Unforgiving Temper

by Head, Gail

  “What of Mr. Hurst? Will he be in the party as well?”

  “No, not even if he was so inclined to venture back into Hertfordshire; which he has assured me he is not. He is in Bath, taking treatment for his gout, and expects to remain there two months at least.” Bingley chewed his lip in frustration, trying to unravel his predicament. All at once, his face lit up with renewed excitement, and a peculiar sense of foreboding began to grow in Darcy's stomach.

  “Darcy, you must assist me! I have to return to Scarborough and fulfill my obligations, but the business should only take a couple of weeks – three at the most. Once it is done, I should very much like to travel directly to Netherfield. Hurst's absence would require me to go to London to fetch Caroline and Louisa; but if YOU bring them to Netherfield, that would save me a week, at least!”

  Darcy stared blankly into Bingley's expectant countenance. Travel to Netherfield? The gnawing in his stomach exploded into a vicious wrench at the idea of returning to Hertfordshire. He had planned to leave London to diffuse the anguish brought on by the mere thought of running into Elizabeth again, and now Bingley was asking him to go to the very place where he would see her at every turn, be frequently in society with her, and be expected to exchange empty courtesies as if nothing had happened!

  Darcy considered the far-reaching effects of the venture. If Charles was successful and achieved a marriage to Jane Bennet, his close friendship would most certainly weave his life into the affairs of the entire Bennet family, including Elizabeth. His stomach tightened painfully. There would come that inevitable day when he would witness her marriage to another. Suffering such a moment was unthinkable, yet it would be unavoidable. There was nothing to be done for it.

  He knew this first meeting would be the most difficult. At least he would have Bingley's affairs to occupy his time and most of his thoughts. Hopefully, Elizabeth would be too occupied with her sister's happiness to dwell on his past mistakes. It was an undertaking Darcy would have paid dearly to avoid, but the cost of Bingley's friendship was too great a price. He owed his friend whatever help he could give.

  Fearing Darcy's prolonged silence would end in a rejection of the idea, Bingley pursued his argument, coloring slightly at his own boldness.

  “Come, Darcy, I need your assistance. A long carriage ride with Caroli – that is, with my sisters -- is not very inviting, to be sure; but if I have a chance with Jane, as you seem to think, I must begin as soon as may be. The delay of coming back to London before going to Hertfordshire would add several more days and that just will not do! I must go directly and you must bring Caroline and Louisa. Surely you cannot deny me after all that has passed?”

  Feeling the sting of Bingley's mild rebuke, Darcy reluctantly acknowledged that any refusal would be less than honorable. There was no other answer to give. Struggling to conceal the ache in his heart, he quietly replied, “I am happy to be of service, Charles.”

  As they discussed the details, Bingley's spirits climbed steadily, and before long he could not contain the grin created by the prospects that lay before him. His enthusiastic smile was matched with a clap of his hands as everything was at last decided.

  “An excellent plan! I shall send a letter this afternoon for Mrs. Middleton to make ready.”

  Rising from his chair, he collected his things and addressed Darcy with an energetic bow. “And now, my dear fellow, I am off to inform my sisters of our arrangements.”

  Darcy let out a long, deep sigh as Bingley left Burnham House. It was done and the course was set. Walking to the window, Darcy observed the renewed hope in his friend's countenance as Bingley paused on the steps and sent a joyous salute his way. Returning the salute, he raised his hand to Bingley's departing figure. With all his heart he hoped that Jane Bennet loved Charles still.

  “May you find forgiveness and understanding in Hertfordshire, my friend. May we all.”

  Chapter 2

  Darcy nearly choked on his coffee when his aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, swept unexpectedly through the door of his breakfast room, a helpless footman following in her wake. Slowly setting down his cup, he rose, greeting her coolly, “Aunt Catherine. What brings you to London…and so early in the day?”

