Page 84 of Master of Himself

He could well understand Mr Bennet’s wrath upon hearing this news. His heir had secured a match within hours of ruining his only relations. While that gentleman maintained a stoic façade, Elizabeth stared agape, her sisters turned pale, and her mother resorted to her vinaigrette.

Unfortunately, news of this betrothal would now overshadow Darcy’s courtship with Elizabeth.

Once the service had ended, Darcy escorted Elizabeth into the aisle, where they met the Lucases.

“Good morning, Mr Darcy,” Sir William said with a formal bow.

Darcy returned the greeting with as much civility as he could muster, and congratulated him on his daughter’s betrothal. Miss Lucas had already walked away with her brothers and sisters, without bothering to greet Elizabeth and her family.

“We are all exceedingly proud of our dear Charlotte, are we not, my dear?” Sir William said to his wife.

“Exactly so,” Lady Lucas said, and the couple moved on without acknowledging the Bennets.

He also greeted the Harringtons, the Gouldings, the Longs, and Mr Robinson. Everyone was kind and respectful to him, while simultaneously refusing to acknowledge the Bennets…in church, after worshipping the Lord.

Darcy was at a loss to understand this contradiction. He’d been certain that he would succeed in lending his consequence to the Bennet family. As Elizabeth clung to his arm, he longed to take her far away from this inhospitable place.

Yet, he kept his wits about him. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t care if these people spoke to him or not, but it was now of monumental importance.

“Good morning, Mr Darcy,” someone said as he made his way up the aisle. He recognised Mrs Finch, the innkeeper’s wife. “A fine morning, is it not?”

“Made even better by my fair companion,” he replied, gesturing to Elizabeth. “Did you hear that Miss Elizabeth and I are courting?” Naturally, there was no possibility that she could have known, but since announcements were the order of the day, he seized the opportunity.

“Are you, indeed? What a fortunate lady,” she said in a bland tone.

Despite the lady’s insincerity, he was fairly certain that the rest of the neighbourhood would soon hear about his courtship with a Bennet daughter.

“Good morning, Mr Darcy,” Mr Fletcher said, standing beside his sombre wife, with whom Darcy had danced at the assembly.

He shook the butcher’s proffered hand. “Good morning, Mr and Mrs Fletcher.”

Mrs Fletcher dipped a curtsy. “What an excellent young man you are, Mr Darcy,” she said in a tremulous voice while her husband nodded his agreement.

Although Darcy had no more than a passing acquaintance with the couple, he appreciated their kindness. After greeting each of the Bennets, the Fletchers withdrew.

By the time he reached the door, everyone was staring at him, bowing properly but maintaining absolute silence. Ladies whispered behind their fans and the men murmured under their breath. Fortunately, the vicar exchanged warm greetings with him and the Bennets and wished them all a blessed Sunday.

Once outdoors, no one glanced in his direction. To his profound regret, he had vastly overestimated his influence in this community; only the vicar and the Fletchers had acknowledged the Bennets.

He quickly escorted Elizabeth and her family to their waiting coach and advised Mr Bennet that he would follow them to Longbourn.

Upon entering the house, Darcy was shown to the drawing room and left alone. Once again, silence loomed, and he felt like an outsider intruding on the family’s privacy. He paced over the carpet, wondering what ought to be done, and considered returning to Netherfield.

But no, he wouldn’t abandon the Bennets, as their lifelong friends and neighbours had brutally done. He would stay and lend his support. He knew for certain that Charles Bingley would do the same.

Within a few minutes, Elizabeth entered with Miss Bennet. “My father sends his apologies for neglecting you, Mr Darcy, but he is attempting to console my mama. As you might imagine, she was overset by the snubs we received this morning. Mary is sitting with Kitty, who now has a full understanding of what she might have prevented.”

“I have no wish to intrude on your family’s distress, Miss Elizabeth. If you prefer, I will withdraw to Netherfield.”

“No, Mr Darcy,” she said. “You must never think that we are ungrateful for your unfailing support.”

“Indeed, especially after our lifelong friends have abandoned us,” Miss Bennet said. “You and Mr Bingley are our only true friends.”

Elizabeth’s forlorn countenance tore at Darcy’s heart. He longed to spirit her away from here, but acknowledged that doing anything so rash would make matters infinitely worse for the rest of her family. Desperate to speak privately with her, he suggested a walk outdoors.

“Yes, Lizzy, you have been confined inside far too long,” her sister said. “Go out and walk with Mr Darcy.”

She agreed, and once they had donned their coats and hats, they set out towards the garden.