The Companion Page 41

  “Are you not a little overconfident, Lady Susan?” asked Darcy. In reality, he was more than a little amused, as his aunt seemed determined to have Miss Elizabeth as a niece.

  “Not at all,” replied Lady Susan, turning a smug gaze on Darcy. “Given the way you have been looking at each other tonight, I am confident an engagement announcement will be forthcoming before long. I only wish you would teach my second son what you have learned—he seems content to remain a bachelor for the rest of his life.”

  Darcy’s eyes found Fitzwilliam where he danced with some miss with whom Darcy was not acquainted, and the roguish grin with which he favored her suggested he was behaving at his most outrageous.

  “If you will forgive me, Aunt Susan,” replied Darcy, “I will leave your son to his own devices. He will settle down at a time of his own choosing, I am certain.”

  Though Lady Susan’s glance suggested annoyance, she was too happy about the developments concerning Miss Elizabeth to dwell on it. For his part, Darcy spent the rest of the evening watching her, content to see her brightly shining countenance as she dazzled young man after young man. By now Darcy was confident in her affections, and knew that she was just being herself. Had he waited longer, they might have been challengers for her favor. But there was no one left on the field, and if they attempted to enter it, he knew they would be required to retreat. It was only a matter of time before he would be able to make her his alone.

  Chapter XXXI

  It was, by far, the most enjoyable night of society Elizabeth had ever spent, but by the time the end had arrived, she found she was, as Mr. Darcy had suggested, quite exhausted and quite willing to allow the carriage to take them the short distance back to his house. She could never have imagined the evening would proceed in such an agreeable manner, but she was happy she had had a taste of that society. Not all those to whom she had been introduced had been agreeable—in fact, some of the young women had been condescending, and some of the men she thought would be best to avoid altogether. But overall, Lady Susan had eased her introduction into her world, and Elizabeth had no cause to think it had been anything but a success.

  The residents of Darcy house slept late the next morning and rose after they had regained some of their vigor. When they had made their way down to the visiting rooms, they were met by an obviously annoyed Georgiana.

  “I have been waiting patiently for some details of last night’s amusement!” cried the girl, apparently desperate to hear the news.

  “I told you they would be late and would arise late,” replied Mrs. Annesley, her tone slightly chiding. “Had you concentrated on your lessons, you might have been able to keep your excitement under control.”

  Georgiana’s rolled eyes—carefully where her companion could not see them—spoke to her thoughts for the reprimand. Instead, she looked at Elizabeth, a glare reminiscent of those she had often seen from Mr. Darcy demanding she speak. Elizabeth laughed and obliged, and the young ladies spent some minutes regaling her with tales of what they had done and with whom they had danced. The girl was shining with anticipation and Elizabeth thought Mr. Darcy might have a hard time holding her eagerness in check. It was a circumstance which could hardly have been fathomed only a few months earlier.

  Throughout that day and the next, Elizabeth spent every moment she could with Anne and Georgiana, knowing that her time with them was rapidly coming to a close. Even Lady Catherine, who still looked on Elizabeth with exasperation at times, seemed affected by this coming separation. At times, Elizabeth thought it would become quite maudlin, for they all seemed to feel it.

  “Oh, that is enough already!” laughed Anne after Georgiana had told Elizabeth how much she would miss her several times over. “We shall not be separated very long at all!”

  Georgiana turned to Anne and regarded her with confusion for some moments, before it was replaced with excitement. “Are we to go to Hertfordshire? Are we to see Elizabeth and Jane again?”

  “Yes, my dear Cousin, we are,” replied Anne, smiling at Georgiana’s obvious enthusiasm.

  “I am so happy!” cried Georgiana, throwing herself into Elizabeth’s arms. “I shall meet your sisters, and we shall have so much fun!”

  “Perhaps . . .” said Lady Catherine, regarding Georgiana with a pensive frown, but she trailed off. “Well, I suppose it is unavoidable, if we are to go to Hertfordshire.” She cast a stern frown on Georgiana. “But you must remember your station, Georgiana, and not allow the behavior of young ladies of a lesser station to influence yours.”

  “Oh, Mother,” said Anne, shaking her head. “I cannot think they can be all that much different.”

