Chapter 20
Elizabeth had been in London for a week after spending a week in Kent with Rebecca and her family. She was grateful to spend a week with friendly people and little Robert because it helped her forget what had happened in Hunsford. Though she didn't want to, she spent much of the day thinking about everything Mr. Darcy had said to her. She especially remembered the intensity of his words when he declared his love for her. But she also perfectly remembered how contemptuously he had talked about his family and immediately dismissed any feeling of pity for him or his emotions.
When Elizabeth arrived in London, she had the opportunity to talk to Jane and learn that he was well and delighted with her husband. At least her dear sister had managed to resolve her life and find an excellent husband whom she loved and respected.
But unfortunately, not everything was good news. The day before, she received a letter from Kitty telling her that Lydia had resumed her friendship with Harriet Forster and Mr. Wickham. Mrs. Bennet gave her permission because she said Lydia deserved to have new friends, and Mr. Bennet did not intervene and allowed Lydia to do whatever she wanted.
"You look worried, Lizzy. Do you have a problem?" asked Aunt Alice, concerned. Since Elizabeth returned to London, she noticed that her dear niece was troubled.
"No, aunt, I don't have a problem, the truth is that I have more than one, but I also think that my problems have no solution," answered Elizabeth with a smile so that her aunt wouldn't worry.
"If you trust me, maybe I can help you," Aunt Alice said. Then, she sat next to Elizabeth and took her hand to reassure her.
"Of course, I trust you, Aunt Alice. But I don't want to burden you with my problems," Elizabeth explained.
"Don't talk nonsense, my dear. Believe me, Lizzy, I'd rather know what's wrong with you and try to help than see you so downcast."
"Thank you, aunt," Elizabeth said. She explained the situation in Longbourne, how her mother encouraged Lydia's irresponsible behavior, and how Mr. Bennet did not intervene to correct the problem. "Worst of all, David talked to my father and mother about that woman and that man, but they seem to have forgotten everything he told them."
"I'm sorry, Lizzy. You're right to be concerned because your parents have such a big problem with your little sister and her capricious behavior. I don't know if it helps, but I'll write to your father to remind him who George Wickham is."
"Thank you, Aunt. I hope my father takes your words into consideration," said Elizabeth, sincerely grateful.
Aunt Alice saw Elizabeth was still uneasy and asked in a loving voice. "Is that all, my dear Lizzy?"
"No, Aunt. There is another matter I have not told anyone, and I want to share it with you. Aunt, please, promise me that you will not tell anyone what I am going to confide in you."
"Of course, my dear. Did something serious happen to you? Why are you so nervous?" asked Aunt Alice, very worried.
"No, Aunt. It is nothing serious; It is just..."
Elizabeth took a deep breath and recounted to her aunt everything that happened in Hunsford between her and Mr. Darcy. "On the many occasions that I met him on one of the Rosings trails, I was able to get to know Mr. Darcy a little better. For the first time, I could see the gentleman Georgiana had always told me about in her letters. In addition, I could appreciate his affection for his cousin and how he protected her. But when he told me all those horrible things about my social inferiority, the haughty man I knew in Ramsgate returned."
"I understand, Lizzy. You did well rejecting him and telling him that he should look for a woman of his social standing if that is so important to him. But I don't know; I think something else troubles you, or am I wrong?"
"No, aunt, you're not mistaken. Maybe what I'm about to say will seem funny to you, but I couldn't help but think about how everything would have been if Mr. Darcy had decided to court me properly instead of insulting me while telling me how ardently he admired and loved me."
"It is very difficult to know what would have happened, but I think that if he had expressed his feelings more appropriately, maybe you could have allowed him to court you."
"Maybe, he is wealthy, has a house in London and a big estate in Derbyshire," replied Elizabeth smiling.
"And he is very handsome, too," added aunt Alice and saw how Elizabeth blushed. "I know you did not regret rejecting him, but do you like him, Elizabeth?"
