Fate and Consequences

by Linda Wells

  “And he will hear the same response, madam.”

  They entered the hallway just as Georgiana was descending the stairs with Mrs. Annesley. Lady Catherine pointed an accusatory finger at her niece. “This is your fault Georgiana! It is because of your foolish, selfish actions that your brother is no longer welcome in the great homes of this country and no decent man will ever have you!” Georgiana burst into tears. Lady Catherine ignored her and turned to Darcy. “I suggest that you accept your destiny and marry Anne. She is good enough for you, and will save your family. You should realize how low you have fallen because of your sister and be grateful that Anne will accept you.”

  She turned back to regard her sobbing niece. “This never would have happened if Georgiana had been sent to me after your father died. Perhaps it is not too late. I will speak to my brother about giving custody to me.” Georgiana gasped and looked with fear at Darcy.

  He attempted to rein in his fury, and with a tightly controlled voice addressed his aunt. “I believe it is time that you took your leave, Aunt Catherine. I have listened to your opinions but I will make this clear now. I will not marry Anne, and no one will ever take Georgiana from me.” He opened the door. “Good day, madam.” Lady Catherine opened her mouth to argue, and then thought better of it. She would speak to her brother. He was the head of the family, and would make Darcy fall in line. She swept outside without a word and Darcy closed the door after her with a resounding snap.

  Taking a moment to collect himself; he breathed deeply then returned to the entranceway where Georgiana stood staring at him. “She can not take me, can she?” The girl ran up and clutched his arm.

  Darcy patted her hand. “No, dear. Nobody can ever take you away. Father left you in my and Cousin Richard’s care. She has no claim on you. She is just spouting off as usual.” He kissed her head.

  “Is it true what she said? Have you been hurt so very badly? Will you not be able to marry well?” She said in a very small voice.

  Darcy lightly touched her shoulder and closed his eyes. “I will not lie to you, Georgiana. The marriage prospects for both of us have changed, and likely permanently. I have hope that by the time you are presented, everything will be as it was. As for me, I do not regret the situation as much as you might expect. Perhaps it will give me the freedom to choose in a way that I previously thought impossible.”

  She looked up at him. “How Brother?”

  He smiled slightly and shrugged. “Who knows?”

  “THANK YOU, DARCY.” Bingley said as his friend poured him another finger of brandy. He took a seat and watched him finish pouring his own drink and sit opposite him in the grand library of Darcy House. “That tale is enough to frighten small children from sleeping at night! I can not believe your aunt thought she could bully you into marrying your cousin!”

  He took a sip and laid his head back against the corner of the wingback chair. “Well she has tried every other method. You have to admit, she is tenacious.”

  “I almost regret leaving and missing the fireworks!” He laughed, then seeing his friend’s face, stopped. “How is Georgiana? I was sorry that she did not join us for dinner.”

  Darcy’s eyes brightened then he blinked rapidly. Bingley looked away until he spoke. “She now fears that she will be forced to go live with our aunt, and does not believe me when I tell her it will never happen.” He blinked again. “She heard all that Aunt Catherine said about our marriage prospects and my standing, and is devastated on how all of this has affected me.” He looked up at Bingley’s sympathetic face. “Enough. You were about to tell me some news when we were interrupted this afternoon.”

  Bingley read his desire to drop the subject for now and pasted a happy smile on his face. “Indeed, good news! I have found an estate to lease, and I hope to persuade you to come and look it over with me tomorrow.”

  “Really! Excellent Bingley, where is this place? Tell me about it!” Darcy was relieved to have such an easy topic to discuss.

  “It is called Netherfield. The owner tells me it brings in about five thousand, so it matches my income now. The tenants are good, the house sound. It will come furnished. All he asks is that I keep an eye on things, and work with the steward to identify problems. Any major decisions or repairs will fall to him, but he welcomes me supervising to get some experience. He is willing to sell at the end of the lease. It apparently is a family estate that nobody needed, so he has been leasing it out to a fairly frequent number of people for years.”

  “Why has nobody ever purchased it?” Darcy asked suspiciously.

