“Ah, how delightful it is to be back at Pemberley again,” Caroline began as they settled in the drawing room. “You were so wise to forsake London when you did, Mr. Darcy. It is a vast deal more pleasant in the country this time of year. The city becomes so foul once the weather turns hot. Were it not for the air being far superior in our part of town, I could never have endured it as long as I did.”
“How fortunate, then, that you had somewhere else to go,” he responded stiffly. “I am gratified that we could be of service in providing relief from such an insupportable situation.”
Noting the not-so-subtle sarcasm in her husband’s voice, Elizabeth quickly changed the subject. “Did you happen to see anything of Georgiana since we came away?”
“Dear, dear Georgiana,” said Caroline. “How I dote on her. Yes, we saw her twice – at the Puttnam musicale and … Oh, where was it, Louisa?”
“At the ball at the hunt club. Your cousin, the colonel, escorted her, Mr. Darcy.”
“Yes, of course. I remember now,” continued Caroline. “She was with Colonel Fitzwilliam. We were lucky enough to catch their attention just as they were leaving. What a charming gentleman he is, and how gallantly he behaves toward his little cousin, escorting her all about town even though he must still be suffering from his recent disappointment,” she concluded with a sad sigh. “One cannot help but have a very high regard for such a man. In fact, I should not be sorry to see more of him.”
“Fitzwilliam is an excellent fellow,” said Darcy, “and I think it quite likely you will see him again, Miss Bingley. He will almost certainly accompany Georgiana when she returns, if that will be of any use. Of course, by then you may be at Heatheridge.”
“Have the Bingleys’ other guests left them?” asked Mrs. Hurst.
“No, not yet. But they very soon will,” Darcy said with resolve.
Elizabeth had ordered an excellent dinner with the tastes of her guests in mind. Although, since her goal was to nourish rather than impress them, there were only five courses presented, not counting the dessert, coffee, and walnuts. Civil conversation on topics great and small continued throughout the meal, everyone excepting Mr. Hurst making a concerted effort to support its ebb and flow. The ladies withdrew after dinner, but were not long by themselves. The taciturn nature of both gentlemen left them sitting mostly in silence. They soon gave up the struggle and rejoined the women in the music room.
Neither Caroline nor Louisa was averse to exhibiting her talent, so there was no want of ready performers. Later, in deference to Mr. Hurst, the card table was set out. Its use provided employment for the remainder of the evening. The group began with Loo, eventually moved on to Speculation, and finished with a rubber of Commerce. By then, all of them were content to call it a night and adjourn to their sleeping quarters.
“We only just got through the evening without running out of conversation and entertainment,” said Elizabeth when she and Darcy had closeted themselves in their bedchamber. “How do you propose we fill the coming days and weeks, my dear?”
“I do not know about days and weeks, but I have engaged Mr. Hurst to go fishing in the morning. He was agreeable so long as it did not require an early start. That will leave the ladies to you, Lizzy. I cannot believe you have run out of female conversational topics so soon. We did not leave you alone long enough after dinner to exhaust all your resources, surely.”
“‘Female conversational topics’? And what exactly do you suppose those to be, Mr. Darcy?”
“Well … I have no certain knowledge of what goes on when I am not present. I can only imagine that there is talk of fashion, society, and other such things.”
Elizabeth frowned and said with mock disdain, “How little you understand the female sex, sir, to presume that we care only for trivialities. It might interest you to know that we ladies have more important matters to discuss than the latest style for sleeves. In private, we debate politics, the need for social reform, and the meaning of life amongst other things – things that men have very little capacity to comprehend.”
“Thank you for enlightening me, my dear. I had no idea. However, if, as you say, your thoughts and discourse run over such a wide and varying territory, you can have little reason to fear that you will ever be at a loss for something to talk about,” he said with a satisfied smile.
