Darcy stubbed out his cigar and finished his brandy. Much as he was enjoying Mr. Gardiner’s company, it was time to join the ladies. He pushed back his chair with a sigh.
“Mr. Gardiner, allow me to say with complete transparency, that I have much enjoyed our conversation,” Darcy said.
“Likewise, sir,” Mr. Gardiner replied, rising from his seat. “I am delighted to have shared such a pleasant evening.”
“It shall continue, I hope,” Darcy said with a smile. “For I believe I hear my sister upon the piano and I assure you it is not mere brotherly pride that recommends her talent to you.”
Mr. Gardiner smiled as he and Darcy left the dining room and joined the ladies. Upon entering the sitting room, Darcy immediately saw that Georgiana was engrossed in her playing, while Mrs. Gardiner, Jane and Maria sat talking in the light of the fire. Elizabeth, Darcy saw, had wandered over to a glass case in the corner of the room, and was examining its contents quite closely.
Mr. Gardiner went to sit with his wife, and Darcy was torn over joining them or seeking out Elizabeth’s company.
All evening, he had assiduously avoided speaking with her directly. He hoped his attempts had not come across as rude, for it was his wish to ensure that she felt comfortable. The sting of her rejection, he admitted to himself, also played no small role in his desire to avoid the lady. However, she had now fastened upon the one object in the room of which he had singular knowledge.
“I found those a few years ago,” he said, coming up behind Elizabeth. She jumped and he immediately apologised. “Forgive me, I did not mean to startle you.”
“No, it is quite alright,” she said, turning to him with a small smile. “I was simply not expecting anyone to join me.”
Underneath the glass, she had been examining a collection of coins, jewellery, a dagger and other odds and ends.
“You found these?” She asked, pointing at the collection.
“Oh, yes,” he said. “On my family’s estate. We have several ruins that we believe belonged to the Romans. And a few that might be even older—back to the pagans of old. It is a hobby of mine to go digging in these areas to see what I might find. A lecturer at Cambridge introduced me to the practice, and I’ve been an avid collector ever since.”
“I have always been fascinated by the past,” Elizabeth said, bending down to get a closer look. Darcy reached down to unlatch the cabinet, so she could see the items better. “There are mounds near my home that people say contain the treasures of the ancients. I’ve always wanted to see if that were true.”
“Quite possible,” Darcy said, lifting out some of the coins and placing them in Elizabeth’s hands. She held them to her eyes. “I believe they are called ‘barrows’ and are tombs. I have friends that have dug into such places and found many wonderful things.”
“Fascinating,” Elizabeth said, transfixed by the coins in her hands.
“Have you been to the museum at Montagu House?” Darcy asked suddenly.
“I have always wanted, but Mama never allowed us. She said there was far too much to do in town besides gawking at silly old things,” Elizabeth said with a sigh, handing the coins back to Darcy.
“If you have the time,” Darcy found himself saying, “I would be delighted to take you.” She gave him a strange look, and he quickly added, “And Miss Bennet and Miss Lucas, of course. Perhaps your older cousins might enjoy the trip as well.”
Suddenly, his earlier nervousness was back. He immediately realized the inappropriateness of his invitation—for no matter how he yearned for her company, he knew that she did not feel the same—and he felt foolish for having even asked.
“That is kind of you to offer, Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth said in a non-committal tone. Darcy noticed the way her eyes shifted away from him, and his heart sank.
Wanting to give Elizabeth a reprieve from the conversation, he said, “Of course, you needn’t decide immediately. Feel free to discuss the possibility with your family first.”
“The possibility of what?” Jane’s voice broke into the conversation, and Darcy turned to see that she had risen from her seat and was now looking into the case too. “What are you looking at here, Lizzy?”
“Some curiosities Mr. Darcy has found on his estate,” Elizabeth answered quickly. “And Mr. Darcy was telling me about a museum containing more of these sorts of things. He has offered to take us should we like. It is too bad that we shall not have the opportunity before we return to the country.”
“Oh, will we not?” Jane asked, surprised. “I thought we would be here another week at least. I’m sure our aunt and uncle would not mind sparing us for a day.”
Darcy pretended not to notice the hard stare Elizabeth was giving her sister. He was uncomfortable that his invitation had elicited such a response from Elizabeth.
“Perhaps, Miss Bennet, you would prefer an opera? Georgiana and I will be attending tomorrow evening and we would be honoured if you all could join us. We have a private box that is often quite lonely with just the two of us.”
“An opera?” Jane said, her eyes dancing. “That sounds lovely. I am sure we would be honoured to attend with you.”
“Your aunt and uncle as well,” Darcy said.
“I shall ask this instant,” Jane said, turning back towards the rest of the party. Elizabeth and Darcy followed her at a slower pace.
“I would enjoy seeing the museum,” Elizabeth said softly. “I apologise if I have given the impression that I would not.”
Darcy glanced at her, not knowing if her sudden change of mind was genuine or merely an expression of good manners. She didn’t return his gaze, instead tugging at her gloves, as if nervous.
