An Engaging Friendship

by AmyJ

  Darcy,

  Caroline and Louisa arrived in London unexpectedly. They have

  closed up Netherfield, saying they could no longer abide the

  company there.

  My business keeps me here longer. If your plans are unchanged, I

  have written Mrs. Willows and have had Netherfield opened for your

  use.

  Bingley

  Darcy was not at all surprised that Miss Bingley and her sister had returned to London, but apparently Bingley was also not going to return. He could not

  fathom what business would keep Bingley in London. As a new member of the

  landed gentry, Bingley's primary concern should be preparing Netherfield for the spring planting. From what he had seen of the estate, there was plenty to do.

  After ordering dinner and a bottle of wine, they began with the usual pleasantries -- assuring each other of their respective families' health and well being.

  "I thank you for having Netherfield re-opened," Darcy said, getting to the topic of importance. "But it would be improper to occupy your home while you or your sister is not present."

  "There is nothing improper about it, Darcy. For as often as my sisters and I have been guests in your home, I am happy to repay the service. Though I must say, I am surprised by your anxiousness to return."

  "Georgiana would like to spend more time with Miss Elizabeth," Darcy replied with a nonchalant shrug. "It seems Richard will be on leave for a bit and will accompany us. He too would like to be reacquainted with Miss Elizabeth. We

  will see you again in a se'nnight?"

  "My return is uncertain at this time."

  He watched curiously, as Bingley studied his glass with unusual intensity.

  Suspect of the reason for Bingley's sudden lack of interest in his estate, Darcy asked, "Bingley, has something happened that you wish to discuss?"

  "No. Nothing of consequence. I just... I am not sure Netherfield is right for me."

  The signs were all there; avoidance of the area; the vague answers, the feigned indifference. Bingley's ardour for Miss Bennet had cooled, and to sidestep an unpleasant scene he was avoiding Hertfordshire all together. Darcy raked his hand through his hair. Lord, help me. Here we go again. "Have you found another estate, or does this have to do with a certain angel?"

  Bingley stalled by taking a long drink of wine. "I need some time is all."

  "Time?"

  "To re-evaluate things."

  Darcy remained silent and waited patiently for an explanation.

  "What if she is a fortune hunter?" Bingley set his glass down and said accusingly, "You are the one who always says I fall in love too quickly."

  Trying to keep his temper in check, Darcy said nothing. He watched the ruby liquid slosh around as he swirled the contents of his glass. He was sorely

  tempted to slap his friend, in hopes of curing of him of his fickleness. Early last spring, Bingley had almost declared himself to some other lady, only to decide against her after she took a trip to Bath. This time, Bingley's victim was his soon to be sister.

  He watched as Bingley uncrossed and then crossed his legs again in the

  opposite manner indicating a standoff. Finally, Darcy asked, "Bingley, do you believe she is a fortune hunter?" Look at your sister if you are uncertain how to spot one.

  "I do not know. Jane is sweet and beautiful and everything desirable in a wife..." He shook his head and squared his shoulders. "But even if she is not a fortune hunter, I can not forget my duty to my family. Is that not what you always say?"

  Darcy thought he might choke on the laughter he swallowed. Bingley

  concerned with duty? The only familial duty Bingley felt compelled to fulfil was his father's last wishes by purchasing an estate. Noncommittally he said,

  "Family duty is an important consideration."

  The conversation paused shortly as their dinner was served. After the servants removed themselves, Bingley said, "You know she has a pitiful dowry?"

  Darcy shrugged, chewing the food in his mouth. "Yes. I am aware the Bennet daughters have little in terms of a dowry." At his friend's surprised look, he explained how out of concern for Elizabeth, his father had bequeathed her

  additional funds to enhance her dowry.

  "And she has the largest dowry of all the daughters! Not to mention they have no connections to speak of."

  Darcy coughed lightly, pointing out Bingley's error.

  "Darcy, aside from your family -- whose acquaintance has only recently been renewed -- they have no connections. None of the daughters have been

  presented at court or even had a London debut!"

