“Bingley, your sister always had her own interests at heart. Forgive me, but I do not see-”
“Ah, but I am not finished. Yes, yes, there is more. The icing on the cake. When I finished my year of mourning, about two months ago, I began entering society, attending functions. By then, Louisa and Hurst were on his family’s estate pleased as punch over the Hurst heir. Caroline insisted she needed to remain with me, to see and be seen.” He affected a falsetto voice alarmingly identical to his sister’s. ‘Charles, I simplymustbe amongst Society to seek a husband.’” He snorted, “As if anyone would want her if it were not for her dowry.” He took a large swallow of drink.
“Darcy, I was resolute. No one was going to hoodwink me this time; I was going to find a true angel. I made my stance too clear to Caroline. She set up a compromise with the next target of herschemes. One, mind you, who could make my late wife appear saintly.”
“She what?” Darcy was appalled by what he was hearing.
“She did not succeed, obviously. Dear Caro,” he shuddered, “is so obsessed with connections and consequence, she cares not at all for joy or happiness. My valet happened to overhear her maid whispering and brought it to my attention. Confronting her was… a most unpleasant scene. You know, I would almost think she was insane, but everything was so planned, so meticulous.
“Why could my sister not be more like yours, Darcy? Sweet and kind.” He finished the last of his drink and concluded, “I broke with her. Signed Caroline’s fortune over to her and unequivocally told her she was dead to me. If she approached me at all, I would give her the cut.” He mimed running his thumb across his neck.
The two men sat quietly then, staring at the table between them with the occasional glance up to meet each other’s eyes in embarrassment.
“Bingley, I…”
The younger man waved his hands to push away the unsaid words. “It was done, and done for the best. I had Isabelle and swore off ever marrying again.”
“That… seems a bit extreme. You are still a young man. In time you may meet that sweet lady you had been searching for.”
“The thing is, Darcy, I believe I have.” Bingley was practically bouncing in his seat. “I was walking in Hyde Park the other day, on my way to leave my card with your butler, when I saw Miss Darcy and-”
“You what?!” a dangerous expression replaced Darcy’s concerned one. “My sister is only just out and she-”
“Darcy, Darcy, you misunderstand. Pray, calm yourself. She was standing with a beautiful woman in the park. Pray, allow me to explain.”
This time it was Darcy waving to the footman to bring over more drinks. “What did she look like?” His dark look had not yet cleared as he awaited Bingley’s answer.
“She was blonde and blue eyed, tall, with a lovely figure.” He saw Darcy roll his eyes. “I know what you are thinking. True shewas the most beautiful creature, but this time there was something more.”
Only the cock of one of Darcy’s eyebrows indicated he should continue. “She was holding an infant so lovingly, gently soothing it. I tell you Darcy, when was the last time you saw a lady of theTonbother herself with the care of a babe?”
“I could name a few,” Darcy replied, feeling heat rising up his neck. “Although, I suppose they were not strictly of theTon.”
“Only love in its truest form could induce me to marry again. If that lady is anything like she appeared in Hyde Park… it would well be worth it.”
By now, Darcy realised Bingley was referring to Jane, Elizabeth’s sister.A little payback is due…
“How do you know the child is not hers, out of wedlock? You could not possibly marry such a woman and ruin your daughter’s chances at a genteel life.”
Bingley looked horrified for ten whole seconds.
“Breathe, Bingley. Good lord, man. You saw her in a park once for an introduction. Your heart cannot possibly be engaged so quickly.”And yours was lost the moment Elizabeth smiled in a ray of sunshine.And she is one of the ladies who tends her son so well.Shaking off the irritating thought, he refocused on his friend, seeing the colour return to his cheeks.
Bingley waggled his finger at him, wearing a sloppy smile, “You are sporting with me. There was another lady, a brunette. She arrived after I did, and she took the child as soon as he began fussing.”
Darcy allowed the smile he was hiding to widen. “Indeed. The child belongs to the brunette.”
“Of course. They are friends with Miss Darcy, and you are acquainted with the ladies. Capital.” His hand gestures were becoming broader and Darcy wondered if his friend was already in his cups, as Bingley gulped more of his drink.
“Bingley, these ladies are important to Miss Darcy. I will not have you ply your charm and then flit away as I have seen you do your whole adult life.”
“Give me a little credit. I told you, I have learned to be circumshpect.” Bingley explained he was going to look for the way lower people are treated. “You are always so kind to the servantsh, Darcy. Not so good with your own social sphere, but you have tremendoush patience for almost anyone beneath you.” He raised his index finger in the air swaying a bit in his seat, “That- is where I would have seen the truth, if I had not been blinded by the illusion my deceashed wife enacted.” He sagged a bit, slinking down into his seat like all the air had been let out of him. “I was too blind to sheee what was right there in front of me.”
Darcy recalled the blackguard about whom his father had been too blind to see the truth.Wickham.At least he is dead now, too. “It happens to the best of us, Bingley. Come, let’s get you home.”
“We haven’ discusshed your shorry life yet, Darce.” Bingley was weaving a bit as he stood. Darcy rushed around the table to steady him before he tumbled to the floor, face first.
“Another time, my friend. Another time.”
