“Forgive me, Bingley…” Darcy’s voice was hushed, his words uncertain. “I am afraid I am not fit company at present. Excuse me.” He brushed past his friend, his purposeful strides eating the distance to the stables.
Bingley’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. Apparently, Miss Elizabeth’s rebukes had completely rattled Darcy’s usual composure. He watched Darcy gallop away without a backward glance. He did not go in the direction of Netherfield but off in what appeared to be a random path.
Charles Bingley was faced with a dilemma. He had convinced himself that the morning’s developments really were for the best. If marriage were more than a convenient business arrangement—if the characters of the individuals involved should be considered to be compatible and complimentary, Miss Elizabeth was everything Darcy should be looking for.
Certainly, she had almost no dowry, no moneyed connections, but what was that to a man who already possessed fortune and status in abundance? She was sprightly and vibrant, and she might do much to enliven his dour friend. He, on the other hand, could provide her with all the security and dignity a woman could desire, and Darcy was not the kind of man who would mistreat his wife. She was clever—intimidatingly so—but so was Darcy. Certainly, with their equally active minds, they could learn to respect one another.
He frowned. Respect could not develop when they could not overcome their mutual stubbornness. He could understand why Miss Elizabeth would be angry at the morning’s events, but it seemed Darcy had done little to assuage her fury. From all appearances, they had only succeeded in baiting each other until an explosion finished all discourse.
Heaving a discouraged sigh, Bingley called for his own horse and began a slow jog back to Netherfield. Darcy was affronted and obstinate, but Elizabeth was perhaps even more so! Bingley, who detested conflict, did not wish to see Miss Jane’s sister end in disgrace. He predicted woefully that the very thing would surely occur if they did not settle their differences. All of Meryton must be abuzz with the news of their “engagement,” thanks to the wagging tongues of Elizabeth’s own family.
Mulling over his options, Charles Bingley made an unaccustomed bold decision—the first of many over the next few days. He resolved to save this engagement. It would most assuredly require him to involve another party, as the present troubles seemed beyond his meagre skills. Who could sway the implacable Darcy to overlook his indignation and apologize? Who possessed the diplomacy and sweetness which would surely be required to convince Miss Elizabeth of Darcy’s worth? He had no doubt of an ally in Jane, but Jane could not honestly claim to know Darcy any better than Elizabeth herself. Bingley smiled as he hit upon the perfect solution. Miss Georgiana!
Darcy would be furious at him for overstepping his authority and involving his sister, but perhaps it would be enough to distract his anger from Miss Elizabeth. Their enduring friendship could weather that storm. Bingley knew she was staying at Darcy’s London house. It would be improper to write her directly, but he also knew Darcy would not leave Georgiana completely alone. Colonel Fitzwilliam would be near at hand. He determined to write the colonel with his regiment in London at once.
Asoftknockonthe door brought Jane’s sweet face into their father’s room. Elizabeth sighed gratefully. While sitting with Mary, she had tried to pretend nothing was out of the ordinary. Mary was blissfully unaware of the morning’s happenings, and Elizabeth would be the last to admit to them. Still, she needed a sympathetic ear, and outside their father, there was no one dearer to her than Jane.
Mary appeared relieved to be able to escape Elizabeth’s glowering presence. She took up her book and hastily retreated, leaving Jane to claim her seat. They sat in silence for a few moments, each waiting for the other to break the stillness.
Jane noted the handkerchief Elizabeth was twisting between her fingers. She wrung it viciously, as though wishing to inflict the same punishment on the owner as on the article. With a desperate silent prayer, she ventured a beginning. “Lizzy, I am so sorry about… well, you know.”
Elizabeth laughed bitterly. “Why, Jane, there is no need to pity me. Did you not know, I have suitors falling all over me today! What woman would not be delighted? You ought instead to be petitioning me for the privilege of visiting the great Pemberley! Mama is doubtlessly already planning my first ball for me. Do you know, I will now be able to throw our younger sisters into the way of other rich men!”
“Dearest Lizzy, Mr Darcy did not mean to hurt you. Really, would you prefer that right now, our mother was announcing your engagement to Mr Collins?”
Elizabeth groaned. “I could prefer a mother and sisters who could claim some measure of discretion! To not have my private affairs bandied about as vulgar gossip to entertain our silly acquaintances, that would be ideal. But as that is not to be my lot… Oh, Jane!” she sobbed.
