Jane turned away and covered her eyes with her handkerchief, and Elizabeth knew she must be weeping.
“I thank you on behalf of my entire family, but there is nothing. I raise this issue so that you be aware of it.
Our family is not welcome in many circles now, and it is possible our shame may extend to our visitors in the minds of some people.” She felt a heavy weight settle inside her stomach.
“I… your family will always be welcome at Netherfield,” Mr. Bingley declared. “And with your permission, I will also continue to call at Longbourn.”
From the corner of her eyes, Elizabeth could see Jane’s shoulders shaking silently, and she bit down on her own lip to stop her tears. “We will always be glad to see you. But, delighted as I am to see Miss Darcy, I cannot believe Mr. Darcy would allow her to visit Longbourn if he knew the circumstances.”
The girl shook her head. “I appreciate your concern,” she said in an almost inaudible voice, “but my brother would not wish me to abandon friends in time of need. That is not his way.”
“Perhaps you should ask him,” Elizabeth said, throwing caution to the wind.
“If it will relieve your concern, I will write him and ask, but I know his answer,” she said.
So he was not at Netherfield. The weight in Elizabeth’s stomach threatened to swallow her. “Now I believe it is time for me to take Jane back to the house.”
Bingley cleared his throat and said timidly, “If I might have a moment?” He went over to Jane and bent his head toward hers, speaking softly enough that only Jane could hear. Jane nodded once, but kept her head bent.
“We will be just ahead,” Elizabeth said, though she doubted either was listening. With a gesture to Georgiana, they started down the path back to the house. “I am truly sorry. I am repaying your hospitality with unpleasantness, I fear.”
“No! Not at all. I appreciate your honesty. There is sometimes too little of it in the world. I know my brother would feel the same way if he were here.”
“Is he still at Pemberley?”
“No, he had to travel to Rosings to visit my aunt, then to London. He has been very restless these last few months.”
Elizabeth’s throat tightened. Was it because he was thinking of her? Not that it mattered now, but her reaction to seeing Georgiana today brought her to a realization that had been long in coming. When she had been in Derbyshire, she had thought that she still possessed to power to make Mr. Darcy renew his addresses to her, should she choose to use it. But she had not wished to, not until she learned the truth about Mr.
Wickham - and then it was too late. She had lost him before she had a chance to let him win her heart. She knew now that he would have found little difficulty in that endeavour, but Lydia had ruined her chance for a future with Mr. Darcy or any respectable gentleman.
Fortunately, as Elizabeth would have been hard put to say a word, Georgiana seemed to share her brother’s ability to walk in silent companionship. Nothing was said by either until they reached Longbourn House. Behind them, Elizabeth could hear the scuffling of gravel indicating that Jane and Mr. Bingley were behind them, but she chose not to look back.
In the sitting room, Mary gave Elizabeth a reproachful look. Elizabeth mentally shrugged. What difference did it make if she did not follow the customary form for a visit? It was not as if they could be shamed any further.
Jane’s eyes were red but otherwise appeared her usual serene self once more, though Bingley seemed more troubled as he hovered over her. Elizabeth was relieved that their guests did not stay long, and joined Jane in walking them out to their carriage.
“I hope we will see you again soon,” she told Miss Darcy as the girl tied her bonnet under her delicate chin. “I was sorry that our acquaintance was interrupted when I had to leave Lambton so precipitously.”
“As was I,” Georgiana agreed. “My brother has spoken of you so often and so highly that I feel as if I have known you for a long time.”
Elizabeth felt colour creeping into her cheeks. “He is too kind to me, then.” She turned to Mr. Bingley who was releasing Jane’s hand from his own. Elizabeth offered him her hand as well, but he took it in an uncharacteristically clumsy manner, using both of his hands. Elizabeth assumed he must be off balance from the difficult visit, but then she felt something flat press against her glove. She opened her mouth to speak, but Mr. Bingley gave her a significant look, so she merely stepped back, holding whatever it was he had handed her in such a secretive manner.
As she joined Jane in waving to the carriage as it pulled away, she took the opportunity to slip the paper, for such it was, into her pocket for safe-keeping. She was exquisitely aware of its presence. The possibility that it was from Mr. Darcy had her pulses fluttering; although nothing could come of it, it would be gratifying to know he was thinking of her and cared enough to find a way to respond to her.
As soon as she could, she escaped to her room and sat on her bed. She took out the paper and held it for a moment, savouring the brief time of hope it gave her, then she examined it. It bore her name in the close, firm hand she still remembered from the envelope she had burned long ago. Her mouth grew dry. Carefully she slit it open. It was dated four days earlier at Pemberley House.
My dear Miss Bennet,
The arrival of your letter was a great relief to me. Although I am grieved to hear that you are facing unknown difficulties, it was at least comforting to know that your precipitate departure was not occasioned by offense at my manner of expressing myself. It is I who must apologize for my behaviour that afternoon. I can offer no excuse beyond strength of feeling and surprise at discovering you had not read my letter, but those hardly suffice.
