Overheard Page 4

  Mr. Bingley proved once again that his manners were as open as his heart and his concern for Jane was genuine. His affection grew steadily, despite the Bennets’ flaws so clearly pointed out by his sisters. But will he resist his sisters’ disapproval and go further into a relationship with Jane? Will he have the strength to defy their opposition and the ability to recognise Jane’s worthiness?

  However, her more troublesome thoughts were regarding Mr. Darcy. Her first impression of him had been utterly unfavourable, then it softened slightly after their conversation at the assembly, but when they met again at Netherfield, he seemed a different person. He teased her after her imprudent and reproachful comment, expressed his genuine concern about her safety during her walk, and appeared honest in his worry about Jane’s state. His interventions in the overheard conversation had doubtful meanings. He mentioned their low connections and the impact on their chances for a future marriage–and as much as Elizabeth loathed that statement, she knew it to be true.

  Furthermore, she was unsure how much he disapproved of the Bennet family and implicitly Bingley’s relationship with Jane. How strongly would he oppose to such intentions of his friend? And how strong was his influence over Bingley?

  And something even more disturbing about Mr. Darcy was that every time he looked at her, every time their glances met, she felt more uncomfortable than in the presence of any other man.

  Chapter 4

  Elizabeth remained with Jane at Netherfield for four days. If in the first evening she was able to refuse to join the family at the dinner, the next day she met them at breakfast.

  The first who enquired after her sister was Bingley, as she expected.

  “She is as fine as we expected, thank you for asking.”

  “I am sure she found comfort in your presence,” Darcy said.

  Elizabeth could not avoid looking at him, while she confirmed with a nod of her head.

  “You and Miss Bennet seem very close,” Bingley continued.

  “We are; I feel privileged to have Jane as a sister. She is the kindest, most generous soul that I know. People often see her outside beauty, but inside she glows even more.”

  “I am sure you are both privileged,” Darcy said, and again Elizabeth was taken aback.

  “You have every reason to be proud of your sister, too, Darcy,” Mr. Bingley said.

  “Indeed,” Miss Bingley interjected hastily. “Miss Darcy is one of the most accomplished ladies I have ever met and she is still so very young! She plays at the pianoforte like a Goddess!”

  Elizbeth smiled to herself at such exaggeration, but tried to look composed.

  “She is very talented–that is beyond argument,” Bingley agreed. “I have met many accomplished ladies who played the pianoforte exquisitely, but none of them can compare to Georgiana.”

  “It is my turn to praise my sister and to say just like Miss Elizabeth: Georgiana’s talent is praiseworthy, but her true accomplishment is her sweet nature and generous heart,” Darcy added, with a warmth that made his voice tremble.

  Elizabeth glanced at him, surprised and impressed. In a way, he had compared her sister with his.

  “True,” Bingley added.

  “How I long to see dear Georgiana again! I love her as my own sister,” Miss Bingley said.

  Her insinuation was so obvious that it sounded embarrassing. Elizabeth noticed Darcy rolling his eyes.

  “She will be pleased to see you again,” he said sternly.

  “Oh, and how I long for the summer to come so we can go to Pemberley again! There is no other place as beautiful as Pemberley. You should take it as an example when you buy your own estate, Charles!”

  “Caroline, I might as well ask Darcy if he is willing to sell it; there would be a better chance for me to buy it, than to attempt to copy it!”

  “Do not mock me, Charles! When you purchase your own estate, you must pay attention to the quality of the property, but also to the county and neighbourhood!”

  Elizabeth took the offence directly and ire coloured her cheeks.

  She felt Darcy’s glance on her for a moment and she bit her lip to keep her calm. Then he turned toward Miss Bingley.

  “I would say Bingley did take all these into consideration when he chose Netherfield. I advised him to favour it among other options. Do I feel you are displeased with my suggestions, Miss Bingley?”