Mr. Darcy’s prediction proved correct; the ladies did manage to keep their conversation going whilst the gentlemen were out the next morning, even without exploring into the realms of politics and philosophy. Later, Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley expressed a desire to go riding, a passion they had little opportunity to indulge in town. Pemberley’s stables were well supplied with suitable mounts, so accommodating their request was a simple matter. The ladies prevailed upon Mr. Darcy to accompany and guide them. Mr. Hurst did not care to join them, and they left him napping, reclined at an awkward angle on a settee in the drawing room. Elizabeth was in no condition to ride. Instead she took the opportunity to stroll through the gardens close to the house, choosing the formal knot garden as her destination.
She began her tour with the roses round the perimeter, casting about for the best blooms and drinking in their sweet scent. The flowering of the Gallica and Damask roses had long gone by, but the Chinas carried on despite the heat of late summer. After gathering a few of these, Elizabeth turned onto the path that circled the maze of carefully-clipped hedges occupying the center of the garden. Various decorative and culinary herbs filled the spaces left between the crisscrossing ribbons of boxwood. At this time of year, the lavender was unquestionably the premier performer, both in color and fragrance. The warmth of the day liberated its heady perfume, filling the air with a pungent aroma. Elizabeth added dozens of the purple-fringed stems to her bouquet before slowly making her way back to the house to await the return of the riding party.
The evening passed uneventfully and in a similar manner to the one before. The particulars of the menu, music, and games were altered, lending some novelty to the scheme. They adjourned early so that the Hursts and Miss Bingley might make a timely start the next day on their expedition to Heatheridge. Elizabeth was invited to accompany them and intended to accept. Now that she had been at home for more than a fortnight, she was eager for an outing and scarcely less pleased than the others at the prospect of visiting her relations.
Her husband did not share her enthusiasm over the idea. “I know you rarely miss an opportunity to see your sisters,” he said to Elizabeth in their apartment. “But could you not decline this time and wait until we can both visit there in comfort?”
“Is there any reason I may not visit now and again later also? Must I choose between the two?”
“No, not necessarily. I just question the wisdom of your going now, with that man still on the premises. I cannot countenance the idea with any degree of tranquility. My every feeling revolts at the possibility of you coming into contact with him.”
“I very much doubt that Wickham will have the effrontery to present himself,” Elizabeth said. “If he should, I shall surely take no pleasure in it, but I have no reason to be embarrassed either. You mustn’t worry, Darcy; I shall be perfectly safe.”
“You have no qualms about traveling again?” he asked, alluding to the unpleasantness on their recent journey.
“My dear, I am not so easily intimidated. I refuse to let an unpleasant person – or an unpleasant dream – have the rule of me.”
Darcy could not help but admire Elizabeth’s spirit and independence. These were two of the qualities that had first attracted him. Unfortunately, just now they worked to his disadvantage. He would have been happier if on this occasion she had meekly acquiesced to his preference. Even now, he knew that if he insisted, she would relent for his sake. Yet there was no reason to suspect any real danger, and he was not in the habit of making autocratic demands of his wife.
“Very well. Have it your own way, my love,” he said pulling her into his arms and tucking a stray lock of hair behind
her ear. “Only you must promise me two things: you will avoid Wickham if you can, and you will never put yourself at risk by venturing anywhere alone. If I know that you will always be under the protection of Mr. Hurst and Mr. Bingley, I will be easier.”
“As you wish, husband,” she said.
“If it were truly as I wished, Lizzy, you would not be going at all, as you are perfectly aware.”
Chapter 29
An Encounter
By this time, Mr. Darcy had received a correspondence from Mr. Bingley supporting his plan for moving the Wickhams to the cottage at Pemberley. In it, Mr. Bingley offered to do his part by acquainting the couple with the arrangements and transporting them, along with their belongings, as soon as all was made ready. He only awaited authorization to proceed. Darcy penned the final instructions in a note for his wife to deliver to Heatheridge.
