"Darcy?" the Colonel said in a parental tone. "This is Miss Elizabeth Bennet," he said, emphasizing the last name. He was rewarded with an imperious glare from his cousin.
"I am well aware of whom I am addressing, Fitzwilliam," he growled.
"Mr. Darcy!" Olivia Crenshaw, Mr. Crenshaw, Jane Bennet, and Mr. Bingley now enlarged the group. "Mr. Darcy," Olivia said, extending a hand, "I am very glad to see you so well recovered. You gave us all a scare yesterday."
"Thank you, Miss Crenshaw," Mr. Darcy replied, shaking hands with Mr. Crenshaw and bowing to Jane Bennet in turn. He shot a glance at Mr. Bingley, who calmly returned his gaze. "I was just on the point of telling 'Miss Brown' how relieved I am to see that she is none the worse for her adventure yesterday," he said with a knowing smirk.
Miss Crenshaw dropped her head and blushed and the Colonel suppressed a laugh, but Elizabeth narrowed her eyes and said to no one in particular, "Why does this man insist on calling me Miss 'Brown'? Olivia gave Elizabeth a guilty look. Elizabeth immediately closed her mouth, her confusion evident. Mr. Crenshaw suggested that his party make its way to the Crenshaw box. Elizabeth glanced at Mr. Darcy, then took Mr. Crenshaw's offered arm. Mr. Bingley offered to escort Jane, leaving Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam to themselves.
As soon as they were out of earshot, Colonel Fitzwilliam began to laugh out loud. "And what is so funny?" Mr. Darcy asked.
"You, cousin! Poor Miss Crenshaw. Poor Miss Bennet!" The Colonel looked back at the two ladies walking on the arms of Mr. Crenshaw. "I wish I could be there to hear her explanation," he managed to say before Mr. Darcy grabbed his arm and led him away.
"Explain yourself, Fitzwilliam," Mr. Darcy demanded as soon as they had entered the Darcy box. The Colonel sobered and sat down beside his cousin.
"I am sorry, Darcy, but you were making such a fool of yourself just now, calling Miss Bennet by a strange name. She had no idea what you were talking about." The Colonel was momentarily silenced by iciness of the Darcy glare. "I do not know why Miss Crenshaw decided to call her friend 'Miss Brown' but I am certain that Miss Bennet knew nothing of it. She probably thinks you should be in Bedlam!" he said before he began to laugh again. But Mr. Darcy was no longer interested in what the Colonel was saying. Elizabeth Bennet was sitting directly opposite him, her eyes down as she listened to something Miss Crenshaw was saying. She suddenly looked up and blushed as her eyes met Mr. Darcy's. He expected her to divert her gaze immediately, but instead she held his gaze and it was Mr. Darcy who felt compelled to look away.
So now I have become the object of her pity. He ran his fingers through his hair as he turned his eyes to the stage. He squirmed in his seat throughout the first act, occasionally stealing a glance at Elizabeth. Each time he looked in her direction, she seemed to be looking at him. She never looked away; on each occasion, it was Mr. Darcy who was discomfited. As soon as the first act was over, Mr. Darcy rose and declared his intention to return home.
• • •
Caroline Bingley was no one's fool. She was not about to spend an evening in the company of her brother and Colonel Fitzwilliam, not while Mr. Darcy lay injured in his bed. She would go to him, in spite of her brother's admonition against it. She had no doubt that she would not be admitted into his company; propriety forbade it, and the man was ill, after all. But she would go in person and leave her card and perhaps a brief note. She would show Mr. Darcy how concerned she was for his welfare. Miss Bingley changed out of her evening attire into a more appropriate gown for visiting the sick. As the carriage made its way to Mr. Darcy's townhouse, Miss Bingley tried to compose a suitable message to leave for Mr. Darcy. Moments later, she alit from the carriage with a smug expression on her face and mounted the steps. Mr. Harris met her at the door with a surprised expression.
"Miss Bingley!" he said, "I thought you would be at the theatre with Mr. Darcy."
"What? Mr. Darcy went to the theatre! But I was told that he was very ill and had to keep to his bed," Miss Bingley cried, eyes darting about suspiciously.
"The master apparently rallied himself for this evening's theatre party, madam," Mr. Harris droned sarcastically. Miss Bingley glared at him, but Mr. Harris was unperturbed. Feeling foolish and ill-used by her brother, Miss Bingley stormed out of the house. In the carriage once more, she let loose her fury.
