Three
Darcy finished the letter for Bingley quickly, but the one to Mr. Bennet took longer. He realised he had never been properly introduced to the gentleman, and they had only been in company briefly at the Netherfield ball. During the search for Miss Lydia and Wickham, he had only dealt with the Gardiners, avoiding Elizabeth’s father on purpose. Writing apologies to someone who was almost a stranger but also an important person due to his connection to Elizabeth was a truly daunting task.
Eventually, he put down a few words,
Mr. Bennet,
You must be surprised at receiving a letter from someone you hardly know. I would not have taken such a liberty if not for my desire to apologise for the inconvenience caused by my aunt Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s visit to Longbourn.
I am well aware that my aunt’s actions are not always within the bounds of decorum and that her impetuosity may cause harm to many.
Please know that I was not aware of her visit until afterwards, nor do I approve of anything she said.
Also, I beg you to convey my apologies to Miss Elizabeth, with whom I know my aunt had a conversation which I assume was not pleasant.
I hope you will allow me the chance to properly introduce myself and apologise in person when I next visit my friend Bingley.
Sincerely,
Fitzwilliam Darcy
He sealed it and asked it to be delivered by express; he did so with some nervousness, knowing the letter would be read by Elizabeth too. He hoped she would understand what he had not explicitly said.
“So, have you finished your urgent business?” the colonel asked.
“I have. Hopefully, Lady Catherine will not do anything else foolish today.”
“I still do not understand where such a ridiculous report came from. There cannot be two people more unlikely to be the subject of such gossip.”
Darcy filled his glass before answering.
“Well, that is not entirely true, Geoffrey. Despite my behaviour, which you criticised, I have always admired Miss Elizabeth. We did have some harsh, even painful, quarrels in Hertfordshire — and even more in Kent — but they helped me understand that I was in error in judging certain circumstances.”
“Did they? How interesting. And does she know that?”
“I hope so, Cousin. When Miss Elizabeth visited Pemberley with the Gardiners, we had the chance to clear up some of our past misunderstandings. I dare say now we are rather friends than enemies,” he concluded with a smile.
“Well, this is a surprising piece of news, indeed. I cannot remember when you last admitted your admiration for a young lady.”
“I would have if it had ever happened.”
“Miss Elizabeth is a fascinating woman, I have to say. Her manners are charming because they are natural and unassuming. She is educated and clever without bragging about her knowledge. She is witty and brave in expressing her opinion. And she is very pretty, though her complexion is not perfect. I might say Miss Elizabeth is delightfully perfect in her many imperfections. Would you not agree, Darcy?”
Darcy did not agree; to him, Elizabeth was quite perfect, and he saw nothing wanting in her. To his cousin, he responded, “I agree that Miss Elizabeth is the most enchanting woman of my acquaintance — in every possible way.”
“Oh my, what strong words coming from someone usually so severe in his judgments of people. Well, well, so it is possible that the clergyman was right. That Lady Catherine did not journey to Hertfordshire for nothing. Do not tell me that you are truly engaged to Miss Elizabeth?” the colonel enquired, his tone full of jest.
“That clergyman is never right, and Lady Catherine does many things for nothing. I amnotengaged to Miss Elizabeth. I have seen her only briefly since she left Pemberley, and we spoke only a few polite words.”
“Well then, that might have caused some problems.”
“Very likely. I was content to know she no longer despises me. But that might have changed if Lady Catherine disparaged her in person as she disparaged her to me. Miss Elizabeth has every reason to loathe me and my lunatic aunt,” he ended with bitterness.
“So, Darcy, enough joking. Do you have serious designs on Miss Elizabeth? Truly? In all honesty, I wondered why you were so distressed while searching for Wickham and why you paid the idiot’s debts. Did you wish to impress Miss Elizabeth? Is it not a little too much?”
“Not at all. I specifically requested of Mr. Gardiner that Miss Elizabeth not be informed about my involvement at all. I shall not deny that I wanted to save her from the distress caused by her silly sister and that scoundrel, especially since I know how it felt…”
“True.”
