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Today, Darcy and the Bennets finally meet again.
Who knew Miss Bingley was capable of such entertaining and malicious yet insightful commentary! The Colonel pulled some more of the mail towards himself, shamelessly indulging himself in other people's affairs.
The next morning found the Netherfield party - or at least parts thereof, waiting for the carriage to be brought around. All of them were anxious for different reasons.
Mr Bingley, as everyone knew, was looking forward to seeing Miss Bennet. Colonel Fitzwilliam had made it clear that he very much wanted to meet the Bennet ladies. And Darcy himself... well.
Darcy was anxious because it would be the first time he would meet Mrs Bennet and Miss Elizabeth again after the incident, and also the first time in a very long while that he consciously wanted to make himself agreeable. He was alarmed at how utterly unsettled he felt at that prospect. Had he really become such a bore that he took people's good opinion for granted, that he felt almost afraid of having to work for it? He realised that he owed the Bennet ladies his deepest gratitude.
Darcy's nerves had not settled when they pulled up in front of Longbourn.
They increased when they knocked at the front door.
He almost ran when they were announced in the parlour.
He felt paralyzed when he laid eyes on Miss Elizabeth.
A discreet elbow jab from his cousin startled Darcy out of his unresponsive state however. "Would you please introduce me to the ladies, cousin?" Colonel Fitzwilliam asked. Bingley, Darcy noted offhandedly, was already sitting next to Miss Bennet.
Still a bit dazed, Darcy cleared his throat. "Of course." He was glad he managed very polite introductions at least.
With surprise he noticed that not only the Bennet ladies were present, but also Mr Bennet. This seemed quite unusual to him. But that was of no importance now. He needed to focus, for he had apologies to make. Glad he had prepared his words carefully during the last week, he took a deep breath and bowed to the room at large.
"Mr Bennet, Mrs Bennet, Misses Bennet," he started hesitantly. Then, looking up at Mrs Bennet, he continued more firmly. "I would like to apologise to you all for my behaviour during my visit here in Hertfordshire. I am afraid I cannot cite adequate reasons, only weak excuses. In truth, I had not even realised how far my manners had deteriorated and I have you, Mrs Bennet, to thank for making me recognise this. Please accept both my apologies and my thanks."
A silence met the gentleman's words, as the Bennets collectively stared at him. Darcy fidgeted at their scrutiny. He could not discern their expressions at all, particularly Miss Elizabeth's. Neither the younger girls' wide eyes nor Mr Bennet's half-smirk let him make any guesses regarding his reception. Only Mrs Bennet was starting to look rather excited. Darcy suddenly became aware of his sweaty palms and he tried to rub them discreetly. He pushed through his discomfiture however, and turned to Miss Elizabeth before he lost his nerve or anybody could interrupt him.
"Miss Elizabeth. I have to apologise to you in particular. Nothing could possibly excuse my rude words at the Meryton assembly. They were neither gentlemanly nor true for I find you to be one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance." Darcy's throat suddenly felt very dry and he suppressed the urge to swallow. "I am utterly ashamed of myself. Please forgive my cruel words." Mr Darcy finished his speech with another bow and found himself holding his breath.
He did not need to wait long for a reaction. Almost as soon as the last syllable had left his mouth, Mrs Bennet exclaimed giddily. "Of course she forgives you Mr Darcy! Don't you Lizzy? One of the handsomest women of his acquaintance, did you her that? You need not worry yourself, Sir, it is all forgiven!" In the background, Darcy noticed that the the two youngest Bennets started to whisper and giggle, interrupted by sly glances at him. Richard, he noticed, also seemed barely able to suppress his mirth. He could not pay them any attention though.
As Mrs Bennet rambled on, Darcy caught Miss Elizabeth's eyes. She glanced at her mother sideways and her lips twitched in amusement. "As you can hear, Mr Darcy", she said with a quirk of her brow, "you are indeed forgiven. Our own behaviour was little better after all."
Darcy felt a huge weight lift from his soul and a heartfelt smile crept onto his face. "I for one believe my own indiscretions were much worse. Thank you for your forgiveness."
At that moment, they all startled as Miss Lydia squealed. Then she and Miss Catherine erupted into giggles. Everybody but Darcy turned and stared. He could not find it in him to look away from Miss Elizabeth's flushing face.
Mrs Bennet hushed her daughters quickly though and said "Now, with so many strapping young callers, why don't you go out for a stroll and enjoy the autumn sun? I will have refreshments brought out on the front patch for when you return. Lydia, Kitty, I'm sure the dear Colonel has many exciting stories to tell!"
As Mrs Bennet ushered them all out, Darcy noticed Miss Lydia plucking on Miss Elizabeth's sleeve. "He is terribly handsome when he smiles, isn't he?" The younger girl grinned cheekily and skipped ahead, leaving her older sister behind. Miss Elizabeth did not move, face flushing beet red.
A warm, uncharacteristically giddy feeling settled in Darcy's stomach and broad smile settled on his face, refusing to leave.
In the parlour, Mrs Bennet too could not keep in her giddiness. "Oh Thomas!" she exclaimed! "Who would have thought that Mr Darcy would admire our Lizzy! Two daughters soon to be married, and to such rich and handsome men! I shall go distracted!"
Mr Bennet had not moved during the call and was still sitting there quietly, sporting an uncharacteristically serious mien. At his wife's exclamations, he patted her hand distractedly. "Now, now Fanny. Let's not get shad of ourselves. It may all come to nothing yet." A melancholy air settled over him as he mumbled "We can hope so at least..."
Later that evening, Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam were playing backgammon while Darcy was occupied writing a letter to his sister and Caroline was distracted by complementing him.
Offhandedly, Bingley noted "Who knew Darcy could make such a pretty speech! I did not think it he had it in him. He really must be taken with Miss Elizabeth."
In response, the Colonel snorted. "You should have seen the first draft of that speech. We can all be glad I was there to help or today would not have been such an enjoyable experience."
Bingley paused, raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "No, indeed. I can imagine how badly he may have put his foot in his mouth. Miss Elizabeth would have ripped him apart. She can certainly be vicious when provoked. And we would have had to pick up the pieces now." He clucked his tongue contemplatively. "No indeed. I prefer this outcome."
In silent camaraderie, the two men raised their glasses to each other.