“I have told Bingley to bring your sister and her husband to the cottage on Friday. I intend to meet them there and make sure that everything is in order,” Darcy explained, placing the letter into Elizabeth’s hand.
“I wish you could be spared the ordeal of meeting Wickham altogether,” she replied. “Could not Mr. Adams manage the whole business instead?”
“No, unpleasant as it may be, I need to see Wickham myself. He must know exactly where he stands and what is expected of him. I mean to leave no reason for mistake, no room for equivocation. Mr. Adams will take over from there. I hope to be well out of it henceforth.”
“Oh, how I pray this plan will succeed,” said Elizabeth with hands clasped tightly together, “for the sake of all concerned. Do you really think Mr. Bingley can bring off his part? He is so mild-mannered; I cannot quite imagine that he has the fortitude to insist they leave Heatheridge if he meets with much resistance.”
“Were it left strictly up to him, I could easily envision that he might back down, just as you say. However, in this case, he knows he acts for me as well, and he has vowed to stand firm.”
Darcy charged Elizabeth to deliver the missive and leave the rest to Mr. Bingley. She agreed not to speak of the matter to her traveling companions or even to Jane, lest the Wickhams get wind of it prematurely. The idea was to break the news to the couple at the last possible moment with the hope that all would be accomplished before they could mount a protest or devise a scheme to forestall their departure.
~*~
After an early breakfast, the Hursts, Miss Bingley, and Elizabeth set off for Heatheridge. The roads were in excellent condition owing to the recent lack of rain, but the same dry conditions obliged them to keep the carriage closed against dust. The only other difficulty came in the form of a complete overthrow of the original seating arrangement. It was finally settled that Mr. and Mrs. Hurst should change to the forward-facing seats after the gentleman remembered that he had once, years ago, become ill from riding backwards. The alteration proved next to impossible to accomplish whilst the carriage was in motion, so a brief stop was called for. This short delay did not materially impede their progress, and the party arrived in good time.
The Bingleys received their guests warmly and ushered them into the drawing room where they were soon joined by Kitty and Lydia. Mr. Wickham was nowhere to be seen.
Jane soon volunteered that the twins would be brought down from the nursery directly. Although Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst had thus far forgotten to inquire after their niece and nephew, this announcement served to remind them of their keen anticipation in meeting the “precious darlings,” which they then began to profess most strenuously. When little Charles and Frances made their appearance, the ladies acted the doting aunts, ready to admire the infants … from a comfortable distance.
“Yes, how delightful,” said Miss Bingley as she glimpsed the two pink faces peeking out from their swaddling. “They seem to be remarkably small creatures. Forgive me, but is that usual? I had expected … something a little larger, perhaps.”
“Of course they are small, Caroline,” scolded her sister mildly. “No doubt they are exactly the right size for their age. They seem like fine, healthy children to me, and observe how they favor the Bingley line in their looks.”
Caroline craned her neck for a better view.
“Here,” suggested Jane, “you must want to hold him.” Without waiting for confirmation, she delivered little Charles into Caroline’s wooden arms.
After only a few moments, Caroline passed her nephew on to Louisa, saying, “Yes, the image of his father. Anyone can see that.”
“And here is Frances Jane,” said Elizabeth, reluctantly offering to give up her niece.
“No, no, that will not be necessary,” said Miss Bingley, waving Elizabeth off. “She looks quite comfortable where she is. Let us not disturb her.”
“Very well; I am happy to keep her,” said Elizabeth, continuing to rock her little bundle. “And, for my part, I could wish nothing finer for this precious babe than that she take after her mother in every way.”
Mr. Bingley broke in. “Quite, quite. We thank you all for the kind compliments and good wishes. Uh … shall we go into dinner now? It is time, I think.”
From the beginning of the visit, Elizabeth had watched for an opening to give her husband’s message into Mr. Bingley’s hand without attracting the attention of the others. As they passed into the dining room, she saw her chance. She slipped the note to him, and they exchanged a meaningful look that embodied all their mutual hopes and concerns over the plans outlined therein.
