by Lauren King
At this stage of their courtship, Morgan only cares that she is solely interested in him and that she is genuine towards him. Naturally, he understands that she is a beautiful young lady that will have many men admiring her. However, if she is not constant about him, then he will discontinue this courtship. She has not acted any differently with him; therefore, he will not be troubled by it.
Everyone enjoys the rest of the ball with much laughter, as it should be.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 1st, 1811
At exactly noon, Bingley is shown into Darcy’s study. Darcy can see that Bingley is down, disturbed, and disconsolate. Bingley does not sit down when Darcy invites him to sit in the chair in front of his desk; he just starts talking while pacing and stopping near Darcy’s desk.
“Darcy, I will come straight to the point. I have harshly reprimanded Caroline about her abhorrent behavior and conduct last night, and I have demanded that she change her attitude and behavior. She and I got into a big row again because she said she did not say anything untruthful. She did not think she did anything wrong. I cannot tolerate it any longer. I told her that she needs to find her own residence because I cannot abide her anymore. I was mistaken to be so compelled by my sense of family duty to her that I forgot about my own happiness. I have made a big mistake, and that has caused me a happy life with a young lady that is perfect for me.” Bingley sighs heavily before continuing.
“Miss Bennet politely refused to let me call upon her when I asked her last night.” Bingley grabs his hair and continues. “LORD, Darcy! I have made a mess of things! I only wanted to do right by Caroline, yet she is unappreciative and mean. She screamed and yelled at me saying that I was responsible for her. She insisted that she should be my priority – not me going after some poor woman with a bad family who wants me for my money. Can you believe that? It was like she was a mad woman! She kept screaming that I should have secured you as her husband and that she has waited for five years. Her talk was obsessive, and I was stunned. How am I going to find someone for her when she acts like this? And now to find out that she has been expecting me to secure you for her.” Bingley face twists in misery as he rubs his face and runs his fingers through his hair in frustration and anger.
“I do not want to talk about Caroline any longer. I have made my decision concerning her. I cannot deal with her any longer. Darcy, please, I need you to talk to Miss Bennet and ask her to give me a chance to talk to her. I just need to talk to her openly and frankly. I will explain to her what has happened and what I have done as far as Caroline is concerned. Miss Bennet will not have to worry about Caroline being present in our lives. Please, will you ask her to see me?” Bingley pleads most heartbreakingly.
Darcy takes in a deep breath and then releases it before beginning; he feels badly for his good friend. “Bingley, I am sorry; I cannot ask Miss Bennet to see you.”
“Darcy, please! I just need to speak with her. Why will you not ask her to allow me to speak with her? Why will you not help me?” Bingley panics and is thoroughly distressed.
“Because…Miss Bennet just entered into a courtship.” Darcy hates to be the bearer of bad news but there it is…poor Bingley. What an ugly younger sister Bingley has.
Bingley gasps loudly as he gapes at Darcy from the shock of what he just heard. He is speechless; he is in silent astonishment while he absorbs this news. Miss Bennet just entered into a courtship. How has he let it come to this? Of course, she would be pursued by another gentleman. She is pretty, kind, caring, sensible, and good…OBVIOUSLY, another gentleman would pursue her. How stupid can he be to think that she would not have someone else right away? Was he thinking that her family problem would prevent her from finding another gentleman? With Darcy as her future brother-in-law no one would look down on that association. How stupid of him not to follow his intuition of asking her to wait while he settles things. Now, she is unavailable to wait for him; that is why she said that they ‘have no situation’. OH GOD!
“Who is he, Darcy?” Bingley asks but he can already guess who is courting Miss Bennet – Morgan.
“It is Albert Morgan.” Darcy answers forthrightly.
“Did you introduce them, Darcy?” Bingley asks with surprise and offense – almost accusatory. He and Darcy are very good friends; how could Darcy do this to him? He feels slighted.
Darcy is slightly taken aback by Bingley’s comment that borders on accusation. “Yes, he saw me, Miss Elizabeth, and Miss Bennet at a Christmas ball and he greeted us. He has always been a good friend of mine, thus, obviously, I introduced everyone when he came by to greet me.” Darcy replies seriously but casually so that this situation is not inflamed further; he understands that Bingley is panicked about the lost of Jane.
