Mr. Bennet left the carriage first. He wore a tall top hat and a tightly fitted grey coat whose tail flapped behind him. He first helped his wife out, a fine looking middle-aged woman whose coloring was similar to Jane’s, and thenher.
Elizabeth Bennet looked as fetching in the distance in a heavy bundled coat as she had yesterday in the ballroom when a low-cut dress displayed her feminine attributes. Where did the fascination with watching her come from? It was the sway of the dress. Something about the sway. She wore a pretty yellow bonnet with a lace fringe which hid her hair, except a few black curls which fell around the edges of her face.
As if drawn by his gaze, Miss Bennet looked up at him. Their eyes met and there was a spark in his chest, and Darcy looked away, feeling disconcerted at having been caught staring.
He walked back to his armchair. His stomach was unsettled, and there was an odd awareness of where he placed his hands. Where should they go? He wouldnotshow any interest in this woman. He wouldnotlet anyone, even a dear friend, push a woman upon him.
Besides, she would dislike him after their argument the previous day. Darcy clung to that thought to calm his nerves.
The door opened and they all stood up. Bingley waved Mr. Bennet forward. “Bennet, my friend, Mr. Darcy of Pemberley; his sister Georgiana.”
Darcy shook hands with Mr. Bennet. He was a bald man with sparkling eyes and a sardonic grin. “An exquisite and abnormal pleasure, Mr. Darcy. Sleep was denied me for many hours last night by tales of your sayings. There were even weepings and tears.”
“I beg you to allow me to apologize to you, and your family for my—”
“None of that.” Mr. Bennet waved his hand. “Not tome. You captured Lizzy’s character perfectly. Without hearing her say a word — the usual manner with which a man judges a woman’s mind.”
“Papa.” Miss Bennet elbowed her father. “I confess to being provoking last night.”
She was provoking now. Darcy could not keep from looking at her. Such eyes. Such a face. There was a mole to the side of her nose, and her fine lips twisted in a delightful smile, and her dress was pulled in with a ribbon beneath the bosom that showed off her form.
After waiting for him to say more, Miss Bennet turned to Georgiana. “It delights me to meetyou. I swear I shall not judge you by your brother’s discerning opinions upon my person and character. I shall judge you by Jane’s opinion of your character — high as the clouds.”
Georgiana shook her blond hair, and blushingly stammered out a reply. That had been the time when he should have apologized to Miss Bennet again.
“Come—” Miss Bennet drew her arm through Georgiana’s elbow. “Over there. We’ll sit on the sofa and properly acquaint ourselves. Leave men to manly nonsense.”
She walked away from him, again. Her hips clad in a dark pink dress made as compelling a sway this morning as they had the previous night.
Darcy realized he was staring at a young lady’s rear directly in front of her father, so he jerked his eyes away and said to Mr. Bennet, “I do not deserve such condescension, but I pray you will not judge me solely upon my words last night.”
“I’d expected a different sort of man than you appeared to be last night.”
“I was utterly dissimilar to myself.”
“Alas disappointment! If you behave in the mode of yesterday every day,Iwould derive great amusement.”
Darcy had been told that Mr. Bennet had a teasing, sardonic manner. “I would by no means curtail your pleasures. But I do not make a practice of insulting young gentlewomen.”
“Young? We know yourrealopinion. At my daughter’s age, her looks are a tender subject.”
Darcy’s face stiffened into an authoritative mask. He knew he was being made fun of. He deserved some punishment, but hedespisedthat his own actions had turned him into an object of fun.
Mr. Bennet looked like a happy cat playing with a mouse. “Saysomething. What weepings and wailings I endured last night!”
Darcy glanced at Miss Bennet, who faced them, but all her focus was on Georgiana as she spoke quietly to his sister, who nodded as Miss Bennet spoke. Darcy did not believe she’d cried at all. He looked back at Mr. Bennet. “I ought never have allowed my ill temper to lead me to say such things to your daughter. I made an effort to apologize to her last night. I earnestly hope she was not very hurt.”
Mr. Bennet tilted his head. He yet gave the impression of a cat — but now the cat was curious. “A superb gentlemanly mask over your emotions. I cannot perceive if you feel terribly guilty or are secretly laughing.”
Such a question deserved no reply.
“Lizzy told me your apology — you explained she ought take no offense, as you are deeply attractive to women due to your substantial wealth and oversized pile in Derbyshire, and that you know she must be desperate for a husband since her charms will not last long. Incorrect. I assure you, my Lizzy shall always be charming.”
“Don’t be like that.” Bingley clapped his hands. “Darcy tried to apologize.”
“But did hesincerelywish to apologize?”
Bingley grinned. “Darcy, were you sincerely apologetic?”