I have spoken with Bingley regarding my misapprehension of your sister’s feelings for him, and it was only a matter of minutes before he developed an intense desire to visit Netherfield once more. I hope his presence will bring about a happier outcome than it did the last time he was there.
I do not know what called you home so urgently, but I can plead a real, though unavailing, concern as to your present well-being. If there is ever a way in which I may be of service, it would be an honour to do so. I will ask Bingley to endeavour to deliver this to your hand unobtrusively, and his discretion can be trusted. I will only add, God bless you.
Fitzwilliam Darcy
On finishing the letter, Elizabeth leaned her head against the bedrail. He had not forgotten her. Even if a true connection between them was impossible now, it helped to know he was thinking of her without ill feelings. He was indeed a good man. If only she had realized it sooner!
She folded the letter and tucked it away in her vanity drawer along with her most prized possessions.
***
Georgiana and Bingley spoke little during the carriage ride, each involved with their own thoughts.
Georgiana felt deeply for Miss Elizabeth, whose suffering was apparent behind her brave front, but beyond that, she could not help dwelling on her own lucky escape from the same mistake that Miss Lydia Bennet had made. She could not blame another girl for making the same error in judgment she had made, but her imagination travelled beyond reality and to what her brother would have endured, had he not interrupted her elopement with Mr. Wickham. He would be suffering as Miss Bennet did now, subject to gossip and the world’s derision, his life forever changed by her foolishness. His own prospects would be affected and his pride mortified. She had so easily been fooled into a decision that could have ruined both of their lives.
If Miss Elizabeth’s sister was not in fact married, it could be another disaster not just for her friend, but for her brother as well. Georgiana had never seen him take such an interest in a young lady before, and it had given her hope that he might marry someday soon and fulfill her longing for a sister. At first she had thought Miss Elizabeth a perfect match for her brother, with her wit, laughter and liveliness - she even made Fitzwilliam laugh at himself ! She did not allow Miss Bingley to intimidate her, a skill G
eorgiana wished she could emulate.
After Miss Elizabeth had spoken so warmly of Wickham, Georgiana had wished her far away and never to be heard of again, until Fitzwilliam explained that he was at fault for not exposing George Wickham to the people of Meryton. She understood all too well how charming Wickham could be when he chose.
But be that as it may, a scandal enveloping the Bennet family would put an end to any hope of her brother marrying Miss Elizabeth. Fitzwilliam was generous, but he would not endanger the Darcy family name, not the way she had with Wickham. But she had learned her lesson. She would never allow herself to trust a man again unless she had her brother’s blessing to do so.
Back at Netherfield, they found Caroline anxiously awaiting their arrival. She took Mr. Bingley’s arm the moment he exited the carriage. “Charles, I must speak with you right away about a matter of utmost importance.
Will you come to the drawing room?”
“As you wish,” Bingley said, sounding as if his wish was quite different, but as usual, he obeyed his sister.
Georgiana said timidly, “Perhaps I shall wait in my room, then?”
Caroline turned a beaming smile on her. “No, of course you must join us. This is something you should hear as well. I would not wish you to be left in ignorance.”
Georgiana was sure she would rather be left in ignorance of anything that delighted Caroline this much, but she followed her to the sitting room.
Bingley said, “Now, what is this all about, Caroline?”
“Well,” Caroline said, perching on the edge of her seat, her hands folded in her lap. “While you were out at Longbourn I had a visit from Lady Lucas, who shared the most interesting information with me. And before you caution me against believing whatever I hear, I have checked with several of the servants here, and they all agree with her story.” She lowered her voice dramatically. “It seems that Miss Lydia Bennet has continued in her wild ways. She has run off with an officer. Of course, it is hardly surprising, given the way her family behaves, but it does rather change things, does it not?”
“I do not see why,” Bingley said sharply. “I was already aware of this matter. Having an ill-behaved sister does not make Miss Bennet or Miss Elizabeth Bennet a jot less agreeable, and I intend to continue to enjoy their company.”
“Charles, you cannot mean it! Their whole family is disgraced, and no one in the area wishes to share the taint of acknowledging them. We would look like fools if we maintained the acquaintance. I am sure Mr. Darcy would agree, even if he does admire Eliza Bennet’s fine eyes. He would not want his sister spending time with women of such questionable morals.” She smiled triumphantly.
“That is up to Darcy, not to you. He would not run from his friends in their time of trouble,” Bingley said angrily.
“Oh, Charles, you know that he has always disapproved of the Bennet family! He considers them ill-bred and unworthy of his attention.”
“That would explain why he went to such an effort to introduce his sister to Miss Elizabeth at Pemberley,”
Bingley said with heavy sarcasm.
