Fate and Consequences

by Linda Wells

  Bingley spoke through clenched teeth. “You know of my intentions, Darcy!”

  He bowed his head and leaned on his cue stick. “I do, and yet you make no move. Miss Bennet is probably wondering what is wrong.”

  Bingley’s eyes were full of worry. “Do you think so?”

  “Expectations are high for a match, so I have heard.” Hurst said. “But it seems that many mamas in the area think they still have a chance at you. You are entirely too friendly to all the ladies you meet.”

  “You really must curb your enthusiasm, Bingley if you are serious. I will not have my future sister hurt.” Darcy’s face grew serious.

  “I have!” He protested.

  Richard took pity on him. “I have a feeling that you and I are more alike than not, Bingley. We both enjoy the attention and company of a lady on our arm, and can not help ourselves chatting to each new one that comes along. IF you are not ready to settle down, do not let anyone push you.”

  “But I AM ready. I want to marry Jane!”

  Darcy’s brows rose, a little smile appeared on his lips. “Jane is it?” Bingley looked down.

  Richard raised his glass. “To Bingley and Miss Bennet. May she say yes … and may he find the courage to ask the question!”

  “Hear, hear!” Cried Hurst.

  Bingley was still red-faced. “Come now Bingley, I will call at Longbourn for breakfast tomorrow to deliver Georgiana for her day of shopping. Ride along with us and you can speak to Mr. Bennet then.” He nodded and stared at his toes.

  Richard clapped his back. “Good for you, man, I envy you; she is a lovely woman.”

  Bingley finally looked up. “Thank you, I could not agree with you more.”

  HURST MADE HIS WAY up the stairs to the room where he slept alone each night. His relationship with Louisa had started out quite happily at first. The only son of a gentleman with an estate similar in size to Netherfield, he had expectations that were attractive to the well-to-do tradesman’s daughter with aspirations of higher society. At the time of their courtship, he was far more svelte and sober; those changes came with the nearly constant presence of Louisa’s sister Caroline. It stifled their intimacy, and Caroline’s vindictive behaviour and overblown sense of her own worth rubbed off on her sister. Hurst missed the woman he married, but until Caroline was gone, he doubted he would have a chance to change her. So he spent his time drinking, or pretending to drink, overindulging in food, and dealing with his father’s estate issues from afar, as his parents made it clear they did not want Caroline at their home either.

  Hurst dismissed his valet, and hearing Louisa moving around in the next room, decided to break with precedent and visit her. He knocked on the adjoining door and heard her startled voice. “Come in?”

  He stepped into the room. “Good evening, Louisa. I was surprised to hear you still awake.”

  “Oh, I … had a long talk with Caroline. I am quite tired now.” She pulled the covers up to her neck and stared at him.

  He shook his head and took a seat on the bed. “Do not worry, my dear. I am not here to demand my husbandly rights, although it has been quite some time.” He sighed at her unwelcoming gaze. “I wished to ask you if you overheard anything odd in church this morning.”

  Louisa was caught off guard, and lowered the counterpane. “Odd? Do you mean, about Mr. Darcy?”

  “So, you heard it too? I only caught a few words here and there, but it seemed that the tales of the summer have reached Meryton. Do you agree?”

  She nodded and met his eyes. “I believe you may be correct. I heard only his name, and some reference to a living. I considered asking Caroline if she had heard it as well, but …”

  Hurst raised his brow. “But?”

  “I did not wish to hear a diatribe about Mr. Darcy’s engagement. I am so sorry that I ever supported Caroline’s desire to win him, especially after Miss Darcy’s ruin. It was cruel to try and take advantage of him at such a terrible time, and now, he appears so happy with Miss Elizabeth.”

  Hurst smiled. “Louisa, what has come over you?”

  She looked down at her hands. “I am tired of being angry all of the time. What do I have to be angry about? It is my own fault that I have driven you away.”

  Hurst reached out and took her hand. “I did nothing to help you. I chose to hide in the bottle rather than assert myself to win you back. I think that we are agreed, however, that Caroline has come between us.”

  Louisa looked up at him and nodded. “You are correct, but what can we do? Charles will probably marry soon, and he will not want her in his house.”

