance.’
‘But why?’
Jane sighed. ‘Mr Darcy, it goes against my nature to be so blunt, but you must know that for weeks I had been hinting to Mr Bingley that his attentions were unwelcome. But nothing I said or did would convince him to find another prey.’
‘Prey, Miss Bennet? Surely that is somewhat harsh? My friend has never been a rake and has always acted with propriety towards ladies.’
‘I believe that while he may have acted with propriety it was not with consideration.’
When Darcy opened his lips as if to object to her words, she held up her hand and explained, ‘Mr Darcy, my sisters and I enjoy the study ofcharacters and we suspect that your friend enjoys the chase. Although we did not know it during his stay in Hertfordshire, we have since learnt that the gentleman falls in and out of love on a regular basis. From the information we received, he falls in love with a lady and after a few weeks suddenly he falls out of love. We have wondered if that happens as soon as the lady starts to reciprocate his apparent feelings.’
‘You think he toys with the feelings of the ladies?’
