TWO CHAPTERS IN ONE DAY? Yes! You are welcome :)
Chapter 15:
After Elizabeth's song was over, she politely refused to play another song, feigning humility, the reality was that she could not have Mr. Darcy so close under so many watchful eyes. She could not explain nor understand the spark she felt when she was near him and to have him so close turning the pages for her was its own small way of torture. She cruelly reminded herself that he was engaged, albeit reluctantly, for that she was certain.
After returning to the comfortable chairs, Miss Elizabeth inquired after Miss Bingley.
"How is your fiancée, Miss Bingley?" asked Lizzie timidly, though anxiously wanting to see his discomfort. She wanted to know that it was not only she who felt something when they were near. Her question had the intended affect. Mr. Darcy shifted uncomfortable, Lady Catherine narrowed her eyes and ears, and Colonel Fitzwilliam smirked approvingly.
"I trust she is well since I last saw her, about a month ago" he answered after a few uncomfortable moments, "I have been in Pemberley for the past month" he added.
"I thought you had gone to London?" asked Lizzie.
"I did" he said cryptically and did not elaborate.
"Is Miss Elizabeth acquainted with Miss Bingley?" asked Lady Catherine, arching an eyebrow.
"Very little, your ladyship" responded Lizzie.
"And pray, what do you think of her?" asked Lady Catherine, her lips pursed into a thin line. Lizzie looked at Mr. Darcy to know what he would want her to say but his face was unreadable.
"She was a gracious hostess when my sister and I stayed at Netherfields" answered Lizzie, wanting to speak the truth but not speak disparagingly of anyone. She had learned her lesson with Mr. Wickham that a public forum was not a place to speak negatively of others. And she would never do such a thing, even if justified.
"Humph" said Lady Catherine in a very unladylike manner, "That is all the information am I to receive? Come Miss Bennet, you are among friends"
"I do not know her well, ma'am, and would not want to do her an injustice. We are not bosom friends nor shall we ever be, but I have nothing negative to say on the subject" answered Elizabeth, looking defiantly at Lady Catherine, who wanted to push her to tell her as much as she would divulge. Mr. Darcy looked at her with even more admiration—here was a woman who carried herself in a dignified fashion, even when he knew there was plenty Miss Elizabeth most likely thought of Caroline, for he thought it himself too.
"You are truly a gentlewoman" said Lady Catherine after staring at her intently, her words came out with a hint of disappointment. "I am tired" she announced, "Fitzwilliam, please see that our guests return home safely and come see afterwards. We must talk."
"Yes, aunt" said Mr. Darcy, standing up, alongside the other men present and bowing slightly at her ladyship's departure.
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Jane could barely look up from her soup. Though she had found some inner strength to speak more openly with Mr. Weston, she still found herself with unease afterwards. To have declared that he liked her, in such a public forum and after a very short acquaintance, the impropriety of it! But then she allowed herself to look at him discreetly and she knew that he was an honest man.
"You are awfully quiet" said Mr. Weston, in a whisper that was only audible to her. Mrs. Weston had sat Jane next to Mr. Weston, with Mrs. Gardiner on her other side. But since they had been seated, Jane could barely look at him.
"I was taken aback, Mr. Weston" responded Jane, lifting her blue eyes towards him. Her blue eyes met his green eyes and they were lost in each other until he cleared his throat.
"I do not say things I do not mean, and I do not mean things that I do not say" he said.
"For someone who very much despises being seen as more than, you are very poetic" countered Jane, smiling.
He smiled back and she noticed how handsome he truly was. He was tall and broad, with a dusty shade of brown hair, long enough to have movement but short enough to look tidy. His cravat hugged his wide neck, nicely suited for his jawline. He looked very manly, handsomely manly.
"Are you admiring my fine features?" asked Mr. Weston, a smirk on his face.
"I would not call them fine" whispered Jane, laughing into her hand as she responded.
"You have continued to surprise me since the moment we met, Miss Bennet" said Mr. Weston. "I do hope that my unplanned declaration was welcomed, for do I wish to know you better."
"I would not mind getting to know you, Mr. Weston" responded Jane. He smirked.
"A very diplomatic answer" he responded, tipping his head towards her.
"When living in this society, one must keep true feelings and thoughts inside. You are right that there is a duplicity which is exhausting but there is also a modesty that calls for certain things being private" she said.
"I do hope that at least with me, even if not now but in the future, you will not keep any true feelings or thoughts inside. You are significantly more than a very pretty face, Miss Bennet" he said. Jane blushed becomingly. She knew his words were never flattering and if he said it, he meant it. He had complimented her beauty but also what was beyond her face, and that was the best compliment she had ever received.
"I thank you" she responded, smiling and thankful for the easy silence that allowed her to return to her soup.
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Mr. Darcy winced at every one of his aunt's remarks. He had wanted the Colonel to be with him but even he, the bravest man he knew, had opted out. He feigned some excuse or another but I think deep down he knew that this was his battle to face.
"Aunt, I cannot tell you the particulars but you must trust me that—" began Darcy but was interrupted.
"THE PARTICULARS?!" bellowed Lady Catherine. "You are engaged to a tradesman's daughter who from the little that I have gathered and you know I have eyes and ears everywhere, she is absolutely dreadful! You cannot possibly deny that"
"No, I do not" he said, ashamed that it was true, that she could be his future. But he would not allow it.
"Did she compromise you?!" she asked, her voice now more tender.
"No, I am afraid she did not" he answered solemnly. The less people that knew of Georgiana the better. It would only hinder her if the rumors reached Rosings and Lady Catherine knew the truth. Instead of answering him, Lady Catherine burst into tears.
"Aunt, are you unwell?" asked Fitzwilliam, reaching for her hands, as she was now sitting down sobbing into her skirts.
"Fitzwilliam she is dying" Lady Catherine said in a whisper, amidst sobs. He did not know who she was referring to...it could not possibly mean Caroline? And then it hit her. Anne.
"Aunt I am so very sorry" he said, taking her hands in his.
"She is my everything...what will become of me?" she asked, tears pouring out of her usually stern eyes. Fitzwilliam felt broken. His strong Aunt who was a warrior was broken. Lady Catherine recomposed herself, thanked Fitzwilliam for his handkerchief, and did not continue on the subject.
"Call for this Miss Bingley, I will take care of it. You are my dearest sister's son. If a marriage between you and Anne is impossible then I will save you from this debacle. Notify me when she has arrived" she said, sounding one hundred years old. She stood up with difficulty and smiled weakly at Fitzwilliam.
"Aunt Catherine" he said in a whisper, causing her to turn and look at him, "You will always have me." She gave him a rare smile, a sweet smile, one that he always saw his own mother, but then it was gone and so was she.
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There is so much I want to say on this chapter but for once, like Lady Catherine, I am speechless...