“Did Lizzy tell you that she is returning home soon?” said Mr. Gardiner, abruptly.
She had told Darcynothing, because they had not had a chance to speak. Darcy was about to return to his brooding, when the meaning of Mr. Gardiner’s words registered. She was goinghome? It was odd to hear those words. Darcy had somehow come to think of the Gardiners’ house as Miss Bennet’s.
Darcy’s heart sank like a stone as the full implications finally dawned on him.
“Returning home?” he asked. “But why? I had the impression she was staying longer.”
“Her father has written her a letter, asking her to come back. I informed him about the gossip, and he believes she should leave quickly before anyone has a chance to identify her. I agree.”
“So do I,” said Darcy, surprising himself. It was the best way out of her problem, certainly.
Mr. Gardiner nodded, and stared into his glass. “I wonder if Mr. Millett intends to offer for her before she leaves. He has not said anything to me.”
Why was Mr. Gardiner talking to him about Miss Bennet as if she was a shared relation? This was taking the idea of making Darcy part of the family too far.
In any case, if he was to be part of the family, he would much rather it was because Miss Bennet was his wife.
He came to his feet. “I think we had better go. Georgiana is not accustomed to staying out too late.”
“I am sorry you cannot stay longer, but I hope to see you soon.”
The likelihood ofthatwas quickly receding in Darcy’s mind.
As Darcy left the Gardiners’ house, his mind was in a state of upheaval, knowing there was a distinct possibility that Miss Bennet might soon be engaged to Mr. Millett.
He was vaguely aware of Georgiana trying to talk to him.
“I am sorry, Georgie. I am not good company just now.”
She did not question him, sensing that he wanted to be left alone.
Was it possible that Miss Bennet would turn Darcy down, and then, within a few days, accept someone like Mr. Millett? Setting aside Darcy’s position in society, his connections, and the advantages of his education, Darcy would be a better choice even in terms of appearance alone. Mr. Millett was presentable. He was tall and well proportioned. But his eyes were too deep in his face, and they were too close together. Surely, Miss Bennet must have noticed? If one looked long enough, it became obvious. Why would Miss Bennet choose such a person over him? He could never understand why people blinded themselves to reality.
Mr. Millett was Darcy’s inferior in every possible way, yet Miss Bennet had turnedDarcydown. Where was the logic in this? Though Darcy was willing to acknowledge that logic perhaps was not the main reason to choose a partner in marriage.
Darcy was also aware that his own behavior had determined her reaction to his proposal. Admittedly, he had not been at his best that day. He had been full of anger and outrage that Society had put him in such a situation. Yet Miss Bennet was even more of a victim than he was. He ought to have waited until he was calmer rather than approaching her when he was still seething with the injustice of it all. Instead, what had he done? He had let out his frustration by directing it against her. He had pointed out the inferiority of her connections as if she was to blame for the situation.
He was wracked with self-reproach. How could he possibly have thought that she would be happy to receive his proposal? If she were a grasping, scheming young lady, she would not have cared. She might even have been ecstatic at such a social triumph. Elizabeth Bennet, however, was not like that, and he knew it even then. Her pride was already bruised by society’s condemnation. Then he had made everything worse by going to her house, full of indignation, and offending her in every possible way. It was a wonder she could bear to be in the same room as him.
The ugly truth was staring at him in the face. He was the one who had driven her into the arms of Mr. Millett, and by doing so, he had lost all chance of happiness.
Chapter 17
The next morning, Elizabeth did not go down for breakfast. She had spent most of the night trying to determine what had gone so wrong at dinner. How could she and Mr. Darcy have spent a whole evening in the same house, and yet they had not exchanged more than a few words? She was so happy when Mr. Darcy had sent a note that he was coming. In her imagination, she had anticipated a whole evening of conversation together.
Instead, nothing had occurred at all. It had been flat and meaningless. There was no connection between her and Mr. Darcy. None at all. Her initial instincts had been right. It was a good thing she had refused to marry him. Imagine a lifetime of evenings like last night, spent in silence!
Feeling restless and unsettled, Elizabeth went downstairs to find something to occupy her.
“There you are, Lizzy,” said Mrs. Gardiner, as Elizabeth entered the parlor. “I have been waiting to talk to you. What did you think of my cunning plan?”
Elizabeth did not know how to answer.
“It was a good plan, but I wish you had shared it with my uncle. I am so frustrated. It seemed as if he was determined to do everything rather than let me speak to Mr. Darcy. Oh, Aunt, I do believe he is hoping I will marry Mr. Millett and is doing his best to keep me away from Mr. Darcy.”
Mrs. Gardiner looked surprised. “Really? Do you think so?”
“It could not have been more obvious,” said Elizabeth, in disbelief. “Surely you noticed?”
