Chapter 3
Jane had received an invitation from Miss Bingley to join the sisters for supper. Mrs. Bennet had been exultant about both her daughters' receiving attention from the two most wealthy men in the area. "That Mr. Bingley should take a fancy to you, Jane, does not surprise me; but Mr. Darcy's attentions to Lizzy are quite marked! Imagine, introducing her to his sister, and so soon after coming to the neighbourhood!"
"He is only being friendly, Mama," said Elizabeth uneasily, afraid that her mother would get an idea in her head and broadcast it to the neighbourhood. It would definitely scare Mr. Darcy away, if he did have intentions, which she reminded herself that she was sure he did not.
"Nonsense! Lizzy you must simply go with Jane when she goes to Netherfield," continued Mrs. Bennet.
"Mama, that would be completely inappropriate! I have not been invited! Besides, the gentlemen will not be there in any case," exhorted Elizabeth.
"Oh, very well," Mrs. Bennet finally agreed. "But we must send you on horseback, Jane! That way, when it rains, you will be forced to spend the night. Then you will be sure to see Mr. Bingley!"
Elizabeth and Jane both protested, but Mrs. Bennet got her way in the end, and Jane set off on Nelly. As Mrs. Bennet had predicted, it rained, and Jane was forced to spend the night.
However, the next morning, a note came informing them that Jane was ill. Elizabeth was determined to go see her.
"Yes, yes, you must go, Lizzy. Mr. Darcy is sure to be there and you can charm him."
"I have no interest in charming Mr. Darcy," said Elizabeth disingenuously. "I will walk."
"Absolutely not! You will ruin your chances with Mr. Darcy if you arrive with your petticoats six-inches deep in mud! You must take the carriage."
Elizabeth agreed, and was soon on her way to Netherfield.
Mr. Darcy was surprised when he heard that Miss Elizabeth had arrived at Netherfield. They heard a carriage approach, and then Elizabeth was led in, clean and refreshed, her fine eyes shining. He was so busy staring at her beautiful form that he missed the ensuing conversation. Soon she was led out of the room and he realized that he had missed his chance to greet her. She had gone to see Jane.
He waited impatiently for her to come down again. When she did, she looked worried. She declared that Jane was too ill to be moved. Miss Bingley was forced to extend a grudging invitation for her to stay at Netherfield until Jane recovered. Darcy was secretly delighted; and, looking over, he saw that Georgiana was happy too. He was glad to see that his sister was perhaps making a new friend.
Elizabeth was clearly too worried about her sister to pay much attention to anyone else, however, when she returned to the dining room that evening. She had been invited to stay at Netherfield to care for Jane, and a note was sent to bring her clothes over. Mr. Darcy was able to ask her how Miss Bennet was doing, and she replied that Jane was not at all well. Darcy expressed his hope that she would be well soon, and Elizabeth looked grateful for his words. She also appeared grateful for Mr. Bingley's solicitude.
Bingley was clearly as infatuated with Jane as he had been many times before with other ladies, which concerned Darcy. It was obvious Bingley's sisters would not wish for such a match for their brother. Bingley had never been so influenced by his sisters before, but Darcy supposed this would be a test of Bingley's fortitude. If, once he came to know Miss Bennet better, he decided in her favour, he hoped Bingley would not be deterred by his sisters. Miss Bennet was a very genteel and kind lady. Although Darcy had heard that the Bennet sisters had very little in the way of a dowry, and that their father's estate was to be inherited by a distant cousin, that made no difference to Darcy in terms of her or Elizabeth's suitability.
As soon as Elizabeth left the room, Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst began to abuse her.
"I have an excessive regard for Jane Bennet, she is really a very sweet girl, and I wish with all my heart she were well settled. But with such a father and mother, and such low connections, I am afraid there is no chance of it."
"Of course there is a chance of it," Darcy could not help but interject. "If a man loves a woman enough, he will dare anything to have her."
Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst looked at him in shock, and he realized he might have misspoken. There was no need to give them any reason to know he liked Miss Elizabeth. They might turn malicious toward her if they knew. They were already nearly uncivil.
When Elizabeth came down for dinner, Miss Bingley had managed to seat Darcy and Georgiana as far away from Elizabeth as possible at the table. Darcy was disappointed in this, and had to be content in watching her from afar as she supped between Mr. Hurst and Mr. Bingley.
