Mr. Darcy and the Secret of Becoming a Gentleman (30 page)

Elizabeth watched him in fascination; she did not believe she had ever heard him speak so quickly. That he was nervous touched her heart tenderly. She replied definitively, “I think it a splendid idea.”

“Do you really? If you would rather not, I will understand. We can think of some other arrangement. I want you to have exactly what you want, nothing less.”

“I can think of nothing that would make me happier than sharing such a special day with Jane. I love her so very dearly too. My only concern is whether Jane would approve.”

“If you are sure that you approve of the idea, then we need only to see your sister's reaction. Bingley said he would ask her about it at his first opportunity. If she agrees, do you think your mother would be averse to the idea?”

“I do, but she will have to relent if we are all in agreement. I think it would also suit my father as well, as he would not have to suffer through the preparations for two weddings.”

As they laughed, Elizabeth looked to the other end of the table at her father, who, to her surprise, was watching her and Darcy closely.

As Mr. Bennet studied their easy interactions, he suddenly remembered when it was that he had previously seen Mr. Darcy so relaxed. It was at this very table, at a previous dinner. He and Lizzy had had their heads together all evening in what looked to be animated conversation. At the time, he thought Elizabeth was valiantly carrying out her duties as a hostess—eliciting dialogue from a man who rarely ever spoke. He had thought it a testament to her ease in social situations that she could initiate a discussion with a man who held her in so little regard. Now, as he watched the way Mr. Darcy looked at her, he saw his obvious admiration and understood that it had always been part of his countenance. Here was a drama that had occurred before his very nose, involving his best-beloved daughter, and he had never seen the signs.

As he thought about it, he looked around the room and espied Jane looking adoringly at Mr. Bingley. It abruptly struck him that he did not know how that relationship had come to fruition either. Jane seemed so placid and agreeable, but the course of her engagement to Mr. Bingley was not without event. He had never wondered how Jane fared, as he always thought of her as so serene that her heart could not be easily touched. It clearly was, but he had never noticed it.

As he looked around at all of the members of his family, he realized that he had long since stopped paying any real attention to them. Instead, he let his opinion of them stand unchallenged by the passage of time. It was an apt way to look at his wife. He had long ago surmised her strengths and weaknesses, and he could judge her reaction to almost any situation before she actually responded. He had come to assume that the same was true of his daughters. In his mind, Elizabeth was a keen judge of character who felt comfortable speaking her mind to him about any topic. Jane was good and sweet, and while many men paid her attention, she took it all in stride. But apparently, through his inattention he had misapprehended both daughters. Elizabeth had never bothered to inform him about any of her dealings with Mr. Darcy, and Jane had apparently struggled over Mr. Bingley for many months.

As he looked at his other daughters, he wondered what he had missed about them. As he observed Mary, he had to admit he found very little there of interest. She meant well and was, in fact, well read. But in his mind, her interpretation of what she read always missed the mark. Maybe, however, that had more to do with her age and limited experience. Kitty seemed to follow whoever would lead her, but at times he had detected a sense of humor there. Maybe both girls had hidden depths. But then there was Lydia. She was clearly her mother's daughter in every respect and, like her mother, closer examination seemed redundant.

Before he could dismiss her altogether, however, he thought of Mr. Darcy's warning and wondered if her foolishness meant that she needed more observation rather than less. If she was indeed like her mother in every respect, the fact that she was becoming a young woman who would attract men of every stripe boded very ill indeed. If Lydia's discernment of the company she kept was as poor as Mr. Darcy intimated, then Lydia might soon find herself in a predicament without an honorable ending. He had always deferred the issue of the suitability of the men who called on his daughters to his wife, as she made the endeavor her life's work, but seeing that she never even had the smallest hint that Mr. Darcy was pursuing Lizzy, he wondered how he could trust her to know what Lydia was doing with her time when so much more was at stake.

His meditations were interrupted by the ladies withdrawing. Later, when he returned to his family after a quick brandy with the gentlemen, Mr. Bennet approached Lydia and Kitty and extended each an arm. That they were surprised by his actions was obvious, but no more so when he asked, “So, girls, how can you account for your time today? Have you done anything to recommend yourselves?”

