Chapter 6

6

D arcy went down to breakfast the next morning rather short of temper and with an abundance of regret. What had possessed him to be so rude about the younger Bennet girl, knowing full well she would overhear him?

Especially as she had not shown the slightest interest in bothering him, unlike those mercenary fortune hunters of the first circles. He had lashed out at her because of their sins, not hers; and he had lost sleep as he remembered how the whole town had surrounded her with loving attention, as if to show him how very wrong he was.

It was only a few minutes until Bingley joined him, a pained expression on his face.

"You are up early," Darcy commented. "I thought that after the assembly, you might be later."

"I wished to be," his friend shrugged. "But my man woke me, saying there is an urgent message from Lucas Lodge." At that moment, the butler entered, carrying the silver letter tray.

"The note from Lucas Lodge, Mr. Bingley. Their groom is waiting for the reply."

Darcy's eyebrows rose, and he watched his friend break the seal and read in silence. Then Bingley tossed the letter in front of Darcy, and turned to the butler. "Thank you, Mr. Jamieson. Tell the groom that we will be here to receive Sir William at that time."

"Very well, Mr. Bingley." The man bowed and left the room.

Darcy reluctantly picked up the letter.

Mr. Bingley

I hope you and your guest will be available to receive me at eleven of the clock this morning.

I wish to discuss what happened at the assembly last evening.

Yours, etc

Sir William Lucas, Bt.

Darcy looked over at his friend. "I am sorry, Bingley. I believe I have caused you considerable grief with your neighbours by my atrocious behaviour." He sighed and looked down again at the terse correspondence. "I will stay and meet Sir William with you; then ride to Longbourn to tender my apologies to Mr. Bennet and his daughter, and then remove myself to London."

Bingley looked determined. "I do not think you should go, Darcy. It was at least partly my fault when I tried to persuade you to dance, and I need you to help me make what reparations we can; here, at Netherfield."

"I am not sure my presence will be helpful to you." Darcy shook his head. And it will be mortifying to me . "I ought to have moderated my voice before I spoke so the whole room could hear me."

Bingley looked horrified. "I think you rather mean that you should never even have uttered those words, audible or not!"

Darcy grimaced. "You are right, of course." He bowed his head. "I apologise profoundly, my friend, that I have caused you such embarrassment." He glanced up at the clock. "It is only half an hour until he arrives. Perhaps we ought to be in the library, just in case your sister comes downstairs and begins to berate him."

Bingley laughed. "I don't think we shall see Caroline until after noon. But the library is a good idea." He got to his feet. "Come, and I will arrange for refreshments as soon as he arrives."

Sir William's genial expression of the night before was absent as he was shown into the library promptly at eleven o'clock. He stopped and returned the bows of Bingley and Darcy.

"Sir William, you are welcome." Bingley indicated one of the deep library chairs by the fire. "Would you take a seat?"

Their caller glanced at them. "I would prefer if we could take more upright chairs if possible, Mr. Bingley. I do not think I will be staying long."

Darcy stepped forward. "Before you say anything, Sir William, I would like to tender my sincere apologies for what happened last evening. My manners were profoundly lacking, and I ought not to have let my bad mood control my words."

Sir William glanced at him, and then nodded to Bingley and took the rather more formal chair offered. "Elegant words, Mr. Darcy, but I would wish you to explain to me why you formed the opinions you did; and why you felt it to be in order to cause deep offence at speaking such opinions and what you intend to do about it."

Darcy shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He did not like being reprimanded, especially by a self-important former shop-keeper like Sir William. But the man was right to be taking him to task; he had issued the invitation to the assembly, it was due to him to get an explanation.

"I will explain, sir, but I would say first that I know my manners to have been inexcusable; my explanation is so that you can understand, rather than an attempt to excuse what I said."

Sir William's steady gaze caused Darcy to rather rethink his opinion of the man, and he gathered his thoughts.