"Of course not, aunt. But..."
"But?"
"I do not know, I mean... He is handsome, intelligent, and well-educated. But I never could admire a man who does not respect me."
"I know, my dear. But I think just knowing that he's in love with you in a way makes you feel flattered, right?"
"Yes, aunt. I can't help but think he was willing to go against his family and his expectations to marry me. I hope one day he can meet a woman he can love and accept." Elizabeth hugged her aunt and couldn't help but shed a few tears. She couldn't help but feel sad thinking of the disappointed look on Mr. Darcy's face when she told him that she didn't love him.
"Lizzy, I don't know Mr. Darcy; I only saw him once from a distance. But from what you've told me, I have the impression that he is a rather reserved man and I daresay shy. I'm sure his feelings y were sincere, and he is genuinely in love with you. It will probably take him a while to forget everything that happened in Hunsford, but I don't want you to feel guilty because you did the right thing by rejecting him. I think he is a smart man, and your rejection will help him grow and be a better gentleman."
"Thank you, aunt, for listening to me and always trying to help me. I love you very much," Elizabeth said excitedly.
"Please, Lizzy, never forget that you can always count on me." Aunt Alice hugged Elizabeth, and she rested her head on her lap as if she were a child seeking comfort.
P&P
Miss Laura Evans and her mother went to visit Georgiana Darcy for the sole purpose of seeing her brother. The previous evening they had dined at Lord and Lady Matlock's, and the wealthiest man in Derbyshire had paid particular attention to Laura.
Mr. Darcy and Miss Evans had known each other for almost three years, and he had never spoken more than strictly necessary with her. But the previous evening, he seemed like a different person, much more open and willing to converse.
Laura was twenty-two years old and quite a pretty woman with the classic beauty so popular in the Ton. She was blonde, pale, and always dressed in the latest fashions with great elegance. Laura had hoped to marry a wealthy, titled gentleman, but those were scarcer, so Mr. Darcy was more than an acceptable option. Not only because he was rich but also because he was very handsome. She was the granddaughter of a baron through her maternal side, and her father had a prosperous estate in Hampshire. Her dowry was twenty thousand pounds, so she knew she was also a good match for a man like Mr. Darcy.
"Miss Darcy, you don't know how pleased we are to be able to visit you. We hadn't before because we weren't lucky enough to meet in London," Laura said as her mother seconded her.
"You've grown a lot since we last saw you, and you're beautiful. Besides, your brother told us you're playing the piano better daily. So someday you and Laura should try playing a duet," Mrs. Evans said.
"What a good idea, mother. We have to play a duet, Miss Darcy," Laura added with fake enthusiasm.
"Of course, Miss Evans," Georgiana replied not too happily. Fortunately, Mrs. Annesley, seeing her a little uncomfortable, helped her deal with the unexpected guests.
She was sure that those women were there because of her brother. She had met Laura on more than one occasion at her aunt's house, and she had always ignored her. That was why she did not understand that sudden interest in her.
The butler informed Mr. Darcy that Mrs. and Miss Evans were in the drawing room with his sister. He immediately decided to go to greet them. It seemed his strategy from the night before had paid off, and Miss Evans was eager to spend time with him. She was a woman with an excellent dowry and impeccable connections, and besides, she was able to appreciate his worth.
Before leaving his study, he poured himself a brandy and gulped it. Then, he went to where the guests were, and when he entered the room, he greeted them very effusively. "Mrs. and Miss Evans, you don't know how happy I am to see you. Welcome to Darcy House."
Miss Evans stood up and gave him a coquettish smile. "The pleasure is ours, Mr. Darcy. You have a charming house."
"Thank you, Miss Evans." Mr. Darcy sat in a chair across from Miss Evans and began to chat animatedly with her about last evening's dinner.
Georgiana couldn't believe what was happening. She had seen her brother act very differently since he returned from Kent, but she hadn't expected to see him gossiping with a woman as foolish as Miss Evans about what happened in their uncle's house. She knew that her brother hated inconsequential conversations and gossip even more.