Despite Lydia and Kitty's discomfort over their father's sudden interest, the inhabitants of Longbourn passed the evening pleasantly. Mary enjoyed the brief discussion she had with her father about the book she was reading, and Mrs. Bennet spent the night envisioning the jealous reactions she would elicit when she told her neighbors at church about Elizabeth's engagement. Jane and Mr. Bingley spent most of the evening in deep discussion, oblivious to anyone around them.

Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy were not allowed the same luxury, as the novelty of their engagement had not yet worn off. Elizabeth noted Mr. Darcy's reserve when they were in general discussion with her entire family, but when they were afforded an opportunity for private discourse, she found him attentive, thoughtful, and thoroughly charming. He spoke tenderly of Georgiana, his parents, and the colonel's family, and he listened with great interest while she described her aunt and uncle, who resided in Cheapside. They both agreed that they looked forward to meeting the members of each other's family and hoped it could be accomplished during their visit to London. No word was spoken of his aunt in Kent, as the evening was too pleasant to entertain such a disagreeable subject. Darcy was disappointed that their farewell was accomplished so publicly, as he had observed Mr. Bingley bidding Miss Bennet adieu alone on several occasions, but Mr. Bennet seemed insistent on accompanying him to the door. Consequently, he had to console himself with only a kiss on her hand and her promise that she would see him at church in the morning.

The morning dawned brightly at Longbourn, and even her mother's attempts to throw the household into chaos, by insisting that several of her daughters wear something different from what they had selected, could not dampen Elizabeth's spirits. By her mother's design, they arrived at church early, as she wanted to tell as many people as possible her news before services began. Despite her mother's pleas, Elizabeth stood fast to her intention to wait for Mr. Darcy outdoors, leaving her mother to spread the word without the benefit of embarrassing her in person in the process. As the time for the service drew nearer, Elizabeth grew impatient. While she knew it was irrational, she did not want to enter the church without him.

As she waited by the walkway to the steps of the church, she saw the Bingley carriage arrive. She watched in disappointment as Mr. and Mrs. Hurst exited the coach followed only by Caroline Bingley, who gave her the barest of nods before she entered the church. Elizabeth was tempted to ask her where Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy were, but she would not give her the satisfaction. She thought it petty that Caroline would not acknowledge her engagement, as she must have learned of it either last night or at breakfast this morning.

Caroline entered the church and quickly scanned for Mr. Darcy. He had come home after she had retired for the night, and to her dismay, Charles and he had eaten very early and left for a ride before she had made it downstairs for breakfast. Caroline resolved to seek out Mr. Darcy to sit with her before the service started. To her surprise, she did not see him or her brother in the church. Instead, she watched as Mrs. Bennet animatedly explained that her daughter had received a ring as a token of esteem that had been in the owner's family for generations. Fearing that Charles might have given Jane a gift that should belong to her, she leaned closer. She heard Elizabeth's name mentioned with the word engagement, but before she could move forward to better hear what was being said, a woman to her right asked the man she was with if John Lucas had arrived yet. He replied he had not and gave the woman a knowing nod. As Caroline suddenly realized the import of what was being said, she indulged in a self-satisfied smile. Maybe today would turn out better than she had anticipated. As she thought of Elizabeth standing outside awaiting John Lucas's arrival, she decided to investigate the matter, as it would give her a similar opportunity to wait for Mr. Darcy.

As Caroline walked to Elizabeth, she said, “I see you are waiting patiently for the rest of your party to arrive. May I join you?”

“By all means.”

As Caroline saw Elizabeth's ring, she gasped. She had clearly underestimated the Lucases' resources, but then, on the other hand, maybe it was the only piece of jewelry in the family's collection. Whatever it was, she was still certain that Lucas Lodge was far beneath her notice, and Eliza Bennet was more than welcome to it. She had disliked Mr. Darcy's habit of talking with her at dinner. That her time would now be consumed by her new fiancé more than suited Caroline. “Let me congratulate you on your engagement. I had not heard formally, but I just now surmised as much from your mother. You must be very happy.”

