Chapter 3: Enough
Mr. Darcy was speechless. He had never been more embarrassed to have been spoken to in such a way before. How she came to believe he was not attracted to her he did not know. Dejectedly he crossed the room to stand against the wall. He followed her about the room with his eyes. While she was not able to accept any man's request for a dance, it did not go unnoticed by him that she was quite popular.
Although there were few men present which forced women to sit out for some sets, when these men were free, they made sure to approach Elizabeth. He watched as she politely declined them all with a warm smile, but he saw that it never reached her fine eyes.
That was until a young man he had met on one of Mr. Bingley's calls approached her with his sister. It was Mr. Lucas and his sister Miss Lucas. They seemed to be quite friendly with Elizabeth as Darcy noticed her face light up as they neared.
All he could do was watch as she accepted the compliments of Mr. Lucas. Not tempted by her, Darcy shook his head in frustration. He was all consumed by her. He nearly walked across to challenge the young man when he saw him put his hand on the small of her back. He whispered something in her ear and made her laugh. That should have been him he thought.
Later he and the rest of Bingley's company returned to Netherfield.
"She's an angel! I have never seen a more beautiful lady in all my life" announced Bingley. Mr. Bingley's sisters shared a knowing look while Mr. Darcy and Mr. Hurst remained silent.
"You made quite the impression Mr. Darcy" Miss Bingley said mockingly.
"Yes, it seems my fortune was the talk of the room" agreed Darcy.
"Well, yes, but that was not what I meant" Darcy shot her a look and she continued "your comment about Miss Elizabeth Bennet has not put you in the most flattering of lights in the eyes of our neighbours" she finished taking a sip of her tea.
"Of what do you speak?" he asked annoyed.
"The slight about her looks that you said to me, Darce" added Bingley. "I would appreciate that in the future you keep your thoughts to yourself so not to ruin my own standing in the area."
"I agree. It seems that the Miss Bennets are known as the jewels of Heartfordshire. Although, I see nothing special in them, except perhaps Miss Jane Bennet" said Mrs. Hurst.
Darcy stood and raked his hand through his hair. "I did not even see her when I said such things. In fact, I find her the most handsome woman of my acquaintance. Will you be calling on them tomorrow Charles? Perhaps I shall join you to make amends."
Ignoring his question to her brother, Caroline asked "the most handsome you say, Mr. Darcy? You must not know many ladies. Please enlighten us on what specifically has caught your attention. The cut on her cheek or her plain dress?"
"Her fine eyes" he said dismissively. "Well, Charles?"
"I will call on them, Darcy, and I am happy for you to join me".
To the great disappointment of the gentleman, the ladies were not in when they arrived. The Bennet sisters along with their mother had gone to Lucas Lodge to call upon their intimate friends. It was absolutely necessary that Mrs. Bennet and Lady Lucas discuss the events of the night before.
"Mr. Bingley certainly paid you quite the compliment last night Charlotte. Choosing you as his first dance partner" remarked Mrs. Bennet.
"He did. But I think he preferred his second choice much better." Charlotte replied.
"Oh, do you think? He did ask Jane to dance a second time as well. Though he also danced with you another time. What was it that I heard him say of Jane? Did you also happen to catch what he said?"
"Do you mean the compliment I overheard him make? Did I not tell you, Mrs. Bennet? He said that she was the most beautiful woman in the room and that he hoped to see more of her in the future." Stated Charlotte.
"Why yes, that was it!"
Elizabeth sighed at her mother's behaviour and gave Charlotte an apologetic look.
"Mr. Bingley's friend Mr. Darcy was not as obliging though was he Mrs. Bennet?" asked Lady Lucas.
"Not at all. Slighting my poor Lizzy like that. Gentleman indeed. I do not care how many houses he has; he is the most disagreeable man I have ever met. How he became friends with an amiable man like Mr. Bingley I will never understand"
"Mr. Darcy is not so well worth listening to, is he?" said Charlotte.
"Less than tolerable I say" said Mr. Lucas with a disapproving tone.
"It would be a misfortune to be liked by him. Lizzy, you were right to decline his offer to dance" Said her mother.
Elizabeth could not help turn red from this conversation. Normally she would have delighted in the ridiculousness of it with her friends. But, this time it truly hurt her vanity and pride. She wished desperately to change the subject.
"I can safely say Mama that I will never dance with Mr. Darcy".
"Mrs. Long told me last night that she sat next to him for nearly half an hour and he never spoke a word to her. He only spoke when she asked him about his opinion on the neighbourhood. And even then he only said a few words and seemed angry to have been spoken to at all" said Lady Lucas.
"Mr. Bingley told me that he is uncomfortable in public. That with those he is well acquainted with he is quite different. Very agreeable." Jane added, looking at Lizzy who was examining the lamp next to her.
Visiting hours soon came to an end and the Bennet family returned home.
"You sly thing" Mrs. Bennet said to her daughter Elizabeth.
"What do you mean, mama?"
"I saw the way Mr. Lucas was looking at you as we discussed Mr. Darcy. And his comment! "Less than tolerable". Well I did notice that last night he paid you particular attention and my suspicions were confirmed today. Oh, how lovely to have two daughters wed and settled so nearby!"
"Mama!"
