Page 15 of An Offer of Marriage (Engaged to Mr Darcy #7)
ANOTHER FOR DINNER
J ane scurried to her sister’s side as Darcy and Mr Bingley quit the room. Elizabeth took her sister’s hand which was ice cold and trembling, so she lightly chafed it to console her.
“D-did I misspeak?” Jane murmured.
Elizabeth shook her head. “You did perfectly well, dearest. He who calls the tune must pay the piper, I fear.”
The door closed behind Darcy and Mr Bingley with a soft thud. Saye was quick to his feet, quietly going over and opening the door ever so slightly. He came then to Elizabeth and Jane.
“Come over there,” he said, pointing to a little couch across the room. “We will be able to hear everything.”
“I fear I may already know everything,” Elizabeth said. “It is only very unfortunate that it should be discovered in this way.”
“You do? Well, tell us then.” Saye looked at her expectantly .
“Lizzy.” Mrs Gardiner had come to join them, and spoke to her niece admonishingly. “It would not do to spread gossip.”
“It is not gossip if it’s true,” Saye informed her. “And as a peer of the realm, and the Fitzwilliam family patriarch?—”
“Is not your father alive and well?” Elizabeth asked. “Is not he the patriarch?”
Saye waved that away. “No matter. I order you to tell me all.”
Elizabeth laughed faintly, casting her sister a glance before saying, “Miss Bingley came to call upon my sister in January. It was three weeks after my sister called on her.”
“Three weeks! Unpardonably rude,” Saye pronounced. “I hope you denied her entry?”
“No, of course not,” said Mrs Gardiner.
“It was clear she meant to end the acquaintance,” Jane offered quietly. “I supposed it was because she knew her brother’s interests were engaged otherwise.”
“Oh! Now it gets good! Another woman?” Saye asked.
Elizabeth could not help herself. Her eyes inadvertently turned to where Georgiana was speaking to Mrs Hobbs about dinner.
“What? Not Georgiana?” Saye exclaimed loudly.
“Yes, Saye?” Georgiana enquired from across the room.
“Nothing, darling. Go back to your dinner plans,” Saye replied to his young cousin. To the group about him, he said, “Utter rot. She is not yet out!”
Mr Bingley’s voice, loud and angry, came from within Darcy’s study. “What sort of friend would do such a thing! You of all people?—”
His words were cut off by a lower voice. Moments later, the study door to the drawing room opened and Mr Bingley strode out. Pausing to look round the room, he came directly to Jane. “I wonder if I might have the honour of calling upon you tomorrow morning?”
Jane nodded and gave him a smile which he returned, then asked that she might forgive him his intemperance and strode from the room.
Darcy had exited the study by then as well, appearing ashen and sorrowful, the fading injuries on his face only adding to the effect.
Such was his aspect that Elizabeth could not feel the anger for him that she had felt that day in the park at Rosings.
He was going to receive his due punishment, it seemed, and from Mr Bingley.
The idea of that brought an ache to Elizabeth’s chest. He was so good, so caring…meddlesome, yes. But it had not been done with malice. Surely that must count for something?
Almost before she knew what she did, Elizabeth exited the drawing room, seeking Mr Bingley. Mrs Hobbs had taken his hat and coat and thus he awaited their return in the vestibule, his fists clenched by his sides.
“Mr Bingley? A moment, if you please,” she said, walking as fast as she could while still appearing dignified.
Mr Bingley looked like his fury was barely in check as he smiled. “Miss Elizabeth. Forgive me, I hope I have not ruined the party. I was only…surprised to find you all here.”
“It is a surprise, I know,” she said, finally arriving at his side. For a moment, she could only look at him, this man whom Jane so loved. Unsure how to introduce the subject, she chose to dive right into the home truth.
“It was undeniably officious, what Mr Darcy did,” she said. “I imagine you are feeling now what I felt when I first knew it.”
“Yes,” said Mr Bingley warmly. “Unforgivable presumption!”
She laid her hand on his arm. “A presumption, yes, but is it unforgivable? Jane has forgiven him.”
“He did not lie to Jane, um, Miss Bennet,” Mr Bingley retorted.
“No, that is true; but neither did he have her interests in his mind,” said Elizabeth. “He did what he did, and said what he said, believing it was best for you.”
“It was not!” Mr Bingley’s voice rang out. “And it was not for him to decide!”
“I know,” Elizabeth said, gently insistent. “Believe me, I do. I was absolutely infuriated with him when I heard it. How could he claim to know Jane’s heart?”
“He cannot!”
“But he believed he did, and did not wish to see you taken in by a woman who had anything less than love in her heart for you.”
Mr Bingley appeared to consider that. “I suppose you must have forgiven him, then,” he replied sulkily. “After all, here you are, engaged to him.”
The idea still gave her a jolt, but the jolt had lessened. Elizabeth still took a breath before saying, “Yes, and if you and Jane…that is to say she still…um, if you still feel for her what I think you might…then things will be undeniably awkward if you cannot forgive him.”