Jane placed a comforting arm around her sister as Elizabeth gave way to tears. “Darling Lizzy, I am sure Mr Darcy is not so unpleasant as you have believed. You know Mr Bingley thinks very highly of him, and they have been close friends for many years. He could not be so deceived in his friend’s temperament. Surely there has been some great misunderstanding! I believe your Mr Darcy will in time be shown to be a very amiable gentleman.”
“He is notmyMr Darcy, Jane,” Elizabeth lashed out. “I willnotmarry him! How could I? You did not hear how arrogant he was! Oh, yes, he was very clear thatIwas unworthy of his lofty status. He claimed to have feelings for me, but Jane, how could such a conceited man truly care for anyone but himself? He is only trying to salve his guilt at interfering in my affairs. Egotistical, stubborn man! How could he claim the right to meddle in my life and demand I accede to his wishes? I would rather remain an old maid!”
Jane laughed lightly. “Lizzy, you say so now. Pray, remember that you almost were stuck with our cousin! At least Mr Darcy’s person is pleasing, and he is intelligent. I know you delight in teasing him. Surely you could find sources of amusement as the wife of Mr Darcy.”
“Oh, Jane, I tease him because I cannot do otherwise! He deserves to be shaken up a little. Everyone treats him with such unmerited deference! He is so smug, so certain of his superiority. Truly, I cannot imagine having to converse with him for the rest of my life. He scarcely opens his lips! He is so insufferably dull and aggravating!”
Jane’s brow furrowed thoughtfully. “Lizzy, I think Mr Darcy may like your teasing. I have never thought him so very arrogant, you know. I think rather that he may be just shy. Mr Bingley does not think him prideful, and he knows him better than anyone else here. You know that Miss Bingley likes to distract him when he does speak. I am sure he does not enjoy it. I think he does not like so much attention as he gets.”
“That is the most uncharitable thing I have ever heard you say about Miss Bingley, Jane. Brava! I am sure you are wrong about Mr Darcy, though. I believe he thinks very highly of himself and no one else. I have told you how he wronged Mr Wickham, and he did not deny it when I tasked him with the facts today!”
“Oh, Lizzy, you did not!” Jane gasped, appalled.
“Indeed, I did. I needed to know,” Elizabeth shrugged practically. “I could never marry a man who would behave so dishonourably! If it is not true, let him deny it! Until then, I believe the virtue is all Mr Wickham’s.”
“Lizzy, do be careful,” Jane urged seriously. “You are determined to convict a man whom many others believe to be honourable based on the testimony of one person, whose credibility it seems is only in his pleasing countenance. We do not know the particulars.”
“Indeed, we do, or enough to cast a shadow of doubt on the impeccable Mr Darcy’s reputation. Besides, even without Mr Wickham’s testimony, I know Mr Darcy to be vain and egotistical. Why else would he simply announce before everyone that I had agreed to marry him? The impudence of the man!”
Jane shook her head. The conversation was going in circles. It was hopeless to talk sense into her sister when she was so justly riled. Perhaps when she had time to cool down, she would be more reasonable. In the meanwhile, there was nothing to do but tend to their father, attempt to control the excitement of their mother, and at all costs avoid Mr Collins.
Chapter 5
GeorgeWickhamstrolledcontentedlydown the main street in Meryton. Despite having denied himself the pleasure of a ball full of beautiful women and another man’s table the previous night, he had no cause to repine. He had the esteem of his fellow officers, the cards had fallen favourably for him the night before, and so far, nearly every drawing-room in town was open to him. The one exception was a place he did not wish to visit anyway.
Denny and Carter had joined him, and the trio canvassed the town, amusing themselves in talking to pretty girls and listening to the morning’s gossip. Wickham’s sharp ears caught the name of his youthful rival, and out of curiosity, he stopped. What had the old man gotten himself into?
Several young ladies stood giggling nearby. Wickham smiled ingratiatingly at the red-headed Miss King, who blushed and cast her eyes downward. If the rumours he had heard were true, he should be getting to know this young lady a little better. The girls chattered incessantly about the Netherfield ball. Listening with affected carelessness, he learned that the reserved and unlikeable Darcy had finally been persuaded to dance with someone other than his hostess, entirely against his wont when not in Town. Darcy allowing himself to become sociable in a backwater place like this? The event was remarkable enough in itself, but his partner’s name was on everyone’s lips. Miss Elizabeth Bennet?
Wickham smirked. He knew that particular lady held no kind thoughts for the gentleman. He cherished a private laugh as he imagined the verbal darts Miss Elizabeth might have lobbed at his former patron’s heir.What could have brought that about?he wondered to himself.
