by Louise, Kara
Darcy felt he had spoken enough on the subject of Pemberley and turned the subject matter to Longbourn. Mrs. Bennet answered obligingly, despite her wish to continue talking about him and his home.
"Mr. Darcy, our home, I am sure, is very modest compared to your great estate, and with it entailed away from the female line, I have long hoped and prayed that each of our lovely girls would be fortunate enough to enter into a most beneficial marriage." She smiled at him and looked as if she expected a response. She then turned her gaze down to the far end of the table where her second eldest daughter was sitting.
Elizabeth watched as her mother smiled at Darcy and then glanced down the table and smiled at her. She had been carefully scrutinizing this interaction between Darcy and her parents. Elizabeth did not like the look of that smile and felt her mother was beginning to get some ideas into her head about her and Darcy. She tried to give her a warning look, hoping she would stay away from any subject of marrying her daughters off, especially to desirable rich men!
Darcy felt himself colour and awkwardly sought something to say. He could easily have come up with a response to secure Mrs. Bennet’s favour by stating his intentions toward their daughter. I want nothing more than to ask for the hand of your second eldest daughter, Elizabeth! or Mrs. Bennet, is my ten thousand sufficient enough to win your favour? Or possibly, How can you help me secure the favour of you second eldest daughter when even my ten thousand is as nothing to her? "How fortunate that you have five lovely daughters, Mrs. Bennet."
"Why thank you, Sir. You are too kind! But as Longbourn is entailed, I am most distressed." Darcy drew back a little from her as she became somewhat frantic. "Every time I see that Mr. Collins, who is so very anxious to kick us out and move right in, it just makes…" Suddenly she stopped, looked at her husband, and turned back to Darcy and smiled, picking up her cup of tea and taking a sip.
Elizabeth, from the other end of the table could not believe what she just witnessed. Her eyes widened as she contemplated what happened. Did her father actually do what she thought she saw him do? If she was not mistaken, he had given her mother a nudge with his knee underneath the table to silence her! And it must have worked! But did anyone else notice? Elizabeth looked immediately at Darcy, who brought his napkin up to his face and politely dabbed the corners of his mouth. Was that a smirk she saw peeking out from behind?
The meal was almost completed when Georgiana turned back to Elizabeth, after having had a lengthy conversation with her two younger sisters. "Elizabeth, would it be possible for me to call on you tomorrow morning. I would greatly enjoy the pleasure of your company for a while. There are some things I would like to talk with you about. We could go for a walk, if that would be acceptable."
"I would so enjoy that and am already looking forward to it. I think the morning would be just fine."
Georgiana smiled. "I do need to go to the church in the afternoon and practice playing the music for the wedding before the rehearsal, but my morning is free. How does ten o'clock sound?"
"Would you prefer that I come to Netherfield?" Elizabeth's heart pounded, hoping she would say no.
"I think I would prefer to walk the grounds around Longbourn. My carriage will bring me round."
"I shall be waiting."
As the meal ended, the men were escorted by Mr. Bennet to his study. Mrs. Gardiner quickly came up to Elizabeth as the women left the dining room. She put her arm through hers and gently nudged her off to the side.
"I am so glad to have been able to have some conversation with Mr. Darcy. I do not find him proud and disagreeable at all! I was disappointed when we first walked in and saw that we had been moved and were no longer seated next to him. I noticed earlier that we were." She paused, watching Elizabeth's reaction.
Elizabeth took a deep breath and looked away. Her aunt continued, "Do you know, Lizzy, how the seating arrangements came to be changed?"
Elizabeth did not answer, colouring slightly and she was unable to look at her aunt. The look on Elizabeth's face told her aunt she had been correct in her assumption. Finally her aunt tenderly whispered, "Why did you do it, Lizzy?"
"You knew it was me?"
"It was most obvious."
"Why… I… it was an impulsive, immature act to see whether Mr. Darcy's true character would emerge by seating him between Mr. Collins and my mother. He had been so easygoing and amiable all evening. Trust me, Aunt, he has been very different tonight than what he was when he was in the neighbourhood before."
"It appears to me that he passed your little test. Would you not say so?"
"He did, yes. Most admirably. Do you think he was aware of what I did?" Elizabeth asked, knowing that inwardly she felt he did know.
"I believe he was very much aware of it."
Elizabeth turned, feeling more remorse than satisfaction for her little trickery. "He must hate me for purposely placing him between them."
"No, Elizabeth, I do not think he hates you. I do not think he believes that is the reason you moved him."
"You do not? What other reason is there?"
"I believe he thinks you moved him as far away from you as possible because you wanted nothing to do with him."
With that, she turned away and Elizabeth was left with the stunning realization that, once again, she had caused another misunderstanding between the two of them. How many times had one or the other misconstrued the other's words or actions? And usually it was her! She wanted to argue her aunt's observation, but she could not. He had been so congenial the whole course of the evening, even after being seated where he was, and he believed the whole time that he had been moved because she did not want him near her!
She turned in great anger with herself to find Georgiana walking toward her. "Elizabeth, I see you have a piano in here. Would you do me the honour of playing and singing? You did promise me that you would when we parted last."