Mr Bingley suddenly chuckled and shook his head. Startled by the rapid alteration, Elizabeth also gave a little laugh.
“You see! Too clever by half!” He shook a finger at her. “You have given me a conundrum from which I cannot recover!”
“Perhaps I have,” said Elizabeth. “But I believe that your heart is too pliant to have been angry for long regardless, so why not come back and re-join the party? ”
Anger had fled in favour of a sheepish but amiable smile. “I have not been invited, I fear.”
With a mischievous smirk, Elizabeth said, “I daresay the lady of the house can be prevailed upon to accommodate an additional gentleman of agreeable temperament.”
“Then I shall need to regain my agreeable temperament,” he said, already sounding like the jovial Mr Bingley she had always known.
It was into this congenial atmosphere that a handsome couple entered, having been admitted by Darcy’s butler.
Pausing to have their wraps removed, the pair eyed Elizabeth and Bingley curiously.
From the clear elegance and wealth of them, Elizabeth imagined they might be Darcy’s aunt and uncle, Lord and Lady Matlock.
Mr Bingley seemed to know them and bowed, his greeting confirming Elizabeth’s suspicions.
In a deep gravelly voice, his lordship requested an introduction to her from Mr Bingley.
“Allow me to present Miss Elizabeth Bennet,” Mr Bingley said. Elizabeth curtseyed deeply as greetings were murmured.
Knowing his lordship was the brother of Lady Catherine, Elizabeth fully expected a gimlet-eyed stare and impertinent questions. However, Lord Matlock was kind, if reticent, towards her. Lady Matlock said, “Your praises have been sung by my nephew and my son, Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth blushed and said, “Thank you, your ladyship. I think highly of both of them as well.”
“One more than the other, I should hope,” said her ladyship and earned a laugh from everyone for her quip. “But why are you both out here? Is this some new fashion I am unaware of that the vestibule takes the place of the drawing room?”
“I fear you find me in an act of insolence,” said Elizabeth. “Mr Bingley was not invited to dine with us, but I thought many in the party would vastly prefer that he stay. I came to the door to stop him leaving and beg him to remain.”
“Mr Bingley is always a happy addition to the party,” said Lord Matlock with a nod towards Mr Bingley. “I hope your efforts have met with success?”
“Only if it suits Miss Darcy to rearrange things,” he said. “I should not wish to impose.”
“Ah, Georgiana will be delighted. It seems we are all four for the drawing room, then.” Lord Matlock offered Elizabeth his arm. “Lead us on, my dear.”
It was decidedly surprising to Darcy to see Elizabeth re-enter the drawing room with not only Bingley but his aunt and uncle as well.
All of them appeared to be on good terms, smiling and talking amongst themselves as they came in.
Elizabeth went first to Georgiana, and he hastened over to see what she said.
“I fear I have been unpardonably rude,” Elizabeth said to them both. “I have prevailed upon Mr Bingley to remain for dinner.”
“Oh no! That is not rude at all,” said Georgiana earnestly. “Richard is unable to join us, it seems, quite indisposed, and so Mr Bingley will make up the numbers.”
“Excellent,” said Elizabeth. “Although I am sorry to hear the colonel must be absent.”
“Indisposed,” said Saye who had also drifted over to see what was happening. “Which you will find, in London, means someone has had too much to drink and must pay the price of it. Poor boy was soaked through last night.”
Darcy rolled his eyes but did not miss Elizabeth complimenting Georgiana on how well she managed having such alterations in her plans thrown at her. Georgiana blushed pink under Elizabeth’s warm words.
Elizabeth is a marvel , Darcy thought. What must it be like to be so easy in any company? She had charmed the earl; Darcy readily saw that, but moved towards his aunt and uncle anyhow, realising it was for him to introduce Mr and Mrs Gardiner.
Alas, it seemed that too was unnecessary. Mr Gardiner already knew the earl, well enough that back-clapping and exclamations of what a small world it was ensued. Darcy greeted them and then turned to go to Bingley.
Bingley had gone immediately to Jane, unsurprisingly. He rose to his feet as Darcy approached them, as did Jane. “Bingley, I am glad you have returned and agreed to dine with us.”
Bingley appeared somewhat abashed. “Thank you. I hope I am not too much an imposition.”
“You are very welcome, sir,” Darcy replied, then knew not what to do with himself. He had interfered in Bingley’s romance enough; it would be best to let him have his moment with Jane. The two men could sort out their differences later. “I will look forward to speaking more with you later.”
A glance back towards Elizabeth showed him she was doing well without him, and the small knot which included his aunt and uncle, and Elizabeth’s aunt and uncle, was equally agreeably engaged.
He looked back at Elizabeth again. She was in the middle of speaking to Saye but met his eye.
Very subtly, she moved, creating a little vacant space beside her.
With her eyes, she indicated that he was welcome to come and fit himself into it.
He, trying not to appear too eager, immediately went to her.