Though Elizabeth wanted to say more, she knew would have to try again later. At the moment, Mr. Bennet’s attention was fixed on the book in front of him, and he would hear no more.
This scene repeated itself the following morning, to Elizabeth’s frustration. The gentlemen were to arrive that day and would likely call at Longbourn in the afternoon.
Shortly after arriving at Netherfield,Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy rode across the estate as they visited a few of their former acquaintances, starting with Sir William Lucas. They were greeted pleasantly at Lucas Lodge, where the news of their eldest daughter’s marriage to Mr. Collins was shared. Mr. Darcy congratulated the matron and mentioned seeing the couple in Kent. Declining refreshments, they stayed for a little longer than a quarter of an hour before departing Lucas Lodge, heading straight for Longbourn, where they asked to speak to Mr. Bennet. While there, Bingley apologised for his delayed return to the area, claiming business kept him away longer than intended. Through this explanation, Mr. Bennet retained a sardonic look on his face and said little in response, causing Bingley to squirm more than he might otherwise have done.
Once Bingley was finished, Darcy attempted to use what Elizabeth had told him of her father to speak to the man. Elizabeth recommended he not immediately ask for her hand, but to engage her father in conversation first. Mr. Bennet was slightly more alert during this discussion, apparently recognising that Darcy was different from his friend. Regardless, he rejected all attempts to get to know his daughter’s suitor, and there was something in his eyes that made Darcy uncomfortable.
Soon, Mr. Bennet had enough and encouraged the gentlemen to move to the sitting room, where the ladies, all except Miss Elizabeth, were gathered.
Mrs. Bennet greeted Mr. Bingley warmly, but Darcy observed that the matron greeted him more coldly. He wondered just how far his words from the assembly had travelled, and he did his best to project warmth into his tone and to speak more than was his wont in an effort to win the woman over.
A few minutes into their call, Miss Elizabeth joined them. The gentlemen rose upon her entry, and she broke into a broad smile upon seeing them. Darcy, whose eyes were trained on her from the moment she entered the room, smiled in return.
She made her way toward him. “Good afternoon, Mr. Darcy. I am pleased to see you have returned to Netherfield.”
“I had unfinished business in Meryton and was pleased to join my friend.” While his tone likely sounded severe to all who heard it, he was sure Elizabeth saw the love that shone through his eyes.
Grinning, she moved to sit near him. “Do you prefer the county to town? Should you not be in London, enjoying the remainder of the season?” she teased.
“I am, in essence, a gentleman farmer. I much prefer time in the country to that in town. While being in town does offer some things the countryside does not—theatre, opera, book sellers—I still prefer my time spent in the country. Pemberley is quite my favourite place in the world, and if I were not obligated to come to town for business and the social events my aunt demands I attend, I would likely spend all my time at my estate.”
He stopped and smiled at her, waiting to see how she would respond. She had her head cocked to one side, looking at him. “Yes, you are of a serious, taciturn disposition. I would imagine you are much more comfortable in the country and among fewerpeople than you might find in town. I also prefer the country, though I do adore the theatre. My uncle does not care for opera, so I have never been.”
“Then I must remedy that, and soon,” he murmured, his eyes boring into hers.
“My father has been reluctant to hear me speak of you,” she replied, equally quietly.
Darcy furrowed his brows. “Why?” he asked, his concern growing. Their conversation in the study had felt awkward, and Darcy wondered if Bennet held something against him.
Before Elizabeth could respond, their conversation was interrupted by the housekeeper announcing several additional visitors, among them George Wickham.
Though Darcy had been aware of Wickham’s presence in Meryton and resolved to remain unaffected by it, he found it challenging not to react to the mention of Wickham’s name or his unexpected appearance in the home of the woman he loved. Both he and Elizabeth observed Wickham’s pallor upon seeing Darcy seated there. Darcy pondered how Wickham might behave with him, particularly in Elizabeth’s presence. He harboured little doubt that Wickham had recognized Darcy’s interest in Elizabeth at their initial encounter in Meryton and had subsequently singled her out for his tales of wrongdoing. Even though he knew she now understood the truth of their past, he remained apprehensive about any potential mischief Wickham might attempt upon learning of their engagement. For a moment, he struggled to hide his concern, but his mask soon dropped and covered his face.
Likewise, Wickham had regained his own composure and strode toward where Darcy sat with Miss Elizabeth. “Miss Elizabeth,” he greeted cheerfully, “it is pleasant to see you today. Darcy, I am greatly surprisedyouhave returned to Meryton. I had heard you were in London and would not return to this part of the country. Tell me, how is your family?”
Darcy spoke after only a brief pause. “I have returned with Bingley to continue teaching him about managing the estate he has leased. My cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, will be joining us in a day or two for a visit, and I believe he intended to pay a call on his old friend Colonel Forster.”
Wickham paled again. “Fitzwilliam is here?” he asked, his voice slightly higher than usual.
“He will be on Monday,” Darcy replied, staring steadily at his former friend.
Next, Wickham attempted bravado. “Do tell me, Darcy, will your sister be joining you here as well?”
Darcy nearly growled at this. His voice was tight and constrained when he spoke to Wickham, and he ensured no one other than the three of them could hear it. “Keep away from Georgiana, Wickham. Remember, Colonel Fitzwilliam is not nearly as forgiving as I. And he has been looking forward to greeting you when he comes.”
Abruptly, Wickham stood, murmuring his apologies, and leaving the house at nearly a run. Elizabeth and Darcy watched him flee—there was no other word for his hasty departure.
A moment after he departed, Elizabeth spoke again. “Do you think we shall see him again?”
“Will you still walk to Oakham Mount in the mornings?” he asked.
Confused by the sudden change of topic, she replied hesitantly, “I will.”
“We will speak further in the morning,” he said. “I cannot speak openly here about that, and we have other things to discuss as well.”
“Sunrise?” she asked, and smiled when he nodded.
Soon after this, all the gentlemen took their leave of the ladies. Mrs. Bennet encouraged Jane to show Mr. Bingley out, so Elizabeth accompanied them and took a private leave of Darcy. He could do little else than press her hand, not even kiss it in company of other officers, and reluctantly he departed.
