“Because she was allowed to be so.” Darcy sat back. “The Bennets are an odd lot. The two eldest daughters are everything proper, while the younger … perhaps a few more years in the nursery would provide the necessary improvement.”
He picked up his discarded notes and added a memo. “I believe I shall mention it to Mr. Bennet.” He continued to write out his thoughts.
“What are you saying, Darcy?” Bingley asked after a lengthy pause.
Redrawn to his original thoughts, Darcy leaned forward once more. “Miss Bennet and Elizabeth are aware of how society views their family. I have seen them both blush at their mother’s vulgar effusions or a sister’s faux pas, but that does not lessen their affections. They remain a family.”
Darcy watched Bingley appear thoughtful before he continued. “Imagine if my aunt spoke disparagingly of your sister. Would you not expect me to make some attempt to correct her, even though it may well be futile? Can you not see that Miss Bennet would expect no less from you?”
Bingley’s head fell into his hands. His voice was muffled when he spoke. “I have been a fool.”
“Most men are at some time,” Darcy laughed. “The question, then, is will you remain as such?”
Slowly, Bingley sat back against the squabs. “Do you believe it will be of any use? She was so … cold last night. Truly, I doubted she ever felt affection for me.”
“There is but one way to learn.” Darcy picked up his notes and said nothing more. He would not attempt to persuade his friend; it was Bingley’s decision.
***********
They traveled in silence for a time, broken only by Darcy’s mutterings to himself. Bingley made no further attempt to rest as he thought over his interactions with Miss Bennet.
From the moment he first saw her, he had been struck by her beauty. She was not the first comely woman to draw his attention. Bingley glanced at his friend.
“What do people say of me, Darcy?”
“Regarding?” Darcy continued to study the papers before him.
“Women.”
Finally, Darcy raised his head. “You have an eye for beauty.”
Bingley’s eyes narrowed as he suspected his friend was not speaking plainly. “And?”
Darcy released a sigh and set the papers aside once more. “Are you asking what I have observed?”
A brief nod was enough to loosen Darcy’s tongue.
“I have seen you profess your admiration for many a lovely face, but your affection lasts only until another crosses your path.”
“You think me fickle then?” Bingley was injured by his friend’s inference.
“You requested my observations and I have provided them. I did not call you fickle; you chose that word.” His brow drew together. “Bingley, you are an amiable man. You enjoy society and the presence of ladies. There is no fault in such. However, you must be certain not to give rise to speculation through your actions.”
“And you believe I do?”
Darcy sighed once more. “I believe your attention, when given, is quite direct and could lead some to hope. I also know that there is only one woman who has maintained your attention for longer than a fortnight. What you must decide is whether that was due to a lack of distraction from a more polished society or true affection.”
Having spoken his mind, Darcy took up his notes once more and returned to his work while Bingley considered his words. There was no equal to Miss Jane Bennet in Hertfordshire, but could there be elsewhere? Having spent many seasons in London, Bingley felt confident in refuting such a statement. Indeed, there were ladies of beauty wherever one may travel, but they rarely possessed Miss Bennet’s angelic qualities and genteel manners.
He frowned as his thoughts once more turned to their final conversations. Her actions and words had been out of character, so far as he knew her. Bingley could not envisage himself being so deceived by her, but neither could he credit any other reasoning.
Except distress. Jane had been distraught when she believed her father to be dying. His frown deepened.
“Darcy, do the Bennet ladies know their father is not ill?”
His friend replied without raising his eyes from his work. “Elizabeth told them last night, before they retired.”
“So Jane still believed Mrs. Bennet’s lies while at Netherfield?” He could feel his temper rising.
Darcy’s gaze met his own. “I would not call them lies, Bingley. Mrs. Bennet presumed the worst after reading a portion of her husband’s correspondence.”
“And then directed her daughters to take actions they would not otherwise have chosen on their own.” Bitterness dripped from his words.