  Wholly unaffected by his reference to the impolite hour of her arrival, Lady Catherine continued into the room undeterred. Seating herself next to him, her eyes flashed in alarm at what she saw before her. The letter he had just been reading lay open on the table next to his plate with the words To Hertfordshire, and a most beautiful young lady! scrawled across the page in Bingley's hasty hand. Darcy smoothly retrieved the letter, folding its contents away from her prying eyes, knowing she would have gladly read further had he allowed it. She sniffed disdainfully at his interference and met his gaze.

  “This is not a social call, Nephew. I have come on behalf of the family to address a matter of utmost importance.”

  Darcy took a slow, deep breath. Conversation with his less than favorite aunt was trying at any hour, but to be plagued with her demands at so early an hour was almost beyond the pale. His disapproving glance to the hovering footman who had failed to prevent the intrusion gave way to a nod of acquiescence. He knew there were very few people, and certainly no servant, who could have any effect on her Ladyship when she was determined to have her way. The footman quickly bowed low and quit the room, leaving aunt and nephew to themselves.

  Raising an inquiring brow, Darcy looked to Lady Catherine for an explanation, which she supplied almost instantly.

  “I will come directly to the point. During your visit to Rosings this month past, you exhibited an unseemly amount of interest in the young ladies who were visiting at Hunsford Cottage – one in particular. I thought it merely an inconsequential amusement for you and the colonel; however, since your departure, I have discovered a shocking rumor concerning you and Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”

  Her obvious expectation of a fervent and immediate denial was quickly dashed by Darcy's impassive silence.

  “You show no surprise? Do you realize it is being assumed your connection to the lady is of an intimate nature? Of course not! You have so little experience with these kinds of things; but I am aware of her designs, and we must act quickly to universally reject such a notion. For her to circulate this absurd piece of fiction is outrageous! You must contradict this scheming, artful girl at once, particularly since it is well known that you are intended for Anne.”

  Darcy struggled to remain civil, his expression quickly hardening with suppressed resentment. The five years since his father's death had been spent circumventing his Aunt Catherine's single-minded efforts to bring him into marriage with her daughter, Anne. The time had finally come to acquaint Lady Catherine with the absolute certainty of her disappointment in the matter. She must know that his choice of wife would be expressly his own – and that it would not be his cousin, Anne.

  “As you speak of fiction, Aunt, I will first address the matter of my presumed engagement to Anne.”

  “Presumed? There is no question –”

  “It is not my desire to cause you unnecessary grief,” Darcy continued on without acknowledging the interruption. “In truth, I must own some of the blame for not speaking sooner; but I tell you now that Anne and I have long since settled this matter, and we neither of us have ever been inclined to favor the union.”

  “That cannot be! Your mother and I planned this union between you and Anne while you were in your infancy! Do you have no regard for the desires of your family? Would you dishonor your own mother's dying wish?”

  “My mother's wishes have no part in this.” He countered icily, his anger beginning to rise. “You are widely mistaken if you believe her to have shared the understanding you claim; however, you shall not be mistaken in my sentiments. There has never been an engagement between Anne and myself, except one of your own calculating design; and when I am of a mind to marry, I shall do so in the manner I see fit. My choice of wife will be just that – my choice. Though I would welcom
e the blessings of the family, they will not be a material point in my decision.”

  “You cannot be serious! Are you lost to every feeling of propriety and delicacy? Miss Elizabeth Bennet is decidedly beneath us! She is of inferior birth, of no importance in the world, and wholly unsuited to a life at Pemberley. It is beyond belief that you would even consider she quit her sphere and aspire to such an elevation!”

  Darcy's color heightened at Lady Catherine's words. Her insultingly arrogant attitude toward Elizabeth was an unwelcome echo of the sentiments he himself had enumerated in his disastrous proposal to her. Knowing his situation in society to be highly desirable, he had been confident any woman would eagerly accept him; and it was with that prideful expectation he had declared for Elizabeth. He shuddered inwardly at the memory. Was it any wonder she had refused him? All his wealth and status meant nothing to the one woman he felt was his equal.

