by D. L. Carter
“You look much how I feel,” continued Bingley. “I have spent the night wracking my brain to understand this situation. That display in the church yesterday is beyond my understanding. How can Miss Elizabeth, who is everything charming and kind, and when we came into this neighborhood was referred to as a jewel of Hertfordshire, now become a pariah?”
“There is no justice in the judgments of the ton. Generally the ton are narrow-minded, quick to reject and cruel.”
“And yet you will accept it?” Bingley speared a portion of beefsteak and waved his loaded fork at his friend. “Your family is well respected, Darcy. What would you do if it were your sister who is being so unjustly maligned?”
That question stung in a place Darcy was particularly sensitive. He drew a sharp breath and held it until he was certain of his temper.
“I would rather not speculate on any subject concerning my sister, if you would be so kind.”
“I meant no disrespect to your sister. Miss Darcy is everything dignified and sweet. But last week that is what was said of Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth. Tell me, Darcy, what can we do? When can we call and declare our support of the family? I would not have Miss Bennet think we join in the shunning that you predict.”
“Enough, Bingley. Do not follow this line of questioning if you wish to keep my company!”
The scene at church had left Darcy deeply torn. He could not encourage his friend, with his roots in trade, to risk his current fragile entry into society by siding with a family mired in scandal. And yet, if his sister’s situation had become public would he not have expected, counted on Bingley’s loyalty, his constancy?
Miss Jane Bennet did not deserve the punishment this ragtag collection of country gentry were inflicting on her family.
And knowing, as he did, the hearts of both Bingley and Miss Jane, how could he not help?
The thought caused Darcy to pause. Before the disaster he had agreed, more by omission of protest, than commission of offering his opinion, with Miss Caroline, that an alliance between Bingley and Miss Jane would not be appropriate.
The mother! The sisters!
And yet?
A rapid knock on the door preceded the arrival of Miss Caroline Bingley.
Darcy had known her for seven years now and his opinion had neither improved nor changed. She was expensively educated and well trained in the feminine arts but was an unrepentant social climber.
Following tight on her heels was a footman bearing the requested breakfast tray.
Darcy came to his feet while Charles stared at his half finished plate with some regret before rising.
“Charles,” pronounced Miss Bingley, affecting astonishment. “Mr. Darcy. What do you here? We are not yet risen from table. A generous repast still awaits you in the breakfast room. James, take that tray away.” Miss Bingley tried to tuck her hand through Darcy’s arm and turn him toward the door. “I insist, you shall join us and we shall plan the day’s activity.”
“I would beg you would excuse us, Miss Bingley. Bingley and I were taking a quick bite before departing on a tour of the drainage ditches. The rain this winter has caused some significant erosion and he must prepare a letter for the estate owner so advising him.”
Darcy beckoned the servant over to place the tray near to his chosen chair and poured out his coffee before Caroline could offer.
“But surely that is the steward’s responsibility,” protested Caroline.
“Perhaps so,” said Charles, “but I must know what damage to expect for when I have an estate of my own. You must remember, Caroline, we agreed that Darcy is the best person to so instruct me.”
She hesitated and the two men watched as she struggled with her own ambitions for the morning and her general ambition to advance her family.
“Well, yes, Charles but I had thought it was more you would give orders than go about in the mud and rain to do it yourself.” She frowned. “Surely that is not the duty of a gentleman.”
“I hope, Miss Bingley, that I am instructing your brother to your satisfaction,” said Darcy. “I am only directing his attention and actions toward those which I undertake at Pemberley.”
“Oh, well. If that is what you do to maintain the perfection that is Pemberley then I cannot see Charles doing better than imitate you.” She tilted her head and smiled sidelong at Darcy. “There is no finer home in England. I have told many of my friends so.”
“I thank you for your kind praise,” said Darcy, bowing. “If you would excuse us?”