  “Oh, well he said that the family has just recently decided to sell. They liked the regular income it provided, but now they think they would be just as happy with dividing the proceeds and being done with it.” He smiled. “I know what you are thinking, Darcy, it is too good to be true. It is a decent estate with no entail, and available in my price range, but I think it is just pure luck that pointed me to it.”

  “How did you learn of it?”

  “My secretary made some inquiries and this is one of the places he found. I like it because it is fairly near London, in Hertfordshire.”

  Darcy started. “Hertfordshire?” He started thinking rapidly. How large could that county be? Perhaps it is not too far away from …

  “Yes, near a village called Meryton. Have you ever heard of it?” Bingley was so happy to talk, that he did not notice that his friend looked as if his heart had stopped. “It is only about twenty or so miles from here. We could leave early and ride out, take a look around, speak to the steward and have something to eat in the village. There is bound to be an inn of some sort there, and then be home in time for dinner.” He grinned and looked at Darcy. “How does that sound?” Darcy just sat staring at him. His hand had drifted unconsciously to touch the handkerchief in his breast pocket. “I say, Darcy, are you well? Are you clutching your heart?” Bingley sat up with a concerned expression on his face.

  Darcy awoke from his stupor and quickly moved his hand. “What, oh, yes, I am fine, Bingley. I … I think that sounds like an excellent plan. I look forward to seeing this place. I am sure it will be ideal.” He felt himself breathing rapidly. Yes, it will be perfectly ideal.

  Chapter 4

  The Bennet family gathered around the worn dining table for breakfast before scattering to their various activities of the day. An early morning shower had prevented Elizabeth’s usual constitutional, but the sun was now brightly shining, and she was anxious to leave the house and walk, and think about her letter and the man who wrote it. Her father’s voice somehow managed to break into her pleasant thoughts in a most disconcerting way. “Well Lizzy, I understand that you received a parcel by special messenger. You have not shared with us its contents, as far as I know, so please tell us about it.” Her father smiled to see his favourite daughter shoot a suspicious glance at Mrs. Hill, who was standing in the doorway.

  The table grew suddenly quiet. “A parcel did you say Mr. Bennet? By special messenger? What is this about Lizzy?” Mrs. Bennet demanded.

  Elizabeth’s sharp look was transferred to her father who did not bother to hide his amusement. “It simply contained a handkerchief, Mama. I lent one of mine to a distressed young lady Jane and I met in Meryton several weeks ago. I told her that she was welcome to keep it, but she insisted on returning it to me. I hope to start a correspondence with her.”

  Mrs. Bennet was distinctly disappointed that the parcel was not more fascinating. Then the thought occurred to her. “The package came by a special messenger. This girl must be of some wealth to have letters delivered in such a way. Is she rich, Lizzy?”

  Elizabeth glanced at Jane. “I do not know anything of her circumstances, Mama. I hope to learn more of her if she agrees to our correspondence. She is quite young, so I am sure that she will not be talking of matters of fortune.”

  “Well, see what you can make of it. If she is rich, perhaps you may go and visit her, and put you in the way of some rich men.”

/>   Elizabeth sighed. Her mother’s thoughts were fixed on finding husbands for her daughters, and ruled nearly every action and word. It was not an unreasonable goal, but it was very tiresome. “Yes, Mama. That was my hope in writing her.” Mrs. Bennet nodded with satisfaction and returned to admonishing her middle girl, Mary for reading at the table.

  Elizabeth looked up at her father’s chuckle. “You handled that with skill, Lizzy.”

  “I have had years of practice, Papa.” He disappeared behind his paper and she could hear his continued amusement as he rattled the pages.

  The family separated to their own activities and Elizabeth was tying her bonnet ribbons when Jane whispered in her ear. “I was so afraid that you were going to tell them of Mr. Darcy’s gift.”

  Elizabeth stared and touched her sister’s forehead. “Are you well, Jane? You must be fevered to be thinking so foolishly.”

  Jane giggled. “Forgive me, Lizzy, I should know better.”

