FOUR
After two hours spent at their club, in the company of the earl and his two sons, Colonel Fitzwilliam and the viscount, Darcy and Bingley each returned home. Bingley’s enthusiasm remained high, and every time he had the chance to speak, he mentioned something in regard to Hertfordshire. Darcy felt the colonel’s gaze upon him, and he knew the meaning of it. No, Bingley was certainly not likely to fall in love with another woman and to forget Miss Bennet soon.
When Darcy arrived home, Georgiana had not yet returned. Instead, the butler informed him that Lady Matlock had sent word that he was expected there, so he had little choice but to obey.
At the Matlock residence, his aunt, his sister, his uncle, and his cousins were all talking animatedly about the subject that brought him so much discomfort.
“Darcy! Come here, son!” Lady Matlock invited him. His aunt was in a dangerously high disposition, which could threaten the delicate threads of peace of mind he still had remaining.
“My dear boy, I called you here because there is something I must tell you immediately.”
“Please do so, Aunt,” he said, defeated, causing the lady to laugh.
“I have always admired your qualities, and I admit — and your uncle agrees — that there are many areas where you surpass gentlemen twice your age.”
“Thank you…”
“However, when it comes to matters of the heart, you have extremely poor judgment! It shows that you do not have much experience and that you have practised very little — something that Catherine always insists on people doing.”
Everybody else laughed, and even Georgiana smiled shyly.
“I have only spent an hour with Miss Bennet,” Lady Matlock continued, “and five minutes with Mr Bingley, and it was enough to observe those two are in love with each other. It was so obvious that it is laughable that anyone would assume otherwise.”
“Your aunt is determined to see those two reunited,” the earl jested. “She has taken this on as a personal project, and there is nothing you can do to stop her.”
“I have no intention of stopping her,” Darcy answered in earnest. “And yes, I admit I was convinced that Miss Bennet did not return Bingley’s affection. It was an honest judgment made for his benefit. But we should not even speak of this. If I had not had the imprudence to tell Richard, who was eager to share it further—”
“So you blame Richard for telling me?” Lady Matlock enquired.
“I do, Aunt. Furthermore, I blame myself for talking about it in the first place. It is a personal matter of Bingley’s, and I do not like it that you all seem to be amused by it. I strongly believe we should not speak of it any longer, nor interfere in any way. Since Bingley and Miss Bennet have now met again, it should be entirely their decision and their affair.”
His serious statement caused Lady Matlock to frown, but Lord Matlock replied, “I fully agree with Darcy. We should leave them be to do as they please.”
“Mrs Gardiner is such a pleasant lady,” Georgiana interjected, changing the subject. “I enjoyed talking to her exceedingly.”
“So did I,” Lady Matlock agreed. “She is surprisingly well educated, very fashionable, and speaks easily about various subjects, from the theatre and the opera to politics. And her nieces are pleasant girls too. I have to say, even though the eldest Miss Bennet is one of the most beautiful young women I havemet, I quite favour Miss Elizabeth. She is clever, witty, spirited, and not afraid to express her opinion on any matter.”
“So do I,” Darcy replied absently, then his heart stopped at the stupidity of his own words. He quickly added, “I spent a few days at Netherfield in Miss Elizabeth’s company, and I agree with my aunt’s description of her.”
“Miss Elizabeth sounds like just my kind of lady!” Colonel Fitzwilliam said. “I prefer spirited young women. I must find a way to meet her.”
“Very few ladies are not your kind of lady, Richard.” Lady Matlock rolled her eyes. “You should decide on one and finally marry, as you are not so young any longer. Your father already had two children at your age. But Miss Elizabeth lacks something that is very important for you — money.”
“How unfortunate,” the colonel replied. Both he and Lady Matlock spoke in jest, which irritated Darcy.
“Darcy, there is something that intrigued me,” Lady Matlock continued. “I received the impression that Miss Elizabeth is not very fond of you. At some point, she mentioned that you were more enemies than friends and that you are her severest critic.”
“Yes, well…as you said, Miss Elizabeth has a tendency to tease and sometimes say things she does not truly believe.”
“So you are calling her a liar?”
“Not at all. Only a tease. You should not take her words in earnest.”
“I am not sure about that. She seemed very serious. She also mentioned your dislike of dancing, which is not a surprise to anyone in London and apparently in Derbyshire either.”
“Just to prove you wrong, I shall mention that I did dance with Miss Elizabeth at a ball Bingley hosted.”
“Did you? How lovely. I might have been wrong, then. However, even when she said it was unlikely that you would call on the Gardiners, there was a trace of irony in her voice. I onlytell you all this because I was intrigued and amused. This is the first time I have seen a young woman who is not struggling to gain your attention and to flatter you.”
