by Tilly Davis
Part IV
Of Marriage & New Life
1
After the Proposal
Caroline Bingley had just fainted. The news, transmitted to her, some days later, that Mr. Darcy had proposed to Elizabeth Bennet had been too much to bear.
It was Mr. Bingley who had informed his sister of this happy, or perhaps unhappy, occurrence, the gentleman tentatively entering the drawing room knowing that the effect of the news would surely cause distress. Whilst it is wrong to take pleasure in another’s misfortune, it would indeed also be wrong for the writer not to give at least a small account of the way in which the news was delivered, if only to give the most complete picture.
Earlier that morning a letter had arrived at Netherfield, bearing the hand of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and addressed to Mr. Bingley.
The origin of the letter had surprisingly been Longbourn itself, where Mr. Bennet had insisted that the gentleman remain under his hospitality, he intending then to travel to Pemberley to make his sister aware of the engagement to Elizabeth.
Mr. Bingley was at breakfast when the letter arrived, the footman handing it to him as he contemplated helping himself to further bacon and kidneys from the sideboard.
‘Who delivered this?’ he asked.
‘A boy from Meryton, sir,’ the footman replied, ‘will there be a reply?’
‘No, that will be all, thank you,’ Mr. Bingley said as he turned the letter over, extremely curious as to its contents.
He opened it, and began to read.
My dear Charles,
Please forgive my lack of correspondence since my departure from Netherfield. My leaving was not of your cause, though of course I have no doubt that you think me a most dishonourable and foolish man. I can only apologise for the upset that I have caused and the scandal which has ensued since my engagement to your sister has been broken off.
I do not write seeking to re-establish it, my feelings for Caroline have not changed. In her actions and speech of those few days I saw her as she truly is and that person is not the person I wish to marry.
The blame though does not lie entirely with your sister, though if she had not behaved in such a way and with such a forked tongue then perhaps the circumstances would have been different.
You, and you alone, know that during our initial residence at Netherfield we came on friendly terms with the Bennet sisters, you yourself taking considerable delight in the company of Jane, and I in Elizabeth. The latter lady was, as you know, betrothed to Mr. Collins and it was this fact which ensured that my attentions towards her were dismissed. She had, I believed, chosen a marriage in which she was to be happy and I found it in my heart to be happy for her too.
But the circumstances of the wedding were such, as I was forced to recount to your sister at great length, that Elizabeth chose not to marry Mr. Collins, the reason being that she had merely felt duty-bound to do so, the future of the family home here at Longbourn in danger.
My discovery of this fact, and further information surrounding her present circumstances has revealed to me that her true affections lie with me. It was therefore without question that I too should reveal my own affections for her, affections which had been buried beneath my own sense of duty towards your sister.
Thus, it was that I asked for Elizabeth’s hand in marriage, a request to which she assented and we are to be married in the very near future, either here at Meryton or perhaps at Pemberley.
I do not write to you seeking your approval of this match, it is my belief that such approval will not be forthcoming, but rather I write so that you, and not the idle gossipers of the district, may convey this information to your sister and thus avoid some of the heartbreak which this may entail.
If there is the chance that you and I may still be friends then I should readily assent to see you and may be contacted at Pemberley or through my friends at Longbourn.
I remain yours ever faithfully and truly,
Fitzwilliam Darcy, Esq.
Mr. Bingley sat back heavily in his chair, somewhat unable to believe what he was reading. He could only imagine the effect which this news would have upon his sister, no doubt it would cause her the greatest of upsets. But Charles Bingley was ever the good and charitable man, and though he had been somewhat shocked at Mr. Darcy’s withdrawal of his marriage offer, the gentleman could also fully understand why.
Far from feeling angry at his friend Mr. Bingley’s thoughts turned to the Bennets, and to Jane in particular, perhaps he too had been foolish in his dismissal of them. After all the bond between sisters is great and why should Jane reveal the secrets of Elizabeth’s heart to him, a mere acquaintance?