  Mrs. Bennet came around the corner and spotting Elizabeth preparing to walk out exclaimed, “Where are you going, Miss Lizzy? You know we are invited to your Aunt Phillip’s this evening, and John Lucas will be there. I will not have you wandering about the countryside all day and appearing dishevelled for him!” Her voice became calculating. “You know he has had his eye on you, and now that he has returned from his tour, he is ready to settle down. You must secure him!”

  Elizabeth tried not to roll her eyes. “I will not go far, Mama, I promise, but I am sure that John Lucas will not care if I am dishevelled or not.”

  “He will if you make an effort!” She huffed. Lydia arguing with Kitty caught her attention and she bustled away to speak to her youngest daughters.

  “Not fifteen minutes ago she asked me to have Miss Darcy put me in the way of some rich men!” Elizabeth sighed with frustration. “What do I care if John Lucas looks at me?” She pulled on her gloves. “He is a nice man, but I have never thought of him as anything other than a friend.”

  “He is well-travelled, and he is the heir to Lucas Lodge …” Jane smiled, imitating their mother. “It would be a good match.”

  “Do not join Mama, Jane, please. Besides, his tour was to Ireland! Hardly the continent!”

  She laughed. “Perhaps you have another man in mind who would appreciate you looking dishevelled.” She teased.

  Elizabeth’s movement slowed and she blushed. “I would certainly like the opportunity to know more of him.” She said softly. The girls’ eyes met and Jane squeezed her arm. “Go walk, Lizzy.” She smiled and set off.

  DARCY AND BINGLEY left London very early that morning on their way to inspect Netherfield. It was the first time since that frenzied ride to find Georgiana that Darcy had been on horseback, and the freedom he felt was exhilarating. The men had been riding for some time in a comfortable and companionable silence, but now Bingley regarded his friend and smiled. “This is the most relaxed I have seen you for some time, Darcy.”

  He looked over to Bingley, rising and falling easily with his mount beside him. “Nobody knows or cares who I am here.”

  “I understand.” They continued on when a thought occurred to Darcy. “Bingley, have you suffered at all by your open support of us? Has anyone disparaged you?”

  Bingley smiled. “Well, let us say, some have made it known that they feel I am hurting myself by associating with such a family.”

  Darcy was appalled. “Bingley! I am so sorry; I had not once considered how you would be harmed. You can not risk your position by our friendship. I …” He was at a loss as to what to do.

  Bingley stopped him. “Darcy, I am not concerned. Anyone who does not support you, of all people, is not worth my efforts to begin with. I am new to society, that is true, but I am also quite a babe in the woods at identifying who is worthy and who should be avoided. This experience is opening my eyes in ways that I likely would not have known without making some unfortunate choices. I thank you.” He smiled wider.

  “I find it hard to believe that it is so easy for you to bear criticism for something you did not do.” Darcy said in admiration.

  He laughed. “Come Darcy, how many years worth of criticism have you borne by being my friend? I am but a lowly man whose money came from trade. I have no property, my sisters are questionable in their airs, and I am, well, some would say painfully naïve, which is not entirely false. But you took me under your wing and ignored the advice of your friends to laugh at me and drop me like a bad habit. No Darcy, my so-called sufferings by associating with you are a pittance, and the least I can do. I am proud to be your friend.”

  Darcy was overwhelmed. “I thank you, Bingley, I do not know how to respond …” He reached his hand over and the men awkwardly shook. “I value your friendship more than I can say.”

  Bingley smiled and looked ahead. He knew very well that expressing emotions was something that Darcy did very rarely. He was an intensely private man. With him, few words were spoken, but they dripped with meaning. They again rode in silence until Darcy broke their reverie. “We are almost in Meryton.”

  “How do you know?” Bingley asked with surprise.

  He sighed. “It is where I found Georgiana.”

  “Pardon?” He stared. “I never thought to ask, it was in Meryton? How ironic! And how painful, Darcy. Perhaps this is a mistake. You should have said something; I could have done this alone.”