“You seek a villain to accept all culpability, but I fear there is none to be had. None of the characters are without fault, Bingley. None of the Bennets and certainly not me or you.” He took a breath and glanced once more at the papers before him. “I have spoken out against the Bennets in the past, but were Mrs. Bennet’s hopes any different than those of mothers of London’s elite? They seek security and advancement for their families.”
“But at what cost? Her daughter’s happiness?”
“In her mind, and theirs, security and happiness may be synonymous. There are few of the ton who aspire to a match of affection, why would you think it different in Hertfordshire?” Darcy leaned forward. “What did you see in Miss Bennet’s demeanour which told you she held you in high regard? Was it just that or were you secure in her affections as well?”
Darcy shook his head as he leaned back. “I was foolish to believe Elizabeth sought my attention after the way I had behaved. London’s society had told me I was above one such as her, that I would be lowering myself by the attachment. I had purposefully attempted not to show her preference and was successful; she knew nothing of my affections. I shudder to think what my reception might have been had I one day proposed to her, secure in being accepted, only to be soundly refused.” A smirk crossed his lips. “In some ways, I am grateful to Mrs. Bennet for her misunderstanding. I believe it saved me from great heartache.”
Bingley considered his friend’s words, attempting to answer his questions. “Did you see any preference in Miss Bennet’s actions toward me? Did I misinterpret her intensions?”
With a laugh and a wave of his hand, Darcy refused to answer. “Oh no, I shall not be the one to decide your mind. You are your own man, Bingley. You spoke to the lady, not I. I was too distracted by her sister to understand Miss Bennet’s looks and words regarding you. And do not think of your sisters’ perceptions either. They have one goal, to see you married well enough to advance them into a society which is beyond their reach at present. If my sister were out, I am certain they would be planning your wedding to her.”
“I do not doubt it.” Bingley glanced out the window. “It appears we near our destination.”
Darcy gathered his papers and closed the writing desk. “Have you decided to accept my invitation? I instructed Mrs. Beckham to prepare a room for you.”
“I fear I shall not be good company.” Bingley continued to stare out the window.
“All the more reason to be with friends. If my cousin is in town, he will be joining us.”
“How will he know you have returned?”
Darcy shook his head and smiled. “I need not be here. He and I share my sister’s guardianship, as you know. Richard has interpreted that to mean he has full use of my home and my wine cellar.” He laughed and leaned forward once more. “Come, Bingley, do you not wish to be there when I tell him I am engaged? His reaction should be memorable.”
Still uncertain, Bingley agreed. “If nothing more, it should prove amusing.”
The carriage’s pace slowed as they entered the city and made their way toward the Darcy townhome. By the time it stopped, both gentlemen were ready to disembark and did not wait for the footman to open the carriage door.
The front door opened as they climbed the stairs and Bingley could see Miss Darcy just inside, anxious for her brother
’s return. He immediately regretted intruding upon their time and was about to announce his intentions to leave when a hand clapped down upon his shoulder.
“Bingley! I thought you entrenched in the country. What brings you back to town so soon?”
He turned to find Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, Darcy’s cousin, in full dress uniform. This was a rare occurrence and he remarked upon it at once.
With a wave similar to his cousin’s, Colonel Fitzwilliam explained as they entered the home that there had been a change in leadership with all the pride, pomp, and circumstance to attend it.
“I was not aware you and Darcy were to return so soon,” the Colonel tried again. He smiled at Miss Darcy. “I thought it was just Georgiana and myself this evening. I had planned on regaling her with the details of my day. Now I must share her attentions with the two of you.”
“What, Richard?” Darcy asked, a gleam in his eye. “Do you fear you will pale in comparison?” He turned to Bingley and winked. “As we have recently learned, many men feel the need of a red coat to improve their standing amongst the ladies. I had not realized my cousin was one, until today.”
A loud guffaw was his cousin’s response. “I believed you to be in Hertfordshire, not Newcastle. What brought you into the company of the military?”
