Chapter 21
After returning from Kent, Colonel Fitzwilliam had been very busy and could not visit his parents. The day before, he had met with his friend David Smith to discuss their future work together in the intelligence department at the War Office.
But they not only talked about work but also about personal matters. Richard mentioned that he had had the opportunity to meet Elizabeth in Kent, and that conversation led to another that astonished him.
Without giving details, David told him about Mr. Bingley's reprehensible behavior when he left Hertfordshire without saying goodbye or returning to take over his duties in the area. He also told him about the rumors that affected his wife, blaming Mr. Bingley for that. Although David told him nothing more on the subject, Richard knew that Mr. Darcy probably didn't leave a good impression on the neighborhood either. When Richard asked about his cousin, David abruptly changed the subject.
"Richard, I hope you don't forget that my ball is in three more days. Your brother and Sarah arrive tomorrow with the children," the Countess said. "I want all of my family here on this special evening for the Fitzwilliams. That includes your foolish cousin who embarrassed me last night."
"Why, mother? Didn't he want to dance with one of your friend's daughters, or was he sitting the whole night without dancing?" Richard asked. He knew very well how his cousin behaved at social events.
"Worse than all that, my son. He danced with Miss Evans and looked very happy, and suddenly, he left without saying anything to anyone. Lord Wilson asked me what happened to him, and I had to make up an excuse telling him that he was not feeling well and had to leave." The Countess kept talking for several minutes, saying she did not understand why Mr. Darcy was still single. Also, she said that Miss Evans was a great candidate to be the next Mrs. Darcy.
"I don't know, mother, that lady has always seemed a bit cold to me. I think Darcy needs a woman who sincerely loves him and is capable of making him see life from a different perspective," Richard explained. But when he saw the disapproving face of his father, he preferred not to say anything else.
But Lady Matlock had a favor to ask of her son, so she preferred not to discuss Miss Evans's many talents with him at the moment. "Richard, I know you know our wonderful hero Sir David Smith and I want you to promise me you will do everything you can to convince him to come to my ball. I have sent invitations to him, and his brother-in-law Lord Atkinson and they still haven't replied."
"You're in luck, mother. Because Smith and I are working together right now, I promise I'll ask him to come, but I cannot assure you he will accept your invitation. He's a rather discreet man; plus, it doesn't help that you have never invited him or anyone in his family to any of the events you organized."
"My dear, if those people don't want to come to your ball, they shouldn't come. Atkinson's wife is a banker's daughter, and he had to marry her because his family was broken. But no title can erase the origin of that woman and her brother," added Lord Matlock scornfully.
Richard rolled his eyes when he heard his father's arrogant comment. But he knew it was wasting time trying to reason with him. Lord Matlock was not a bad man, but he was often carried away by his rigid social views.
"Frank, I don't care who Colonel Smith's father is. I just know that he is our Majesty's favorite gentleman, and I want him on my ball. Besides, it never hurts to have a rich banker as a friend. Two or three years of bad harvests, and we may need fresh money," replied Lady Matlock. She was much more practical and less proud than her husband.
"I think my mother is right, don't you think, father?" Richard asked, smiling.
"I suppose so. Well, if the boy is a national hero, I suppose it hardly matters who his father is," Lord Matlock concluded resignedly.
Richard told his parents that he would be in London for several months and he would be able to visit more often. His mother was happy because whenever Richard had to embark on a dangerous mission, she was always concerned and praying that nothing would happen to her dear son.
When Richard finished talking to his parents and planned to return to the regiment, the butler handed him a note from Georgiana. "I'm sorry, father and mother, but I had forgotten that I promised Georgiana to accompany her for a walk in the park."
"Well, son, go to your cousin. But don't forget to talk to Colonel Smith," the Countess said.
"Don't worry, I'll do it, mother," Richard replied.
He said goodbye to his parents and went to Darcy House to talk to Georgina and his cousin Darcy.
P&P
Mr. Darcy had a horrible headache but made an effort and got up before ten in the morning. He took a bath and asked his valet to bring him a strong coffee. He had decided to return to Pemberley as soon as possible because only there could he find the peace he so badly needed. But to do that, he had to resolve some business before leaving, and that's why he had planned to work all day. Besides, he had to talk to Georgiana to explain that they would return to Derbyshire in a few more days.
Last night he had finally admitted to himself that he had acted like a scoundrel with Elizabeth and that she had rightly rejected him. Besides, after hearing how Miss Evans and her friends talked about him, he could appreciate Elizabeth even more for her integrity and dignity.
