“This is a surprise. I was only expecting Georgiana and her companion. How was your journey? Is it business that brings you back to Hertfordshire, my friend?”
Charles pursed his lips into a thin line, then said,
“Yes, our journey was uneventful but very tedious. For the first half of the trip, I travelled inside with the ladies, but Caroline’s continuous comparing between the comfort of my carriage and your Landau, well Darcy, it was relentless. The seats are too hard, the windows too small, the curtains are not thick enough, and would you believe it, the springs are not springy enough. Her whining was sufficient to drive me outside and to mount my horse at the first inn we stopped at.”
Although Charles smiled and laughed as he told the tale, Darcy knew from first-hand experience how trying it was to share a carriage with Miss Bingley.
Darcy could not help thinking, how very typical of Caroline to be so critical.
“So, what brings you back?”
“Why, the shooting, of course, Darcy, what else could it be?”
Though it was a valiant effort, Darcy knew Charles was lying.
If he was not mistaken, it was the allure of Miss Jane Bennet that had seen the return of his friend.
Once the newcomers had refreshed themselves, they regrouped in the drawing room to take of afternoon tea.
What should have been a refreshing and convivial meeting of friends and family was fraught and uncomfortable due to one person. Caroline Bingley.
Even though she was newly arrived and in need of rest, Miss Bingley put herself forward to act as hostess.
“I, unlike Miss Darcy, am not a novice at being a hostess,” she commented loudly as she moved towards the tea tray, “With Charles being a single gentleman of independent means, it is my duty to act as his hostess until he takes a wife.”
“But we are Darcy’s guests Caroline. Miss Darcy should…,”
Darcy interrupted,
“No Charles, Miss Bingley is quite right, Netherfield is your house, and now you are in residence, we are your guests.”
“But Darcy, I said you could use Netherfield, and we are unexpected additions to the party. I would be happy to have Miss Darcy act as hostess, very happy indeed.” Charles said, generously.
A gloating Caroline could not hold her tongue.
“You see Charles, Mr Darcy understands. Besides, Georgiana is not yet out, and her hosting skills are far from polished. No, it is better if she continues to practice with Mrs…whatshername, for now.”
Darcy looked over at his crestfallen sister, her face fierce with humiliation.
Although part of him did agree with Miss Bingley, Darcy wished she would keep her demoralising comments to herself. Could she not see the effect her harsh words were having on Georgiana?
As he had spent most of his life being a father, a mother and a brother to his sister, he could not stand by and see her treated so.
Walking round to stand behind Georgiana’s chair, Darcy place a reassuring hand on her shoulder, and said,
“While your sentiments are admirable, Miss Bingley, might I ask, how is Georgiana ever to acquire the skills she needs, if you do not allow her to practice? As we are such a small party, where is the harm in letting Georgiana serve us a cup of tea, mmm?”
Fighting to conceal her annoyance, Caroline said,
“To be sure, Mr Darcy I am happy to oblige. I merely sought to save Miss Darcy from the humiliation of some calamity.”
Caroline placed the teapot back on the table and made a great display of turning the handle to face Georgiana, but she was far from happy.
For the whole fortnight that Darcy had been away, Caroline had visited Georgiana at Darcy House with determined regularity. Every day, she had endured the shy girls’ inane conversation, while gaining very little information on her preferred subject, which was Fitzwilliam Darcy. In fact, the pretext of keeping Georgiana company had been exhausting. And in return for her efforts, the only information Caroline had managed to glean from the girl, was that Darcy had invited her to visit him at Netherfield Park. Needless to say, it was an opportunity not to be missed, and she instantly invited herself to join them. The only bugbear in her plan was that when Charles heard of her plan to accompany Georgiana to Hertfordshire, he had insisted on joining them.
Georgiana nervously poured everyone a cup of tea, but when she handed Caroline her cup, only then did her hands began to tremble.
