by April Karber
“A week, Mother?” Elizabeth teased nervously. “That is hardly time to prepare for a wedding.”
Her mother brushed her off but amended her statement afterwards. “Engagement in one week, marriage in four months. On five thousand a year, the whole of Meryton will have nothing else to talk of for years!”
“Mama, could we not delay our departure for two weeks in case they return?” Jane asked self-consciously.
! %"! “London is too diverting a place for well-to-do bachelors, Jane! There is no reason you should not go,” their mother assured her, “it is perfectly natural for two young
girls to visit their family in London.”
“We are hesitant to look desperate,” Elizabeth explained.
“You are not to chase the Bingleys around London, Lizzy! You must simply let it
be known that Jane has arrived to town and they will seek you. Don’t worry about that austere Mr. Darcy, I can’t imagine he’ll be bothered for company in London.” Mrs. Bennet was ever the expert on any current subject.
Elizabeth was momentarily bothered by the mention of Mr. Darcy, but recognized that it would be best. Jane and Elizabeth were less than inclined to follow Bingley to London for different reasons, but they could not whole-heartedly argue with any plan that would separate them from their mother.
While on an errand in Meryton before her departure to London, Elizabeth ran into Mr. Wickham. She felt slightly awkward in his presence due to Mr. Darcy’s warning, but there was nothing to be done. She was only sure that she delighted in the Wickham’s company, but could say not much more for him or against him. In fact, she realized, that was exactly what she felt towards Darcy. Before the kiss.
“Mr. Wickham! What a pleasure it is to see you,” she was almost sorry that her journey to London would mean being deprived of his company.
“The pleasure is mine, Miss Elizabeth.” He took her arm in his and escorted her on her way.
“I had missed your company at the Netherfield Ball, Mr. Wickham,” she sounded more affected than she meant to. What could Wickham have done to earn Darcy’s ire?
“I was sad to stay away. I heard it was a delightful affair.” He fixed her with a serious expression, “I heard your company was a favorite of Darcy’s, I hope you were not uncomfortable with his attentions.”
“Not at all, why do you ask?” The question spilled out too quickly.
“I should not say, Miss Elizabeth. As he has quit the neighborhood, you may well be out of harm’s way,” he looked interestedly in another direction.
“Harm’s way?” her voice betrayed her concern.
“I should not broach the subject in your company, but you must understand that it is only done for your protection. You see, where Darcy cannot marry where he wants, due to pride, familial duty, monetary reasons…well, let us just say that Darcy is a man of enough wealth that he does not allow marriage to get in the way of what, or who, he wants.”
Her stomach jumped into her throat as she gasped. Could it be true? She began to see the signs: Mr. Darcy, who at first appeared so ill tempered and rude had suddenly, when thrown in close proximity with her, completely transformed into a most attentive gentleman. And then the kiss! Her skin crawled with the thought. She made no answer to Mr. Wickham, but instead chose to revisit her interactions with Mr. Darcy over and over again in her mind, seeing and understanding at last his intentions towards her. But what could she make of his warning of Mr. Wickham? She would soon be removed from Wickham’s company, but this meant that she would once again be near Darcy. The two men detested each other, that much was evident, but was either the victim?
! %#! “So you see, Miss Elizabeth,” Mr. Wickham tried to stir her out of her contemplation, “his untimely removal was fortunate indeed.”
Untimely, it certainly was. Elizabeth could not assign a reason to it. Surely Bingley was not the type of man to take on a mistress; he was too easily read, too open, too honest. It was his mysterious and tempered friend that was the danger. She wondered if Bingley had perhaps suggested they leave in order to keep Darcy away from his intended’s family. This theory did not stand up for long, however. Bingley was far too gentlemanly to continue an acquaintance with Mr. Darcy if he was in the habit of keeping mistresses, especially if it meant him being in such close proximity with Caroline. And then there was Darcy’s own sister that must endure her brother’s habits. Elizabeth felt sick to her stomach. His kindness turned bitter in her memory. And to think, I had almost deemed him charming! What bothered her most, however, was that she could not, nor did she want to forget about his kiss.
