Chapter 17

O nce the matter of his engagement was resolved, Darcy was overjoyed to see Elizabeth's spirits rising. There were no doubts: that had been the reason for her anger. She did care whether he was single or not, and so she must have considered a future with him. It was the proof he needed to give him the liberty to consider the next step.

"Thomas, have you made a decision in regard to Christmas?" Lord Matlock asked.

"It is out of my hands. Mrs Bennet and the girls are so thrilled with the idea that, once you mentioned it, I could not persuade them otherwise. So very likely we shall come for a fortnight."

"Excellent. You must stay at my house, of course. There are enough rooms to accommodate everyone most comfortably."

"I shall write to my brother Gardiner first," Mr Bennet said. "We usually stay with them when we do come to London, which is rarely."

"Of course. Whatever you decide, we shall make it comfortable for your family."

"Thank you, Henry. However, having seven people in your house might be a situation you will come to regret."

"I doubt it. My house has been too silent in recent years."

"You will certainly have lots of noise if that is what you miss. I shall spend most of the time in the library, however."

"Hyde Park is very close. I am sure Miss Elizabeth will enjoy taking long walks," Darcy interjected. "And there will be plays at the theatre if you like to attend."

"I would like that very much," Elizabeth said. "My uncle and aunt have often taken me and Jane to the theatre or opera when we were in town."

"Then it is settled. Georgiana and I also love watching all the plays we can catch in town. I have a box, which I would be happy to share with you and your family."

"Oh…that is very generous of you, sir. Thank you," Elizabeth said.

"It seems you will have enough entertainment during your stay in London," Darcy concluded. Elizabeth was smiling, and he smiled back. Their brief exchange felt like they had an understanding.

"I am sure we shall be most entertained. I confess I love London as much as I love the countryside. I believe the bustle suits me very well," Elizabeth added.

With the plans decided, they joined the rest of the family in the drawing room, and the conversation continued. Lydia and Kitty were both thrilled to be going to London at such a time of celebration and dreamt of shopping and parties. Mary was eager to see the earl's library. Jane was pleased to be anywhere near her betrothed. Mrs Bennet was overjoyed to be able to tell her sister and friends that she would spend a fortnight in London, in the house of an earl, in the most illustrious part of town.

Darcy spoke little, but he did exchange repeated glances with Elizabeth. She looked pleased. In fact, she looked delighted. He was anxious to introduce her to Georgiana; perhaps she would join his sister for tea. Having Elizabeth in his home would be the next important step in their relationship.

"So, gentlemen, when will you leave Hertfordshire?" Mrs Bennet enquired.

"In two days," Mr Bingley said. "When do you plan to come to London? I wonder whether it makes sense for me to return or to wait for you there."

"I see no use in returning," the earl replied. "I shall offer my carriage to convey Thomas's family to town. It is larger, and they will travel more comfortably."

"Oh, that is so generous of you!" Mrs Bennet said. "Wait until I tell my sister Phillips and Lady Lucas!"

"I am glad you are pleased, Mrs Bennet," Lord Matlock uttered.

The visit at Longbourn lasted about two hours. They promised to call again the next day, and Darcy wondered whether he would have a chance for a private moment with Elizabeth. If she felt well enough, they could perhaps meet during one of her walks. But as she had just recovered, it was unlikely she would expose herself to another cold.

However, he was not too concerned about not talking to her. Their misunderstandings had been clarified, and in a short while, they would meet again. The circumstances were favourable to a pleasant reunion and some delightful time spent together. If he was fortunate enough, he would be able to take several more steps from friendship to the moment when he would confess his love and passion. That very thought caused an overwhelming heat to grow inside his body. He felt Elizabeth's gaze upon him, and he knew his face must look flushed too; could she possibly guess his musings? Of course not; but he might tell her one day.

That evening, they dined at Netherfield, where the details of the journey were discussed with Bingley's sisters, and the following day, the three gentlemen returned to Longbourn for dinner.

"Mrs Bennet, Mr Bennet, would you mind if I invite Miss Bennet for a stroll in the garden?" Mr Bingley asked.

"Mind? Of course not!" Mrs Bennet responded. "Go and do as you please! You are betrothed now!"

"Mama!" Jane interrupted, flushed from embarrassment. "We shall be in the garden, nothing farther. Lizzy, would you like to come with us?"

"Yes, I would. I long for a bit of exercise," Elizabeth answered. Darcy smiled. Her appearance, as well as her spirits, were completely recovered. He had no more reason to be worried, so he was pleased to admire her.

"Oh, stay inside, Lizzy!" Mrs Bennet replied. "What business do you have bothering them? Let them speak on their own. You will only disturb them!"

Miss Bennet looked at the floor, Bingley became red-faced, and Elizabeth seemed disconcerted. So Darcy immediately seized the opportunity.

"If it is acceptable to everyone, I would enjoy a little bit of fresh air too."

"That would be a perfect arrangement!" Bingley exclaimed, silencing Mrs Bennet's opposition. A few minutes later, the four of them were strolling together in the garden.

Bingley and Miss Bennet took a few steps ahead, and Darcy with Elizabeth slowed their pace to allow the couple a little bit of distance.

"Mama was right, after all," Elizabeth said with a large smile. "If I was alone with them, I would have been an annoyance."

