Page 9 of To Go Against Her Heart
Miss Bingley seemed irritated that the same man who had stayed by her side the whole evening during the assembly was now spending time with strangers away from her.
As the evening progressed, Darcy strangely missed Elizabeth. He was confused by his own yearning to meet her again. He could also see that his friend was very much in love with Miss Bennet; whether she returned his feelings was not quite certain to him. He found Elizabeth’s father to be intelligent, although he said very little. Interestingly, he enjoyed his conversation with Charlotte Lucas and could very well sense that she did not have a favorable opinion of him.
I am certain she is aware of my insult towards her friend.
Darcy’s intention that evening was not just to redeem himself in Elizabeth’s eyes had she been present, but to genuinely change his attitude towards life for his own good.
“I visited the bookstore in Meryton; apart from that, I have not explored the village much. I have enjoyed riding in the neighborhood, though,” he said, answering Charlotte’s question.
“I see; I am certain the country offers you a welcome distraction from town,” she observed, aware of his tête-à-tête with her friend on Oakham Mount some days back.
“It does. I am certain autumn will add beauty to the countryside.”
“I have heard much about Derbyshire’s beauty, and I cannot guarantee that the season here will be as spectacular as yours,” she declared and continued, “Elizabeth’s aunt is a native of Derbyshire, and she always paints a beautiful picture of the countryside there when she visits.”
“Does she continue to reside there?”
“No, she lives in town but was raised in a village in Derbyshire. Forgive me, I do not remember the name,” she said, and Darcy wondered if Elizabeth’s aunt was someone in his acquaintance.
“We may be acquainted. As she mentioned, Derbyshire is delightfully beautiful in every season, yet I cannot allow my fondness for the place of my upbringing to diminish my appreciation for other places,” he said. Charlotte could see that he was making an effort not only with her, but with everyone else at the gathering.
As the evening ended, Jane and Charlotte wondered if Elizabeth’s words had influenced Darcy to be more cordial with everyone at the gathering. Mr. Bingley noticed the same and was delighted when Darcy accepted an invitation to shoot with Sir William a few days later. He was glad that his friend was finally warming up to the people of Hertfordshire, though Miss Bingley was vexed at him for the very same reason.
The next morning, during breakfast, she decided to reason with her brother to leave Netherfield.
“Charles, I trust you understand the need to return to town soon. Our friends miss our company, and I have already received numerous letters urging our return. Now that Miss Darcy has arrived, I am certain Mr. Darcy would wish for us to entertain her. I suggest we depart at the earliest.”
“Do not be ridiculous. It has hardly been a month since we arrived here. I am truly enjoying myself, Caroline, and managing Netherfield is a task I would like to excel in. If you wish to leave, I am not stopping you,” he said with irritation.
Miss Bingley looked at Darcy, hoping he would agree, but he said nothing.
“I am certain whatever you see in the people here will tire you out soon. Last evening was tedious for me; a few minutes of Mrs.Bennet’s company gave me a headache. I cannot believe you find their company endearing. What do you say, Louisa?”
“I agree; Jane Bennet is a sweet girl, but I do not have a favorable opinion about anyone else in the family,” Mrs. Hurst declared.
“I am glad Miss Eliza Bennet was absent; she came across as rude and ill-mannered during our previous engagements.”
“Caroline, that is enough! Do not speak of our friends this way,” Mr. Bingley cried, and Darcy was quite appalled by the way she spoke.
“Why, Charles, I speak the truth, and we know exactly why she is that way. Don’t we, Louisa?”
“I do not understand. What do you even mean?” Mr. Bingley asked.
“Well, the poor girl has been nursing a broken heart, as I heard from her aunt, Mrs. Phillips. It seems she was courted by a wealthy gentleman in town several months ago, who left her heartbroken and married another after raising her hopes. Her aunt mentioned that she scarcely attended parties or gatherings and kept to herself for many months,” Mrs. Hurst said.
“These country girls always travel to town hoping to make advantageous matches; I presume she did the same. I pity her—surely, given her standards, she could never find a match in society superior to her own. Perhaps she is trying to act heartbroken to gain sympathy. I cannot fathom how anyone could fall in love with her,” she said with a laugh.
To her shock, Darcy stood after slamming down his spoon.
“Miss Bingley, I warn you to stop slandering Miss Elizabeth so vulgarly. I am astonished at the ease with which you discuss the private affairs of a lady so cheaply. Bingley, you are well aware of my opinion about gossip, and I hate to be subjected to such foul talk; if at all this is to continue, I shall be forced to stay at the innfor the rest of my time in Hertfordshire,” he cried and left the room, much to Miss Bingley’s horror.
As he ascended the stairs, he struggled to compose himself. He hoped that whatever he had heard from Miss Bingley was untrue. The very account of Elizabeth being in love with someone else distressed him beyond measure.
If whatever I heard was true, then my words at the assembly would have definitely wounded her even more. No wonder she was so angry with me.
The story left him in unexpected agitation, as somehow, it brought Georgiana’s suffering to mind, and yet again, he wished with all his heart that he had refrained frominsultingher at the assembly.
Chapter 6
