Page 26 of The Countess and Her Sister
Elizabeth clenched her fists at her side as she glared up at Lady Catherine.
“I would see my sister at liberty to make a choice of such importance without any interference or malicious attempts at misguided sabotage – and I would very much like to see your schemes come to naught. You have involved three other innocent young ladies, and made sport of their feelings and wishes merely to prove some pernicious point to my sister. You ought to be heartily ashamed of such paltry manipulation. I cannot imagine why a woman so fascinated with family distinction would sully herself with such base machinations, and imperil her own relationship with that very family.”
Elizabeth strode around the sputtering, enraged dowager, directly toward Mr. Darcy, who stepped toward her with a warm smile. “Would you help me throw your aunt into the River Thames?”
“We shall set about it immediately, under cover of darkness,” he said drily. Then he groaned. “What did she say to you?”
Heat flushed her cheeks, but Elizabeth pushed past her mortification, sensing Mr. Darcy was already wary of his aunt’s latest outrage. “She warned me against poaching from my sister, and she boasted of her wicked motives for this party. I trust Lady Susan informed you?”
Mr. Darcy averted his eyes and shifted uncomfortably. “Both of my aunts have spoken to me in a similar fashion, yes.”
Elizabeth was overcome with the realization of what they were dancing around. They had been warned to stay away from one another, and yet here they were.
“Lady Catherine has achieved the reverse of what she set out to accomplish, where I am concerned.” Mr. Darcy said.
“It has taken me nearly a month, but I have come to the conclusion that your sister and I would not suit. I wish my friend every success in winning her hand, and should he be so fortunate, I would happily continue to provide whatever assistance to the young earl.”
Elizabeth frowned as she observed her sister speaking with Mr. Bingley.
Though Jane’s admiration was evident in her eyes, her posture was tense and agitated.
“I believe she was just beginning to overcome her apprehension, after Mr. Bingley stood up to Lady Catherine, but after this evening I hardly know…. What do you think, Mr. Darcy?”
“They need more time to become fully acquainted. His previous infatuations have been brief, but that has more to do with his sister. I believe that Bingley has a great desire to find a bride. He is just the sort of man to worship his wife and indulge her every whim; his sister has been the impediment. Even when she approves of a lady, she runs it awry.”
“That is just what I supposed,” Elizabeth said. “But if he can confront Lady Catherine as he did, he may yet be capable of sorting out his sister. If he is indeed so eager to be wed, he must learn to build a more enduring regard for Jane.”
“I will say in his defense that his present regard for her does seem greater than any attachment I have seen him form in the past. I believe they might make one another truly happy,” Mr. Darcy said with a wistful sigh.
“After all that Jane has suffered, she deserves true happiness. Jane seems to believe that this must be secondary to her duty to the family – honoring Lady Augusta’s wishes, consideration for her son, and gratitude to you and to all the Fitzwilliams. But I wonder if it might really be the reverse.
Perhaps any man who truly loves Jane as wholly and generously as she deserves must satisfy all these requirements merely by providing a life of adoration and care for her – that her son should be raised in a home that knows kindness and joy… .”
“I rather admire that philosophy, Miss Bennet. I believe that those who are happy in their private lives are better equipped by their own contentment to flourish in every other endeavor. I hope that I might experience all you described, with the right woman. But I do not believe that she is Lady Jane. She fairly glows at Bingley’s liveliness, and I am not likely to gratify her in such a way.
I, too, must find another who is brighter and more animated to render me so light of heart.
I know myself to be capable of such depth of feeling, despite my reticence. ”
“Your reticence? I have never found your conversation wanting, sir,” Elizabeth teased.
“No, you have not,” he said softly. “Miss Bennet, I believe I must formally withdraw my suit – I hope your sister will not object. I cannot in good conscience continue, when it has become evident that we are both better suited to another – when I should rather court another.”
There could be no mistaking his meaning.
He had moved closer to Elizabeth, as if forgetting that there was anybody else in the room, and he gazed at her so intently that she could scarcely meet his eye.
She discovered the sublime extent of her regard for him at the very moment that she came to understand he returned it in equal measure.
And yet, she could not escape her own conscience, and the painful sense of wrongdoing. It was nearly a relief to her when they were interrupted by Miss Bingley; Elizabeth was indeed surprised that they had not been separated sooner in a room so full of unattached ladies and shameless schemers.
She glanced about to find Lady Catherine arguing with Lady Augusta across the room.
Elizabeth flinched as her mother looked between her and Mr. Darcy with alarm and comprehension.
And then Jane was at her side; she had called for the carriage and wished to leave at once.
Elizabeth once again was swept away with a final backward glance at Mr. Darcy, desperately hoping they would meet again.