“The Lucases and Bennets are good friends, as you might have noticed,” Mrs Best went on, apparently certain that he would approve of her sentiments. “Knowing both families as I do, I am hardly surprised. Edward and I were speaking of the Bennets when youjoined us. How clever of you to recognise their falseness as soon as you met them! They are always putting on airs, especially Miss Eliz?—”
“Actually,” Mr Darcy interjected, causing Elizabeth to lean slightly towards him in order not to miss a single one of his words, “I believe the Bennets are a most respectable family. Have you happened to hear that Mr Bennet went to school and university with my father’s cousin and dearest friend? I regret that my foul mood the night of the assembly has made anyone believe I do not think well of them.”
The lightest touch of a feather would have knocked Elizabeth to the ground, such was her shock. She longed to applaud, for he had managed to silence Mrs Best. The sliver of profile she had of Edward Best showed that his complexion was ashen, indicating that even he understood Mr Darcy’s set-down.
The gentleman gave the Bests a shallow bow that was nearly impolite in its execution and began to move away. His and Elizabeth’s eyes met, and he looked startled—his steps faltered, and his lips parted as though he was going to say something. But then his gaze flickered to Charlotte, and he closed his mouth, inclined his head, murmured, “Ladies,” and walked on.
Elizabeth watched as he went to join Jane and Mr and Miss Bingley. It was only when Charlotte spoke, causing Elizabeth to turn back towards her, that she realised the Bests were no longer nearby.
“That was quite a shocking scene, was it not?” Charlotte said. “I mean both what that odious woman said and what Mr Darcy did. Have you noticed how differentlyhe is behaving tonight? He is conversing with people, even seeking them out, and what he said about your family was complimentary. What could have brought about such a change?”
“I have no idea,” Elizabeth said as her gaze drifted back to the gentleman. “No idea at all.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The incident involving Mrs Best and Mr Darcy was much talked of by the Bennets when they sat together in the parlour after returning from Lucas Lodge. Kitty and Lydia’s agitation at what might easily turn into a scandal—by local standards—had the benefit of preventing them from complaining about everything they had not been able to do, chiefly dancing and monopolising the attention of the young soldiers in attendance. Elizabeth sat in a chair next to her father close to the fire. He said nothing while listening to the pair go on and on about the exchange between Mrs Best and Mr Darcy, despite not having witnessed it since they were at the other end of the room when it took place. What Mrs Best had said and then what Mr Darcy had, his tone of voice, his looks, the manner in which he had walked away from the lady and Mr Best all deserved comment. Somehow, Mr Best had become almost a villain to her sisters; Elizabeth had no notion how their minds had made such a leap. Mrs Bennet also had manycomplaints about Mrs Best—how dare she say such things abouthergirls and husband! And she had not stopped there, certainly not, she had also besmirched Mrs Bennet herself and their dear friends the Lucases; the affront, the ignorance, she had never liked her, and as for her son, there never was a stupider, more oafish boy known to man, she had said it was how he would turn out the day she first met him when he was an infant, and time had proved her correct…
“It was exceedingly kind of Mr Darcy to speak of us so generously,” Jane said. “Mr Bingley was right to praise his friend, even if his goodness was not as evident as it might have been before now.”
“Papa, is it true that you know one of his cousins?” Mary asked.
He nodded and said, “If I recall correctly, my old friend was his late father’s cousin. It must be twenty or more years since we exchanged letters. I believe I last wrote to inform him of Jane’s birth, and he told me that he had lately married.”
There was more chatter amongst them, mostly about subjects other than Mrs Best and Mr Darcy. Soon Lydia and Kitty announced they were going to their chambers.
“Only five minutes of giggling together, if you please, then to your separate bedrooms and to sleep,” Mr Bennet said. “Good night, my darling girls.”
Kitty kissed him on the cheek, but Lydia was less willing to accept his current propensity to limit her activities and only granted her mother such a favour.
“I shall ensure they do as you requested,” Jane said before she too left the room. Mary went with her.
“Well, Mr Bennet, I hope you intend to have a serious discussion with Mr Best tomorrow,” her mother said when only the three of them remained. “I do not know how I shall ever be able to say a civil word to Mrs Best again!” She sniffed loudly.
“I shall indeed call on him,” he assured her. “I could hardly do less, given how I acted when Mr Darcy insulted our Lizzy.”
“But you were wrong about Mr Darcy. I always said we did not know the entire story, and Mrs Long told my sister that she heard Mr Darcy say he was in a foul mood at the assembly, which must be his excuse. I am sure something particular happened to cause it. I could tell just by looking at him that he is as fine a gentleman as I have ever met. So handsome and rich. And he is Mr Bingley’s particular friend. Why, they are as good as brothers, I expect, which means when Mr Bingley and Jane?—”
“IfMr Bingley and Jane are ever anything more than acquaintances, then we shall concern ourselves with his connexion to Mr Darcy. Remember what we spoke of, my dear,” he said gently. “We must allow Jane to know this young man—and him to know her, though I am less worried about his impression of her. Only a fool would fail to recognise her exceptional quality.”
“Oh yes, yes. Very well,” her mother said, waving her hand in a gesture meant to suggest he did not need to go on. Elizabeth presumed they had discussed the matter, though she had not known it previously. “But I am telling you, he is half in love with her already, and I know my girl. The more he shows that he likes her, themore she will be unable to stop herself from liking him. They will be married before we know it. I am going to my apartment. I suppose you and Lizzy have been waiting for me to leave so that you can finally talk without the rest of us here to intrude.”
To Elizabeth’s surprise, her father only laughed. “Not at all. I do have something I wish to say to our daughter, but then I shall seek my chamber. Shall I say good night to you then, my dear?”
Her mother adjusted her shawl and shrugged. “I suppose. If you like. Sleep well, Lizzy.”
Elizabeth stood to kiss her cheek, only returning to her chair once her mother had left the parlour.
“It was certainly an eventful evening,” her father said. “How early do you suppose Lady Lucas will be here to talk it over with your mother? Shall we have to wait until after breakfast?”
Elizabeth laughed. “That will depend on how late she keeps Charlotte awake to discuss it tonight!”
He chuckled and patted her hand. “I own I was surprised to hear of Mr Darcy’s actions. If anyone other than you had reported it to me, I doubt I would have believed it. What is your opinion? Have we been too severe on him?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “I do not trust him. The next time we meet, he might once again be his arrogant, disagreeable self. I shall continue to believe my first impression of him was right.”
“You seem to delight in hating him,” her father observed.
Once again, she laughed. “What if I do? Besides, I donot agree. You know how I like to study characters. I am confident I have a good understanding of his.”
