Page 25

“Three sections?” asked Elizabeth. “No, I believe there are only two sections in the book. The first consists of letters written to Mr Thomas Pennant, and the second contains more letters written to the Hon. Daines Barrington.”

Darcy explained, “The copy in the library at Pemberley has a third section titled The Antiquities of Selborne and discusses the countryside around Selborne and the history of that corner of Hampshire.”

The expression on Elizabeth’s face was serious when she asked, “Do you think they removed that section to shorten the book?”

“I have never read or heard the reason given,” Darcy admitted.

Intrigued, the young woman asked, “With whom could we inquire to discover the reason?”

“You might write to the publishing house with your inquiry,” he assured her. “They could give you the history if not the exact reason.”

Her brow furrowed in thought, Elizabeth asked, “Mr Darcy, do you think Mr White sent the letters he wrote? There are more than one hundred letters in the book, and I wonder if he ever mailed them.”

The look of concentration on the young woman’s lovely face captured Fitzwilliam Darcy’s heart at that moment. He managed to reply calmly, “I admit I do not know.”

Her eyes glittering mischievously, Elizabeth asked, “Were the two gentlemen–Pennant and Barrington–real persons?”

“My understanding is that both were real men here in England. Well, Pennant was Welsh, but both lived in Britain,” explained Darcy.

“And did Mr White keep copies of the letters he mailed to the gentlemen?” asked Elizabeth.

“It would appear that he did.” Darcy added, “Many men keep copies of their correspondence, their important letters. My secretaries make a copy of every letter I write for reference. In parliament, scribes make copies of every speech, bill, and letter the government creates.”

Despite being interested in the archive of Mr Darcy’s letters, Elizabeth directed the conversation back to Mr White’s correspondence. She asked, “I wonder what the gentlemen wrote in their replies. Did they respond? Was there a regular correspondence between Mr White and the two gentlemen?”

“Those letters were not published. I do not know if Mr White saved them or if they were ever written.”

Grinning, Elizabeth asked, “Do you think Mr Barrington would have asked questions about the tortoise that Mr White mentions in several letters?”

“I did not understand the man’s use of the tortoise in the letters,” Mr Darcy admitted.

Elizabeth concentrated and replied, “I think Mr White wrote simply about the native flora and fauna in Hampshire without secretive meanings or symbolism in his letters.”

From across the table, Caroline Bingley ignored her dinner partner, a militia officer, to ask, “Tortoise, Mr Darcy? Do you mean turtle soup? Is turtle soup not very costly? Can anyone capture and eat turtles, or are they protected like swans? I believe the king owns all the swans in the kingdom.”

Several persons noticed Miss Bingley’s behaviour which was very rude in proper society. There would be comments and gossip about the young woman. However, Caroline could not bear to watch the slip of a girl from Hertfordshire captivate the wealthy Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy.

~~~

After the supper, they rose from the table, and Mr Darcy asked, “Miss Elizabeth, would you do me the honour of a second dance?”

She stopped, turned toward the man with a smile, and said, “Sir, we shall be the subject of gossip if we dance a second time.”

“An everyday occurrence for me, Miss Elizabeth,” he replied. “Are you often the object of gossip in Meryton?”

“On occasion, I am certain, but if you lead me to the dancefloor a second time, I fear my mother shall lead the charge of rumours connecting my name with yours.”

The gentleman replied, “Mrs Bennet is like every mother in Britain. However, I believe she is distracted by Mr Bingley and your elder sister tonight.”

Hearing his words, Elizabeth laughed, and Darcy felt a force pull on his heart. They did walk to the ballroom once again to join the other couples who would start the new set of dances.

Their second dance differed from the first; when Mr Darcy took Elizabeth’s hand on the dance floor, an undeniable warmth spread up Elizabeth’s arm, wrapped around her heart, and ignited a fire.

The music began, and as they danced, she caught his eye and thought, ‘It is as if I am made of sunlight. The touch of his hand leaves me burning. How can this be? Oh Lord, I am falling in love with Mr Darcy.’

The man’s thoughts mirrored his partner . ‘Her eyes would captivate the ministers and gentlemen who call at our homes. Her wit will entertain the earl and countess as well as Richard. Elizabeth’s smile will reassure Georgiana that her new sister can love her.’

They turned away for a moment, then faced each other again, and Darcy’s heart clenched as he thought, ‘Do I dare? Can I marry a girl who brings nothing but her sharp mind and bright smile to my life?’

As they moved through the steps, again with few words exchanged while their eyes remained locked, Elizabeth smiled gently, and Darcy found himself thinking, ‘I cannot ignore this woman. She will consume my heart and soul. I must leave Netherfield and think clearly.’

