Lydia had gone to Brighton to follow the militia. They had decamped from Hertfordshire just over a week ago. Mr. Bennet had refused his wife and daughter’s requests by saying that he felt no interest in going to Brighton just to follow the Militia. After a few days of begging and pleading, the two younger Bennet girls and their distraught mother had virtually given up, until Lydia received a missive from her dear friend Mrs. Forster inviting her to join her and her husband on their sojourn to Brighton. Lydia practically flew around the room, clutching the letter to her breast and smiling happily. “Oh, Mama!” she cried, “Can you imagine! Me! At Brighton with a camp full of soldiers! Oh, I shall die from excitement.”
“Such an honor, my dear,” responded Mrs. Bennet, with equal happiness, “to be invited as a special friend by Mrs. Forster, wife of the captain of the regiment. Now your father will certainly let you go, for it would be impolite to refuse such a grand invitation!”
“I do not see why I should not have been invited too. I am not a special friend of Mrs. Forster, but I have just as much a right as Lydia, and more, for I am two years older. It is unfair,” said Kitty crossly, folding her arms over her chest and glowering out the window.
“Fear not, Kitty,” said Elizabeth, “I highly doubt Papa will change his mind.”
“Oh Lizzy, you delight in teasing me,” cried Mrs. Bennet, “of course Lydia will be allowed to go. Come, my child, we shall go ask him this very moment.” Then Mrs. Bennet whisked her youngest daughter to Mr. Bennet’s library.
Elizabeth sighed. She prayed that her father would not change his mind. Ever since she had learned of Wickham’s true nature, she had begun to count the days until he would be out of Hertfordshire. When he finally left, if even only as far as Brighton, she felt great relief. Now, the thought of Lydia being in the same place with him without any real chaperone was frightening. Not that she believed that Wickham would specifically target her sister, but the possibility of such a thing happening was enough to make her pray that her father would not reconsider. Not only that, but Lydia was a heedless young girl, and Elizabeth could not bring herself to forget that the behavior of her family had an adverse effect on the potential for her and her sisters to find decent husbands.
So when the invitation was later accepted, Elizabeth immediately went to her father to attempt to make him see sense. “Father, you cannot be serious. If you allow Lydia to go she will forever be known as the girl who made herself and her family ridiculous!”
“Lizzy, my child,” said Mr. Bennet from behind his desk, “I respect your opinion, but I disagree. Lydia will never realize her own worth if she does not expose herself to society on her own. Besides, she is too poor to attract fortune hunters. Not only that but she will be staying in the Colonel Forsters’s own home. I am certain that no harm will befall her.”
“It is still dangerous. What if you are wrong? What if something should happen to her?”
“I am certain she will be quite safe and well managed with Colonel Forster and his wife. ”
“You have no idea what Lydia’s behavior may have cost this family.”
“Lizzy, if the behavior of a few silly sisters has frightened away any of yours or Jane’s suitors, then they are not worth your consideration. Wherever you and your sister are known, you will be respected and valued.”
“Father, I beg you to reconsider!”
“Lizzy, your concern is acknowledged, but I shall not change my mind. If Lydia is not allowed to go, there will never be any peace at Longbourn. Now if you will excuse me, I have some work that must be done.”
Elizabeth sighed heavily and left the room, anxiety gripping her heart as she prayed that nothing terrible would come from this decision. Even now, she still worried for her sister’s well being, but they had not received any terrible news since her departure, so she had to hope that all was well.
***
The day Bingley returned to London, Darcy awoke early and rushed through his toilette, leaving the Colonel to his own devices, and, to the Colonel’s pleasure, his liquor cabinet.
Darcy’s valet worked with his usual calm, despite his master’s evident anxiousness. As usual he did not say much at all beyond offering Darcy a choice of waistcoats. A quarter of an hour later, Darcy was out the door and heading for the Bingley townhouse on Grosvenor Square.
He presented his card to the butler and stood in the foyer until a maid appeared and led him to the sitting room where Miss Bingley was within. If Miss Bingley was surprised by Darcy’s sudden arrival, she hid the sentiment with a sickly sweet smile. “Why Mr. Darcy,” she said, after a deep curtsey, “we had no idea we would have the pleasure of seeing you today.”
