Author's note: I'm sorry I ended on such a cliffhanger last time! But I was able to squeeze in some writing so I wouldn't leave you in anticipation for too long. As always, I really love hearing your feedback in reviews. And I especially loved those of you who left kind words about "The Sins of Their Fathers" which is now on Amazon for free on Kindle Unlimited (or a low ebook price). Thank you! It's so encouraging.
Chapter 7
It was all Elizabeth could do to keep from gaping at the clearly uncomfortable gentleman in front of her.
Why did he request the introduction now?
There were several moments of awkward silence. Elizabeth exchanged a confused glance with her aunt, who finally said, "How may we help you, Mr. Darcy?"
This seemed to shake the man from whatever held his attention. "Ah, yes," he said with stilted words, "I wished to apologize for my ill-tempered words not long ago."
Elizabeth raised a surprised eyebrow. He fumbled for words, then said in a rush, "I did not mean them. I am simply exhausted. Not three hours ago, I arrived from Derbyshire, and anticipated sleeping to be my evening activity. Please accept my deepest regrets for my ungentlemanly behavior."
As he spoke, Elizabeth noted the pallor on his face and shadows under his eyes. Compassion welled up inside her. "Please, Mr. Darcy, do be seated. You look as if you are about to fall over."
His face reflected disbelief and gratitude. "Thank you, Miss Bennet."
She smiled at him as he sat down. "Miss Elizabeth, actually. My elder sister is Miss Bennet."
"She is the one who has been conversing with Bingley?"
"Yes," Elizabeth said simply.
Mrs. Phillips said, "And isn't she beautiful? She is the loveliest of all my nieces, as my sister is fond of saying."
Darcy looked in concern at Elizabeth, but she rolled her eyes and patted her aunt's hand. "Yes, Mama frequently enjoys waxing poetic on Jane's beauty."
The ladies both looked at Darcy expectantly, who looked surprised to be included. "She is quite pretty," he finally stuttered.
Mrs. Phillips nodded triumphantly at this confirmation of her eldest niece's appearance. "I was quite worried she would lose her looks after dear Kitty's death, what with having to tend to her mother, but I am please to be proved wrong."
Elizabeth smiled. "Now, Aunt, I doubt that three months would long enough to make anyone ugly, least of all Jane."
She saw Darcy's questioning look and explained. "My sister Kitty, the youngest but one, became ill and died three months ago. My mother was so affected by the loss, she took ill. Jane has been tending to her until my aunt took residence a fortnight ago."
"I am very sorry for your loss. My only sister is still living, but my father died five years ago," Darcy volunteered.
The compassion Elizabeth felt earlier for this stoic gentleman only increased. "I am sorry for your loss as well."
He merely nodded in reply, but said nothing. His admission spurred her to explain herself further. "We decided to attend the assembly in her honor. Kitty loved dancing, you see, and she loved her gowns. We each chose a gown to wear, adorned it as best we could for mourning, and came to dance with each other in her memory."
Darcy's eyes softened. "You and your sisters must care for each other very much."
Elizabeth smiled. "We do. We are all very different from one another. Jane, you see there, is the gentlest person you will ever meet. Mary is very studious, and Lydia is quite lively."
"What about you?"
She paused to think about that, but before she could come up with an answer, Mrs. Phillips said, "Lizzy is the clever one! It was her idea to have the girls share beds in order to save on fuel."
Blushing, Elizabeth justified this blatant evidence of reduced finances by explaining, "I am concerned this winter will be a difficult one. Already, prices in wheat and fuel are beginning to rise."
Darcy nodded. "That is part of the reason I asked Bingley to lease Netherfield."
Before Elizabeth could question him further, they were interrupted by Miss Bingley. "There you are, Mr. Darcy! My brother has been searching everywhere for you!"
The woman stopped in front of her quarry. Looking down, she took in Elizabeth's dress with a smirk. "What an unusual gown your companion is wearing," she said, directing her words to Darcy.
"Allow me to introduce my companions," Darcy replied. "Mrs. Phillips, Miss Elizabeth, this is Miss Bingley. You have already been introduced to her brother."
"Ah, you must be another one of the Bennet girls," Miss Bingley said with a condescending tone. "I might have guessed from your… unique choice of attire this evening. I can't quite make out if you are in mourning or not."
Raising an eyebrow, Elizabeth simply said, "We are."
Miss Bingley waited in silence, but there was no further response. Erroneously assuming she had silenced her rival, she once again turned her attentions to their primary object of desire. "Come, Mr. Darcy, let us find my brother."
Mr. Darcy gave a soft sigh, then reluctantly stood from his comfortable seat. "Miss Bennet, Mrs. Phillips," he said, bowing, "I hope to continue our conversation soon."
"We would be delighted," Elizabeth told him.
She watched as Miss Bingley forced her arm through Darcy's, practically dragging him away from the table. Elizabeth stifled her laughter until she was certain they were out of earshot.
"What's so funny?" Lydia asked, bounding from the dance floor. Mary and Jane followed closely behind at a more refined pace.
"I was merely enjoying the entertainment provided by our new acquaintances," Elizabeth responded.