"I will wager that Mr. Darcy is not ill at all. This is just some ruse of my brother's to get rid of me. Well, I shall have the last laugh," she shouted, and rapped on the roof of the carriage to get the coachman's attention.
• • •
Colonel Fitzwilliam found himself torn between his duty to his cousin and his desire to make amends with Miss Crenshaw. He had stared at her through the entire first act and she had returned his smile on one occasion when she had caught him in the act. He had been looking forward to the intermission, when he would attempt to speak with her. Now Mr. Darcy wanted to go home, and the Colonel knew that he must accompany him.
"What about Bingley?" the Colonel asked, as Mr. Darcy led the way out of the box.
"He looks as though he will have no trouble finding a ride home," Mr. Darcy intoned. The thought of Mr. Bingley enjoying himself in Jane Bennet's company only added to his foul mood. He wanted no more than to see his own bed and sorely regretted having been talked into leaving the house.
"But you have invited him to dinner," the Colonel reasoned. "Look, he is coming back," he said, and Mr. Darcy turned and saw Mr. Bingley approaching, with Jane and Elizabeth Bennet in tow. Mr. Darcy wanted to turn away and leave but curiosity affixed him to the spot. Elizabeth detached herself from Mr. Bingley's arm and addressed Mr. Darcy.
"I...I owe you an apology, sir. Miss Crenshaw explained why you kept referring to me as 'Miss Brown.'" She blushed slightly as she spoke, and Mr. Darcy saw something of the familiar sparkle in her eyes. Mr. Darcy smiled, and Elizabeth fought against the tiny tug at her heartstrings. The Colonel quietly slipped away and went to the Crenshaw's box.
"I am the one who should apologize, Miss Bennet. Fitzwilliam here," he said looking around for his absent cousin, "Rightly pointed out that I made quite a fool of myself."
Elizabeth raised her eyebrows in surprise. "I am very glad to find out that your head wound was not as severe as I feared," she said with a laugh. Mr. Darcy stared at her, marveling at the circumstances that had brought her back into his company. As they were obviously being ignored, Mr. Bingley and Jane wandered away.
"I should dearly like to know why Miss Crenshaw thought it necessary to keep your identity a secret, Miss Bennet."
"I am afraid you'll have to apply to Miss Crenshaw for the answer to that question, Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth said boldly.
"You will not tell me, Miss Bennet?" Elizabeth simply smiled her defiance. "Well, suppose we ask her together," he said and offered his arm. A surprised Elizabeth took his arm and thought that an interview with Mr. Darcy was apt revenge for her interrogation by Olivia and the Colonel.
• • •
Jane and Mr. Bingley watched this interchange from a short distance away. "I think Miss Elizabeth's company does much for Darcy's headache," smiled Mr. Bingley.
"Yes. I think his company does her some good, too, though she would never admit it," Jane commented. Mr. Bingley looked at her with surprise.
"Really! Better and better."
• • •
Colonel Fitzwilliam coughed to attract Miss Crenshaw's attention before he entered the Crenshaw's box. Olivia was sitting alone, deep in thought. She turned at the sound of the cough and stood as the Colonel entered.
"Good evening, Miss Crenshaw," the Colonel said a bit nervously.
"Colonel," she replied uneasily. They stood in awkward silence for a moment. Just as the Colonel was about to speak, Mr. Crenshaw returned. He immediately asked the Colonel to join them and launched into a conversation about his son Edward, who had quickly distinguished himself in Colonel Fitzwilliam's regiment. Olivia looked on helplessly as the Colonel was drawn into t
he conversation. A few moments later the three were joined by Mr. Darcy, who had escorted Elizabeth back to the box. Mr. Darcy was quite curious to hear Miss Crenshaw's explanation however Mr. Crenshaw's garrulous nature precluded the possibility of any such conversation. By the time Mr. Bingley and Jane returned to the box, it was nearly time for the second act to begin. Mr. Darcy, the Colonel, and Mr. Bingley left reluctantly, but not before Mr. Darcy extended an invitation to everyone for dinner a few evenings hence. Mr. Crenshaw immediately accepted for Olivia and himself, and Jane was eager to accept the invitation, but Elizabeth was forced to decline.
"I am afraid I am to leave London tomorrow morning to visit friends in the country," she said with a tinge of regret. Mr. Darcy had aroused her curiosity, if not her sympathy, and she would have liked the opportunity to see him in his own environment and among people he considered his equal in society. Mr. Darcy was crestfallen at the news, although he did his best not to show it. He bowed and left the box behind the others.
