Chapter 7
"I am sorry, sir, you look like a friend, and I got confused. But now that I see you better, I know you cannot be him," Elizabeth explained with a trembling voice. She was bewildered, and she did not understand what was happening. She wanted to leave that room as soon as possible to calm down and think better. "Dear Charles, can I go see Jane?"
"Of course, Lizzy, let me walk you to her room. I also want to see how Jane is. Yesterday, I was away from home practically the whole day, and I do not want her to feel lonely," replied Mr. Bingley. He saw Elizabeth's nervousness because of the contemptuous manner his friend had responded to her, and he wanted to make her feel better.
"It is not necessary, Charles. Remember that I know the house well. Please continue to attend to your guest, and do not worry; I shall take care of Jane for now." Elizabeth curtsied and left as fast as she could the drawing-room. Then, she ran up the stairs until she reached Jane's bedroom door. There, she stopped, and tears began to roll down her cheeks without being able to control her sadness. What was happening? Why was William pretending to be another man? Why was he playing with her feelings in that cruel manner?
After calming down a bit and wiping away her tears, she decided that she would not jump to conclusions and that maybe later, she would have a chance to clear everything up with him. At that time, the important thing was to make sure Jane was well. Unfortunately, when she entered her sister's room, she realized she had a high fever. Seeing that she was alone in her room while her sisters-in-law socialized with their brother's guest hurt her.
"Lizzy, how nice to see you, dear sister," Jane said, unable to control her coughing.
"Do not get agitated, Jane. It would help if you rest so that you can recover quickly," Elizabeth said. She immediately brought fresh water and helped Jane change her nightgown and freshen up. After that, to put her mind on something else, she began to tell Jane about the news.
"Charlotte is in confinement, counting the days to receive her child. Also, Aunt Agatha and Uncle Archibald are very well, and my friend Sylvie has just opened a new store on one of the most exclusive streets in London. She is very talented, Jane; I know she will do very well."
"I do not doubt it, Lizzy. All the dresses she made for you are wonderful," Jane replied. She was thankful that her sister was there because she knew that none of her sisters-in-law were interested in spending the day taking care of an ill person. Also, she did not want her husband to neglect his friend, who had arrived the day before. She knew how important that man was to her dear Charles. "Lizzy, have you met Mr. Darcy? He is Charles's best friend."
Elizabeth immediately got a little flustered, but she tried to hide it as best she could; however, Jane noticed something different about her sister. "Yes, Charles introduced us, and I came here; I did not have time to talk to him. Do you know for how long has Charles known this gentleman?"
Elizabeth wanted to find out as much as she could without alerting Jane. She already had enough to tolerate her two harpies' sisters-in-law, so she did not want Jane to worry about her.
"They met at Cambridge over five years ago. Charles told me he was one of the few gentlemen who had taken an interest in knowing him better without wanting to take advantage of him," Jane explained. "That is why I really want to meet him, and I do not want Charles to be locked up here and not be able to be a good host. He told me they stop by his friend's home whenever they travel north. He is an excellent host and goes out of his way to make them feel comfortable and not lack anything. Lizzy, Mr. Darcy has one of the largest and most prosperous estates in the North and an annual income of ten thousand a year. However, Charles says he is certain it must be more than double that. He is one of the richest men in England, practically owning half of Derbyshire and also the grandson of an Earl."
As Jane gave her more details about Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth felt her legs trembling, and to prevent that information from making her feel more overwhelmed than she was, she began to put some things in order and walked around her sister's room. "Lizzy, please do not be working; you did not come to clean my room. I shall ask a maid to clean and organize it later."
"You know how I am, Jane; I have difficulty sitting and doing nothing," Elizabeth explained.
"Then why do you not read a bit to me? The book you lent me is fascinating," Jane replied.
Elizabeth sat on the bed beside her sister and read for twenty minutes until she fell asleep. She stood wondering and wondering who this man was, and she only had two possible answers to her dilemma. For some strange reason, that man was identical to William, or he was William and was a scoundrel who pretended to be someone who was not for who knows what dark purposes. Whatever the case, she had to be strong in both scenarios and prepare herself to forget him and the illusion of her first love.
Her life was paused for the last six months as she waited and hoped that William would finally return to her. But apparently, she had the answer to why he had never come back looking for her.
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"Charles, I cannot believe your sister-in-law walked almost four miles on muddy roads because Jane has a cold. But I do not know why I am surprised; Eliza often acts like a wild country girl," Caroline said disgustingly.
"And her hair, all messed up, and her petticoat six inches in mud! How awful," added Louisa, just as exasperated.
"Lizzy loves her sister very much, and I find her love and concern are something to praise and not criticize. Besides, she grew up here in the country, and her customs differ from those of the city ladies. But regardless of that, you know very well that she is a wonderful person, and all our neighbors love and admire her." Mr. Bingley was very fond of his sister-in-law and would not allow his sisters to speak ill of her.
