Bingley was mostly preoccupied with Jane, stealing private moments of conversation with her, dissipating all her fears.
Darcy spent time with Mr Bennet and Mr Gardiner, discussing books, fishing, hunting and estate matters.
After dinner, despite her weakness and tiredness, Miss Darcy agreed to play at the pianoforte, while Elizabeth offered to turn the pages for her.
The young lady granted them a stunning, exquisite performance that left everyone in awe.
The Bennets' loud and hardly proper manners, as well as Bingley’s joyfulness, Mrs Gardiner’ shared memories, and her brother and cousin's support helped Miss Darcy overcome her usual shyness and restraint in front of strangers.
So she managed to smile when at some point, Mrs Bennet declared to her, “My dear Miss Darcy, you are the image of perfection, truly! I have never met any young girl so perfectly accomplished. You only need to put on several more pounds, which I will take care to make happen while you stay in Hertfordshire. Hill’s meat pie is the first step—I will ask her to cook it tomorrow.”
Miss Darcy whispered a thank you, then glanced at her brother, who just shrugged with amusement, leaving her to deal with the matter by herself.
Before dinner ended and the guests were ready to depart, Mr Bingley addressed Mrs Bennet.
“Madam, since now I have guests at Netherfield for Christmas, I intend to host a party and a small ball. After a discussion with Darcy, we have agreed to leave the guest list in your care, if you are willing to help us. We believe you are the best to decide who from Meryton should attend this party. If that is convenient for you, of course.”
Mrs Bennet was so shocked that she could neither speak nor breathe and her entire family shared her astonishment. It was exceptional proof of consideration and obviously the last piece of revenge that the two gentlemen offered her, after the humiliation she had to suffer.
Moments passed until Mrs Bennet eventually nodded in approval, and even longer until she found the words to express her satisfaction and gratitude.
∞∞∞
The news of Mr Bingley’s engagement to Jane Bennet came before the Christmas party and threw Longbourn into greater turmoil than ever before.
Mrs Phillips visited her sister often and, together with Mrs Gardiner, helped her to complete the arrangements.
“You must understand, sister, that I must be careful who I invite to the party since Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy put their trust in me. Mr Darcy is a powerful man, with important connections, I cannot put him in improper company! Not to mention Colonel Fitzwilliam will be there too—the son of an earl! Has Meryton ever entertained such company?”
“No, indeed, sister,” Mrs Phillips said, happy to be safe on the guest list.
“Not to mention that the Lucases bragged so much about Charlotte’s wedding—I am not sure I can stand them. And if Mr Collins would come too, Mr Darcy might confront him. He was exceedingly rude in his letters to Mr Bennet. Mr Darcy is not a man to easily forget.”
I am sure Mr Darcy is a generous man and will put aside any past misunderstandings,” Mrs Gardiner declared.
“Well, you would not wish to see Mr Darcy angry, I assure you,” Mrs Phillips declared.
Mr Bennet loathed all these discussions. He felt grateful for the privacy of his library in the company of only his brother Gardiner.
A strong friendship grew between Georgiana Darcy and the Bennet sisters. The company of young ladies of her age seemed to be what Georgiana needed to improve her spirit. With Mary, she studied at the pianoforte, helping Mary improve in technique and feeling for the music. With Lydia and Kitty, she talked, laughed—and ate, as the girls’ appetite and joy was contagious.
With Jane and especially with Elizabeth, she walked around the house, talked about books, and music and theatre and about their families; their connection became closer with every day.
While Darcy did not take any clear steps towards courting Elizabeth, their relationship grew and improved constantly too. They became completely at ease in each other’s company, they teased each other, argued fiercely on various subjects, played chess and discussed politics and laughed—loudly, unrestrainedly, as Bingley had never heard Darcy before.
He showed no restraint in revealing his admiration for her, but waited patiently to see a sign of affection from her.
Elizabeth believed she had showered him with enough evidence of her changed feelings, but he did not seem to notice it. Or perhaps, his own feelings for her did not go beyond mere friendship.
The more she discovered of him, the more she realised that he was the perfect man for her. Her thoughts were often filled with him, her hopes mixed with fears for the day when he would eventually leave. At times, she wondered if his past marriage proposal was still open—as he had said. She feltashamed even reflecting on it, but she heartily hoped that she might hear those words again one day.
Two days before Christmas, heavy snow began. While the entire house was full—as always, Elizabeth took a stroll outside. The fresh snow had always been her favourite and she could not waste the moment to enjoy it.
When she went past the corner of the house, she heard a voice calling her. She had secretly hoped he would come after her but did not dare imagine it might actually happen.
“Miss Bennet.”
“Mr Darcy.”