Surprised at her generous words, she replied, “Yes, I am. Thank you very much.”

As an awkward pause ensued, Elizabeth eventually asked, “Your brother and Mr. Darcy did not accompany you this morning?”

Taking Elizabeth's question as a tacit understanding that she was rightfully waiting for Mr. Darcy to escort her to church, Caroline bestowed one of her rare sincere smiles. “No, they left for an early morning ride. When they had not returned by the time we were to leave, we assumed that they had gone straight to church, and we came along directly.”

“Oh. I see.”

They stood for a moment or two in uncomfortable silence, before they saw Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley arrive on horseback. Mr. Bingley dismounted and, after a quick greeting, indicated that he was going to go in to find Jane. He offered his sister his arm, but she impatiently waved him off, stating that it was not necessary. Darcy walked briskly over to them and quickly explained, “I am sorry to be late. Charles and I both arose very early this morning, and with too much time on our hands, he suggested a ride. Unfortunately, we strayed farther than we planned. We would still have been on time, but it takes Charles an inordinately long time to get ready. I am sorry to have kept you waiting; please accept my apology.”

Both Elizabeth and Caroline responded in unison: “It is quite all right.”

Suppressing a smile at Caroline's misstep, Elizabeth added, “I have not been waiting long. Do you often lose your way riding? Maybe it is too dangerous a hobby for you to partake in.”

Enjoying her teasing tone, he replied, “Not at all. I consider an early morning ride to be one of life's greatest pleasures.”

Caroline stood in stunned silence. She could hardly believe the impertinence of Elizabeth Bennet. The familiar tone she had used to address Mr. Darcy was totally inappropriate, and what had she meant by saying that she had not been waiting long?

In the interim, Elizabeth smiled and replied, “Unfortunately, I have never had much inclination beyond attaining a destination. I think it is an art I am not meant to conquer.”

“Nonsense,” Darcy responded. “There are only two things you need to learn how to ride well: a good horse and a good teacher. If you wish, I could help you in that regard. I taught Georgiana to ride. She was quite nervous at first, but she is now very accomplished.”

Unable to let this travesty continue, Caroline moved to stand by Darcy's side and interrupted, “Mr. Darcy, I am sure Eliza could find someone much more suitable to teach her. Did you know that our congratulations are in order, to both her and to Mr. Lucas?”

Darcy looked quizzically at Caroline and then to Elizabeth, whose brow was also furrowed in confusion, before he inquired, “Mr. Lucas?”

“Yes,” Caroline purred, “our own Eliza has become betrothed to him. Her mother is announcing as much in church.”

Elizabeth began to stammer, “Miss Bingley, I think you misunderstand…” but was interrupted by Mr. Darcy, who asked in an imperative tone, “She specifically told you that Elizabeth was engaged to Mr. Lucas?”

“Yes, she is in the church… well, actually, no, I overheard as much, and in any regard, Eliza is wearing his ring.”

Darcy stared at her for several seconds, attempting to comprehend what she was saying. After a moment, he responded in a firm but patient tone, “Miss Bingley, I think you are confused. That is my ring on Elizabeth's finger. I asked her to marry me yesterday morning, and I am exceedingly pleased to state that she has accepted me. We had no opportunity to speak to you this morning, and I assumed you already knew our news since you were here with Elizabeth. You must have misunderstood Mrs. Bennet.”

Caroline's head spun. Each time Mr. Darcy uttered the name “Elizabeth” she felt as if it were a slap to her face. To add to this dreadfully unimaginable news was the fact that she had made such a stupid assumption and then blindly acted on it. She was heartsick, mortified, and slightly ill to her stomach. She gathered all her courage and smiled insincerely. “Oh, what a silly mistake on my part. How foolish of me. Of course, it is you two who are engaged. What a striking pair. I, of course, wish you the best of luck. Congratulations. Well, I should take my place inside.”

As Caroline departed, Elizabeth and Darcy looked at each other, sharing both their shock and confusion and, if they were honest, a little amusement.