“Of course, of course, Darcy; I did not mean to insinuate anything. Forgive me. I am…I feel so stupid right now...on many levels.” Bingley is distraught about Miss Bennet. What a mistake he has made of this entire situation. Bingley sits down across from Darcy with his hand grabbing his hair while bent over with his elbows on his knees.
“Morgan, called upon Miss Bennet after that ball.” Darcy candidly informs Bingley. He is not offended with Bingley’s earlier question. Darcy understands that Bingley has no ill feelings towards him; it is just this situation with his sister and Jane that has caused such agony for Bingley.
“God, Darcy; why did you not inform me?” Bingley looks agonizingly at Darcy, but he knows that he cannot blame this on Darcy. Darcy is not Miss Bennet’s keeper; Darcy does not know Miss Bennet’s social calendar. She is a beautiful young lady and many men would be interested in her.
“Bingley, am I to tell you of all the men that Miss Bennet dances with or all the men that show interest in her or all the men that call upon her? You wanted to court her but in the end you decided against it.” Darcy must state the facts forthrightly.
“I am sorry – sorry Darcy. It is not your duty to keep the men away from Miss Bennet.” Bingley groans loudly in misery. “You are right; I apologize, Darcy.” Bingley expels a heavy breath in despair as he slumps down on the chair with his head in his hands. “I have made such a big mistake. Help me with this.” Bingley asks sincerely and frankly. “I am not beyond groveling to Miss Bennet if need be.”
“I am sorry; I cannot do anything for you in regards to Miss Bennet except to relay how distraught you are that you cannot speak with her. Other than that, I cannot get into the middle of this. Morgan is a decent, good gentleman who is also my friend. I cannot knowingly go behind his back to help you. He has earned Miss Bennet’s affections and attentions fairly; he deserves not to have me go behind his back plotting against his relationship. If you want to fight for Miss Bennet, then it is imperative that you find out if she still shares your sentiments. If she no longer does, then you have to respect her wishes and bow out gracefully.” Darcy explains calmly.
“How am I going to find out her sentiments if I have no opportunity to speak to her? She refused my call upon her.” Bingley says with apparent grief and dread which encompass him thoroughly and exhaustively.
“Bingley, you ended things with her a few weeks ago after you found out about her family trouble. You did not try to work it out; you basically ended your relationship with her that day without so much as another word to her. Did you really think that she was going to give you another chance after that?” Darcy states logically; he does not want to pain Bingley further, but it is the truth, and Bingley made a big mistake.
“I thought that I would take some time to think over everything.” Bingley is angry at himself for his mistake. He paces around Darcy’s study in more agitation. “God, Darcy – you have to help me. I know my mistake now. I just need to speak with her. I must explain to her. If she does not feel anything anymore for me, then I will accept it, but I must explain my side.” Bingley states urgently.
“Bingley, I will tell her that you are distressed and troubled and that you request to speak to her. Now, Miss Bennet will be attending St. Claire’s ball tonig
ht with me and Miss Elizabeth. I am certain that Morgan was also invited, and he will be attending especially if Miss Bennet will be present. Maybe you can find some way to ask her to speak to you at a later date. Are you planning to ask her for a set tonight? Are you planning to come with your younger sister?”
“No, I will not escort Caroline. And yes, I was planning to ask Miss Bennet for a set tonight. I will ask her to allow me to call upon her just so I can explain. Darcy, does she really like Morgan?” Bingley asks with visible worry.
“I do not know officially, but I figure that she does because she is not a fake person who will mislead a gentleman. I am sorry, Bingley.” Darcy says with sympathy for his very good friend.
“DAMN MY BLASTED MISTAKE!” Bingley states irately as he continues to pace; after a few more seconds of thought he calms enough to continue his conversation. “Yes, you are right, Darcy; she is an upright, good person; she would not deceive a gentleman or feign her feelings for him. DAMN IT TO HELL!” Bingley makes another sudden loud outburst as he punches his right fist into his left hand and continues to pace.