  “Calm yourself Bingley. I bear no animosity for the village or the inn, it is simply a place, and if you think about it, I am happy to be here. This is where my prayers were answered, and I found Georgiana before it was too late.” He gave him a small smile and thought to himself, and this is where I found someone else. He straightened in the saddle, seeing the familiar outskirts of the town coming into view. He had spoken to Danny that morning when he gave him some things to deliver to Pemberley. He asked him exactly where he had found Longbourn. Now Darcy was picking out the landmarks Danny had mentioned to him. The inn came into view, and he knew that if he were to follow the road from Meryton, cross a stone bridge and ride for about a mile, he would see the red brick house, set at the end of a drive with two enormous and ancient trees in front. He strained his eyes to look into the distance, not knowing what he saw, but hoping for a sign. He looked at the faces of the people in the village as they examined him. It was an odd relief to be studied simply for being a well-dressed stranger on a fine horse as opposed to the disgraced brother to a compromised girl.

  Bingley had directions to follow to Netherfield, and to Darcy’s disappointment, they seemed to take them in the opposite direction of where he knew Longbourn lay. They travelled up the winding drive and upon rounding a stand of trees viewed the house. They looked at each other and Darcy raised his brows at Bingley’s obvious excitement. “Come on, the steward must be here somewhere.” They rode to the stables and a groom appeared, directing them to a small house nearby. The steward, Mr. Morris, spotted them from his office window and came out to greet them. He took them on a tour of the house, and found himself speaking more often to Darcy than Bingley, who was bright-eyed and completely unaware of what to ask. After a short break, the men returned to their mounts, and Mr. Morris took them on an extensive tour of the land, showing the fields in full production, the tenant homes, the fences, and the drainage, things that Darcy understood intimately and Bingley listened to with growing trepidation. When Darcy began asking about the number of servants and the taxes paid for them, the windows, the horses, it all began to run together as a frightening blur. He was growing nervous. Perhaps becoming a landed gentleman was not everything he had imagined. Darcy saw that he was worried and tried to reassure him that Mr. Morris would undoubtedly walk him through everything, and since he was leasing, these problems were not yet his concern.

  They had come to the eastern edge of the estate’s property, and were riding slowly along the fence line near a stile when the figure of a small woman dressed in a yellow gown and walking purposefully appeared nearby. “Ah, there sir is one
of your neighbours. This is the border where Netherfield touches Longbourn. That girl is Miss Elizabeth Bennet, the second of the five girls there.” Darcy thought he had recognized her but was too afraid to hope. They drew closer. Mr. Morris spoke again. “She’s a fine, clever girl, always quick with a laugh, and not too proud to speak to gentleman or servant, she treats everyone the same. She’s well-liked, and she’s always out walking.” Darcy felt his breathing increase to match his pounding heart. Rivulets of perspiration began to trail down his back. He had no idea what was happening to him, but he knew he must speak to her. When the horses drew close enough, Mr. Morris called out. “Miss Elizabeth! How are you this fine day?”

  To the other men’s surprise, Darcy leapt off of his horse, and holding the reins, stood in front of it and faced her. His expression gave nothing away, but his eyes were watching her with anxiety. Elizabeth reached them and smiled warmly at Mr. Morris, who had joined Bingley in dismounting. “I am very well, sir. I see that you have some company for a change?”

  Mr. Morris laughed. “Indeed I do. Miss Elizabeth Bennet, may I introduce you to Mr. Bingley, who is considering taking the lease of Netherfield, and Mr. Darcy, his friend.” He indicated the two men. Elizabeth had curtseyed to Bingley, but upon hearing Darcy’s name while rising, started and turned to him, her eyes wide. Her smiling face changed to reflect her astonishment and obvious pleasure at seeing him. Her eyes sparkled, her cheeks, already flushed from her exercise, grew pinker, and her entire countenance expressed her unguarded happiness. Darcy was overwhelmed, and drank in the sight.

  “Mr. Darcy!” She said with warmth. “I am so pleased to meet you.”

  Darcy’s eyes, normally a pale blue, almost grey, were dark and intense. “Miss Elizabeth, the pleasure is all mine, I assure you.” His face to anyone who did not know him well was impassive, but Bingley saw the curl of his lip and the emotion in his eyes. He could not help but stare between Darcy and Elizabeth, wondering what exactly was occurring.