by Head, Gail
Jane was horrified. “Mother! I cannot! It is not fitting for me to accept a social engagement. Not at a time like this.”
“Oh, yes you can – and you shall. You must look to your future, dear – all our futures. If your father takes another turn, I am sure I do not know what we shall do. The Collins' would claim Longbourn in an instant and we would all be turned out in the hedgerows with nothing but the clothes on our backs. Would you have that on your conscience?”
Jane looked down at her plate, desperate to escape the obligation of having to answer, to escape the emotions that threatened to overwhelm her.
Mr. Bennet's condition had not worsened since the second attack; but neither had he improved. The doctor had done all he could and now only time would reveal the outcome. The uncertainty weighed on them all. She knew her mother was driven by desperation, but the calculated disregard for propriety was too much. Jane could not make a social call with her father so ill, yet her mother seemed determined to force just such a thing.
Adding to her concerns was the contradiction of Caroline Bingley. Last January's abrupt, barely-civil visit to Jane at the Gardiner's home in Cheapside was in direct opposition to the warm, gracious words contained in the invitation now lying beneath her mother's hand. Could she dare hope there was a sincere change of heart?
And what of the brother? A long, deep pang of sorrow pierced Jane's heart. There had been no response to her note explaining why she could not come to tea, and the silent days that followed had cast serious doubt on the true nature of Mr. Bingley's sentiments. Her fears were further validated by her Aunt Phillips' report just this morning of Netherfield being closed up again. If she were to be honest with herself, she would acknowledge that Mr. Bingley no longer cared for her. To accept Caroline Bingley's invitation would be devastating.
“I cannot do this. Please do not insist,” she implored her mother with every feeling she had.
“But indeed, I do, my dear, I do insist!” Mrs. Bennet cried, choosing to ignore her daughter's panicked expression. With eager anticipation she looked out the window, observing the weather, and was instantly disappointed. “What a shame it is a lovely day, for if it would rain, mayhap we could contrive to have you stay over again. Well, we shall just have to think of something else.”
* * * *
Very grateful to be out of the heat, Jane handed her gloves and fur-lined pelisse to the footman at Netherfield's front door and followed Mr. Wilson down the cool, dark hall. Although Mr. Bingley's carriage had afforded some shelter from the bright June day, it was not enough to relieve the discomfort of the heavy velvet gown she wore. Dabbing at the moisture on her brow, she fervently hoped her mother's ambitions for a fainting spell would not come to pass. It would not matter in any case, she told herself stubbornly. He no longer cares. I will stay only as long as politeness dictates and then leave. Hesitating at the door now held open by Wilson, Jane tried to minimize her flushed appearance then took a deep breath and entered the sitting room.
Caroline was the first to see her, and by the amused exchange that passed between Mr. Bingley's two sisters, Jane knew instantly that her wilted stated could not be overlooked. Mr. Darcy was kind enough to ignore her appearance and merely offered a small bow.
Casting a quick glance in Mr. Bingley's direction, Jane fully expected to be met with polite indifference, at best; but to her great astonishment, he seemed genuinely happy to have her standing in his parlor – even in her wretched state. She had little time to contemplate this latest Bingley contradiction, however, as Caroline quickly captured her arm and drew her further into the room.
“Miss Bennet! It is so good of you to come.”
“I am happy to accept your hospitality, Miss Bingley. I hope I have not kept you waiting.”
“No, no, not at all! What a lovely gown you are wearing, my dear. I believe I have never seen velvet in June.”
“I must confess, I had not expected it to be quite so warm today,” Jane replied, the redness in her face deepening.
“It IS June, my dear, and – ”
“And a beautiful day at that, is it not, Darcy?” Bingley threw his sister a warning glance as he neatly turned the conversation.
“Yes, Bingley, it is.” Darcy agreed heartily. “Very similar to Derbyshire this time of year. I think my sister would agree. Miss Bennet, may I be permitted to introduce you to her?”
Sister? Jane blinked in surprise. It was then she noticed the girl standing just behind him. “I would be honored, Mr. Darcy.”
