The crisp air was refreshing, and Elizabeth noted by the light of the day that it was not as early as she had presumed, for the streets and houses around her only held the last vestiges of night. Indeed, sunrise was imminent, but it was still quite early by London standards.
“You know, it is partially your fault that we are off so early this morning, Elizabeth.”
“Is that so? I hardly can think how that could be.” Elizabeth smiled indulgently at him. She found herself weakening under his charm.
“I might have wished to sleep in this morning after our late night discussions, but how was I to sleep with a witch in the next room casting her spell on me with her laughter all night long.”
Elizabeth bit her lip, unwittingly enchanting him further. “You must pardon me for keeping you awake then. I shall temper my laughter next time.”
Darcy shook his head, protesting. “No, I hardly think that is possible nor is it desired on my part. I do not believe there will ever be a day that I will not enjoy that sound.”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes inelegantly at the gentleman as she looked purposefully out the window, effectively helping her to calm her beating heart. For days now, she had endured like comments, and yet each affected her quite as forcefully as the first.
After this, Darcy largely ignored any of Elizabeth’s questions about their destination for the duration of the short carriage ride around the square to the next street over. The neighborhood was just as fashionable as his was, though perhaps the homes were slightly smaller in scale. Elizabeth’s eyes were glued to the sights through the window, pointing out this or that to a silent, though smiling, Darcy. She wondered at his mood and their destination. This was almost a new side of him, and she found it added to his manifold qualities she admired. He was almost playful, and yet, despite his humorous words of a ‘mission,’ their task was one that he took seriously and perhaps even caused him unease.
This last suspicion was confirmed as they pulled up to an elegant townhouse. She looked to Darcy again for an explanation, and she was met with an unguarded look of anxiety mixed with determination. It vanished almost as soon as she turned her gaze upon him, and it was replaced by the same tight smile he wore earlier in his chambers when she had asked him why he had not sought her favor in Hertfordshire.
“I do endeavor to always do right, Elizabeth. On occasion I find that I have erred, and it is then my duty to make the correction, even if at a great sacrifice.”
“I do not take your meaning . . . ” But her words died as she watched him exit and turn to hold the carriage door for her to descend also. Her sight caught the twitch of his hand as she saw that he almost lifted it to assist her. When she raised her head after exiting the carriage, she saw that a footman belonging to the residence was standing by, slightly confused at the way Darcy paused outside his carriage. If she had not felt the weight of his words, she might have teased Darcy.
They were presented at the door and Darcy’s card accepted by a surprised doorman. The man nodded and, taking the tray with Darcy’s card on it, walked away into the depths of the house. Despite the early hour, Darcy and Elizabeth noted a bustle of activity in the house. Luggage and trunks were gathered at the base of the stairs, and servants were rushing about.
“It looks as if I have come just in time,” Darcy said, noting the evidence that preparations were being made for a departure from London — and of some duration by the look of it.
The doorman returned and indicated that Darcy should follow him to the study down the hall. Although not quite as large as Darcy’s, the room was elegant and masculine. She was intrigued yet further as she took a turn about the room and continued to wonder at their purpose there. She had ceased questioning Darcy, for she noted an uneasiness about him that grew the longer they waited in the room. He sat in one of the chairs and restlessly tapped his knee with a quick tattoo of his fingers, occasionally running his hand across his face or his fingers through the curls at his neck.
They both turned towards the door when it opened, Darcy rising quickly to his feet.
“Darcy! Welcome, my friend. You are early for a visit, but what good fortune it is for me. You find me preparing to take my leave of London. I am glad to get to pay my farewell in person instead of a note as I had intended, given the hour.” Charles Bingley smiled and jubilantly reached to shake his friend’s hand, his words spilling forth in a reckless manner due to his excitement.
Elizabeth smiled at his easy nature and laughed at the enthusiasm he showed, so in contrast to his downcast behavior both at Darcy’s club and at the ball last evening.
