Chapter 2: The Insult
Mr. Darcy paused on that remark from the woman he had just met. The idea that this woman frequently injured herself made him uneasy. After watching her leave he turned back to his horse and rode back to Netherfield. Darcy soon realized as he rode that he had not introduced himself or learned the woman's name.
You fool! Darcy thought to himself.
Darcy spent the next week returning to the woods where he had encountered the woman. He had hoped that he might meet her again. Ever since he saw her in such a state with her hair down and reddened cheeks, he could not stop thinking about her. Unfortunately, he did not run into her again in the woods.
Mr. Bingley, on the other hand, did not know what had happened in the woods. But he could see a change in his friend. Darcy seemed energized.
Perhaps I should write to Richard. Mr. Bingley thought. Richard had a way of getting Darcy to open up, and since the Ramsgate incident, Bingley knew that any happiness for Darcy should be nurtured and not forgotten.
It was later than usual, and Mr. Bennet was concerned his Lizzy was not home yet. He was very relieved when he saw her through his study window. However, it was quite clear she had injured herself again and her hair!
"Lizzy! What has happened now? I swear child you will be the death of me!" chided Mr. Bennet.
"Oh, papa! I fell in the woods on a root. I have injured my wrist and my pride but other than that I am ok. I was taking my usual route through the woods near Netherfield when I was startled by a stallion. It came out of nowhere; you know how I am afraid of horses! And so I was distracted, and I tripped." This was not a complete lie she thought.
Later that evening Lizzy was resting in her room looking over the handkerchief the man had given her. She was so upset that she had forgotten to introduce herself! How silly could she be...the man did not offer his name either. However, on the corner of the handkerchief were the initials FD.
"The very mysterious and handsome Mr. FD," she said quietly to herself. Or so she thought. For her sister, Jane had heard the remark and noted the dreamy look on Elizabeth's face.
"Tell me everything sister!"
Mr. Darcy's spirits were becoming very low. It had been a week since he met this young beauty in the woods. He still had no idea who she was or how to find her. He thought about going to Mr. Bingley, but he did not want to risk the reputation of the girl. He laughed a little as he remembered her angry expression at his prank. She had scrunched her nose up in an adorable fashion and then she engaged him the most engaging conversation about her likes, literature, politics. Perhaps there was hope that once she found out who he was that she could love him. But none of this mattered he thought if he was never to see this woman again.
Just as that thought was making him even more depressed, a letter came from his sister Georgiana.
Dear Brother,
I hope this letter finds you well. My companion has told me that I should write more to keep myself distracted. However, I find myself failing at that too.
I spend my time in my room now. I am too ashamed to leave. I feel guilty for everything I have done, and in particular, I feel guilty that I have let you down and that I have put more stress upon your shoulders.
I miss you brother.
Your sister, Georgie.
This letter did not help his mood. What was worse is that later that evening he would have to go to the Meryton Assembly.
"Bingley" he called to his friend sitting opposite him in the study.
"Yes?"
"Would it be alright if I wrote to my sister to invite her to stay with us? I think it will help her mood"
"Of course, Darce. In fact, I have already written Richard inviting him to stay as well. There are too many pretty women in the area for you and I to dance with. You will see tonight!"
"Thank you. Is he coming shortly or is there time to have him bring Georgiana?"
"No there is time if you wrote them now"
Mr. Darcy began to write to his sister and cousin but his mind was focusing on Bingley's comment. He did not want to be forced to dance with anyone tonight, unless of course his woodland nymph was present. With that thought he actually began to eagerly anticipate the assembly. Perhaps this was his chance to learn her name.
Elizabeth entered the assembly eager to meet the mysterious FD.
Her mother soon found her and Jane and began to repeat the gossip that she had learned about Mr. Bingley and his company.
"Do you see that tall man next to the women in the blue and pink silk gowns, girls?" asked Mrs. Bennet to her two eldest daughters.
Elizabeth looked in that direction, and to her happiness, the man who her mother was referring to was the man she had met in the woods. Elizabeth felt her stomach flip over she was so excited.