Mr. Darcy usually worked in the mornings, and in the afternoons, he would go to the club to play chess or practice fencing with a friend or his master. But ever since he came back, he would go out in the evening and come back very late at night. So the next day, he got up late and locked himself in his study. Her brother had always been a controlled man, but now he was drinking more than was good for him.
Fortunately, the social calls could not last more than an hour, so the unpleasant visitors had no choice but to say goodbye. But Miss Evans had come with a purpose in mind, so she said before leaving. "Mr. Darcy, you have to promise you will attend the ball my grandfather, Lord Wilson, is organizing. I know he invited you."
"Of course, I'll be there, Miss Evans. I got the invitation when I was in Kent, but I confirmed my attendance as soon as I saw it.
"Then we'll see each other very soon," Laura added.
"I hope you'll do me the honor of dancing a set with me," replied Mr. Darcy.
"Of course, I'll be happy to dance with you," Laura replied.
Finally, the women left. Georgiana just wanted to go to her room to rest. She didn't like how her brother was acting, but she didn't know what to do. So she would write to Elizabeth to see if she could advise her.
"Georgie, before you leave, I'd like to ask you a question," Mr. Darcy said as he poured himself another glass of brandy.
"Yes, brother. Tell me how I can help you," Georgiana replied. She noticed that her brother was uncomfortable and was about to ask him what was wrong, but she didn't dare.
"What do you think of Miss Evans?"
"I don't know, William. I hardly know her."
"I know you have seen each other at Aunt Beatrice's house more than once."
"Yes, but we've never really talked before."
"I see... Georgie, do you think I'm haughty?"
"No, of course not. But sometimes, maybe someone who does not know you well might think that you are."
"How so?"
"I don't know. Sometimes you are severe with people you don't know, and they don't know you well. For example, do you remember when you met my friend Lizzy? Well, you were very curt with her, and she is always very nice to everyone, so ..."
"I understand, Georgiana. You can retire to your room," said Mr. Darcy immediately.
"Thank you, brother," replied Georgiana, not knowing why her brother was so upset.
Mr. Darcy locked himself in his study and drank another brandy, trying to concentrate on the letters he had to write to his solicitor and steward.
P&P
"Lizzy, I have good news for you. David and I are going to Meryton for a few days, so you can travel with us to Longbourn. Also, David told me that he would talk to our parents about limiting Lydia's contact with Mrs. Forster and Mr. Wickham," Jane told her sister.
"What good news, Jane. Aunt Alice insisted that I should travel in her carriage, but that won't be necessary now. Also, I hope our father, and especially our mother, will listen to your husband," Elizabeth replied hopefully.
"He can be very convincing, Lizzy."
"I don't doubt it, but our father and mother can be very stubborn too."
Elizabeth, the Gardiners, Aunt Alice, and David's parents were gathered for a dinner celebration. That morning, he was officially decorated for his services to the crown, and now he was Sir David Smith and his wife, Lady Smith. The ceremony was short but very emotional. David's parents, Jane, and the whole family were very proud of him.
But in addition, David received new orders, and for the time being, he would work at the War Office, where he would be in charge of intelligence in the war zones. For this reason, they would go to Meryton to permanently close the small house he had there and organize the moving of the few things they had there. David's parents hardly ever traveled to London, so they gave their home to the newlyweds.
For her part, Elizabeth would return to Longbourn for a few weeks before traveling to the Lake District and visiting Lambton with the Gardiners and Aunt Alice. Upon returning from that trip, Aunt Alice would return to Canada with her family after spending nearly a year in England.
"Our Majesty was very interested to know if everything the newspapers said about David was true. Dear friend, you have become a national hero and the favorite hero of the newspapers and the Ton. Everyone wants to meet the young and brave Colonel Smith," Mark said with a laugh.