But though not angry it was with a heavy heart that he now rose from the table, discarding the possibility of further nourishment, and made his way to his sister’s salon on the first floor, where he found the lady reading, and looking out across the parkland towards Meryton.
‘Ah, there you are, Charles,’ she said, ‘I was just thinking how pleased I shall be when I no longer have to see this view any longer, I’ve decided I shall return to London and see to Louisa personally, she needs me.’
‘May I speak to you, Caroline,’ Mr. Bingley said, taking a seat opposite his sister and dismissing the footman who was standing regimentally by the fireplace, ready to take whatever order the lady should give.
‘I shall have a cup of tea brought to me,’ she instructed to his retreating form.
‘Caroline, I have received correspondence this morning of a most delicate matter.’
‘From whom?’ she asked, ‘is Louisa alright? I knew we should not have left her in London, I shall leave at once.’
‘It isn’t Louisa,’ Mr. Bingley said, ‘the letter has come from Fitzwilliam.’
At the mention of Mr. Darcy, Caroline sat straight up, looking intently, she had tried as best she could to put the thought of him from her mind and this reminder of the man who had spurned her affections was most unwelcome.
‘What more could we have to learn from him?’ she said. ‘Whatever news he is imparting make it quick, though I do not know why you bothered me with it at all. Are you still on friendly terms? Is not blood thicker than water?’
‘My dear sister, Mr. Darcy writes with news which he asks me to impart to you, though the matter is somewhat delicate.’
‘Does he wish to further insult me?’ she said, ‘and all for that dreadful Bennet girl.’
‘It is the Bennet girl who is the subject of his letter, you see he has, um…he has he has asked for her hand in marriage.’
And with a shriek, Caroline Bingley fainted.
Her revival was effected by the procurement of smelling salts and a glass of brandy and as she came round she once more let out a shriek of dismay at the news which Mr. Bingley had now imparted.
Seeing that he bore the letter from Mr. Darcy in his hand, she grabbed it from him and began to read, shaking now with anger and ripping it to shreds upon completion.
‘For her, he chose her over me, I would perhaps not have minded if it were a woman of honour, social standing, good breeding but one such as that. She herself the object of scandal, to now be betrothed to the Pemberley estate. Surely you cannot stand idly and allow this to happen?’
‘Well, what other can I do but accept the facts as they are reported?’
At this Caroline Bingley let out another shriek, and clasped her hand to her forehead, her eyes closed.
‘You can defend the honour of your sister, spurned by your dearest friend. I cannot stay here a moment longer, have the carriage prepared and readied to transport me to London, I refuse to be within fifty miles of Longbourn and the silly little girls who inhabit it.’
And despite Mr. Bingley’s protests to the contrary she did exactly that. The footman was shortly summoned and instructions were given to send a message ahead to Berkeley Square, informing the housekeeper there that Miss Bingley would be arriving later that day.
In due course her possessions were pa
cked into trunks, the housekeeper assuring her that within the next few days all her clothing would find its way safely to London, and by twelve o’clock, with the carriage readied, Caroline Bingley was ready to depart.
That was the last time that she was ever to set foot in the district of Longbourn, the tales of her future happiness, or lack thereof, not concerning us further. Suffice to say she never forgave Mr. Darcy for his spurning of her, harbouring a grudge which she proceeded to take out largely on Georgiana Darcy for whom she sought to often make life difficult for in the coming years.
Miss Bingley’s story was eventually a happy one, she marrying a prosperous businessman in the city, a man both whose fortune and demeanour equalled her own. But she never quite rid herself of the hatred she harboured for the Bennets and a remarkable dislike for both Hertfordshire and Derbyshire, respectively.
Let us now though return to the scene at Netherfield where Mr. Bingley found himself somewhat vexed at the swift departure of his sister for London.
He himself had become ever more enamoured by the Meryton district and had resolved to put an offer for Netherfield Park to the its owner that very day. It was not just the countryside and pleasant surrounds which attracted him but he found the local company most congenial.
