Chapter 20

E lizabeth could not remember when she had last felt so happy without even having a particular reason. No, that was not entirely true. There was a strong reason, one that gazed at her with an intense, dark stare and a little smile crushed between his lips.

For weeks, she had considered Mr Darcy the last man in the world she could like. Then, her opinion had changed, along with his manners. Then, she began discovering his qualities and enjoying his company, until he found his way deep into her heart. She did not dare imagine that Mr Darcy could be more than a friend to her; their situations in life were so different that not even Lord Matlock's friendship with her father could smooth them over.

Slowly, she accepted his confessed admiration and opened her mind to the possibility of being more than friends. Since her arrival in London, even though only a day had passed, that possibility had become more of a certainty. The stroll in the park with Miss Darcy, and Darcy's small protective gestures towards her and his sister, were heartwarming and more eloquent than words.

Lord Matlock's large drawing room was crowded with people, voices, and laughter as everyone — including her uncle and aunt Gardiner and Mr Bingley's sisters — gathered for the dinner party. Elizabeth sat next to her father, near Lord Matlock, the viscount, and his wife, Lady Cecilia. On her other side, Colonel Fitzwilliam was talking to her uncle Gardiner.

Earlier, in their rooms, Mrs Bennet and her younger daughters had spent more than an hour relating their day of shopping and their purchases to Elizabeth and Jane. Now, with so many illustrious people in attendance, they were more restrained and attentive to decorum, listening more than speaking.

Mrs Gardiner spoke to Mr and Miss Darcy about subjects well known and dear to all of them — Derbyshire, Pemberley, and a small village only five miles away where Mrs Gardiner had grown up.

Mr Bingley was sitting on a sofa with Jane, whilst Miss Bingley, Mrs Hurst, and her husband were a little separate from the others.

Elizabeth watched the viscount's wife, Lady Cecilia. She was beautiful, with an air of class and an exceptional education completed by polite, friendly manners, with no trace of arrogance. Opposite her, Mr Bingley's sisters seemed conceited and fastidious — quite ridiculous, considering the nobility in attendance.

The dinner showed Lord Matlock's efforts to make his friend's family feel special, and he had succeeded. Elizabeth was grateful seeing her uncle and aunt, as well as her mother and sisters, treated with so much consideration, so much friendly politeness. Whatever Lord Matlock was grateful to Mr Bennet for, he had certainly paid his debt with his attention and respectful manners.

Elizabeth liked Colonel Fitzwilliam exceedingly. At times, she had the impression he might be flirting with her, but it was all innocent and amicable. To her, the only man whose courtship she valued was Mr Darcy.

She had little opportunity to speak to him directly that evening, but he was always engaged in conversation either with her father or with her uncle and aunt — a compliment he surely paid to her. Another reason for pleasure was to see Miss Darcy — whose timidity Elizabeth had guessed from the moment of their introduction — speak so easily with her sisters as well as with her aunt Gardiner.

Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst — who had once claimed an intimate friendship with Mr and Miss Darcy — seemed determined to disregard everything and everyone most of the time, and they were overlooked by most of those in attendance most of the time. On the few occasions when they spoke, they were presumptuous, critical, and offensive. Their rudeness failed to ruin the others' disposition, though, and only succeeded in embarrassing their brother.

The viscount and Lady Cecilia left after the first course, but the rest of the party remained until midnight. With the departure of two of the three titled people, Mrs Bennet became a little more vocal — closer to her usual self. However, the general disposition was one of friendliness, which required no formality.

"Since we are all here together," Bingley said, "Miss Bennet and I wish to inform you that we have decided to marry as soon as the family returns to Hertfordshire. I shall travel back with you, and since I have the licence — thanks to my friend Darcy's support — we may plan the wedding at any time once we are home."

Mrs Bennet was in raptures, while Mr Bingley's sisters — towards whom he tried not to look — wore dark and frowning expressions, exchanging desperate glances.

"Oh, my dear Mr Bingley, such wonderful news! My dear Jane! How lovely will it sound — Mrs Jane Bingley! And Mr Darcy — how generous of you, and what a good friend you are! I cannot thank you enough! I could kiss you if I were not worried that you despised such gestures."

Elizabeth could not decide whether she was happier for her sister or more mortified about her mother's response. Surprisingly, Mr Darcy smiled and bowed to her mother.

"I certainly do not despise kisses, Mrs Bennet, but I have done nothing worthy of your thanks. I simply assisted Bingley in his plans."