Darcy has never seen Bingley this upset or furious before. He feels pity for Bingley, and he wants to help, but it looks like Jane does really like Morgan – rightfully so. Elizabeth told him that Morgan was accepting of their family trouble and assured Jane that he would be fine dealing with their problem as long as she truly cared for him. Goodness, Bingley should have said that to Jane especially since Bingley knew her longer and got along with her so well. However, Darcy does understand that Bingley was in a precarious position with his family’s reputation and Miss Bingley – especially, Miss Bingley. On the other hand, Bingley could have handled all of this better. Darcy does not blame Bingley for not being able to handle the Bennet’s problem; he blames Bingley for letting Miss Bingley dictate his future with her misplaced superiority. Now, Bingley will have to suffer with his loss of Miss Bennet.
The St. Claire’s New Year’s Day Ball is just as grand as the Salisbury’s New Year’s Eve Ball. Darcy escorts Elizabeth proudly into the ballroom where most eyes turn to them. Elizabeth could not help but tease her betrothed for being so sought after. They chuckle with each other fondly, and this makes others around them even more surprised at the illustrious, staid Mr. Darcy being cheerful and readily displaying a dashing smile towards his betrothed. Mr. Darcy laughing and looking completely joyous is rarely seen at balls, much less it being aimed towards a lady. Miss Elizabeth Bennet must be a very impressive young lady to have captured Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley.
Jane is on the arm of Mr. Morgan and they garner some glances, given her obvious beauty and his known reputation in London’s courts. Jane is very happy to be with Mr. Morgan. They have been talking about London life as a barrister; how often he visits his family; how long his daily working hours are, and where he lives. Jane learns more and more about Mr. Morgan every time they are together; she feels she can have a good future with him. She truly likes him and is thrilled at his affections for her. He is very thoughtful, considerate, intelligent, protective, and handsome. He talks lovingly about his family, so she knows that they are very important to him; therefore, she is tentative and cautious about whether they will accept her once they know of her family’s problem. Hopefully, they will not have to learn of her family’s shame.
Jane had hinted to Mr. Morgan at luncheon yesterday about whether his family would be difficult to talk to in regards to her family’s problem. Jane told him forthrightly, “Sir, if your family will not be able to accept this of me, then I would like your word that you will tell me, without delay. I honestly do not want to make anything difficult for you and your family. If you should wish to rescind our courtship at that time, then I will never make it problematic for you since I do understand this significant impediment. I will not blame you, at all. I hope you know that. I give you my word.”
Morgan had told Jane that he would handle everything with his family. “I do not think that they will need to know anything yet, Miss Bennet. I accept you; that will be enough for my family. Furthermore, I think that there will not be much of anything to talk about because I think this Sergeant Denny will marry Miss Lydia if Darcy has anything to say about that subject.”
Jane felt better after he expressed his view. Nonetheless, there is always an inkling of doubt in the back of her mind that his family will look down upon her once they find out about her family’s problem. Once again, she is tired of contemplating this same problem over and over again. She will manage it when it comes; worrying more about it will not make it better.
Jane dances her first set with Mr. Morgan, and they have much fun with Darcy and Elizabeth. From Darcy’s peripheral view he sees Bingley standing against a wall looking at Jane. Darcy quietly tells Elizabeth; she nods in acknowledgement of this information. She also feels badly for Mr. Bingley, but he had chosen to leave his relationship with Jane, thus there is nothing more to say. He had not tried to contact her at all until they saw each other yesterday. Furthermore, there was his horrid younger sister. Thank goodness, Jane will not have to deal with Miss Bingley as a sister-in-law. Jane is too kind, too forgiving, and too nice to say anything back to Miss Bingley should they have been connected through marriage. Elizabeth desperately hopes that Mr. Morgan does not have any family members like Miss Bingley; that would be vastly unfair for Jane.