The music began again, and Elizabeth looked at Jane. "I believe this is the last song. You and I have not had a chance to stand up together. Would you like to do so?"
Jane nodded, and the two sisters joined the dance floor. Darcy stood next to them, partnering Miss Bingley. Elizabeth smiled at him, and he returned it, although he quickly regained his stoic expression when he turned his attention back to his dance partner.
The music begin, and they skipped in time to they rhythm. "How was your conversation with Mr. Bingley?" Elizabeth asked her sister.
Jane blushed becomingly. "I enjoyed speaking to him very much."
"What did you talk about?"
"We covered a variety of topics."
Frowning slightly in frustration at her sister's vagueness, Elizabeth began to ask another question, but her attention was caught by Mr. Darcy's expression.
The poor man looked utterly exhausted.
His movements were all technically correct, but it appeared as though it took a considerable amount of self-control for him to remain standing. His face was damp with sweat, his brow furrowed, and his lips pinched tightly together.
Elizabeth wanted to help him, but did not know how. Miss Bingley appeared quite the force to be reckoned with, and Elizabeth doubted her conclusions about Mr. Darcy's emotions.
For all I know, this is always how he always appears when he dances.
When the musicians picked up the tempo slightly, she saw his lips turn white with effort and knew she must do something. When they switched partners and his hands grasped hers, she seized the opportunity.
"Ouch!"
Elizabeth purposefully stumbled, causing Darcy to stop the dance in order for her to regain her balance.
"Are you quite all right, Miss Elizabeth?" he asked with concern.
"I think it is my ankle. I am not usually so clumsy. Here, will you help me to my aunt, please?"
"Of course."
Darcy extended his arm, and she could feels his muscles tense as she took it, preparing to support her weight. Instead, she gave every appearance of leaning on his arm without actually putting pressure on him. He looked down at her in surprise as she hobbled without actual assistance over to her aunt.
Miss Bingley and Jane followed them, each with a very different expression on their faces.
"Lizzy, are you hurt?" Jane said.
"I think I twisted my ankle, but it doesn't feel too poorly. Mr. Darcy, would you be so kind as to fetch us all some punch? I think we could all do with a brief rest after such a scare."
Miss Bingley opened her mouth to object, but Mr. Darcy beat her to the punch. "Of course, Miss Elizabeth."
Jane fussed over Elizabeth, who watched Miss Bingley out of the corner of her eye. The woman was scowling at the dancers, her green eyes reflecting her obvious emotions.
Mr. Darcy returned just as the final notes were played. Everyone clapped, and the musicians began to pack their instruments.
"Lizzy, shall I fetch a servant to help you to the carriage?" Jane asked, her brow knit.
"It is feeling so much better already," Elizabeth declared. "I believe this rest was all I needed to recover."
She stood and took several steps away from the group, then walked back without any trace a limp.
"Thank goodness!" exclaimed Mrs. Phillips.
"I am sorry to have interrupted the last dance," Elizabeth said.
"No trouble at all," Mr. Darcy said, his eyes looking warmly into hers.
Miss Bingley merely sniffed and looked away disdainfully. "I believe my brother is gesturing for us to join him, Mr. Darcy."
Mr. Darcy allowed himself to be led away, giving one last look back at the Bennets before disappearing into the crowd.
Elizabeth watched until he was out of sight. When she turned back to her family, she found all three of her sisters staring at her.
"What?" she asked.
Lydia snorted. "You looked to be having quite the conversation, Lizzy."
"Aunt Phillips was conversing with us," Elizabeth protested.
Jane gave her sister a pointed look, but Mrs. Phillips said, "Yes, he was quite the gentleman! He came to apologize to Lizzy."
"What could have to apologize for?" asked Mary.
Elizabeth tried to stop her aunt, but Mrs. Phillips would not be gainsaid and exclaimed. "He called her tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt him!"
The girls gasped as one. Mr. Phillips, who had joined the group and only heard the last part of the conversation, burst out, "What's this, now?"
Elizabeth closed her eyes and groaned. "Mr. Darcy was very tired and out of sorts. He came and apologized almost immediately."
"That was very good of him," Mary said seriously. "We should forgive him, no matter how much we dislike his words. After all, as the Good Book says, we should not judge others, lest we ourselves also be judged."
Jane nodded in agreement, but Lydia rolled her eyes and said, "Well, I shall most certainly shall judge him until he earns my forgiveness."
"But Lydia," Jane protested as they gathered their wraps and walked towards the carriage, "if he took the time to apologize, then we should extend him the same courtesy."
"I believe I am the only one who needs to extend forgiveness, as it was my looks that were denigrated," Elizabeth said dryly.
The conversation was momentarily interrupted as they exited the assembly hall. The sharp, cold air immediately caused them to shiver. Elizabeth took in a deep breath when the cold penetrated her wraps and immediately began coughing as the cold air hit her lungs.
"Lizzy?" Jane cried in alarm.
Elizabeth waved her hand. "I'm fine," she said in between coughs. "I merely took too deep a breath of cold air."
"Let us get you home quickly," Mrs. Phillips said, ushering the girls and her husband into the waiting chaise.
