“I am glad to see you, Bingley. Tell me please, when do you intend to return to Netherfield?”
“Well, the day after tomorrow. This is how…”
“We may travel together if you are willing to leave tomorrow morning.”
Bingley looked at his friend, disconcerted. Only a day ago, Darcy had declared his intention to remain in London.
“Tomorrow morning? Of course! Any time you want! How good to know you will join me! We will leave tomorrow morning, most certainly!”
Chapter 8
Longbourn was in uproar as usual, but the joy was missing. In the late afternoon, it was already dark. The winter had settled in and the cold rain threatened to turn into snow.
Mr Bennet was in his library, the ladies in the drawing-room. Elizabeth was trying to read, Mary was playing the pianoforte, Lydia and Kitty were complaining that the Lucases were hosting another dinner party with all the officers, and again they had not been invited.
“Oh, stop crying, girls! This will be our fate from now on, you may as well become accustomed to it!” Mrs Bennet scolded them.
“Mama, I am sure we are making more of this than we should,” Jane said gently. “We must support each other and overcome this exile for which nobody is guilty.”
“And I am so hungry!” Lydia cried again, completely ignoring her sister’s wise advice.
“Mama, somebody is coming!” Kitty exclaimed, running to the window. Lydia joined her and both tried to see through the glass.
“I do not even care! Whoever is coming at this hour is rude and it cannot be good news,” Mrs Bennet declared.
“Mama, it is a large carriage. It has stopped at the gate! Look, two men are coming in. Oh dear Lord! Mama, it is Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy!”
Mrs Bennet forgot to breathe. Unable to speak, her eyes and mouth open in surprise, she silently instructed her daughters to resume their seats properly. Mary stopped playing and moved near Kitty, Jane turned pale and Elizabeth crimson.
A moment later, the servant announced the guests. Mr Bingley entered first, bowing to the host.
“Mrs Bennet, I beg your forgiveness for intruding. We have just arrived from London and wished to greet your family before going to Netherfield. I hope you are all in good health.”
“Oh, my dear Mr Bingley, what a joy to see you again! Yes, we are all in good health, although we have been suffering from distress quite a lot lately. But please, do come in! And Mr Darcy…What a surprise! Come, come gentlemen… I will order some refreshments, you must be tired and hungry from the journey.”
“Thank you, ma’am, you are very kind,” he responded, sitting on a chair with some clumsiness.
Darcy remained standing. His eyes briefly met Elizabeth’s and he seemed unsure what to do.
At that moment, Mr Bennet entered. Unlike the ladies, he met the gentlemen with suitable composure.
“Mr Darcy, Mr Bingley, I am glad to see you have arrived safely. Mrs Bennet, please send some food to the library, Mr Darcy has come to speak to me and I wish to not be interrupted. Lizzy, please join us, it is no secret that we will talk about how to end this miserable fabrication that has affected us all.”
Mrs Bennet was unable to move from the increasing shock. A private conversation between Mr Bennet, Mr Darcy and Lizzy, under the present circumstances, could signify something that not even she had dared to assume.
As the three retired to the library, Jane took the lead and went to order the refreshments, while Bingley remained with the rest of the ladies, wearing a lost but large smile on his face.
∞∞∞
“Lizzy, Mr Darcy, please sit. Let us not be formal, choose a place that is comfortable for you, as this conversation might be long and difficult.”
The maid entered with a tray of food, then left in a hurry.
Darcy sat only briefly, then stood up again, agitated.
“First, please allow me to tell you that I only found out about this… this … ridiculous madness yesterday. Since I arrived in London, I have barely left my house, as my sister Georgiana was unwell and …”
“Oh dear, is Miss Darcy ill?” Elizabeth interjected.