With very little grace, Caroline took it, though, after only one sip, she replaced the cup on its saucer and the saucer back on the table. As intended, it did not escape the notice of Darcy, Charles and most definitely not Georgiana that Caroline did not touch her tea again.
Caroline’s foul mood did not abate, and soon she found it too difficult to hide her displeasure. With no Louisa to share her spite with, and not wishing to appear a shrew in front of Mr Darcy, she feigned a headache. Begging to be excused from supper Caroline hope that Darcy would miss her.
“I will take a tray in my room, though I doubt I will be able to eat a single morsel. The exertion of enduring such a long journey in inferior equipage, well, it is quite exhausting on the delicate female constitution.”
Darcy had to suppress a roll of his eyes. He viewed Miss Bingley as anything but delicate.
Still, whatever their thoughts, all three of her companions made solicitous comments wishing her speedy recovery, while in truth, their repast was more enjoyable for the lady’s absence.
As the group broke up, with the ladies going to rest for the afternoon, Bingley found himself alone with Darcy.
Although they had been friends for some years now, Charles Bingley still looked upon his friend with a degree of awe.
Darcy was one of the most powerful, wealthy, and respected men in society, not to mention the most eligible. Sometimes, Charles couldn’t help but wonder why Darcy had chosen to befriend the son of a merchant, such as he? Though he had been left a considerable fortune upon the death of his father, Bingley still lacked self-confidence. And though he possessed an amiable nature and was considered a handsome man, he was not in the same league as Darcy, either in wealth or looks. Yet Darcy had taken him under his proverbial wing after their first meeting at university. Darcy certainly reaped no benefit from counting Bingley as his friend, either sociable or financially, yet he had been a genuine and sincere friend.
Darcy was familiar with most of Bingley’s idiosyncrasies, and as he watched Charles wander around his own morning room, touching this, and straightening that he knew something was troubling him.
Finally, he could bear it no longer.
“You have something on your mind, Charles?” Darcy asked.
“No…well, yes, actually,” Charles replied without elaborating.
“Then out with it man, I am not a soothsayer!”
Charles stopped fiddling with the furnishings and in an effort to appear more like his mentor, adopted a mirror pose to Darcy.
“As we are back in the district, do you think I should call on my neighbours, purely as a courtesy, of course?”
Though no name had been given, Darcy instantly knew to which family Bingley was referring.
Only a few short weeks ago, Darcy had been congratulating himself on extracting his friend from the clutches of Miss Jane Bennet.
Now, he could no longer feel so proud of his actions. Not only was he engaged to the lady’s sister, but on closer acquaintance, he had found to his utter surprise that Jane Bennet was the personification of a genteel and virginal young woman, an ideal wife for his friend.
Swallowing humble pie was a new experience for Darcy but swallow he must.
“Is it the Bennet family you are referring to, Charles?”
Bingley gave a nervous grin and said,
“Well, they were very hospitable to us when we first arrived in the Shire.”
It was as Darcy suspected, Charles’ feeling towards Miss Jane Bennet had not wavered during his brief absence from her side.
“Y
es, I think you should pay a call on the residence of Longbourn, Charles. And, if a certain Miss Bennet is still of a mind, I would propose to her with alacrity.”
Bingley’s mouth dropped open. He was expecting Darcy to pour scorn on his idea, point out all the reasons why she was not suitable, how awful her family were, but to have him suggest the very thing he longed for, seemed like nothing short of a miracle.
“You do?” he asked with astonishment.
“Charles, I thought I was acting in your best interest when I encouraged you to sever all your connections within Hertfordshire, especially the Bennet family. However, I was wrong. Not only is it none of my business whom you marry, but it was hypocritical of me too.”
“Hypocritical, Darcy? How so?”
Stiffening his back, resolved to be completely honest, Darcy took a deep breath, and said,
“My sole purpose in returning to Netherfield was to initiate a courtship with Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Then, if things went well, I would ask for her hand in marriage. So, you see, how could I condemn you for loving one sister, when I loved the other?”
Charles shook his head as if trying to untangle his muddled thoughts.