"Yes, I did, indeed." Her voice faltered as she spoke and she wondered how she would be able to play, let alone sing, when she felt so terribly distressed. Her heart pounded ferociously and she knew her fingers would not easily obey, let alone her voice. "Could you give me a few minutes? I should like a cup of tea, first."
Georgiana agreed and Elizabeth went back into the dining room to make herself a cup of her special brew of tea. She kept herself secluded in the dining room while she drank, savouring its calming effect. She looked back at the table and saw, in her mind, Mr. Darcy, as she had watched him furtively while she talked with Georgiana through the course of the meal. So friendly, so amiable! She took another sip of tea as she felt herself grow dizzy with confusion. She had to calm down!
When she finally returned, Georgiana was looking through the music and picked out a few songs that she liked, asking if Elizabeth could play any of them.
Elizabeth looked through them and found one that was a rather slow tune that was easy enough to sing. She hoped that the conversation in the room would continue, as she disliked the idea of performing before others. She would rather just provide some background music.
She placed the music upon the piano and began playing and singing. It was soothing to her and she closed her eyes as she continued, knowing most of the song by memory. Suddenly she felt her heart stir, as she felt the presence of someone behind her. She hoped it was not who she thought it might be, but was not going to look. The easy flow of her fingers across the keys became more of an effort; she struggled to keep her composure in singing, as well as playing.
She recalled Georgiana's account to her of how Darcy would often come up behind her whilst she was playing and he would quietly listen. Elizabeth had no idea why she thought he was there; she just did.
She had two more pages to play through before she was finished, and prayed she would make it through. She looked up at Georgiana, who returned an encouraging smile. She noticed her gaze move beyond her and another smile directed behind her; this time more serene. At the end of the song, the party of women politely responded with
light applause. Elizabeth steeled herself, took a breath and turned around. There was no one there.
Her hands shook so greatly that she berated herself for imagining things. She rose and walked over to Georgiana, asking her if she would oblige her now and play. Elizabeth knew that Georgiana's ability greatly exceeded hers and knew she would be enjoyed by all in the room.
Georgiana reluctantly agreed to play only, not sing, and Elizabeth sat down to join the others. As Georgiana played, Caroline continually praised Miss Darcy's ability and how accomplished she was. Elizabeth was convinced that the woman was more enthralled with the sound of her voice than Georgiana’s playing.
In the course of Georgiana’s song, the men returned and seated themselves around the room. Darcy settled in a sofa off to the side of his sister, obviously enjoying her playing.
Caroline suddenly spoke up and said to Elizabeth, "Are not the militia removed from Meryton? They must be a great loss to your family."
At this, Lydia broke in. "Oh, it has been so unbearable since they left! And to think I had received a personal invitation from the Forsters to join them all in Brighton. But because of the wedding, I was not able to. How we miss all those fine, handsome officers! Mr. Wickham was by far the most handsome and charming!"
When Georgiana heard Lydia’s remark, it caused her great distress and she suddenly lost her place in the song. She feebly tried to improvise, and Elizabeth rushed over to her immediately, putting her hand on her shoulder, and quickly pointing to the place on the page where she had last played. "I am sorry," Elizabeth said to her. "Let me help you by turning the pages."
Darcy's colour heightened at the mention of Wickham's name and he had immediately begun to rise from the sofa to come to Georgiana's rescue, but was halted in his actions by Elizabeth's quick response to his sister's distress. As Georgiana regained her composure, she looked up at Elizabeth, and then to her brother. At that moment she came to the startling realization that Elizabeth knew of the situation between herself and Wickham. She must have known all along! Everything inside her reeled of shame at Elizabeth knowing.
Elizabeth was aware of Georgiana's sudden comprehension of this, and the inner struggle she faced. She murmured to her that it was all right, she was doing fine. Elizabeth kept her one hand on the young lady's shoulder, patting it, and the other on the music, readying to turn its page. Her actions comforted Georgiana, at least outwardly, as she continued to play.
When Elizabeth was confident that Georgiana was composed, she dared herself to look up at Darcy. The look on his face made her feel as though he was wrapping his arms around her. She glanced back down at Georgiana, feeling that now she was the one who needed composing. Then she looked back up.
There may have been a hint of gratitude in his expression, but there was something else there that touched Elizabeth to her core. A hint of a smile played at the corners of his mouth, but seemed to be more recognizable in his eyes. With great feeling exuding to the surface from within, she returned a smile.
When Georgiana finished playing, everyone expressed their appreciation of her wonderful talent and applauded heartily. Elizabeth reached down and gave the girl an encouraging hug. "You played beautifully, Georgiana." Neither of them alluded to what happened beforehand at the mention of Wickham's name.
When the music was over, it seemed to signal an end of the evening, as everyone began to stand up and take leave. Elizabeth wished with all her heart to walk over to Mr. Darcy and apologize for her very immature actions earlier this evening, but he was suddenly surrounded by Caroline and Louisa. She decided it would have to wait. All she could do tonight was send him off with a polite farewell.
