Page 20 of Painted with Love

“As you wish. We are happy to wait until the gentlemen return,” Mrs Gardiner answered.

“It might be rather late. We can begin now, and my brother and cousin will join us as soon as they arrive.”

They moved to the dining room, which was large and elegant, able to accommodate a large party. The seven of them barely occupied a small part of the table. The first course was served, but before they had filled their plates, the two gentlemen arrived, greeting the party with apparent good spirits. They disappeared for a few minutes to refresh themselves, then returned and took their seats.

“We apologise for the delay,” Mr Darcy said. “It was an unexpected circumstance that interfered with our plans, and it could not be postponed.”

“Mr Bingley explained it to us briefly. I hope everything was resolved to your satisfaction,” Mr Gardiner replied.

“Mostly, yes. It is no secret — George Wickham has realised that the militia is not the career for him. Therefore, he asked my assistance to begin a new life, somewhere abroad. Preferably India. He intends to make this important move together with a fellow officer. A Mr Denny — I believe you know him — who has also suffered a change of heart and desires a change in career.”

He spoke in a light tone, choosing his words carefully, but Elizabeth understood his meaning perfectly. Mr Wickham and Mr Denny wished to escape from the regiment, and apparently Mr Darcy was willing to indulge them as long as their destination was the other side of the world.

“I trust you always make the best business decisions, Mr Darcy, and this peculiar situation is certainly no exception,” Mr Gardiner said.

“My decisions are not always the best, but in this case, I am confident it was the most convenient for all parties.”

“And now that is done, we may turn to more pleasant subjects, like this delicious food and the delightful company,” Colonel Fitzwilliam interjected.

Miss Darcy looked pale and distracted, keeping her eyes on her plate, though her brother glanced at her several times.

As everybody ate, Elizabeth’s eyes were drawn towards Mr Darcy’s hands. The back of his right one was dark and bruised, and he seemed to be moving it with some discomfort. Their eyes met in silent communication, and she blushed when a little smile appeared on his lips.

As the meal progressed, the conversation became more cheerful, and after the second course, they returned to the drawing-room together, with no separation of the sexes.

The discussion moved from one subject to another; only Miss Darcy remained silent, sitting close to her companion. She was obviously struggling to entertain the guests, but to Elizabeth, the sadness in her pretty eyes was apparent, and she realised that Miss Darcy’s suffering was still far from healed.

When Mr Darcy rose to pour brandy for the gentlemen, Elizabeth boldly moved near him, filling her teacup.

“That injury looks quite nasty,” she whispered. “I assume it is painful too. I hope it was worth the discomfort.”

“There is some pain and some discomfort, but I admit it was absolutely worth it. Though I should be ashamed of myself. Any savage can use violence, but a gentleman should always keep his temper.”

“There are times when a savage act can be justified, even for an otherwise flawless gentleman,” Elizabeth replied, still in a low voice, while they gazed at each other from only inches apart.

“Your approval means a lot to me, Miss Bennet. I shall dare to admit that the strike injured my hand but was deeply satisfying.”

With their eyes still locked, she answered, “I am glad, Mr Darcy. It was deeply satisfying for me only hearing about it.”

His smile widened, and she felt her cheeks heating. Mr Bingley came to help Mr Darcy with the drinks, while Elizabeth took her cup and resumed her place.

Once the tension dissipated, the evening became warm and entertaining, filled with unrestrained discussion and jokes. Elizabeth did not speak much to Mr Darcy directly, but she was delighted and flattered by his friendly manners towards her relatives.

His glances gave her reason to believe that, even if her assumptions were not completely correct, they were not utterly wrong either. Mr Darcy did not hate her, nor did he hold a grudge about her offensive and unfair rejection. Several times he mentioned the possibility of visiting Netherfield soon, and that increased Elizabeth’s hopes that their relationship would not end when she left London.

During the evening, Elizabeth approached Miss Darcy too. The girl seemed so sad, so withdrawn in her own thoughts, that Elizabeth’s heart ached for her. She began a discussion about music, then theatre and opera and their mutual inclination for reading, and Miss Darcy’s bearing eased a little. Mr Darcy watched them with his usual little smile that sent shivers down Elizabeth’s spine and kept her in a state of anxiety until the end of the party.

On their way back to Gracechurch Street, the Gardiners and Jane exchanged opinions with much animation, while Elizabeth said barely a word. She kept thinking of Mr Darcy and his bruised hand, wondering whether a gentle touch could bring him comfort.

***

Three days later, Elizabeth and Jane travelled back to Longbourn in Mr Bingley’s company and in his carriage with a maid for propriety. The evening prior, Mr Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam had called for a final goodbye, conveying Miss Darcy’s warm wishes. There was no time or opportunity for more than a few warm words of farewell, so Elizabeth left London with a burden of regret in her soul.

She had also arrived in London from Kent with her heart heavy, and that had been due to Mr Darcy as well. But the weight pressing on her chest was utterly different now, as were her feelings for the man who had caused them. The carriage had barely left town when Elizabeth began to feel a deep longing, as she had never experienced before, without knowing if or when it would be soothed.