Bingley can see how happy Miss Bennet is dancing with Morgan. Her smiles are genuine, kind, and joyous. She is pretty as ever and talks merrily with Morgan. Morgan, obviously, is delighted to have Miss Bennet by his side. Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! He remembers when she was all of those things with him, and now he is standing against a wall observing her bliss with another gentleman. Morgan surely will not let her go easily. Bingley must, incontestably, prove to Miss Bennet his….love. Yes, he feels affections for Miss Bennet, and he cannot back down until he has said his peace. He has to let her know. He will approach her to ask for a dance set after the first set ends.
“Miss Bennet, I will get you and Miss Elizabeth some lemonade before your second set if that is agreeable.” Morgan says warmly.
“Yes, thank you, Mr. Morgan.” Jane replies fondly with a sweet smile.
“Thank you, Mr. Morgan.” Elizabeth says amiably.
“I will go with you, Morgan.” Darcy says to Elizabeth, “Miss Elizabeth, I will return momentarily.” Darcy smiles attractively to his beautiful betrothed before leaving her side. He hopes that Bingley will take this opportunity to ask Jane about his visiting her.
“Certainly, Mr. Darcy.” Elizabeth displays her lovely, coy smile for William.
After the gentlemen leave, Elizabeth tells Jane that she saw Mr. Bingley standing up against the side wall near one of the fireplaces. She thinks that he looks depressed while he was gazing at Jane dancing so joyfully with Mr. Morgan.
“I pity him after what William said about his distress in wanting to speak with you, Jane. What will you do?” Elizabeth asks empathetically and sympathetically.
“I think I will see how it goes when he asks me. I do not want Mr. Morgan to misinterpret that Mr. Bingley and I have any sort of relationship with each other. I do not want Mr. Morgan to doubt my affections for him because I have no hesitation with my feelings towards him. I want Mr. Morgan to know that I value what we have; he has shown me genuine fondness, warmth, care, and understanding. In turn, I have all those sentiments for him. I only consider Mr. Bingley as a part of my past now.” Jane states precisely.
“Well, here comes your past, Jane. I will turn to speak to Mrs. Annesley if I hear him ask to speak to you.” Elizabeth says quietly.
“All right, Lizzy.” Jane answers calmly as she stands still.
Mr. Bingley approaches the Bennet sisters and since Miss Bennet’s back is to him, he catches Miss Elizabeth’s eyes first; he, genially but reservedly, says, “Miss Elizabeth, Miss Bennet how are you both?”
Elizabeth wants to lessen the awkwardness as much as possible, so she cheerily says, “
Ah Jane, look who it is – it is Mr. Bingley. Mr. Bingley, I am well; how are you?”
“I would be better if both of you ladies tell me that you truly do not hold last night against me.” Bingley responds cleverly but honestly, and then he turns to look directly at Jane before saying, “Miss Bennet, how are you tonight?”
“I am well, thank you, sir. Happy New Year to you, Mr. Bingley.” Jane answers coolly. She, truly, does wish that his new year will be a happy one.
“Thank you, Miss Bennet. I would have a better new year if…you would agree to speak with me, please.” Bingley declares boldly but quietly.
Elizabeth hears his plea, so she turns to Mrs. Annesley about four feet away and starts to speak to her to give Mr. Bingley and Jane some privacy. From her side view she looks up and sees Mr. Lucas Allston come her way. As she discontinues her talk with Mrs. Annesley, Mr. Allston greets her with a bright, attractive smile like she remembers.
“Happy new year, Miss Elizabeth.” Mr. Allston cheerfully greets Elizabeth with a sophisticated bow.
“Mr. Allston, happy new year to you, sir.” Elizabeth replies amiably while curtsying elegantly.
“How are you, Miss Elizabeth?” Mr. Allston asks most delightedly.
“I am well, sir. How are you, your parents, and your siblings, sir? I hope everyone is doing well?” Elizabeth smiles graciously.
“Yes, they are; thank you.” As Mr. Allston finishes answering Elizabeth, he sees that Elizabeth briefly glances at another couple who are talking near them. A blond young lady looks at Elizabeth, and then Mr. Allston recognizes Mr. Bingley standing next to her, so he greets Mr. Bingley.