“You…love Miss Elizabeth Bennet, Darcy?” he asked.
“I do,” Darcy replied with tender sincerity.
“Since when, man? How long have you loved her?”
Darcy took a moment to think. He could place no time on when his affections had become engaged. Indeed, he had been fighting against it so long, there did not seem a time when he did not love her.
“I believe it started that first night, at the Meryton Assembly…”
Charles interrupted.
“I remember. You refused to dance with any of the young ladies, especially Miss Elizabeth. You said she was tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt you.”
“Don’t remind me,” Darcy said and then had the good grace to colour at this reminder of his arrogance. “She walked passed me and went to stand with her friend, Miss Lucas. They spoke a few words together, and then they laughed. Well, Elizabeth laughed, Miss Lucas suppressed her mirth as all young ladies of good breeding are expected to. But Charles, I envied and admired Elizabeth’s freedom, her confidence to express her emotions and show her happiness, with no fear of censure. That is when I first realised Elizabeth was different, so different from any other woman I have ever known.”
Charles had never seen his friend, his very proud and correct friend, so animated before, about anything.
“Well, well.” Bingley said in a jovial tone, “As I live and breathe, Fitzwilliam Darcy is in love, who would have thought?”
“Bingley,” Darcy said in a severe tone.
“Oh, very well, but you must admit, Darcy, this information is newsworthy. You will have all the single young women of the Ton rending their clothes and throwing themselves on pyres, while their mothers stand by and wail like a banshee.”
Darcy immediately saw the error of being so honest with his friend, and said,
“That is quite enough, Charles. I think you exaggerate my attraction to the opposite sex. Now, may I suggest we send your card to the Bennet’s today, and then you and I will ride over and pay a call first thing tomorrow.”
It suited Charles very well.
Chapter Fourteen
Caroline was still furious the next morning.
No-one had bothered to enquire after her health all evening. She had been left to stew on Darcy and Charles’ lack of support until she finally fell asleep. This time with a genuine headache.
On entering the breakfast room, and seeing only Miss Darcy seated at the table, Caroline sat down and brushed the footman away when he tried to place her napkin on her lap. Instead, and with slow, deliberate movements, she flicked the cloth in the air and then put it on her lap.
Georgiana tried not to make eye contact with Caroline and pretended to be absorbed in her food.
“Are the gentlemen not joining us this morning?” Caroline asked.
It was with some trepidation that, Miss Darcy raised her eyes and made her reply.
“Fitzwilliam and Mr Bingley have already eaten, Miss Bingley. They left some time ago.” Georgiana then lowered her gaze and again studied her hot buttered roll most diligently.
“Left? To go where, Miss Darcy?”
Georgiana was well acquainted with the steely tone of Miss Bingley’s voice, and it did not bode well for her that she was alone with Caroline while she was using it.
With hesitation, Georgiana replied,
“I…I believe they have gone to make some calls, Miss Bingley.”
Exasperated with the girl’s evasive answers, Caroline made her question more specific.
“On whom have they gone to call, Miss Darcy?”
“The…the Miss Bennet’s,” Georgiana whispered.
Caroline flung down her napkin and screeched,
“The Bennet sisters! We have barely been back in the country twelve hours, and he is sniffing around the skirts of that Bennet girl already. And Mr Darcy, if he had gone with Charles, it can mean only one thing. He has given Charles his blessing. The fool! This is all her vulgar mother’s doing. Jane is pleasant enough when in her own setting, but she is not of our sphere, and I cannot be related to that dreadful family! I will not. If Charles marries her, we will be the laughing stock of all polite society.” Caroline stood so abruptly that her chair toppled backwards and crashed to the floor.
Rushing forward to pick up the fallen chair, the young footman also came under attack.
“At least wait until I am out of the way, you imbecile,” Miss Bingley said unkindly, before storming out of the room.
Such was her relief that Caroline had gone, Georgiana’s shoulders visibly sagged from their hunched-up position around her neck.