“Bingley,” Darcy said as he shook hands with the gentleman. “I have come to speak to you about a matter of some importance.”
Bingley immediately, though not quite effectively, tried to temper his exuberance as he nodded his head and indicated they should sit. Elizabeth watched this in curious wonder at their purpose there. She was not long in the dark about the matter of importance, however.
“Of course, Darcy. I always have time for you. I am glad that I was here for your visit then. Come, would you like a glass of port or something?”
Darcy shook his head, “Tempting despite the early hour, but I shall decline, thank you.”
“Oh right, right. Coffee, then?” Bingley laughed, his expression returning to show his good mood. “What is it you needed to speak with me about?”
Clearing his throat, Darcy began with some hesitancy. “You are leaving this morning?”
“Indeed, it is as I mentioned to you last evening. I am bored with London.” Here a slight pinch about Bingley’s eyes appeared, masked only slightly by his broad smile. “I decided my plan last evening had merit, and I am off to Scarborough for a spell to visit relatives.”
“I thought you always disliked visiting your relations there.”
Bingley shifted in his seat, his mood losing a bit of its amiability. “In the past, perhaps, I would have said that was true. But the idea now has such appeal that you can see I am quite excited about it.” He smiled again, though it did not reach his eyes.
Darcy breathed deeply before plunging forth on a course that he feared might make this the last visit he ever had with his friend. “Bingley, I want to ask you about Hertfordshire.”
Bingley’s smile stayed fixed upon his strained features, he looked down at his trousers and smoothed a crease there. “Ask away, my friend.”
“Some months ago I told you some things about a certain lady who resides in that county.”
“I remember, I assure you.” Bingley’s tension was now so poorly hidden that Elizabeth’s brow lowered as she looked upon the pair helplessly.
Bingley stood then and, walking to the sideboard, poured himself a glass of port despite the hour. “I assure you that I do not need reminding of my folly in that quarter, Darcy, if that is your purpose now.”
“Indeed, it is not. Forgive me if I presume too much upon our friendship, but I wanted to ask if you . . . Do you still care for the lady?”
Elizabeth and Darcy waited seemingly for minutes as Bingley kept his back to them and made no reply for some time. Elizabeth worried for her sister, tears gathering at her eyes. She wanted him to answer, and yet she feared what he might say. For Darcy’s part, he was conscious of the pain he was causing his friend and the further pain he would soon inflict.
Bingley’s answer reached them, though he kept his back to his friend and the unseen guest. “I do,” he sighed. “She may live in my memory as the most amiable lady of my acquaintance, but that is all. I have nothing to either hope or fear and nothing to reproach you with for your aid in helping me to see the way it was. A little time therefore . . . I shall certainly try to get the better.”
At this, Bingley turned around, toasted his friend with a false smile, and downed his drink.
Darcy stood then and, with a fleeting look towards Elizabeth, took a few steps toward his friend. “Bingley, I fear you will have cause to reproach me soon. I have something of
a confession.”
Bingley eyed his friend with an anxious solemnity as he nodded and returned to his seat. Darcy remained standing and paced a bit before continuing. “At the time of our departure from Hertfordshire, I was under the impression that Miss Bennet’s feelings for you did not match your own. I had personal reasons to disparage the match, and although they were mean and petty to an extent, they were also founded on a deep concern for your wellbeing. I did not believe she cared for you, as I wasted no time in telling you a month ago. I did have concerns for you with regards to her family and situation.”
Darcy winced when he heard Elizabeth draw breath, but he was determined to continue. “I have since had many causes to reflect upon our acquaintances from that part of the kingdom, and I begin to have my doubts as to the assertions I gave you before.”
“What is it you are saying? Out with it man. Be clear.” Bingley spoke softly, but his voice was firm.
“What I am saying is that I no longer am certain that the lady did not care for you. I had my doubts then, but my belief in her indifference, I am certain now, was exaggerated by other factors that I am ashamed to say only suited my own purposes.”
