When he questioned Richard, who obviously knew the family better than he did, to discover if there could be any truth in Miss Bingley’s assertions and Deveril was playing fast and loose, he was so focused on that purpose that he forgot the presence of the lady’s uncle.
After Darcy’s slighting remarks caused a response from that gentleman, who called Darcy’s standards into question, everyone else added their own arguments to completely demolish Darcy’s point of view.
Darcy was used to being in charge with his judgement and decisions unquestioned. Yet in recent weeks everyone seemed to question his discernment … culminating in tonight’s argument. The humiliation was too much.
Thinking now about those few minutes, Darcy wanted to squirm. On reflection, his uncle had been correct. He had spent too much time with Bingley and his sister.
While his father had taught him good principles, he had followed them in pride and conceit. Attitudes which had worsened in recent years when he had thought meanly of the intelligence and worth of people outside his immediate circle. And possibly giving too much credence to some of the ones inside.
Tonight, he paid the price in humiliation, and he had no one to blame but himself.
After reviewing the whole evening, Darcy was grateful to his uncle and Richard for forcing him to see the error of his ways. Painful as it was looking at what he had become, at least he was being given a chance to redeem himself. And he had the support of his family while he worked to become the kind of man of whom he could bejustifiablyproud.
Deveril too was giving him a chance to reform, although Darcy would never forget the cold look he had received when Deveril took him aside and reminded him never to say a negative word about any Bennet lady. He did not say that Darcy would not live long to regret it, but Darcy understood without the words being spoken.
He could also hardly believe that even Mr Gardiner had given him a chance to prove that he could change. Darcy wondered about the leniency but was grateful.
~T~
Mr Gardiner privately reported the gist of the conversation to his wife, except for that throwaway comment about the future duke. Mrs Gardiner was shocked at the potential repercussions to her nieces.
‘I am afraid that the conversation which took place was partly my fault. If I had been more careful to keep my voice down when I defended Jane, it might have come to nothing. As it was, it was fortunate to be amongst the right group of people since none of themen believed a word of what that idiot implied. Apart from that, I would have had to stand in line to get a chance at Darcy, since Deveril, the Earl and the Colonel were even more incensed than I was.’
Madeline Gardiner gave him a searching look. ‘There is more to it, is there not?’
‘There are at least three more things. One is that we know he was trying to apologise to Lizzy for his stupid remark in Meryton, even going so far as to go to Longbourn, which as I said before speaks well of his basic character. Another reason is that you have spoken well of the family and judging by the reaction of the Fitzwilliams, Darcy will not be allowed to forget himself so badly again.’ Gardiner smiled at his wife’s relieved smile. ‘Therefore, I am prepared to give him a chance to redeem himself.’
‘What is the other thing?’ she asked out of curiosity.
‘If Darcy should forget himself… he might run afoul of any number of burly stevedores.’
‘I certainly hope it will not come to that.’
‘So do I,’ Gardiner fervently agreed.
~T~
Since Elizabeth had not been privy to the discussion in the library, her impression of the gentleman had improved although there had been several ups and downs during the evening.
When he had first arrived and made his unfortunate comments, she had been angry, but had thoroughly enjoyed putting him into his place. Then he managed to apologise for that comment, and she remembered the Colonel’s assessment that Darcy was a master of saying the wrong thing. When he again managed to mangle the apology for his tolerable remark, she had overcome her anger by sharpening her wit at his expense.
But the discussion they had about literature over dinner had been thoroughly enjoyable. The Colonel had also been correct when he judged Darcy to be an excellent debater. The best part as far as Elizabeth was concerned was that the gentleman seemed to have no issue with her disagreeing with him.
They had both challenged each other’s ideas and listened with respect to their respective arguments. This was not at all what she had expected after their initial meeting but had to admit that she thoroughly enjoyed it.
She chuckled to herself as she remembered his stunned expression when she had explained to him that his insult had not been the cause of Mr Bingley’s eviction but only a small contributing factor.
Thinking of Bingley, Elizabeth hoped that Mr Darcy would be somewhat more discerning when it came to his friend. That man could have been bad for Jane’s reputation if he had been successful in wooing her sister.
On the other hand, it would be amusing encountering Miss Bingley. Based on Lady Matlock’s comments that woman’s days in society were numbered.
In the meantime, Elizabeth was looking forward to some lively debates.
~T~
Four other people were having pleasant thoughts about their dinner partners.
Having previously observed Miss Mary interacting with his ward, Fitzwilliam was pleased to have her as his dinner partner. The more they conversed the more he found to like in the lady. While she was intelligent which he enjoyed, she was not as bookish as her older sister. As far as Richard was concerned, she had the perfect mixture of attributes which he enjoyed and hoped to find in one lady. Since, thanks to Darcy, he would have to spend more time in the lady’s company, he forgave his cousin for being an idiot.