During breakfast, he noticed that Georgiana looked at him with great concern, but he didn't ask her any questions. When he told her they were returning to Pemberley, she looked slightly surprised but accepted his decision without protest.
After breakfast, Mr. Darcy asked his valet to bring him more coffee so he could focus on his work. He realized that he had been using alcohol to escape reality, and it was harming his physical and emotional health. He had accepted that he would be immensely miserable for the following months. So he would dedicate himself to working to forget.
But when he had finally managed to concentrate on some documents he needed to sign, the butler told him that Mr. Bingley wanted to see him. They hadn't seen each other for several months, and Mr. Darcy asked the butler to show him into his study immediately.
"You do not know how happy I am to see you, my old friend," said Mr. Bingley giving a warm handshake to his friend.
"It's nice to see you too after so long. You know it's almost impossible for me to understand what you write in your letters. Still, I get the impression you enjoyed your time in Scarborough with your aunt." Mr. Darcy invited his friend to sit down so they would be more comfortable.
"That's right, Darcy. Thanks to the good advice of my best father friend and my dear aunt, I understood that I had been acting like a child and not like the gentleman my father wanted me to be." Mr. Bingley noticed that his friend was haggard and thinner as if he had been ill.
"I'm glad these months of reflection have been productive for you, Bingley," Mr. Darcy said. He noticed his friend was much more sure of himself when speaking.
"That's why I've come to talk to you. First, I want to tell you that I will return to Hertfordshire, and although I know you can't go with me, I'd like to know if I can count on your help if I need it, if I can write to you for advice related to my estate. You are aware that I have no experience in the field, and you are the only gentleman I know who personally manages his lands."
"Of course, Bingley. But may I know why you changed your mind?"
"Because I want to give myself a chance to finish what I started regarding Netherfield and Miss Bennet. I know you disagree with me, but I've made up my mind, and there's nothing you can tell me about that will change my mind," Mr. Bingley said emphatically.
"I have nothing to say in that regard, Bingley. You are a grown man and know what you do with your life. I imagine that your sisters do not like your decision."
"No, but that is their problem, not mine. I must confess that I thought you would try to tell me something against my decision, Darcy."
"Bingley, I have recently discovered that I know very little of life in general and am ill-qualified to advise others on matters in which I have zero experience. So do whatever makes you happy, and if you regret it in the future, at least it was your decision and not what others decided for you."
"I see, Darcy, that I am not the only one who has been reflecting," said Mr. Bingley with his usual cheerfulness.
"No, I've been thinking about what I want to do with my life too. But, for now, I only know I will travel to Pemberley early next week."
Mr. Darcy told his friend of his plans for the summer, and they both avoided discussing more complex topics.
They talked for almost half an hour and managed to tell each other much of what he had done during the time they had not seen each other. Finally, they said goodbye affectionately and promised to keep in touch by correspondence. Unfortunately, they would both be very busy in the coming months, and it would not be easy to see each other.
Richard had arrived at the house and had an interesting conversation with Georgiana. She told him about the erratic way his brother had been behaving since he returned from Kent. In addition, she told him that the night before, her brother had been so drunk that his valet and the butler had to take him to his room.
Just as Richard was on his way to Mr. Darcy's study, he ran into Mr. Bingley. Both greeted each other enthusiastically, and Richard took the opportunity to invite him to his mother's ball. He knew that Lady Matlock liked Bingley and wouldn't mind him attending.
Finally, he entered his cousin's study and explained in a commanding voice, "Darcy, you and I have to have a serious conversation, and I hope you explain to me once and for all what's wrong with you."
"Georgiana asked you to talk to me?"
"Yes, she is worried and does not know what to do."
"I see. Please have a seat. But before telling you what happened to me, I will ask you not to interrupt me and let me tell you everything at once. Then you can ask me questions and make fun of me if you want."
Richard saw his cousin so downcast that he didn't say anything. Instead, he just sat and listened to his story feeling outraged and sorry for his cousin at the same time.
"What do you want me to tell you, Darcy? You behaved like a complete fool with Miss Bennet and deserved her rejection. The only thing that makes me happy about all this is that I think she has taught you a great lesson." Richard noticed that his cousin was very sad, and while he told him his story, his voice cracked on more than one occasion.
"I know, Fitzwilliam. She had the decency to turn me down and let me know that even my wealth and social position were not enough to win the heart of a woman as wonderful as her. Apparently, I am only eligible for fortune hunter looking for a rich husband," concluded Mr. Darcy with a sad smile.