Caroline and Louisa understood that they should not continue to alienate their brother. So, they tried to moderate their opinions. "I will not deny that Eliza can be pretty nice, regardless of whether or not I agree with some of her actions. But the rest of her family is just horrible, and you cannot say anything to change my mind, Charles," Caroline said accusingly.
"Jane's younger sisters and mother are plain and simple vulgar, although I recognize that Jane is a very sweet girl. But she is the exception in that family without class. Also, they are poor, and we shall have to support them the day Mr. Bennet dies," Louisa added as her brother tried his best to defend his wife's family.
Mr. Darcy listened attentively to everything Mr. Bingley's sisters said and could not help feeling pity and remorse. Apparently, his good friend had fallen into the clutches of a woman far below his social standing and with nothing to contribute to the marriage. She has no dowry or connections, and now, he had found out that her family was improper and vulgar.
But he was also troubled because he could not stop thinking about Miss Elizabeth Bennet and the familiarity with which she had spoken to him. Something in her caused him great concern, and for that reason, more than ever, he had to be alert. He could not remember ever feeling an almost immediate attraction to a woman, and he knew he had to mask it as best he could so no one would notice it.
"You are exaggerating their faults. My sisters-in-law are amiable and cheerful ladies. The problem is that you both are determined to find all their possible faults. I know you never approved that I marry Jane, and you use any excuse to disparage her and her family," argued Mr. Bingley, exasperated.
"Well, if our opinion seems so exaggerated to you, let us ask Mr. Darcy and see what he thinks. Sir, would you like your sister Georgiana to walk four miles in the middle of the field with her petticoat covered in mud?" Caroline asked to show her brother that her opinion was correct.
"Of course not, but Bingley is right; customs tend to be more relaxed in the country," replied Mr. Darcy, not wanting to take sides.
The conversation continued, and Mr. Darcy learned many things he did not like. Unfortunately, his friend's new family had direct connections to trade. He wondered how Charles had not thought better of it before getting married.
Elizabeth saw that Jane was sound asleep and breathing considerably better after rubbing her chest with an herbal ointment the apothecary had prescribed. She kissed her sister on her forehead and went in search of her brother-in-law to say goodbye. She also wanted to ask him if she could return the next day to be with her dear sister. Jane needed to stay in bed for a few more days and someone to comfort and take care of her.
As she approached the drawing room, she could hear part of an interesting but disturbing conversation. "A distant cousin will inherit Mr. Bennet's estate, and Mrs. Bennet's family are all in trade. And that is not all, Mr. Darcy. My brother's new uncle lives in Cheapside."
"Caroline, please stop repeating that lie. Uncle Gardiner lives near Cheapside, and he is one of the most intelligent and generous men I have ever met. In fact, he reminds me a lot of our grandfather Ralph," said Mr. Bingley, rather irritated by the tone in which his sister always looked down on his wife's family.
"Bingley, even if that gentleman is the nicest person in the world, he is still a tradesman. You know very well that undermines your wife's chances of being accepted into the social circles you and your family belong to now." Mr. Darcy said emphatically, so much so that Mr. Bingley did not know how to reply.
When Elizabeth heard that, she knew that man was not her William. She would never be able to admire and love someone so arrogant and proud. But before pondering too much on the subject, she decided to enter the room because she did not want to cry. She held her head high to make it clear to Jane's sisters-in-law and the pompous guest that nothing they said could make her feel ashamed of her family and less of her uncle Gardiner. He was an example to follow for anyone who knew him.
"Charles, dear, I came to say goodbye to all of you. I made Jane eat some soup and put her to sleep. If it is not too much trouble, I would like to know if I can return tomorrow to keep her company." Elizabeth noticed Louisa's and Caroline's disgusted faces but ignored them. As soon as she entered the room, the man who looked like William completely ignored her. He was busy looking outside the window, making clear that he was not interested in talking to her.
Mr. Bingley explained to Elizabeth that he would be busy for the next few days because his friend wanted to tour the property. In addition, Mr. Darcy needed to know the estate to help and teach him how to manage it. Mr. Bingley knew that his sisters would not help Jane, so he preferred Elizabeth to be there. "Dear Lizzy, I wanted to ask you to stay with us for a few days until Jane recovers. I know how much she enjoys spending time with you."
Elizabeth did not want to be in that place for another minute. Still, she understood very well why Charles was asking for her help. "Alright, Charles, you know that you and Jane can always count on me for whatever you need." So she and Mr. Bingley went to speak to the butler about sending someone to Longbourn for Elizabeth's clothes.
Meanwhile, Mr. Darcy was not at all happy with everything happening. The presence of that woman at his friend's house was undoubtedly bad news for him. But as he would do what he always did with all the women who sought to attract his attention, he would ignore her. He sensed that Miss Bennet had calculated everything to see her chances with him.