Darcy hid his annoyance at immediately being accosted by Miss Bingley. “Is Mr. Bingley here?” ignoring the fact that he was being incredibly rude.
“Oh yes,” said Miss Bingley, clearly disappointed to have her time alone with Darcy cut short, “I will ring for him.” She walked towards the bell pull and summoned the butler to fetch his master.
Darcy took a seat in a chair as far away as he could manage from where Miss Bingley had sat down. “I hope you have been well, Mr. Darcy.”
“I have,” replied Mr. Darcy in a clipped tone, which took Miss Bingley by surprise. However, she still tried to engage Darcy in conversation, failing miserably at each attempt.
Mr. Bingley arrived a few moments later. “Darcy!” cried Bingley; “I was not expecting to see you today. I just returned. I hope you are well?”
“Yes, I am,” said Darcy, standing up to shake Bingley’s hand and inquire if they could speak privately.
“Of course, Darcy,” he said, in a tone of slight surprise, “If you will excuse us, Caroline.” Then the two men disappeared, leaving Miss Bingley with a scowl on her pretty face.
***
“I cannot understand why you would keep such a secret from me!” cried Bingley.
“My motives, in part, were selfish, I will confess. I will no longer attempt to hide the truth from you though. I did what I did because I believed it imprudent of you to connect yourself with such a family as the Bennets.”
“You separated us because of her family? I had nothing against them. Perhaps at times their behavior were slightly improper, but I thought them charming, and Jane always conducted herself with the utmost propriety and decorum, as did Miss Elizabeth.”
“I had nothing against Jane in particular; save for the fact that I did not think she returned your affections. She accepted your attentions with grace, but I suspected that her heart was untouched.”
Bingley remained silent, and Darcy immediately felt a pang of guilt for his role in causing one of his closest friends sorrow. “I learned recently that I was mistaken. I met Miss Elizabeth Bennet in Kent, and during a particular conversation she assured me that her sister’s heart had been touched, and that Jane was sorely disappointed by your quick departure.”
If Bingley was surprised by this intelligence, he covered it well. “You met Miss Bennet in Kent and discussed such personal matters?”
“It was more in passing,” said Darcy uncomfortably, not wishing to reveal to Bingley what had passed between him and Elizabeth.
“There is something you are not telling me, Darcy,” said Bingley suspiciously. “You said you would hide nothing more from me.”
At that moment, Darcy realized that he would need to reveal what had passed between him and Elizabeth. “Very well. If you must know, I proposed to Miss Elizabeth, and she refused me because she thought I had forever ruined her sister’s happiness along with destroying the future of Mr. Wickham.”
“You…you...” said Bingley, “proposed? I had no idea! I never realized that you had a serious interest in Miss Elizabeth. I thought she was not handsome enough to tempt you.”
“Foolishly, that was true when we first met but for many months now she has been the only woman in the world for me,” said Darcy before changing the subject back to the facts that he had concealed. “There is one more thing I must te
ll you, Charles. Miss Jane Bennet was staying with her aunt and uncle in Cheapside since the New Year.”
“What?” cried Bingley, “I cannot believe that you would conceal such a thing from me! How do you know this?”
“Miss Bennet called upon your sisters a few weeks after her arrival. They thought it best that Jane’s presence in London should be kept from you. They did not want you to go back to her. I agreed with them until I met Miss Elizabeth in Kent and she revealed her sister’s true feelings to me. Then, a fortnight ago, I happened upon them in Hyde Park and I was invited to dine with them at their aunt and uncle’s house at Gracechurch Street.”
“You dined with Miss Jane Bennet?”
“I did.”
“Was she well?”
“Indeed, if not a bit solemn and reserved. I took the liberty of asking Miss Elizabeth Bennet if you would be welcome in Hertfordshire, and she assured me that you would be.”
Bingley’s face lit with emotion. “Truly?”