Miss Bingley exuded a formidable presence when in the company of others, but when alone with her, Georgiana was just plain terrified. She hoped, no she prayed that Fitzwilliam would not marry her.
Her brother had always taught her to treat their servants well. They enjoyed the lifestyle they did because these people were willing to serve them.
Georgiana turned to the footman, and said,
“I am sorry, I think Miss Bingley is a little unwell.”
The footman knew Miss Darcy need offer him no explanation, but he gratefully acknowledged the sentiment behind her words.
“No harm done, Miss,” he said as he righted the item of furniture.
Even before the two horsemen had dismounted from their steeds or had time to hand their reins to the stable hand, Mrs Bennet had been informed of their imminent arrival.
Banishing her three youngest daughters upstairs, she was now fussing over Jane’s appearance.
“Pinch your cheeks, Jane. You are looking excessively pale today. No, not like that, like this,” Mrs Bennet said as she pinched at the small amount of excess skin covering Janes' cheeks.
“There, that’s much better,” Mrs Bennet cooed as she took her seat opposite her girls before the gentlemen were shown in.
Jane barely had time to rub her cheeks to ease the pain before Mr Darcy, and Mr Bingley entered.
Jane needed no artificial aid to make her skin flush. The tender look in Mr Bingley's eyes as he made his bow, had worked quite well enough.
It was Mr Darcy who took the lead.
“Mrs Bennet, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, you remember my friend, Charles Bingley.”
“Oh, yes, we remember Mr Bingley, don’t we girls. How very good it is to see you again, sir. Do you intend to stay long? Perhaps you will remain until after the New Year? Meryton boasts many dances and parties, particularly during the festive season. Indeed, we hold a large gathering ourselves. All our friends and acquaintances come. It would be a great honour if you consented to attend.”
Darcy saw the flustered look on Charles’ face as Mrs Bennet fired a barrage of questions at him, with no pause for breath.
Not for the first time, Darcy came to his rescue.
“Mrs Bennet, I wonder if I might trouble you for a moment of your time. I believe Miss Elizabeth and I would like to discuss some of the more general wedding details with you.” Darcy glanced over at Elizabeth, only to see her raise her brows as she silently questions his words.
“Perhaps we should join Mr Bennet? He may also wish to contribute to the conversation?”
Darcy’s request was asked not as a question, but more as a polite command, but to Mrs Bennet, it was like the proverbial carrot dangled before the donkey scenario. Besides, Mrs Bennet was more than happy to leave Jane alone in the company of Mr Bingley.
An excited Mrs Bennet ushered Elizabeth from the room and then hurried to overtake her along the corridor. Mr Darcy, who followed behind the ladies, winked at Charles as he closed the door.
Elizabeth was not quite so eager to formalise any of the wedding arrangements. Somehow, by putting things into place, it made the whole thing seem…real, rather than just play acting.
It was precisely at that moment that Elizabeth realised that was exactly how she had been viewing her engagement to Mr Darcy; as though it were a fantasy, a work of fiction. But it wasn’t. She was engaged to Mr Darcy and would, in just a few short weeks become his wife.
Feeling a little dazed by her revelation, Elizabeth followed her mamma into Mr Bennet’s study silently, suddenly very aware of Mr Darcy presence behind her.
Putting his book to one side, Mr Bennet looked at the trio of visitors and feared the worst. Only a catastrophe could have brought the three of them into his sanctuary at the same time, and no doubt it was instigated by his wife.
“Well, well, what’s going on here then? No, my dear, let Mr Darcy speak, for I doubt I will get any sense from you, Mrs Bennet.”
Though she was about to challenge her husband’s command, Mrs Bennet remembered the presence of Mr Darcy next to her. Closing her open mouth and smiled at Mr Bennet and took a step back.
Mr Darcy moved to the front of the group.
“I would very much like Mrs Bennet to update me on the wedding preparations, sir.”
Uninterested in being involved or consulted on the running of his house or the lives of his children, Mr Bennet could not help but ask,
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