Page 150 of Bitterness of Spirit & The Painting

Perhaps her opinion of him had improved. Perhaps she was only content that her sister had been reunited with Bingley. Regardless, he would not allow himself to ruin their acquaintance again.

He knew, he felt, he admitted that her presence brought him joy, that he had longed to see her again and was already counting the minutes until their next encounter. He would do everything in his power to prove to her that he had taken her reproofs to heart and that he could change. He would strive to be the opposite to how he had been in the first seven months of their acquaintance. The rest—if there was to be anything else—would depend on her entirely.

“I hope tomorrow will be a warm, sunny day!” Bingley said excitedly.

“So do I, Bingley. I very much hope so,” he admitted absently.

Chapter 10

Despite their hopes, the following day was still cloudy and, in Mrs Clarke’s house, Bingley was equally as disappointed as the Gardiner and Norwood children.

“I cannot believe my bad luck,” Bingley burst out with frustration during breakfast.

“What bad luck are you talking about?” Darcy asked. He had just suffered another sleepless night and was preoccupied with his second cup of coffee.

“The weather! Did you forget that we planned a day of sea bathing?”

“I did not. But it is only one day. Besides, a cloudy day might not be suited to a day at the beach, but it could be pleasant for walking, or a carriage ride into Brighton. There are many outdoor activities appropriate for a cooler summer day.”

The revelation struck and Bingley’s face lightened. “Indeed! Yes, of course. How silly of me! I was thinking…Perhaps I should call on Mrs Crawford again and ask Mrs Gardiner and Miss Bennet if there is anything I can do for them? Perhaps I could escort them somewhere?”

“It is a perfectly sensible idea, Bingley.”

“Will you not join me? Or are you tired after all the attention you received yesterday?”

Darcy hesitated for a moment. He had not disliked the previous day’s attention as much as on previous occasions.

“I would be happy to, but I cannot. There are things I must settle while I am here and they need my complete attention.”

“Well then…Do you need my assistance?”

“Not at all, Bingley. There is nothing you can do; proceed with your plans as you wish and I will see you this afternoon.”

Darcy’s desire to see Elizabeth was just as strong as Bingley’s to see Jane. But he tried to mitigate his eagerness. The painful memories were still very fresh and the wounds caused by her accusations could not be so easily healed.

He did not want Elizabeth to feel she was compelled to bear his presence, or that he was taking advantage of Mrs Crawford’s friendliness to impose upon her. Small, careful steps were necessary for rebuilding their relationship—whatever it might be—to ensure it began on the right footing this time.

Instead, he decided to briefly call on Mrs Norwood. Julia’s lasting affection for his mother and even for him, as well as their closeness in age and her obvious wit and brightness, were good reason to hope for a familiar and honest conversation on the subject of his interest.

He found Julia Norwood in the garden and she met him with her usually joy.

“I am afraid you have arrived at an unfortunate moment, as I must leave soon,” she said. “I have an appointment at my modiste and I must attend, as I have ordered some gowns for me and the children. And I also have to some purchases to make for my uncle.”

“Do not worry, I shall return later then.”

“Please do! Unless you have some business in Brighton and wish to keep me company,” she jested. Darcy hesitated a moment. A relatively long drive would be the perfect opportunity for a private, undisturbed conversation.

“I might have some business in Brighton,” he replied in earnest. “And I could join you on the journey and bring my horse along too, so I can complete my affairs afterwards.”

She looked at him in surprise. “Would you? Oh, that would be lovely indeed!”

“But…I do not want to impose…Or to place you in a delicate situation. I mean—sharing the carriage with a strange man…”

Julia laughed.

“Do not worry about that, the rules of decorum are less rigid in Brighton. Those who know who you are would never be bothered—including my husband. Those who do not know—oh well, we will never know their opinion on the matter. Just prepare your horse and we will meet shortly on the main road.”

Darcy felt enchanted both by the unexpected and fortunate opportunity, as well as by Julia as a person. Her manners were pleasant and natural, her smile friendly and lovely. She was so open and unassuming that she reminded him very much of Elizabeth, if Elizabeth was his friend. A notion that he feared, as his feelings for her were surely not those of friendship.