by Lane Cossett
“I think we should make arrangements to leave London Charles as soon as possible.”
Mr. Bingley looked at his wife who did not look at all happy with Miss Bingley’s suggestion.
“I think it is too soon to make any decisions,” said Mrs. Gardiner firmly earning herself a grateful smile from everyone except Miss Bingley.
“Ah here is Mrs. Turner.”
The housekeeper was a welcome interruption bringing in the tea tray and Caroline Bingley appeared to accept that no one but her wanted to talk about the wedding and changed the subject to the very best tea she had tasted. No one was particularly interested though there was a collective sigh of relief at the change of subject.
* * *
Mr. Darcy was still pacing when the door to the study opened and Mr. Gardiner stood in the doorway with Mr. Bennet just behind him. They shut the door. For a moment no one spoke. Darcy was reminded of the first time he had set eyes on Mr. Bennet at White’s. He had the same haunted look about him.
“Mr. Darcy.”
“Mr. Bennet. I think you met Sir Jeffrey Honeyfield briefly yesterday.”
Mr. Bennet nodded. “We did, but I cannot see why you would be here. Did you not do enough damage yesterday.”
Damage? Did Mr. Bennet really believe that? Surely he would not have wanted his daughter to marry the viscount in such circumstances.
“Shall we sit down,” suggested Mr. Gardiner.
No one really wanted to, but they all sat perching awkwardly on the edge of their seats.
Sir Jeffrey took charge of the conversation. “Mr. Bennet, both Mr. Darcy and I, wish to express our deep regret for what happened yesterday. I hope that you understand that neither of us would have wanted to inflict such embarrassment on you or any member of your family. Unfortunately we had no choice. The information that Viscount Langley was married only came to us shortly before the wedding and we hastened to the church.”
“I think we would all agree, it was a most unfortunate incident,” said Mr. Gardiner, “but clearly the marriage could not take place.”
Darcy stared at Mr. Bennet who was staring at the floor. He felt a flash of irritation. Had he nothing to say? He did not want or expect any thanks from having saved his daughter from a scandal, but it was most odd that he was silent. He didn’t even look as if he was listening.
Mr. Gardiner obviously thought it was odd too as he kept looking at his brother in law waiting for him to speak.
Suddenly Mr. Bennet raised his head. “And how did you find out?” he asked.
Mr. Darcy did not try and lie. “Sir Jeffrey engaged Mr. Watson on my behalf to look into the viscount’s business dealings.”
Mr. Bennet blanched. “So you know everything,” he muttered.
“Not everything no,” said Darcy. If Mr. Bennet wanted him to elaborate he had no intention of doing so. “
Mr. Bennet got up and went to the large bottle of ale that was stood on the side. He helped himself to a drink but did not offer anyone else one. They watched silently as he drank down the entire glass and then refilled it.
He glared at Darcy. “To discover the viscount was married must have caused you a great deal of satisfaction.”
Darcy did not miss the slight bitterness in Mr. Bennet’s voice. “No it did not sir. I would have done anything to spare any of you such pain.”
Mr. Bennet sat back down in one of the high-backed chairs. He looked very tired, almost defeated. “You mean spare Elizabeth pain. You have more thought for my daughter than I have.”
It was a surprising thing to say and Darcy wasn’t sure what to say.
Mr. Bennet smiled wryly. “Mr. Darcy, I have not treated her well. I took her away from the man she loved and now I am going to cause her more pain.”
“You mean the debt you owe Viscount Langley?”
Mr. Bennet nodded. “So you know. I thought you would. The final disgrace. Now there is no marriage the debt I owe to the Viscount will stand. I cannot pay it and we will lose everything. Elizabeth, her mother and her sisters are facing a very bleak future and the fault is all mine.”
Darcy silently agreed with him. Mr. Bennet had foolishly gambled his family’s future away.
“No censure Mr. Darcy?” asked Mr. Bennet.
“I am not here to judge you Mr. Bennet.” Mr. Bennet had chosen to gamble but he’d been unlucky to come across the Viscount and other who were clever enough to exploit his weakness.
“Then why are you here sir? Would you still be willing to take Lizzy off my hands?”