  Hurst laughed and Louisa looked at him with surprise. “Forgive me, my dear, it seems everyone is agreed that Bingley will marry Miss Bennet, yet he has not had the courage to ask for a courtship yet. We were just discussing that with him in the billiards room.” He smiled and squeezed her hand. “Your brother is obligated to care for Caroline until she reaches the age where she will receive her inheritance or marry. He will not want her in his house, I am sure of that, but perhaps he will allow her to live in London while he is here.”

  “Do you wish to try and repair the damage to our marriage?” She looked back down at her hands.

  Hurst nodded. “If you do.” She looked back up and nodded. Hurst stood and pulled back the counterpane and slipped into the bed. He put an arm around her shoulder and drew her down beside him. Louisa lay stiffly in his embrace. “One step at a time, my dear. Tonight, we will just sleep.” He heard her sigh of relief and smiled. “Tomorrow, however …” She gasped, and he kissed her cheek. “Good night, Louisa.”

  LONGBOURN WAS in an uproar. Mr. Bennet had just announced to Mrs. Bennet that Mr. Collins, the heir, would be arriving that afternoon for a fortnight visit, to extend an olive branch between the families so long separated by animosity. Mrs. Bennet was furious that the man had the audacity to come into her home, no doubt to count the silver or take inventory of the furnishings. It was only when Mr. Bennet mentioned his surmise that Mr. Collins was also interested in a bride that Mrs. Bennet’s angry mutterings ceased.

  “A bride, Mr. Bennet? From one of our girls?”

  He contained his smirk. “Indeed, Mr. Collins counts out several times in his letter the number of daughters we have. I should think that one mention was quite enough, however, he chose to speak of it three times. I look forward to meeting such a verbose and enthusiastic gentleman.” He smiled at Elizabeth. “Unfortunately I will have to inform him that his choices are only four daughters, as one is decidedly taken, is that not correct, Lizzy?”

  “Quite decidedly.” She said with determination. Jane looked down and twisted her hands sadly. Elizabeth patted her back and whispered softly. “Jane, it is clear that Mr. Bingley favours you, he has called regularly over the past month, and has been here so much that he could not possibly have time to call on other ladies. I am sure that he does not want to rush into things, and wants to be sure that you both know your feelings before approaching you, after all a courtship is a very serious step.”

  She looked up hopefully then back down. “I suppose you are correct, I guess that seeing you so happy with Mr. Darcy makes me wish for my own time. I do not want him to rush to pay his addresses.”

  Elizabeth leaned in close. “Oh yes you do!” She grinned at Jane’s small smile and squeezed her hand.

  A sudden flurry of activity at the door announced the arrival of the Darcys and to Jane’s delight, Mr. Bingley. He bowed and stammered and then turned to Mr. Bennet. “Sir, may I have a moment of Miss Bennet’s time before breakfast?” Mr. Bennet raised a brow and his lips twitched. “I was not aware that you were invited, sir.”

  Bingley grew pale. “Forgive me, I will leave immediately after we speak, but I cannot wait any longer.”

  Elizabeth stared at her father expressively and he relented. “Very well, Mr. Bingley, Jane would you come this way?” The three disappeared down the hallway and Elizabeth walked over to greet Georgiana and William.

 
“You were successful, I see.” She whispered as he lovingly kissed her hand. He laughed. “It took all three of us, and some threats by Richard to come courting your sister, but he finally made a decision.”

  “I am not so sure that I want such an indecisive man marrying my sister.” She shook her head in exasperation.

  Darcy pressed her hand between both of his and smiled into her dancing eyes. “Oh, he is much improved, I assure you. He will make a fine husband for Jane.”

  “I choose to trust you then, sir.”

  Georgiana was watching their interaction. “My brother is always trustworthy, Elizabeth. He abhors deceit. You must always believe what he says.”

  Elizabeth tilted her head. “Must I?”

  His brows rose. “Of course, my dear. Everything I ever say is the absolute truth, and of course, always correct.” Elizabeth began to laugh heartily at the idea.

  “I will have to remember that declaration for future use!” Darcy glanced around the room and bent to quickly kiss her lips. “William!” She admonished.

