The hunt was quite successful and the gentlemen were all pleased with the number of birds they brought down. Mr. Bennet's loader took his bag to his cook so they could eat their fill that night.
When the Earl and Darcy returned to Longbourn for dinner, the ladies were ready and dressed in their finest. Even Elizabeth was convinced by Jane that she had to look her best for such an exalted guest. Mrs. Bennet had arranged the seating at the dinner table very carefully, with the Earl at the right of Mr. Bennet as the guest of honour. She sat Darcy by her with Elizabeth next to him. She had been tempted to sit Lydia next to him but decided that her youngest and liveliest daughter was not to be wasted on such a dour gentleman, even if he did have ten thousand a year. If anyone, Lizzy could most easily be sacrificed to him. She had not been told about Mr. Darcy's attempted apology to her daughter or her curt reaction to his words.
Darcy knew he had to continue to try to make amends with Miss Elizabeth, so he decided that the dinner table might be a good place to start as she would be required by common courtesy to be polite to him. So far, every time they had been together, mainly at different events at several neighbour's houses, she simply ignored him or replied as tersely as possible to any comments he made to her. She had made it very plain to him that she had not forgotten or forgiven his insult. He hoped that his apology, even if it had not really been accepted, would be a good start for a new beginning between them.
He wanted to put her in a position where she would be forced to answer his questions, so he first asked her if she had a good day. Immediately after he asked that, he realized that it was an inane question. While she tried to answer as curtly as possible, he forced himself to keep talking to her about this and other light topics. Their conversation was not going well until Mrs. Bennet mentioned that Elizabeth was quite musical and suggested that she might entertain them after dinner. Even though she tried to refuse, her mother would have none of that.
"Miss Elizabeth, I love music and would be delighted if you would play something." Darcy thought that he had found a good topic to maintain his discussion with her. "My sister Georgiana also greatly enjoys the piano. She is young but is serious about practicing. I have been thinking that she needs a better instrument than the old one we have at Pemberley, so I have been looking at new ones in town. I just hope that transporting a piano all the way to Derbyshire will not damage it. I probably will have to pay extra to ensure its safe transport but I know that I will need to have it tuned once it reaches there."
In spite of herself, mention of his sister reminded Elizabeth of meeting someone that summer. While she had not wanted to speak to him more than was absolutely necessary, her curiosity got the better of her. "Pardon me, Mr. Darcy, but I met a Miss Georgiana Darcy this summer. Would that be your sister? I believe that Darcy is not a very common name."
"That is certainly her name, but where did you encounter her?"
Elizabeth had not wanted to continue talking with him, but she knew that she had to be polite. "In Ramsgate. I was there with my aunt and uncle from Cheapside for a month." She included the word Cheapside so he would underestimate the value of her contacts. "I was at a tea party and was introduced to her. We did not talk for very long as there were so many people there."
"My sister was in Ramsgate this summer, so it must have been her." He was curious how they might have been together at a tea party. "Forgive me for asking, but whose tea party was that?"
"It was at Lady Morley's."
Darcy was astonished. "Lady Morley was a good friend of my mother. What a coincidence! How do you know Lady Morley?"
"I did not know her. I was invited to go there by a mutual acquaintance." She certainly did not want to mention that it was Lady Augusta who took her there as she had not mentioned the events in Ramsgate to anyone except her father.
Darcy was intrigued by this information as Lady Morley belonged to the highest level of society. He began to realize that Miss Elizabeth must have much better connections than they had assumed, in spite of her having relatives who lived in Cheapside. While he wanted to ask her who invited her to go to that tea party, he did not want to show too much interest in anything that had happened in Ramsgate this summer. He did not want to talk about that place at all. If she had friends who knew Lady Morley, he began to think that he might have found the person who could have had connections to the Royal Family.
He said only, "I also happened to be Ramsgate this summer when I went to bring my sister back to town." Elizabeth noticed that he frowned when he said this. He had had a much more pleasant expression on his face up to this point, so she knew there was more to the story than he was admitting.
