Page 45

Chapter Seventeen

Despite the night’s festivities having concluded well past midnight, the household had risen at a respectable hour, though the conversation was somewhat more subdued than usual at the breakfast table.

Elizabeth observed the gathered company with quiet amusement, noting Mrs. Hurst’s slightly pinched expression as she sipped her tea, Mr. Bingley’s unusual pensiveness as he gazed out the window, and most tellingly, Caroline Bingley’s restless adjustments to her already impeccable morning cap, the lady clearly suffering from both insufficient sleep and disappointed ambitions.

“I must say, Mrs. Darcy,” Caroline began, her voice carrying that particular edge of false sweetness that Elizabeth had come to recognise so well, “the provincial entertainments of Meryton continue precisely as they always were. I found last night’s assembly quite unchanged from that we attended a year ago. ”

“Familiarity can be most comforting, Miss Bingley,” Elizabeth replied with a pleasant smile. “There is something reassuring about traditions maintained.”

“I thought it a delightful evening,” Bingley offered, his customary cheerfulness somewhat dimmed but still present. “Sir William Lucas was most attentive as master of ceremonies, and the musicians were in fine form.”

“They played the same tunes as last year, Charles,” Caroline observed dryly. “I should think a gentleman of your standing might encourage some variety in the local entertainments.”

Mrs. Hurst nodded her agreement. “Indeed, brother. Perhaps for our ball you might arrange for some musicians from London? I’m certain it would be appreciated by everyone of taste in the neighbourhood.”

“I found no fault with the music,” Darcy remarked, his tone even but with an undertone that discouraged further criticism. “Country dances require no great complexity to be enjoyed.”

Elizabeth marvelled silently at this defence of local customs from a man who had once found them so far beneath his notice. Her husband’s transformation continued to surprise her, even after months of marriage.

“Miss Bennet certainly seemed to enjoy the dancing,” Mrs. Hurst observed with apparent casualness, though her sharp glance at her brother belied her tone. “She and Colonel Fitzwilliam appeared most comfortable in each other’s company.”

A flicker of something – discomfort, perhaps, or resignation – crossed Bingley’s face before his smile reasserted itself. “Miss Bennet is an excellent dancer. She honours any partner with her grace.”

“How true,” Elizabeth agreed warmly. “Jane has always moved with particular elegance.”

Caroline set down her teacup with a sharp click against its saucer. “Speaking of your cousin, Mr. Darcy, I notice the colonel is not with us this morning. I trust he is well after his exertions last night?”

“Perfectly well, thank you,” Darcy replied smoothly. “He mentioned that he planned to ride out and explore the countryside this morning. The autumn weather being so favourable, he wished to take advantage of it.”

“How adventurous,” Caroline remarked. “Though I confess I’m surprised he did not invite company. A solitary ride seems rather... deliberate.”

“My cousin often prefers solitude for his morning exercise,” Darcy said. “A military habit, I believe. Years of early rising to his duties.”

The conversation turned then to plans for future entertainments, with Bingley suggesting a visit to the nearby market town of Hatfield the following day, an outing that would require two carriages and considerable planning.

As the details were discussed, Elizabeth noticed Georgiana enter the room quietly, taking a seat and nodding to the footman to pour tea for her.

“Miss Darcy, you must certainly join us for the Hatfield excursion,” Bingley insisted, his natural kindness evident in his attention to the shy girl. “There is an excellent bookshop that I believe would interest you.”

“Thank you, Mr. Bingley. I should like that very much,” Georgiana replied with a small smile.

“Perfect! Then it is settled. Two carriages, departing at eleven tomorrow morning,” Bingley declared, something of his usual animation returning. “And perhaps Colonel Fitzwilliam will favour us with his company as well.”

“I shall certainly extend the invitation when he returns,” Darcy agreed.

As the breakfast party dispersed – Caroline and Mrs. Hurst to consult with the housekeeper about some domestic matter, Mr. Hurst for his nap, Bingley to write letters in his study, and Georgiana to practice at the pianoforte – Elizabeth found herself alone with her husband in the pleasant morning room.

“You were not entirely truthful about your cousin’s whereabouts,” Elizabeth observed quietly, her tone more curious than accusatory.

