Chapter 20: They dance again
Mr Collins rushed into the parsonage in rage. "Charlotte, this is bad news. I cannot believe it. Oh! What would my noble patroness say? It is but yesterday that she advised me to go to Hertfordshire and force the Bennets out."
"Mr Collins, please do be calm. The Bennets are paying us money to stay there. Why do we need to send them out? What happened?"
"You do not understand what has happened. That Elizabeth has married into fortune. And it is to none other than Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy. The nephew of Lady Katherine De Bourgh. Oh! She will be furious with me now. What am I to do?"
"Why should she be angry with you? You had nothing to do with it."
"Oh! If I had chased them out, this would not have happened. Nobody would marry such peasants. Oh! They were paying me a good rent. I thought I could demand more. Who thought such luck would befall them?"
Charlotte was silent.
"And even the elder one had got married to some Mr Bingley who is leasing Netherfield. I cannot believe it. They want to buy the estate from me for the Bennets. What can I do now?"
"How do you know all this?"
"I received an express now, from Mr Edward Gardiner. There seems to be something strange. He says they sent some letters regarding this even before the wedding occurred. Oh! God! Why didn't I receive them? I could have stopped the wedding. Now I have to earn the wrath of my patroness."
"Nothing can be done now, dear. Please calm down."
"How can I? How can I? I do not know what Lady Katherine will do. I am so scared. What if she banishes me from the parish? I have to fall on her feet and beg for forgiveness."
"Please do not fret. Lady Katherine will come to know soon. Let us not disclose anything now."
"How dare you ask me to lie to my patroness? I shall fall at her feet. I shall beg for forgiveness most fervently. I need her advice. I cannot sell Longbourn to the Bennets. I need to know what is to be done."
"If they are paying us a good value, we can take it. We have no plans of leaving Kent. Longbourn is not essential for us."
"Of course, it is essential. It is the only way I can soothe the anger of Lady Katherine. I need to punish the Bennets by turning them out. Oh! I thought she would never get married; how did she marry a man with such high status? This is all so wrong. I know Lady Katherine wanted him to be her son in law."
"That can never happen now. Mr Darcy could have married anyone. We cannot stop it."
"Oh! But he should not have married her. She does not deserve such grand life. That proud, hateful girl."
Charlotte tried to conceal her anger. Sometimes she wondered why she had chosen such a life of distress. Her husband found great happiness in abusing her best friend. She knew about his proposal to Elizabeth. He had married her just to prove a point to Elizabeth. And she married him for a decent life. And when Mr Bennet died, he wanted to send the Bennets out immediately. Charlotte had begged him to give them time. She had no other choice but to kindle his greed and convince him that he could get a good amount as rent. She had done it to buy the Bennets some time. But her own idea made her husband demand more from them than they could ever afford. During that time, Elizabeth had written to her about looking out for cottages in Meryton. She was also aware of Mr Bingley's arrival to Netherfield. When she read about Mr Darcy in her letter, Charlotte immediately knew who he was.
During the visits to Rosing's, she had heard a lot about him from Lady Katherine. She knew that he had cut ties with her before many years. She was eager for more news from Elizabeth.
But the next letter from her friend took her by surprise. Elizabeth had written to her about the compromise and how she was forced to marry Mr Darcy.
Charlotte understood that her friend was not happy about the marriage. But she was sure that Mr Darcy was a good man from what she had heard about him from the people in Kent. His history with Lady Katherine gave her full confidence about his character.
That same day she found another letter from Mr Bingley addressed to her husband. She was sure that it contained negotiations about Longbourn.
I cannot let him read that letter. He must be kept in the dark at least till their weddings are over.
She knew that her husband would get hysterical if he knew that Elizabeth was getting a good life.
Moreover, if Lady Katherine knows about the marriage, she will definitely try to stop it. I cannot allow Elizabeth to suffer. She has already been through a lot.
She hid the letter from her husband and did the same to a couple of other letters that came in the following week. She hoped that he would be blind about the affairs in Hertfordshire, till the wedding. Her plan had worked. But now he had the express from Elizabeth's uncle, and her husband was aware of everything. She put on an innocent face when he related all the news.
She was thankful that he did not suspect her about the missing letter. She saw him leave to Rosing's in a hurry. He will tell Lady Katherine everything. I am sure things won't be pleasant for the Bennets from now on. She sat down to write to her friend and warn her about Lady Katherine.