"I have been pursued all my life by those wishing to either marry me, or see me married to one of their family. It is, of course, solely due to my being blessed to have been born to great wealth. It was nothing I did that has made me deserve it, and since the sad loss of my father some five years ago, the efforts to trap me have increased a great deal." He glanced at Bingley, then returned his attention to their caller.

"And this summer, there was an attempt to entrap my fifteen-year-old sister for her own considerable dowry, and I was very fortunate to be able to save her from such a fate. This has all formed the background of my opinion of single young women and their families as fortune hunters." He drew a deep breath.

"As I said, although it informs the reason for my bad temper last night, it does not excuse my bad manners and rude words. I intend to ride to Longbourn at the end of this interview and tender my deepest regrets to Mr. Bennet and ask his permission to be introduced to, and to apologise to the younger Miss Bennet."

Sir William nodded. "Thank you for the explanation, Mr. Darcy. I will, of course, keep the information confidential, especially as regards your sister. Now I would like to give you certain information about why your words were so hurtful to Miss Elizabeth, and why your further statement was erroneous."

Darcy winced. "I am sorry for it, and would like to hear whatever you can tell me."

"Very well." Sir William nodded seriously. "The first of your opinions — spoken so carelessly that many in the room heard you — was that Miss Elizabeth's appearance was tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt you."

Darcy grimaced at the reminder, but waited for Sir William to continue.

"That, of course, is an opinion which you are free to hold, but, as a gentleman, it behooves you to say nothing if you cannot say anything complimentary. Unfortunately, although Miss Elizabeth did not allow it to show on her features, I believe it must have hurt her."

He frowned. "All her life, her mother has denigrated her looks, bemoaning that she is not as handsome as her older sister. I do not know of anyone who is as beautiful as Miss Jane Bennet, who has the same type of looks as her mother. Mrs. Bennet is unable to understand that there are other types of beauty. Many in Meryton think that Miss Elizabeth is a very handsome young woman, although in a different way to her sister."

"I agree," broke in Bingley. "I think she is a very pretty young lady, and the expression in her eyes is most agreeable."

Sir William nodded. "I hope Miss Elizabeth does not take it too much to heart, and I do hope, Mr. Darcy, that you do not make a habit of denigrating the looks of young ladies who cannot help it if they are born without beauty."

Darcy bowed his head. "You are right, sir, and I fully deserve to be taken to task for this. Miss Elizabeth Bennet is certainly handsome, far more than tolerable."

"Hmph!" Sir William sounded disgruntled. "I might just say that empty flattery will not move her to forgive you."

He sat up straighter. "Now the other part of what you said; that you would not give consequence to ladies who were slighted by other men."

"Sir William, I do not need to be berated further on this matter. I am quite persuaded that I was wrong. The young lady was certainly not slighted by other men. That was brought home to me the whole of the second part of the evening."

Their caller raised his eyebrows. "Nevertheless, there is more that I would say." He waited for Darcy to nod before continuing. "As a newcomer to Meryton, and a mere country gentleman, however wealthy, you are not in a position to give consequence to anyone here, least of all the daughter of a gentleman just like you, one whose family has owned Longbourn for seven generations. As well, did you never consider that if anyone had believed you, you might have blighted the life of the young lady concerned and caused her much future hardship? It was badly done, sir, very badly done."

"I agree, and I will never be so thoughtless again." Darcy repressed a shiver. "I am thankful that, this time, my words will not affect the young lady."

Sir William huffed a laugh. "I accept your contrition, Mr. Darcy. You may have your apology accepted, but I hope you will understand that forgiveness may be difficult."

Darcy had never thought that once an apology was tendered, things would not go back to normal. He frowned; he must be forgiven or he could not put this behind him.

"Oh, and there is one other matter regarding consequence." Sir William looked like a cat who had got the cream. "Miss Elizabeth is, I think, the only lady in this area who has been presented at Court. Not only that — a private presentation, which included taking tea with the queen, and all at the direct command of Her Majesty."

Darcy gaped at him, to the obvious gratification of the man.

"Presented at Court? At the command of the queen?"

"Indeed." Sir William looked smug. "I rather think it would be her that would give consequence, not you."