“I…”
He could see Miss Bingley casting about for a reason to prolong the interaction since she could not entice them to her table. Fortunately for Darcy this room did not contain an excessive number of chairs.
“Forgive me, Mr. Darcy,” continued Caroline, “but before you go out might I have the benefit of your advice on an important matter?”
This time her manner was not flirtatious but serious.
Being a gentleman Darcy could not but to consent to meet with her.
“If I might have ten minutes, ma’am, to complete my meal?”
“Certainly. I shall await you in the solar.”
Darcy inclined his head and Caroline departed. When she was out of earshot Bingley sat and remarked: “The solar is on the far side of the house, Darcy, old man. Isolated. Very private. I should take a footman with you for the sake of your own safety.”
“My intention was to have my valet bring down my riding gloves and stay awaiting further orders.”
Bingley smiled and nodded. “I shall send to the stables for our horses.”
Darcy gave the bell-pull a sharp tug and the servant who answered a message for the stables and Darcy’s valet.
“Why do you think she wants to talk to you?” inquired Bingley after a long pause. “Whatever could be on her mind that requires you instead of me? Besides the obvious, that is.”
Darcy was so long in staring at his plate that Bingley’s attention was fully caught.
“My friend,” said Darcy slowly. “I hesitate to speak out of concern for damaging our friendship.”
“What do you mean?”
“I have my suspicions of what is on her mind. Miss Bingley has been trying to recruit me to aid her in separating you from Miss Bennet. She and Mrs. Hurst have spoken to me on a number of occasions on the unsuitability of the Bennet family.”
“But they like Miss Bennet. They have told me on a number of occasions that … they have not been so vocal in their affections lately.”
“They have said that Jane is a sweet girl, despite her unfortunate relatives,” interrupted Darcy. “That they wish her well, despite her connections in Cheapside. That she shall not aspire to an alliance with a man of significance in the world. Have I omitted any salient point?”
Bingley’s lips twisted as if tasting something very sour. “No. Hearing their words recited in this manner tells me clearly that they are insincere in their stated regard.”
“Exactly so. I suspect, based on their complaints to you, that they intend to recruit me to suggest I encourage the party to decamp to London and discourage a return so that you will not seek an alliance with Miss Bennet.”
“I shall not leave! No. I shall not have Miss Bennet thinking me driven from her side by such petty gossip as circulates here. I shall take your place this morning and speak to Caroline. I shall insist she pay a call or invite them to tea. They shall show this neighborhood that some take friendships seriously!” He paused and considered. “Might that not go someway to restoring their standing?”
“If many did the same, perhaps. Only, I cannot say that the Bennet family would benefit for such condescension as your sisters would grant.”
Bingley considered that remark and pursed his lips as if his tea tasted sour.
“Ugh. You may be right. They are in no mood to give consequence to young ladies scorned by society at large.”
Darcy winced at this paraphrase of an insult he had levied long ago against Miss Eliz
abeth. Strange that he had entertained those feelings when he now realized that Miss Elizabeth was one of the handsomest women of his acquaintance. Certainly she had the greatest courage.
How he longed to introduce her to poor Georgie. His sister still could not fully face the extent of her foolishness and the consequences of all that followed. Her disgrace and ruin might not be complete - certainly no one but the villain himself and Georgiana’s closest family and guardian knew the whole story, but still, Georgiana suffered.
Elizabeth would give her a sisterly shoulder to cry upon, an ear to whisper confidences into.
An example of strength to emulate.
If only Elizabeth had been born into a more tolerable family. Her lack of dowry did not disturb Darcy but the degree of ill manners and nonsense displayed by her family set Darcy’s teeth on edge.
But then, if she had, would she still be Elizabeth?
“If Caroline and Louisa will not pay a call, I shall,” declared Bingley. “I will not wait until the period of mourning is over. That is far too long.”
“Have a care, Charles. Your attention might do more harm than good.”
“What do you mean?”
“I know your heart has been touched. It has been so many times that I recognize the signs.”