"Don't be so hard on yourself, Darcy. But I hope you have learned to be less harsh on the faults of others. And what do you plan to do about Miss Bennet?"
"I don't know. I sincerely want to apologize to her, but I'm not sure she wants to see me. So for now, I will go to Pemberley, and in the future, and if we ever meet again, I'll tell her how sorry I am for being so ungentlemanly to her."
"No, Darcy. You should apologize immediately, not a year after what you did. Georgie told me she's staying with her uncle near Cheapside," the Colonel said briskly.
"And if she doesn't want to see me?"
"At least you tried."
Mr. Darcy stood up and began pacing around his study. "I think you're right. I'll go see her before I return to Pemberley. I guess I just need a few minutes to apologize because I doubt she'll want to talk to me or tolerate my presence for more than five minutes."
"Haven't you thought maybe you could try to win her love?"
"No, she could never feel affection for me after how I treated her in Ramsgate and Hunsford. I want her to forgive me, and I hope she does not hate me. Honestly, I do not aspire to anything else."
"I'm sorry, Darcy. I think you two would have made a good couple." Richard saw that his cousin had become sad and decided to change the subject. "Darcy, I guess you're going to my mother's ball."
"I don't want to go, but I'm sure your mother is capable of coming here and taking me by force to her ball. So I know I have no choice but to attend," Mr. Darcy concluded resignedly.
"You're absolutely right. My mother is capable of that and much more," Richard said, smiling. "I'm sorry, Darcy. But I have another meeting in an hour and have to go." Richard hugged his cousin very affectionately to reassure him.
"Thank you, Fitzwilliam," said Mr. Darcy excitedly. Richard was the only person he trusted blindly, and loved him like a brother.
When Richard left, Mr. Darcy decided that he would visit Elizabeth the day after his trip to Derbyshire. If she didn't want to talk to him, at least he would know that he shouldn't stay another minute in London thinking about her.
P&P
Caroline used to be late for all events she attended. That was the fashion of some people of the ton, and she always did what influential people did. In that way, she felt important and sophisticated.
But at Lady Matlock's ball, she wanted to be one of the first to arrive. She desired to enjoy every minute of the big end-of-season event and spend as much time with Mr. Darcy as possible. But, unfortunately, in their last ball together, stupid Elizabeth Bennet came between them while fool Jane Bennet tried to force her brother to marry her. Also, to get her brother to allow her to accompany him, Caroline had to swear never to say another word against Jane Bennet or his return to Hertfordshire.
That's why when she arrived at the beautiful mansion, she was in ecstasy. She was finally getting into the social circles she thought she belonged to and would make the most of the opportunity.
Lady Matlock welcomed Mr. Bingley warmly but not Caroline because it was the first time she had seen her. After greeting their hosts, Mr. Bingley and his sister entered the beautifully decorated ballroom. Caroline was dazzled by the ornament and calculated how much each decoration cost.
Mr. Darcy was glad when he saw his friend Bingley but not so much when he saw Caroline accompanying him. Richard told him he would not be able to arrive on time, and he did not want to be forced to converse with any of the ladies, least of all Miss Evans.
Mr. Bingley and Caroline greeted Mr. Darcy warmly because both were happy to see him. Of course, for very different reasons. Mr. Darcy thought that if Caroline were close to him, that would keep other ladies away, so in a way, he was grateful for her presence. At least he knew how to deal with her.
"Darcy, your aunt has excellent taste. This room looks lovely. You know, as long as I've known you, I don't remember you ever throwing a ball at your house in London or Pemberley," said Mr. Bingley very animatedly.
"You are correct, Bingley. I have never had a ball because I don't have a hostess. Georgiana isn't out yet, Lady Matlock is always very busy, and Lady Catherine doesn't leave Kent," Mr. Darcy explained.
"You have a very easy solution to that problem, Mr. Darcy. You need to get married," Caroline said with a flirtatious smile.
"The day I get married, Mrs. Darcy will be in charge of organizing all the social events she wants. But, Miss Bingley, I hope to get married for much deeper reasons than the need for a hostess," Mr. Darcy explained.
"Of course, Mr. Darcy," replied Caroline with a fake smile.
"It's important to marry for the right reasons to be happy," added Mr. Bingley. "In another week, I return to Netherfield, as I will not have a hostess for a while, I will not be able to entertain my neighbors. But as soon as I get married, I plan to organize at least one ball a month." Mr. Bingley was content and wished to speak only of happy things.