As Charlotte was penning her letter, Elizbeth stood in front of the mirror. She looked at the new gown her aunt had sent for the ball. It was a beautiful yellow gown with lace. She wore the pearl necklace her father had gifted her a couple of years ago. She had some jewels from Darcy's mother, but she had no intention of using any of them.
"You look beautiful, Mrs Darcy." Her maid said.
"Thank you, Lucy. You have done a beautiful job with my curls today."
She did not know what to expect from the ball. She did not care about the scrutiny of his society. At some point, I must encounter people who find the match questionable. I cannot blame them. It is indeed questionable, as there is no regard between us.
Darcy waited near the stairs. In the few weeks of being married to her, he admired the punctuality of his wife. It was a quality he personally valued. She had always been on time and never made him wait. He remembered the few times he had to wait, at Netherfield for Miss Bingley. It was not something he could endure often.
And as he expected, he saw Elizabeth come down without making him wait. She looks so beautiful.
He admired her elegant figure in the beautiful gown. She had not overdone her attire for the ball. The pearls around her neck enhanced her whole appearance. He wondered why she hadn't used the jewels he had given her.
Elizabeth watched him as he stared at her. Poor man, being married to someone not tolerable enough to tempt him. She could not suppress her smile at the ridiculous situation.
Darcy knew that she was mocking him in some way. He got accustomed to her teasing smile during her stay in Netherfield.
I wonder what is going on in your mind.
He wanted to tell her that she looked beautiful. But, he could not.
He offered her his arm, and they headed to the carriage.
Mr Andrew's was one of the wealthiest businessmen in town. Darcy and Richard were friends with his sons. Most of their acquaintances were invited to the ball.
Darcy was apprehensive about introducing his wife to his circle. I am not ashamed of her status. I am just ashamed about answering questions about my sudden marriage. He hated to lie, and it pained him that he had to do it often. When he looked at her, he was reminded that she was the reason for his uneasiness.
Elizabeth had not seen such a grand ball ever. But she was not intimidated. Aunt Margaret welcomed her warmly. "You look lovely, dear. This colour is so beautiful on you."
"Thank you. You look beautiful too." Her aunt laughed.
"I think you are right. Your uncle told me that when we left for the ball. I think over the years, it will become customary for a couple to give such compliments even if it is not close to the truth. But I think Darcy would have meant it more genuinely today."
Darcy did not know what to say. He looked at Elizabeth and thought she would be angry. But he noticed her smile. She finds it funny that I did not compliment her?
Lady Margaret introduced Elizabeth to the hosts.
"It is indeed a great pleasure to meet you, Mrs Darcy. We were all wondering whether Mr Darcy would give us the honor of meeting you before he took you to his paradise in Derbyshire." Mr Andrew said.
"Mrs Darcy, I hope my cousin has not secured all your dances. Will you do the honor of dancing with me?" Richard asked her.
Elizabeth did not know what to reply. Everyone would assume that my husband would have secured at least a few dances with me. What am I to do now?
"Richard, Elizabeth is engaged for the first dance with me." Darcy said to her surprise.
He looked at her apologetically.
"Oh! Then will you dance the next with me?"
"Yes! Of course."
When Richard left them, she looked at her husband for an explanation.
"I am very sorry. I should have asked you for the dance before. I did not realise until Richard asked you."
Elizabeth strangely did not feel angry at him. His apology seems genuine.
"That is all right. I understand. I did not know what to reply, as people will assume us to dance together at some point."
Darcy nodded his head, fighting with his true desire to dance with her and not wanting to acknowledge the same.
Darcy introduced his wife to all of his acquaintances.
Elizabeth did not find anything wrong with the people she met. Most were like Miss Bingley, conscious of their appearances and status. He watched as his wife patiently dealt with all the attention she was getting.
Elizabeth, on the other hand, watched her husband go back to his socially awkward self. She remembered the way he stood at the Meryton assembly. I thought he was reluctant to mingle with our people due to his status. But I think he is uncomfortable in any social setting. I wonder why?
She got her answer to her question within the next hour.
She happened to overhear the conversation between two ladies.
"Did you see Mrs Darcy? They say she comes from a humble family in Hertfordshire. She looks beautiful though. He must have fallen in love with her."
"I knew he would never marry someone from our status. Have you seen the way the mother's flock him everywhere? And last year, Miss Fenton flirted with him so much that he avoided every gathering their family attended."
"Maybe she thought she could trap him into a compromise." The other woman laughed.
"Ah! Mr Darcy is not naïve. I have never seen him enjoy the company of women who gave him unwanted attention."