  His quiet answer to the offensive tirade was deceptively calm. “Again you are mistaken, Aunt. I am a gentleman and she is a gentleman's daughter, so far we are equal. I see no disparity should such an alliance be formed.”

  “I will not be played with! You will tell me once and for all – are you engaged to Miss Elizabeth Bennet?”

  In that moment, Darcy would have happily forsaken all he had to truthfully answer his aunt with a “yes,” but that opportunity had been lost.

  “No. I am not engaged.”

  Lady Catherine's relief was palpable. “And will you promise me never to enter into such an engagement?”

  “No, I will not. I will not constrain my right to choose with such a promise.”

  Lady Catherine rose from the table, forcing Darcy to his feet as well.

  “This is insupportable! I must have your word on this. You are bound by claims of duty and honor. They forbid any such union! Would you disgrace your family?”

  Darcy's face twitched with the strain of maintaining his civility. “Disgrace? Should Elizabeth Bennet ever acquiesce to marry me, I would consider it an honor.”

  “Darcy, I warn you; if you willfully act against the inclinations of all, do not expect her to be noticed by any of us.”

  “I have heard quite enough, Aunt! Now you must excuse me as I have pressing business that requires my attention. Allow me to show you out.”

  “Heaven and Earth! – what are you thinking?” she cried indignantly, as he took her arm. “I had supposed to find you reasonable; but I have been thoroughly disappointed! Am I to believe you are resolved to have this country nobody?”

  “I am resolved only to act in that manner which best suits my desires, not yours. I have nothing further to say on the matter. Good day, Aunt.”

  Upon reaching the door, Darcy opened it swiftly with a terse command for the footman to escort Lady Catherine to her carriage.

  Stiffening at the young man's attempt to assist her, she turned an angry countenance to Darcy. “I am most seriously displeased and I am by no means finished; you may depend upon it!”

  Darcy's inflexible silence and stony expression did nothing to assuage her fury. Pushing aside the footman, she stormed down the hallway and out of Burnham House, muttering viciously, “You have made your choice, Nephew. Now I shall make mine!”

  * * * *

  The avenue was nearly deserted as the elegant chaise-and-four slowly made its way around St. James Park. Within the equipage, Lady Catherine de Bourgh huffed with irritation. This was the second time in as many days that she was being forced to yield to another – something she was not accustomed to in the least. She would have refused the meeting entirely had it not held such alluring possibilities. A meeting with the devil himself would be endured if she thought it could bring Darcy to his senses!

  Forcing herself to concentrate on the matter at hand, Lady Catherine sniffed delicately and looked out to the green expanse of lawn. The slow, peaceful pace she had instructed the driver to follow only agitated her impatience.

  “What is the hour?” she demanded, giving a sharp rap of her cane on the carriage roof.

  Startled by the sudden outburst, the coachman quickly consulted his pocket watch. “Five past nine o'clock, m'lady.”

  Exasperated, she opened her mouth to order they leave at once, then snapped it shut as she spied the tall figure she had been waiting for striding across the lawn in her direction. Immediately, she ordered her driver to stop, allowing the young man to quickly close the distance.

  She sniffed again as he neared. It had been several years since she last saw George Wickham, but he had not changed in essentials. The young upstart still had a look of inferior quality and lacked a certain air in the manner of his walk. He was not the sort of man she was in the habit of engaging, and she would not have condescended to this audience at all had Darcy been more accommodating.

  This was yet another unpleasant duty forced upon her by the impudence of Elizabeth Bennet. Yesterday's failure to secure Darcy's assurances against any alliance with the scheming little fortune hunter had forced her hand. Lady Catherine's fingers absently toyed with the piece of paper lying in her lap. When Wickham's intriguing note had been delivered to her theatre box the night before, she had viewed it as a means of last resort; but now it was her only means of saving the family honor and Darcy from himself.

  “You are late!” Lady Catherine snapped as Wickham entered the carriage.

  “Yes, ma'am. I do apologize for my tardiness. The St. Clairs were quite attentive this morning and I did not think you would want any unnecessary notice drawn to our meeting.”

