“I believe we have discussed everything needed for now,” Mr Bennet addressed his family.
“Darcy, Mrs Bennet has invited us to dinner,” Bingley said animatedly.
Darcy paused for a moment, then he stepped closer to Mrs Bennet, bowed to her and said perfectly amiably, “Mrs Bennet, I must decline the invitation for tonight, as I have some urgent business to attend. Bingley might come alone if he wishes. As for me, I would be grateful for another invitation soon.”
His tone, nearness and formal bow astonished Mrs Bennet. She looked at him, trying to see if he was speaking in earnest, then nodded repeatedly.
“Of course, Mr Darcy, you may come whenever you wish. We always have a good dinner prepared.”
“I am sure you do, Mrs Bennet. I wish you all a lovely evening,” he said, then he left, followed by Bingley.
A long moment of silence followed, then suddenly, Jane began to sob with distress, running to her chamber. Elizabeth followed her, while Mr Bennet caressed his wife’s arm.
“I believe everything will be well, Mrs Bennet. Well, indeed.”
∞∞∞
Darcy entered the carriage with a lighter heart. The solution to the problem seemed now clear and easy. The conversation with Mr Bennet and Elizabeth had gone better than he had expected. He was impressed by Elizabeth’s honesty in refusing his marriage proposal; by Mr Bennet’s straightness, since any man in his position would force his daughter to accept such a marriage proposal; but most of all, he was impressed by Elizabeth’s genuine care for his sister, despite her own torment. She was indeed an admirable woman. But even so, the most remarkable of women had little chance to repair her reputation against dishonourable men.
“What business do you have, Darcy?” Bingley asked. “You know, Miss Bennet seemed happy to see me. All the misses Bennets,” he added, slightly embarrassed.
“Yes, I noticed. I am going to the Lucases’ party to confront Wickham.”
Bingley looked at his usually calm and controlled friend with disbelief.
“Now? At the party?”
“Yes, what better opportunity? The whole of Meryton will be there.”
“Oh…I see,” Bingley mumbled, although he felt completely lost.
“Will you join me, Bingley?”
“Of course! But should we not change first?”
“Change? Not at all? I am angry with all of them and they do not deserve much consideration from me.”
“Oh, I see,” Bingley repeated, even more lost. In more than five years of friendship, Bingley had never seen Darcy angry enough to alter his usual expression. Now, he seemed remarkably calm, only the strange smile crushed between Darcy’s tight lips alarmed him.
The carriage arrived in front of the house. The sound of voices, laughter and music reached out through the closed windows. The shadows of men and women revealed that the party was rather large.
Darcy entered first, and Bingley followed him. When the servant announced them, countless gazes filled with stupefaction fell upon them and all noise ceased. All the families of consequence from Meryton were there, as well as several officers, Wickham among them.
“Good evening,” Darcy said, with a voice as strong as thunder, stepping forward.
Sir William bowed to him, mumbling a welcome.
“Please sir, let us cease any insincere politeness,” Darcy interrupted his effusions. “It has come to my attention that, unlike any other part of England, the people of Meryton consider me to be a scoundrel with no honour and no responsibility, ready to trifle with young ladies and then abandon them. In my eight and twenty years, I have never been so offended.”
Again, no reply. He glanced around and continued.
“Despite the briefness of my stay at Netherfield, I have come to consider Meryton a pleasant village, with decent people, civil manners, and much loyalty to each other. People withenough common sense to recognise a fabrication and laugh at it. Obviously, I was wrong.”
A general murmur spread around the crowded room.
“That you easily found me guilty of charges that had never crossed my mind, I can understand, since you did not know me well enough. But that you were so eager to believe the accusations against a young woman whose character you knew so well and had never disappointed any of you, that you all so readily rejected a family who you have known your entire life, because of the rumours spread by some unknown wretch—it is truly astonishing.”
More whispers but no actual reply. Darcy continued, more vexed. “When I first heard the rumours, I dismissed them with a laugh, being certain nobody would believe something so stupid. How little judgment must one possess to believe that Miss Elizabeth Bennet would behave in a dishonourable manner and become involved in some sordid relationship with me and a scoundrel officer? I may as well suggest that Sir William keeps a mistress at St. James’s Palace and be found equally credible!”