“This is different!”
Darcy raised an eyebrow in reply.
“So you say now. But, again, so you have said before. Think, Bingley. If you call upon Miss Jane, considering the attention the family is receiving from the neighborhood, all will be in expectation of a serious offer. Certainly that husband-hungry mother of hers shall be. And if…” Darcy raised a finger as Charles went to interject. “And if you should later withdraw your attention as I have seen you do in the past, suddenly and without explanation, then her situation will be so very much worse. Suddenly she will not merely be the sister of a woman present during a fatal accident but she will be a woman an honorable man found unworthy of his name.”
“But…” Charles hands clenched and he tried to gather his composure. “I… she … surely they would not suggest. I mean, Jane is an angel. No one would cast aspersions on her virtue. That would be impossible.”
“My dear Charles, that is exactly what they will do and consider themselves justified in making the shunning permanent, telling their sons and daughters to regard themselves superior to the family. The Bennet ladies will end their days lonely, disgraced spinsters.”
“How is this different from what they suffer now?”
“Your involvement.”
Bingley stared blankly at Darcy then turned away.
“Yes, indeed,” pressed Darcy. “It will be your name bruited about. You who decided that Jane Bennet was not worthy of your hand and name.”
“Enough,” cried Bingley. “I shall not harm her.”
“Then you should not pay a call!”
Darcy watched as Bingley stared out of the window. Everything in Bingley’s posture spoke of pain. Hunched shoulders, tightly clenched hands, and a face turned resolutely away. Darcy’s own heart clenched watching him. He was content, to a degree. He had acted on the day of the disaster to do his very best on behalf of a lady he admired and would never, could never approach with an offer of marriage. That would offer a balm to his heart as the years passed but Bingley? Bingley was suffering now.
If Darcy wished to see the Bennet family regain their position then someone needed to act and soon.
“Bingley, I am not yet done.”
“I wish you were.”
“On the other hand…” said Darcy, then stopped. If he spoke further he would be setting his friend’s feet on a path leading to… leading to...
Bingley raised his head. “There is another hand?”
However,” Darcy blew a breath out slowly. “If your intentions toward her are honorable. If you truly love her…”
“How can you doubt it?”
Darcy waited.
“Oh, very well,” continued Bingley. “I take your point with regards to the general run of London ladies. They all expect a certain amount of flattery and attention but Miss Bennet is different. Tell me, Darcy, is it a measure of my attachment to her that I cannot bear to be separated from her by this silly ritual of mourning? That the very thought that she might experience a moment's worry for her sister’s situation renders me sleepless? Never have I been so driven to seek the comfort of merely seeing a lady, to reassure myself all is well with her. When…”
“Have done, I beg you,” said Darcy. “Your point is taken.”
“Well?”
“I grant you these feelings of yours are unprecedented.”
“And…”
“And my information is that Miss Bennet reciprocates.”
It took a moment for Bingley to comprehend then a brilliant smile overspread his features and, just as rapidly, fled.
“God,” Bingley started pacing. “And I have been absent these three days when she has been scorned by the neighborhood. Oh, how she must hate me!”
“Three days is nothing, my friend.”
“No. These three days have been an eternity! I know they were for me! Well, that settles the matter. I will call on her this morning, and, Darcy, I beg you, come with me. If someone of your standing in the world were to acknowledge the family only think how it will help them!”
“And you do this in the full knowledge that an offer shall be expected of you?” asked Darcy, in his harshest tones.
Bingley huffed out a breath, straightened, and firmed his usually soft chin. An unprecedented severity marked his countenance as he regarded his future.
“Yes, Darcy. An honorable offer. I can no longer consider my future without Miss Jane at my side. I shall do it!” His hesitant smile returned. “Will you come with me?”
Darcy considered but found he was nodding agreement without actually making the decision.
“Then, make haste,” cried Bingley. “Make haste. Finish your breakfast, or better yet, don’t! Mrs. Bennet always serves fine cakes with her tea. Come at once.”
