by Kara Louise
I let out a whimper, fully disappointed that I would have no opportunity to observe this most gala affair, but acknowledging that I understood. He was not inclined to trust me one bit. I do not believe he even trusted himself. Whilst he was probably correct in his assessment of my predicted behaviour, I was not accustomed to being locked up and was certainly not looking forward to it.
The music began playing and my master and I glanced at each other.
“I must take my leave now, Reggie.” He took in a deep breath. “Were it not for Miss Elizabeth, I would have nothing to look forward to this evening. As it is, I will be required to endure much in the course of the evening with the likes of the folk in this country neighbourhood.”
As my master stepped out the door, he turned and glanced at me, flashing me that nervous smile and a firm nod of his head, as if he were convincing me, as well as himself, that this evening his plan would be executed to his satisfaction. It was difficult for me to settle down as the sounds from below only prompted me to conjecture when Miss Elizabeth arrived, when he asked for her hand, and when they began dancing. Needless to say, I paced the floor for quite some time in restless anticipation.
*~*~*
From my perspective, the night lingered on and on. I anxiously awaited the return of my master and yet I knew that if things were going well between him and Miss Elizabeth, I would not wish him to rush back to his chambers and to me. I forced myself to wait patiently and passed the time contemplating the day Miss Elizabeth would be Mistress of Pemberley.
When finally my master returned to his chambers, his entrance startled me. I confess sleep had taken hold of me and now I struggled to awaken. He strode in forcefully, followed by his valet, who proceeded to help him out of his clothes. But he did not speak a word.
Casting a very inquiring and eager eye his way, I made every attempt to determine his state of being. He was exceptionally silent, answering his valet in only one or two word responses. He was tense; I sensed that immediately. My forehead furrowed in concern as I watched him turn to me with an expression of disgust consuming his features.
No! I thought. I deliberated what possibly may have occurred. Had Wickham appeared? Had Wickham somehow ruined my master’s evening and his chances with Miss Elizabeth?
I had to wait patiently for his valet to finish and to leave us to ourselves.
When his man finally departed, I turned to my master with all the encouragement I could muster under the circumstances. I wagged my tail in as much concern as eagerness as I awaited any enlightenment he might divulge to me as to the details of the evening. His gaze was averted from me, as if he was not inclined to meet my glance. The only words out of his mouth startled my senses and shocked my very being.
“I have certainly been suffering under a foolish misapprehension in my regard for Elizabeth Bennet! Her family displayed themselves with an ill-bred vulgarity such as I have never before been subjected! And Wickham has… has poisoned her against me by some means, with some outright twisting of the truth! I should never have allowed myself to indulge this fanciful yearning for her as she… her family… is far too ill-suited! The only sure way to overcome these powerful feelings that have taken hold of my heart is to take drastic measures. I have no other alternative but to leave Netherfield. I am compelled to return to London, as far away from her as possible, and as promptly as it can be arranged!”
Chapter 15
Upon awakening the next morning, I hoped rather than believed that I would find my master wholly recovered; his ardent regard for Miss Elizabeth returning in such strength as to replace the ill-feelings that had so engulfed him last night. But it was not to be, and throughout the morning I was able to piece together something of what had occurred at the ball from conversation that took place between my master and Miss Bingley.
As my master and I came into the breakfast room that morning, Miss Bingley was the only other person at hand. My master greeted her and asked the servant for a cup of coffee, seating himself at the table.
Without glancing up at her, he asked, “Do you know what time Bingley is departing today for London?”
“I believe as early as possible. But considering how late everyone stayed last night -- particularly the Bennets -- I doubt he will be leaving any time soon. Why do you ask?”
“I am not inclined to remain here any longer. I believe I shall accompany him.”
Miss Bingley looked at him sharply and quite unexpectedly uttered a commanding, “Mr. Darcy, you cannot leave!”
My master’s head jolted toward her in astonishment at her exacting demand.
“I beg your pardon, Miss Bingley?”