The ride home was mostly quiet as the girls huddled together, trying to get warm. "I don't remember it being this cold in October before," complained Lydia.
"That's because it has never been this cold before, not even in January," Elizabeth said grimly.
This dark pronouncement caused the occupants of the carriage to fall into a solemn silence for the remainder of their journey to Longbourn. Once they arrived, they quickly exited the carriage and into the home.
"Come in, come in!" Mrs. Bennet cried. "Quickly, close the door and warm yourselves by the fire!"
"Have you kept it burning all this time?" Elizabeth asked in concern.
"No, we only asked Hill to light it an hour ago," Mr. Bennet replied from his spot on the settee. "We spent some time together in my study before coming in here."
"Thank you, Papa," Elizabeth said. "We must preserve as much fuel as possible."
"Where are my thanks, I wonder?" sniffed Mrs. Bennet. "I was the one who forced your father to remove to this room so you could be warm upon your return."
Elizabeth smiled at this evidence of her mother's former spirits returning. "Many thanks to you, as well, Mama. You are very good to think of us."
Mrs. Bennet beamed. "I will have Hill send a girl upstairs to light the fires in the bedrooms. You can all remain here until the rooms are warmed enough for you. I've also have them put bricks in your sheets."
Everyone chorused their gratitude, and Mrs. Bennet flushed with pride. "Now, then, tell me all about the assembly! Did you meet the new occupants of Netherfield? I wish to hear everything!"
"Everything but the lace, please, my dears," Mr. Bennet said, and everyone laughed in response.
The girls all took turns sharing the events and their opinions of them. Mrs. Bennet squealed when she heard that Mr. Bingley had sat out with Jane for two complete sets.
Elizabeth tried once again in vain to prevent her family from repeating Mr. Darcy's words, but she was overridden. Mr. Bennet scowled at Mrs. Phillips's retelling.
How is it possible that a woman with such mean understanding can recall every single word precisely as it was spoken? Elizabeth thought in consternation.
"He slighted my Lizzy, did he," Mr. Bennet said indignantly.
"But he apologized profusely, and that is what matters," Jane said gently.
"What do you think, Sister?" Mrs. Bennet asked.
"He was such a gentleman when he apologized," Mrs. Phillip said. "Very handsome, and such fine manners."
"He also explained that he had spent several days traveling from Derbyshire and only arrived just before the assembly," Elizabeth interjected.
Those in the room nodded in understanding. "I believe we've all said something we regret out of exhaustion or pain," Jane said kindly.
"I think we should forgive and forget," Elizabeth said. "Let us move on and, as Mary rightly pointed out earlier tonight, refrain from judging others unless we, too, wish to be judged for the same situation."
"I quite agree," Mr. Bennet said mildly. "And now that we have determined the young man's innocence and will not be murdering him tonight in his bed out of revenge, we should probably seek our own beds. Otherwise, we will be quite useless when we awaken."
Elizabeth instantly agreed, desperate to change the conversation and head upstairs to bed. Her sisters followed her up the stairs, and each went into their own rooms to quickly prepare for retiring before heading to the warmed bedrooms to sleep.
Jane and Elizabeth quietly got into their shared bed. Once they were snugly under the covers, Elizabeth turned towards her sister and asked, "Tell me truthfully, Jane: what did you think of Mr. Bingley?"
"I found him to be quite pleasing," Jane said.
"Really?" squealed Elizabeth.
"Indeed. I… I believe I found him to be the most amiable young man of my acquaintance," Jane admitted.
"And not just because of his handsome features and even more handsome income?" teased Elizabeth.
"Lizzy!" admonished Jane, laughing softly. "No, not that at all. He is handsome, but it is more than that."
"What did you speak of?" Elizabeth asked.
"He told me a little about his family. Did you know his father wished for nothing than for him to purchase an estate with the fortune they made in trade? He was eager for his children to be counted among the gentry. He said he misses dealing with business matters, but he wishes more to respect his father's desires."
"It's not an unreasonable requested his father made," Elizabeth pointed out. "Uncle Gardiner hopes to eventually do the same for his family."
"Mr. Bingley told me he feels more confident with business matters, so he is grateful Mr. Darcy is willing to teach him about estate management."
"What does he think he can learn in the wintertime about an estate?" exclaimed Elizabeth. "Planting and harvest are the right time to learn!"
"He said Mr. Darcy wishes to experiment with a crop that can be grown in the wintertime."
"Really?" Elizabeth asked, intrigued. "Did he tell you anymore about it?"
Elizabeth felt the bed move as Jane shook her head. "No, his sister joined our conversation before I could ask any further."
"I would be eager to learn what could be grown during these times. It might be a good source for food, in addition to rice."
"Oh? Has Uncle Gardiner replied to Papa's express yet?" Jane's voice was excited.
"No," answered Elizabeth, disappointment tinging her voice. "I had hoped we would have heard by now."
Jane snuggled closer to Elizabeth. "Perhaps he has been delayed on important matters of business. We will hear something soon."
"I hope so. I don't know what we will do if ordering rice isn't a possibility. We may very well all starve to death this winter."