Netherfield Manor appeared lonely and too silent for the two gentlemen, despite the warm reception from the staff.
Therefore, they changed and, around half past seven in the evening, they headed towards Longbourn. From time to time, Bingley glanced at his friend, still shocked by the alteration in his manners.
“I hope the Bennets will not consider my appearance as rude, given that I said I would not come,” Darcy said.
“I am sure they will be pleased to see you. So did you really propose to Miss Elizabeth?”
“Of course I did. Why else would I have said so?”
“And she refused you?”
“She did, but I expected it. My behaviour was rather questionable last time I was here.”
“Indeed. Do you remember that you refused to dance with her? You said she was barely tolerable…”
“I do remember. It was your fault, you know… if you had not bothered me so much that evening, I would not have been so uncivil,” Darcy said, half in jest. His apparent good disposition was the complete opposite compared with the morning.
“So it is my fault now?” Bingley challenged him.
“It was. You are annoying at times when you force me to do things I loath.”
The conversation was a friendly and teasing one and continued until they arrived at their destination.
The servant invited them into the dining room, where the family was already gathered. At their entrance, Jane smiled at Mr Bingley with apparent delight, but all the other eyes were fixed upon Darcy. He briefly looked at Elizabeth, then at Mr Bennet, until Mrs Bennet's voice startled him and a moment later he felt trapped in a most unexpected embrace.
“My dear Mr Darcy, let me kiss you!!! You are the best of men, indeed! May I kiss you? And to think how much I hated you until recently! Nobody has ever done such a wonderful thing for me! The revenge you granted me I shall never forget! Oh dear, you are such a brave man! And so tall and handsome!”
“Mama!” cried Elizabeth, flushed with mortification. “Mama, what are you doing?”
“Oh hush, child, I am talking to Mr Darcy!”
The gentleman appeared completely lost; much taller than the lady, she did not succeed in actually kissing his cheeks, but she attempted several times. She insisted on embracing him, though, so he had no other choice but to accept the affectionate gesture, opening his arms. He cast a quick look at Bingley, who shrugged, equally confused, then sat near Jane.
“I never remember Mrs Bennet expressing her gratitude so eloquently, in five and twenty years of marriage,” Mr Bennet said, with an expression of utter compassion for Darcy. It was exceedingly diverting to see the severe gentleman who had barely spoken to any of them only a fortnight before, forced to accept Mrs Bennet’s sentimental effusions.
“Oh, you speak nonsense, Mr Bennet,” the lady interrupted her husband. “Come, Mr Darcy, sit here, at the head of the table,” she insisted.
“Mrs Bennet, I thank you for your generosity, but I am lost as to why you are thanking me.”
“Why? Why? My sister, Mrs Phillips, told me what you did! If only I could have seen their faces when you called them stupid!”
“I beg your pardon, ma’am, but I did not say such a thing.”
“No, no, you said someone must be stupid to believe those lies about Lizzy! That is pretty much the same! And those infuriating Lucases! Oh, I beg you not to be upset with Lizzy for refusing your proposal! I know you were not serious, nobody would expect you to really marry Lizzy. But she is a little bit wild and she is still upset with you for calling her tolerable.”
“Mama!!!!” Elizabeth cried, crimson and irritated.
Darcy also felt his cheeks burning. Until that moment, he was unaware that Elizabeth had heard his offensive remark at the assembly.
“Mrs Bennet, Miss Bennet, I deeply apologise. That evening, at the assembly…” Darcy began an excuse, but Mrs Bennet stopped him.
“My dear Mr Darcy, after what you have done for my revenge this evening, you may call all of us, anything you please!”
The statement disconcerted Darcy completely and he abandoned any opposition, choosing polite silence.
“Oh, what a pity that you did not tell me which is your favourite dish! Will you come to dine with us again tomorrow?Let me know what you prefer. Oh, and you too, Mr Bingley, of course!”
“Mrs Bennet?”