Darcy was appalled by the question. “Sir Miss Bennet is not a package to be disposed of when she becomes inconvenient.”
Mr. Bennet looked abashed. “There speaks a man who does not have five daughters to marry. You are right of course Mr. Darcy. If you no longer wish to marry my daughter I am unsure what prompted your visit.”
Darcy nodded at Sir Jeffrey. He was anxious to get their business over and done with and leave. He was finding it difficult to keep his temper with Mr. Bennet.
Sir Jeffrey opened the folder he had brought with him and handed a piece of paper to Mr. Bennet. “Mr. Darcy and I have spent some time with Viscount Langley. The result of those discussions are there for you to read.”
Mr. Bennet’s hand shook as he took the piece of paper. He stared at the paper screwing up his eyes as he started to read. He then put it down and retrieved his glasses from inside his jacket before starting to read again.
Mr. Gardiner looked anxiously at Sir Jeffrey and Mr. Darcy, but no one spoke. After a few minutes Mr. Bennet looked up.
“How can this be?” His voice sounded unsteady. “I do not understand.”
It was Sir Jeffrey who explained. “That piece of paper confirms that your debt to the viscount has been discharged by Mr. Darcy.”
Mr. Bennet could barely speak. “I cannot accept this.”
“What is the alternative?” asked Darcy. “Would you condemn your wife and daughters to the workhouse?”
Mr. Bennet took off his glasses and rubbed his tired eyes. “And what do you want in return sir?” he asked.
“Only your silence sir. I would ask that you keep this information to yourself. I am also willing to settle the debts to your other creditors if you will give all details to Sir Jeffrey.”
“That is extraordinarily generous of you Mr. Darcy,” said Mr. Gardiner. “Yet again we are in your debt.”
Mr. Bennet still looked doubtful. “And what about my daughter?”
Darcy felt as if he had been stabbed in the heart. Mr. Bennet had not seen the anger in his daughter’s eyes at the church. She had vowed never to forgive him. “I would be grateful if you would send her my best wishes for her future happiness.”
Mr. Bennet could not hide his surprise. “Is that all Mr. Darcy?”
“Yes sir. That is all.” Darcy got to his feet and held out his hand to Mr. Bennet. “Do send all the details to Sir Jeffrey and the debts will be settled forthwith. Goodbye Mr. Bennet.”
“You do not have to leave,” said Mr. Gardiner getting to his feet. “Would you not like to speak to my niece.”
“Thank you no. Perhaps another time,” said Darcy.
Mr. Bennet still looked shocked but he stood up. “If you are ever in Hertfordshire sir, you would be welcome to visit us at Longbourn.”
Darcy smiled slightly. “Thank you.” They both knew he would not be calling at Longbourn again.
Mr. Gardiner opened the door for them. “I cannot thank you enough,” he said as he showed them back to the hallway.
As they were about to leave a voice stopped them.
“Uncle… we were wondering …”
Darcy started at the familiar voice. He had not expected to see Miss Bennet, but here she was staring at him in shock.
“Mr. Darcy.”
“Miss Bennet,” he said carefully.
“Mr. Darcy is just leaving,” said Mr. Gardiner hastily, nodding at Mrs. Turner to open the door.
“Why are you here
?” asked Miss Bennet.
Before he could think of a suitable reply another door opened revealing Charles Bingley.
“Darcy! This is an unexpected pleasure. Jane my dear. Darcy is here.”
“Hello Bingley.”
Jane Bingley joined her husband in the hallway. She was openly hostile. “Why are you speaking to him Mr. Bingley?”
Mr. Bingley looked shocked at his wife’s question. “My dear shhhh. It is very kind of Mr. Darcy to enquire after us all.”
“He should not be here,” said Jane Bingley firmly. She fixed her gaze upon Mr. Darcy. “You have hurt my sister and betrayed her.”
“Jane please.” Miss Bennet’s cheeks had turned pink.
“No Lizzy you need to know. Mr. Darcy is not a good man. He never loved you. He thinks himself superior to our family … remember he thought none of us were good enough. You told me, you told me.”
Mrs. Bingley’s voice was becoming louder and louder. Looking at the others Darcy saw he was not the only one shocked by what was happening. Mrs. Bingley had always been so mild and softly spoken and yet now she was screeching at him.