Bingley joined Darcy and Georgiana as the introduction was accomplished. After a brief exchange between the two ladies, he followed Jane and took a seat beside her on the chaise lounge as Caroline began to pour.
Momentarily flattered by Mr. Bingley's attention, Jane had to remind herself of his impulsive nature and was determined that she would not allow him to trifle with her again.
“Miss Bingley, I hope you do not think me ungrateful, but with our circumstances at home, I really cannot stay long.”
“Yes, of course. I understand completely,” Caroline's smile was a bit too smug. “I would not think of keeping you from your father's side.”
“Miss Bennet,” Bingley exclaimed nervously. “Please allow me to offer my condolences on your father's ill-health. Until Sunday, I had not known the nature of his illness. May I ask, has he made any improvement?”
“Sunday?” Jane looked to Caroline and her puzzlement faded with understanding as she saw the blank expression on Caroline's face. “Thank you for your concern, Mr. Bingley. He has neither improved nor worsened since the second attack.”
“A second attack? I am very sorry! Is there anything I can do? May I send for my doctor? He is very good.”
“I thank you, no. That will not be necessary. My father is resting comfortably at present. We have only to wait and see. My mother has been greatly affected and keeps to her room most of the day, but my sisters and I are managing.”
“It must be a great comfort having so many sisters to share your burden,” Mrs. Hurst remarked with little sincerity.
“And I remember Miss Eliza being quite attentive when you took ill during your visit to Netherfield last year,” Caroline added. “She must be a great comfort to you.”
“My sisters are most helpful and we are doing well enough; however, my sister, Elizabeth, is not at Longbourn.”
“Miss Eliza not at Longbourn?” Caroline pounced on the news with pleasure. “Pray tell us, Miss Bennet, what could she be thinking to go away at a time like this?”
“Oh, she does not know. Elizabeth received an invitation to travel with a distant relation for the summer. She was already away from home when our father took ill.”
Bingley tried to ease her obvious distress. “I know that you and Miss Elizabeth are very close. It must be very difficult for you to have her gone.”
“Will her absence be long?” Caroline wickedly pursued the subject. “Louisa and I were just this morning remarking on how much we were looking forward to seeing her again.”
“Unfortunately, I cannot say when she will return, Miss Bingley. The nature of her travels has made it difficult to communicate and we have not had a letter from her as yet.”
Mr. Darcy's tone was somber as he seated Georgiana across from Jane, choosing not to sit himself. “I am sorry for your difficulty, Miss Bennet. My sister and I hope that Miss Elizabeth may return soon, for your benefit and that of your family. My sister had hoped to make her acquaintance during our visit. Perhaps there will be another time.”
“Yes, I hope so. I am sorry for your disappointment, Miss Darcy.”
Georgiana smiled shyly at Jane. “Having the pleasure of your company today, Miss Bennet, I eagerly await the opportunity of meeting your sister. I have heard so much about her, and I hope our meeting shall not be long in coming.”
Caroline fairly seethed with vexation at the attention Elizabeth managed to garner from Mr. Darcy and his sister without even being in the room. One sister
was bad enough, but two of them was intolerable!
Jane stayed above an hour before rising to take her leave. Mr. Bingley's attentions to her during the visit had been pleasing, and his behavior more admiring than ever, but she was resolved to keep her emotions in check. After the disappointment of his departure last November, his recent plans for another abrupt departure without explanation or farewell struck her with tremendous force. She could not think so ill of him as to believe him a rake, but clearly he was of an unsteady character; not a man she could trust, no matter what her heart tried to tell her.
* * * *
Happy to see the end of a very long day, Darcy opened the door to his rooms and finally allowed his thoughts free reign.
As Denham silently assisted in removing the layers of clothing, Darcy considered the events of the day. Jane Bennet had accepted the invitation to tea, yes; but her visit had been marked by a change in her manner toward Bingley that even he could see. She was more reserved and cautious than he had ever seen her – more so than she seemed months ago, when he thought her indifferent. With every fiber of his being, he prayed that it was not too late for his friend.
