Page 86 of Mr. Darcy’s Diamonds

She was astonished that Mr. Darcy had invited any of them, a tradesman and his wife and a former friend who had mistreated him and disbelieved him when he had rescued her three weeks earlier. Excitement rose in her to have an opportunity to see him before Jane’s wedding. She was terrified to have to face him, not knowing why he had invited her and not knowing how she felt about him. Her confusion stemmed from realizing that no part of her felt angry. This would never do. If she could not muster some anger for Mr. Darcy, she did not think she could accept his invitation. Her plan to avoid engaging her feelings this year should apply most to this man.

She was affected by the possibility that he had been serious in his apology at the ball. Mr. Bingley had expressed the same to her the next morning. What would it mean if Mr. Darcy regretted his affront? There it was. She felt a glimmer of anger as she recalled his words and how much they had hurt her. The old intensity of feeling could not be summoned, but she remembered he had hurt her, and she had not fully forgiven him. After all, he had apologized at Mrs. Humphrey’s ball but had refused to explain why he had been so insulting. And he had avoided her for the next two years. They had not seen each other often, but he never approached her as the friend he had been.

She had never approached him, either, but it would hardly have been appropriate. She could, perhaps, have smiled or nodded to him. But he had been the one to blame. Elizabeth was sure of it. That day at the Hurst home, she had not responded in anger. She had been too stunned to reply at all, and he had departed. The next time they had seen each other, though, a year later at Lady Standridge’s ball, he had not smiled nor acted as a friend would. She had been waiting a year for his apology, and he refused to speak to her as they had danced. She was certainly angry that night, and she had let him know. Neither of them had behaved well that evening.

Every other time they had seen each other since then, Mr. Darcy was unfriendly and distant but not rude. He had treated her almost as a stranger. Worse than a stranger, for they could never become acquainted.

Then suddenly, he had sought her out to protect her, and in the face of her own obstinance, he had been kindness itself as he patiently attempted to pierce her defenses.

She had organized all her brushes and paints while she wrestled with her thoughts, but she was still agitated.

Why had Mr. Darcy invited her to his home?

Although she would change her mind many times in the next ten days, she told her aunt she would attend. How else could she get answers to any of her questions about the man?

“Thank you for coming early, Bingley.”

“It seems I have come just in time. You look as though you could use a drink before your guests arrive.”

Darcy exhaled. “Perhaps a small one. You will help me make Miss Elizabeth comfortable?” He went to the brandy decanter in his study, poured, handed a glass to Bingley, and took a sip from his own.

“I hope I am able. After our last encounter, I am not sure how much good I can do. Although we are not as close as we were before you…well, she has always been friendly with me when we are in Jane’s company or when we see each other in town. In Hertfordshire at Christmas, she was not unfriendly, but she looked at me in a different way, as though waiting for me to say the wrong thing.”

“It is strange that she did not put any stock in your account of Wickham.”

“Not so strange. She was correct that I knew nothing of the man firsthand. It was her suspicious glances at Longbourn, though, that have me confused. It is as though she remembered my flirtation with Miss Grantley and wished to ensure I am devoted to Jane.”

“Does she have cause to worry? I remember my own concerns last summer.”

Bingley’s cheeks pinked. “You put me on the right path that night, and I have not looked back. Thank you for encouraging me to make a choice and cease delaying my proposal. Although Mr. Bennet is insisting on a long engagement, it is a great comfort to have my happiness secured with Jane.”

Darcy nodded and took another sip. Bingley was only increasing his anxieties about this evening. If Elizabeth did not trust either Bingley or himself, would she come at all? Had she even been consulted before her aunt had accepted his invitation? Darcy exhaled deeply again.

“Forgive me, Darce. How can I help? Keep the conversation flowing?”

“Yes. Bring your light and cheerful self to my table and make everyone comfortable, if you please.” Darcy smirked at his friend, but that was exactly what he hoped.

“And most especially Miss Elizabeth. I understand my purpose here tonight.” Bingley laughed.

“Thank you. Oh, and Bingley? My goal is to renew a friendship with Miss Elizabeth, nothing more.”

“But you⁠—”

“Nothing more for now. I must regain her friendship and trust before she has any idea of my feelings, or I fear I will lose any chance of gaining her affections.”

Bingley nodded.

A knock at the door alerted Darcy to the time.

“Enter.”

“Your guests have arrived, sir.”

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Elizabeth had expected Mr. Darcy’s townhouse to be like the Hursts’, but it was larger and more elegant. She nervously looked at the vases and paintings as she stood with her aunt and uncle in a spacious drawing room. She was about to approach a landscape when she heard their host behind her.

“Good evening Mrs. Gardiner, Mr. Gardiner.”