"You always exaggerate, Charles," Caroline said, annoyed. She was there to talk to Mr. Darcy, and her brother kept talking nonsense. But her anger was greater when she saw Laura Evans approach Mr. Darcy with a flirtatious and false smile like her.
"Mr. Darcy, I am so happy to see you. I heard you felt unwell at my grandfather's ball, and that's why you couldn't say goodbye to us," Laura said as she looked at Caroline with defiant eyes. She knew that social climber well and sensed why she was so close to Mr. Darcy.
"Yes, Miss Evans. I'm so sorry I couldn't have said goodbye properly," Mr. Darcy replied seriously. Then, he introduced his friends to her and said nothing more.
Miss Evans had approached Mr. Darcy with the intention that he would ask her to dance, and she would not leave his side until she succeeded, even if she had to endure the inane conversation of Mr. Bingley and his dull sister.
The ball was about to start, and Richard had managed to make it on time after spending most of the day working on last-minute problems.
Lady Matlock entered the ballroom to ensure the musicians were ready and her guests were comfortable and well-attended. Lord Matlock didn't like to dance, so he asked Richard to dance with his mother for the first set. He preferred to chat with his friends and later play cards or chess with them or with his nephew Darcy, who would soon seek refuge in the library.
Richard was talking to Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley when his mother joined their group, complaining and disappointed.
"Richard, I was so excited that Sir David Smith might come to my ball. Why didn't you insist that he come with his family? Did you tell him he would be my guest of honor?"
"Mother, he told me he was coming with his family. But we had an urgent matter to deal with and were working late. So he may be a few minutes late," Richard explained. But at that moment, he realized that perhaps neither his cousin nor Mr. Bingley knew everything that had happened with David in the last few months.
"Oh, my dear handsome son, I know I could count on you. Thank you very much for making your mother's ball the most important of the season," Lady Matlock murmured to Richard. "I'll go tell the musicians to wait a few minutes."
"You are welcome, mother, and thank you for calling me handsome. After spending three weeks in Kent, my self-esteem was greatly affected," Richard replied and winked at his mother.
"Do you know Colonel Smith, Colonel Fitzwilliam?" Laura asked curiously. She knew that he was the new favorite of the royalty, and she wanted the opportunity to meet him.
"We know him too, right Charles?" Caroline said mockingly, looking at Laura. But when she remembered that David had been at her house looking for her brother, she felt a little worried and began to think of possible excuses for not telling him.
"Of course, he's a very nice gentleman and now a national hero," Mr. Bingley said happily.
"Yes, Miss Evans, Colonel Smith and I are good friends and have worked together on many occasions," Richard explained. But before anyone else interrupted him, he wanted to explain a few things to his cousin and Mr. Bingley. "But his life has changed since you met him in Hertfordshire..."
"Of course, it has changed. When we met him, he was just a colonel, and now he is a decorated hero," Mr. Darcy added.
"Well, yes, that too. But he also got married and…."
Richard could not finish what he was going to say because all the guests were looking at the room's entrance, and Lord and Lady Matlock approached the newcomers. Then, as the highest-ranking gentleman, Lord Atkinson introduced his family to his host and hostess.
"You don't know how pleased I am to meet you, my dear Sir Smith and Lady Smith," said Lady Matlock with a delighted smile.
"The pleasure is ours," David replied kindly. He could see how everyone was looking at him, but he was already getting used to that unwanted attention.
Caroline Bingley couldn't believe her bad luck. Jane and Elizabeth Bennet were there, and she could not find a logical answer to justify their presence in such an elegant and sophisticated event.
For his part, Mr. Bingley could hardly breathe with emotion at seeing Jane so beautiful. But, he never wondered why she was there and with Colonel Smith.
Mr. Darcy noticed that Lord Atkinson was with Elizabeth and another woman, who was probably his wife. In search of explanations, he looked at his cousin, and he whispered discreetly in his ear.
"Miss Elizabeth Bennet's sister is Colonel Smith's wife."
"What?" Mr. Darcy asked in surprise. But he was even more upset when he realized that his friend Bingley was walking directly towards where Colonel Smith and his new wife were talking to his aunt.
P&P
Thank you to everyone who leaves supportive comments and enthusiastically follows the story.
I divided the chapter in two because many things will happen at the ball. I didn't want to make you wait that long or shorten the dialogues because I know my most loyal fans enjoy them.
In the next chapter, Mr. Darcy will speak with Laura, David with Mr. Bingley, Mr. Bingley with Caroline, Mr. Darcy with Elizabeth, and David with Mr. Darcy. It will look more like a confessional than a ball, LOL.
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