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While Caroline was busy trying to catch Mr. Darcy's attention, Louisa went to talk to her husband. "Henry, why did you lock yourself in your room at this time of day?" Louisa asked her husband.
Mr. Hurst was thinking of sitting on one of the sofas close to the window and pretending to be asleep. But he was bored playing dumb, feigning that he did not hear or see everything happening around him. "I came to lock myself up here because I cannot stand your sister. I already answered your question, and before you start criticizing me for what I eat, drink, or do not drink, I would rather you leave me alone." Mr. Hurst was deeply hurt because his wife always allowed her sister to interfere in their lives.
"Henry, it is just that you always exaggerate. Caroline can be a bit intense in her opinions. Still, you know very well that she always wants the best for me," Louisa said, unconvinced.
"Do not make me laugh, Louisa. Caroline is only interested in what is best for her. I do not understand why you always second her in everything. You have allowed her to interfere in our lives, and you and I are more distant every day. Ah, but she is not satisfied with that. Now, she wants to do the same with Charles and his wife. Louisa, I shall not deny that, like you, I think that Charles should have married a woman from a less ridiculous family. But you know what? He is already married, and now we have no choice but to support him, just as he has done with all of us." Mr. Hurst held nothing back because he was genuinely tired of Caroline and her overbearing personality.
"Henry, I cannot believe you talk to me like that. Caroline and I want what is best for Charles, and it has been hard for us to accept his irresponsible decisions. First, coming to bury us in this place full of vulgar people and then getting married so below our expectations." Louisa did not want to argue with her husband again because their relationship was becoming more distant.
"Alright, Louisa. It is clear that I shall not convince you to accept how insufferable your sister is. So, let us not talk about her anymore." Mr. Hurst was hurt because his wife supported her sister's machinations and was most interested in spending time with her and not with him.
Mr. Hurst initially married Louisa for her generous dowry. Still, as the months went by and when he had the opportunity to get to know her better, he realized that she was a very insecure woman but very tender at the same time, and that was why he had fallen deeply in love with her.
Unfortunately, he knew that Louisa would never love him. She had married him because of his connections to the first circle. He was convinced that Caroline had persuaded her to accept him. Henry Hurst was the nephew of Lord Fleming, a well-respected Baron among the leading gentlemen in London.
"Thank you, Henry," Louisa answered a little sadly. But she did not want to argue further, so she asked her husband if he would like to accompany her for a walk in the garden. He decided to go with her to avoid further discussions about the same thing. So they could enjoy each other's company for at least an hour without even thinking about their troubles.
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Before dinner, Elizabeth's belongings arrived at Netherfield, and she had no excuse not to dine with the family in the dining room. She was with Jane until Mr. Bingley arrived there to keep his wife company until she fell asleep. Elizabeth took advantage of the occasion to change her clothes and prepare to join the rest of the family in the dining room. Fortunately, Mary and Mrs. Hill had packed her things, so they had sent clothes and the latest book she was reading. She planned to stay with Jane in her room most of the time to avoid her brother-in-law's sisters and his arrogant friend at all costs.
When Elizabeth was finally ready, Mr. Bingley escorted her into the dining room. She wore a simple but pretty dress that her aunt Agatha had given her. She planned to eat and excuse herself immediately so she could go to sleep and stop thinking about things that hurt her. She wished she could tell Jane everything that was happening, but her sister was still ill and did not want to worry her about anything. She sensed that Jane's life was complicated. Caroline and Louisa did not give her respite and showed her how much they despised her whenever possible.
By the time she reached the dining room, the Netherfield party was about to sit to dine. "Charles, it's very rude to be late for dinner, especially when we have a guest of Mr. Darcy's prominence. Just because we live in this place far from civilization does not mean we shall forget our good manners. I told you that dinner would be served more than twenty minutes ago. So it would help if you had been here several minutes ago," Caroline said, annoyed.
"I am sorry, Darcy, I just did not want to leave my wife alone until she fell asleep," explained Mr. Bingley, apologetic for being late.
"Do not worry, Bingley, I understand perfectly," Mr. Darcy said as he could not help looking at Elizabeth, whom he greeted with cold respect and then ignored.
As usual, dinner conversation was monopolized by Caroline, who acted as a hostess in Jane's absence. As expected, she sat next to Mr. Darcy, and she sat Elizabeth as far away as possible and next to her brother-in-law.
In any case, Elizabeth did not mind. She did not want to be forced to talk to anyone. Even if she was not paying close attention to the dinner conversation, she could tell that Caroline liked her brother's friend, but he did not show much interest in her. She flirted with him in every possible way while he barely looked at her.
