Chapter 3
Letter delivered and Jane panics
…
Jane looked on as if everything had slowed down. This was not happening. She was supposed to deliver her letter, and that was to be it. She was not prepared to meet him.
Mr. Darcy was about to enter his coach when in his peripheral vision, he noticed another carriage standing at the curb. He looked in that direction, vaguely registered that there was a lady standing there as he stepped up the stairs. There was something familiar about her. After a second or two, he stepped back. He looked in her direction again. Then, recognition dawned on him: his eyes grew big, his eyebrows shot up, and he straightened even more with his head raised. In the next second, he seemed to be lost – he shook his head as if not believing his eyes. He glanced around looking for someone. Jane understood and shook her head slightly. Mr. Darcy noticed her movement and sighed deeply as an answer. He did not even realise that he had not been breathing. She knows, he thought. His cheeks and ears blushed.
'Miss Bennet!' Mr. Darcy stepped toward Jane. He seemed hesitant at first, but inwardly his heart drummed. Jane curtsied elegantly. 'Miss Bennet,' said Mr. Darcy more calmly. Jane looked up and looked into his eyes. Time, again, slowed down. He had greyish-blue eyes. They were searching her own and wanted reassurance or answers. From her. Suddenly, Jane relaxed. Her eyes drank in his person. She forgot what a prime specimen this man was. Shaking off her distraction, she resolved to give him the answers he needed.
'Mr. Darcy.' Jane finally spoke. She cleared her throat, 'You are probably wondering why I am here.'
'Yes.' Again, he looked around. 'Are you… are you alone, Miss Bennet?' He did not know what to make of Miss Bennet's appearance at his house. He had a sinking feeling that it was not an accident that it had to do with Eli… Miss Elizabeth. 'Are you lost?' Uh, what a stupid question, of course, she is not lost. He felt like he was a character in a dream, but at the same time, its bystander viewer. He could not control what was happening, what came out of his mouth.
'Yes, well, I know this is highly improper, and I have no place disturbing your peace, but I felt I needed to come. I mean not to meet you, but…' She looked aside embarrassed.
'But what, Miss Bennet?'
Jane looked back at him. This was it; this was why she came. Could she give him her letter? Once it is done, it cannot be undone. She needed to be brave. It could help him in a small way. She looked around and finally said, 'I brought you a letter.'
Mr. Darcy sucked in a breath, but after that, there was hope in his eyes. She felt like the worst person ever. She had to crush his delicate hope. 'No, it is not from Lizzy. She does not even know I have come here.' She straightened, 'It is from me, Mr. Darcy.'
Somewhat deflated, Mr. Darcy wondered, 'From you? She does not know?'
'Yes. Yes and no. No, she does not know.'
'I see.' Well, he did not see. After deliberating he suggested, 'In that case, please come inside, Miss Bennet. You could wait… you could wait with Georgiana while I read the letter.'
'Uh, that is not necessary. It would not be proper anyway.'
'It would be proper with Mrs. Annesley present. She is my sister's companion. I insist.' Mr. Darcy gestured toward his door.
Mr. Darcy was intrigued.
Jane, on the other hand, panicked. 'Why do I not just give you the letter? We really do not need to discuss it,' she mumbled, 'I was just going to leave it with your butler.'
'But now I am here, and you would not let me be impolite and not invite you in? After all, you have come a long way.' Mr. Darcy was very convincing. 'Let me introduce you to my sister. She is very unassuming; you may talk about music and have tea. I shall read the letter. If there is anything there to discuss, we shall find a way. I shall make sure you get home safely. May I have it?'
'Oh, I do not know,' she wavered.
'You do not want me to read the letter?'
'Pardon? Uh, I am sorry, of course. I do not want to impose.' She opened her reticule and took out the folded letter. She stepped closer and discretely offered it to Mr. Darcy.
'Your presence here is not an imposition, Miss Bennet. Now that I think of it, I am very interested in your letter. Come in. I will not take no for an answer,' he smiled. In the meanwhile, he put the letter in his breast pocket.
Jane admitted defeat.
Mr. Darcy seeing this, nodded and left her side to pay her driver. 'The lady does not need you to wait for her,' he addressed the driver. 'I will see to her transportation home. Thank you for your services.' He gave a few coins to the man.
'Shall we?' Mr. Darcy offered his arm to Jane. She took a big breath and accepted his arm.
...
Once through the intimidating door, Jane paused and was amazed. They had entered a beautifully understated hall. She looked around and took in what she saw: from floor to ceiling everything was to be admired. The precise craftsmanship of the mosaic floor, the small alcoves with their ornate vases, the intricate wood panelling that was simply wondrous for Jane. As he watched Jane's reactions, Darcy thought, I hurt this beautiful, unassuming lady. Most ladies would pretend that what they saw in his townhouse was everything normal, everything they were used to. One does not often saw a genuine reaction. Miss Bennet was just as rare as her sister. I will put it right if I am not too late. I cannot have her pining.
