Page 67 of Bitterness of Spirit

Mr. Bennet looked surprised, and he exchanged a glance with his brother-in-law.

“Very well then—it is quite convenient for me. A day spent at the club would only change one din for another.”

“As you wish; we are grateful for the invitation, Darcy,” Mr. Wilson agreed.

Unexpectedly for all four, the next three hours were spent together in a most pleasant manner with Mr. Bennet mostly in awe of the library and happy with Darcy’s insistence that he return at anytime and choose any book he liked.

Conversation flowed easily, and many subjects of mutual interest were discovered, moving readily from literature to war and politics.

The drinks were enjoyed and soon followed by refreshments, spiced with stories of past travels and future journeys.

Around noon, another surprise occurred with the arrival of Colonel Fitzwilliam, who was immediately invited to join them.

“I am glad to see you all here, and I would be pleased to have a drink with you, but I cannot stay long. I only came to bring Darcy some news.”

“What is it? Nothing bad, I hope?” Darcy asked. “Do we need to speak privately?”

“No, not bad news and it is no secret. Our cousin Anne is coming to Town, along with our aunt Lady Catherine.”

Darcy was alarmed. “Really? Is Anne unwell? Has something occurred since we last saw them?”

“No. Aunt Catherine only wrote to my father that they would arrive in two days and plan to stay a month. We were surprised, too, since she has not been in Town for the Season in at least five years. We shall learn more when we talk to her. Now, Darcy, I believe I could use a drink.”

“Yes, me too,” their host admitted, lost in wonder and speculation about Lady Catherine’s decision. She surely had no interest in the Season, and he found it difficult to believe that Anne could convince her mother to do anything against her will.

***

Three days passed before the modiste invited the ladies in the Wilson house for a first fitting of their dresses.

Bingley called twice during that time, but Mr. Darcy did not. The news that Lady Catherine and Anne were in Town worried Elizabeth, and her tumult returned.

She had hoped, after the dinner party, that she would meet Darcy again and have the chance to finally speak to him. But such opportunity did not arrive, and it was unlikely to happen soon.

The more she thought of him, the more eager she was to see him again, and she found herself preoccupied with him as she had never been with any other gentleman.

She was afraid to consider her hopes beyond those of a pleasant friendship—mostly for the benefit of Jane and Bingley, who grew closer every day. Their relationship was obviously headed in only one direction, and all their lives would certainly be affected once a certain event took place.

Mr. Bennet spoke highly of Mr. Darcy and visited him—rather, his library—again after that morning. He had nothing but praise for the gentleman and blamed himself along with everybody in Hertfordshire for judging him so harshly.

Their strange friendship gave Elizabeth not only hope but also wonder. What did Darcy intend to accomplish by such a familiar acquaintance with her father? Could he still possess feelings that might induce him to renew his proposals someday? Was such a notion even worth contemplating? Would he want him to propose again? Were his objections against her family and her objections against his behaviour gone so soon? Was his love strong enough to reverse their horrible misunderstandings? Could she love him as she always hoped to love her future husband and offer him the happiness he deserved? Could she be the future Mrs. Darcy and honour that name and position?

She was terrified to say “yes” to those questions and frightened that “no” would be a reasonable answer. She thought she knew her heart, but her heart seemed at war with her mind and reason.

No gentleman of such a position—or even a lower one—would ever propose after being rejected, and in such a horrible manner! She was smart enough to know she could not afford to fantasize about a blissful, yet impossible, resolution.

Nevertheless, maybe sometime in the future…if they should be friends for a time...if they came to know each other better, forget their past, and build a friendlier present and future in the midst of their families…perhaps…maybe…

What if Miss de Bourgh and Lady Catherine’s presence unexpectedly affected their lives? What if Lady Catherine finally convinced Darcy to do his duty towards his cousin? Would Anne agree to enter into a marriage not desired by either her or her presumed husband?

With such an event and the uncertainty of its consequences, along with being unable to see Darcy, Elizabeth was hardly her usual self. However, with the daily hubbub in Wilson’s house, her distress was barely noticed.

“I have decided to host a ball in two weeks’ time,” Mr. Wilson declared unexpectedly one evening at dinner.

All eyes turned to him in disbelief.

“A ball? What kind of ball, brother?” Mrs. Gardiner asked with astonishment

“A private ball—here. I think, if we open the doors, we can make a ballroom to accommodate at least fifty couples. I shall call on the Duke of York today; he has been kind enough to accept me. I hope His Highness will do me the great honour of attending. There are several other important guests I intend to convince. And of course, there will be all of us, Darcy, the Bingleys, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and his family. Perhaps even the famous Lady Catherine can be tempted to attend.”