Chapter 15 ~Visiting Friends

10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. 11 For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. (James 2:10-13, ESV)

Elizabeth soon heard from Charlotte; and their correspondence was as regular and frequent as it had ever been; that it should be equally unreserved was impossible – all the comfort of intimacy was over. Their friendship continued for the sake of what had been rather than what was.

In London Jane's correspondent was less reliable and when two letters went unanswered she ventured to call in Grosvenor Street. The ladies looked pleased and surprised to see her but the visit could not last long, as Caroline and Mrs. Hurst were going out. They promised to return the call but after staying at home a week in anticipation of it she received instead a most unexpected visitor. Mrs. Gardiner was very curious to see Mr. Darcy's son and tried to trace a resemblance to his father. She fancied there was something familiar in his bearing and he was a very charming young man. He greeted them both with perfect civility.

"I was very pleased when Bingley and I dined in Grosvenor Street to learn that you are in town! Did none of your sisters join you?"

Jane supposed he had hoped to see Lizzy, she thought he had looked disappointed to discover that she wasn't in town. His visit was brief and the conversation continued on in the usual way for the few minutes that he remained.

Yet another week passed before Miss Bingley and her sister returned the call. They made it clear that their every profession of regard was insincere and Jane grieved that she could no longer think of them as friends. This realization further depressed her spirits and they were very low when several days later Mr. Darcy called again. As amazed as she was to receive his first call, his second was even more surprising. He stayed a little longer this time and engaged Mrs. Gardiner in some conversation about Derbyshire. To her aunt he had made himself so agreeable that she mentioned the visit to Mr. Gardiner. Jane, however, had not been cheered by Mr. Darcy's charm. He had hinted that his friend knew she was in town and did not choose to accompany him. Mr. Bingley would not call – all hope of that was useless and she must make herself comfortable with that knowledge. When Mr. Darcy came again the following week he was invited to join them for dinner and so he came.

During his visits he did not pay Jane any special attention but he would very casually and subtly allow some physical contact that she readily excused as accidental but when after dinner he leaned forward as if engaging her uncle in conversation he angled his body until his knee touched her own. With the arm of the settee on one side and the tea table in front of her she could not escape his touch unless he moved. His conversation was so animated that her aunt and uncle did not notice her predicament. He gave no indication that he was aware of it himself and his easy friendly conversation made it seem unlikely. He did not even look her way. After half a minute she joined the conversation thinking he must notice her then but although he answered her with easy grace his only move was to extend his leg further trapping her. A minute more had passed and he stood to take his leave, putting it out of her power to be the one to withdraw. This made her uncomfortable and she began to think perhaps he may have known what he was about. She shook her head, gentlemen do not do such things.

March had come and brought with it a short visit from Elizabeth. Sir William and Maria, now Miss Lucas, brought her and stayed one night before they all continued on to Kent. Hopes of meeting Lady Catherine and of glimpsing the grandeur of Rosings were topics frequently canvassed and after repeating the same polite encouragements a third time Mrs. Gardiner decided to give the conversation a turn by informing their guests that the noble lady's nephew had called on them.

"We found him very agreeable indeed. He was most kind and has come for two or three visits. He even condescended to dine with us once."

Elizabeth was very much surprised at the number of his calls. It was in a private talk with Jane that she learned more. Jane did not immediately defend him.

"I thought he wished to hear of you at first, I wrote to you after the first call. During the third visit he made me doubt him and I did not wish to pain you. There were times I did not know what to think."

"Oh Jane!"

"I would not wish to be hasty to think ill of him"

"If he comes again, you need only receive him with cool civility and he will soon move on to the ladies who are willing to smile on him."

Jane agreed and promised to speak to her aunt.

With no great news to share, Elizabeth recounted with spirit all the ordinary happenings within the family, she descibed the walks to Meryton, sometimes dirty and sometimes cold, and bits of more interesting gossip that they had already written and read throughout January and February.

