“Thank you, Georgiana. I ask you to use my given name, or Lizzy, if you prefer.”
After several more minutes of conversation, Mr Darcy returned, this time wearing his coat, and said the carriage was ready. Mr Darcy attended Elizabeth and her maid to the carriage, and when it drove off, Elizabeth saw him standing before his house watching them drive down the street.
ChapterFive
Jane’s impatience to learn what happened with Mr Darcy could no longer be overcome once they were alone at Longbourn. Elizabeth suppressed every particular where Jane and Mr Bingley were concerned and related only the chief of the scene at Hunsford between Mr Darcy and herself. Jane was sorry that Mr Darcy had delivered his proposals in a manner so little suited to recommend them, but she was ready to forgive him, given his immediate efforts to attend to her reproofs.
“He must have been so unhappy when you refused him.”
“He appeared shocked. He was so sure of his success.” Elizabeth was still impressed at how improved he had become in so short a time. He was now the sort of man she could envision sharing her life with, one who would respect her and consult her happiness in all things.
“What happened after he handed you the letter?”
Elizabeth repeated the whole of its contents as far as they concerned Wickham and his disgraceful behaviour. She spoke of her shame and her decision to tell Mr Darcy that she credited his account when he called on Mrs Collins. Next, she described how he acted with more civility and offered to visit Cheapside for her sake.
“Poor Mr Darcy! Such a disappointment, and with the knowledge of your ill opinion too.”
“Had we not met in Charlotte’s sitting room, we might have parted ways forever.” She was grieved at the thought of never meeting him again.
“He took your admonitions to heart and still desires your favour,” Jane cried, smiling. “But you must tell me what happened in Berkeley Square.”
Elizabeth did not feel equal to expressing what it felt like to waltz with Mr Darcy and be held in his arms. “I spent a lovely half an hour with Miss Darcy, and before I left, I saw her brother. Mr Darcy was kind enough to offer his own carriage to take me home.”
“But did you tell him you would be happy to receive him here?”
“I did.” However, after listening to their mother’s raptures on Jane’s renewed acquaintance with Mr Bingley, Elizabeth had chosen not to mention to her parents Mr Darcy’s intentions of calling. “In fact, he led me to believe I could expect him before your Mr Bingley takes residence.”
“He is notmyMr Bingley,” Jane demurred.
It was the last week of the regiment’s stay in Meryton. Kitty and Lydia’s misery was extreme, and her mother shared all their grief and desires to follow the regiment to Brighton. Of course, her father would never stir to do anything for his family, although he teased them terribly over it. Elizabeth felt anew the justice of Mr Darcy’s objections to her family’s behaviour. When she thought of seeing him again, she was irrepressibly happy until she remembered that, in order to see her, he must come to Longbourn. Elizabeth feared that her family’s conduct might remind him of his previous misgivings.
The ladies were in the parlour when Lydia received a note from Mrs Forster, and she and Kitty ran outside to read it. Elizabeth glanced out the window to see their reaction, and instead saw Mr Darcyride into the paddock. She fell into her seat, her fingers trembling when she tried to pick up her workbag.
“Lizzy, has something distressed you?” Jane asked, taking the needle and threading it for her.
Elizabeth shook her head but was unable to speak. She was absolutely happy and anxious at the same moment. Elizabeth had told no one, save Jane, of her improved opinion of Mr Darcy, and he was about to enter the house.
“There is a gentleman riding up to the house. Who can it be?” their mother asked as she walked past the window. “It looks like that man who used to be with Mr Bingley before—the tall, proud man.”
Jane looked pointedly at her, but Elizabeth was overwhelmed and said nothing. It was one thing to imagine him calling and entirely another to know that he was here. Jane answered their mother that it was likely Mr Darcy.
“Mr Darcy! Well, any friend of Mr Bingley’s will always be welcome here, to be sure. But else I must say, I hate the very sight of him.”
Elizabeth knew she must speak, uncomfortable as it must be. “Mr Darcy visited his aunt while I was with Charlotte in Kent. We— Mr Darcy has an attachment to me…perhaps as tender as Mr Bingley does for Jane. He asked permission to call on me, and I granted it.”
“Oh, you vex me, Lizzy, for we all know how little Mr Darcy favours you. He is shockingly rude to be sure, but we shall endeavour to greet him civilly.”
“Mamma! He is not the same as he was last autumn; indeed, he has no improper pride. I am better acquainted with him now, and—and I have grown fond of him. I—I even think that we could be well suited to one another.”
She shared a look with Jane, who added, “The Gardiners and I were pleased with Mr Darcy when he called in Gracechurch Street. He was perfectly amiable.”
“So high and conceited that there is no enduring him!” Mrs Bennet refused to listen and fluttered around the room. “You need not stay, Lizzy. Perhaps he is here to see Jane. He might hope to make his intentions known before his friend returns. Jane, do not encourage him, but you may have to talk with him to spare Lizzy the trouble.”
Elizabeth entreated her mother to be silent and tried to assure her that Mr Darcy wanted to seeher, but she would not be convinced.
The hourson horseback were a small price to pay to see Elizabeth before Bingley reopened Netherfield next month, and it had the added benefit of requiring him to stay in her company longer while he baited his horse. He would not dwell on the others he would meet since he was determined to show Elizabeth’s family every respect for her benefit.
He heard raised voices from the parlour and, upon entering, was struck by Elizabeth’s smile of delight. The animation of her countenance was striking, and he was so intent on looking at her that he nearly forgot to acknowledge the others. Darcy was thankful that only Mrs Bennet and her two eldest children were at home.