“He did not know of this latest escapade. I am sure…”
“I am sure it is time for you to stop speaking for Darcy, who is quite able to make his own decisions without regard to you!”
Caroline took a deep breath and put on her sweetest smile and most cajoling air. “Come, Charles, I am certain that this has come as much of a shock to you as it has to me. It is terrible what those Bennet girls must be going through. Jane is such a sweet girl, and you know how much I like her. But we have our own social status to consider. An association such as that could affect the invitations we receive next season, and could cost us the acceptance we have finally begun to win in the ton. You know I only wish to protect you.”
“Oh, leave be, Caroline!” Bingley jumped to his feet and strode out the door.
Georgiana wished with all her heart that she could follow him, but she remained where she was, just as a well-bred young lady was expected to. Perhaps if she were quiet enough, Caroline would forget her presence.
But it seemed that luck was not with her.
“Men!” Caroline cried with exasperation. “Sometimes I swear they seem by far the most irrational creatures.
He knows what I am saying is true, but he does not want it to be true, so he ignores it. Heaven knows what trouble he would get into if I were not here to save him.”
Georgiana made a non-committal noise, hoping Caroline’s anger would burn itself out. It was not the first time she had seen Caroline deriving pleasure from the misfortune of others, but she hated it. She could see how it could be twisted to work against herself as easily. Who could be sure that Caroline was not saying cruel things about her behind her back? She was not under the impression that Caroline’s attentions to her came from any kind of liking so much as a desire to please her brother.
Caroline tapped her fingers on the arm of her chair. “If only I had known this before you called at Longbourn! It will be more difficult to extract ourselves from the acquaintance now. But you need have no worries, Georgiana. I will make certain you are not forced into their company, regardless of what Charles may do. I owe that much to your brother. He would never have allowed you to come here had he known.”
Georgiana was well practiced at failing to respond to comments she disliked in such a way that the speaker always took her silence as assent, and she put that skill to good effect now. It was almost amusing - finally there was something that Caroline and Elizabeth agreed on. They both thought her brother would not approve of the connection. How odd that now that they were finally in agreement, they were both wrong! She was sure of it.
“I confess I am not the least bit surprised. The Bennet family was always a disgrace. If it were not for how pretty the older girls are, no one would ever have tolerated them. Your brother often commented on the family’s ill breeding.”
Would Caroline say she was ill-bred if she knew the truth? With a carefully studious expression, Georgiana stood. “Thank you for your warning. I will go now to write to my brother for his opinion on the matter. I will be sure to tell him of your concern for me.” She knew Caroline would never understand that this would worsen his opinion of her.
In truth, Georgiana had no intention of informing her brother about this matter. It would be far too painful for both of them, and she did not wish to be the bearer of bad news about Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Far better to speak only of the journey and her impressions of Netherfield.
CHAPTER 10
Jane and Elizabeth were walking together in the shrubbery behind the house when they saw the housekeeper coming towards them. Instead of the expected summons to their mother, Hill said, “I beg your pardon for interrupting you, but I was in hopes you might have got some good news from town, so I took the liberty of coming to ask.”
“What do you mean, Hill? We have heard nothing from town,” Jane said.
“Dear madam,” said Mrs. Hill, in great astonishment, “don't you know there is an express come for master from Mr. Gardiner? He has been here this half hour, and master has had a letter.”
Away ran the girls, too eager to get in to have time for speech. They ran through the vestibule into the breakfast room; from thence to the library. Their father was in neither; and they were on the point of seeking him upstairs with their mother, when they were met by the butler, who said, “If you are looking for my master, ma'am, he is walking towards the little copse.”
Upon this information, they instantly passed through the hall once more, and ran across the lawn after their father, who was deliberately pursuing his way towards a small wood on one side of the paddock.
Jane, who was not so light, nor so much in the habit of running, as Elizabeth, soon lagged behind, while her sister, panting for breath, came up with him, and eagerly cried out, “Oh, Papa, what news? what news? Have you heard from my uncle?”
“Yes, I have had a letter from him by express,” Mr. Bennet said heavily.
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“Well, and what news does it bring? good or bad?”
“What is there of good to be expected?” he said, taking the letter from his pocket; “but perhaps you would like to read it.” Elizabeth impatiently caught it from his hand. Jane now came up.
“Read it aloud,” said their father, “for I hardly know myself what it is about.”
Gracechurch-street, Monday, August 24.
My Dear Brother,
At last I am able to send you some tidings of my niece, but not such, upon the whole, as to give you satisfaction. Two days ago Lydia appeared at my door appearing quite weary and less than presentable. She is not married. After some prevarication, Lydia admitted that Mr. Wickham had abandoned her several days previously without a word of where he was going and apparently no intent of return, and that she had been forcibly evicted from the rooms they had taken owing to lack of payment. She walked all the way to Cheapside with only the clothes upon her back. Mr. Wickham had apparently taken the last of her funds when he left.
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