It was not a terribly long drive to several other principal homes in the district and being a sociable and friendly man, in considerable contrast to his sister, he made friends easily. But there was one house in the district to which he had not made a visit since returning from London and that of course was Longbourn.
Mr. Bingley had remained under the impression that Jane Bennet had wished only a cordial friendship with him during his previous sojourn in the district, but the arrival of this morning’s letter had given him cause to think that perhaps his opinion had been wrong.
He had at first thought it proper to respond immediately to Mr. Darcy’s letter and have the correspondence sent directly to Longbourn with one of the stable boys. But his sister’s sudden departure had given Mr. Bingley an unusually new sense of freedom, and so, knowing that his own decisions would no longer garner disfavour from other quarters, he resolved to make the walk to Longbourn and respond to his friend’s letter in person.
It was a most pleasant afternoon and as Mr. Bingley walked across the parkland in the general direction of Meryton, he found his mind wandering over what it might be to be the master of that which he surveyed.
Certainly, Netherfield was a fine house and the owner had intimated that he would sell everything: the house, it contents and the estate as one lot, a fact which would suit Mr. Bingley very nicely. He thought of himself here, and of what might be achieved. He had always had a great love for gardening, and was an admirer of the work of the late Capability Brown. Certainly, the parkland here could be appointed similarly to the designs which that gentleman created on other of the great estates of England.
As Mr. Bingley now climbed up onto the ridge overlooking Longbourn, he felt certain that it was here at Netherfield he wished to lay down his roots, the possibility of such amiable neighbours a most pleasing addition to its attraction.
There was smoke rising from the chimneys of Longbourn and Mr. Bingley could see several of the sisters in the garden, assisting their mother with the laundry, as he descended towards the house.
‘Who is that approaching from Netherfield?’ Kitty said, as she and Mary folded the last of the sheets which had been drying on the garden lines.
‘Why, it looks like Mr. Bingley,’ Mary exclaimed, ‘Mother, look, Mr. Bingley is approaching.’
At these words Mrs. Bennet threw her hands up and shrieked, as was her wont, and made for kitchen door calling for Jane.
‘Jane, Jane, come here, Jane.’
‘Whatever is the matter, Mother?’ her eldest daughter said, emerging from the parlour where she had been sitting with Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, the latter now preparing to ride north to Pemberley.
‘Mr. Bingley approaches,’ Mrs. Bennet said.
At these words Mr. Darcy was the one who leaped up, and ran to the door.
‘How does he appear?’ he asked, ‘angry?’
‘He appears most amicable in his strolling from the ridge,’ Mrs. Bennet said.
‘I wrote to him with news of Elizabeth’s and my engagement, it is probable that he comes to defend his sister’s honour. Perhaps it would be best if I went to meet him, I should wish for no violent scenes here at Longbourn.’
And with that Mr. Darcy donned his coat and ran across the field to meet the gentleman who was now approaching the house.
‘Sir, pray stop here a moment,’ Mr. Darcy said, ‘allow me to speak with you here whilst your anger is no doubt kindled against me, and not in the house before the Bennets, if I have dishonoured you then speak now, for I deserve your wrath, sir.’
‘My wrath?’ Mr. Bingley said, ‘nay, sir, my wrath is not directed towards you, nor towards the Bennets, I come simply in response to the news received from you this morning. And may I be amongst the first to offer my congratulations and, if you permit me to walk further, to Elizabeth also.’
Mr. Darcy was quite taken aback by his friend’s amicable appearance, it seemed he possessed no guile towards him and was even happy to have received the news.
‘May I ask, how did Caroline take the news? I did not wish to cause her distress.’
‘Ah, well, on that note I am afraid that distress was caused, however, I myself felt deeply uncomfortable at her words on those days we spent together at Netherfield. You were in such a hurry to leave that I was unable to express my sentiments to you as you left. Caroline has behaved most foolishly, and has cost her own happiness in doing so. She will bear a grudge, but I shall not, after all you and I are the closest of friends, with or without her blessing, are we not?’