A slight smile touched Darcy’s lips. “You have become remarkably adept at reading me, my dear.”

“It is a wife’s prerogative to know when her husband is being diplomatic rather than strictly accurate,” she returned, matching his smile with her own. “Where has Colonel Fitzwilliam really gone this morning?”

Darcy glanced toward the door to ensure their privacy before answering.

“He has ridden to Longbourn to speak with your father. He claimed a desire to personally inform Mr. Bennet about Major Wallace’s transfer to London, as the situation may require additional discretion now that Lydia will be in closer proximity to Hertfordshire. ”

Elizabeth’s brows drew together slightly. “Surely he might have trusted us to discreetly convey the information?”

“Indeed,” Darcy agreed, his eyes warm with private amusement.

“I suggested as much to my cousin over breakfast, but he insisted that it should be done as soon as possible, lest Lydia had already written to your mother. I believe he planned to suggest your father look out for letters from Lydia and intercept them, just in case.”

“How very clever of him,” Elizabeth remarked. “And I suppose it is mere coincidence that he is likely to see Jane there this morning?”

“The purest coincidence, I am certain,” Darcy replied with perfect gravity, though the slight quirk of his eyebrow betrayed his true thoughts.

Elizabeth shook her head, both amused and thoughtful. “Last night at the assembly, his attentions were marked indeed.”

“Richard is not a man to waste time,” Darcy said. “He would not trifle with Jane’s affections, especially knowing Bingley’s prior connection, but I believe he feels an urgency to let her know his regard, before Bingley makes any formal approach.”

“And Jane...” Elizabeth hesitated, her loyalty to her sister warring briefly with her desire to understand the situation fully. “Do you think she returns his regard?”

Darcy was silent for a moment, choosing his words with care.

“I am not perhaps the most discerning judge of a lady’s feelings,” he said finally, with a self-deprecating smile that referenced his past misjudgement of Jane’s affection for Bingley.

“But even I could observe her particular animation when dancing with my cousin. There was a... liveliness in her expression that exceeded her usual serene countenance.”

“Yes,” Elizabeth agreed softly. “I noticed it too. Jane has always been reserved in displaying her emotions, but last night there were moments when her feelings seemed to overcome her natural restraint.”

They sat in contemplative silence for a moment, the sunlight shifting patterns across the polished floor as clouds passed overhead.

“Poor Bingley,” Elizabeth said at last. “He has been constant in his admiration for Jane, despite the... interruption in their acquaintance.”

“Bingley is resilient,” Darcy replied, though his tone held a note of genuine regret.

“And while his disappointment would be keen initially, I believe he would not wish your sister to accept him out of obligation or past expectation. He deserves a wife who loves him wholeheartedly, as Jane deserves a husband she can regard with equal affection.”

“You have become remarkably wise in matters of the heart, Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth observed.

“I had an excellent teacher,” he returned. “One who did not hesitate to correct my errors in judgment, however painful the lesson might be.”

Elizabeth smiled, reaching to take his hand in hers. “Well, if Colonel Fitzwilliam has indeed gone to Longbourn with hopes of furthering his acquaintance with Jane, I can only hope the outcome brings happiness to all parties.”

“As do I,” Darcy agreed. “Though I confess some concern for Bingley. He has been a loyal friend, and I would not see him hurt.”

“Yet you will not interfere?” Elizabeth asked, though her tone suggested she already knew the answer.

“Never again,” Darcy promised firmly. “I have learned that lesson thoroughly. Whatever develops between your sister, my cousin, and Bingley, it must do so according to their own feelings and choices.”

Elizabeth nodded, her expression thoughtful. “It is curious how circumstances change. A year ago, who could have imagined this particular configuration of affections?”

“A year ago, I could scarcely have imagined myself sitting here with you as my wife,” Darcy reminded her, his voice low with emotion he rarely displayed so openly. “Life delights in confounding our certainties.”

A comfortable silence fell between them, broken only by the distant sound of Georgiana’s pianoforte practice drifting through the house. Outside, somewhere on the road to Longbourn, Colonel Fitzwilliam rode with purpose toward the chosen destination of his heart.