The horizon was framed by dark and heavy clouds, and the sound of the rain was relentless during the subsequent days. The guests at Brawnstead were quite disappointed by this change in the weather, as of course, the purpose of a house party in May was to be out of doors. To pass the time and find entertainment, they found ways to amuse themselves through parlour games, cards, books, music, and dancing. The gentlemen even occasionally took to the ballroom to practise fencing and boxing, as such activity provided great diversion both for participants and spectators.
One gentleman who had little interest in such sport was Mr. Finemason. He spent the hours that the other gentlemen practised their fighting prowess in the library or music room with the ladies. He was very taken with Miss Bennet, a gentlewoman in all that entailed but not brought up too high that she would not consider him due to his ties to trade. Mr. Darcy noticed this growing mutual interest between Miss Bennet and Mr. Finemason, but could do nothing about it. Lady Shillingford and Lady Melbridge were firm in their orders that he ought to give Miss Bennet a while to forget some of her affront. Besides that, Darcy still had not decided if he ought to pursue Miss Bennet or not.
He had spoken several times with his aunt, Lady Shillingford, and Lord Barlow. Each considered Miss Bennet quite perfect for him, even if her family was less than perfect. He was not sure if he could rely on their judgement as none of them had actually interacted with the people in question, leaving him feeling uncertain. Therefore, he sought out Colonel Fitzwilliam.
"Hertfordshire and Derbyshire are quite distant from each other," was the colonel's answer.
"I am aware, but Meryton is also rather close to London."
"It is. Still, when did you begin to care what the ton thought of your choices? To my recollection, you have attended maybe a dozen balls in London in the last three years, most of which were thrown by my mother."
"You think I should marry Miss Bennet, then?" asked Darcy.
"I think you should do as you will, without regard for what the ton thinks."
Darcy could not but agree with his cousin, but Miss Bennet was still avoiding him. He was at a loss to know how to proceed with a courtship when the other party refused to even speak to him.
In an attempt to remedy this, Darcy proposed that the party have music and dancing one evening after supper. Several who knew Darcy well found this request suspicious. His aunt, in particular, watched him carefully.
Miss Bennet was more astute than Darcy had given her credit for, taking a seat at the pianoforte so he could not ask her to dance. Having proposed dancing, he was unable to turn Miss Bennet's pages and so asked his sister if she wished to join him in a dance. Miss Bennet was determined to keep playing the pianoforte, going through multiple songs while the other guests danced. After some time had passed, Georgiana began to tire of dancing and so she offered to switch places with Miss Bennet. Given that Darcy had been dancing with his sister, it would be expected for him to request to dance with Miss Bennet when Georgiana took her place. Mr. Darcy was elated when Miss Bennet accepted.
"I find myself once again in the position of having to apologise for a foolish comment I made that was overheard," said Mr. Darcy when the music began.
"I have no notion as to your meaning," answered Miss Bennet.
"You know very well what I mean. I was told that you overheard my conversation with my cousin."
Elizabeth sighed and admitted she had.
"It was most ungentlemanly of me to speak so. Pray, rest assured, both Lady Melbridge and Lady Shillingford have lectured me many times over the last several days and I am duly chastised. I apologise, Miss Bennet, and I do not know how you can forgive me for speaking so freely and meanly of your relations."
Elizabeth did not respond at first, watching the couple whose turn it was to dance while she thought of what to say.
"I had thought you my friend," said Elizabeth. "And then to hear my family spoke of in such a way. I will say nothing of the reason you said such things, for I never had any notion of that. Yet should not have the bonds of simple friendship kept you from speaking so?"
"You are correct, Miss Bennet," said Darcy. "Regardless of any other sentiments, we were, and I hope still are, friends. I should have not said such things."
"Very well," said Elizabeth, "I suppose that I shall forgive you. It is becoming quite tedious avoiding you while sharing a house. You spend far too much time in the library for this rift to be able to continue much longer."
Darcy laughed and by the time they made it to the head of the line for their turn to dance, they were speaking of books. Darcy jestingly reminded Elizabeth that she had claimed she was unable to talk of books in a ballroom, but Elizabeth replied that this was not a proper ball, merely music in the evening.
Lady Melbridge had been called away for a matter regarding the supper, and thus was unaware that Darcy and Miss Bennet had reconciled. Had she known as much, she might have altered her plan for the following morning, but perhaps she would not. Lady Shillingford knew of the rapprochement between Darcy and Miss Bennet, but she saw no need to alter their plans based on that circumstance. If the two kept going as they were, Miss Bennet would end up betrothed to Mr. Finemason and Darcy would be maudlin and alone for the rest of his days.
Thus, a little after teatime, Lady Shillingford invited Miss Bennet to come above-stairs with her to speak in the small library. It was generally considered to be the family library, as it was located in the family wing of the house. It had not the selection of the main library and most of the books were personal copies belonging to members of the Fitzwilliam family. Therefore, once the servants were done cleaning the rooms in the morning and ordered to see to duties elsewhere, no one would be about that area of the house. She was assured of perfect privacy for their discussion.
They entered and found the library empty. Elizabeth began to tell her ladyship all that occurred the previous evening and that she and Darcy were no longer at odds, but Lady Shillingford shushed her. Elizabeth was perplexed by the countess's unusual behaviour, but she assumed it was something that was tolerated due to the elderly woman's advanced years. Selecting a book, Elizabeth found a comfortable spot to sit and begin reading.
A moment later, Mr. Darcy and Lady Melbridge entered. The former was surprised to see the room occupied, while the latter seemed pleased to see Elizabeth and Lady Shillingford.
"Lady Melbridge," said Lady Shillingford, "I wondered if the book you were telling me about was in this library or the main?"
"I believe it is in my chambers, actually," said Lady Melbridge. "I can fetch it for you."
Lady Melbridge stood and exited the room.
"Oh, goodness. I just realised that we discussed two different books. I must go tell your aunt that it is Sophia that I wish to read," said Lady Shillingford.
Lady Shillingford left the room as quickly as a lady of her age could, locking the door behind her. At the same time, from the opposite door, they heard the other lock turn as well.
"I believe we have just been locked in," said Elizabeth.
"I believe you are correct," agreed Darcy.