Chapter 16 The days passed too quickly for Elizabeth’s liking, and before she knew it, she and Jane were packed into a carriage bound for London. Bingley, they were sure to find, but Elizabeth dreaded the likelihood that they would be brought into Darcy’s company as well. She hoped beyond reason that Darcy had retired to Pemberley instead of remaining in town.
The day after they arrived at the home of their Aunt and Uncle Gardiner, a journey to Bingley’s townhouse was planned. At the last moment, however, Elizabeth feigned a headache, too fearful of seeing Mr. Darcy, and begged Jane until she agreed to venture there alone. Jane had no suspicions that Elizabeth’s headache was a rouse and so left somewhat hesitantly while Mrs. Gardiner looked upon the situation with a keener eye.
“How do you find the Bingleys, Elizabeth?” her Aunt Gardiner asked her when she had come downstairs. “What did you make of them in Hertfordshire?”
“Mr. Bingley is just as amiable as his sister is not.”
“And is Jane of the same mind?”
Her aunt, seeing that no headache now inhibited Elizabeth’s opinion, was now very interested in her nieces’ relationship with the Bingleys.
“Jane would disagree with me in Caroline Bingley’s favor, I think.”
“They could not have left without any warning as your mother said,” Aunt Gardiner pressed.
“I’m afraid they did. The morning after the ball, they quit Netherfield. Jane was crushed.”
“And you?” she said, beginning to think that both Elizabeth and Jane had feelings for Mr. Bingley.
Elizabeth took a moment to answer, giving weight to her aunt’s suspicions.
“I was baffled, to summarize it,” Elizabeth answered, reminded that her aunt had no notion of Mr. Darcy’s existence.
! %$! Elizabeth acutely regretted her selfish deceit as soon as she welcomed Jane home from her solitary visit to the Bingley’s townhome. Her demure smile was forced and wavered, and her eyes were tearful.
“Jane, what is the matter? Was Mr. Bingley not at home?” Elizabeth pulled her sister into a tight embrace, but instead of crying, Jane sniffed heartily and kept her composure.
“No, Lizzy, it was much worse than that. I saw Caroline. Her brother was not at home, you see, and she made it very clear that she does not wish to keep our acquaintance.”
“Oh, Jane! It could not be so bad as that, I should have come with you! It was so short a visit, she was most likely trying to get you out of the house before her brother arrived and that would be the end of it.”
“I could not think of her so poorly as that, Lizzy. Perhaps I caught her off guard, they only just quit the neighborhood and…and I just arrived so suddenly.”
“Jane, could you not think ill of anyone? I will tell you what we will do. In three day’s time, if she does not return the visit, then we will both call and…” she was interrupted by Jane.
“Lizzy, we mustn’t. What would she think of me then? I cannot be such an imposition.”
“Dear Jane. We cannot fall in her estimation. I do not care what the Caroline Bingley's of the world think of us. They have not enough worth for it to matter.”
The matter was settled, simply because Elizabeth refused to discuss it further, and Jane refused to dwell on it further and so went to bed.
“I just passed Jane on the stairs, what has happened?” Aunt Gardiner asked, joining Elizabeth.
/> “It seems that Miss Bingley is continuing to attempt to keep Jane from Mr. Bingley.”
“That was Jane’s impression?”
“I am certain that it will be. We are to attend Miss Bingley when she inevitably does not repay the call. I am determined that Mr. Bingley learn Jane is here.”
“It might not be as I thought, Mr. Gardiner,” Mrs. Gardiner said to her husband a while later.
“How is that, dear?” he asked.
“This morning I would have sworn that both Jane and Elizabeth were in love with the elusive Mr. Bingley.”
“Is he not so lucky?”
“Jane is attached for a certainty, but Elizabeth is another case. I am very curious to meet this Mr. Bingley, for I doubt I will glean more before our introduction.”
And so the three days passed quickly and without any sign of Caroline Bingley. Elizabeth gently prodded Jane into the carriage, and they were off to Bingley’s townhome, and they were to arrive just as it was an appropriate time to do so.
