Page 22 of Bitterness of Spirit

But they were—and he felt ashamed to openly voice such a lie. Nothing could deter him from seeing her again as soon as possible. He motioned for a footman to fill his wine glass; then a few minutes later, he repeated the gesture. He knew a difficult night was ahead, and dizzy senses would allow him to catch a modicum of sleep.

Chapter 6

Mr. Collins could barely catch his breath as he ran excitedly to his wife.

“My dear Mrs. Collins, my dear cousin, prepare yourselves! Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr. Darcy are approaching the Parsonage—immediately!”

“So soon? That is extraordinary,” Charlotte said, suddenly panicking.

Elizabeth laughed. “What is so extraordinary? They likely are bored and look for a way to amuse themselves. I truly believe there is no reason for distress.”

“My dear cousin, I beg to differ. I know you are not accustomed to such illustrious company, but people of high rank rarely do anything meaningless. They are certainly showing their appreciation for the way I comply with my duties.”

“I am sure you are right, Mr. Collins,” Elizabeth offered generously. But her cousin did not hear her as he hurried outside to meet the guests in the yard.

As they waited for the gentlemen, Charlotte whispered to Elizabeth, “I may thank you, Lizzy, for this piece of civility. Mr. Darcy would never have come so soon to call on us.”

“My dear Charlotte, I am sure you could not be more wrong. As I said, I believe their main reason is boredom and the second must be their desire to greet the new Mrs. Collins. Since I already met them yesterday, that should be enough. I am by no means on Mr. Darcy’s visitation list, I assure you.”

“Lizzy, for a bright woman, you can be quite oblivious.” Charlotte smiled.

Elizabeth glared at her in puzzlement, but the gentlemen’s entrance silenced further argument.

Colonel Fitzwilliam, who led the way, displayed his usual friendliness. He made as good an impression on Charlotte and Maria as he had on Elizabeth. He was about thirty, not quite as handsome as his cousin, but in person and address most truly the gentleman.

“Mrs. Collins, I am delighted to meet you. Please receive my warmest congratulations. From what I have heard, Mr. Collins is a most fortunate man.”

“Thank you, sir. You are too kind. Welcome to our home!”

Mr. Darcy bowed politely and paid his compliments with his usual reserve then expressed his congratulations to the Collinses.

“Mr. Darcy, what a pleasure to see you again, sir. We are honoured to have you both in our home,” Charlotte said.

“Very honoured, indeed. You are so considerate to call on us so soon.” Mr. Collins continued.

Colonel Fitzwilliam entered into conversation with the readiness and ease of a well-bred man, and Elizabeth quickly joined him. He spoke pleasantly, unlike Mr. Darcy who addressed only a few words to Mrs. Collins and Elizabeth.

Darcy realized he had been rudely silent and that he gazed at Elizabeth with an insistence that made even him feel uncomfortable. And yet, he could not control himself.

He had missed her so much that having her in full view—after carrying her only in his memories for so many months—was a chance he could not waste.

He allowed himself the delight of admiring her as she spoke with the colonel. She was perfectly at ease, her eyes sparkling with amusement. Her lips were twisted into mischievous smiles as she offered a daring answer, and at times, her fingers touched the garnet cross that rested just above the neckline of her gown.

Darcy could see his cousin was charmed by Elizabeth—and how could he not be? She was just as he remembered and even more. Her full attention seemed concentrated upon Richard, but she glanced at him more than once, and their eyes even met on occasion.

Darcy observed she was slightly distressed by his presence, and he tried to make an effort to involve himself in the conversation. He felt like a fool, sitting there and staring at her silently. But her nearness made him forget manners and rules. He wished nothing but to enjoy her enchanting image.

He startled when Elizabeth addressed him directly. “My eldest sister has been in Town these three months. Have you never happened to see her there, Mr. Darcy?”

She must have known that he never had; then what was the intention of her question? Did she wish to know whether Bingley’s sisters informed him of Jane’s call? Or did she simply want to engage him in a discussion?

“No, I have not been so fortunate. I hope she enjoys London,” he answered.

“Not as much as in the past,” Elizabeth replied. “But her disposition will improve soon, I trust. Is Miss Darcy in Town too?”

He was pleased that she inquired after his sister. “No, she is at Pemberley with her companion.”

“Pemberley is just beautiful,” the colonel intervened. “It is no wonder both my cousins prefer to spend time there. It is a little too quiet for me as company is rare. But neither of them is fond of large gatherings, so I assume the solitude does not bother them.”