Mr. Darcy had prepared to ignore his friend's sister-in-law. He had assumed she would use her best charms to get his attention. Although he considered her attractive, he had met many beautiful women before who used all kinds of tricks to get his attention. But they always failed because he had never had difficulty showing he did not wish to converse with them. Nevertheless, the opposite had happened that night. Miss Bennet had practically not looked at or tried to speak to him.
For some reason beyond his understanding, he was hurt by Elizabeth's attitude. She ignored him almost as if he did not exist when she had called him William just a few hours ago with a special sparkle in her beautiful eyes. Only his mother and his sister called him like that.
Caroline noted how Mr. Darcy, unaware that she was watching him, glanced as surreptitiously as possible at Elizabeth whenever he could. Fortunately, her silly sister-in-law did not seem to notice him; she probably knew that a man like him was far above her. Furthermore, one day, she was spying on Jane and heard a conversation between the two sisters. Eliza said she was in love and secretly engaged to a tradesman, and she knew she was so stupid that she could reject a man of fortune for love.
"Eliza, you are very quiet tonight. I imagine you must be exhausted after walking so much today," Caroline said, laughing and making her sister laugh.
Elizabeth did not feel like arguing and replied, "You are correct, Miss Bingley; I am fatigued." Afterward, Elizabeth continued to eat in silence.
Caroline did not like Eliza's answer. She intended to provoke her so she would respond with her typical impertinence, and Mr. Darcy would realize what kind of woman she was.
"Charles, and of course to all of you, I need to rest because I plan to wake up earlier to care for Jane. So, please excuse me, but I shall retire to my room. I am sorry I cannot spend more time with you."
"Of course, Lizzy, please, do not be sorry; we understand. And we are family, so we do not need to be so formal," Mr. Bingley said gently.
Elizabeth stood, said goodnight to everyone, and left. But when she got to her room, she realized she had forgotten her handkerchief. She had a special affection for it because Aunt Agatha had embroidered it for her, and she knew that Caroline would throw it away just to provoke her.
So she decided to go to the dining room, get her handkerchief, and return to her bedroom. But when she approached, she was forced to wait because she heard what they were talking about and could not believe what they were saying.
"Without a doubt, Eliza was very quiet tonight," Louisa said.
"The only things that come out of that woman's mouth are impertinences, so it is better when she does not say anything," Caroline added with a sneer.
"Caroline, I have already told you that I do not like you talking about Lizzy like that," said Charle, angry with his sister.
"Mr. Darcy, let me tell you an amusing story. When we arrived in this horrible place, we were told that Eliza Bennet was one of the local beauties. But, if I am honest, I find her quite common," Caroline concluded, laughing along with her sister.
"But she is a great walker," added Louisa, and she continued laughing with Caroline.
"She is very pretty, almost as pretty as my beloved Jane," retorted Mr. Bingley. He was furious with his sisters for disrespecting in that way to a lovely lady like Elizabeth. "Do you not think, Darcy, that my sister-in-law is a very pretty woman?"
"I think she is tolerable but not handsome enough for my taste," Mr. Darcy immediately replied as he drank coffee and ate a piece of tart. "In any case, I do not wish to discuss this subject, Bingley. I find it inappropriate and tasteless," said Mr. Darcy to clarify to Bingley's sisters that he did not wish to engage in such conversations.
"You are right, Darcy. Excuse me," Mr. Bingley said as he looked at Caroline. She was smiling triumphantly. She knew a man like Mr. Darcy could never notice someone like Eliza Bennet.
Elizabeth took advantage of everyone's silence to finally enter the dining room, "I am sorry, but I forgot my handkerchief." Once she got it back, she repeated good night and ran back to her room, where she cried until she fell asleep. "How could I be so foolish and fall in love with a man like this?" Elizabeth said with a broken heart.
None of the diners realized that Elizabeth had heard part of the conversation, so they continued to share for a few more minutes.
Once the dinner was over, Mr. Bingley excused himself to his friend, telling him that he had to spend time with his wife.
Mr. Darcy took advantage of the occasion to say good night and retire to his room. Caroline's continual chatter had him genuinely exhausted.
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'William, I love you.'
'I love you too! Thank you for making me so happy... Oh, darling, you kiss wonderfully. My love, please kiss me forever. Do not go, please... let me see your face. I need to see your face and know your name. No, I am satisfied with just listening to your voice... You know I love you; let me see your face!'
"William, if you want to see my face, look at me, my love. I am here... I have always been here in your heart….'
"ELIZABETH BENNET?" Mr. Darcy said as he woke up in the middle of the night from the recurring dream he had had for many months.
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Thanks to everyone who leaves comments and enthusiastically follows the story.
I am sorry if I cannot actualize this story as often as you want. Currently, I am writing a new story that I love, so I do not have time to edit this one.
In the next chapter, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy will see each other frequently. The dynamic will be very similar to the one they had in the original book when they lived together in Netherfield.
See you soon!
Yo