"Are you to be married, Lizzy?" asked her father.
"Oh Mama. Mr. Lucas and I are only friends. Besides, he is too young to be in a position to ask anyone to marry him"
"Well, my dear, I am happy to hear that young Lucas does not fit your fancy as I believe another gentleman caller will be arriving soon for you" Mr. Bennet said as he quitted to his study.
"Another gentleman caller, Lizzy? Whoever is that?" asked Kitty.
"I have not the slightest idea" said Lizzy.
Some time later the ladies of Longborn were preparing for their evening's activity. That evening all the prominent families of the area were to meet at Lucas Lodge for a party.
Elizabeth knew that Mr. Darcy would likely be among the guests and so she made a special effort in her appearance. Mrs. Bennet was encouraging of this because she still held a firm belief that there was an opportunity for her second daughter to marry Mr. Lucas.
"Wear this evening dress, Lizzy." Demanded her mother. "the emerald green is very becoming on you." Lizzy agreed with her mother and when she tried it on, she found that her figure looked exceptionally well in it. The maid put some pretty ribbon in her hair, and she borrowed a necklace from her older sister with a small emerald charm on it.
"You look beautiful, Lizzy" said Lydia. "Not as well as me but that is difficult to do" she giggled.
"Thank you, Lydia."
The Netherfield party had already arrived by the time the Bennets had entered. Mr. Darcy watched as Elizabeth entered the hall and he was once again struck by her beauty. She looked radiant he thought. He noticed that he was not the only one that thought so as Mr. Lucas smiled and greeted the family with his eyes on Elizabeth. Jealousy and frustration surged through him and he was determined to make amends tonight so that he may be the recipient of her smiles once again.
"Mr. Darcy seems to pay you a lot of attention, Eliza" said Charlotte.
"I cannot imagine why"
"Can you not?"
The man in question came up to them. "Good evening Miss Lucas, Miss Elizabeth."
"Good evening Mr. Darcy" said Charlotte with a look to her friend.
"Miss Elizabeth since we were not able to dance at the assembly I hoped we might be able to tonight. Would do me the honour of dancing the first set with me?"
"I am sorry Mr. Darcy but I am not inclined to dance." Mr. Darcy had had enough. In the last fortnight,they had seen each other at Netherfield one morning and had dined together four times and she managed to avoid him every time. He would not let her spend another evening thinking ill of him. He removed himself to the corner of the room. He was furious as he watched Mr. Lucas speaking with Elizabeth and making her blush. He needed to think of something to put an end to this.
"I can imagine what you are thinking Mr. Darcy" said Caroline behind him.
"I imagine not"
"You are thinking how insupportable it is to be spending another evening with these people"
"You are wrong. I am thinking how lovely Miss Elizabeth looks in her dress"
"Oh, of course, Mr. Darcy. She does look radiant tonight and it seems that we are not her only admirers" teased Caroline.
Mr. Darcy left Caroline and walked directly to the object of his desire.
"Mr. Lucas I am told you will be leaving us shortly" Mr. Darcy said intimidatingly to the much younger gentleman.
"Ah, yes. I will be starting university at Oxford in the new year."
"What are your plans after graduation?"
"I will be working with my uncle at his law office in London"
"Won't that be quite a change for you? Going from being a gentleman to be a tradesman?"
Elizabeth paled at the slight to her friend. Who was this man she thought? How could he be so wonderful when they first met and then behave abominably ever since?
"Perhaps Mr. Lucas" Lizzy interjected placing her hand on his arm to the fury of Mr. Darcy "you could ask Mr. Bingley and his sisters how they feel about being tradespeople and how they felt the change since leaving trade for the country".
Mr. Lucas smiled at his friend and held back a laugh.
"Perhaps I shall ask him now" he said as he excused himself from the company of that awful man.
"Miss Elizabeth I was hoping to speak with you alone tonight."
"I do not think that is possible Mr. Darcy"
"You have been avoiding me these last few weeks"
"I have not been, but if I had there must be a good reason"
Mr. Darcy put his hand on her elbow and when he was sure they were out of sight directed her out of the room into a small sitting room. It was dimly lit as it was meant to be where the women refreshed themselves. He shut the door behind them.
"Mr. Darcy, what if we are caught?" she said with very little conviction behind it. She did not want to admit to him that she was intrigued by his outburst. She made a point to make a move for the door, but he reached out and caught her arm pulling her in close to him. Their faces were only inches apart.
"I do not care what is appropriate anymore". He looked at her captivated by her beauty and thrilled with the intimacy of their situation. "As I said you have been ignoring and avoiding me. I know that you heard what I said at the assembly I have been trying to speak with you about it"
She blushed even more than she had been already.
"It is alright Mr. Darcy, let us not speak of it"
"No. I did not mean it. I had not even looked at you yet." She looked up at him. Her heart was racing in her chest. "I had not looked at you. I only said it because I had not yet seen you and thought that you were not there. That thought coupled with a letter I had only just received from sister put me in a foul mood. Please believe me when I say that ever since that lovely day we met in the woods I have been captivated by your beauty". Elizabeth let out a breath she had not known she was holding.
"Oh" was all she could say. He was now looking longingly at her lips.
Just then the door opened.
"Elizabeth!"
They had been caught!