Miss Darcy made her promises, and then struggled with what elseto say. Mrs Annesley and Mr Utterson then joined them, and her new acquaintance was spared anyone’s undivided attention.
Over the course of the evening, Elizabeth looked now and then at Darcy, who was currently making a circle of his guests. He spoke more familiarly with those he knew best—those who could claimMy dearorDearsalutations—but he was courteous to everyone. When he, at the last, approached where she and Jane were at the tea table, he said to Jane, “How have you enjoyed travelling, Mrs Bingley? Your husband has a tendency to press on at a breakneck pace, and I hope this is not the first time since July that you shall spend two nights in the same place.”
Jane gave a little laugh. “I suspect his enthusiasm for Scarborough and the society of a watering place to be a great motivator.”
“I think it rather Bingley’s enthusiasm to show you off to his advantage to every friend he has ever known.”
Elizabeth watched her sister blush prettily. “You are very kind, Mr Darcy. And I thank you for allowing us to stay for more than a few nights.”
“The pleasure is entirely mine, and I have nothing to say against a house full of good company. Bingley has been my steady friend, madam. It is nothing less than what is due to him and you that you stay for as long as you like.”
“Pemberley is a beautiful home, and your offer is tempting,” Jane said kindly.
He bowed, and then gave Elizabeth a wary look. “How do you like what you have seen of Derbyshire through the rain?”
“I think the Peak scenery to be the most beautiful in the kingdom,” she said warmly. “A true and natural beauty pervades the character of the county.”
Darcy’s countenance brightened, and he looked as though he might speak more on the subject, but he then looked back at Jane and said, in his usual way, “Are there any excursions you would like to take before Bingley leads you north? Any bath, druidical stone circle, dale, or fine home is a morning’s carriage ride away.”
Elizabeth watched him court the good opinion of the woman he had previously thought it a disgrace for his friend to marry. When shesaw Darcy thus civil, not only to herself but to her sister, and recollected their last scene in Hunsford parsonage—the difference, the change, was so great and struck so forcibly on her mind that she could hardly restrain her astonishment from being visible.
When his and Jane’s conversation reached a natural conclusion and Jane left to join Bingley, as Darcy was about to move away, she could not help but say quietly, “Thank you.” This was neither the time nor the place, but he deserved to be thanked for telling her the truth about Wickham, for sending Bingley back to Jane, for sharing his sister’s history with Wickham with her father, for welcoming her after their acrimonious last meeting.
He gave her a look of confusion, and his lips formed the word “Why” as they were then joined by Mr Balfour.
“Darcy, some of your guests wish to play cards, and I just put your name forward contrary to your desire, as I know you are no card player.”
“I thought you called yourself my ‘dear friend’?” he said wittily.
“Aye, I am, but you are also my host with an obligation to entertain me, and I shall be more entertained by forcing you to play cards with Hurst and Miss Bingley and keep your patience than I will be watching you talk to this pretty young lady.” Darcy gave his friend a dark look. “Besides, you can afford to lose the money.”
Darcy gave Mr Balfour a mock scowl, bowed to her, and continued to walk amongst the room whilst the card tables were placed.
“You appear eager for Mr Darcy to lose his money and have an unpleasant evening because of it,” she said playfully.
“I wish that were the case,” Mr Balfour said as they both watched Darcy walk away, “but, to my annoyance, the man is both too rich to notice the loss of a few coins between friends and also rather good at cards. He wins more often than he loses.”
He did sound genuinely annoyed by Darcy’s good fortune. “What a nuisance to have a wealthy friend who wins at loo. I had no idea your situation in life was so undesirable to make you jealous.”
Mr Balfour arranged his features into one of complaisance. “You are quite right; I am not so poorly off. I will inherit an estate worth five thousand a year, but in the meantime, like Utterson, I must shift abouton an allowance granted by my father.” He gave her an appraising, admiring look. “You have a frank and open nature. What is your situation in life?”
“I know very well it will not support a son who is waiting to inherit and eager to spend.”
Mr Balfour laughed. “I admire you, Miss Bennet! We understand each other, I see, and now we can avoid any unpleasantness over the next fortnight and simply talk at length and then part as amiable acquaintances until our paths cross again.”
He was eager in conversation, almost indefatigable. She had a good opinion of him that was in near-direct opposition to her opinion of his sister. Elizabeth had a friendly but forgettable conversation with Mr Balfour until Mr Hurst demanded he help settle his argument with Mr Utterson over horses and how many miles it was from Matlock to Pemberley.
Elizabeth sat alone near the fire, grateful for a quiet moment. The idea of detention here for a fortnight had filled her with anxiety twelve hours ago. She had feared Darcy would be cold and reserved and she would be mortified, and that would lead her to being vexed and half-angry as she had no right to be.
I misjudged a good man, and I am grateful that he is still kind to me and my family.
She found herself noticing how Darcy spoke with Mrs Lanyon, and then how he spoke with Caroline later when she was telling some anecdote to him and Mr Balfour.He did not seem disposed to admire either of them, but then Darcy’s proposal to her had been the greatest surprise of her life.
Elizabeth could not believe that the man who had burst into Charlotte’s parlour four months ago with the words “You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you” would so soon be willing to commit himself to another woman.What does it matter if Darcy marries?She had no right to expect his constancy after she bitterly refused him. Whether it was Miss de Bourgh, or Caroline, or Mrs Lanyon, it could not matter to her since she had misjudged him and told him he could not have made her the offer of his hand in any possible way that would have tempted her to accept it.
CHAPTER FOUR
Although it had rained all night, the morning was favourable since the clouds were dispersing and the sun frequently appeared. Darcy sat at the breakfast table with Georgiana, Mrs Annesley, Balfour, and Mrs Lanyon, and was alternating his gaze between his coffee and the door. The Bingley party and Utterson had not yet made their way down.
