Later that day, when the polite hour came, Elizabeth was astonished that Mr. Darcy had come to the parsonage, apparently of his own volition, to introduce his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam who was a very gentlemanly man although perhaps not the most handsome. His warmth and friendliness lit up his face so that his countenance was rendered quite pleasant despite lacking classically attractive features. After Mr. Darcy had performed the introductions, he became quiet as he had after greeting them on Easter and Elizabeth smirked to herself, wondering if he was attempting to escape his aunt because he did not seem to be enjoying himself in the visit nor exerting himself to do so or be pleasing to anyone. He glanced about the room and at all its occupants and discovered that luckily Mr Collins was not present nor did anyone move to have him called for. A maid entered offering to fetch tea and explaining to the visitors that Collins had taken his daily walk towards Rosings later than usual and so he would not be home until later in the afternoon.
While Fitzwilliam was entertaining his daughters, Mr. Bennett approached Mr. Darcy to stand near the gentleman who had taken to standing in different locations of the room. He hoped due to this proximity Mr Darcy might address him but it was simply an impetus for the austere young man to return to his abandoned seat, which was far enough removed from Mr. Bennet's new position to facilitate polite avoidance of conversation. Mr. Bennet sensed a opportunity for novel amusement which was scarce as it had only taken a few days for him to grow exceedingly tired of the company. Surprising even himself began to miss the familiarity of his lady and their daughters and the surrounding community which held a certain charm by virtue of their regularity rather than the monotony of unchanging behavior and conversations that were inevitable in company of Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine. Niether were very complex characters and required little study, merely ridiculous in a predictable commonness which lost his interest quickly. Mr Bennet sat in the chair adjacent to and greeted that gentleman, "Good day, Mr Darcy. Fine weather we have today, it makes me wish to go for a ride through the park surrounding your Aunt's estate, but alas we had sent our horse with Mrs. Bennet's carriage which returned her from London after she and Jane had stayed there in March."
Elizabeth's attention was pulled from her amusing conversation to pay at least some portion of it to that of her father's. The Colonel did not mind her inattention but rather shifted his main energies towards Jane, showing a social awareness and consideration for those around him that was refreshing and in great contrast to the gentleman Elizabeth had been in company with recently. Mr Darcy looked at her and his eyebrows made minuscule movement at the mention of the two Bennet ladies, mother and daughter being in London, but as Mr. Bennet had not seemed to mention this intentionally, he relaxed and responded that spring was always refreshing and being out in the air, one of the advantages of living in the country. Which was an amiable sentiment, if not overly original or interesting. His daughter would have gone about this in more pointed ways with a glint of mischief in her eyes, but Mr. Bennett had more experience in hiding his intentions.
"Easter is an ideal time for traveling and visiting, not only because of the holiday itself, but the weather is so mild and pleasing that carriage rides are bearable and the roads often dry comparatively to other seasons," Mr. Bennet mused, "and that with this in mind Mrs. Bennet insisted on joining her brother, Mr Gardiner at his home in London after. She and Jane enjoyed themselves though the society was somewhat limited by Mr Gardiners business and the general appearance of moderation many feel the need to portrait during Lent. Regardless of the fashion one can always depend on visiting old friends or the museum, both of which they endeavored to do with varying degrees of success."
Mr Darcy said "London can be disappointing even at the best of times, but the museum is not impacted by Lent as the other entertainment are."
"I joined them at the museum, as did Lizzy. We especially admired the Rosetta Stone and the artifacts from Egypt. Mrs Bennet less so, as is her nature, and told me in great detail of the public assembly they had attended the night before, mentioning that it was nothing compared to the ball at Netherfield in company or sophistication."
Mr. Bennet was moving towards his goal like a hawk hunting, slowly circling to make its strike precise and escape for the prey impossible. The conversation included the exchange of a few other niceties with Mr. Bennet all the while peppering mentions of things connected to the Bingleys. He was careful to do so without upsetting Jane in the current company because although he did not mind needling her in front of Mr. Collins, even he had enough sense that these gentlemen should not be dragged into frivolous teasing. Mr Darcy was hard to read, so Mr Bennet was unsure the impact of his pointed comments but ceased his efforts as Elizabeth had him walking on eggshells and he did not want to set her against him any further.
Mr Darcy basked in the silence Mr Bennet allowed to stand for the moment before turning his attention to seeking his own amusement inquiring of both young gentlemen whether either played chess or backgammon and whether they consent to matches next time they were in Rosings, which according to Mr. Collins' report could not be more than a few days off if the twice weekly schedule was to be maintained. This was easily agreed to.
Elizabeth made her excuses to both gentlemen saying that she and her sister had, while very happy to receive them and have made a new acquaintance, constraints on their time seeing to the task given them, to provide Her Ladyship with a pleasing musical entertainment with only two performers. As Colonel Fitzwilliam was unaware of the particulars, Mr Darcy explained then with a tightness at the corner of his lips. Once thus informed, the colonel suggested that to round out such an evening he might be able to lead them through some basic formations as calling out the ranks was as close to a song as he could get. He more seriously added that his cousin had a great affinity for poetry and could potentially be convinced to recite some which was much closer to the caliber of performance that was expected. As Elizabeth dissolved into giggles she did not see the change that came over Darcy's countenance, but the others did observe that his features relaxed, making the naturally well formed visage all the more handsome, with varying degrees of interest and amusement and all making their own silent assumptions.
Elizabeth spoke then "I'm sure Mr. Darcy has exquisite taste in poetry, but I do not imagine that he would put his valuable time and effort towards such frivolity." She looked from the cousin she was addressing to the one she was discussing, the latter which found himself rising from his chair and walking a few paces forward, crossing his hands behind his back, looking down at her.
"Indeed I find my sentiments are aligned with yours, Miss Elizabeth, but as you have seen my aunt does not often take other's sentiments into account so I had much better be prepared for the likelihood that she will volunteer me as my cousin, so kindly, has already done. And I would not wish to brook her disappointment."
"it is always best to be as prepared as one can be for any possibilities. Which poems will you review for such a situation? Will they be Romantic or pastoral?"
Fitzwilliam chimed in, "In Darcy's eyes there may not be such a distinction as you hold between those two subjects with how he waxes poetic about the woods surrounding Pemberly and even the sheep his tenants shepard. It has the reverence and adoration of any romance" which drew delighted laughter from all three Bennets and a chagrined expression from his cousin.
"And should I not deeply care for all that I am responsible for?"
This was a thought of such caliber that she was surprised, but she was quite sure upon hearing this that he was capable of such. Elizabeth recalled what the colonel had reported of Mr Darcy's praise of her person and wondered at her previous assumption that there must have been some goodwill imposed by a kind listener. The others continued in an animated tete a tete and Jane's laughter was a welcome sound even as Elizabeth was withheld from giving this her full attention being consumed by ruminating on the gentleman she had previously thought of little feeling.