The notes were sent, and Jane was calmed. Now the ladies waited.
~ / ~
With Georgiana out for the morning in the company of Jane and the Gardiner children, Darcy settled in to work on his correspondence. Pemberley’s steward required answers on a few issues, and it was best not to delay.
A loud knock thumped on his study door, and it was flung open.
“Darcy!”
Charles Bingley entered Darcy’s study with his hand outstretched. “It has been too long since we last met.” Over Bingley’s shoulder Darcy saw his poor abused butler, Lewis. First Richard, now Bingley.I shall have to offer him a raise.
The young man walking towards Darcy held some resemblance to the young man he had met nearly a decade ago. Gone were the colourful accents in his garments, and the bright puppyish, exuberance of his smile. He was sombre by comparison.
“Bingley, when did you arrive in Town? It is good to see you, too.” Lewis was closing the door, a pinched look on his face. Hiding his smile, Darcy shook his friend’s hand warmly.
“We got in yesterday and I had my man check to see if your knocker was up.”
“We?”
“Myself and Isabelle. Did I not mention her in my letters?” Bingley waved the thought away, “Nevermind. I cannot wait for you to meet her.” At this, his old familiar smile finally made an appearance.
Darcy nodded his acceptance of the future introduction. “And your sisters?”
Bingley grimaced. “I am done with them. They crossed a line so wide, I made it clear there was to be no further communication between us.” The colour of his face reddened alarmingly. “I informed them in no uncertain terms, should they approach me I would not know them. All ties are cut. Caroline now has her fortune in her control and notes have been sent to the shops, all of them, mind you, unequivocally letting them know her purchases would no longer be covered by my wallet.”
Darcy stared at his friend, “This is grave indeed. When word gets out it will limit your sister’s possibilities.”
“I care not. She should have stayed within her own sphere and never have tried reaching so high.”
“Care to tell me about it?”
With a shrug, Bingley sat down, “It is too distasteful. Perhaps one evening when we are in our cups, I shall reveal the sordid details.”
Shaking off his dark cloud, Bingley faced Darcy, “Never mind me, how have you been, Darcy? How are you and Miss Darcy faring, after your wife’s demise?”
Realising he was going to get no further work completed until Bingley left, Darcy inquired if Bingley wanted refreshments. At the shake of his head, Darcy took a seat near his friend. “We are both well. Anne’s death was not a shock. I will be in mourning for another half-year, yet I find myself far busier with the season than I care for.”
Bingley chuckled dryly, almost bitterly, “I imagine the vultures are already circling.”
Shock froze Darcy before he could form a response.Exactly what had happened to the man seated across from him over the past couple of years?
“They are, but I am well able to handle them.”
Now Bingley laughed for real, “You always were, my friend.”
“Have you come to attend events before the end of the season?” Bingley always did love meeting new people and taking part in the entertainments.
“Not at all. I am here for meetings with my attorney and man of business. I am trying to figure out my next moves.”
When he said no more, another surprise as Bingley had normally been a fountain of verbal discourse, Darcy inquired, “Is there anything I can assist with?”
“No, no, all is well. Merely decisions I wish to contemplate for mine and Isabelle’s future.” He waved a hand batting Darcy’s offer away. “I shall know how to act when I have all the pertinent information before me.”
“Very well.” Darcy was surprised and baffled by this mature and serious Bingley seated before him.
“I am aware you are in mourning, Darcy, but I am of a mind to throw a small dinner party. Would you and Miss Darcy feel like attending?”
“We are busy with events the Matlocks have arranged,” Darcy grimaced. “Let us discuss it at a later date. But pray, do not let our attendance hold you back if you wish to entertain.”