  “Oh, no, sir. I am sure your advice has been most adequate. I was just saying …”

  “You are saying more than you should have, Caroline. You must keep in mind that we cannot afford to compare with Darcy, not by far. Our fortune is nothing to his, but even if it was larger, the money our beloved father had made in trade will never be able to buy a property as old and of such consequence as Pemberley.”

  Miss Bingley blushed with anger.

  “You speak nonsense, Charles!”

  “I am not! Let us change the subject, it is rather ridiculous. Miss Bennet, if you wish to write to your parents, you will find everything you need in the library. You may go there whenever you want, nobody uses that room except Darcy.”

  “Thank you, sir, you are too kind. I will take advantage of your offer and visit it. I confess that the room I like the most in any house is the library. I have inherited that from my father.”

  “Well, you may take as much advantage of it as you want. I am not sure how much the books will meet your taste. I confess I do not read much. Darcy can tell you more of it.”

  “I am sure I will find several books to my liking, to lose myself in. There is no better comfort than reading,” Elizabeth smiled.

  “Young ladies rarely spend time reading,” Mr. Hurst finally intervened. “Such preference is rather peculiar.”

  “It might be peculiar, but commendable,” Darcy said. “I have always encouraged my sister to improve her mind by extensive reading and I am proud to say she is quite fond of books.”

  “That is because your library at Pemberley is exquisite, Mr. Darcy,” Miss Bingley said.

  “Indeed, the most elegant I have ever seen,” Louisa added.

  “I thank you, ladies, but I doubt this might be the reason. I am quite sure Georgiana is not induced to read by the furniture,” Darcy replied, with a smile hidden between his lips.

  Elizabeth smiled too and their eyes met again briefly.

  “But I admit I am proud of the Pemberley library. It is the result of many generations who put efforts into completing and enriching it.”

  “I am sure Miss Bennet would like it,” Bingley said enthusiastically.

  Darcy appeared uneasy, Bingley’s sisters exchanged appalled looks; Elizabeth suddenly lost her appetite.

  “Since I will never see it, I must take your word for it,” she jested. “Now please excuse me, I will return to Jane. I must take care that she eats a little and has some tea before taking her draughts.”

  ***

  The following days passed in the same manner: with Elizabeth taking care of Jane and spending as little time as possible with the Netherfield residents. Her conversations with Darcy–although brief–were always odd and interesting at the same time. They debated on several books, discussed their preferences, much to Miss Bingley’s annoyance and Bingley’s amusement.

  Mrs. Bennet came to visit together with her younger daughters, offering Bingley’s sisters more reasons for censure. And not even Elizabeth could excuse the lack of decorum shown by her mother, Lydia and Kitty.

  The stay at Netherfield turned out to be a burden for Elizabeth. On the fourth morning, right after breakfast, after another rude comment from Miss Bingley, she reached the edge of her patience.

  “Please excuse me, I will return to Jane. Mr. Bingley, if my sister is well enough, would you be so kind as to help us return home in your carriage?”

  “Of course! But–are you sure it would be safe for Miss Bennet to be moved already?”

  “I will speak to her. But I believe we have taken enough advantage of your benevolence.”

  “Miss Bennet, you must know that your presence here was a pleasure!” Bingley cried.

  Elizabeth smiled at him, then glanced at the sisters’ annoyed expression, Darcy’s stern countenance and Hurst’s indifferent face.

  “Thank you, sir. If Jane feels strong enough, it is time to return home,” she repeated, then left the room.

  Once upstairs, however, she found Jane sleeping soundly and she had no heart to wake her. She sat on a chair, looking through the window. It was a sunny autumn day, with mild weather. If she was at Longbourn, she would have taken a long walk. For the time being, she could only wait in silence.

  Several minutes passed and Elizabeth’s patience diminished. She could use a good book to entertain her. There were two on the table–she had just finished them the previous night.

  Carefully, she opened the door and returned downstairs, in the main hall she met the butler, who bowed to her.

  “Mr. Bingley went to the stables; Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst are taking a stroll in the garden. I have no knowledge of Mr. Darcy or Mr. Hurst’s whereabouts,” the man said formally.