  He grinned. “Your father is engaged.”

  “Hmm. Well, it seems one of my sisters is due to be engaged to our houseguest.” She led them to some chairs and explained about Mr. Collins.

  “Elizabeth, do you realize that this man is my aunt’s pastor?”

  “Lady Catherine?” Darcy nodded and looked at Georgiana, who grew white. Darcy turned to Elizabeth with panicked eyes. Elizabeth immediately moved to the sofa where she sat and put her arm around her. “Certainly you can not fear my foolish cousin, Georgiana.”

  “Oh, but he will tell her of your engagement.”

  Elizabeth looked at Darcy. “Is that a problem?”

  “I do not see how it is; she certainly can do nothing to stop us. She will simply be learning the news sooner than I had anticipated.” He smiled and patted Georgiana. “All is well.”

  Inside of the bookroom, Jane stood blushing before Bingley. Mr. Bennet stood outside of the closed door, watch in hand. He decided to give Bingley five minutes.

  Bingley ran his hand nervously through his hair, then cast his eyes around the room, looking everywhere but at Jane. “Um … Miss Bennet, I …” He stopped and sighed. “I … oh why is this so hard?” He finally looked at her and saw that her eyes were cast down, and her hands were twisting in agitation. The realization that she was just as nervous occurred to him. “Miss Bennet … please look at me.”

  Jane’s eyes slowly travelled up from the floor, she saw his finely polished boots, his green breeches, the matching topcoat, a cream silk waistcoat, then the stickpin in his cravat and finally rested on his wide green eyes. She swallowed hard and saw his expression. He was nervous and hopeful, just as she was. It gave her some strength. “Yes, Mr. Bingley?” She whispered.

  “Oh Miss Bennet, I am such a fool.” Bingley ran his hand through his hair, and then rubbed it on his coat. “I have come here, tagging along with Darcy for weeks, thinking that I was lending my shy friend moral support as he tried to court your sister. What a fool I was! He was engaged to her the moment he came here! He needed my help as much as … as much as your mother needs prodding to speak of finding husbands for her daughters!”

  Jane giggled and hid her smile by looking down. “But you see, Miss Bennet, in the course of coming with my friend, I … I have also come to … like you.” He bit his lip and tried to see her eyes. “I have known so many ladies, and enjoy meeting new people and talking to them … my … my friends have questioned that. Why Darcy has told me many times that I … well, that is neither here nor there … the point is since coming to Hertfordshire, you are the only lady who has … attracted my attention.” Jane looked up at him, confused but still listening. “I have known for weeks that I felt an attraction to you that I have never experienced with any woman before. I suppose I was simply enjoying it so much that I … I did not realize that I should speak to you. I … I have never really considered attempting a courtship, and I … I never thought that my friendly behaviour would be seen as anything other than that … especially as we have only known each other such a short time and in all of my previous friendships nobody expressed any expectations … but I believe that you are the woman I once declared to Darcy I was searching for. I am a fool because I did not readily recognize this, and it took a roomful of men and the threat from one of them to take you away to force me to come here today.” He drew a breath. “Miss Bennet, will you do me the honour of allowing me to court you?”

  Jane swallowed and thought over his rambling speech. This is what she had been waiting to hear, and what she dreamed of every time she saw Darcy and Elizabeth together, but she had to ask one question. “You were coerced to speak to me?” She said softly.

  Bingley shook his head. “Did I say that?” He laughed. “That is a sentence more worthy of Darcy’s tripping tongue. I can see him complimenting and disparaging his object all at once and thinking it was all perfectly fine because he was honest.” Sighing he met her eye. “I am avoiding your question, forgive me. No, I did not need to be coerced; I was just too stupid to see what was in front of me. My friends simply chose a particularly pointed way of forcing me to acknowledge what I already knew. I think that you are the loveliest, sweetest young woman I have ever met, and I hope you might care for me a little, and I hope with all of my heart that you will accept my offer of courtship and we may see where it leads us. Will you accept me?”

  Jane blushed. “Yes, Mr. Bingley, I will. Thank you so much.” Bingley raised her hand to his lips and kissed it fervently. Before anything else could be said, Mr. Bennet opened the door.