~~~

At the end of this second set of dances, Mr Darcy took Elizabeth to the side of her sister Jane.

After the sisters shared remarks for a moment, Elizabeth heard an unexpected voice and was surprised to find Mr William Collins present at the ball with the Lucas family.

With some wonder in her thoughts, Elizabeth asked, ‘How did I not notice his presence earlier?’

Thinking back to the beginning of the ball, Elizabeth realised that while she had admired the ballgowns and uniforms, she had not paid attention to the persons in the ballroom that evening. ‘How unlike me! And I did not hear Mr Collins’s voice the whole evening.’

Now, Elizabeth observed her mother and father.

Mr Bennet looked annoyed to have had to listen to Mr Collins again.

Mrs Bennet was distressed by Lady Lucas's exuberance, telling others that her daughter would be mistress of Longbourn someday.

It was irritating to hear Sir William brag that his future son-in-law proved to be an intelligent man with good business sense.

A larger ballroom audience heard Mr Collins say, “Mr Wickham met me in London. He told me he had two hundred New World Tea Company shares to sell before Christmas, and Mr Wickham comes to Meryton to attend my wedding!”

Elizabeth thought, ‘It is Charlotte’s wedding as well.’

Mr Collins spoke to Sir William and other gentlemen present and encouraged them to purchase stock in Mr Wickham’s business after his wedding in a few weeks. The pastor turned to Thomas Bennet and asked, “Mr Bennet, will you purchase stocks in The New World Tea Company?”

“No,” replied Mr Bennet shortly and without additional comments.

Displeased with the answer, Collins turned to Charles and asked, “Mr Bingley, what is your opinion of Mr Wickham’s excellent opportunity for investment?”

His face mirrored his displeasure to hear such a conversation during the ball. Bingley's anger evident to everyone in his tone of voice, replied, “Sir, my experience is that no business exporting goods can pay such profits so soon or so often.”

Sir William Lucas declared, “No! Mr Wickham pays his shareholders the profits and will make us rich.”

Mr Collins turned to another gentleman in the ballroom, “Mr Darcy, what is your opinion?”

“Gentlemen, caveat emptor. Otherwise, I have no opinion on Mr Wickham’s business.”

The men around Mr Collins did not understand the Latin reference, and Elizabeth watched the neighbours turn back to Mr Collins instead of considering her father’s answer and the warnings from Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy.

‘Mr Darcy could support Mr Bingley. That would endorse his comments.’ She wondered, ‘Why is Mr Darcy hesitant to speak?’

Then Elizabeth considered the men themselves, ‘This ball was Mr Bingley’s effort to thank the neighbourhood for making him welcome. They drank his punch and ate his food but did not want to hear his words. They ask his opinion but do not want to listen to his advice.’

~~~

During the carriage ride home from Netherfield, Mrs Bennet begged Mr Bennet, “Sir, investments in The New World Tea Company will ensure us income after you die! Surely, you can see this is a wonderful opportunity.”

Thomas attempted to console his wife, “Mrs Bennet, calm yourself.”

“Lady Lucas said she would be rich, and they would buy more farms. She hinted they should buy Netherfield someday,” Mrs Bennet cried.

Her heart was in turmoil concerning her feelings regarding Mr Darcy, so Elizabeth ignored her mother’s comments for most of the ride. But then, as the carriage arrived in front of Longbourn, Mrs Bennet asked, “Will Collins be so rich he can turn us out of Longbourn before your father dies?”

“Mamma, the law does not work that way. Mr Collins may become as rich as King Solomon in the Bible, but he cannot turn us out of Longbourn,” the second daughter said to reassure her mother.

“But Mr Wickham’s gold will make everyone rich but us,” Frances Bennet cried. “I know we shall starve and die of the cold in the hedgerows.”

~~~