“Mr Darcy.”
“Mr Bennet.”
“I believe we have not had the chance to converse until now.”
“No, that is true, sir.”
“Well, I am not surprised. I dare say both of us are taciturn people and not very fond of large company. We seem to have this in common, besides my cousin Mr Collins’ attention.”
Darcy smiled unwillingly but chose not to reply.
“We appear to also share some preference for libraries. It is my favourite room in any house,” Mr Bennet continued, mockingly.
“Mine too, Mr Bennet. Although, if you refer to the earlier incident, as I suspect, the circumstances were of a peculiar kind.”
“Yes, I imagined as much, Mr Darcy. I only wish to know—is there anything I should worry about regarding my daughter Elizabeth, during the mentioned incident?”
The question caught Darcy off-guard.
“Nothing that I am aware of, Mr Bennet. Except that Miss Bennet might have witnessed a private and not quite amicable conversation, that might have embarrassed and distressed a young lady. For that, I apologise.”
“Well, you are not at fault for my daughter’s embarrassment and distress, since you caused it unwillingly. It was a strange happenstance, though.”
“Very much so, Mr Bennet. Fortunately, it was rather short and it did not cause much harm.”
“Fortunate, indeed.”
As they spoke, their attention was drawn by laughter coming from the officers’ group.
Mr Bennet rolled his eyes in vexation. “Some people are very desirous of large company. I am sad to say that my younger daughters, some of the silliest girls in the country, are among them.”
Darcy gulped some brandy, searching for the proper words.
“Mr Bennet?”
“Yes, sir?”
“Forgive me for being presumptions but I am afraid there are some reasons for worry regarding your youngest daughters.If they were my family, I would not wish them to become friends with Wickham. He is not a man to be trusted near honourable young ladies.”
The statement disconcerted Mr Bennet. “I see. I imagine he would say the same about you, Mr Darcy.”
“Very unlikely. He might say many things about me, but not this. I apologise, I know I do not have the right to provide any advice, but I felt it was my duty to alert you, even more so as I will leave Hertfordshire tomorrow.”
“There is no reason to apologise, Mr Darcy; quite the contrary. I confess I never had much of an opinion about the fellow. I find it quite pathetic for a man to speak freely about his past misery. Should I understand that there is more to the matter than a shallow man trying to gain some advantage with his pleasant appearance?”
“Sadly yes, Mr Bennet.”
“I see. Thank you for mentioning it to me, Mr Darcy.”
“I am glad to be of help, Mr Bennet.”
With that, the two men remained in silence for a few more minutes, then separated.
An hour later, the Netherfield ball ended. The Bennets were among the last to leave, and Mr Bingley accompanied them to the carriage. Mrs Bennet renewed the invitation for him to join them at dinner as soon as he returned, while Mr Collins expressed his congratulations for the party.
Jane Bennet said nothing, only responding with a small, yet bright smile to Bingley’s farewells.
From the balcony, Mr Darcy watched the carriage departing.