“Tomorrow morning?” Darcy asked, unsure whether he should offer. “Georgiana always enjoys visiting and would love the chance to see you and your sister again, I am sure. We would still have plenty of time for you to get ready for the opera.”
“That would be most appreciated, thank you,” Elizabeth replied, turning to look at him with a soft smile that made Darcy’s heart come alive in his chest. She curtsied quickly, and hurried to Jane without another word.
Darcy watched as she sank onto the sofa beside her sister, all the more confused by her behaviour. One moment, she seemed as if she would prefer to never speak with him again. The next, she is polite and engaging. It was not his wish to force his company upon her, but over the past two days, whatever progress he had made in forgetting his feelings towards Elizabeth had been completely undone.
And as he watched her speak animatedly with her family, in the dancing light of the candles, he knew that his efforts had not only been undone but completely destroyed. He felt his heart yearn for her and his feelings rushed back with more force than he’d thought previously possible.
In that moment, watching her highlighted by fire, her beauty softly emphasised by the light, he knew: He must win her heart. Whatever previous thought he’d had about forgetting the brilliant woman from Hertfordshire was forgotten in that instant, never to return.
“Oh, brother, what a fine idea!” Georgiana said suddenly. “You will love the opera, I promise!”
“You approve?” He asked his sister with a fond smile.
“Most heartily!” His sister said with a giggle. “I do enjoy your company, brother, but at the opera you are hardly a droll companion!”
“We all enjoy things in our own way,” Darcy said, feeling slightly embarrassed. He disliked being teased, even in this light-hearted manner.
“Forgive me,” Georgiana said quickly, recognising his embarrassment. “I simply meant that it will be nice to have some additional company. I suspect you will be far better company than the Bingleys were last time!”
“The Bingleys?” Jane asked, her voice sounding a bit strangled. “You know the Bingleys?”
“Indeed,” Georgiana said. “And you must as well, given how my brother knows you!”
“A bit,” Elizabeth said quickly.
Darcy disliked the direction the conversation was taking, but could not think of a way to stop it without giving himself away. He saw Elizabeth throw him a harsh look—one that he increasingly believed he deserved.
“Well,” Georgiana said, not noticing the change in the room. “Charles Bingley was most unlike himself, moping about in a most depressing manner. He would not say what was wrong, the poor man.” She shook her head sadly. “And Caroline… well, you know Caroline.”
Darcy knew that Georgiana did not much care for Charles’ sister, but she would never say as much. She was far too kind-hearted to say a disparaging word against anyone.
“We do know Caroline,” Elizabeth said with an understanding nod. It was clear that she did not wish for the conversation to continue, however, and Darcy dearly wished his sister would take the hint and end it.
He glanced at Jane and noticed that she had suddenly gone pale. Her expression was shuttered, as if she no longer followed the thread of the conversation. The abrupt change within her startled Darcy. Elizabeth had said, most forcefully, that Jane’s feelings towards Charles were deep and true. And here was the evidence he had missed before. A sense of dread began to sink over him—had he truly stopped this woman from loving his friend?
“I think, perhaps, it is getting a bit late,” Mrs. Gardiner said, casting a nervous glance at Jane. “We should be on our way home.”
“Of course,” Darcy said quickly. “I shall send a letter over tomorrow morning with details on the opera. And, if you are still amenable to it, I will call around 11 for the museum?” Perhaps he should have allowed the invitation to remain fluid and unsettled, but his desire to see Elizabeth before the evening overrode his rational self.
“Yes,” Jane said, seemingly recovering herself a bit. “Yes, that will be lovely.”
“Wonderful,” Darcy said with a wide smile. Everyone began to stand and gather themselves to leave for the evening. Darcy and Georgiana accompanied the party to the front door, and waved them to their carriage.
“I like them,” Georgiana said with a sigh, leaning against her brother. “Elizabeth especially. She is just as you described, and more. I cannot pretend to understand what happened between you, but I do hope you can work it out.”
“So do I,” Darcy agreed softly.
He didn’t think he wanted anything more. However, a certainty was building in his mind—he would not try to win Elizabeth over while her sister was still in such pain.
Jane’s reaction to discussing Charles Bingley was enough to convince him that he had been very wrong in his assessment of her feelings. Even if it would have no impact at all upon Elizabeth’s feelings towards him, he knew he must seek to make it right. His honour demanded it.
Darcy had been convinced that Bingley would forget about Jane quite soon after leaving the country. On the contrary, he continued to be sad even months later. Nothing, no lady nor event, had taken him from his depressed state and Darcy’s guilt over the situation had begun long before Elizabeth had informed him of his error in regards to Jane. Long before this day when he’d realised that he truly had been wrong all along.
What’s more, Bingley’s sisters seemed to neither notice nor care about their brother’s state. To them, Charles’ misery was worth the price of keeping their social standing untouched.
Darcy found it difficult to abide such behaviour. Now that he had seen Jane’s attachment for himself, he knew that he had a responsibility to his friend. He had taken his happiness away, and now he would help to restore it.
Perhaps an opera was the best way to begin…