“Mr. Darcy,” she recovered her composure, a smooth smile replacing the panicked countenance, “please accept my apologies for my outburst. I see we are both of like minds; neither am I inclined to remain even one day more! The society here is intolerable! However, what I meant to say was I have something of the utmost import to discuss with you and it can only be done whilst Charles is away. I see no other alternative but to request that you stay here at least one additional day!”
We both turned to her; my master out of curiosity and I with misgivings.
“What is so urgent that I must remain behind, Miss Bingley?”
“We must discuss this Miss Bennet disaster directly! It is imperative that we devise a plan to separate him from her! You must agree with me after what we witnessed last night that he must be made to see the imprudence of this prolonged affection. Naturally, we cannot discuss it whilst he is in our midst, and I am relying on your counsel, for I know he will listen to you. I fear it may prove to be too late if we delay discussion of this until you both return!”
I watched my master slowly lift his coffee cup, gazing deep into the swirling liquid as if it held the answer to the dilemma he faced, and he finally took a sip. Never in my life had I so fervently hoped that he would not acquiesce out of a sense of politeness to something so blatantly unsound!
“Mr. Darcy, you beheld her family last night. Have you ever witnessed such undignified behaviour? And all from members of one family? Certainly you were appalled at the lack of breeding displayed. It would be insupportable for Charles to marry into that family!” She continued in a softer, yet more determined manner, “Please, I beg you to consider remaining back so that we may have time to discuss what we shall do without fear of Charles overhearing!”
My master lifted his eyes to her and was about to reply when Miss Bingley added, “You heard her mother, last night, did you not, Mr. Darcy? Miss Bennet is a dear, sweet girl, but her mother! Is it not quite clear that her sole purpose in promoting a marriage between her eldest and my brother is to elevate their family in society?”
I listened in astonishment as Miss Bingley accused Miss Bennet of something of which she, herself, was guilty in her attempts to garner my master’s favour.
Miss Bingley’s pleading was halted by the entrance of Bingley himself and she turned in shock towards him, fearful he may have heard her just now. Even with just the few hours of sleep he had, he entered the room in a buoyant manner and with a most jovial greeting. By the expression on his face, it was apparent that he had not overheard his sister’s scheming words.
“Good morning, Caroline! Good morning, Darcy! Beautiful day, is it not?”
Miss Bingley’s eyes darted to my master as she simply answered, “I suppose it is.”
He looked to his friend, who merely took a sip from his cup of coffee.
“I simply hate to quit Netherfield today,” he continued, “after such a pleasant evening last night. I do believe everyone enjoyed themselves. I know I did.”
A smile beamed from his face as Miss Bingley rolled her eyes and looked away. “Yes, Brother, but I believe some enjoyed themselves more than others!”
“Tell me, Darcy, are you quite sure you do not wish to accompany me to town? I should thoroughly enjoy your company on that tedious journey thither!”
I lifted my head towards hi
m as I anxiously awaited his answer. I believe Miss Bingley was apprehensive, as well. I did not know whether I preferred him more to accompany his friend to town or to remain here! I certainly did not wish to leave, hoping for the opportunity to see Miss Elizabeth again, but I knew that if my master chose to stay at Netherfield, it would be for the sole purpose of plotting with Miss Bingley a strategy to separate her brother and Miss Bennet. And in doing so, my master would be sealing his fate concerning Miss Elizabeth, much to my disappointment.
“I thank you for the invitation, but I think not, Bingley. I have pressing business which needs my attention and I know you are anxious to be away. More than likely, when I do quit Netherfield, I will not return for some time. I shall remain on with Mr. and Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley until you return.”
Bingley accepted the words of his friend good-naturedly and unquestioningly. Miss Bingley, upon hearing his words, resembled nothing so much as a contented cat about to toy with its snared prey before devouring it. A disgruntled groan expressed my opinion on the matter. My master quickly glanced at me, to which I returned his gaze forthrightly before each of us turned away.