  “And I have no need of either of them; I will just take another book from the library and return to my sister,” she smiled, then walked toward the library in a lighter spirit.

  She opened the door and stopped. The curtains were closed; it was dark and cold when she entered, although the fire was burning. Her eyes quickly adjusted to the darkness and she let out a cry (or a cry escaped) when she noticed Darcy on an armchair, unmoving, like he was sleeping. At her entrance, he quickly rose to stand and bowed to her.

  “Forgive me, I did not mean to frighten you, Miss Bennet. May I be of some help? I opened the windows–it was a heavy air in here. It is cold enough now, should I close them?”
br />   “Oh no, do not worry; fresh air is always good,” she answered, with the same sense of uneasiness in his presence.

  “Is your sister well?”

  “Yes, sir; she is sleeping and I need a book to keep me company,” she smiled again.

  “Do you have any preference?”

  “I believe Shakespeare would do just fine. A comedy,” she added.

  “Shakespeare is here,” he led her, holding a candle. His nearness did not displease her, but her discomfort grew.

  “‘The Taming of the Shew’ would be lovely; I know it by heart already, so it would keep my spirits up.”

  He stretched and took the book from the shelf, handing it to her.

  “Lovely choice, Miss Bennet.”

  “Thank you. Do you like comedies, Mr. Darcy? Or are you more fond of dramas?” she teased him.

  “I am fond of good books, whatever the subject might be. There is time for comedy and time for drama, just as there is time for literature and science, for study and for entertainment. Each in their own time.”

  “Of course; your answer cannot be argued, sir. I was only trying to jest, I did not mean to start a serious conversation.”

  “I see; it seems I am not a man of comedy after all,” he teased her back, with a smile twisting the corners of his lips.

  They stood face to face, at a small distance, their eyes locked, both uneasy, but wondering about the strange sensation that enveloped them. And both startled when they heard voices from outside, loud and clear.

  “Caroline, come here, near the house. The grounds are all slippery…”

  “This stroll was a bad idea, Louisa! We should return to the house!”

  “But the weather is pleasant!”

  “It is pleasant, but I see no reason to dirty my shoes! I am not Eliza Bennet!”

  “Caroline, you must control your manners and your words!”

  “How could I, Louisa? Charles has lost his mind completely and Mr. Darcy is of no use! We have been invaded by all the Bennets in the county! Oh, dear! The mother and the youngest daughter are horrible! Not that the others were any better…”

  “This is true… But being rude would be of no help…”

  “Louisa, what if Charles would do something foolish and propose to Jane? Can you imagine?”

  “Heaven forbid, do not even say so!”

  “And Mr. Darcy seems to have lost his mind too! How could he say Eliza Bennet has fine eyes? And why would he keep talking to her? Did you see that they talk all the time?”

  “I did see, Caroline. But he is no different than usual. Why would you worry?”

  “Why? Have you ever heard him admiring a woman’s eyes or something else? How could I not worry? What is the meaning of this?”

  “Oh dear Lord, take care–you almost fell! Let us return to the house!”

  The voices slowly faded, and the silence returned in the library. Elizabeth and Darcy desperately attempted to keep their glances averted, fighting their embarrassment.

  The overheard conversation exposed them to a most dreadful situation..

  “I …”

  “It is …”

  Eventually, with no coherent excuse, Elizabeth left the room in a hurry. Once in the hall, she leaned against the wall for a little while, trying to temper the wild beat of her heart, then almost ran to Jane’s chamber.

  Miss Bingley’s insolent comments were nothing compared to the unveiled knowledge that stunned Elizabeth. Mr. Darcy said he admired her eyes? And he said that to Miss Bingley? When did he say such a thing? And why? Did he mean to mock her? Or Caroline Bingley? Surely he could not be sincere - how could he admire her eyes since only days before he called her tolerable?

  ‘What nonsense! I shall not even think of it anymore!’ Elizabeth exclaimed to herself. It was time to return home–they had not an instant to lose.