  Darcy fought the urge to scoff. How quickly one forgets. Your sisters were never presented at court, and Miss Bingley's debut could hardly have been called a crush. Instead, he took another bite of food, waiting for Bingley to continue.

  "I can not do that to Caroline or to my father. I am responsible for elevating the family now. If I have learned anything from you, Darcy, it is duty to the family must come first."

  Darcy raised his brows, but said nothing for several minutes. He ate his dinner in silence, trying not to look at the sickly green and brown mishmash on

  Bingley's plate. Something was not right. This did not sound like Bingley at all; family duty, connections, elevation of the family? At least he did not use the excuse of crooked teeth as he did last time.

  Finally, Darcy asked, "Bingley, what does Miss Bennet have to do with

  Netherfield? If you are decided against her, it does not follow you must give up Netherfield. The estate needs some work, but it is not bad. It could easily be turned around in a year or two. You seemed to be on friendly terms with the locals and it has already cost you a hefty sum."

  "True, but perhaps an estate that has not fallen into disrepair would be better.

  Surely, there are other estates the size of Netherfield, maybe in Kent or even as far north as Yorkshire. With an estate further north, we could be closer

  neighbours."

  Darcy rolled his eyes at his friend's naivety. Netherfield was a good find.

  Finding an estate was no easy task. It was not as if you could simply pick a plot of land and start building a house. Estates were cultivated and passed down over generations and only the most compelling reasons caused someone to sell an estate. "You will be hard pressed to find someone to take the lease over before the holidays. Why not revisit it in the spring and make a decision then."

  "You are right, Darcy. I am being hasty in giving up the lease. Until spring, the house is entirely at your disposal."

  Now all Darcy had to do was find a way to tell Elizabeth. She would not take Bingley's sudden defection well. He hoped she would not blame him. If she

  called off their engagement because of it, there would be hell to pay.

  The following day, Darcy sat in the carriage with a grim expression on his face.

  His uncle's face telegraphed comparable displeasure. He was thankful he had told the groom to keep the carriage waiting. It had facilitated the quick

  departure both gentlemen wanted.

  Lady Catherine had taken the news of Darcy's engagement as expected. There

  was a great deal of hollering, stomping, and pounding on the floor with her cane, complimented with the incessant phrases he had heard for the last several years. "Your mother's fondest wish..." "Arranged since the cradle..." "Duty to your family..." "Anne's hopes."

  Darcy bore it all with as much equanimity as one could. It was not until she began to insult Elizabeth that he became truly outraged. The corners of his mouth twitched at the memory of seeing his aunt quail when he shouted, "I will not allow you to interfere anymore with my life. Had you not worked to severe my family's ties with the Bennets, Georgiana may have remained friends with Elizabeth, and we may not be in this situation at all." His parting words warned her she would not be welcomed into any of his houses until she acknowledged his wife with the respect due to her.


  Then, he had stormed out of the house. A brisk walk in the park cooled his

  temper in time to see his uncle marching angrily out of the house.

  Now, they were in the carriage again, returning London. The ugly errand had been completed and tomorrow he would be back on his way to Hertfordshire.

  "She will fall in line," his uncle said after they had been on the road for an hour. "I have warned her of the repercussions."

  Darcy nodded in thanks.

  After another long silence, Lord Matlock asked, "Are you certain this Miss Elizabeth is worth all this? Catherine is not the only one who will show her displeasure."

  "I am. Miss Elizabeth is a good friend. She will be the sister Georgiana has always wanted and needs. Was that not the goal of this arrangement?"

  "But she..."

  "Uncle, in the many years I have spent in London, I have yet to find another woman I can countenance for more than a few hours, and that I trust with both Pemberley and Georgiana. I have considered this carefully. I am making the

  right decision."

  "I will cancel our agreement if it is only more time you need. I only meant to make you more serious about marriage."