  “In fact, Lady Catherine is not incorrect in this instance,” said Elizabeth, suppressing a wince. “My younger sisters are . . . exuberant, and they do not appreciate being checked. I think they could both do with a little of Georgiana’s reserve.”

  “Then I will be happy to share it with them!” exclaimed Georgiana.

  Elizabeth could only laugh. “Let us then hope they will emulate you!”

  Lady Catherine watched Elizabeth with unconcealed annoyance, and Elizabeth was certain the lady was determined to take her younger sisters in hand once they were within range of her influence. Far from being exasperated with her ladyship’s presumption, Elizabeth thought her younger sisters could do with a little of Lady Catherine’s severity. They had certainly never listened to their elder sisters, and heaven knew their mother never acted to check their behavior!

  The preparations for an imminent departure gained a much more festive air; had Elizabeth not known otherwise, she might have thought that Georgiana expected to leave for Hertfordshire at the same time as Elizabeth herself left. As it was, Elizabeth was quite happy to see the girl so enthusiastic, though she was not certain how Mr. Darcy felt about the prospect of his sister’s pending corruption at the hands of her youngest sisters.

  “I am quite happy for her to make your sisters’ acquaintances,” said Mr. Darcy when Elizabeth playfully raised the subject with him later that day. “Though you, Anne, and your sister have been an excellent influence on my sister, I cannot help but think she would benefit from an acquaintance with those of her own age.”

  “You do not worry about her being afflicted by their high spirits?”

  Mr. Darcy only smiled. “I hope Georgiana knows what is acceptable and what is not. It is possible they will also benefit from her demeanor. And I am certain my aunt will have something to say, should they get out of hand.”

  Elizabeth could not help the laughter which bubbled up, and Mr. Darcy laughed along with her. She wondered at it, however, for she could not have imagined Mr. Darcy willingly allowing his sister in company with hers not long ago. She did not make that observation, however, for she did not wish to offend him, though she was certain he would allow the truth of it.

  “How are your own preparations?” asked Mr. Darcy. “Are you anticipating your return?”

  “I am, though perhaps not as much as I might have thought.” Elizabeth paused and considered the matter for some moments. “I have . . . been away from home for some time now, and though I cannot quite put my finger on it, something has . . . changed.”

  The nod with which Mr. Darcy favored her informed Elizabeth that he understood her perfectly, perhaps better than she understood herself. “Is it like your world has expanded and Longbourn has not grown with it?”

  A frown found Elizabeth’s face as she thought about it, before nodding slowly. “Perhaps that is it, though I will always love my childhood home.”

  “As is proper.” Mr. Darcy paused, though his gaze never wavered. “Miss Bennet, though you are to leave my house, we will be in company again soon, for as you know, Bingley cannot be away from your sister for more than a few days!”

  Elizabeth laughed. “I think you must be correct.”

  “I have given this matter much thought, and I would like to obtain your permission to call on you when you return
to your home.”

  Though thrilled with his request, Elizabeth saw a prime opportunity to tease him. “I must own to being impressed, Mr. Darcy. I had not thought you would ride all the way from London only to call on me.”

  “Minx!” exclaimed Mr. Darcy. “You know I intend to join Bingley at Netherfield when he goes, though I would be willing to show my devotion to call on you from London if necessary. But three miles, I believe, is no true measure, so I will need to show that devotion in other ways, if you will allow it.”

  “You know how my mother will react when she realizes it, do you not?”

  “I am counting on it.” The smile he showed her was roguish. “She will be my most ardent supporter, I am certain.”

  “Now that is not fair, Mr. Darcy!” protested Elizabeth.

  “No, but it should inform you how serious I am about my intentions.”

  “I never doubted them.”

  Then, in a movement so unexpected and firm, Mr. Darcy leaned down and kissed her. It was nothing more than an instant, but it left Elizabeth aching for so much more. But he was not willing to press his luck, though he did lean his forehead against hers once he had accomplished his objective.

  “I am sorry for my impulsive action, Miss Bennet, but it seemed the only way to silence you.”

  Elizabeth laughed. “It seems to have been effective, though I will thank you not to take this means of winning arguments all the time.”