“It was the least I could do. It was wrong of me to keep Jane’s presence in London a secret from you. Your sisters, and I, at the time, felt it would be best that you not know that she was here in London. I now see how wrong I was. I cannot expect you to forgive me.”
“Nonsense. I can forgive you. You did what you believed was a service for a friend,” said Bingley kindly, as he was forgiving to a fault.
“You are too kind for your own good, Charles,” stated Darcy knowing that he did not deserve to be forgiven so easily.
“Maybe,” said Mr. Bingley with a slight smile, “Will you come to Hertfordshire with me? I intend to return to Netherfield as soon as possible. Perhaps it will not be too late.”
Darcy smiled with relief. “Yes, I will come with you.”
“You never know, Darcy, perhaps it will not be too late for you and Miss Elizabeth either. Can you imagine how happy we both shall be?”
“I can,” said Darcy, “now Bingley, it has been awhile since I have thrashed you at billiards, perhaps we both can delay our business matters for the time being and have a game.”
Bingley smiled. “Sounds like a wonderful idea,” he said, ushering his friend out of his study and towards the game room.
***
Darcy returned to Darcy House with deep satisfaction. That evening he dined with Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam who were appreciating his continued good humor. Halfway through the meal he made an announcement. “Georgiana, Richard, I am leaving for Hertfordshire in a few days. Mr. Bingley requires my assistance with a certain business matter. I do not know how long I shall be away. Richard, I hope that you will remain here with Georgiana for a while after my departure.”
“I shall stay for at least a week after you leave, Darcy, I thank you for your hospitality. If you do not mind me asking, what is the nature of your business in Hertfordshire?” Colonel Fitzwilliam, of course, already knew that his cousin had finally swallowed his pride, but that did not mean he did not wish to hear a verbal confirmation.
“There are some business matters involving Bingley’s rented estate. He may be interested in buying, if the family is willing to sell.”
Georgiana wondered if this Elizabeth lived in Hertfordshire, and if this was the hidden reason behind his wish to return there so suddenly. She had not asked her cousin about his discussion with William, but she could only assume that her brother was not going to give up on the woman he had surely fallen in love with. “Have you any other acquaintances in Hertfordshire, William?” she asked shyly.
Darcy knew very well that Georgiana had been worried about his happiness, and he did not wish to have her be worried about him while he was away. “Yes. I know a few people from my time at Netherfield last fall. I shall be glad to return.”
The Colonel shot his cousin a meaningful look. “May I ask you to give Miss Bennet my greetings? I was disappointed to have our acquaintance cut short.”
Darcy leveled an annoyed gaze at his cousin. “Of course, Richard.”
Georgiana knew that she was missing something, but she chose to ignore it. After an hour, she excused herself and bid her cousin and brother goodnight.
“I am glad to see that you have changed your mind, Darcy. I would hate to see your pride get in the way of your happiness,” said Richard gaily.
“I thought long and hard about what you said and determined that you were correct, much as I do not like to admit it.”
“Darcy, admitting to his mistakes?” said the Colonel in mock surprise, “Miss Elizabeth Bennet has already improved your character.”
“She has,” agreed Darcy, “and I believe that I have many lessons yet to learn. I intend to show her that I am a man who is worthy of her admiration.”
“I wish you luck in this endeavor, cousin, and I hope your efforts will result in a favorable agreement.”
“I can only hope so,” said Darcy, sipping from his wine glass.
***
Darcy’s fears of something coming between Elizabeth and him came to fruition the following day when he awoke feeling miserable. Despite his throat being tight and sore, and his body being drenched with sweat. Darcy refused to even consider the possibility that he was getting sick. After all, he reasoned, he had always been as healthy as a horse. He had gotten influenza once or twice as a child, but it had been at least ten years since he had been ill enough to stay in bed. Now that Bingley had finally returned to London and they were scheduled to leave for Hertfordshire the following day, he could not afford to fall ill. He would not let a trifling cold keep him away from his beloved Elizabeth.
When he arrived at the breakfast table, Colonel Fitzwilliam looked up from his newspaper. “Good God, Darcy, you look awful!”