"It's not something I enjoy, dear brother. I'm sick of reading how they exaggerate every single detail of what I did in Dover. They make it look like I did the twelve labors of Hercules," David said resignedly.
"You should have agreed to be interviewed, David. Instead, you only make your legend grow even more by remaining silent," Rebecca commented.
"I am sorry, dear sister, but I believe that the less I talk, the faster people will forget about me. Probably in a few more months, no one will remember me," David concluded.
The conversation at dinner was lively, and Elizabeth was much calmer after talking with Aunt Alice. But still, she was much more reserved than usual.
"Lizzy, Jane told me you're going back to Hertfordshire with them. I'm so glad you'll be staying for a few more days because we've had a lot of invitations to big events, and I'd love it if you join us," Rebecca said to include her in the conversation.
"Of course, it will be good to do some fun activities before I return home," Elizabeth replied.
"My dear, I had forgotten to tell you that I received an invitation from Lady Matlock to the annual ball she organizes. She is a leader in London society, and her great ball always closes the season," Mark explained to his wife and the rest of the party.
"I'm sure she invited us because of David," Rebecca said, looking at her brother.
"That's right, Rebecca. Actually, in the note she sent me, she told me to please invite the whole family," Mark replied.
"I prefer to stay away from these people," replied David's father.
"I am also not interested in attending that ball, but I think David should attend. It's an excellent opportunity to consolidate your and your wife's social position," added David's mother.
"We'll have time to think about that. But, for now, I want to continue enjoying this wonderful dinner with my wife and the family I love and admire so much," David said and kissed Jane's hand.
"Excellent idea, David. I think it's time to make a toast to our hero," Mark said and raised his glass.
Everyone toasted in honor of David and Jane with great joy. The evening was filled with exciting conversation and camaraderie. Elizabeth could see again how lucky her sister was to have found a husband and a family that loved and appreciated her.
P&P
Mr. Darcy had several new suits made because he was socializing much more than before. That night he elegantly dressed in a black suit because he wanted to look better than ever so he could feel happy with himself.
As soon as Mr. Darcy entered the ballroom at Lord Williams's mansion, he was pleased when he saw how most of the women looked at him and murmured not so discreetly how handsome he looked. He had never been a vain man, but Elizabeth's rejection still hurt too much. He needed to prove to her that he could be an attractive man to other women that would never dare reject him.
Lady Matlock was one of the prominent guests of the evening, and since Lord Matlock could not accompany his wife, Mr. Darcy danced the first set with his Aunt.
But he wanted to dance the second set with Miss Evans. He noticed she looked beautiful that night and smiled coquettishly at him whenever their eyes met.
After the first set, Laura approached Lady Matlock, giving Mr. Darcy the perfect opportunity to ask Laura to dance the second set with him.
As soon as the music started, Mr. Darcy ushered Miss Evans onto the dance floor, and they began to dance as many eyes watched them with growing curiosity.
"Mr. Darcy, I hope you are enjoying this wonderful evening. My grandfather is an excellent host. I can also assure you that he only invites people of our social standing to his house. I know that it is fashionable to mix with people of different origins, but my family is very conservative in that regard."
"Yes, Miss Evans, I'm enjoying the evening very much," Mr. Darcy replied uncomfortably.
Miss Evans kept talking about other topics, but he couldn't concentrate on what she was saying. He couldn't help but think about what Laura had said. He was annoyed by her haughty and arrogant comment, but he couldn't help but remember that he had issued very similar opinions not too long ago.
"Thank you very much, Miss Evans," said Mr. Darcy when the set ended.
"The pleasure was all mine, Mr. Darcy. I hope we can continue our interesting conversation later," Laura said. She would dance the third set with one of her cousins but would rest the fourth, and she planned to take advantage of the time to be with Mr. Darcy.
Mr. Darcy went out into the garden through the terrace. He didn't want to dance because he wanted to be alone. It was very hot in the ballroom, and he was emotionally exhausted from talking and smiling at everyone around him.