After dinner, Mr. Darcy listened as Miss Bingley praised his library, then moved on to the topic of accomplished ladies. Darcy delighted in hearing Elizabeth turn Miss Bingley's argument on her head and made her contradict herself. Elizabeth was witty and intelligent, which he thought was a very great attribute for a lady, especially one which he might desire for a wife. He added, "To all this she must yet add something more substantial, in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading."
Elizabeth blushed, and he was sure he saw pleasure on her face. Had he succeeded in complimenting her, as he had intended?
The next day, Mrs. Bennet arrived with Miss Mary, and after visiting with Jane for a short time, came downstairs to announce that Jane was too ill to be moved.
"And Lizzy, too, of course, must stay to take care of her. Such a loving sister she is. She would make a good wife for any man," she said.
Darcy at once realized this was for him. Had he been so obvious with his attentions toward Miss Elizabeth? If so, he did not mind. He was finding himself more and more captivated by her. She might just be the lady for him. Now, if only he could persuade her to love him. Could she love him?
After Mrs. Bennet and Miss Mary left, and Elizabeth went back upstairs to take care of Jane, Darcy realized he would not see her again until that evening. He spent the rest of the day trying to distract himself with Bingley, going over the Netherfield books.
When Elizabeth finally came down, she busied herself with some needlework, and Darcy decided to write a letter.
He attempted this for several minutes until he stopped with a spasm of annoyance at Miss Bingley's frequent interruptions. From across the room he met Elizabeth's eyes, and he saw that she was watching them with a glint of amusement. His spirits could not help but lift at that. He decided to finish his letter later and approached Elizabeth.
"I hope, Miss Elizabeth, that your sister is improved?"
She set down her needlework and smiled at him. "She is, thank you very much for asking, sir."
Her smiled was warm, and Darcy felt warm inside at the sight of it.
"I hope you will consent to stay until she is completely well," he continued, daring to look into her eyes to let her see how earnest he was in his regard.
Elizabeth blushed and looked a little confused, but said that they would not wish to be a burden on the household.
"I am sure you could never be a burden, Miss Elizabeth," he said.
Miss Bingley had clearly noticed their têt-a-têt and did not like it, for she called their attention to herself and began to play some Italian airs. Darcy sat beside Elizabeth, knowing he would get no further conversation with her that night.
The next day, Elizabeth decided to get some air while Jane was resting. Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst had spent some hours in the sickroom during the last few days, and Elizabeth was heartily sick of them. The only respite she found was in the company of Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley. She was secretly amused at Miss Bingley's determined pursuit of Mr. Darcy and how obviously exasperated he was by it, although that lady did not seem to realize it. His intentions toward her, Elizabeth, she was not sure of, or if he even had any.
As she entered Netherfield's gardens, she heard Miss Bingley's voice in the distance. "And when you and Miss Eliza get married, I hope you will give your mother-in-law a few hints, as to the advantage of holding her tongue; and if you can compass it, do cure the middle sister of her sermonizing. And, if I may mention so delicate a subject, endeavour to check that little something, bordering on conceit and impertinence, which your lady possesses."
Elizabeth stopped in her tracks. Miss Bingley's tone was snide. She had obviously noticed Mr. Darcy's attentions towards her, if they could be called that, and was lashing out in petty jealousy. But what did Mr. Darcy think of these remarks? Would she hear his true opinion now?
"Miss Bingley, if I were so fortunate to have Miss Elizabeth look upon me with favour, I would on no account take your counsel on how I should conduct myself. It is none of your affair, and I wonder how you could think yourself in a position to give it?"
There was silence and Mr. Darcy continued. "As for Mrs. Bennet and the younger Miss Bennet, do we not all have faults? You certainly do not hear me going about and pointing out yours to all and sundry. Perhaps you should learn a little discretion yourself, Miss Bingley."
Miss Bingley sputtered but clearly did not have a response, for Elizabeth heard the limping footsteps and the rap of his cane as Mr. Darcy approached a moment later. She slipped away before he could find that she had been listening, and returned back upstairs.
She was amazed by what she had heard. Mr. Darcy was truly interested in her? He had said, "If I were so fortunate to have Miss Elizabeth look upon me with favour." Did that mean he had intentions towards her? And if so, what did she think of that?
She knew she liked him very much. In fact, she was perilously close to falling in love with him.
Mr. Darcy had also scolded Miss Bingley for her words against Elizabeth's mother and sister. Lizzy knew that they did not behave properly; they were embarrassing at the best of times; and presumably Mr. Darcy knew that too, yet he still defended them. He was not the lofty or arrogant gentleman she would have expected before he sat with her at the Meryton Assembly. From the start of their acquaintance he had been well-mannered, friendly (despite his shyness), and had shown a keen intelligence without mocking others, such as Miss Bingley did.