“Mr. Darcy, I apologise, but perhaps it would be better if you leave,” suggested Mr. Gardiner quietly.
Jane shrieked in triumph. “Yes, go… go at once. You have nothing to say, do you Mr. Darcy? Run away. You are a coward.”
Her screams had caused Mrs Gardiner and its Bingley to join them. Mrs. Gardiner was quite distressed.
Mr. Bingley tried to take his wife’s arm. “My dear this is most uncalled for. I think you must be feeling unwell.”
Mrs. Bingley knocked her husband’s arm away. “Nothing is wrong with me. Why do you keep saying I’m ill? It’s this family, no one tells the truth … you are all…”
Mrs. Bingley never finished what she was going to say, as she had worked herself into such a state of anger, that her eyes had grown large, her cheeks were bright red. and she was almost foaming at the mouth. With a sudden scream she fell to the floor.
Mr. Bingley and Miss Bennet knelt down beside her.
“Jane, Jane.”
Mrs. Bingley did not move.
“Mrs. Turner send for the doctor at once,” said Mr. Gardiner, quietly taking charge. “Mr. Bingley would you like to take her to the parlour.”
Mr. Bingley leant down and rather awkwardly picked his wife up into his arms.
Mrs. Gardiner held open the door.
Mr. Bingley carried her in, followed by Miss Bennet and Mrs. Gardiner.
Caroline Bingley smirked at what had happened. “I am sorry Mr. Darcy. She seems to be touched with hysteria. It has been getting worse. I am beginning to think it is a family affliction.”
Darcy was sure the remark was aimed at him, but he did not care. He was concerned what had happened to the normally calm Mrs. Bingley.
He turned to Sir Jeffrey. “I think we should leave.”
His barrister did not move and Darcy was struck by Sir Jeffrey’s strange expression. “Not yet Darcy. I must speak with Mr. Gardiner.”
Mr. Gardiner himself looked puzzled. “Me sir?”
“Yes Mr. Gardiner. It is most urgent,” said Sir Jeffrey firmly.
“I do not want to appear inhospitable sir, but I am concerned for my niece,” said Mr. Gardiner, looking anxiously towards the closed parlour door. “Can this not wait?”
“No sir It cannot. I must speak to you alone.”
Darcy had never heard Sir Jeffrey sound so insistent. He was not a man given to exaggeration. If he said it was urgent, it was urgent. It was perplexing. What could suddenly be so important.
Mr. Bennet was looking equally bemused.
“Very well. We will use the dining room. Mr. Bennet perhaps you and Mr. Darcy would like to avail yourselves of my study,” said Mr. Gardiner.
Mr. Darcy silently followed Mr. Bennet. Being shut in a small room with Miss Bennet’s father was the last thing Darcy wanted to do but his own feelings were of no importance at that moment.
72
Darcy followed Mr. Bennet back into Mr. Gardiner’s study. Mr. Bennet immediately poured himself another drink. “Mr. Darcy?”
Darcy shook his head.
Mr. Bennet sipped his drink. His face was ashen. “What is wrong with Jane?”
“I don’t know,” said Darcy vaguely, who was too busy worrying what Sir Jeffrey thought was so urgent. “I am sure she is in good hands.”
“But she sounded…” Mr. Bennet did not finish the sentence.
Both of them knew the shouting and screaming had not been normal.
The door opened and they both jumped, but it was only Mrs. Turner. “Mr. Bennet, Mr. Gardiner would like a word sir.”
Mr. Bennet immediately put down his drink and left the room.
“How is Mrs. Bingley?” asked Darcy of the housekeeper.
“I’m sorry sir I do not know. I’m sure as soon as there is news you will be told.”
“Thank you.” Darcy let her go. He felt awkward standing in Mr. Gardiner’s study alone. He took a book off the shelf, opened it and then immediately put it back. He could not read. He needed to know what was happening.