"I did not spend much time there or we might have encountered each other at some social gathering." He knew that if Lady Morley had learned that he was in town she would have invited him to accompany her to different events. After he said that, he was silent for the rest of the meal, so she knew that his trip to Ramsgate must have been quite important to him. In spite of herself, she was curious to know the details.
At the end of the meal, her mother rose to signal that the ladies would leave the gentlemen to their port and cigars. She led her daughters to the drawing room where she began to question Elizabeth as she had heard her conversation with Mr. Darcy.
"Lizzy, you did not mention that you attended any special events in Ramsgate. Did Maddy meet some people there that she knew?"
"No. we made the acquaintance with some people when we were out walking. They had a daughter who was the same age as Elaine, so we became friendly. My Uncle approved of them, so he allowed me to attend some events with them."
Her mother was suspicious. "They must have been important as Mr. Darcy knew about that lady whose tea you attended."
"I certainly did not realize that Lady Morley was well known. She was quite friendly to me."
Her mother kept questioning her. "Have you been corresponding with the people you met?"
"I have written one or two letters to them. They were interested in my life here." She managed to escape her mother then as she saw that Jane wanted to talk to her. However, Jane had also overheard her talk with Darcy and she was curious about what had happened in Ramsgate. She felt that it must have been something interesting even though Lizzy had not mentioned anything about it to her. Elizabeth began to feel guilty about not confiding in her favourite sister about all that had happened in Ramsgate. For some reason, the thought of the possible reward made her hesitant to mention anything about what she had done to earn it. Only her father knew all the details. When she thought of the reward that the Prince had mentioned, she wondered why she had not heard anything more about it.
Soon after, the gentlemen came into the drawing room, so Jane stopped questioning her. Her mother immediately told Lizzy to go to the piano. She went reluctantly as she certainly did not want to show off her talents to Mr. Darcy. However, when she began to play, she forgot about her audience and was quickly immersed in the music as this is what usually happened whenever her fingers touched a keyboard. Nothing else mattered or even existed. She played with her eyes closed as she knew this piece so well.
When the piece ended, she was brought back to reality by the applause from everyone, but especially from the two visiting gentlemen.
They both came up to her and the Earl praised her playing, "Miss Elizabeth, that was wonderful. You play with such passion. I do not remember when I was so entranced with music.
"Darcy, you have to introduce Miss Elizabeth to Georgiana. While Georgiana is technically very proficient, her playing could use more passion. After hearing you play, I realize that is what she needs to learn."
Darcy then took up the praise. "Miss Elizabeth, I agree with the Earl completely. Would you be so kind as to play another piece for us? You are very talented. I also cannot recall when I enjoyed music so much." Elizabeth had not wanted to acquiesce to anything Mr. Darcy asked, but his compliments were pleasant to hear.
He then turned to the Earl, "Miss Elizabeth mentioned that she actually met Georgiana in Ramsgate this summer at Lady Morley's. However, they did not get a chance to get to know each other very well. I am sorry that they did not. Georgiana needs a good friend and I know that she would have benefitted from knowing Miss Elizabeth." He said this to convey the message to the Earl that Miss Elizabeth had much better connections than they had assumed.
The Earl thought that he would ask Lady Morley if she remembered who had brought Miss Elizabeth to her tea party. That might give them a clue as to her connections. Then he began to wonder if it was Lady Morley herself who was her important connection.
Elizbeth had not wanted to play again, but she could not ignore their entreaties. She was actually feeling just the tiniest bit guilty for having rebuffed his apology so rudely as he was making an effort to be agreeable, so she looked up at Darcy as she was going to agree to continue playing. When she looked into his eyes, she saw nothing but naked admiration. He was even smiling; he was very handsome when he smiled. She could not help but blush. Who was this agreeable and handsome gentleman? Was he the same person who insulted her so egregiously?
"Do you also sing? If so, I would love to hear you." He said this quietly so no one else heard his request in case she refused him.