Darcy looked down at the tray before him.
“This is cold and I find I lack an appetite.”
They were partway to the front door when Bingley remembered something.
“Caroline is still waiting for you, Darcy.”
“Let her wait. There is nothing she wishes to say that I want to hear.”
“Excellent,” said Bingley, rubbing his hands. “Serves her right for slighting my Jane.”
Chapter Twelve
The arrival of Bingley and Darcy at Longbourn surprised more than themselves. Mrs. Hill opened the door as if unskilled in the task and gaped at them before visibly shaking herself and welcoming them in.
“Mrs. Bennet sits with the young ladies in parlor, sirs.”
“Excellent,” said Bingley offering his hat to the housekeeper who stared at it as is she had never been faced with such an item before. “If you could inquire if they are receiving?”
“Oh, well. Yes, sir.”
So saying Mrs. Hill took Bingley’s hat - and only Bingley’s hat - and hurried off down the hall. They could clearly hear the woman’s announcement.
“Oh, Mrs. Bennet. Mrs. Bennet,” caroled Mrs. Hill. “What do you think? It is Mr. Bingley come to call!”
Bingley shrugged and Darcy felt a laugh rising at this ridiculous household.
“And that Mr. Darcy as well,” continued Mrs. Hill and Darcy gave a nod. He wasn’t invisible. What good news.
A muffled shriek sounded followed by much rushing of feet and scraping of chairs on the floor.
“Jane. Jane, oh, why aren’t you wearing your blue dress? Sit here, at once. Kitty, never mind your bonnet. Go; sit, oh, at the pianoforte. Mary, I insist, give your seat to Kitty, and sit here. Do not sulk. I do not trust you near the pianoforte. And Miss Elizabeth,” here the distant voice changed becoming unwelcoming and stern. “As soon as the gentlemen are settled you are to remember some task or other and go upstairs. No one want
s to be reminded of your disgrace.”
Silence was her answer. Bingley and Darcy exchanged another glance, this one less amused.
“Now, Mrs. Hill bring them in and fetch us a good tea,” continued the not-distant-enough voice of Mrs. Bennet. “We must encourage him to stay as long as may be. Now, smile girls, smile.”
It seemed that only Jane and Elizabeth heard her mother’s command regarding smiling. Kitty and Mary regarded the men with barely any interest. Mary’s attention was directed toward the pianoforte from which seat she had been summarily ejected. Kitty stared to where her discarded bonnet lay. Miss Jane and Miss Elizabeth rose and directed welcoming smiles toward the arrivals.
Darcy’s breath caught in his throat as he saw Elizabeth’s eyes brighten and her smile warm her features as she regarded him. She kept her gaze on him as she curtsied in response to his bow.
On him! She was looking at him as if he were her knight, which he reminded himself, he was. Or was willing to be. There was admiration and warmth in her gaze. Welcome in all her looks. When she regarded him in such a warm manner he wished to kneel before her and offer to be her valiant knight. Her protector. Her strength and guard in the dark times.
Breathing shallowly, as if afraid to shatter the moment, he ignored Mrs. Bennet's pointed gesture directing him toward a distant chair between Kitty and Mary, and crossed the room to bow again to Miss Elizabeth.
“I hope the day finds you well, Miss Elizabeth.”
“Much improved now,” was the reply, and a touch of the familiar curiosity and intelligence returned to her eyes. “I am happy to see you, Mr. Darcy. Are you well?”
“Miss Lizzy, I am certain you said you had business above stairs,” broke in her mother.
A shadow crossed those fine eyes at her parent’s words and the light in them faded.
“Nothing I hope that cannot be delayed,” said Darcy before Elizabeth could reply. “I was hoping for a few moments of intelligent conversation. When we were last together Miss Elizabeth was giving me her observations on Galvanism. She has recently read the pamphlet from the Royal Institute.”