by Lory Lilian
“Of course, Caroline, this is your home, too. You may invite whomever you choose, my dear. Just write your letters and let me sign them.”
For the first time in ten years, Caroline kissed her brother’s cheeks before she ran out of his room.
***
After Darcy left for London, Elizabeth was certain she would not be able to put aside her fears until she saw him again. Fortunately, his daily letter—sent by express to Mr. Bennet—worked like magic and soothed her, and she even managed to sleep during the night
She spent most of the time with Jane, Lady Cassandra and Georgiana. Mr. Bingley’s sisters avoided their company as much as possible and seemed to give little consideration to the engagement or the ball. Only Miss Bingley mentioned a few times “a special guest who certainly would be a great surprise to Lady Cassandra,” but Elizabeth paid little attention to her.
About a week before the ball, Colonel Fitzwilliam arrived at Netherfield, and his presence animated everyone. To their previous friendship, Elizabeth could add the joy of knowing they would soon be family, and she was even more pleased to find that Darcy had already informed him of their engagement. Georgiana was delighted to have a temporary replacement for her brother, and Bingley kept saying, “Man, I am so happy to have you here!”
At Longbourn, the colonel became a quick favourite of Mrs. Bennet—“such a charming, handsome gentleman!”—and an acceptable replacement for Darcy to Mr. Bennet.
The third day after his arrival, Lady Cassandra woke early to ride. She was angry with herself for her foolish thoughts. The colonel was everything he had been in the past: kind, charming, pleasant, and attentive to everybody. With her, his manners were impeccable; he was neither indifferent nor insistent. His behaviour was friendly and gentlemanlike—and she hated that! There was no sign of the passion he declared previously—no special attention to her, nothing—but, she did not hate him for that. She hated herself for wanting something else! She needed to ride, to free her mind—and her heart—of everything.
She entered the stables lost in thought and, inattentive, almost fell into the colonel’s arms.
“Lady Cassandra! Are you all right?”
“Yes, yes…Please forgive my lack of attention, Colonel.”
“There is nothing to forgive. Are you…Do you intend to ride? Would you…” He paused a moment, looking at her in earnest. “Would you allow me the pleasure of your company?”
She hesitated a few moments. “Yes, I would be delighted.” And in truth, she was delighted.
For more than an hour, they rode through the fields and groves and along hidden paths at a slow pace or a gallop, side by side. They spoke little—mostly about the scenery—and from time to time they cast brief glances at each other. As time passed, she grew easier in his company, and shortly, happy memories of their past together became more powerful than any present distress.
The following days, the couple met and rode together again. Starting the next morning, they not only rode in silence but also raced for some time and then slowed their pace, spending the time in long conversations recalling earlier times. To her surprise, the colonel remembered things she never knew: about herself as a small child, her parents, and her disobedient behaviour. He seemed as pleased to talk as she was to listen, and neither noticed the time pass; they were both late for breakfast and drew the Bingley sisters’ reproachful looks. Yet, neither of them noticed.
***
Lady Cassandra returned from a long walk together with the colonel, Georgiana and Elizabeth. They were all tired, hungry and in excellent spirits. Elizabeth was happy to have the opportunity of speaking of Darcy and learning about his childhood—and what stories she had heard! Lady Cassandra and the colonel seemed to take the opportunity of Darcy’s absence to make fun of him—his seriousness, his propriety, and his first love, the sixteen-year-old daughter of an earl; he was five and wanted to marry her. Georgiana hurried to defend her brother against those stories, but she could do little as all of them had happened before she was born. Elizabeth did not give much credit to the colonel’s stories, but the mere mention of Darcy’s name gave her joy—so she accepted them with serenity.
On reaching the main entrance of Netherfield, they noticed a large carriage and, a few steps further, a small gathering of people. The identity of the newcomer remained uncertain until they were closer and could not avoid him. Caroline Bingley, elaborately dressed and full of loudly expressed enthusiasm, approached them with superior satisfaction as she performed the introductions.
“Lady Cassandra, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Georgiana—I think you are acquainted with Lord Markham! He is our special guest and will remain at Netherfield until after the ball.”
Lord Markham followed Miss Bingley, a most enchanting smile spread over his face, acknowledging their party politely.
Georgiana greeted him properly while Elizabeth remained a little behind, amused by Miss Bingley’s bad manners in ignoring her.
Lady Cassandra turned slightly pale, and her eyes narrowed with obvious anger; the colonel breathed deeply, wondering how long he would be able to sustain his manners.
However, to Miss Bingley’s utter shock and complete disappointment, Lord Markham stepped forward to Elizabeth and bowed to her. “Miss Bennet, what a delightful surprise to see you again!”
***
In their carriage ride back to Longbourn, accompanied only by Jane, Elizabeth could not but recollect and analyse the reactions of her friends toward the viscount. She had seen that reaction before—during the ball hosted by Lady Cassandra—but had overlooked it quickly as Lord Markham was not in her sphere of interest. Yet, now their responses were repeated and apparently with greater intensity.