  "Since my father's death, I have been very aware of my need to marry; but every Season is the same, and this coming one will be no different. If the ties between the Bennets and the Darcys had remained after my father's death, you would not be objecting to our marriage."

  "But you had no reason to maintain the connection. She was your father's goddaughter, God rest his soul."

  "We were good friends," Darcy said softly. "Our fathers permitted letters between us so long as we were discreet. We wrote each other often, until just after my father's death."

  Seeing his uncle was intrigued and would not be mollified without more

  information, he explained his friendship with Elizabeth and then told the tale of Lady Catherine's interference.

  Lord Matlock's reaction to Darcy's tale was visible in every line of his face. His contempt towards his sister increased and bordered on outrage. It was also

  clear that Lord Matlock was beginning to see with new eyes, the relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy. Before now, Elizabeth was never anything more

  than his brother's goddaughter. He had always assumed Elizabeth was merely

  an acquaintance Darcy tolerated during her stays at Pemberley. He thought

  nothing of no longer hearing her name spoken. "I am sorry," Lord Matlock said sincerely after a pregnant silence.

  Darcy nodded and shrugged and then turned to stare out the window. He forced his mind to happier thoughts. Abruptly, a chuckle emerged. At his uncle's

  quizzical look, he said, "Forgive me. I recalled something Miss Elizabeth once said to Aunt Catherine." Seeing his uncle's prompt, he explained, "Lady Catherine had scolded Elizabeth for talking back to her with the admonition young ladies should be seen and not heard. Keep in mind Elizabeth was still young at the time. She retorted hotly, ‘That is only what old people say when they have nothing better to say.'"

  The two of them shared a hearty chuckle, and a lighter mood settled on the

  carriage for the remainder of the trip.

  News of the Darcys return quickly spread throughout Meryton. Within an hour of the Darcys arrival, Mrs. Phillips had made her way to Longbourn to

  enlighten her sister of their good fortune. Mrs. Bennet and her daughters

  gathered in the drawing room.

  While the two matrons speculated upon the meaning of the return of the

  gentlemen and discussed the latest news of town, Jane leaned over and

  whispered, "Lizzy, is it possible Miss Bingley was mistaken? Do you think he returned with the Darcys?"

  Elizabeth returned a hopeful smile and replied, "We shall have to wait and see."

  "If Mr. Bingley has returned with Mr. Darcy, why have we not heard his name?

  It is not as though the neighbourhood does not know him."

  Elizabeth squeezed her sister's hand affectionately. It pained her to see her sister so unhappy. "I do not know, Jane. We will have to wait and see. I am certain the party shall call on us tomorrow. Mr. Darcy is to have the marriage contract with him for Papa to sign."

  With that, the matter was dropped. Elizabeth watched her sister, as she mulled over the possibilities. She sincerely hoped Mr. Bingley had returned. If he did not, she was uncertain how she would countenance his company, knowing how

  ill he treated her sister. She would have to find a way though; he was her

  betrothed's good friend. She could not ask him to sever the friendship because her sister failed to heed her warnings.

  Her thoughts turned toward more pleasant topics, like the pleasure of seeing Darcy again. She was anxious to hear the reaction of Darcy's family to their engagement. She hoped things had gone well.

  Despite Darcy's reservations on occupying a house without either the host or hostess, Darcy, Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley, along with Colonel Fitzwilliam, returned to Netherfield five days after their departure.

  Darcy woke early the morning after his arrival, anxious to have the business of the marriage settled. He patted the pocket of his waistcoat, ensuring he had his mother's ring. If all went well, he would give it to Elizabeth as an engagement ring.

  He had hoped to slip out of the house unnoticed. Unfortunately, as he was

  heading out of the house to his waiting horse, he heard the echo of boots

  behind him.

  "Darcy!" Colonel Fitzwilliam called out. "Give me a moment to fetch Hector and I shall ride with you."

  "Perhaps later I shall show you the riding trails." He looked pointedly at his cousin, hoping he understood.

  Chuckling, the colonel slapped his cousin on the back. "You, of all people, are going for a secret assignation?"