'Your home, Sir, is truly remarkable,' Jane said still looking around.
'Thank you.'
Three servants appeared, suddenly and took their outerwear. Mr. Darcy gave instructions for refreshments, to one of them. He turned to Jane, 'Let me take you to the music room. That is where my sister will be.' He showed her the way upstairs.
...
'Georgiana, may I disturb you?' Mr. Darcy opened the door to the music room. Inside was a lovely girl of about sixteen with an older lady next to her. So, this is Georgiana, Jane thought. She is too young to be courting anyone, let alone Mr. Bingley. Mr. Darcy's voice interrupted her musing, 'I would like to introduce you to Miss Bennet. She had heard a lot about you and came to call to make your acquaintance. If you remember, I wrote to you about having met her when I visited Bingley in Hertfordshire last year. Miss Bennet has been staying with her aunt and uncle.' Jane was a little taken aback by Mr. Darcy's white lie, but then let it go. What other explanation could he give her? Miss Darcy stood up and demurely curtsied. Jane did the same.
'Miss Darcy, I am sorry to intrude unannounced, but I am soon to return home to our estate and indeed wished to make your acquaintance.'
'No, that is, you are very welcome. My brother told me about his stay and how much he enjoyed the neighbourhood.' Jane took a questioning look at Mr. Darcy. He showed a half-smile and chagrined.
'I did have a nice time,' he insisted half-heartedly with mock indignation.
'Jane giggled, 'If you say so, Mr. Darcy.' Mr. Darcy was amazed. Did she just challenge him?
He added, 'The shooting and the fishing were magnificent.' At this, Jane and Mr. Darcy smiled at each other.
Georgiana did not understand the interplay between Mr. Darcy and Miss Bennet, but she felt that this was a rare occurrence. Her brother did not banter with ladies. Is this lady special? My brother never brings home ladies to introduce them to me…
Mr. Darcy cleared his throat and introduced Mrs. Annesley as Miss Darcy's companion.
'Miss Darcy, am I right in thinking that you are not yet out?' Georgiana nodded. 'I ask because experiencing London then must not be as exciting as if you were going from ball to ball,' Jane explained.
'You are right, Miss Bennet. For the time being, I am thankful that I am not out. I am busy enough with my music and the masters.' As an afterthought, she said to no one in particular, 'I do not know if I will ever be ready.'
'You just probably need time. There is no rush. You are lucky, Miss Darcy. I was out when I was fifteen!'
'How… how is that possible?'
'Well, for one, it is not so strict in the countryside. Everyone knows each other. I was not much of a debutante: my mother declared me out at the village assembly after my 15th birthday. No fanfare. No special ball. No curtsying in front of the Queen… I am afraid, my mother has a lot on her plate that consumes her energies. She has five daughters to get married.'
'Oh, if only I could have a coming out like that! I really do not like all the attention I will receive. My aunt, Lady Matlock, has been talking about all that needs to be done. It is overwhelming! She already started to put together the guestlist for my ball even if it is at least two years in the future. Yes, brother, she showed it to me not long ago, saying one can never start too early.' Georgiana had just realised that she spoke more to a stranger than ever before. She really enjoyed talking to this Miss Bennet.
'You said you have four sisters, Miss Bennet. What is that like?'
Jane laughed, 'Well, I guess… different, from your perspective… and with a brother like Mr. Darcy…'
'Excuse me, what is wrong with me?' mocked Mr. Darcy. Smiling, he said, 'I know when I am not wanted. If you will excuse me, I have a letter to read. I will be back afterwards.' He theatrically bowed, 'Ladies,' and left the room.
Even Georgiana understood this banter and laughed with Jane at her brother's antics.
Georgiana looked at Jane and marvelled, 'This is your doing, Miss Bennet. My brother has not been himself since he returned from Hunsford. Look at him now – he is actually smiling!' Jane smiled too. He has been suffering. I hope the letter offers him closure.
'So, you wanted to hear what it was like to have four sisters?'…
...
Darcy, with a grin on his face, descended the stairs heading for his study. What just happened, he wondered. He had never seen Miss Bennet act this free. She had always smiled; he even commented on it, but he had not seen her without self-imposed regulation. It was refreshing. It was almost as if she had taken off her serene mask, he mused. He hastened his steps; all of a sudden, he was very curious about the letter in his breast pocket. He closed his door, not wanting to be disturbed. His staff knew well not to interrupt him when he closed the door to his study. He stood at his desk unsure of what to do next. He sat down near the fire in his favourite armchair and took the letter from his pocket.
First, he perused the letter. It was quite long. Miss Bennet had lovely handwriting, he mused.
He started to read.
...
I thank Circa1910 for her great help in making my story flow smoothly.