  Then, realizing what she had said, Elizabeth colored, and her eyes sought the floor beneath their feet.

  “I believe, Miss Bennet,” said Mr. Darcy, drawing her eyes back to him, “that when all is said and done, we will find that I am far more in your power than the reverse. And I would not have it any other way.”

  And so it was that the eldest Bennet sisters returned to their home soon after, and Mr. Darcy’s words about Mr. Bingley’s inability to part from Miss Bennet were proven, for the combined Bingley and Darcy party followed only three short days after. And though Mrs. Bennet was ecstatic to have Mr. Bingley returned to her eldest and most deserving daughter, she was unable to make out the presence of not only Mr. Darcy, but also his sister, his aunt, and his cousin.

  For Elizabeth herself, though she was happy to be home, she soon realized that she had become more accustomed to the softness and quietude of Mr. Darcy’s house, and the much more frenetic pace of Longbourn was suddenly taxing on her nerves. Mr. Bennet was happy to see Jane and Elizabeth return, and he commented more than once on how agreeable he found their presence. What was not so agreeable was Elizabeth’s reaction upon learning the family’s most recent news when she arrived home.

  “Lizzy!” exclaimed Lydia almost as soon as they walked through the door. “You must congratulate me, for I am to go to Brighton for the summer.”

  “You, go to Brighton?” asked Elizabeth, perplexed at the very notion.

  “Yes, for you see I have been invited by Harriet Forster, my particular friend and the colonel’s wife. I am to enjoy Brighton’s charms and to become the favorite of all the officers.”

  “Is it not unfair, Lizzy?” asked Kitty, who was obviously near to tears. “I am two years older—should I not have been invited as well?”

  “Oh, who would wish to invite you?” demanded Lydia, her voice laden with derision. “I am Harriet’s particular friend. She does not like you nearly so well as she likes me!”

  “Do not be unkind to your sister, Lydia,” said Elizabeth. “Are you certain of this?”

  “Of course, I am!” exclaimed Lydia, her affront obvious. “You and Jane have had all the fun, though I cannot imagine a visit to Kent to see Mr. Collins would be agreeable. It is now my turn. Papa has already given his consent.”

  And laughing, Lydia went skipping off to demand Jane’s congratulations. Elizabeth watched her go, wondering how such an empty-headed girl could possibly be trusted with naught but Mrs. Harriet Forster as a chaperon, a girl who was as silly and ridiculous as Lydia was herself. The more she thought about it, the more Elizabeth realized she must make the attempt to convince her father against sending her.

  Unfortunately, Mr. Bennet was quite insensible to the notion that Lydia’s going would do anything other than secure their peace.

  “Of course, I have given my consent,” said he when Elizabeth raised the subject. “Would you expect me to subject the entire family to her tantrums all summer if she is prevented?”

  “I would expect that she would be taken in hand before she ruins us all,” replied Elizabeth, with perhaps more passion than tact.

  Mr. Bennet, far from taking offense, only laughed. “You should not concern yourself, Lizzy. These officers are not fools—none of them will wish to be saddled with a silly, dowerless girl who will bring them nothing but headaches. Lydia will be quite safe, and will have the added benefit of making herself ridiculous and realizing the reality of her own insignificance in a distant place where it will not affect her family.”

  Though Elizabeth was not at all in agreement with her father’s assertion, there was nothing she could say to convince him, and she was forced to retreat from the field in defeat. Elizabeth had always known of her father’s lackadaisical style of caring for his daughters—she knew he loved them, but the level of involvement which would be required to change Lydia’s habits was far beyond that which he was willing to exert himself.

  Lydia was as unkind in the last days before she departed as she had been when Elizabeth first discovered the change in her status, and Kitty bore the brunt of it. Elizabeth attempted to console her sister, and in response, she found a little improvement in Kitty’s spirits.

  “You do not think Brighton will be as fun as Lydia claims?” asked Kitty in response to Elizabeth’s gentle words.

  “I do not,” said Elizabeth. “The colonel will be busy with his duties, and though Lydia will have Mrs. Forster with her and the officers not far away, I am certain her boasts of parties and balls every day are nothing more than wishful thinking.”