  Darcy bristled at the suggestion he might breach propriety. "Not exactly." He lowered his voice to ensure the servants could not overhear. "I do not even know if she will be about. I only wish to see that she has not changed her mind before I present the marriage contract to her father."

  The colonel could not help the suggestive smirk that graced his face. "Very well, Darcy. I shall explore the wilds myself. If I am lost and become the

  laughing stock of my regiment, it shall be upon your head."

  Glad to be rid of his cousin, Darcy bit down on the sharp retort that was on his tongue. He mounted his steed and headed in the direction of Oakham Mount.

  When he arrived, he was disappointed. There was no sign of Elizabeth; she had not come. Without anything better to do, he took a seat in hopes she might

  arrive later.

  Not twenty minutes later, he heard, "Fizzy, I trust you had a pleasant trip."

  "Li'l Beth. It is good to see you. I did not think you would come."

  "I heard you had returned, and surmised you would be here this morning,"

  Elizabeth said, a little breathless from the walk.

  "You know me too well." He moved over on the bench, providing her room to rest. When she sat, he said, "I have the marriage contract. Before I present it to your father though, I wanted to assure myself that you had not changed your mind."

  Elizabeth bit her lower lip for a moment and then shook her head. "No, I have not."

  Darcy expelled a breath he did not realize he was holding, as relief washed over him. He pulled out the small box from his waistcoat. "Then, since I already have your father's consent, I would like you to have this as a symbol of my commitment to you."

  He watched as she tentatively opened it.

  "Fizzy, it is beautiful."

  He leaned in closer and pulled the ring from the box. "It was my mother's ring, and now it shall be yours."

  Elizabeth suddenly frowned and bit her lip.

  "Li'l Beth, what is it?"

  "It... It is nothing." At Darcy's disbelieving look, she said, "I... I just..." She heaved a breath. In a small voice, she said, "It just does not seem right t
o be replacing her. Lady Anne was..." She stopped, choking on her emotions.

  Gently he tipped her chin up to him. "Li'l Beth, I am certain my mother would be very pleased to know Pemberley will be in such good hands. You will be a magnificent Mistress of Pemberley."

  Elizabeth stared into his reassuring eyes. She felt her heart flutter for just a fraction of a second. She smiled slightly, though her eyes were still glossy. "I shall do my best."

  Darcy slipped his mother's ring on Elizabeth's finger and squeezed her hand.

  "You shall do marvellously." He held her hand with both of his, trying to quell her feelings of apprehension.

  They sat together in companionable silence like this for quite some time,

  watching the sun continue its ascent in the sky.

  After a while, Darcy stood. "I should return. Georgiana is alone."

  "Mr. Bingley did not return with you?"

  "No. He did not. He has said business delays him, but I think it is something more."

  Elizabeth's eyes widened and her hand went to her chest that was now pained for her sister. "Jane?"

  Darcy nodded and he hung his head, feeling shamed for the callous actions of his friend. "I believe so."

  "Oh my poor Jane!" Elizabeth cried.

  "I have advised him that he should return in the spring, since he did not plan to accompany me now. I do not know if he will or not."

  "Jane will be heartbroken."

  "I tried to warn you..."

  Elizabeth reached out and squeezed his arm in understanding. "You did. And I tried to warn Jane. The fault lies only with them." With a bewildered sigh, she said, "I will think on what to tell Jane."

  "Li'l Beth, I do not know anything for certain. When Bingley spoke to me, he seemed undecided. At first, he said business would prevent him from returning.

  That may very well be the case. But Bingley is impulsive; he may still show before Christmas."

  "I understand."

  They started to descend the hill in silence, as Elizabeth pondered what Darcy had told her about Bingley. Then switching her thoughts, she asked, "Fizzy, what did your family have to say about our engagement?"

  Darcy stared ahead and said nothing for a minute. "As I expected, they were not well pleased. The earl and countess have decided to defer their opinion until they meet you, though I do not expect there will be any problems."