"Well, Darcy, do we return to our box or do we go home?" asked the Colonel.
"It does not much matter," murmured the dejected man, but he returned to his seat in the box. As the curtain was raised for the beginning of the second act, Caroline Bingley swept into the box, a flurry of silk and feathers. The men, each of whom was consumed by his own thoughts, perfunctorily acknowledged her. Miss Bingley naturally took a seat by Mr. Darcy and proceeded to explain about how her headache had suddenly come on and then just as swiftly abated. He didn't hear a single word she spoke, nor did the other men.
Charles Bingley's eyes were locked with Jane Bennet's; Colonel Fitzwilliam pretended to watch the play but his mind was also upon an occupant of the Crenshaw box. Miss Bingley followed her brother's line of vision and was shocked by what she saw across the hall. She elbowed Mr. Darcy to inform him of her brother's danger, but he didn't respond. Miss Bingley turned to speak to Mr. Darcy and found that he, too, was focused on the same spot and was satisfied. She would speak to Mr. Darcy at the first opportunity and the two of them would figure out a way to keep Jane from entrapping her vulnerable brother. If Miss Bingley had looked more closely at the Crenshaw box she would have known that Mr. Darcy's eyes weren't on Jane Bennet, but her sister, who sat behind her. Miss Bingley sat back and enjoyed the play, not realizing that Mr. Darcy did not take his eyes off of Elizabeth for the rest of the performance.
Four
—
"We must speak privately, Mr. Darcy," she whispered. He turned his head to look at her, shocked by the boldness of her address. "We must do something about Charles."
"'We,' Miss Bingley?" Mr. Darcy replied, looking down the lane for his carriage. He was in no mood for Miss Bingley's tedious company this evening.
"Surely you noted his behavior tonight. If we do not act quickly, He is likely to fall into Jane Bennet's clutches again. Look at him even now," she warmed to her topic, gesturing to where Mr. Bingley stood talking with Jane Bennet as the others in her party entered the carriage. Mr. Darcy turned and looked where Miss Bingley had pointed. "We must do something, Mr. Darcy. Perhaps if you were to speak with him again...." Mr. Darcy had stopped listening as soon as he spotted Mr. Bingley and strode off in his direction. Miss Bingley crossed her arms and smiled. "Good, Mr. Darcy. Keep Charles away from Miss Bennet, and while you're at it, you stay away from that impertinent sister of hers yourself." Behind her, Colonel Fitzwilliam did a slow burn.
"And why should your brother and my cousin want to avoid the Miss Bennets, Miss Bingley?" he asked in a tight voice.
"Colonel Fitzwilliam! I did not see you lurking there!" Miss Bingley sputtered, startled by both the unexpected question and the anger in his tone. She pretended not to understand his question and quickly turned to speak with an acquaintance. The Colonel let Miss Bingley escape, beginning to understand why Miss Crenshaw and Miss Bennet had felt it necessary to intervene on behalf of Miss Bingley's besotted brother. Mr. Darcy had not gone to the carriage to retrieve Mr. Bingley. He would do that, yes, but he was compelled by a sudden urge to see Elizabeth Bennet, perhaps for the last time. Arriving at Mr. Bingley's side, he wished a good evening to the party in the carriage, and repeated his hope for seeing everyone except Elizabeth at his home next week. To her he wished a safe journey.
"Have a pleasant trip, Miss Bennet. I hope you enjoy your stay in the country."
"Thank you, Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth said, meeting his eyes, and Mr. Darcy returned her smile. Had she met him in London, Elizabeth thought to herself, her opinion of him would be markedly different than that of the Fitzwilliam Darcy she had met in Hertfordshire. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley bade the party adieu and made their way back to Miss Bingley and the Colonel. They repaired to the Darcy townhouse for a quiet dinner, but in deference to Mr. Darcy's professed fatigue, the evening ended rather earlier than usual.
• • •
On the way back to Gracechurch Street, Olivia and Elizabeth could only smile as they looked at Jane. She seemed pensive, but happy. Elizabeth leaned forward and whispered into Olivia's ear. "Perhaps it was all worth it, Livy. I just hope that Mr. Darcy and Bingley's sisters do not do anything to ruin it."
"Have no fear, Lizzy. I intend to see to it that they do not," Olivia said firmly.
"And how do you intend to do that?" Elizabeth asked as the carriage jostled her about. Jane, who had been watching the two ladies engaged in an animated discussion, could no longer contain her curiosity after she overheard her sister's remark.