  “I do not want any notice at all, which is exactly why I am here! You have offered your services in a most impertinent way,” she said, lightly waving his note in the air. “As a rule, I ignore such behavior for I am excessively attentive to that sort of thing. Fortunately for you, the offer was made in coincidence with the discovery of an especially vexing situation. One in which you may be of some use to me after all.”

  “I am very glad to hear that, Lady Catherine. I am at your disposal. What would you have me do?”

  “You are a good looking young man, in a rough sort of way. I imagine you are attractive to many of the more common young women.”

  “I have been told my company is not unpleasant, my lady. Is there a purpose to your observations?”

  “I merely wish for you to apply your persuasions in the direction of a particular young lady. One who should be no trouble at all for a man of your experience.”

  “You want me to seduce a young lady?”

  “You may do whatever you like as long as her attention is distracted from Darcy. He has some how gotten himself entangled in the girl's scheming plans to marry him.”

  “Ah, yes. His attachment to Miss Elizabeth Bennet, you mean? An interesting bit of news, I must say.”

  “How could you know her name?” Lady Catherine gasped in alarm. “The tongues have wagged more swiftly than I anticipated! That someone of your station should know of the particulars is beyond belief!”

  “Your nephew's misplaced fascination is being viewed with great amusement all over town, madam. They are only whispers at present, but soon there will be no way of containing the humiliation. Unfortunately for you, when it is common knowledge, Darcy will be deemed a fool and your daughter, Anne, a jilted woman.”

  “This is intolerable! Miss Bennet's arts and allurements have made him forget what he owes to himself and his family. I have appealed to Darcy, but he has refused to do his duty. And now he makes ready to travel to Hertfordshire, doubtless to pursue this ruinous alliance! It must be stopped – for his own good. He must be made to see her for what she truly is!”

  “Where persuasion fails, there are other methods that can be applied. For example, if he were to find Miss Elizabeth absent from Hertfordshire when he arrived, it would be impossible to pursue an alliance, would it not?”

  “You can do this? You can keep her away from him?”

  “I would be most happy to oblige,” Wickham's mouth twisted into a smile. “Natura
lly, there would be expenses…”

  “Yes, yes, of course; as long as you prevent them from meeting in Hertfordshire, or anywhere else. You must keep her away until my nephew has regained his senses, and I do not know how long that will be. Are you quite certain you can do that?”

  “Quite certain. You say Darcy is preparing to leave London? I should like to make preparations as well; unfortunately, I find myself in an awkward financial position. Perhaps if you could advance a small sum…”

  “Very well! I shall instruct my banker to have it ready this afternoon. For now, you shall be compensated for your time and all expenses; however, if you manage to make the separation complete, I am prepared to grant you an additional 10,000 pounds.”

  Wickham's eyes gleamed with anticipation at the mention of such a sum. Lady Catherine did not know or care the current state of his finances, but she did know that 10,000 pounds would be enough to set him up for life. With that sum at his disposal, he could do whatever he liked as long as it was in a very distant part of the country.

  A satisfied smile crossed her face. A man like Wickham, driven by avarice and ambition, would be just the one to see her wishes carried out.

  “Tell me, Mr. Wickham, what exactly do you propose to do?”

  Wickham answered without hesitation, meeting her wicked smile with one of his own. “I believe I have a plan that will suit your ladyship's wishes perfectly.”

  Chapter 3

  Mr. Bennet paced the floor as the clock in the hallway struck six o'clock, his agitation growing with each chime. Yet another feminine outburst sounded from above stairs, deepening his impatient scowl and provoking a small grumble. He could not abide being late. It was for this very reason he seldom ventured out into Hertfordshire society with his entire family. However, tonight was an exception. Sir William Lucas was hosting a dinner party to welcome Mr. Bingley back into the neighborhood. Mr. Bennet was not insensitive to the attention shown his daughter the last time Mr. Bingley visited Netherfield, and so for the sake of his Jane, he would go – that is, if his family could get themselves downstairs.