He sat down. There was a paper on the small table next to his chair. He picked it up grateful to have something to distract him. He looked carefully at the front page and his heart dropped. The second story was about the cancelled wedding of Viscount Langley to Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Hertfordshire. There was other information pertaining to the viscount and his love of the gambling clubs and a couple of paragraphs on his father. Darcy turned over the page. He could read no more. His heart ached for Miss Bennet. It was most unfair she had become embroiled in such a scandal.
He was just reading about a large fire that had destroyed all the buildings over a two mile area in the west of the city when Bingley joined him.
“How is Mrs. Bingley?” he asked, putting down the paper.
Bingley’s habitual cheerful expression had disappeared. “Darcy, she does not look well at all. I do not know what has happened to her.”
Darcy did not know what words of comfort he could give his friend. He had only ever seen one person behave in such a manner and it had led them being taken to the asylum. They were not words his friend needed to hear at that moment.
“Bingley you should be with her.”
Bingley shook his head. “Not now. She is not talking. She is just laying there and I cannot bear to see her like that.”
Darcy crossed the room. He poured a drink for his friend and one for himself. He was taking a liberty in Mr. Gardiner’s home, but he was certain in the circumstances Mr. Gardiner would not mind. He had never seen Bingley look so pale. He handed Bingley a drink and they both sat down.
“Darcy, I am frightened?”
“Of what?” ask Darcy taking a sip of his port.
“You know how much I adore Mrs. Bingley. I love her deeply and yet since we married, nothing has been as I thought it would be.”
Darcy could see his friend was really worried. “Bingley, I am reluctant to give you advice on the married state.”
“I know, but I do not know what to do. If this is to carry on I am afraid …” Bingley bit his leap and they took a large slug of his drink.
“Bingley, you must wait until the doctor has seen her. Only then can you start to make some decisions. “
Mr. Bingley nodded. Darcy wished he could think of anything to say, but there was nothing. In the distance he thought he heard footsteps and voices. Perhaps the doctor had arrived. He was feeling restless. He wanted to leave. He could not understand why Sir Jeffrey was taking such a long time speaking with Mr. Bennet and Mr. Gardiner. He was not normally superstitious but he felt very uneasy.
* * *
At last the door opened. Mr. Gardiner was with Mr. Bennet and Sir Jeffrey. They were followed by two other men he did not recognise. One was a constable and the other was clutching a doctor’s bag.
Bingley and Darcy stared at each other in bewilderment.
“This is Dr. Miller and Constable Downing,” explained Mr. Gardiner.
“I do not understand,” said Mr. Bingley. “A constable. Why is he here?”
The men’s faces all looked very serious.
The doctor put his bag down. “Mr. Bingley, I have examined your wife. She is quite unwell, and it it is my belief she has been poisoned.”
The colour drained from Mr. Bingley’s face. “You mean she has been taking poison. I do not understand. Why would she do that?”
“I have spoken to Miss Bingley and Miss Bennet and they have talked about the changes in her behaviour.”
“Yes yes, but it is only a touch of malaise. Our doctor has said so.” The words were now pouring out of Mr. Bingley’s mouth at a great rate.
Dr. Miller remained calm. “I do not believe she has taken anything herself. Someone has been administering it to her over a number of weeks.”
Mr. Bingley’s agitation grew. “You cannot be correct. There is no one who would poison Mrs. Bingley.”
Darcy suddenly felt fearful. His friend did not seem to understand what the doctor was implying.
The constable stepped forward. “I am afraid Mr. Bingley, based on what the doctor has told me, I will have to ask you to come with me.”
Still Mr. Bingley did not understand. “Don’t be foolish constable. I must be with my wife. Poisoned. I do not believe it.”
Mr. Bingley tried to leave the room, but his way was barred by Constable Downing.
Mr. Bingley was belligerent. “Get out of my way constable.”
“I am afraid not sir. I am going to have to arrest you.”
Mr. Bingley’s eyebrow’s shot upwards. “For what?”
“For attempting to murder your wife sir,” said the constable.
Darcy was horrified for his friend. He appealed to Sir Jeffrey. “Can we stop this?”
“I’m afraid not.”
Bingley glanced desperately at his friend.“Darcy I would never harm her.”
“I know that. Bingley, but you have to go with the constable.”
Bingley suddenly seemed to shrink in size. Everyone stepped aside and he followed the constable out of the room.