! %%! Elizabeth ignored the servant’s subtle protests to their entry, and the eldest Bennet sisters were shown into a delicate little sitting room with only Miss Bingley was the occupant.
“Ah, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth,” she stood with affected formality, “forgive me, I did not expect anyone so early.”
“It is lovely to see you again, Miss Bingley,” Elizabeth answered quickly, “forgive our eagerness to see after your health, for when you did not repay my sister’s call, we feared the worst.”
Caroline colored considerably and Jane threw Elizabeth a pleading look.
“I appreciate your kindness, I did not intend to give you worry. I am surprised at your company, however, it was only days ago that you were quite fixed in Longbourn.”
“We thought the same of you at Netherfield.”
Elizabeth and Caroline dominated the conversation, to Jane’s dismay, for the former was determined to stand up for the slights against her most beloved sister. Both contributors were so invested in their conversation, that the hostess neglected her design to be rid of the visitors as soon as possible, and was only reminded of such a purpose when her brother and Mr. Darcy came upon them unexpectedly. And so Elizabeth found herself in the company of the man she had hoped to never see again.
“Miss Bennet! Miss Elizabeth!” Bingley nearly ran to Jane. “Why did not tell me they were here, Caroline?”
“Why, they, I…” Caroline stuttered, “they have only just arrived and you were out, Charles.”
Elizabeth refused to look at Mr. Darcy so she could hardly make sense of his utter silence. Darcy, other the other hand, could do nothing but stare at the temptress he had only days separated himself from.
“Well, what a pleasant surprise! Have you just arrived to London?” Bingley looked to Jane eagerly, but Caroline stepped in.
“Actually, Charles, I believe I have kept them long enough. I am sure they have errands to see to.”
“You must stay, Darcy and I would very much enjoy your company if your schedules would allow it,” Bingley pleaded. Elizabeth pitied him, but thought better of extending their visit.
“Thank you, Mr. Bingley, but your sister is correct. We have overstayed our welcome as it is. I only insisted that my sister call here again so that I may pay my respects to Miss Bingley. You see, when my sister called a few days ago, I was not well enough to accompany her.”
Caroline’s face flushed with guilt as her brother’s eyes searched hers for answers. Darcy wrenched his gaze from Elizabeth to study the floor. Darcy was certain that Bingley was caught, but he still meant to avoid the other Miss Bennet.
“I am sorry to have missed you the first time, Miss Bennet,” Bingley said as he attempted to recover, “and I hope that no matter your intended length of stay in London, we will be able to enjoy each other’s company many more times. May I ask where you’re staying so that Darcy and I may return your call tomorrow? I regret to say that I’m aware that Caroline is too busy to join us.” Jane looked uncomfortably between brother and sister, but finally worked up the courage to answer. Elizabeth chose this moment to steal a glance at Darcy. He was his old self: miserable. He did not fix his attention on anything
! %&! in particular around the room and Elizabeth even thought it possible that he was more uncomfortable and unhappy here than he had been at the Meryton assembly.
“Gracechurch Street, Mr. Bingley, near Cheapside,” and then added, with a significant blush, “it would be a pleasure.”
Bingley escorted them out to their carriage, leaving Darcy and Caroline alone in the parlor.
“Until tomorrow,” he said, and smiled widely at them, handing them in to carriage.
As soon as the carriage turned the corner Jane turned, exasperated, to Elizabeth.
“Lizzy! I thought I would faint from panic! I could not believe you!” her tone was serious, but her face betrayed her joy.
“Take care, Jane! You sound like Mama. I will not take your complaints to heart, dear sister, for you are too happy with the result for them to be sincere.”
Jane waved her handkerchief playfully in Lizzy’s direction before covering her smile with it again.
Chapter 17 As promised, the gentleman repaid their call in a timely manner the next morning. With their uncle at work and their aunt on errands, the Bennet girls received them alone in the Gardiner’s parlor. Mr. Darcy looked as dour as the day before, especially in comparison to the excitable Mr. Bingley.