The night was beautiful, and the full moon illuminated the garden. Unconsciously he remembered Elizabeth and compared her to Miss Evans. He couldn't help but think that he would have made Miss Evans if he had found out that Georgiana had a brief affair with a servant's son. Or how he would react if she knew his cousin Anne and noticed how different she was.
He was trying to be someone he wasn't. He wanted to show everyone that he wasn't just the disagreeable rich man that everyone put up with just because he was rich and powerful.
"I must get you out of my head," Mr. Darcy muttered. Then he entered the main room and went to the refreshment table to pour himself a brandy or the first thing he could find. He needed to drink because it was much easier for him to socialize and pretend to be interested in the small talk of people he barely knew.
But when Mr. Darcy was looking for something to drink, he noticed that Laura was talking with some friends near the refreshment table, and when he heard his name, he preferred to hide behind a column.
"Without a doubt, Mr. Darcy is a very handsome man. But he is so serious and so boring. Also, he always seems angry," Claire Morton told Laura. She had tried to attract the attention of the Derbyshire gentleman on more than one occasion without success. So she was dying of envy.
"I agree with you, my dear Claire. But when your husband has one of the most beautiful estates in the north of the country and a mansion in London, I think it doesn't matter so much whether he talks a lot or a little." Miss Evans added with a smirk. She knew those harpies were attacking her because they were dying of jealousy.
"And what do you talk about when you converse? Let me guess, about his properties or how much money he has in the bank?" Miss Yates asked, making her friends laugh.
"And have you gotten a word out of his foolish sister? I've met her several times and never heard her voice."
"No, she's too for my liking, so I have no interest in talking to her," Laura replied.
"But if Mr. Darcy is supposedly interested in you, you'll have to deal with Miss Darcy for the rest of your life," Claire added.
"You're wrong, my dear, she has a companion, and her brother has enough money to set up a house for her. Besides, I don't know what you mean when you say he is supposedly interested in me," Laura asked.
"My dear, you have only talked over dinner and danced a set with him. I hope you are not sure he will propose because I do not want you to get hurt," Claire replied cynically.
"I'm not getting ahead of myself, but I know very well that I'm the ideal woman for him. If he doesn't propose to me, it's because he's a fool," Laura said emphatically. "In any case, I will wait for him forever. I have other options because, unlike you, I have a splendid dowry," Laura concluded, leaving her two friends silent and furious.
After hearing that conversation, Mr. Darcy discreetly withdrew from Lord Williams's ball. He could not stay there for a second and pretend that nothing had happened. He felt like a fool, thinking that Miss Evans or another of those women could be interested in him, not his money.
As soon as he got home, he locked himself in his study. Then he sat in front of the fireplace with a bottle of brandy so he could quench the pain that tore at his soul.
Listening to Miss Evans, he realized what kind of woman Elizabeth Bennet was. He had told Elizabeth that she was decidedly below him. But now, he had to admit that she was superior to him and all those harpies willing to do everything for money and had never cared to know the real him.
But also, he realized that Elizabeth had been the only woman who managed to see beyond his money and social standing. And what had she seen? An arrogant and cruel man who could not tell her that she was a real jewel, a fantastic woman who deserved to be loved and respected.
"Oh, Elizabeth. Please forgive me, my love, I know I've lost you, but I hope you do not hate me. I cannot continue with my life if I know you hate me," Mr. Darcy repeated many times until he fell to the study floor, completely drunk.
P&P
Thank you to everyone who leaves supportive comments and enthusiastically follows the story.
I apologize if this chapter was not so well written. I had a little accident. I had written this chapter and was going to post it yesterday, but my computer restarted due to an update and closed all my files, and I lost a big part of my work :(
In the next chapter, there will be a ball where everyone will meet again!
Gracias a todos los lectores de habla hispana, portuguesa y francesa que siguen mis historias y dejan comentarios de apoyo.
¡Nos vemos pronto!
Saludos,
Yo