He was surely joking; but, for some silly reason, the word kisses made Elizabeth flush. Before she could control herself, out of the corner of her eye she cast a glance at Mr Darcy's lips, wondering how they would feel.

That thought stuck with her till the end of the party and even later on, when she struggled to sleep and could find no rest in her large, comfortable bed.

∞∞∞

A week had passed with much joy for everyone. The ladies had seen more of London in Lord Matlock's carriage than they had done in all the previous years they had visited the capital. Mr Bennet had generously allowed them to go shopping several times, and Mrs Gardiner had provided them with guidance in that endeavour.

The Bennets had also visited the Gardiners in Gracechurch Street, together with the earl, Mr Bingley, and Mr Darcy. Mr and Mrs Gardiner were fashionable, educated people, with an excellent situation in life, who had four beautiful children and a handsome house. They perfectly fitted among their new titled acquaintances, who embraced them cordially.

Elizabeth and Jane had been engaged much with Miss Darcy, and Mary had also joined them. Miss Darcy's accomplishments at the pianoforte and her knowledge of literature, theatre, opera, geography, and history, added to her sweet, gentle nature, made her a delightful companion and someone to look up to. Lydia and Kitty were still rather uneasy with her, but for Mary, Miss Darcy was the perfect object of admiration.

Mr Darcy spent most of his time with the gentlemen, allowing the ladies time to themselves. Elizabeth's heart raced every time he was present, and she missed him when he was absent. An evening at the theatre, planned for after Christmas, and the notion of being in Mr Darcy's box, was another event Elizabeth waited for with anticipation and anxiety.

The more she knew of him, the more convinced she was that he would be everything she desired in a man — in a husband. It was not about his fortune but about the richness of his character, which had been difficult to sketch for a long time but had become clearer by the day.

Two days ago, it had snowed a little, and the previous day, three large carriages had taken the whole family — including the Gardiners and their children — for a long ride in Hyde Park. For Elizabeth, more memorable than the beauty of the frozen park and lake was the fact that she had found herself sitting between Mr Darcy and his sister. She was not sure whether he had chosen that spot on her left side on purpose, and her mind was too flustered for her to think properly.

Despite the generous size of the carriages, there were many people gathered in each of them. Aside from her and Mr Darcy were also Miss Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Jane, and Mr Bingley, so for half an hour, Elizabeth struggled to keep her composure, smile, and engage in conversation, while feeling all the time Mr Darcy's arm, hip, thigh, and foot pressed against her. The carriage's motion increased the contact of their bodies, and Elizabeth was painfully aware of the pleasure his closeness built inside her. The heat that overwhelmed her did not disappear for hours, long after the ride had ended. Mr Darcy was not near her any longer, but his presence, his scent, and his warmth was still clear in her mind and upon her body.

At Miss Darcy's invitation, the next day, Elizabeth was in Mr Darcy's house for the second time, together with Jane and Mary; Miss Darcy's companion, Mrs Annesley, was with them too. The gentlemen were all at their club — including Mr Gardiner.

Elizabeth expected to see Mr Darcy that day, nevertheless, and that thought kept her restless, startling at any sound of a door.

While they enjoyed some refreshments, a servant entered, addressing Miss Darcy.

"Miss, a messenger has come to enquire about the master. He said he was sent to see if Mr Darcy was at home."

Confused, Georgiana looked at her companion.

"Who wishes to know, Gilbert? What messenger?"

"He did not say. He said he was only paid to make the enquiry."

"Forgive my intrusion, but I believe no details about Mr Darcy should be provided to someone who is unknown," Elizabeth interjected.

"I agree," Mrs Annesley said.

"Please tell him my brother will be home later. Anyone who wishes to speak to him must send a note, and he will reply in due time."

"Very well, miss." The servant bowed his way out.

"That was quite strange. It is the first time I have encountered such a request," Miss Darcy concluded, and the incident was dismissed as they returned to their preferred activities. Miss Darcy invited Mary to play the pianoforte with her, while Jane, Mrs Annesley, and Elizabeth carried on a conversation about how crowded London was at that time of year.

Sooner than expected, they were surprised by the appearance of Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley. Jane's pleasure made her face glow, while Elizabeth felt her cheeks colouring and had to struggle to temper her heart while smiling properly.

"Ladies, we apologise for interrupting you," Mr Darcy said, returning the smile. His gaze was fixed upon Elizabeth, and her eyes locked with his.

"It is a little strange that you are apologising for being in your own house, Mr Darcy," she teased.

