Mr Gibbs looked at the man snoring on the desk, puzzled, “But of course sir, I will be back soon with Mr Darcy’s valet.”
Indeed the butler was soon back with the valet who looked appalled at his master, “What happened, Colonel?”
“He is just a bit off kilter Daniels; he will be well soon enough.”
The two men then managed to drag and carry Darcy back to his bedchamber without further delays while luckily nobody else had to see the master of Pemberley drunk into a stupor, brought low by a woman.
***
At dinner time Lady Catherine was once again presiding over the house guests with her habitual precision and incessant talking, while not requiring anybody to respond to her prattle.
Darcy had not come down for dinner and the group looked rather miserable.
Dr Denville looked exhausted by the burden of care for Mrs Collins; even though he had the help of Elizabeth and the many servants.
Miss Anne de Bourgh looked sleepy, as per usual.
Mrs Jenkinson, Miss de Bourgh’s companion looked absent in spirit despite being present in body while Colonel Fitzwilliam looked bored and slightly angry.
Finally Elizabeth looked sad and troubled.
Elizabeth tried not to think about why Mr Darcy had chosen to be absent. She had a nagging feeling that she had acted very poorly towards the man. Had he no right to explain his actions? Had she become so high and mighty that she adopted the behaviour of judge, jury and executioner, in passing judgment without hearing the accused man’s side?
She resolved to give the man the chance to at least make his excuses the next time she had the opportunity, even knowingthat nothing would change her opinion of him. However, doing so might not be so easy since she realised, sadly, that he might avoid her from now on.
The dinner finally came to an end and Dr Denville and the Colonel stayed behind to smoke cigars and drink port. But within less than ten minutes they had rejoined the ladies.
While Mrs Jenkinson served the tea the Colonel went directly to Elizabeth and asked her about her headache. She noticed he looked chagrined.
“I am much better, thanks Colonel.” She bit her lower lip nervously but then decided to take the bull by the horns, “Is Mr Darcy unwell this evening?”
He looked at her askance, “He is a bit under the weather for I believe he had an encounter with a rather vicious storm this morning.” He lifted his cup to his mouth and looked away from her.
Elizabeth had no doubt that the two cousins were close confidants and shared all manner of secrets. She sighed, “Colonel Fitzwilliam I am well aware that I have not been very agreeable... or even kind towards your cousin, although I do believe he does not deserve my forgiveness. Nevertheless I am resolved to at least give him the chance to explain his interference.”
The Colonel looked at her and raised his eyebrows in disbelief, “Really, Miss Bennet? Are you prepared to come down from your high horse to listen to him? That astonishes me.”
Elizabeth stiffened her back and squared her shoulders, “I have borrowed the high horse from your cousin, Colonel. I do not think either you or him can accuse me of arrogance when every word that has come out of his mouth has been designed to insult and offend my family and I.”
“Really, how so?” The Colonel asked sarcastically.
“Did you know that when I first met your cousin he refused to be introduced to us? He practically gave us the cut direct... at an assembly no less. And when asked to dance with me, he said I was tolerable but not handsome enough to temp him?”
The Colonel gasped. He looked at her and frowned, “Surely not,” he said almost panicking.
“Why are you surprised Colonel? Do you not know your own cousin?”
He had to shake his head in disgust, “Yes, this is exactly the kind of thing Darcy would say, especially at a ball where he would feel cornered by debutants and their mammas.”
“Nobody was cornering him, he simply decided that the company was beneath him and he acted accordingly.”
“Is that the basis of your dislike of him Miss Bennet, that he wounded your vanity?”
Elizabeth pressed her lips together and refused to answer the impertinent question.
However the Colonel pressed his advantage, “And I will wager Mr Wickham flattered you with pretty words, did he not? It is always his preferred modus operandi, especially when he encounters a beautiful and gullible young lady.”
Elizabeth blinked a few times not knowing exactly how to answer, but before she could ask the Colonel to explain himself the strident voice of Lady Catherine pierced the air,