  “Breakfast is ready.” The beaming smile on Bingley’s face and Jane’s blush answered his conjecture; the boy had finally made his move. Mr. Bennet’s lips twitched. It is about time, sir.

  Chapter 24

  “Mama, have you heard the rumours about Mr. Darcy and Miss Darcy?” Charlotte asked Lady Lucas.

  She put down the menus she was studying and looked up at her daughter, then at the open door to the hallway. Charlotte caught the glance and quickly closing it, took a chair near her mother. “What exactly have you heard?”

  Charlotte looked at her hands. “Maria and I walked into Meryton this morning; that is where I heard … I understand that Miss Darcy is ruined. She tried to elope with a man, and that Mr. Darcy caught them and killed him. I believe that Miss Darcy was left with child and that Mr. Darcy employed … methods learned from his mistress to rid her of the child.” She looked up. “Oh Mama, do you think that he physically harmed the poor girl? I have heard of women throwing themselves down stairs or being beaten.” She swallowed. “I can not imagine Mr. Darcy being so violent towards his sister.”

  Lady Lucas took her hand. “I would hope that these are merely the imaginations of gossips, my dear. As much as I wanted Eliza to marry John, I can see how deeply attached she is to Mr. Darcy. I would hope that she has not been charmed into accepting a man who would prove to be so violent.”

  “But even if he did not hurt his sister, she is so quiet.”

  “Well, she is likely being shunned by society. There is always some truth at the bottom of gossip. I imagine that Miss Darcy did try to elope with some man.” Lady Lucas sat back. “She is but fifteen, and likely has an impressive dowry, I wonder what could have driven her to do such a thing?”

  “But that is it, Mama! Mr. Darcy must be a horror to live with! What might he do to Eliza if he lost his temper? Oh, I fear for her, Mama!” Charlotte sat back and wrapped her arms around herself.

  “Charlotte, do you know why John had a bruised jaw?” Charlotte shook her head. “John was trying to force his attentions on Eliza. Mr. Darcy came upon them after witnessing him grabbing at her. Mr. Darcy was fully justified in his response, which is why you have heard nothing from your father, or even John about it.

  Charlotte was shocked at her brother’s behaviour, but could not let go the things she had heard. “He has mistresses.”

  Lady Lucas smiled sli
ghtly. “While distasteful, it is not uncommon, my dear.” She patted Charlotte’s hand. “You certainly are gaining an education today.”

  “I feel that I should go and visit Eliza. Perhaps she has not heard these things.”

  “Are you going to be of aid or to crow that Mr. Darcy is unworthy? I know how much you wished her to marry John, just as I did. And I even had hopes that Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley would choose you or Maria, but it is clear that their attention was drawn to Longbourn.” She shook her head. “No, Charlotte. You would be most unwelcome. Besides that, Mr. Darcy has done our own family a great service, and I cannot forget that.”

  “What has he done?” Charlotte asked with confusion.

  “In truth, it is what he has not done. He easily could have spoken against John’s behaviour towards Eliza, and even made a greater issue over the hunting incident. He could have told the neighbourhood and hurt our family with scandal, but he chose to speak to your father quietly, and walk away. No, I will not fuel these rumours that we are hearing, if anything, Mr. Darcy’s behaviour makes me wonder at the truth of these rumours against him and who suddenly started them. I have been guilty of spreading stories in the past; it was not until now that I realized the impact a small tale expanded by many tongues can have on a family.” She shook her head. “I will not disparage him, or his sister, and I hope that you will hold your tongue as well. I will tell the same to Maria.”

  Charlotte sat quietly and thought over her mother’s words. “But if Eliza is in danger …”

  “I believe that her father is the best judge of that, not we.” Lady Lucas paused. “I wished for John to marry Eliza because it was the match he wanted, and she is such a wonderful girl. Her dowry is not too significant, but enough for John if he was to be happy. I pushed too hard when it was clear that Eliza was not interested, I admit, but that is a mother’s prerogative. You pushed the match quite hard yourself, and I have wondered, why do you believe that John would throw you from our home if your father died? He certainly would not dare to send me away, and I would not stand for him doing that to you.”