“What are these other factors of which you speak?”
Darcy’s eyes turned automatically towards Elizabeth. For a minute, he did not answer. Their gazes locked, but to his relief he only saw sorrow and none of the anger he expected. It gave him courage to continue.
“I found that I had developed . . . ”
Bingley looked at his friend with a raised brow, his impatience evident.
Darcy sighed. “I found myself in possession of an admiration myself for a Bennet daughter.”
“What!” Bingley jumped to his feet and immediately was before his friend. “Do you mean to tell me that you persuaded me against returning to Miss Bennet because you admired her too?” When his friend looked confused, Bingley spat, “I never suspected it of you, and I now am heartedly disgusted at your deception.”
Darcy looked at his friend and with alarm responded, “Bingley, my admiration was not for Miss Bennet, as admirable as she is. I believe my words were that I had an admiration for a Bennet daughter. I admired her sister Elizabeth.” His eyes returned to the lady specter.
Bingley was silent for a minute before he began laughing sardonically, startling the other occupants of the room from their locked gazes.
“Do you mean to tell me that all of it — all of the disadvantages of the match with regards to Jane, her family, and situation — applied equally to you and that is why you endeavored to dissuade me from returning to Netherfield?”
“They were factors, Bingley, but only so much as I believe they kept me from acknowledging my doubts. My main purpose was to protect you if Miss Bennet was indifferent. They — ”
“No, I believe it is my turn to speak, Darcy. Please feel free, however, to correct me if I have not understood you correctly. You believed Jane to be indifferent to me, though you were not certain. But you fancied her sister, I suspect unwillingly, and so you tried to convince me to stay in London, effectively ignoring your doubts and favoring your wish for your own release.”
“You have the right of it, Bingley,” Darcy said with some embarrassment.
“You are a pompous ass,” Bingley replied with a chuckle.
Darcy bowed in acknowledgement. “There is more, however, and it speaks even more to that assumption.”
“Oh?”
“It requires a few more confessions on my part. In the weeks since leaving Hertfordshire, I have been unable to forget the sister. My admiration for her was — is — steady and perhaps maddening in its hold on me.” Darcy looked at Elizabeth, and being unable to decipher her thoughts from her expression continued. “In a hasty and fevered attempt to eradicate my feelings and thoughts of Miss Elizabeth, I did you a disservice yet again. Yesterday afternoon, your sisters took tea with mine. Miss Bingley told me that she received a letter from your Miss Bennet, indicating her intentions to come to London to visit her relations in Cheapside.”
“Jane? Miss Bennet is for London?” Bingley sprang from his seat, his previous anger at his friend dissipated with the news.
“No, she is not. Your sister told me later last evening that she received another letter from Miss Bennet with a change of plans.”
“You are making my head spin, Darcy. First Jane is coming and then she is not?”
“I do not know why Miss Bennet changed her plans, only that she did. The disservice I rendered you was that I had told your sister to say nothing to you of Miss Bennet’s intention to come to London.”
Darcy braced for his friend’s ire, but Bingley’s spirits, buoyed with the idea of Miss Bennet coming to London, produced only a laugh. “But before she could, Miss Bennet changed her plans. What is the problem then? I fear I do not understand. It is a moot point now, and given your other enlightenments, I do not see any further harm done. In fact, you have done me a service just now.”
Darcy sat tiredly and looked at his friend. “What do you mean Bingley?”
Bingley patted his friend on the shoulder. “You are slow today, Darcy. You have said that Miss Bennet may care for me. And you have told me her location. The way I see it, I am now in possession of two very important pieces of information.”
Darcy breathed deeply and looked at his friend, relief easily read upon his face. “Then you are not angry with me for my interference?”
Bingley smiled ruefully. “Tell me this, Darcy. Does your admiration of Miss Elizabeth make you crazy for want of seeing her?”