The last hour she spent at Netherfield, Lord Markham behaved more than properly. He was quite amiable, congratulated both Charles and Jane on their betrothal, and praised Netherfield and the entire county. Elizabeth was certain she would have nothing with which to reproach him if not for the hostile attitude of the colonel and Lady Cassandra. To herself, Lord Markham seemed especially cordial—to Miss Bingley’s furious displeasure.
Except for Mr. Bingley, the atmosphere at Netherfield was neither easy nor light, so Elizabeth was pleased they were not invited for dinner that evening. She had had enough of Netherfield for a while.
***
Lady Cassandra was so angry that she remained outside to take a stroll around the house in order to calm herself. The nerve of that bastard Markham! What was he doing there? And that stupid Caroline Bingley, almost jumping on him! What was in her head? Was that the man she suggested was her suitor? He could not care less for her—that was obvious. Oh, just wait until Darcy returned and saw him. That might result in a scandal, she thought, instantly searching for a way of calming Darcy enough to bear the viscount’s presence until after the ball. What an idiot! she thought, so preoccupied that she nearly bumped into the very idiot who appeared in her way.
“Lady Cassandra, what a pleasant surprise!”
“The pleasure is all yours, sir,” she answered, attempting to move past him.
“Lady Cassandra, please…only a moment.”
“What do you want to tell me in a moment, Markham?”
“I know we are not friends, but I was hoping we could be civil while we are both guests here.”
“I assure you I will be quite civil, Markham; I was civil when you sneaked into my ball without invitation, was I not? But now I cannot help wondering what you are doing here. Do not offend me by suggesting it is a mere coincidence.”
“But it was a coincidence, I assure you. I would have attended this ball in any case.”
“Is that so? Are you suddenly so fond of Hertfordshire?”
“I am! My family is visiting my aunt only twenty miles from here, and since Miss Bingley and I have become friends lately, I was happy to receive the invitation.”
“Really? You and Miss Bingley are friends? What kind of friends? Come now, Markham. I know you too well; you coul
d not have serious designs on Caroline Bingley. Admit it!”
“Indeed, there is nothing to admit. As I said, my only request is that we be polite to one another. I would not want to hear all manner of rumours about me—
“Oh, now I see. You are afraid I would betray your true nature—
“Lady Cassandra, you would not dare—
“What would Lady Cassandra not dare, Markham?” The colonel’s voice fell as thunder upon them.
“Colonel Fitzwilliam!”
“Markham, what the hell are you doing in Hertfordshire? What business do you have here? And what the hell are you doing alone with Lady Cassandra?”
“Colonel, I will not be spoken to in such a manner. I am a guest in this house as you are, and—
“Markham, I could not care less about you, so spare me. I will tell you this only once: if you dare to bother Lady Cassandra or Georgiana even with a breath, I will break your face, guest or no guest. So be careful to stay away from me.” Without another word, he offered his arm to Lady Cassandra; she took it instantly, and they departed together. Around the corner, she stopped and leaned against the side of the house. Her countenance was pale, and her hands were trembling.
“Cassandra, are you unwell? Did he do something to you?”
She shook her head almost violently as she put her hand on his arm. “No, do not worry. Please calm yourself. We do not need a scandal here—not now, just before the engagement ball.”
“I shall speak to Bingley about throwing him out.”
“You cannot do that, Colonel. As he said, he is a guest as we are and did nothing against us, not the slightest gesture. In fact, we were the ones who offended him just now. Perhaps he is telling the truth. Perhaps he is only an acquaintance of Caroline, and his presence here is a mere coincidence.”
“Yes, indeed…and perhaps it will snow tomorrow,” he said with angry mockery.
“Colonel, trust me. I will be fine. I give you my word he has neither done nor said anything improper; it is just that, seeing him, recollections assailed me, and some of them are difficult to bear, but that is my fault, not his. He had no direct involvement either in my past or my present distress.”
He took her hand gently. “Perhaps you should not join us for dinner; you should rest. You do not look well at all.”
“Oh, I will surely not hide because of Markham, be certain of that. Of course I will be ready for dinner soon.”
“Very well, but I demand a seat next to you.”
“Oh come now…” She was tempted to laugh at his protective attitude but suddenly changed her tone. “Colonel, you do not have to do that—
“To do what?” he asked, with a puzzled expression.
“To become involved in an argument with Markham or with anybody to protect me. It is not your duty to…We are not— She stopped, not knowing how to continue.
“Cassandra,” he said, using her given name for the second time. “I must tell you something though you might become angry with me; yet, I cannot be other than completely honest with you.”
She nodded, and he continued firmly. “For me, nothing has changed since that day in London. Neither my affection, nor my wishes, nor my desires are different or less powerful. I will not insist upon, nor will I force a courtship upon you. However, despite the fact that the nature of my feelings for you has grown so different lately, my care and my concern for you are the same as ever. Anyone who dares harm you—or Georgiana—in any way will have to confront me. That will never change—not even if you decide to marry another man.”
“You are very kind,” she whispered. “Thank you.”
“Very well then—it is settled! Do not try to tell me it is not my duty to protect you, because it is!”
