Chapter 44: Much Ado Over Unexpected Company
At the inn the next day, Elizabeth rationalizes that, well, yeah, Darcy said he wanted me to meet his sister, but if she's coming home today she's going to want the day to settle in, so she'll visit tomorrow. But she's wrong; the carriage rolls in on the way home. Well, guess it's better to get it over with sooner rather than later.
Based on what Mr. Wickham had said, she expected Miss Darcy to be stuck-up like Lady Catherine; but, oh, right, Wickham said that. She's actually a little shy but perfectly nice. She's also not of much consequence in the story.
Also Mr. Bingley is here too, what fun! Elizabeth remembers that Miss Bingley had suggested that her brother was probably going to end up with Darcy's sister, but that must be wishful thinking, since now that they're both here Elizabeth can see that Bingley totally isn't into her. And actually, Mr. Bingley remembers the exact date and place he last saw Jane, as well as what she was wearing and what she ate and what color she painted her nails—and this is eight months after the fact. Sure seems like his mind is elsewhere.
Mr. Darcy, of course, is here too. He's perfectly nice again, showing that he can refrain from being a twat two days in a row, at least. Elizabeth muses to herself later that night that, well, he had every opportunity to hate me after I shut him down like an asshole, and yet he still wants to be friends, so like, I guess I have to give him some credit for being the bigger man here?
Anyway it's a pretty nothing chapter though so let's just move on, I want to be done with this book already.