  “I suppose,” replied Kitty, though Elizabeth could readily see she was not convinced.

  “Besides,” continued Elizabeth, “when Mr. Bingley comes, Mr. Darcy and his sister and cousin will be accompanying them. Anne is a treasure, but I think you will enjoy Georgiana’s company especially. She is a wonderful young woman and will require someone her own age to welcome her into the neighborhood.”

  “Truly?” asked Kitty, her eyes wide.

  “Yes. But you will be required to improve your behavior. Georgiana is a proper young lady, and she is not yet out. She will appreciate your friendship, but her aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, will not appreciate your animal spirits.”

  “I will try,” said Kitty. It was clear she was excited about the prospect of meeting such an elegant young lady, and as such, Elizabeth merely had to remind her of Georgiana’s coming, and Kitty would think of her behavior and try to do better.

  Thus it was that Lydia departed for Brighton the same day that the Netherfield party arrived in the area, and as Elizabeth would have expected, Mr. Bingley wasted no time in calling on the Bennets to once again put himself in Jane’s company, so they arrived only hours after Lydia’s departure. He was welcomed with the civility and excitement Elizabeth might have expected from her mother, but she was surprised to discover that Lady Catherine’s presence had an unexpected benefit: her mother, never having been in company with the daughter of an earl before, was so astonished and overcome that she was much quieter in the lady’s presence.

  All the ladies were introduced to the Bennets, and Kitty and Georgiana became friends quickly, as Elizabeth might have expected. What was unexpected, however, was Mary’s affinity for Georgiana’s company, which Elizabeth attributed to the girls’ common interest in music—Mary was soon to leave with the Gardiners for their tour to the north, but just on the basis of a few days, Elizabeth thought she and Georgiana would end as lifelong friends. Anne and Lady Catherine spoke kindly to all, and though
it was quite obviously hard for Lady Catherine, even Elizabeth, who suspected the lady’s true feelings, could hardly detect them, for she was kind to Mrs. Bennet. In fact, Elizabeth thought Lady Catherine came to possess an exasperated sort of fondness for her mother, though her attempts to correct Mrs. Bennet’s behavior were doomed to failure. Mrs. Bennet was too set in her ways, which might be a blessing, as Lady Catherine’s ideas of proper behavior were often laughable.

  The Netherfield party once again settled into Mr. Bingley’s home, and they were welcomed by all the neighborhood, much to the delight of many. Among the most vocal of those who made the Bingleys feel welcome again was Sir William, who never lost an opportunity to be civil. Elizabeth was happy to note that Mr. Darcy was much more able to bear the man’s effusions with patience than he had been the previous autumn. Mr. Bingley, of course, was as happy and amiable as ever, and even his sisters were better behaved, though Miss Bingley still had a low tolerance for Meryton society.

  What had happened to the young woman Elizabeth could not quite be certain, for her cutting remarks and snide superiority were a thing of the past. Or perhaps it was more accurate to say that she concealed her emotions much better, for Elizabeth did not think her opinion was any better than it was before. She was perfectly polite to Elizabeth, giving her every appearance of civility, seemingly intent upon maintaining her ability to claim an acquaintance with Mr. Darcy. Whether that would result in an advantageous marriage, Elizabeth did not know, but at least her days of open hostility were at an end.

  In due course Mr. Bingley proposed to Jane and was accepted, and soon after that, Mr. Darcy asked for Elizabeth’s hand with the same result. The raptures of Mrs. Bennet on such occasions might be guessed, but as she was quite in awe of Lady Catherine, she was at least able to temper her enthusiasm to a certain extent—that was to say she only called for her smelling salts once before she sat down to begin planning a wedding fine enough to satisfy a man of Mr. Darcy’s position in society. In this she eagerly involved Lady Catherine, and though the lady was not nearly so enthusiastic about the match as was Mrs. Bennet, she seemed to take some solace in having some say in the arrangements. And though Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy—and Jane and Mr. Bingley, for they were to be married in a joint ceremony—would have preferred simple and elegant arrangements, they decided it was better to simply allow the two ladies—and Lady Susan when she arrived—to have their own way.