Mrs Bennet fussed over the callers, and there was a general discussion of the ball—the Bennets expressing their gratitude to Mr Bingley yet again. Kitty and Lydia were especially fervent with their thanks, and they promptly asked him when the next one would be.
“Girls!” their mother cried. “You must not be greedy. You have no notion how much work is required to host such a large party, or how much money. I am sure Miss Bingley has no wish to go through it all again. An opportunity will arise sooner or later. Perhaps when there is somethingparticularto celebrate, Mr Bingley will consider hosting another.”
“You mean when he marries Jane?” Kitty said, only to be immediately told to hold her tongue by Mrs Bennet, while Mr Bennet proclaimed it an excellent moment for Kitty, Lydia, and him to talk about something else in another room.
A short while later, Elizabeth and Mr Darcy were at last able to speak on their own.
“I wanted to come yesterday,” he explained. “But with the guests from town delaying their departure until well after breakfast, it proved impossible. By the time I was able to discuss a few matters with Bingley, it was too late to call.”
Elizabeth dismissed his implied apology. “You would have found us all insipid company, me especially. No matter how late I retire, I always wake up early, and I felt half asleep all day.”
Mr Darcy regarded her with undisguised fondness, and it thrilled her to know that their period of hiding their mutual affection from each other was at an end. “First, I shall never find your company insipid, and second, I am the same way. I believe I nodded off during dinner, which was most embarrassing. I think Hurst had to kick my foot to wake me up at one point.”
She giggled. “I would have liked to have seen you yesterday, and I know Jane feels the same about Mr Bingley, but I understand. Have all Mr Bingley’s friends left?”
“They have. Bingley considered going with them to attend to some business matter, but I suggested he delay a day or two so that we could go together. I wish I could be here and in London at once, but I cannot, and since I have been here longer than originally anticipated, it would be wrong of me to extend my time further. My sister is expecting me, as I believe I told you the other night, and my relations, who have been in the country, are now in town. I am referring to my aunt and uncleRomsley—my mother’s brother and his wife—and their two sons, with whom I am good friends.”
“Eventually, I shall understand the construction of your family, but at present, all I know is that you have more relations than I do.”
This earned her another smile, after which he said, “My cousin, your father’s old friend, is also there, with his family. I have reason to see them all, beyond those of love and duty.” He gave an impatient head shake. “I am not explaining it well. I have a scheme in mind, and Bingley has agreed to it. I would like your opinion, and, if you approve, I shall speak to your father.”
Elizabeth’s eyes opened a little wider. “I am curious what you might need both my father’s and my approval for.” Other than a proposal of marriage, that was, and she knew he was not thinking of that.
“I asked Bingley whether he would be agreeable to me returning and bringing my sister and her companion to spend Christmas at Netherfield.”
“Did you?” she exclaimed, suddenly far more eager for the Festive Season. She always enjoyed that time of year, but knowing Mr Darcy would be amongst them—along with his sister, whom she longed to meet—left her wanting to immediately begin planning amusements and as many excuses as possible for them to spend hours together every day.
He nodded. “He considers it the most wonderful idea he has heard in months, though I suspect he was exaggerating.” They shared a laugh, and his demeanour grew more serious. “My only hesitation in bringing Georgiana here is Wickham.”
“Oh, of course,” Elizabeth said, instantly sobering and touching his hand briefly. “But surely they would not see each other? I suppose they might accidentally, such as in Meryton, if Miss Darcy wished to go there one morning. He is not welcome at Longbourn or in the homes of those we customarily see, so there is no danger there.”
“I had hoped you would help me determine how I shall keep Georgiana from having to see him, and already, you have alleviated most of my concern. I can now see that it will be easily accomplished. Georgiana is not yet out, but I and my cousin, with whom I share guardianship, permit her to attend some functions. If she returned to Meryton with me, I would hope to take her with me to smaller parties—here or at Netherfield, certainly, and perhaps some others. There would be no chance of an encounter then. I told you that she is shy, and while I do not fear she would be excessively distressed at seeing him, she would be embarrassed, and it would rob her of the good cheer I know she will otherwise experience here.”
This mark of his care and goodness, and knowing what it signalled for her own future, made Elizabeth’s eyes sting with tears; she blinked them away. “Could you not ask Colonel Forster when Mr Wickham will not be out and about? That way, we could arrange to visit Meryton one day. I am sure my sisters would like to show Miss Darcy the shops, even knowing they are not as fine as those she is accustomed to. It is diverting for us, and I assume another young lady would be equally as glad to sort through ribbons and such to pass the time.”
“She would,” he said, sounding pleased with the suggestion. “We could arrange to take refreshments at the inn, as we did with your father.”
They spoke of several other ways they might amuse themselves. Elizabeth told him that Mr and Mrs Gardiner would almost certainly come to Longbourn, which would add to their festivities. He gratified her by saying how much he anticipated meeting them. Mr Darcy then raised another matter.
“As I said, when I am in town, I shall be seeing my family. Lady Romsley has a Twelfth Night ball every year. I am required to attend. She would not speak to me for a year if anything other than grave illness kept me away.”
She laughed, delighted with his increasingly obvious sense of humour; she supposed it was easier for him to show it since he was more comfortable with her and her family.
He continued, “Would you be able to return to London with Mr and Mrs Gardiner so that you might go with me? You and Miss Bennet both. I would like to dance with you at it.”
“Truly?” For a few seconds, she was light-headed. He wanted to take her to his aunt’s—a countess’s—ball in London. Although she knew he had titled relations, she had not before considered that they would become her own if—when—they married. “Would she invite us? I assume Mr Bingley is attending.” Even meeting an earl and countess was beyond what she had ever expected to experience. But she was confident enough in her worth not to cower or be fearful, and her enthusiasm to go to such a grand event was already growing.
“He is, and yes, if I ask it of her, she would. She would include your aunt and uncle, of course, as your chaperons.”
Surreptitiously taking a deep breath to clear her head, Elizabeth said, “My aunt and uncle are always happy for us to stay, but I shall write to them at once to ensure there is no reason it would be inconvenient. My father could inform you of their response, if you agreed.” She did not think he would object to corresponding with her father, but it was courteous to enquire.
Their solitude was soon interrupted, but Elizabeth was resigned to sharing him with her sisters and parents, all of whom appeared to have forgotten how much they had initially despised him. Either that or they were willing to never speak of the night of October 18, 1811 again. In time, they might all succeed in forgetting there had been an assembly on that date. Though why should she wish it? After all, it had been the day she and Mr Darcy first met, and, as Shakespeare said, ‘all’s well that ends well’.
Before the gentlemen departed, Mr Bingley explained that he had errands to see to in London, would leave the following day, and anticipated an absence of no more than a week. Mr Darcy would be gone longer—perhaps up to three weeks—but he vowed to see them all before Christmas.
CHAPTER THIRTY
The following Tuesday, Jane received a note from Miss Bingley, announcing that she and the Hursts had gone to London.