Georgiana looked up at her brother and echoed her cousin’s sentiments with concern. “Are you feeling well, William. You do look rather pale; perhaps we should call for a doctor.
Darcy’s attempt to clear his throat turned into a violent cough. “Nonsense,” said Darcy hoarsely, “I feel fine.”
“William,” said Georgiana, an evident concern in her voice, “I do not think you should go to Hertfordshire tomorrow. You are not well.”
Darcy shook his head, and said in a harsher tone than he had meant, “Georgiana, you do not need to worry about me. I am fine, and I do not wish to speak of this matter.”
Georgiana apologized and did not mention her concerns again. When she was done, she excused herself to go practice her music.
“Darcy, you did not need to be short with Georgiana.”
“I know,” said Darcy, “it was not my intent, but I am going to Hertfordshire tomorrow. I have been away from Elizabeth for far too long.”
“Darcy, be sensible. It has only been a couple of weeks, and if you are ill, you will just end up in a bed at Netherfield unable to see Miss Bennet. Not to mention the fact that when anyone travels when ailing, they often end up worse for the wear.”
“I am not ill,” said Darcy, but another violent cough belied his words.
“Darcy, I am going to send for a doctor anyway. You are no good to Miss Bennet if you are afflicted with a virus. Your condition calls for prudence. It is preferable to rest for a few days until you are back to your normal, healthy, stubborn self.”
Darcy groaned and coughed again. As much as he hated to admit it, he saw the sense in his cousin’s words. He prayed that the doctor would deem him well enough to travel, for with every passing day he was growing increasingly worried that Elizabeth would decide that she had no desire for a future with him. Had he known her current thoughts, he would have been even more desperate to return to her side.
A physician was sent for immediately. Dr. Smith was a distinguished gentleman and a very skilled practitioner who had treated Georgiana many times before. After a short time, he said, “Well, Mr. Darcy, I am afraid this is the beginning of influenza. I suggest that you rest for the next few days. If you do this, I think that you will be spared from a serious bout. I will instruct your housekeeper on treatments. Y
ou should drink plenty of fluids and stay in bed. As long as your condition does not worsen you should be good to travel in, four or five days.”
Darcy nodded stiffly.
“If you are not feeling any better in three days, send word and I will reexamine you.” Dr. Smith then went to speak with the housekeeper, while Darcy returned to his room. His valet helped him undress and get into his nightshirt. Darcy settled into his enormous four-poster bed and drew the curtains. He fell into a fitful sleep and woke a few hours later soaking in sweat and burning up with fever. Darcy groaned and damned the fact that his body had chosen this day to betray him. He feared it would be several days until he was reunited with Elizabeth.
Colonel Fitzwilliam sent a message to Mr. Bingley alerting him of Darcy’s illness. Mr. Bingley replied swiftly saying that he would delay his departure until Darcy was feeling better. In truth, he was unsure if he could face Jane Bennet without the support of his closest friend.
***
Three days later, Dr. Smith informed Darcy that he had developed a serious course of influenza. It would be at least another week before he was well enough to travel. Darcy’s head was pounding and his spirits had rapidly plummeted with this dismal diagnosis, but he thanked the doctor before he took his leave, taking care not to blame the bearer of bad news.
The maid had brought up a tray of refreshments, but Darcy still had no appetite. The days were moving at a lethally slow pace, and he did not feel as if he was going to recover any time soon. His fever had not broken, and he rarely went a few moments without suffering through another coughing fit. Achy and sore all over, he was growing more wretched by the moment. Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam and even Bingley had each visited him, but for the most part, Darcy had spent the past three days sleeping, unable to convince his body to accept necessary nourishment.
Colonel Fitzwilliam was a strict enforcer of his cousin’s recovery process. He knew all too well that Darcy, if possible, would do anything to return to Hertfordshire, even at the risk of his health. He had never seen him so distressed save for the three weeks between their time in Kent and Darcy’s chance encounter with Miss Bennet and her family at Hyde Park. As he had never been in love, he could not fully comprehend his cousin’s misery, but he did sympathize. However, that did not mean he was going to be lenient.
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