Immediately after finishing his breakfast, Bingley set off for London. I, unfortunately, was left to a scheming household and bemoaned my master’s willing complicity with Miss Bingley.
As he and Miss Bingley sat with Mr. and Mrs. Hurst in the sitting room, I listened to their plotting and scheming with disbelief as they attributed a most disheartening account of the Bennet family’s behaviour at the ball last night.
Miss Bingley’s eyes pleaded with my master as did her argument. “Certainly you heard her mother, Mr. Darcy! Such a presumptuous woman! How dare she speak so openly and freely about her expectations for Charles and Jane to become engaged directly? I am quite certain she has the whole of Meryton prepared to offer felicitations.”
“Quite imprudent,” agreed her sister.
“Now exactly how did Mrs. Bennet phrase it as she was enumerating the many advantages of the match?” Miss Bingley pointedly asked my master. “I believe it was something to the effect, ‘It is certain that their marriage will be such a promising thing for my younger daughters, as Jane’s marrying so greatly must throw them in the way of other rich men!”
I was quite dismayed at Miss Bingley’s accusation, but in looking over to my master and noticing his grimace, I had to concede that he was recollecting Mrs. Bennet’s very words.
“And the youngest sister; you observed her, I am sure, displaying such unrestrained manners! Is there a redcoat in Hertfordshire unworthy of her flirtations? I could barely keep my countenance!”
Her eyes locked onto those of my master. “Mr. Darcy, surely you must agree with me that we cannot allow any sort of attachment between Charles and Jane Bennet. He is far too guileless to withstand the arts of a family looking to elevate their status. And if they succeed in their scheme -- what will become of Charles then? Left to care for an ambitious mother-in-law, obliged to entertain soldiers for the sake of flirtatious, ill-bred sisters? It is not sound!”
My master took in a deep breath as he seemed to deliberate on her words carefully. Before he could reply, Miss Bingley offered up one more observation from the previous night that clarified some things for me and appeared to be all that was needed to secure my master’s alliance with her.
“It must have come as quite a shock to you, Mr. Darcy, to learn of Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s admiration for someone of the likes of Mr. Wickham. I could not understand myself how she had come to be so enamoured of him.” Casting a glance at my master and appearing to be pleased at the effect of her words, she continued. “Miss Bennet did not cease to question me all evening of what I knew of his acquaintance with you. Miss Elizabeth related to me how simply charming she found him to be.”
Clasping her hands together and looking down at them, she confessed with an air of feigned humility, “Do you know, I tried to warn Miss Elizabeth about him? I thought it was an exceedingly friendly gesture on my part, but she was quite quick to defend her favourite and dismiss my counsel.”
His jaw set tightly and his mouth grim, my master stood up and walked to the sideboard, setting down his empty cup. “You are correct, Miss Bingley. What you have said about separating Bingley and Miss Bennet is something upon which I wholeheartedly agree,” he said firmly.
At his assertion, my head sunk to the floor between my paws. I felt a sense of hopelessness that there could be nothing now that would improve my master’s regard for Miss Elizabeth, as he regrettably appeared to view her family as completely unsuitable. My spirits sunk to a new low as I came to the realization that all hope was lost.
I truly had believed that my master, unlike Miss Bingley, would be willing to overlook status and birth. His selecting me was a prime example of that as well as his deep regard for Miss Elizabeth. Unfortunately, he could not overlook behaviour. His prodigious attention to my training attested to that!
I wondered if he might be more concerned about how an alignment with a family of that nature would reflect back upon himself; however I was also confident that he did not trust people who looked to others solely for elevating status or purses. And of this, he believed Miss Bennet guilty.
My master turned to his co-conspirator. “We must never allow Bingley to ask for Miss Bennet’s hand in marriage. Though Miss Bennet is unquestionably pleasing of countenance and manner, in all the times I have had the opportunity to observe her, she displayed no outward regard for Bingley. I believe you may be correct in that she is receiving his attentions to secure a husband of a certain fortune so as to benefit her family and that is solely due to her mother’s encouragement. I would be doing a disservice to Bingley to allow him to ask for Miss Bennet’s hand in marriage.”