She rolled her eyes and then took his arm again, and they walked to the house together. “Oh dear…and I thought of how I would calm down Darcy when he sees Markham! Now I see you are an equally big problem!” She sketched a smile, attempting to laugh.
“Ah, yes…Darcy! Now that will be an interesting meeting—one I would not want to miss!”
They finally entered the hall and separated in front of the main stair. Before she started climbing it, she turned to him and, looking straight in his eyes, smiled at him, this time openly and brightly.
“Thank you, David!”
Then she left in a great hurry while the colonel remained still, following her with his eyes. She had not called him “David” in almost ten years.
***
Elizabeth became tired—quite tired and bored—with all the agitation. She and Jane were again at Netherfield having dinner, but for her those visits were not as pleasant as they used to be. In fact, now that dinner was over, she retired to a corner, looking absently around her. The gentlemen chose not to separate from the ladies; Miss Bingley was preoccupied with Lord Markham, and Mrs. Hurst kept them company; Lady Cassandra and the colonel, together with Jane and Mr. Bingley, formed another group, talking animatedly. Georgiana had retired a little earlier as she was bothered by a slight headache—and Elizabeth could understand only too well!
Since Caroline’s return—with her usual impertinence and continuous, concealed offences—and with Lord Markham’s presence in the house, Elizabeth lost all her interest in Netherfield. Well, not quite all my interest, she corrected her own musings, smiling to herself. She used to sneak into the library and the billiard room, and meander around the gardens—every place that Darcy’s image was palpable. The library was her favourite room, and she spent as much time as she could there in peaceful solitude. If she closed her eyes, she could vividly sense his touch, his kisses, and even his scent.
Only two more days until I see him again and less than six weeks until we are married.
Suddenly, in that crowded, noisy room, the longing for him became difficult to bear, and she cast a quick glance around, looking for an opportunity to get out of the house for a few minutes. She did not even see Lord Markham approaching; she noticed his presence only when, with the most charming smile, he bowed politely to her.
“Miss Bennet, I hope I am not disturbing your solitary reverie?”
Chapter 15
“Miss Bennet, I hope I am not disturbing your solitary reverie!”
“No indeed, sir. Besides, solitude is hardly the proper word in such animated company.”
He seemed pleased with her reply and cast a quick glance around. “Yes, Netherfield is very animated these days. I confess I was surprised to see Lady Cassandra and Miss Darcy here.”
“Mr. Darcy is a friend of Mr. Bingley and has been a guest at Netherfield previously. So it does not appear surprising to me that Mr. Bingley invited Miss Darcy and Lady Cassandra.”
“Yes, you are correct of course. I was only wondering about their presence while Darcy is in Town. That appears surprising to me. Do you happen to know how long Darcy will be away?”
”I am afraid I cannot offer you a satisfactory answer,” she said, searching his expression with great interest. “But perhaps Lady Cassandra or Colonel Fitzwilliam could enlighten you.”
“Neither they nor Darcy is exactly my friend, so I doubt they would willingly offer me any information at all. But then again, since you seem to be a close acquaintance, I imagine you know our past dealings.”
“You are giving me too much credit, sir. I know nothing about your past dealings with either the lady or the gentlemen, and in truth, I do not feel comfortable speaking on this subject. It is not my custom to invade others’ privacy.”
“Then you are not aware that Lady Cassandra was supposed to marry my brother?”
Elizabeth looked at him in utter surprise—not only from the revelation but from his impropriety in persisting with a matter about which she had just suggested she was uncomfortable.
“No, I am not, sir. And as I said, I would rather not discuss it. I am sure Lady Cassandra herself will tell me anything she would like me to know. As for the rest, I do not require additional details from other sources.” Although her vo
ice was rather harsh, Lord Markham did not appear disturbed.
“Oh, but Miss Bennet, you should consider that people like Lady Cassandra are not always inclined to share their affairs with others, especially those whose consequence in life is beneath them. In fact, I cannot help wondering how she came to be on such friendly terms with Bingley and accept the invitation to Netherfield for such an extended period of time.”
The nerve of this man! “Pray tell me, Lord Markham, what do you mean by, ‘people like Lady Cassandra’? You, sir, as the son of an earl, are certainly one of the people like Lady Cassandra, and you seem more than willing to share your affairs with me—not to mention that you accepted the invitation to Netherfield as well and are not even on friendly terms with the master of the house. Then again, being an intimate friend of Miss Bingley, your reason is quite understandable.”
She threw him a sharp glance, her eyebrow rising inquiringly. She knew she was being impertinent, and if he felt offended, all the better. Perhaps he would leave her and return to Miss Bingley, who was speaking animatedly in another corner of the room, apparently oblivious to their conversation.
A strange, disconcerting smile twisted his lips. “Miss Bennet, you are an astonishing woman! Your wit is a perfect match to your beauty, and it is as much a pleasure to watch you as to talk to you!”
“Thank you, sir. You are too kind,” she replied, equally amused and annoyed.
“I am only being honest, Miss Bennet. I am sure you did not fail to notice my admiration for you when we met in town. Since that moment, I have been wishing to see you again, and the opportunity fortunately arose when I received the invitation to Netherfield. In fact, you are the main reason for my presence here!”