Having finished the nightly ritual, Denham bid his master a good-night and disappeared through the servant's door. Darcy stood in his dressing gown and considered the inviting chair and decanter of brandy that had been set out for him. With a small smile, he acknowledged Denham's uncanny ability to anticipate his needs, sometimes even before he knew them himself. Although knowing his valet's purpose behind the gesture was to soothe the effects of an evening with Caroline Bingley, it was with thoughts of Elizabeth Bennet that Darcy took up the glass and filled it, unsure if his inner turmoil was caused by relief or disappointment. Only after the brandy had taken effect did Darcy allow himself to examine his most painful thoughts – was Elizabeth’s absence mere happenstance or by design?
Further contemplation of Jane’s visit and her sister’s absence from home filled Darcy's head with more unanswered questions. Did she anticipate his coming to Netherfield with Bingley? Had she purposely avoided his company? He could not bear to consider the answers. He knew he should accept the finality this news demonstrated of his situation with Elizabeth, but his heart would not let him. Surely there was some way he could show her that he had changed, that he had listened to her objections of him and worked daily to improve his character in a way that she would approve.
Darcy filled the glass once more and took a long, contemplative sip. The once great desire to banish Elizabeth Bennet from his thoughts had long since been replaced with the knowledge that she would always be a part of him. His life had been changed for the better because of her. He did not believe it likely he could ever claim her heart, but he did hope for her good opinion. He dreaded meeting her, yet the thought of never seeing her again was insupportable. He couldn't bear to think that she was in this world and thinking ill of him. He desired – he needed – her good opinion and he had to find a way of securing it.
For now, there was nothing more he could do in Hertfordshire. At breakfast he would tell Bingley of his plans to leave.
Chapter 10
The sound of Caroline Bingley's voice halted Darcy's step outside the breakfast room door. What was she doing up so early? He paused, debating the benefits of a good breakfast against the irritation of the woman's disagreeable temper which seemed to be only increasing.
“It is very rude of you to insist on my company, Charles. You did not insist on Louisa getting up at this unpleasant hour!”
“It is not Louisa who is being difficult, it is you; and you will do as I say.”
“Jane Bennet was just here,” Caroline forced herself to soften the edge in her voice. “We can wait a few days. Why must we go this morning – and at such an early hour? It is barely polite and certainly not fashionable!”
“Fashionable or not, we are going. It was obvious from Miss Bennet's visit yesterday that her situation is much worse than I had guessed – and you will kindly refrain from any more looks of that sort. I want her to feel she can count on us for any help she may need. I cannot do that without you.”
“What good can I be? She was as distant to me as she was to you.”
“Exactly. And that is why you will go and be as friendly and inviting as you can manage. You will give Miss Bennet every assurance of your friendship – and mine. Now finish your breakfast, the carriage is waiting.”
Deciding he was not so hungry after all, and deeming a ride in the fresh air to be a better choice, Darcy headed for the stables. As he passed the staircase, he saw Georgiana coming down and halted his hurried steps. “Good morning, Georgie,” he said, taking up her hand for a kiss.
“Good morning, Fitzwilliam. Where are you off to in such a hurry?” she asked lightly.
“I had thought to go for a ride; but now that you are here, I shall accompany you to breakfast. May I?”
He was not about to leave his sister alone with Caroline Bingley, not this morning. Gathering a fortifying breath, he gave Georgiana a broad smile and led the way back to the breakfast room.
“Good morning, Charles, Miss Bingley.”
“Darcy! Miss Darcy! It is an excellent morning! I am sorry to be leaving you to yourselves, but Caroline and I were just about to make a call at Longbourn.”
“Longbourn?” Georgiana asked with interest. “Is that not Miss Bennet's home?”
“Yes, yes it is,” Caroline replied, her face lighting up with a sudden idea. “Would you like to join us? It is such an interesting place, what with all their girls. They have five, you know.”