"Mr. Wickham I has been a more frequent visitor than he was previously, I think."

"No, Jane, no he comes only on Wednesdays as before and remains for the evening."

"He remains every wednesday?"

"Yes, unless we have an engagement, did not he always?"

"I do not believe so."

The look on Jane's face prompted Elizabeth to reply, "He spends the chief of the day with Papa. I join them for an hour or two when there is a book father wishes to discuss. He returns to the parsonage soon after tea. I am sure he enjoys Mamas good dinners and it is kind to give Mr. and Mrs. Mason some time without their border."

Jane answered very carefully, "Do you not think he may have another motive Lizzy? I think it is good that you are going to Hunsford; being a parson's wife must be very different from being a gentleman's daughter and Mr. Wickham hasn't even a living."

"Our aunt already warned me about the imprudence of such a match. He is clever and much handsomer than I at first took the trouble to notice but he always sits across the room from me, never beside me. There is no sign that he is even attempting to court me."

Elizabeth knew this was a lie but it was a lie she was telling herself even as she recognized that his warm, steady gaze lingered on her more often than it should.

"And what of you, dearest?"

"He is undoubtedly the cleverest and kindest man I know. If circumstances were different I might be in danger of becoming attached. But they are not different. I admire him, nothing more I promise you, and we will now be seperated for several weeks which will prove how comfortable I am."

They went to the theater that night and Elizabeth travelled with Sir William to Hunsford the next day.

It was not a week later when Mr. Darcy called again in Gracechurch Street, earlier in the day than he had ever called before. Her aunt was from home and at first they spoke very gently of general matters putting Jane at ease. She had taken the precaution of sitting in a chair positioned where he could not easily reach her. Just as she felt comfortable that the visit would be unremarkable, he made mention of his friend and shaking his head he accused him of careless behavior. Jane felt she must defend Mr. Bingley.

"Mr. Darcy, pray, do not say such things. Mr. Bingley is a very amiable gentleman and does not deserve your censure. I have nothing to reproach him with – "

Embarrassed, her fingers extended in her lap to release the suppressed emotions she dared not expose. Her eyes dropped to examine them, hoping her guest would not notice the blush that spread from her chest to her cheeks. Mr. Darcy, however, did notice it. Vulnerability enhanced her delicate beauty, only increasing her value to him. He interrupted her to take advantage of the moment.

"Is it possible – I dared not hope that your heart was untouched. Could some other man win your affections. I would do my poor best to – "

He moved to approach her but she stood and rang for a servant.

"Thank you very much for your call Mr. Darcy. It is most unfortunate that you cannot stay. Thank you Becky for coming so promptly. Will you see that Sam brings round Mr. Darcy's horse? I heard some disturbance in the nursery and may be needed, pray excuse me, sir, for not waiting until your departure." And away she flew up the stairs and out of his reach as he stood smirking stupidly after her until his horse was brought round.

He sent flowers the next morning with a note and an apology for giving the wrong impression: It is only that I care so much, as a brother might, for your happiness. I did not have an opportunity to ask if you wished me to carry a letter to Hunsford for I travel there even as this token arrives. I will tell her that I found you in good health. I hope when next you hear from the dearest creature in the world she will have happy news – but I presume too much. F.D.

Jane wrote immediately to her sister but the post was much slower than Mr. Darcy's chaise and four.

In Hertfordshire Mr. Wickham was dissatisfied after Miss Elizabeth travelled to Kent and when on Wednesday he discovered it was all the worse to find himself in her home but devoid of her presence he requested permission from Mr. Brown to be absent on Sunday. The young man decided to look into his investments and, if he had been as successful as he expected, he would invest more of his profits. He wished to be a man who could be an acceptable husband for a gentlewoman and he had now realized that he was not likely to be satisfied with anyone other than Elizabeth Bennet. For that to be a possibility he would require something like a fortune.