“A militia was stationed nearby.” Darcy frowned as he glanced toward his sister. “But my reason for journeying so quickly has nothing to do with them. Come, Georgie, you have ordered tea to warm us, have you not?”
“Yes, Brother.”
Miss Darcy took Darcy’s arm and led them toward a small drawing room at the back of the house. The windows looked out over the garden behind the townhome. Bingley, being a frequent visitor, knew this room was a favourite of the inhabitants; used only by family and the closest of friends. He felt honoured to be numbered amongst the latter. His sister was not aware the room existed.
Once everyone was seated with a drink and plate of treats, Colonel Fitzwilliam addressed his cousin once more. “You have your tea, Darcy. Now what has brought you to town?”
Instead of answering him, Darcy turned toward his sister. “Could I impose upon you, Georgie, to take on a special task for me?” His eyes fairly shown with his happiness.
Miss Darcy’s brow creased as she set aside her cup. “Of course, Brother.”
“Oh, not now, dear one. When we are finished, will you accompany Mrs. Beckham to the mistress’ chambers and see what must be done to ready them? I have asked her to light the fire and air out the room. I am certain my betrothed will wish to decorate to her preferences, but I thought you could prepare it so she would be comfortable there until further changes could be made.”
Darcy sat back in his seat and smiled. Miss Darcy and the Colonel looked at him in such a surprised manner that Bingley felt his own lips curling upward. The moment had been as amusing as was promised.
“Darcy, are you saying you are engaged?” The Colonel finally asked.
“Who is she?” Miss Darcy asked, a bit more subdued.
All humour fled from Darcy’s countenance as he leaned toward his sister. “I assure you, you will adore her, my dear. It is no one you know. I only met her during my time in Hertfordshire.”
Miss Darcy’s shoulders seemed to relax and she smiled at her brother. “Will you not tell us of her?”
Suddenly Bingley realized Darcy’s sister had feared he was engaged to Caroline. Try though he might, he could not restrain the laughter which bubbled from him.
“Please forgive me, Miss Darcy,” he stuttered out a moment later. “I fear understanding of your initial response overtook me. Set your mind at ease, it was not my sister who claimed your brother.”
A becoming blush covered her cheeks and she would not meet his gaze. Colonel Fitzwilliam came to her rescue.
“Georgie knows Darcy would not marry your sister, Bingley, even if there were a compromise.”
Both Darcy and Bingley lost their amusement upon hearing the word and the Colonel’s brow rose.
“Have I stumbled upon something?” His eyes moved quickly from one to the other. “I had perceived this to be a joyous occasion.”
“And it is,” Darcy stated firmly. He glanced toward Bingley and gave a slight shake of his head.
“Yes,” Bingley agreed as he forced a smile. “Miss Elizabeth Bennet is the perfect companion to your cousin. I believe he could find none who would suit him better should he search a hundred years.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam continued to watch them suspiciously. Bingley took the opportunity to excuse himself.
“Darcy, I believe I am still a bit unwell. I will leave you to your family while I rest.”
“Mrs. Beckham will show you to your room,” Darcy said as he tugged the bell pull to summon the housekeeper.
A few minutes later, Bingley found himself in his usual room, unable to rest and his mind once more returning to Miss Jane Bennet.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Jane stood in the hallway, her back against the door to her father’s book room, quietly contemplating her situation. She considered returning to her sister, but her curiosity was peaked. Instead, she cautiously moved toward the drawing room doors.
“You cannot imagine how I suffer.” Mrs. Bennet’s muffled voice could be heard over the clicking of china and rumble of conversation. “… not even allowed to visit …”
The other noises ruled for a moment, but then Jane heard her mother once more.
“No! He said he will take it all should I disobey.” A muffled sob followed.
“Miss Bennet, may I be of assistance?”
Jane jumped at the male voice just behind her. She spun about to find her father’s valet and butler, Mr. Hill, watching her. His lips twitched at one corner as though he fought the urge to smile.
