Page 60 of Bitterness of Spirit

Somehow, the wound in his soul—less than a fortnight old—no longer bled. The pain of her severe rejection and harsh accusations was slowly healing. Meeting her again was the best palliation for his sorrow. He had intended never to lay eyes on her again and planned to put as much distance between them as possible. But that would have been a terrible mistake—another one. He thanked the fates for bringing Elizabeth into his path one more time and offering him time to remedy his grave error.

Eventually, he left his apartment to meet Bingley in the drawing room. They awaited the colonel’s arrival so they could all go together.

“Bingley, you arrived early.”

“Yes, but only me. We must wait for Louisa and Hurst—and Caroline.”

“And for Richard.”

“Really? The colonel is coming too?”

“Yes. We met Mr. Wilson, with Mr. Gardiner and Mr. Bennet, at Boodle’s Club yesterday afternoon. Mr. Wilson invited Richard too.”

“Mr. Bennet is in Town?”

“He arrived with his youngest daughters—all three of them—the same day when we met in the park.”

“Oh, I see. Darcy, do you think he is upset with me?”

“I cannot be certain, but he did not mention anything of the kind.”

“I see… So, the colonel is coming too. Good. I am glad to have one more person on my side. Regardless of Mr. Bennet’s feelings, I fear Mr. Wilson positively hates me. I am a little worried about what he might say,” Bingley confessed.

Darcy laughed. “He does not hate you, Bingley. If anyone is in danger of being hated, that would be me.”

“Well, he does have an interesting way of showing his disapproval. He scolded me quite harshly—but not undeservingly, I admit.”

“Mr. Wilson is a peculiar gentleman; I cannot deny that. But I am sure you will be most welcome tonight.”

“I hope so… Miss Bennet looked remarkably well; do you not agree? She was a little pale and thinner than last autumn, but she is exceptionally beautiful.”

“I do agree. So your sisters agreed to join you?”

“They did. I was surprised too, and I somehow regret that I shared the invitation with them. They can be rather unfriendly at times. I hope that will not be the case. I believe they are curious to see Mr. Wilson and his house. They did not believe me when I told them he rented a house in Park Lane since it contradicts their knowledge about Miss Bennet’s uncle living near Cheapside.”

“Yes, that must be a change: Miss Bennet staying in London in a more fashionable area than they are. Does life not have a special sense of humour?” Darcy spoke more to himself than to Bingley.

“I am very nervous about this dinner. But I look forward to it. I hope I have a chance to speak a few words privately with Miss Bennet,” Bingley confessed.

As am I, Darcy silently responded. As am I…

Half an hour before the established time, the Bingley sisters in their carriage and the colonel in his arrived at Darcy House. They did not enter but rode together towards their destination.

Bingley’s anxiety did not diminish, and Darcy’s slowly increased. Minute by minute, their excitement and distress at seeing a certain lady grew along with their hopes of a good outcome and their fears that such hopes might be shattered by midnight.

***

Long before dinnertime, the family gathered in the drawing room. Lydia and Kitty changed their minds and, after a harsh conversation with their father, received permission to attend the dinner.

Mr. Wilson had surprising news for the ladies. “Tomorrow, a modiste will come after breakfast. You should all order several dresses. We shall attend opera and theatre performances—and perhaps a few balls too.”

“A modiste? Tomorrow? You did not tell me about that until now, brother,” Mrs. Gardiner replied.

“I apologize, my dear. You will take care of everything, I trust. I wish my sister and my nieces to be among the most elegant in Town during this Season.”

“All of us? Including me and Kitty and Mary?” Lydia asked.

“Of course, Miss Lydia,” the gentleman replied, and the girls cried with joy.