Page 85 of Sketching Mr. Darcy
E lizabeth hurried to Jane’s room, allowing her husband time to change for dinner.
“Oh Lizzy, what do you say about this? I hope I did not bother Mr Darcy with my knocking at your door. I must say I almost fainted when he entered—Mr Bingley, not Mr Darcy!”
Elizabeth laughed. “Jane, we must breathe deeply and calm ourselves. It may be a very distressing evening. Such a strange coincidence to have Mr Bingley return just now!”
“But Lizzy, do you think he will return to Netherfield—to stay? If not, why would he come in such haste? Did you know that Mr Darcy wrote him?”
“I did know. Mr Bingley must have some keen interest in Hertfordshire, and I doubt he will leave again soon. What dress do you want to wear?”
A reasonable time later, the elder sisters went downstairs, as the Lucases and the Philipses had already arrived. Elizabeth took a turn to her father’s room while Jane politely greeted the visitors. Mr Bennet was asleep, so Elizabeth headed towards the gathering.
She noticed her husband, obviously uncomfortable, surrounded by Sir William and Mr Collins, silently supported by Mr Gardiner and Dr. Taylor. A strange sense of shyness averted her eyes from his.
Less than an hour before, she was in his arms, quivering from his passionate kisses. The traces of his hands on her skin were still vivid as well as the taste of his lips on hers, which she unconsciously licked then brushed with her fingers.
Her face and neck coloured in shame when she realised her husband was staring at her as if guessing her thoughts. He slowly gulped his wine, his eyes travelling along her body. She shivered.
Mr Bingley’s happy voice brought her back from her improper musings.
She gave a friendly smile as he hastened to greet her.
Elizabeth responded warmly and asked the gentleman about his sisters and his plans to stay in the neighbourhood.
Elizabeth Bennet would surely not dare to ask Mr Bingley so directly, but Mrs Elizabeth Darcy did it with perfect self-confidence. The gentleman seemed troubled.
“Well, my sisters are still in Town. I only saw them briefly. I was just talking to Darcy about that…about my plans… I would like to remain in Hertfordshire. I cannot remember a happier time than the last months spent at Netherfield. I was just asking Darcy…”
“Mr Bingley!” Elizabeth interrupted him rather sharply but kept her smile.
“I believe it would be wise to decide not what you would like to do but what you want to do—what you think is best for you. I know Mr Darcy’s advice might be invaluable at times, but there are moments when a man must make his own decisions and take the risk of following them. ”
“Yes, well…it is true… I shall… Yes, my men have already opened Netherfield and…”
“I am pleased to hear that. We are all delighted to enjoy your company, Mr Bingley.”
“Thank you, Miss Bennet—I mean Mrs Darcy.”
Elizabeth offered her hand, which he hastily lifted to his lips.
Then she was stopped by her mother’s voice .
“Lizzy! Tell Lady Lucas how many jewels and gowns you have. She doubts me because you are still wearing your old dress and that garnet cross! Tell her what you told me.”
“Mama!” Elizabeth cried with shame. She paled when her husband stepped forward.
“I assure you, madam, that Mrs Darcy was offered everything that is fit for her position. We left London in such a hurry when we heard about Mr Bennet’s illness that we only packed what was urgent.
We certainly did not expect to attend any parties, so we are rather unprepared in that respect.
Besides, I believe that no special jewellery or clothing could add more to her natural beauty. ”
Elizabeth stared at him and blushed.
“Oh, that is so gentlemanlike of you, sir! Such perfect manners, indeed! How have I been so fortunate to find a man so happily gifted as my son-in-law?”
“I did not doubt you, Mrs Bennet. I was just a little surprised that I did not see much change in Lizzy,” Lady Lucas said.
“Indeed,” Mr Collins intruded. “I see no difference and no improvement in my cousin.”
Darcy’s teeth clenched.
“What difference did you expect to see, Mr Collins? And what improvement could occur when there was nothing to improve in the first place?”
His voice addressed Mr Collins sharply, but his gaze caressed Elizabeth’s face with a warmth that made her shiver. A little smile twisted his lips.
“I have seen Mrs Darcy at a private ball and at the opera,” Dr. Taylor intervened. “She was the centre of attention, and her gowns and jewels were much admired, as were her manners and dancing skills.”
“Thank you, Dr. Taylor, you are too kind, sir.” Elizabeth smiled at him. “May we exchange this conversation for another?”
“Mrs Darcy is a wonderful dancer—as is Miss Bennet.” Mr Bingley’s warm eyes fixed on Elizabeth as he forced himself not to look at her elder sister.