As she straightened, she wondered when she had leaned forward so her ear was closer to the keyhole. Her cheeks warmed and she shook her head. “I … I …” She could think of no excuse.
The elderly servant allowed his smile to cover his countenance and stepped past her. “Were you about to enter?” he inquired.
“No!” Jane stepped back. She collected herself and forced her features into her normally calm mask. “I was about to return to the still room. Please excuse me, Mr. Hill.” She turned quickly and fled down the back hallway.
Elizabeth looked up as Jane entered the room. “Whatever has occurred, Jane? You appear discomposed.”
“Nothing. Papa sent the officers away.” Jane took a seat, looking for something to draw her attention, but Elizabeth and Charlotte seemed to have finished.
“Yes, you said,” Elizabeth replied as she exchanged a glance with Charlotte.
Jane looked between the two as she chewed lightly on her lower lip. “Mama has been ordered not to discuss marriage,” the words rushed from her lips.
Charlotte’s eyes widened, but Elizabeth shook her head. “That cannot be, Jane, or if it is, she is disregarding it. It is the only topic upon which she speaks to me.”
“You are the only exception, Lizzy.” Jane took her sister’s hand. “But do not worry. She is not allowed to push her wishes upon you. You and Mr. Darcy will have the wedding you desire.”
Elizabeth looked at her suspiciously. “How …?”
“Papa. He said he has ways to control Mama and we will be pleased to hear he means to use them.” Jane felt the smile slowly spread across her lips and a giddy feeling overcame her. “Oh Lizzy, can you imagine?”
“Not being constantly in fear that our mother will expose herself? No, we have lived this way for far too long.” Elizabeth’s brow drew together as she pondered the news. “But, Jane, are you certain? Could it just be for a moment? You know Papa loses interest over time and then Mama returns to her ways.”
Jane slowly shook her head. “I have never seen him so resolved.”
Charlotte began gathering her things. “Perchance Mr. Darcy has influenced your father’s decision.”
Elizabeth pursed her lip
s. “You may have found the explanation, Charlotte; though I doubt Mr. Darcy has actually spoken to Papa regarding it.” Her eyes flashed between her sister and friend. “Last evening, when we were in the study, Papa was watching Mama closely. It was as if he was looking at her for the first time in a very long while. Could he have realized that Mama behaves the way she does because of him?”
No one spoke while they thought over the possibility. Finally, Jane shook her head.
“I cannot say why he chose to do it, but I am pleased that it has been done.” Her gaze fell to her hands which were folded on the table before her. “Papa said Mr. Bingley will return to Netherfield Park.”
“Oh, Jane!” Elizabeth rounded the table and embraced her sister. “I am so pleased for you.”
Jane gently pushed her away. “Do not be, Lizzy. I have yet to decide if I will receive him. Papa said it is my decision; that I should consider what I desire. He has assured me that Mama will not speak of it with me or attempt to pressure me to accept Mr. Bingley … should he apply to me.”
Elizabeth’s brow furrowed. “But you prefer him, do you not?”
“I have said that he is the most amiable gentleman I have met, and that is true, but I have begun to wonder if I would have been as taken with him if Mama had not pushed me so.” She took up a forgotten stem of lavender and ran her fingers over it.
“I have no thoughts on that, but I do know that you always appeared happier in his presence,” Elizabeth said as she laid a hand on her sister’s shoulder.
“That could have been relief that an eligible bachelor was showing interest in me,” Jane suggested.
The sisters were silent, each lost in her own thoughts, until Charlotte stood.
“I suspect Mama is ready to return home.” Charlotte smiled mischievously. “Is Mr. Collins in the drawing room?”
Jane frowned. She did not remember anyone mentioning their cousin that day. She looked to her sister whose expression mirrored her own.
“Have you seen Mr. Collins today, Lizzy?”
“No, I cannot say that I have.”
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