"I shall not argue with that," Darcy answered, and she laughed.

"I have to thank you again for your timely and considerate intervention, Mr Darcy."

"There is no need. I am very much enjoying this walk, so it is a perfect arrangement for me too. I am glad to see you in good health, Miss Bennet."

"I am sorry that anyone worried about me. It was just a trifling cold, likely brought on by tiredness and some distress."

"I hope you have rested and that the distress is gone."

"Yes, all is well," she replied with a shy smile.

"Excellent. I am glad you will be in London for Christmas. I hope we shall meet often, as Lord Matlock's house is very close to ours. My sister is eager to make your acquaintance."

"I look forward to meeting her too. I still cannot believe how quickly everything has happened. A month ago, the plan was that my uncle and aunt would come from London to spend Christmas at Longbourn, as they do every year. Such a complete change of circumstances would have been inconceivable for anyone."

"My feelings are no different. Lord Matlock's visit altered all our plans significantly — in a most fortunate way. I have always been fond of him, as one of my very few close relatives, but now I am grateful that he opened my eyes and forced me to see reason."

"I assumed that you were a perceptive man, always attentive to everything around you. I am a little surprised that you needed someone to open your eyes."

He turned to her, and their eyes locked.

"I was attentive, and perhaps perceptive, in the way that I noticed things. However, the way I judged what I saw and what I felt was flawed," Darcy replied. He did not dare say more, and his words probably confused Elizabeth.

"I have no proof to doubt your judgment, past or present, so I shall trust your statement, Mr Darcy. However, I must wonder…"

She paused, looked at him, then averted her eyes again.

"What do you wonder about? I would be happy to respond."

"I wonder why, since you seem to have such a pleasant personality and appealing manners, you chose to show us and everybody else in Meryton quite the opposite?"

"It was not a choice. It was a poor disposition that I was not polite enough to conceal because I had too little consideration for those around me. I have now realised that and am capable of admitting it."

"Oh… I did not expect such an honest reply. But then again, you already told me disguise of any sort is your abhorrence, and I have every reason to believe you."

She was teasing him, and he smiled. He enjoyed her company so utterly and completely, even when she was criticising him.

"I have tried to conduct myself in such a way as to never be ashamed of my actions and be forced to hide them. However, I failed at times. I was raised with good principles but allowed — encouraged — to apply them in a selfish manner."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that if anyone was in a dire situation and I could help, I would do it in a moment. However, if I dislike someone's company or do not know that person well enough, I shall not take the trouble of showing any politeness at all, even if I know my manners are offensive. The same applies when I am asked to dance and do not wish to."

At that, Elizabeth laughed.

"You are not an easy man to understand, Mr Darcy. There are such a mix of traits that form your character, it is very difficult to sketch."

"If you intend to sketch my character, Miss Bennet, I would be happy to provide you the necessary details for an accurate as possible drawing."

"Thank you." She laughed. "I believe I have mostly finished the portrait. I also suspect that you are your own severest critic. That you are more inclined to reprimand yourself for what you have not done than to rejoice in what you have accomplished."

"I have never thought of myself in such a way."

"I am sure you have not, and this proves my point. You are probably accustomed to seeing your accomplishments as simply a fulfilment of your duties and your wrongs as a failure."

He smiled, touched by the depth of her conclusion. He looked at her — she was still smiling, her voice was still teasing, but her gaze seemed heavy with feelings he had not seen before.

"I believe we should return home now. Mr Bingley and Jane are already at the door."

"Yes, of course. Miss Bennet, allow me to tell you that I have enjoyed this walk tremendously. I look forward to seeing you in London soon."

"Likewise, Mr Darcy," she answered briefly, her eyes adding what her words left unspoken.

For the rest of the evening, there was no opportunity for more private conversation. When the guests left, it was such an agitation of goodbyes and best wishes that Elizabeth and Darcy could only take their farewells through locked eyes and little smiles, which was perfectly satisfying for Darcy — and he hoped her feelings were no different.

The next morning, they left Netherfield immediately after breakfast. Lord Matlock and Bingley joined Darcy in his carriage, while Miss Bingley travelled with the Hursts.

Lord Matlock chose to leave his carriage and his coachmen at Netherfield, to convey the Bennets to London in a fortnight.

Darcy felt thoughtful and nervous as never before on his many journeys. There was no reason for concern, yet he could not escape a sense of restlessness.

He gazed out of the window as they turned out of Netherfield's drive and onto the road. Oakham Mount was in view, as well as several other places he had met Elizabeth. He was startled and his heart skipped a beat when he saw two riders on a path where he knew Elizabeth liked to walk. The distance prevented him from recognising one of the riders, but the other was certainly Wickham, who looked at their carriages with obvious interest. Furthermore, Darcy noticed the scoundrel bow his head slightly, as if in a gesture of farewell.

It was nothing improper, nothing to condemn, and he knew the Bennets were warned and could be in no danger from Wickham. And still, his anxiety increased during the journey, despite the fact that he tried to be reasonable and sensible. Wickham had acted in a despicable manner many times, but he was surely allowed to ride whenever and wherever he wished.

When they finally reached their destination, Darcy was happy to receive his sister's warm welcome. They had dinner together, and he gladly answered her questions, pleased to see her in good spirits. And yet, his worry about Wickham did not pass that day, nor on the days that followed.