The corners of his eyes crinkled sadly as Colonel Brandon offered Elizabeth a plaintive smile. “May I speak candidly, Miss Elizabeth?”
“Of course.”
“I believe his conscience is conflicted. He considers himself honor-bound after his actions in the autumn, and there I am inclined to agree. However, I believe he feels it keenly that he has little to offer; beyond this, I suspect he seeks to coax himself out of the attachment, that upon realizing the challenges his situation presents, the doubt that she could be happy begins to make him question the depth of what his own regard had been.”
The colonel sighed and bowed his head. “I am too impartial to say what is right, but I believe you are very like your cousin and must understand her.”
Elizabeth continued playing the pianoforte, the remembered notes mingling with improvised ones as she paid the instrument only enough attention to conceal her conversation. “Do you seek my advice, Colonel Brandon?”
“I hope you do not think it too bold of me. I have not been insensible to Miss Marianne’s marked preference, nor unaffected by it. And I know what I am, what a dismal old bore I make as a suitor, but I do have a romantic heart. And I have not the same doubts as Mr. Willoughby that I could make her happy, give her a comfortable life. Her mother and sisters, as well, would always be looked after.”
“You are a faithful one, I shall grant you,” Elizabeth said, ceasing her playing for a moment as she impulsively reached for his hand and pressed it in hers. “If only I could wish you both success.”
Colonel Brandon appeared greatly affected by this as she withdrew her hand and resumed the music. “I had thought perhaps I shall wait until Miss Marianne has been told the truth, but I might visit when I travel north again to see Eliza wed.”
Elizabeth tightened her face as she considered, for she did not share his confidence that she would know what Marianne might desire. Her cousin had spoken of her unease at Colonel Brandon’s interest in her, but perhaps that might alter if Marianne was made aware of Mr. Willoughby’s dilemma.
“I think you are right not to attempt anything until she has considered the revelation about Mr. Willoughby; only she can decide if she still desires his addresses, and can accept what little he has to offer at present. It is so strange that she has not written; I cannot guess what she may be feeling, but I will own that she was very deeply attached, before…. But if her wishes have changed, she may still require time to reflect.”
“I understand you perfectly. I will surely see her again when she returns to Barton. But I do hope her silence is not from unhappiness.”
“If it is, I hope the next letter from Jane will lift her spirits.” Elizabeth glanced back at Jane, who had abandoned her letter and was speaking intently with Mr. Willoughby.
“I mean to speak to Lady Allen on his behalf; I think it a right thing, for he ought not lose her patronage for a lie that I bear half the blame of.”
Elizabeth beamed at him, impressed by his honor toward a rival. Perhaps in Lady Allen’s forgiveness, there may be some hope for Mr. Willoughby and Marianne. If only there weresomebody for the colonel, for Elizabeth doubted that lady was her cousin.
***
Mr. Darcy was surprised, and not at all pleased by the sight of Colonel Brandon seated so close to Elizabeth on the piano stool. He moved near enough to hear them as he and his sister and cousin were shown into the room.
The colonel leaned close to Elizabeth, and Darcy heard him say, “I know what I am, what a dismal old bore I make as a suitor, but I do have a romantic heart.” He nearly stumbled as he moved to a chaise and sat beside Phillip, who positioned himself so that he might stare at Jane Bennet.
Darcy likewise watched Elizabeth. She was playing an unusual melody; fragments of it were recognizable to him, and he suspected the rest was of her own invention. She was distracted. Indeed, she was listening to Colonel Brandon with rapt attention – she briefly took his hand in her own as she spoke. Darcy’s heart lurched as if it might cast up its accounts.
Phillip produced a letter from his coat pocket and began to show it to Mrs. Gardiner. “My sister has written again, so I have news of the Miss Dashwoods, if the Miss Bennets do not,” he said with a glance in Miss Bennet’s direction.
The lady looked over, and moved away from Mr. Willoughby, though Elizabeth appeared so lost in her conversation with Colonel Brandon that she was not aware what was passing. Phillip moved away from Darcy so that Jane might sit between them and hear his news.
“My sister writes that she has visited twice more at Longbourn. See her praise of all your relations.” Phillip offered her the letter, and Miss Bennet examined it with interest.
“I was just beginning another letter to them, in case our first went astray. My goodness, Lady Rebecca is indeed generous – but I am pleased that she likes Meryton, and sorry that Mr. Bingley has had a difficult time finding his footing in local society.”
“I found it a charming village, when I passed through and paid my respects to the Dashwoods,” Edward said, moving that way and sitting across from Jane. “I hope your family is in good health.”
“Lady Rebecca reports no illness at Longbourn; perhaps they do not write because they are too vastly diverted,” Miss Bennet said curtly, subtly moving closer to Phillip.
Darcy might have smiled, but his gaze lingered on the letter. Lady Rebecca had determined it most efficient to compose one letter to her brother, step-mother, and both her cousins in residence at Matlock House, and had included comments directed at all of them individually.
Her letter called Darcy’s attention to the description of Miss Elizabeth that she had received from Marianne Dashwood, and Darcy’s eyes traversed the page until he found the passage and agonized as he had done at the first reading.
“Cousin Darcy, I must own to a great curiosity about Miss Elizabeth Bennet, who chastened you so thoroughly! My new confidante Marianne tells me that her cousin is a young lady of high courage, lively wit, and tender affections – as well as possessing all one could desire in beauty and fortune. Miss Marianne told me of an acquaintance of hers, Colonel Brandon, who is presently in London – she supposes them to be well-suited, but I should like to hear your opinion on the matter. Richard knows the man a little, and says he is honorable and generous; I hope he has received kinder treatment than being scolded in a ballroom.”
Beneath this passage, Lady Rebecca made a small, hasty sketch of a dark haired lady in a ball gown, pointing a saber at two gentlemen labeled W and D. Darcy sighed, wishing he had prevented his cousin and sister from informing Lady Rebecca of the events ofTwelfth Night. He had only given her ammunition to bombard him with her wickedness.
And then a miracle happened; Elizabeth looked over at Darcy, her eyes betraying her surprise before she broke into a bright smile, scarcely managing to make her excuses to the colonel before she rose from the piano stool and crossed the room with a spring in her step. Her joy at the sight of him was a thing of wonder to Darcy, who found himself motioning to the empty seat nearest him. Elizabeth sat down and was instantly leaning toward him, ready for her share in the conversation.
***