Elizabeth’s nearly sleepless night before allowed her to time to consider the meeting thoroughly. If she had any compassion for her sister’s wishes, she’d have to allow Jane and Bingley time to themselves, meaning that she would be left in the company of Mr. Darcy. She realized all too late the impertinence and impropriety of the conversation between herself and Mr. Wickham on the subject of Mr. Darcy’s private affairs and she did not want to betray that conversation in broaching the subject with Mr. Darcy. Therefore, since she had no public excuse for disliking the man, she’d have to remain civil. In keeping with her refusal to dwell on serious things for too long, she resolved that her morning with Mr. Darcy would be an opportunity for her to flex her wit and conversational skills. She had almost looked forward to it. That is, if there were any chance at conversation at all. Darcy still hadn’t met her gaze and she feared they might pass the visit without uttering one word to each other.
After exchanging general pleasantries, Bingley and her sister soon fell into a private and pleasant conversation, and Elizabeth and Darcy kept their silence. Darcy, Elizabeth mused, looked particularly displeased, and hoped that it was not the setting of Gracechurch Street near Cheapside that he was bothered with, but rather her appearance; for if he did not wish to see her, than she need not fear what Wickham had warned was coming. Surely it could not be for Bingley’s sake that he was frustrated at their appearance. She noticed that Darcy stole surreptitious glances at Jane and Bingley at intervals as if studying their behavior. He seemed to grow more worried with every glance.
Elizabeth could not think of one thing to say, Mr. Darcy made her decidedly nervous, and his normal silence she found particularly exhausting. She had decided that impertinence and teasing would not be the route to take with such a man after what she
! %'! had learned of him, but she did not see any other means of making conversation with him, thinking that any alternative was better than silence.
“I see you are not more loquacious in London, Mr. Darcy,” she said, raising her eyebrow at him.
“Had you thought I would be?” he answered quietly, finally meeting her eyes and sending shivers down her back. How dreadfully uncomfortable he makes me! She thought as she tried to quell the sensations.
“Perhaps not,” she felt as if she had rather not said anything. He continued gazing at her, his expression deep but unreadable, as if he were searching for an answer. She began to think he would make no answer, but after what seemed like a lifetime of studying her face, he began in a gruff tone
.
“And besides to satisfy a curiosity as to my behavior in town, Miss Elizabeth, to what do I owe the pleasure?” He let a small smile escape and his eyes danced with the pleasure of finding himself again in a battle of wits with the country maiden that had, since his removal from Netherfield, only occupied his dreams. As long as he did not allow himself a glance at her lips, he would be safe.
With this remark, Elizabeth could now cast aside her uneasiness and put all her effort into their conversation. She decided his uneasiness before was due to the effort of distancing himself from her so that she would have no expectations of marriage. This greatly relaxed her. If he was so reluctant to pay her any attention, then he could not have any designs on her as Wickham had warned.
“Perhaps that was my only reason,” she answered, hoping this matched his impertinence and would distract him from asking again.
His smile grew and he studied her face for a moment before shaking his head, laughing to himself. Even if she had not traveled to London, he began to doubt he would have been able to stay away from her.
Their conversation continued much in the same way, yet the subject of their sudden arrival was never brought up again. Mr. Darcy could guess as much, but in truth, he did not consider the circumstances to hold much weight. The gentleman were asked to dine with them once the Gardiners arrived back home, and they found that Longbourn did not compare with that of the Gardiners’ residence, and Darcy nearly forgot every reason he had objected to the Bennets in the first place. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, too, were very pleased with their favorite nieces’ choice of company.
“Well, Darcy?” demanded Bingley as soon as he had poured another drink for the both of them.
“You mentioned Fate earlier, Bingley, but Fate goes by a different name in Meryton: Mrs. Bennet.”
“Oh, you’re always so sour. My only vengeance for you convincing me to quit Netherfield will be the day you fall madly in love, Darcy. When you are turned into a quivering and nervous fool.”
“I had only wanted you to be sure, Bingley. You are far too likely to make the most important decisions with the least consideration. Your easy nature makes you blind to fortune hunters, social climbers…”