‘We are indeed, sir, we are indeed,’ Mr. Darcy said, shaking his friend warmly by the hand, ‘now, won’t you come to the house, you have been fortunate to catch me as I was about to depart for Pemberley.’
To this invitation Mr. Bingley heartily assented and the two men set off across the field towards Longbourn.
The Bennet sisters had been watching anxiously from the window of the parlour, wondering as to Mr. Bingley’s humour but as they saw the two gentlemen now conversing with smiles upon their faces they jumped up and down in delight.
‘Please, girls,’ Mrs. Bennet said, ‘we do not want Mr. Bingley nor Mr. Darcy to think us silly now, do we?’
Nevertheless, she herself was also very excited by the prospect of Mr. Bingley’s imminent arrival, and as the two approached she set herself quickly to tidying round the parlour, Mary most put out at her mother’s insistence at moving her pile of books.
‘Surely one only reads one book at once, Mary, why this great pile?’
Mary sulkily removed the pile of books as Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley entered the house.
‘My dear sirs,’ Mrs Bennet exclaimed, ‘Mr. Bingley, a warm welcome to you, won’t you both now come into the parlour.’
The Bennet sisters had now seated themselves around the room and Mr. Bingley bowed to them as he entered, pausing to catch Jane’s eyes as she blushed.
‘It is so good to be back here at Longbourn,’ he said, ‘and may I firstly offer my cordial best wishes to you, Elizabeth, upon your betrothal to Fitzwilliam, it is a most happy match and I wish you every happiness in the future.’
‘Thank you, sir,’ she replied, ‘I am very happy,’ and she herself blushed as she caught Mr. Darcy’s eyes.
There was an awkward silence as the two gentlemen stood before the sisters until Mrs. Bennet exclaimed that she was quite forgetting herself and invited them to please be seated.
At length Mr. Bennet himself appeared and, though he appeared somewhat frail, he was able to engage in a most lively conversation during which Mr. Bingley revealed his intention to make on offer upon Netherfield, a fact which also gave surprise to Mr. Darcy.
‘I have simply fallen in love with the place,�
�� he said, ‘sometimes it takes an absence to make the heart grow fonder, don’t you think?’
They all agreed that it did.
‘And how soon will you take up permanent residence, sir?’ Mr. Bennet asked.
‘I shall simply not leave,’ Mr. Bingley said laughing, ‘and you simply must all come for dinner just as soon as the details are finalised, I intend to open the house to all manner of social occasions, we shall put Meryton upon the map.’
‘Did you hear that, girls?’ Mrs. Bennet said to Mary and Kitty, ‘there shall be no end of gentlemen for you to meet at Netherfield.’ A statement which caused Mary to scowl and Kitty to blush, for she still had designs upon the regiment, despite her sister’s misadventures.
By now the afternoon was drawing on and Mr. Darcy was reminded of the fact that he was due to depart for Pemberley that afternoon. He made his goodbyes, the fondest of which was of course to Elizabeth, to whom he promised he would write each day and soon make arrangements for the wedding.
But Mr Darcy did not at first return to Pemberley as he had intimated, instead he rode to London, pausing overnight at the inn, for he had been later in leaving Longbourn than he had anticipated. His reason for this secrecy though was honourable, for the next day he witnessed the marriage of Mr. Wickham to Lydia at St. Clements church, they still residing in the vicinity of that parish. It was a quiet affair, but Lydia had achieved her wish, not only had she married an officer, albeit a disgraced one, but she had also married first amongst her sisters, a fact which ever gave her pleasure thereafter.
At length, they returned to Longbourn, prior to the marriage of Elizabeth to Mr. Darcy, and Mrs. Bennet was most satisfied to see her daughter arrive in a most attractive little horse and trap, commenting to her husband that it was clearly a good match if her new son-in-law could afford such transportation. Mr. Bennet remained unconvinced. Nevertheless, we must be grateful that the scandal to which Lydia had come so close to did not follow her for the rest of her life. She and Mr. Wickham lived comfortably at Mr. Darcy’s expense until the gentleman found honest work as a clerk, rising eventually to be senior partner in his firm.