As everyone walked outside to their waiting carriages, Elizabeth came up to Georgiana, who was now standing aside her brother, and she gave her a hug. "I shall look forward to seeing you tomorrow morning, Georgiana." She looked up at Darcy and with her arm still resting on the girl's shoulder teasingly added, "…if you will permit me some time by myself with her, Sir. I promise I will take good care of her."
He looked upon his sister with a feeling of envy sweeping over him. If only he could be on the receiving end of a hug from Elizabeth. In a soft, husky voice he returned, "I do not doubt that you would."
Silence hung heavy in the air, as the two seemed locked in the other's gaze. Darcy, reeling from her scent due to her close proximity and the captivating look of her eyes, braced himself against the onslaught of feelings that urged him to take that one small step closer to bridge the distance between them. He was grateful for the throng of people around, particularly his sister, for that helped keep himself in check. How he wished they were alone, yet in reality he knew that if it were just the two of them right here this evening together, such actions would most likely be rebuffed by her.
Elizabeth struggled with what to say to him; wanting to throw caution to the wind and to let him know how sorry she was for causing any misunderstanding this evening. Yet it was difficult for her to come up with words that came from her heart. She could easily banter with him, tease him, and make light conversation with him. But for some reason, to speak from her heart caused her much uneasiness.
"Good night, then." Again she returned a nervous smile to him, hoping that the stirrings she felt deep within were not apparent on her face. He rewarded her with one back, however slight, and it reflected much of the inner turmoil he was striving so hard to conceal.
Darcy and Georgiana, joined by Bingley, turned to climb up into the carriage. Caroline and her sister and Mr. Hurst rode in a second one. As their carriage began to pull away, Darcy leaned forward to the window and looked out, hoping to catch one last glimpse of Elizabeth. She stood back with Jane, the two of them watching until that one particular carriage was out of sight.
As soon as they were off, Bingley cried, "I do not understand what happened in there Darcy! You were supposed to sit beside me at dinner and across from Miss Elizabeth."
Darcy looked up at him and in a very matter-of-fact voice stated, "She switched the place cards."
"What?" asked Bingley and Georgiana together.
"You heard what I said. Miss Elizabeth switched the place cards and moved me to the far end of the table."
"I do not believe it! Why would she do something like that?" Bingley asked incredulously.
"Brother, are you quite certain?"
"Yes. It was very apparent that she did not wish to sit through the whole course of the meal with me seated across from her. She put me as far away as possible from her."
Georgiana looked down, feeling very distressed by this. Bingley was still unbelieving. "Darcy, with all the positive accounts I have been passing on to Jane concerning you, and how good-natured you were tonight, I find it hard to believe she still feels the same way! Might you not be mistaken?"
"I walked through the dining room myself and saw my place card next to you and across from hers. A short while later I saw her coming out of the dining room, and within just a few minutes we went in to eat. The place cards had already been changed. When she saw me set out directly for the chair I was originally to sit in, I could see in her face her alarm when she realized I knew my place had been moved."
At that moment he reached into his pocket. He pulled out Elizabeth’s handkerchief and gave it to Georgiana. "Georgiana, if you would be so kind as to return this to Miss Elizabeth in the morning. I do not think I shall be requiring it any longer."
Georgiana slowly took it from her brother's hand. "William, this does not mean that you are giving up, does it?" she asked as her heart began to sink.
"What is that?" broke in Bingley. He could not see very well because of the darkness of the carriage. But as the carriage turned, suddenly the light from the moon on the horizon lit up the cab. He then was able to see the handkerchief with the initials EB and flowers embroidered in the corner. "It looks like a handkerchief with Miss Elizabeth's initials on it!
"You are very observant, friend. That is exactly what it is."
> "And why do you have it?"
"It is a rather long, complicated story." He looked to his sister. "Now as for your question, Georgiana. I shall not need to carry this handkerchief any longer, because if she never returns my favour, having it in my possession shall serve only to torment me."
He turned to look out the window and saw that it was an almost full moon on the eastern horizon. He was immediately struck by its size and beauty and involuntarily wondered whether Elizabeth had noticed it. He turned back to the two and continued, "But if she does return my favour, I will no longer need the handkerchief, as having her will be much more preferable."
He reached out again and touched the handkerchief in his sister's hand. "Georgiana, you ask am I giving up? No, I am not. I intend to remain here as long as need be. I am going to try my hardest, do everything in my power, to win Miss Elizabeth Bennet's affections!"
Chapter 17
Elizabeth awoke early. The sun was slowly emerging as a golden orb up from the distant horizon. She could tell from the feel of the air that it had not cooled down much the night before, and today would probably be exceptionally warm. She threw off the light coverlet that had been atop her and stretched. Walking over to the window, she looked out to a virtual rainbow of reds, oranges and yellow, colliding with the new morning blue of the sky.
Elizabeth stood poised for a few moments and watched, enjoying the changing display as the sun progressed upward; clouds lazily taking on different shapes, and colours reaching their peak before slowly fading away. She wondered whether anyone else was up and debated whether to venture down and make herself some tea. She did not wish to waken anyone, but she knew that she would not be able to go back to sleep.