  ***

  Darcy remained in the library, gazing at the door that closed behind Elizabeth. For the first time in his life, he felt he had completely lost control over circumstances that affected him directly.

  Elizabeth’s presence at Netherfield, her nearness, was enchanting and terrifying as it stirred inside him feelings he had always believed he could control. He had to admit she had charmed him–without even trying to–more than any other young lady he could remember.

  Besides her natural manners, her kind heart, her alluring presence and engaging wit, she was smart, she had extensive knowledge, a commendable love for books and the wisdom to understand them. There was nothing wanting in her, except for the lack of decorum shown by her family, and their low connections. The Bennets were so far beneath him, that Darcy could not possibly consider anything else but a mere admiration for Elizabeth. But the admiration was strong and disturbing, nevertheless.

  The notion that Caroline Bingley revealed his admiration would place both him and Elizabeth in a dangerous place. It might raise her hopes and expectations to a point where she could know only disappointment, as none of them could be fulfilled.

  He felt remorse and pain for being so reckless with his words and promised himself to guard his actions for as long as he remained in Hertfordshire.

  Fortunately, his resolution was eased by the Bennet sisters returning to Longbourn that very day and having a safe distance of three miles between him and the object of his worrying interest.

  Chapter 5

  The following days were eventful at Longbourn as well as in the entire village of Meryton.

  The Bingley sisters’ conversation was still bothering Elizabeth and she kept thinking about Darcy more than she wished to. She was surprised by her reaction, especially since nothing else special had occurred during her stay. He had treated her with utter politeness, she had no reason to complain regarding his behaviour to either her or Jane. Then why was she still restless while thinking of him? Why did she feel so uneasy knowing he had admired her eyes?

  Elizabeth had met enough gentlemen who had openly admired and complimented her until the age of almost one and twenty. Why was that mere, insignificant statement such a reason of concern to her?

  She had heard that Darcy planned to leave Hertfordshire soon and she found herself wondering if she would see him again before his departure. Why was she even preoccupied by such a thought again she did not know, but she had her answer soon enough.

  As soon as Elizabeth and Jane returned from Netherfield, Mrs. Bennet asked Mr. Bennet to write to Mr. Bingley and thank him for taking care of Jane. Also, the letter issued a dinner invitation for the entire Netherfield party. Since Mr. Bingley’s reply arrived with his grateful acceptance, Mrs. Bennet’s entire time and energy were concentrated on having the best dinner that ever took place in the neighbourhood.

  “My dear sister, you must have at least three courses!” Mrs. Phillips advised Mrs. Bennet, who only replied with a rolling of her eyes.

  “Three courses would not be enough for a gentleman who showed so much care for my Jane! And surely not enough to satisfy the appetite of a man with ten thousand a year, if Mr. Darcy would consider attending!”

  “You must not be so anxious–you have four more days until the dinner party, sister!”

  “Four more days are nothing when there are so many things to be done! I wrote to my sister Gardiner to send me some fruits and cheese from London, by post!”

  “Well, you should be prepared for more guests, Mrs. Bennet. We are expecting a new addition to our family,” Mr. Bennet interjected.

  “We are? What do you mean, Mr. Bennet?”

  “I received a letter from my cousin, Mr. Collins. The one who will inherit Longbourn after I am gone and can throw you out of the house anytime he pleases.”

  Mr. Bennet’s jesting caused Mrs. Bennet deep distress and a dangerous stirring of her nerves.

  “Do not mention the name of that dreadful person to me, Mr. Bennet!”

  “I am sorry, my dear Mrs. Bennet, but the name must be mentioned since I expect him to arrive today at four o’clock. Look, this is his letter. He is a clergyman in a parish in Kent and he declared he comes with the desire of finding a reconciliation between our families. So count him too for the dinner table from tonight so long as he decides to remain us.”

  “I am sure he wishes to assess his future property! Just as I am sure he is a horrible man!” Mrs. Bennet continued and Mrs. Phillips supported her.