"It might be my house, but it is still ungentlemanlike behaviour to impose."

"I can speak only for myself, but I am sure that is not the case," Elizabeth answered.

"Indeed, Brother, please join us," Miss Darcy invited him.

Mr Bingley was already sitting next to Jane, and Mr Darcy chose a chair for himself.

"How lovely to hear you play with Miss Mary," he told his sister.

"It is lovely, indeed! Miss Mary's technique is excellent," Miss Darcy said.

"Please do not allow me to interrupt you," Mr Darcy offered. "I just wished to inform you that I have invited Mr Bennet to dine here, at our house, tomorrow evening. I hope that is not inconvenient for anyone."

Again, he looked at her, and Elizabeth nodded in approval.

"Oh, Brother, I forgot to mention. There was a messenger enquiring about you."

"A messenger? From whom?"

"I am not certain. He said he was sent to ask whether you were at home. I told him that anyone who wishes to know should send you a note."

"It must be some business matter. Whoever wanted to know, if he is not capable of stating his name, it is not worth bothering about."

More refreshments were brought in, and some time passed; the girls were playing, and Mr Bingley and Jane were whispering together when suddenly Mr Darcy said, "Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, you are in our home for the second time. Were you offered a tour of the house?"

"Oh, I am so sorry! I completely forgot!" Miss Darcy replied, slightly panicked.

"Do not worry, my dear. If you wish, I may give you a tour now," the master offered.

Mary looked at Miss Darcy, then responded shyly, "If I may be excused, I would rather continue to play."

"Of course," Mr Darcy agreed, then glanced at Elizabeth and Jane.

"I would be delighted," Elizabeth whispered.

"So would I," Jane added. Mr Bingley of course offered to escort his betrothed, so the four of them walked together, while the girls continued to play, watched by Mrs Annesley.

Since Jane was holding her betrothed's arm, Elizabeth walked with Mr Darcy again. He presented the house to her, including a gallery of paintings, but his hoarse voice and the awareness of his body at her side, brushing against hers at times, stirred inside Elizabeth sensations that distracted her from paying proper attention.

The tour was taken at a slow pace and lasted a while, then they stopped in front of a large door.

"Here is the library, where Mr Bennet has promised to spend his entire evening tomorrow," Mr Darcy joked. "Would you like to enter?"

"I would love that," Elizabeth agreed, and they stepped in with Mr Bingley and Jane following. Inside, she could not withhold a gasp of pure pleasure, and she heard Jane's sigh of admiration too.

"Mr Darcy, I am quite tempted to spend my evening here too, with my father," Elizabeth whispered to him. "And as soon as Mary sees this exquisite room, she might join us."

"You are welcome to spend as much time as you wish here, Miss Elizabeth, and so are your sister and your father. Hopefully without ruining your dinner," he jested in reply.

Mr Darcy asked them to sit, but Elizabeth was too charmed by all that surrounded her. She walked along, admiring the shelves, filled with hundreds of volumes, and touched a few of them with trembling fingers. She had read some, she had heard of others, but many were still unknown to her, like treasure waiting to be discovered.

She heard her sister and the two gentlemen talking, but she was still in raptures until the sound of loud voices and hasty steps startled her.

Mr Darcy went to the door with apparent irritation, but before he had time to open it, it was pushed wide. To Elizabeth's amazement, a woman of middle age filled the frame. She was tall and impressive, especially considering her elegant hat and her fashionable clothes. She was holding a stick, glaring at them with narrowed eyes, her lips pressed together.

"Lady Catherine?" Mr Darcy asked, perplexed.

"Yes, Nephew, it is me! I assume you did not expect to see me!"

"Of course not! What happened? When did you arrive in London? Where is Anne?"

"I am surprised you care about Anne! I was brought to London by a most alarming report, which I refused to believe until I gathered my own information. Are either of these women Miss Elizabeth Bennet?" she asked sharply.

"Yes. This is Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and this is Miss Jane Bennet, who is engaged to my friend Mr Bingley. You are already acquainted with him. And this is my aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, whom you have heard about."

Elizabeth and Jane curtseyed, but the lady showed no gesture of civility.

"So this is Elizabeth Bennet! Not even the prettier one — just as I was told."

"Excuse me?" Darcy raised his voice and straightened his shoulders as if trying to dominate his aunt.

"Do not shout at me, Darcy! If the rumours I heard prove to be even partially true, your actions could be called outrageous! I still cannot believe that my beloved nephew would defy honour, decorum, and prudence!"