"Do what?" she asked.
"I intend to see to it that Lizzy marries Mr. Darcy," Olivia boldly declared. Elizabeth gasped, as Jane and Olivia burst into a fit of giggles, Elizabeth forced herself to join in the laughter.
"I think that is a very good idea, Livy," stated Jane. "I know that Mr. Darcy admires her. He certainly stared at her through the entire second act."
"How do you know, Jane?" said Olivia. "You were too busy staring at Mr. Bingley." This led to more giggles between Jane and Olivia. Lizzy did not join them, however, being so wholly shocked by Jane's statement. She hadn't dared to look at Mr. Darcy after their meeting at intermission, and had specifically sat in the second row of the box to avoid the temptation.
"I thought Mr. Darcy was staring at Livy," retorted Elizabeth, trying to conceal her discomfort.
"Oh, no, Lizzy. Colonel Fitzwilliam was staring at Livy!" Jane asserted.
"It is a good thing I was there tonight otherwise no one in either party, it seems, would have seen anything of the play at all," Mr. Crenshaw interjected, effectively silencing the ladies. A short time later after heartfelt thanks and good-byes, Elizabeth and Jane sat in their room preparing for bed.
"I will miss you, Lizzy," said Jane.
"Well, you are welcome to join us and visit our cousin, Mr. Collins," Elizabeth teased, and Jane shuddered at the thought.
"Perhaps I will be able to bear the separation if you agree to write me every week," Jane suggested as an alternative.
"Or perhaps you could find something else to distract you?" Elizabeth said as she twisted the end of her long braid. She had already cautioned Jane twice about Mr. Bingley and his treacherous sisters and didn't want to bring up the matter again. But she could not help worrying.
"Dearest Lizzy, I will take care," Jane repeated, hugging Elizabeth to her heart. Elizabeth recited those words to herself over and over again till she fell asleep that night, and left London the following morning hoping rather than knowing that Jane had spoken the truth.
• • •
The following week, Miss Bingley was shocked to find that Mr. Darcy had not only invited her brother and herself to dinner but Jane Bennet as well, accompanied by Mr. Crenshaw and his daughter. Miss Bingley was quite put out, even after Mr. Bingley explained to her that the dinner invitation had originally been extended to the Crenshaws and Miss Bennet and that he and Miss Bingley were later additions to the party. She would not accept the notion that Mr. Darcy would actually invite a Bennet into his own ho
use. She consoled herself with the knowledge that at least Eliza Bennet was not part of the party.
Mr. Darcy, his concussion now a distant memory, didn't bat an eyelash when Mr. Bingley took a seat at the dinner table next to Jane, but Miss Bingley was visibly upset. Mr. Crenshaw was given the place of honor at the table, and Miss Crenshaw was at Mr. Darcy's other side. Miss Bingley did not deign to perceive Miss Crenshaw as a threat, but she fumed at being separated from her dearest object and took out her frustration on her nearest neighbor, Colonel Fitzwilliam. He, on the other hand, was oblivious to her rudeness. The Colonel had spoken to Miss Crenshaw, not to any more significant purpose than to exchange greetings, but her reception had been more than civil. It was balm to his bruised heart and he was in too good a mood to let Miss Bingley spoil it. The Colonel repeatedly attempted to engage Miss Bingley in conversation, which she either responded to tersely or not at all, to the secret amusement of Mr. Darcy and Miss Crenshaw.
Mr. Darcy enjoyed his dinner conversation with the Crenshaws, and although he could still not condone his friend's budding romance with Jane Bennet, he was able to appreciate the dramatic improvement in Mr. Bingley's spirits. Mr. Darcy observed Miss Bennet carefully, looking for traces of the younger sister in her manners. Miss Bingley caught him staring and took it as a sign of Mr. Darcy's disapproval. A smug smile suffused her features and she was sufficiently mollified as to answer one of the Colonel's questions with a complete sentence.
When dinner was over, the ladies retired to the music room, while the four men remained behind for cigars and port. Miss Bingley led the way down the hall with a proprietary air, pointing out minute and intimate details about the portraits on the walls and relating the history of some object or another. She clearly meant to convince her companions of her intimacy with Mr. Darcy, but neither Olivia nor Jane was terribly impressed. Upon entering the drawing room, Miss Bingley remarked that she would change the décor of the room at her earliest opportunity.
So Long, Sentiment Page 8