“Five girls?” Georgiana's eyes grew wide with wonder. “I cannot imagine. I should like to have had a sister.”
And I should have liked to give you one, Darcy thought ruefully.
“May I go, Fitzwilliam?”
“If you like,” Darcy smiled slightly and threw Bingley a look of annoyance.
“Yes, well…of course you may come, Miss Darcy; and Darcy, you must come too.”
“Thank you, Bingley. I should like to accompany my sister.”
“What a lovely party we shall be,” cooed Caroline as she took Georgiana's arm and cast a sly glance to Darcy. “I cannot wait for you to meet the Bennet family, my dear. Mrs. Bennet is a particular delight.”
* * * *
Caroline ignored yet another look from her brother and idly gazed out the window of Longbourn's sitting room. Jane Bennet nervously cleared her throat, the sound of which was amplified in the heavy silence. To this point, the conversation had been painfully awkward and stilted. Darcy looked to his friend. Poor Bingley. While he had managed to get Caroline to accompany him on this visit, it was obvious she was not about to hand Jane Bennet to him on a silver platter. At least there was not the added difficulty of Mrs. Bennet, who was keeping to her room, or the two youngest Bennet girls who had already gone into Meryton before the party from Netherfield arrived.
For himself, Darcy was relieved that his sister's first introduction to Elizabeth's sisters was limited to Jane and Mary. He could find no fault in Jane; and, upon closer acquaintance, discovered Mary to be of a more temperate nature than he first thought. Her serious disposition was much more suited to Georgiana's natural shyness than the boisterous behavior often displayed by her younger sisters.
After another moment of the uncomfortable silence, Darcy decided he had better do something to rescue the situation before it became a complete disaster. It was then he noticed the small leather-bound volume lying in Mary's lap.
“Miss Mary, I see that you enjoy reading. May I inquire as to your present selection?”
“Y-yes, Mr. Darcy. I enjoy reading very much,” Mary managed to say in her astonishment. “I am at present reading The Poetical Works of William Lisle Bowles.”
“An excellent choice. I very much enjoy Mr. Bowles' poetry, as does my sister.”
“Oh, you are familiar with his works, Miss Darcy? I think he is not so popular as Mr. Cowper or Mr. Coleridge.”
> Georgiana's interest was engaged at once. “Indeed, I believe not; but I like him very much. I think my favorite of Mr. Bowles is his work titled 'To a Friend.' It reminds me of when my brother goes to town.”
“I think you are referring to the opening line,” replied Mary. “Let me see – here it is! 'Go, then, and join the murmuring city's throng!'”
“Yes!” Georgiana exclaimed with pleasure. “And then it goes on to say 'Me thou dost leave to solitude and tears.'”
“The fate of every young girl with only a brother to care for her,” Darcy observed teasingly.
“But the ending is the best part of all, is it not, brother?” Georgiana smiled widely. “'…the glad hour I shall bless that shall restore thee from the crowd again, to the green hamlet on the peaceful plain.'”
“Yes, Georgiana, Pemberley is most assuredly peaceful, especially when compared to London!”
“That is our home in Derbyshire, you see,” she leaned toward Mary in a conspiratorial whisper.
Pleased that Georgiana and Mary were at last conversing comfortably, Darcy turned his attention back to Bingley. His poor friend was trying hard not to show his frustration. Before leaving Netherfield, he had specifically instructed Caroline to contrive an opportunity for him to speak with Jane on a more personal level. With Mary the only real obstacle in the room, it was an easy enough task; but Caroline was making no effort to accommodate him. In fact, she was being as difficult as ever.
“Miss Bennet, it must be very demanding for you and your sisters to have your father so ill and your mother indisposed. Is there no one to help you?”
“It has been challenging for us, Miss Bingley,” Jane admitted matter-of-factly. “However, as I said yesterday, we are managing well enough. Most of the daily work is well organized and runs its course; and my uncle has been very kind to advise us on the most pressing matters.”
“Oh, yes, your uncle,” Caroline smiled sweetly. “Would that be the attorney or the tradesman?”