“Do not concern yourself, Mrs. Bennet,” said Mr. Darcy, seeing Elizabeth’s rising annoyance. “I have faith in my success.”
Though Mrs. Bennet wished to say something more, she did not, which was curious. Mr. Bennet grinned and raised his eyebrows at her, while Mr. Hurst shook his head. It was best to ignore them all, so Elizabeth turned a critical eye back on Mr. Darcy.
“If I knew you had timed your comment for when my mother entered the room, I would be quite put out with you right now, Mr. Darcy.”
“It was fortunate timing on my part,” replied Mr. Darcy, smugly.
“I do not know if I wish to reward such behavior as this.”
“If you wish to satisfy your mother, there is a simple solution.”
“I am not ready to accept your suit, sir.”
Mr. Darcy chuckled. “Nor did I think you were. No, all I suggest is for you to give me a chance to prove myself.”
Elizabeth watched the gentleman, then made the only decision she could. “Consider your chance offered, Mr. Darcy. But I warn you that I am not swayed by pretty words and gestures. If you wish to impress me, I must have substance, and I must find myself deeply in love with you.”
“I would have it no other way.”
Chapter XVIII
With the rhythm restored to what it had been before Miss Bingley introduced disharmony, the families at Longbourn and Netherfield Park again enjoyed one another’s company with visits and dinners. As Mr. Hurst had promised, two days after Miss Bingley’s departure, Mrs. Hurst joined her husband in Hertfordshire and took up the reins of the house, managing it in her brother’s absence. When separated from her sister, Mrs. Hurst proved tolerable—so much so that Elizabeth did not object to her company.
Her return to their company happened the day after she arrived in Hertfordshire. When she entered Longbourn that morning, she appeared apprehensive but determined. Mrs. Hurst offered her greetings and said a few words to Mrs. Bennet, as was proper—Mrs. Bennet, who now considered Miss Bingley among the worst of women, responded coldly, which Mrs. Hurst seemed to accept. Then she turned to Jane, and Elizabeth was close enough to hear what she said.
“Miss Bennet,” said she, holding to formality for the moment, “please allow me to apologize for my actions toward you. It was very wrong of me, and I acknowledge my culpability without disguise.”
Jane regarded her, the confusion obvious in her look. “I have no notion of why you feel you need to apologize, Louisa.”
The use of her given name appeared to reassure Mrs. Hurst, for her smile became warmer and less apprehensive. “The culpability is not all mine, but Ididallow Caroline to persuade me it was for the best to mislead my brother and keep him from you.”
Elizabeth watched Mrs. Hurst, understood her need to say this, and reflected on Jane’s growth, which led her todemand respect rather than accept the notion of another’s good intentions without proof. Elizabeth was proud of her sister, for Jane had learned from how Miss Bingley had behaved and would not be taken in again.
“I know that Caroline’s motivations were not pure,” said Jane at length, “but I was not certain if you agreed with her.”
Mrs. Hurst considered her response for several moments before answering. “I do not wish to minimize my actions, for I have been guilty of inappropriate pride and thinking too well of myself. Caroline has always been the primary force behind our intrigues, but I never opposed her. I have not been innocent.”
“Louisa,” said Jane, “I do not consider errors of the past. So long as you are sincere now, all is forgiven. My only concern is to have friendly relations for those I hope to one day call family.”
For the first time in Elizabeth’s acquaintance with the woman, she thought Mrs. Hurst’s smile was genuine. “Thank you, Jane. It is more than I deserve, but I shall strive to be worthy of your absolution.”
In what had been two weeks of shocks, the sight of Mr. Hurst regarding his wife with approval and pride was another unexpected sight. The Mr. Hurst she had known in the autumn had seemed a man who cared for nothing but good food and drink; Elizabeth had learned there was more to the gentleman than she had ever credited.
“Mrs. Hurst also apologized to me,” said Darcy a little later in that visit. “It seems she thinks she should have had more influence over her sister, given her position as the eldest.”
“And what do you think, Mr. Darcy?”
The gentleman paused before responding. “I think that Miss Bingley knew that her brother and sister’s characters were not so forceful as hers, and she used that to her advantage.”
“That is not an unreasonable assumption, Mr. Darcy,” replied Elizabeth. “Then what did you tell her?”
“Much the same as your sister,” said Mr. Darcy. The gentleman offered an amused grin. “I consider myself uninjured by Mrs. Hurst, for I know nothing she has done to me that would warrant censure. I know it is common to apologize for the offenses of a close relation, but it is unnecessary.”
“No, I do not suppose it is.” Elizabeth regarded the gentleman with interest. “May I suppose you have heard nothing from Mr. Bingley?”
“We have not, nor do I expect it. But do not despair, Miss Elizabeth; Bingley will return at the first available moment.”
“Oh, I am certain he will. I have never seen a man so in love with a woman as Mr. Bingley is with Jane.”
