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“Music is quite beautiful,” Elliot agreed when he realised Mr. Collins was addressing Darcy, even though they had not been introduced.
“I do not mean, however, to assert that we can be justified in devoting too much of our time to music, for there are certainly other things to be attended to. The rector of a parish has much to do.” He went on to list those duties, in detail. And so loudly that half the room heard him. He finished with a bow to Darcy. It was not returned.
To Elliot it appeared that, had his family made an agreement to expose themselves as much as a they could during the evening, it would have been impossible for them to play their parts with more spirit or finer success. He was desperately relived that the exhibition seemed to have escaped Bingley’s notice, either that or his feelings were not of a sort to be much distressed by the folly which he must have witnessed.
That his two sisters and Mr. Darcy, however, should have such an opportunity of ridiculing Elliot’s relations, was bad enough, and he could not determine whether the silent contempt of the gentleman, or the insolent smiles of the ladies, were more intolerable.
The rest of the evening brought Elliot little amusement. Mr. Collins would not leave his side despite Elliot’s strong insistence he do so. Elliot owed his greatest relief to Charlie Lucas who often joined them, and good-naturedly engaged Mr. Collins in conversation.
Elliot was at least free from the pain of Darcy’s further notice. Though often standing a very short distance away for most of the rest of the night, he made no move to ask Elliot to dance or even to attempt a conversation.
You will know me better in the future.
Elliot strongly and sadly doubted that now.
The Longbourn party were the last of all the company to depart, and, by a manoeuvre of Mrs. Bennet, had to wait for their carriage a quarter of an hour after everybody else was gone, which gave Elliot plenty of time to realise that Mrs. Bennet and perhaps even Mr. Bennet were completely oblivious to the derision of the Bingley sisters. They scarcely opened their mouths, except to complain of fatigue, and were evidently impatient to have the house to themselves. They repulsed every attempt of Mrs. Bennet at conversation, and by so doing threw a languor over the whole party, which was only relieved by the long speeches of Mr. Collins, who continued to compliment Mr. Bingley and his sisters on the elegance of their entertainment and their hospitality and politeness.
Darcy said nothing at all.
Mr. Bennet stood in equal silence but that may have been because he was reading a book.
Mr. Bingley and Jack were standing together, a little detached from the rest, and talked only to each other.
When at length they arose to take leave, Mrs. Bennet was most pressingly civil in her hope of seeing the whole family soon at Longbourn, and addressed herself especially to Mr. Bingley, to assure him how happy he would make them by eating a family dinner with them at any time, without the ceremony of a formal invitation. Elliot did not pause to hear Bingley’s answer. He wanted nothing more than to be as far away from Netherfield as possible.
Before long he got his wish. Eyes down, Elliot did not seek out Darcy’s grave form. Instead, he looked at his mama. She was perfectly satisfied, as to her mind she was leaving the house under the delightful persuasion that, allowing for the necessary preparations of settlements, new carriages, and wedding clothes, she should undoubtedly see her favoured son settled at Netherfield before the year was through. She also thought with equal certainty, and with considerable, though not equal, pleasure, that she was likely to see Elliot mated off also to Mr. Collins. Elliot was the least dear to her of all her children, and though the man and the match were quite good enough, the worth of each was eclipsed by Mr. Bingley and Netherfield.
She looked back on the house through slightly blurred vision with a contented smile. They were too far away from the house now for Elliot to see Darcy even if he had attempted to, and certainly much too far away to hear the words he, Mr. Bingley and Miss Bingley shared. If they had, Mrs. Bennet’s contented smile would have vanished in an instant.
“You surely cannot be serious, Charles,” Miss Bingley said.
“What do you mean?” Charles asked, but Darcy spoke over him, his words soft but laced with a steel that Charles so rarely heard.
“I am afraid she is correct, Charles. Quite correct.”
“Darcy?”
“Come,” Darcy said. “We must talk.”
A Proposing of Pain
Twenty-Five
Elliot’s agonies had not subsided by the following afternoon, possibly because he had spent a significant portion of the morning battling a headache that would not be relieved and replaying every look and word he had shared with Darcy.
Uncomfortable though it was to admit, but Elliot also spent quite a bit of that time reflecting on how those looks and words might have been different if not for the behaviour of his family. He was mortified both at his own traitorous thoughts and the veracity of them and he wanted to discuss it all with Jack, but the oldest Bennet had disappeared into the library early morning and was unlikely to emerge for some time.
Marc was insisting on regaling anyone within earshot with each moment of what he was now terming his recital, including the conversation he had shared afterwards with Mrs. Eleanor Hurst and so was best avoided. Of Christian and Louis, Elliot could not gather either the energy or the patience to speak with them. He was furious with Louis for his behaviour and with Christian for being complicit in it. Mr. Collins on the other hand…
He presented himself to Elliot that very afternoon. He approached the table from which Elliot was about to leave on his afternoon walk, made an odd little bow, and requested an audience.
Mrs. Bennet who was unfortunately passing by at that exact moment answered instantly, “Oh dear! Yes, certainly. I am sure Elliot will be very happy. I am sure he can have no objection. Come, Christian,” she said, gesturing to her younger son who was idling by the fire. “I need you upstairs.”
Elliot was quick with his own response. “There is no need for either of you to go, indeed I was just about to leave on my walk, and I am sure that Mr. Collins can have nothing to say to me that anybody else need not hear.”
“No, no, nonsense, Elliot,” Mrs. Bennet said. “I desire you to stay where you are.” And upon realising that Elliot was already beginning to inch towards the door she added, “Let me be clear, Elliot. I insist upon your staying and hearing Mr. Collins.”
Elliot could not oppose his mama’s direct wish, and in truth he thought that it was probably sensible to get the whole thing over with—he knew what was coming after all—but his heart dropped even as he nodded his acquiescence.
