Page 28 of Ashes and Understanding
Darcy said nothing. He had neither the patience nor the inclination to argue, nor did he wish to encourage further discussion. But as he followed his party down from the carriage and into Netherfield, his thoughts remained fixed not on Miss Bingley’s complaints, but on a woman with warm brown eyes, who had met him at his weakest and had treated him not with pity, but with quiet understanding.
And as he retired to his room, he allowed himself a single, private thought: Elizabeth Bennet had been the most remarkable part of the night.
Because for the first time in months, he could breathe.
And not because she did not take your breath away.
Chapter 7
Longbourn was quiet the following morning; the ladies of the house were having a lie-in to recover from dancing at the assembly until the wee hours. By the time lunch was over, however, the occupants had resumed their various levels of vigor.
With the expected arrival of the Lucases and Gardiners—a tradition dating back several years for the day after an assembly—the drawing room was filled with lively conversation.
Elizabeth was sitting on the settee, baby Benjamin nestled comfortably in her arms. After greeting the others in the room, Mrs. Gardiner made her way over to Elizabeth and sat down on the settee. The two exchanged warm smiles as the Lucases were announced.
Once everyone was settled, Mrs. Bennet—perched at the edge of her chair and fluttering a lace handkerchief—was the first tospeak. “Well! I must say, last night was quite the triumph, was it not? You began the evening very well, Charlotte, being Mr. Bingley’s first choice.”
Charlotte smiled. “Yes, but I do believe he much preferred his second better.”
“Oh, yes,” beamed Mrs. Bennet. “It was quite the triumph for my dear girl, was it not? I knew from the moment I laid eyes on Mr. Bingley that he would admire her, and lo and behold—two dances! Two!” She turned to her eldest daughter. “Jane, my love, he was quite obviously smitten with you.”
Jane turned a becoming shade of pink. “It was very kind of him,” she said quietly. “He was very amiable, but it was still only two dances.”
Mrs. Gardiner chuckled. “Still, Jane, it is a mark of favor. A gentleman does not request a second set unless he is particularly taken.”
“She is quite right,” Lady Lucas added. “There were plenty of young ladies who would have been delighted to dance with him, yet he returned to you.”
Mrs. Bennet sighed dreamily. “Oh, I have no doubt that he will be calling at Longbourn before the week is out.”
“And did you have a nice time, Lizzy?” Mrs. Gardiner asked smoothly, intending to change the topic of conversation.
“I daresay she did not!” scoffed Mrs. Bennet. “First, she is cut by Mr. Darcy, and then she disappeared for the remainder of the evening.”
“Someone gave you the cut direct?” gasped Mrs. Gardiner.
“Yes, and he was the most disagreeable man I have ever had the misfortune to meet,” sniffed Lady Lucas.
Elizabeth hesitated, her fingers twisting the fringe on Benjamin’s blanket. “I actually do not believe he intended to be so rude, Mama.”
Charlotte’s eyebrows rose high on her head. “I must say, Eliza, I would not expect such forbearance fromyou! Jane, perhaps… but I would expect you to be mocking him just as much as the rest.”
“I am notsoprejudiced as that,” Elizabeth protested, “but in this case, I have firsthand knowledge about the situation that I daresay none of you have.”
The women all leaned in eagerly, even Jane and Mrs. Gardiner. Mrs. Bennet’s eyes were bright. “Yes, my dear?” she asked eagerly.
Elizabeth laughed. “Oh, nothing so dramatic! I simply overheard someone from his party say that he was feeling very unwell with a megrim, but he had come regardless, in support of Mr. Bingley.”
All the ladies sat back in their seats, and Kitty let out a disappointed moan. “What a let-down, Lizzy. I thought you might have a good bit of gossip to share,” the youngest Bennet girl complained.
“Although it does put his behavior in a different light,” Mrs. Gardiner said thoughtfully.
“Indeed,” Mrs. Bennet nodded. “What a good friend he must be.”
“I suppose I shall have to forgive him for ignoring my friend,” Charlotte said with a smirk, “even if that friend did disappear for the second part of the evening.”
Elizabeth pushed back her alarm as the ladies once again looked at her with curiosity. “My goodness, Charlotte,” she said, forcing a laugh, “you act as though I slipped out for a rendezvous on the terrace. No, simply some cramping that had me concerned my courses might have begun early.”
All the women sighed in commiseration. “You are well now, I trust, Lizzy?” Jane asked, concern etched across her lovely face.