Lydia spoke cheerfully. “Lizzy was always a great dancer. I don’t know why Mr Darcy did not want to dance with her at the Meryton assembly!
He was quite rude back then, but he has improved very much lately.
Charlotte, you must take care of Mr Collins.
I imagine as a clergymen he rarely dances—which one can easily tell by watching him. ”
Elizabeth stared at her sisters in shock, not daring to meet her husband’s eyes. The announcement that dinner was served sounded like a breath of fresh air to Elizabeth.
“I am very sorry,” she whispered to Darcy, and he briefly brought her hand to his lips.
“Do not worry. I am becoming accustomed to the clamour.”
She smiled bitterly. “I am certain you will reconsider your kind invitation for my family to spend the summer at Pemberley.”
“Not at all—Pemberley is a very large estate. Your family will have a private wing and staff to attend their needs.” His voice was light and his expression amused. She smiled back.
“Then perhaps we could invite Mr Collins too?”
“Madam, do not abuse my generosity,” he replied in earnest.
Dinner was as distressing as Elizabeth expected.
She managed to place Darcy between Mr Gardiner and Mr Bingley, who did nothing but smile sheepishly at Miss Bennet.
He entertained them with the story of his journey back to Hertfordshire and listened to Mr Collins’s long considerations about travelling in winter, but he barely heard a word.
Elizabeth sat near Charlotte, enjoying her old friend’s company but heavyhearted imagining the future life of Mrs Collins.
At the other corner of the table, Mrs Bennet, Mrs Philips, and Lady Lucas entertained themselves cheerfully until dinner was over. Mr Gardiner invited the gentlemen for a drink. However, it started to snow steadily again, so the guests took their farewells early with no little regret.
The remaining gentlemen—including Mr Collins—moved towards the library while the ladies discussed the dinner. Elizabeth could breathe a little easier. The evening was almost ended.
She excused herself to visit her father, and in the hall, she met her husband.
“Are you well? Are you trying to escape Mr Collins?” she attempted to joke.
“No, I was actually coming to you. There is something we need to discuss.”
She frowned although his expression was light.
“Bingley insists that I join him at Netherfield. He pointed out that Longbourn is very crowded.”
Her face and neck coloured instantly as she thought she guessed his meaning.
“Of course… Netherfield is much more private. I shall pack a few things, and I will tell the others.”
She was so distressed that she could hardly speak. So it will finally happen!
“Pack? I was thinking to go alone. Bingley is anxious to speak to me. He seemed equally excited and tormented. And you will also have time to spend with your family, not to mention that we will finally find a little sleep.” He smiled.
She stared at him, realising her foolishness and paled, averting her eyes.
“Oh, I thought… Yes, you are right. Of course, you should go alone. I am so silly.”
“Elizabeth, what is wrong?” he inquired with obvious concern. “You seem displeased.”
“Not at all… You will certainly be more comfortable at Netherfield. I shall stay here with my family. Now, please excuse me. I will go to my father.”
“Please tell me what upsets you. I shall not go to Netherfield if you do not agree.”
“It is quite foolish, actually. I thought you wanted me to go with you…last night we.”
“I see… My dear, do you want to come to Netherfield with me?”
“No… Yes… I mean—if you wish. Oh, do not ask me that. I cannot speak of it.”
He tipped her chin with his warm fingers, caressing her face.
“Please do not turn the consummation of our marriage into a reason for turmoil. All will be well and happen in its own time in our own home. At Netherfield, I can speak to Bingley and allow us to rest. I can easily count almost a week of sleepless nights and distress for both of us. Do you agree?”
“Yes, I do. Completely. As you know, I rarely disagree with your proposals.”
Their eyes and smiles met and held. He took her hand, then his lips tantalised her fingers and the inside of her palm, lingering on her wrist. He captured her lips for what he wanted to last a moment, but her hands encircled his waist, and the kiss turned more passionate.
Some hurried steps were heard, and then Lydia and Mrs Bennet’s voices startled them.
“Mama, Lizzy is kissing Mr Darcy in the hall! I told you she cannot be far away!”
“Hush, silly child, come here and be quiet! Do not bother them. Mr Darcy hates noisy girls!”
Elizabeth and her husband separated a few inches, smiling and breathing erratically.
“I shall come with you to wish Mr Bennet a good night. Tomorrow, I plan to spend the morning with him as we still have several subjects to discuss,” Darcy said.
“He will be happy with your company. If everything goes well, we should return to London the day after tomorrow. I am sure Georgiana misses us. Jane will take care of Papa.”