Her commission dispatched, Elizabeth was free to enjoy the meal without distraction, her serenity being further enhanced by the fact that all present seemed resolved to be on best behavior. Lydia conducted herself with more restraint and decorum than she usually demonstrated. This, in turn, gave Miss Bingley fewer opportunities to employ her caustic wit against her present company. Caroline’s dinner conversation targeted only absent friends, who could neither feel her derision nor come to their own defense.
Two hours later, the party from Pemberley prepared to take their leave. Elizabeth made her good-byes and stepped outside onto the sunny front porch to await the others. As she sauntered toward the carriage, she was arrested by the sight of Mr. Wickham approaching rapidly on horseback. He dismounted directly in her path. There was no way to avoid him short of flying back into the house, which seemed unnecessary. She was in no danger. The coachman and groom were standing by, and her friends were just inside the door. Hence, despite her husband’s misgivings, Elizabeth met Mr. Wickham with admirable composure.
“Mrs. Darcy, this is indeed a rare pleasure,” he said with a formal bow. “How do you do?”
Elizabeth only nodded in return.
“I must say, you appear to me to be very well indeed,” Wickham continued, his eyes making a leisurely inspection of her person. “May I congratulate you on the upcoming blessed event?”
“Thank you,” Elizabeth said coolly.
“Darcy must be quite proud of his achievement, though the feat is common enough.”
“Sir, you forget yourself! You have no right to refer to my husband in such a vulgar fashion, or indeed at all. Now, if you will excuse me …” Elizabeth took another step toward the carriage.
Wickham moved to block her way again. “Pray, do not be angry, sister,” he said with an easy laugh. “I do apologize if I have offended you. Perhaps I presume too much upon our past acquaintance in speaking so openly. Surely you remember what good friends we used to be.”
“I remember everything, Mr. Wickham, the good and the bad.”
He ignored the remark. “Still, it is a shame that people and events have conspired to prevent us from continuing that friendship. Would not you agree?”
“I cannot say that I have given the matter a moment’s thought, Mr. Wickham. If it is a source of unhappiness for you, however, then I suggest you put the blame for this misfortune in its proper place. After all, it is entirely your own doing, sir.”
“You cut me, madam. Can you really think so ill of me?”
She did not answer.
“Well then, I must make it my top priority to improve your opinion.”
“Amend your ways by all means, Mr. Wickham, but do it for your own sake and for your wife’s, not for me. We have very little to do with one another anymore.”
“That is precisely my point. I think it a cruel business that I should have been so long deprived of your delightful company. Your husband I have seen more recently, but he is not nearly as agreeable to look at, especially when he is out of humor, which seems usually the case according to my observations.”
“May I ask, sir, exactly when you claim to have had the opportunity to make these observations of Mr. Darcy?”
“Has he not told you, then? No, I thought he would not,” he said with obvious amusement. “The truth is, Mrs. Darcy, we have met several times on business, as lately as a month ago while you were in town.”
“That is absurd! What possible business could my husband have with you?”
“The answer to that question would doubtless interest you a great deal, Mrs. Darcy. Unfortunately, it is not in my power to satisfy your curiosity. You see, a gentleman never discusses such sordid affairs with a lady, a policy to which your husband apparently subscribes as well.”
“You cannot deceive me, Mr. Wickham. If there were anything to this report of yours, my husband would have told me about it.”
“Of course,” he said with a patronizing smile. “I’m not surprised you prefer to preserve to your illusions, Elizabeth. By all means, do forget that I mentioned the business, and be content with ignorance. That is unquestionably the wisest course. We are both acquainted with your husband’s resentful temper. It would be foolish to provoke him by poking your nose in where it does not belong. You will sorely regret it if you interfere. That, I believe, I can promise you.”
The Darcys of Pemberley Page 20