Jane was recovered enough to join them in the drawing room that evening. Elizabeth was delighted to see the exquisite attentions Mr. Bingley paid her as he settled her near the fire and made sure she was warm and comfortable. Mr. Darcy too asked Jane how she was feeling, and seemed pleased by her positive response. Elizabeth glanced over at Miss Bingley but that lady seemed to be in a black mood. Elizabeth was not surprised, after what she had overheard before.
Miss Bingley seemed to make it her mission, that evening, to show Elizabeth as the inferior of the two of them in every way. She criticized Elizabeth's accomplishments, her clothes, her looks, her behaviour, her family, her education, her penury, her femininity, even her spiritual condition. Elizabeth wondered if Miss Bingley really thought she was that stupid, that she could not understand all the insinuations Miss Bingley was making. Elizabeth could see Darcy's and Georgiana's countenances growing darker and darker as the evening passed and Charles did nothing to stop his sister. Indeed, Charles seemed so enthralled by Jane that he paid no attention to Miss Bingley whatsoever. Elizabeth was growing angrier and angrier, but determined not to play into Miss Bingley's hands as she made light and sardonic remarks in response that went right over her persecutor's head.
This evening made Elizabeth all the more determined to go home to Longbourn the next day, as much as she enjoyed Mr. Darcy's company. She wondered whether, if Mr. Bingley and Jane did turn out to fall in love, whether Jane could ever be happy with such a harpy for a sister-in-law. Would Mr. Bingley protect Jane from Caroline if they did get married?
She therefore sent a note the next morning to Mrs. Bennet, asking that the carriage be readied. When this was denied, she and Jane deferred to the Bingleys to request whether they could borrow their carriage. Mr. Bingley did not want to see them go, but finally acceded that, if Miss Bennet was well enough, they could go the next day.
Elizabeth spent most of the day avoiding Miss Bingley, mostly hiding with Jane in her bedroom. On one occasion she decided to stretch her legs and look for something new to read, so she went downstairs to the library.
She found it empty, and, picking out a volume of Shakespeare, resolved to spend a happy hour with the Bard.
Only ten minutes had passed, however, when the door opened, and Elizabeth saw Darcy at the entrance. She was relieved at once. She had thought maybe it would be Miss Bingley.
"Miss Elizabeth," Mr. Darcy said, "forgive me for disturbing you."
"It is no trouble, Mr. Darcy," she said with a smile. "Please, you must not think I have appropriated the library for myself. You must enjoy its bounty as well." Her eyes twinkled.
"Bounty indeed," Darcy scoffed. "This is the most pitiful collection of books I have ever seen."
Elizabeth laughed. "Indeed it is," she agreed. "But I at least found a volume of Shakespeare."
But to her surprise, Darcy did not select a book. Instead, he sat across from her, looking at her seriously. "Miss Elizabeth, I would like to apologize for Miss Bingley's behaviour last evening. It was execrable and an abominable way to treat a guest."
Elizabeth felt uncomfortable at these words. "It is not your fault, Mr. Darcy."
"Oh, but I think it is. Nevertheless, I could say nothing to her last night because I am not in a position of authority over her. That is Bingley's place." His face turned dark again.
Elizabeth nodded. It was Bingley's place, and that he done nothing to stop his sister was concerning to Elizabeth.
"Once again, you must not blame yourself, Mr. Darcy. Tomorrow we shall be going home, and then we shall only ever have to see Miss Bingley in company."
Darcy opened his mouth to speak, then closed it. Then he opened it again. "Miss Elizabeth…" he began haltingly. "I have greatly enjoyed your company since arriving in Hertfordshire."
"I have enjoyed yours as well, Mr. Darcy."
He looked relieved. Was he really so unsure of himself?
"I know Georgiana has enjoyed your company as well. I hope we may see more of you during the winter?"
"Of course, Mr. Darcy," said Elizabeth, secretly delighted. This handsome, intelligent, honourable man was interested in her! The question was, if he proposed, could she accept? It was a thought that often troubled her the last few years. She could not be a proper wife to any respectable man.
"Thank you, Miss Elizabeth." He took her hand, and to her surprise, placed a soft kiss on it. Her skin tingled where his lips had been, an altogether pleasant sensation. But she was suddenly discomfited.
"I should go back to Jane," she said, picking up her book and retreating.
"Very well. Enjoy your book, Miss Elizabeth."
"Thank you, Mr. Darcy."