Seven
Darcy knew his previous encounters with the Bennets did not do him credit; therefore, he was not surprised when the family received him with circumspection. But, steady to his purpose, Darcy expressed his delight to be there and congratulated them on the happy event that would soon take place.
Mrs. Bennet greeted him coldly; Miss Catherine and Miss Mary barely dared to look at him.
Miss Jane Bennet welcomed him warmly, and he bowed over her hand and repeated his congratulations.
“Does Mr. Bingley know you have arrived, Mr. Darcy? He was eagerly expecting you.”
“I informed him that I should arrive today, but I happened upon Miss Elizabeth and so stopped here first.”
“You must not worry, Mr. Darcy,” Mr. Bennet said, entering the room. “Mr. Bingley will be here any minute now. He is here all the time. I am not even sure when he leaves and when he returns.”
“Papa, how can you say that?” Miss Bennet scolded him lovingly.
“Why not, if it is true? I quite enjoy having a gentleman around the house after more than twenty years surrounded only by women.”
Darcy greeted his host with much deference and a small, amused smile. Mr. Bennet replied in the same manner.
“What a pleasure to have you at Longbourn, Mr. Darcy. I believe this is your first visit?”
“My second visit, Mr. Bennet. I was here less than two months ago when Bingley returned to Netherfield. Unfortunately, I believe you were not at home that time.”
“Since I wish to be honest with you, Mr. Darcy, I confess I was at home, but I chose to remain in my library. It was a rather distressing time, and I had no desire for company.”
“I can well understand such a feeling,” Darcy admitted.
“Would you allow me to compensate for my past absence with a drink? Or would you rather complete your journey to Netherfield?”
Darcy hesitated for a moment; he glanced at Elizabeth, who was unexpectedly shy and silent, before eventually replying. “If I am not intruding, and if Bingley will be here soon, I would be delighted to accept your offer, Mr. Bennet.”
“Good! Excellent! Please join me in the library but prepare yourself for some disappointment. From what my brother Gardiner has told me, the libraries in both your houses can be compared to very few others.”
“I confess I take much pride in my libraries as they are the work of several generations. But I find great pleasure in seeing any library which is cared for.”
“Papa, I shall order some food and bring it to you,” Elizabeth suddenly interjected. “Mr. Darcy must be hungry after his journey.”
“Yes, yes, please do so, Lizzy,” Mr. Bennet responded.
Hunger was not Darcy’s main concern, but the mere fact that Elizabeth had thought of his comfort was thrilling.
“Thank you, Miss Elizabeth,” he replied while following his host to the library.
When Mr. Bennet opened the door for him, Darcy had a strange sensation. This was the place where, very likely, Elizabeth had learnt to read and had grown her passion for books. The room was small indeed, but the walls were all covered in shelves full of tomes. From just a glance, he noticed a few interesting and rare volumes, proving that Mr. Bennet took his passion in earnest.
There was a desk and an armchair by the window — obviously Mr. Bennet’s — a sofa for two people, and two more chairs near the fireplace.
“You may sit wherever you wish, Mr. Darcy. There are not many seats because, except for Lizzy and now Mr. Bingley occasionally, not many people spend time in here.”
Darcy chose the sofa, gently moving a velvet cushion.
“That is Lizzy’s cushion. For some reason, she used to hold it when she was reading. She still does from time to time.”
The brief explanation only increased Darcy’s thrilling sensation. Tentatively, he touched the cushion again as if trying to better place it. In fact, he just wished to sense the trace of Elizabeth’s fingers. He scolded himself for his poor control, especially in Mr. Bennet’s presence.
“May I pour you some brandy, Mr. Darcy?”
“Yes, please.”