"Yes! No wonder he has been a bachelor all these years. One would assume with such status and wealth he would have married a long time ago. I think he wanted to wait for the right one. He must love her. They do make a wonderful couple."
Elizabeth blushed in embarrassment. All this while I had thought only about my perspective towards love. Maybe he had the same. He must be agonised to be married to the woman he has no affection for.
She searched for her husband and found him in the company of some young ladies who were flirting with him. He must have felt hunted at all places. Women throwing themselves at him due to his wealth and status. No wonder he feels so uncomfortable at these gatherings. He must have been sought by the entire ton.
She looked at him bow to the women and leave them in haste.
She remembered how openly Miss Bingley had tried to secure his attention. She felt a pang of guilt for not thinking about his feelings in their situation. The man who chose to avoid all mercenary women in life being trapped in a compromise with me. No wonder he feels such resentment towards me.
When the dance started, he led her to the dance floor.
Both of them were haunted by the memory of their dance together at the Netherfield ball and the events that followed.
They danced in silence until they felt the pressure of silence mounting on them.
"Are you enjoying the ball?" Darcy asked, trying to make an effort.
"Yes, I am. Thank you."
Her eyes are so beautiful. He thought. He could not help but notice the slight darkness under her eyes. He wondered if she had trouble sleeping.
Both of them were silent for the rest of the dance. They could not deny that for people who had no affection or attachment towards each other, they danced in harmony and rhythm than any other couple in the room. Elizabeth found him to be a perfect partner. Once the dance ended, he led her towards his family.
"It was such a delight to watch you both dancing. I wish you would stay here longer." Aunt Margaret said.
The next set brought Richard and Elizabeth together. Elizabeth found him to be very amusing.
"Do not tell me my cousin stepped on your foot. He dances rarely, and I tease him that one day he would embarrass his partner."
Elizabeth laughed.
"I cannot agree with you. You may term me partial towards my husband, but I cannot deny the truth. He is an excellent dance partner."
Richard agreed heartily. They conversed happily about several things, and Elizabeth enjoyed their lighthearted banter.
She noticed her husband standing alone, with a look of displeasure on his face, his eyes on them throughout the dance.
Oh, God! Maybe he thinks I am flirting with his cousin.
She was not close to gauging her husband's thoughts. All Darcy felt was an emotion he was unaccustomed to, and it was jealousy.
Why should I be jealous? She may be my wife, but I have no attachment to her. She is just dancing and laughing at his jokes. Why do I feel this way? He could not come to terms with his feelings.
The rest of the evening passed quickly. It was dark by the time their carriage was on the way home. Elizabeth felt oddly uneasy about being in the carriage with him in total darkness. Darcy, on the other hand, was battling with his emotions about her. She had carried herself with grace and elegance. On a different circumstance, he would have been extremely proud of the woman he had married.
Why is everything feeling so right, yet so wrong? I cannot understand it. I know that she is an intelligent, well-mannered woman. Did I expect her to falter at the grandeur of the ball? And prove to me that she doesn't deserve to be my wife?
He knew she was capable of handling herself in the ton. Elizabeth was tired after the dances, and it was a long ride back home. Unknowingly, she fell asleep by the time they reached the Darcy house.
Darcy was surprised when he found her asleep, resting her head on the window. She looked tired and was sound asleep. For any other man, it would have been a domestic occurrence to see his wife asleep. But Darcy felt he was witnessing something very private.
Without a choice, he called her. "Elizabeth, wake up."
She did not. Her lack of sleep in the nights was playing with her sleep pattern.
With hesitance, he touched her shoulder. "We are home. Elizabeth, wake up."
She woke up startled by his touch. And for a moment, she did not understand why he was so close to her. She was confused, and her face expressed her shock.
Darcy saw the fear in her eyes and immediately moved away.
"I called you before. You did not wake up, and that's why I had to…. I mean, I had to wake you up again."
She felt embarrassed for sleeping in his company. I wonder how long I have been asleep.
"That is all right." She said as she got up from her seat.
They walked upstairs to their chambers. Before he left her at her door, he could not control himself from ensuring that she was well.
"Are you feeling all right? You seem tired."
"I am fine. I am just having a trouble sleepi… I mean, I am fine. Good night."
She left him in a hurry and closed the door. The last thing I want is to disclose my nightmares and personal battles to him.
Did she just disclose that she had trouble sleeping? I wonder what could be wrong.
He paced his room for a good part of the night. He could not understand why despite every resolve to stop thinking about her, he failed.
In the next room, Elizabeth slept on the floor without realising the effect she had on her husband, without any effort on her part to impress him.