“I intend to do so, Aunt. I just need an opportunity to express my regrets. How could I have been so silly as to believe a complete stranger, without asking for proof?”
“Well, my dear, in your defence, Mr Wickham seems to have charmed the whole of Meryton. Some men possess such talents. Mr Darcy made a less favourable impression, I am sure. Your mother called him a very unpleasant sort of man, though in Derbyshire he is known as an excellent master and landlord.”
“My first meeting with Mr Darcy was unpleasant, indeed,” Elizabeth replied. “And he did seem cold, arrogant, and proud — but there was a lot of prejudice in that judgment too.”
“Yes, your mother told me that Mr Darcy called you tolerable.” Mrs Gardiner smiled. “I doubt she will ever forgive him for that!”
Elizabeth hesitated to reply, her cheeks warming at the memory of his marriage proposal. If she had accepted it, her mother would have forgiven Mr Darcy instantly and worshipped him for the rest of her life.
“I must repeat, despite what we know about Mr Wickham, he did bring us letters and said he would call again so he might take our replies to your family. That was a kind gesture. We cannot repay it with rejection, can we, Lizzy?”
“No, but I suggest we send our replies by post, as usual, not hand them to Mr Wickham. I shall try to act politely in his presence, but I shall not trust him with anything.”
“I agree, but Lizzy, what a spot we are in now. The colonel will no doubt tell Mr Darcy of Mr Wickham’s visit, and if he believes we are friends with his enemy, he might avoid us.”
Elizabeth’s stomach twisted as she feared much worse. Mr Darcy might assume she had dismissed or distrusted his letter and that she favoured Mr Wickham still. How horrible if he believed her to be silly and credulous even after he had provided her with so much proof!
“Mr Darcy has every reason to presume I am still a simpleton deceived by Mr Wickham. I owe him — and myself — an explanation and apologies. Perhaps at Mr Bingley’s dinner, if Mr Darcy still agrees to be in our company.”
Her aunt’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “That dinner party might be a significant moment. Jane is luminous at the prospect of seeing Mr Bingley again, and I pray we are not hoping for more than is possible.”
“I pray for that, too, Aunt. Jane would be crushed if she suffered another disappointment. If only Mr Bingley would remain as determined as he is now and not allow anyone to interfere in his plans.”
“Lizzy, now that you have mentioned your argument with Mr Darcy, I better understand his peculiar behaviour towards you and his severe expression when he looks at you. He was surprisingly amiable, considering the circumstances.”
“True.”
“And Lizzy, may I assume your opinion of Mr Darcy has improved somewhat? I remember how much you disapproved of him when we were at Longbourn for Christmas. Calling you tolerable is a good reason to hold a grudge,” the lady said, half in jest.
“My opinion certainly improved when I learnt how wrong I was in regard to Mr Wickham. As for calling me tolerable, that was his poor judgment,” Elizabeth replied, attempting a smile. He had called her tolerable once, and several months later, he had confessed he had been deeply in love with her all that time. Ardently in love. What would Mrs Gardiner say if she knew the truth?
That evening, Elizabeth slept little and poorly. She kept thinking of Mr Darcy, wondering what he would think about Mr Wickham’s visit. There were three more days until she would see him again, if he did not change his mind about attending the dinner. Three long and torturous days, which eventually passed.
Despite his promise, Mr Wickham did not call again before Mr Bingley’s party, and with some relief, they assumed he had returned to his regiment.
When the carriage stopped in front of Mr Bingley’s house, Jane’s emotions were overwhelming. She and Mrs Gardiner knew the house only too well from their previous, and ever so painful, visit. Elizabeth saw it for the first time and noticed it was handsome, but the other details escaped her. She was distressed,anxious, and embarrassed, wondering whether Mr Darcy was there and whether she would be able to speak to him.
Moments after they stepped from the carriage, Mr Bingley hurried out to greet them with boyish fervour. His eyes were focused on Jane, to whom he immediately offered his arm, and they were followed inside by the Gardiners. Elizabeth walked a little behind, trying to soothe her agitated heart.
“The others have already arrived, and dinner should be ready in half an hour. My sisters are here too,” he explained with some uneasiness.
The drawing room revealed a cosy party: Colonel Fitzwilliam and his brother, the viscount, with a young woman who was a stranger to them; Miss Georgiana Darcy, shyly clutching a fan; and Miss Bingley and Mr and Mrs Hurst.
Elizabeth glanced about, and her heart almost stopped; by the fireplace, stood Mr Darcy. His dark eyes found Elizabeth’s immediately, holding them with an intensity that stole her breath. He bowed silently; she leant her head towards him, and a faint smile softened his stern features. At least he did not seem upset with her.
The unknown lady was introduced as Lady Amelia, Lord Browning’s daughter.
“Lord Browning is our godfather,” the viscount explained. “Amelia grew up with the two of us and with Darcy. She is a dear friend of ours, and she insisted on joining us.”
“It is an extraordinary surprise and honour for us,” Mr Bingley added.
Elizabeth glanced at the lady during the introductions; she looked about the colonel’s age, very handsome, elegant, andconfident. She was smiling, but her smile was somehow rigid, with a hint of arrogance.
“I confess I was curious to meet you,” Lady Amelia declared bluntly. “Richard and Philip told me they met you at the theatre and that you were acquainted with the late Mr Darcy and Lady Anne.”
“I was, your ladyship,” Mrs Gardiner answered.
“I had such a wonderful time talking to Mrs Gardiner a few days ago,” Miss Darcy added.