"That man is Mr. Darcy. He is old friends of Mr. Bingley, and those two women are Mr. Bingley's sisters."
"Mr. Darcy seems to have drawn the attention of the room." Added Jane.
Mr. Darcy was a fine, tall man, with handsome features and a noble mien who was much more handsome than his friend Mr. Bingley.
"Why yes!" exclaimed Mrs. Bennet "He is very handsome, but that is not all, for it is said that he has ten thousand a year and is master of a great estate in Derbyshire." Explained Mrs. Bennet. Elizabeth paled at the intelligence she just received. What had she done? She had developed an tender for a man that was not only too handsome to pick her over her sister, but he was so above her status that it was unlikely he would ever consider her. Jane noticed the forlorn look on her sister's face and pulled her aside.
"Lizzy I know what you are thinking. Please do not let mama's words or her thoughts about you colour what you know of the man" Jane said encouragingly.
"Perhaps you are right Jane. We did have a wonderful morning together and he seemed to enjoy my company". New hope swelled in her breast.
"Darcy!" cried Mr. Bingley "I must have you dance instead of standing about in such a stupid manner" I have just met the loveliest woman; she is a blond goddess. And she has a sister Darcy! You should ask her to dance. Look she is sitting nearby."
Elizabeth was close enough to hear their conversation and her ears perked up when she heard Mr. Bingley's remark.
Darcy had not yet seen his mystery woman and that compounded with his sister's state and the chatter he heard of his income was enough to make his mood foul.
"She is tolerable I suppose, but not handsome enough to tempt me."
"She is uncommonly pretty Darce! It is a shame though that she recently cut her cheek."
This new information perked up Mr. Darcy.
"A cut on her cheek you say?"
"Yes Darcy, had you not noticed it? You who are so quick to criticize?
"I had not looked at her Bingley."
"Then why did you say she was only tolerable?"
"Because I wanted to be left alone! Where is she? You must introduce me."
Elizabeth had escaped the room for a moment. She had left once she heard Mr. Darcy refer to her as "tolerable" and not "handsome enough." Normally she would have delighted in the ridiculousness of the situation. Tonight, however, she could find no humor. His words had cut her more profoundly. Her mother had told her she was not pretty enough to marry these men and the man himself confirmed it. She was so humiliated that she could not stop herself from tearing up.
"Elizabeth!" called Jane. Elizabeth quickly wiped her tears and rejoined her sister in the room. "Ah there you are, Mr. Bingley's friend Mr. Darcy wishes to be introduced to you," Jane told her sister with a smile.
Darcy almost exploded when he finally saw his mystery woman. Elizabeth, her name was Elizabeth. He grew concerned though when he saw her face. Her eyes were red and puffy. Had she been crying? This thought distressed him very much.
"Miss Elizabeth Bennet, may I introduce you to my friend Mr. Darcy. He is staying with me at Netherfield." Said Mr. Bingley.
"It is a pleasure to finally be introduced, Miss. Bennet" Darcy said with a knowing smile. To his disappointment, his playful smile was not returned.
"Thank you," she said and curtsied. She was about to turn and leave because she could feel her embarrassment and ire growing and did want to say anything she would regret.
"Would you do me the honour of dancing with me for the next set?" asked Mr. Darcy desperately.
"Thank you, Sir, but I must kindly decline. I injured my wrist not too long ago, and I feel I should rest it."
"Oh," said Mr. Darcy. That seems like a logical excuse he thought to himself trying to quell his disappointment.
"La! Lizzy was in the woods when she was startled by a stallion!" Laughed Lydia who had heard the conversation.
Mr. Darcy smiled. "A stallion, Miss. Bennet?"
Elizabeth went red with humiliation.
"Yes, sir. It was loud and reckless." She wanted to leave this situation. Lydia had been called away by her mother, and soon Jane and Mr. Bingley had taken their place to dance. Elizabeth was left alone with Mr. Darcy who was furrowing his brow.
"Excuse me Mr. Darcy, but I feel I should find my other sister" As she walked passed Mr. Darcy, she stopped and quickly said, "I am curious why today you say I cannot tempt you when last week your stares said otherwise."