Darcy laughed humorlessly. “More than you know.”
Elizabeth laughed then, too.
“Then as far as I can see, your punishment is quite appropriate, and justice is served. Now, I am sorry to end this little interview, but as you see, I am in the middle of taking my leave of the city.”
“He is still leaving?” Elizabeth said, concern in her voice.
Darcy looked at her, knowing her worries. “You still intend to go to Scarborough then? You do not intend to pursue Miss Bennet?”
Bingley laughed again, walking towards his study door. “Actually, I find myself with a sudden need to see my estate in Hertfordshire again. I am sure I have a letter from the steward somewhere that will justify it if it comes to that.” He smiled broadly at his friend. “And besides, you know how I hate visiting my relations up north.”
Darcy laughed then, the tension leaving his shoulders completely as he walked towards his friend. He reached out his hand to shake Bingley’s outstretched one and said, “I think you are making a good choice. Go to her, woo her, and see if you cannot make her love you.”
“Oh, I absolutely intend to do just that.”
“You will not have a hard task ahead of you, Mr. Bingley; she is half in love with you already. And may I be the first to say you are welcome back to Hertfordshire!”
Bingley stopped as he was walking Darcy to the door. “Why do you not come with me, Darcy? Do your own wooing?”
“I cannot, unfortunately. But I wish you the best in your efforts.”
“Are you sure?” Bingley said with some concern.
Darcy looked behind him towards where Elizabeth was, distracted in her own thoughts. “I am,” he replied gloomily. “But you will keep me posted on any developments?”
“I most certainly will, and you know you are welcome anytime should you change your mind.”
“Thank you, Bingley.”
With that, Darcy exited the house and climbed slowly into his carriage. His companion was quiet for a minute before she spoke. “You did a good thing there, William.”
“I am sorry for giving you pain.”
Elizabeth smiled kindly at him. “I will not pretend to say that I was unaffected. I will also not deny that, knowing you have concerns about my family, ones that kept you from approving of Bingley’s pursuit for Jane is not upsetting.”
Darcy nodded.
“Why did you not wish to go to Hertfordsh
ire with Bingley? Is it still because of my family?”
Darcy was quiet for a while as he thought about how to answer her. He realized his reservations regarding her family had ceased to hold any power with him, his strengthening regard for her effectively taking the power from those arguments. However, he still had concerns.
In an attempt to make light of this sobering situation, Darcy said, “And would you have me return, only to have the real you and the imaginary you, both drive me mad? Elizabeth, I assure you, I am bewitched enough with one of you; I need not have two Elizabeths.”
Elizabeth laughed at his answer. She could not convince him that she was the real Elizabeth nor was she sure she wanted to at this juncture. Her feelings for him were difficult to define. No, she agreed that their unique situation spoke to the wisdom of his words.
* * *
“Simmons! Notify my sister’s maid that I wish to see Caroline in my study in one half hour, not a minute later. I do not care whether she has to be woken; I will speak to her,” Bingley addressed his butler after seeing his friend away.
“Yes, sir.” Simmons turned to fulfill the orders, but he was forestalled when Mr. Bingley spoke again.
“And please have someone from the stables readied to deliver an express to Hertfordshire. I must notify my housekeeper to open the house.”
“Will you still be departing today for Scarborough, sir?”
Bingley laughed jovially. “Indeed not, I am to Netherfield, but I believe Caroline will soon find herself desiring to see our relations up north. In fact, Simmons, notify her maid to pack to that end. I feel certain that my sister will soon be wishing herself far from here.”
Simmons held the smile he felt in check and simply replied, “Very good, sir,” before leaving to carry out the orders.
* * *
“Jane! Jane! Oh where is that girl?” Mrs. Bennet called excitedly about the house.
Jane was sitting and reading to Elizabeth when her mother returned from a midmorning shopping trip to Meryton. She set aside her book and looked at her sister with a smile.
Haunting Mr. Darcy Page 15