She had not wanted to agree with anything he said or asked, but how could she refuse such a heart-felt request? Again, she did not need sheet music, but her fingers began to play an Italian song that was actually about scorned love. She had not consciously thought about playing this piece, but her fingers just started it of their own volition. Once started on it, she gave herself fully into it. She knew enough Italian to understand the words very well, but she did not dare look at anyone in her audience while she sang. She certainly did not intend for anyone to think that she was beginning to have warm thoughts about him. She began to worry that he might understand the words and misinterpret her singing of them. After all, Italian is a fine language for expressing love. He would know that, at least, even if he did not know the meaning of the words.
Again, the applause from the two guests when she finished was so enthusiastic that she knew she had accomplished what she had not even thought of achieving—let him realize what his insult had put beyond his reach. Only her father, who knew her so well, was aware of the undercurrents that were taking place in front of everyone. He smiled at her success but did not say anything. For once, he passed up an opportunity to tease.
She could not understand herself; she had wanted nothing more than to continue to dislike him, but how could she when he was being so agreeable and complimentary? She had to force herself to remember his insulting words.
After Elizabeth left the piano bench, Mary took her place. The piece she chose was technically well played, but it just did not have the same passion that her sister exhibited. The applause for Mary was polite, but not nearly as enthusiastic.
The gentlemen took their leave soon after. Again, the Earl made the short carriage ride uncomfortable for Darcy. "This dinner was much more enjoyable than last night's at Netherfield. There were no insults or snide remarks. I had a great discussion with Bennet.
"Darcy, from the way that Miss Elizabeth sings and plays the piano, I bet that she is a very passionate woman. She will make someone an interesting wife. If her family was in a better situation, she might even be worthy of you. From her having been at Lady Morley's house in Ramsgate, do you think her connections are better than we had thought?"
"They may be, but I find that difficult to believe. How could she have met Lady Morley? She must have, but I find it hard to imagine who would have introduced her. In any case, with such a family as hers, I doubt that she or any of her sisters will be able to marry well. She is too far beneath us, so I will not think about her in any way at all."
"I did not see that her family behaved so badly tonight. You may need to reconsider your thoughts about her."
To himself, the Earl wondered if Darcy was protesting too much. 'I wonder about your protestations. I bet you have pleasant dreams tonight about flashing eyes, soft nights, and Italian love songs.' He smiled wistfully as these thoughts crossed his mind.
When they arrived at Netherfield, everyone there was still awake. Well, perhaps everyone except for Mr. Hurst.
Miss Bingley immediately latched onto Darcy. "Mr. Darcy, how you must have suffered! I still cannot understand why you had to accept their invitation to dinner. I know you said that His Lordship had a prior acquaintance with Mr. Bennet, but still, what a sacrifice on your part."
The Earl did not intend to let her say such things without a comment. "Actually, it was not so bad as all that. Mrs. Bennet puts on a good dinner. I had a good discussion with Bennet about Cambridge and we heard some good music after. I quite enjoyed myself." His praise quieted her as she would not dare contradict an Earl.
"Now, gentlemen, how about a final glass of brandy, then I am off to bed. I want to get an early start for London in the morning. Miss Bingley, if I do not see you in the morning, I thank you for your kind hospitality."
The men all agreed to a nightcap and they went to the billiards room to find some peace and quiet.
Darcy did have strange dreams that night, indeed, involving fine eyes, Italian love songs, and things that might have been.
As soon as the Earl reached his home, he wrote a note to Lord Margison telling him about Darcy's apology to Miss Elizabeth Bennet. He added that they had dined at Bennet's house and Miss Elizabeth seemed to be more friendly with Darcy than she had been before his apology. He added his thoughts that he was sorry that their acquaintance had begun on such an unfortunate note as they just might be well suited for each other, but that they were unlikely to meet after Darcy left Hertfordshire. He hoped that his note would be sufficient to counteract the threat of shunning that had been made so forcefully to him.