He spoke in a deliberate manner, as if he had thought this out thoroughly beforehand. It did not escape my notice that he did not address the subject of Miss Elizabeth nor Wickham, as Miss Bingley had just pressed him.
“Yes, you are so correct, Mr. Darcy,” Miss Bingley agreed. “She shows no affection toward him. None at all! I have never beheld any open regard on her part whilst in my brother’s company. It is as though she cares nothing for him!” Miss Bingley appeared ready and eager to seize and agree with any argument in support of her objective.
“Mr. Darcy, what can be done about this? Once Charles returns, he will wish to seek out Miss Bennet! You know that is not wise!” Her manner suddenly changed from one who was controlling the discussion to one appealing to my master’s astuteness. But it was not to last long.
“That is true,” my master answered, “but we cannot prevent him from seeing her.”
Miss Bingley looked to her sister and then back to my master. “Perhaps there is something we can do.”
My master looked over to her. “And what would that be?”
“Might I suggest we all depart tomorrow for London? We shall instruct the servants to close up the house for the rest of the winter; inform them that it is very unlikely that we shall return any time soon.”
“This will hardly please Bingley,” my master countered.
“He will be displeased for but a short while. You know how easily he falls in and out of love. Once he has been away from Miss Bennet, she will soon be forgotten, as will any attachment for Netherfield.”
“Of this you are quite confident?”
She leaned in toward my master and whispered in a most conspiratorial voice, “We shall ensure that he begins to harbour doubts about her. We shall only talk of her indifference toward him, how little she esteems him, and how unsuitable it would be to make an alliance with her because of her family. He listens to you, Mr. Darcy. He regards your opinion most highly.”
I turned away in disgust. I could not believe that just yesterday, he was so inclined to openly acknowledge his regard for Miss Elizabeth. And now this!
“I believe it would be prudent… for him… to be separated from Miss Bennet to discourage any sort of admiration to continue.”
My master let out a raspy breath. “I heartily concur. We must leave on the morrow! This unsound attachment must be obliterated in its entirety!”
My master spoke with such force and command that I believe he surprised even Miss Bingley. But I knew the weight of his argument was directed chiefly towards himself. He needed to distance himself from Miss Elizabeth and he was going to destroy his good friend’s prospect for love and marital felicity, as well as his own, by doing so. I wondered if this indeed was the true measure of a friend.
Yet despite the outcome, I saw a tiny glimmer of hope in all of this. My master had never once dismissed the persons of Miss Bennet or Miss Elizabeth. He may have agreed that the family behaved abominably and that Miss Bennet had never displayed any outward sign of admiration. But he was careful to avoid condemnation of either lady. Perhaps I was exhibiting foolish hope, but I clung tenaciously to the fact that, in truth, he did esteem them, even in the midst of his determination to separate himself and his friend from the Misses Bennets.
The remainder of their talk that morning was spent in a most disheartening discussion on how best to approach Bingley and dissuade him from his attachment. Despite my miniscule bit of hope, it was almost more than I could bear to remain in the same room with them.
When their strategy was finalized, preparations began for the following day’s journey and ultimately, the closing up of Netherfield for the winter. I made a grand effort to stay out of everyone’s way, in no small part due to my abhorrence of their scheme. My master, although outwardly satisfied with the decision that had been agreed upon, was not completely settled within himself. Whether he was willing to admit it to himself or not, I understood his regard for Miss Elizabeth had taken a fervent hold upon him that permeated his whole being. Whether he knew it or not, I believed he would not be able to dismiss the leanings of his heart as easily as he wished. He may make every attempt to command himself to put aside these foolish yearnings, but when it came to matters of the heart, my master was enmeshed in something quite unlike anything he had ever before experienced. And the decision which he had just allowed himself to agree upon, I believed, would inevitably cause him a great amount of distress.