“They have, Miss Elizabeth.” Darcy was barely able to utter the words; her beauty enthralled him.
“I am sorry we could not dine at Pemberley as we had planned.” She struggled to express her regrets.
“Georgiana and Ibothregretted your sudden departure. We hope to see you at Pemberley again.”Did she understand the double meaning of his words?
The conversation staled at that point. Searching for something more to say, he stood by her, but what he wished to tell her could not be done so in public. He wanted only a few minutes’ conversation with Elizabeth again, and he would be satisfied if only the opportunity occurred.The girl still listened in, and Darcy eventually walked away.
That was the last of their conversation for he was relegated to a table of whist at Mrs. Bennet’s insistence; Elizabeth sat at a different table. Darcy’s mind always searched for her rather than payingattention to the game, making him play poorly. When the others began to leave, Mrs. Bennet tried to keep them for supper, but their carriage was ordered, and Bingley and Darcy were soon on their way to Netherfield.
Bingley rejoiced in the progress he made with Miss Bennet although he guarded his feelings from Darcy; memories of Darcy’s censure of Miss Bennet required Bingley to be cautious. He wanted to retain Darcy’s friendship, but Bingley also desired Jane Bennet’s affection. Despite his own misery, Darcy knew the time for telling Bingley the truth neared, but he could not do so this evening. His own heart was breaking as he wrote a quick passage to his sister.
22 September
Georgiana,
I return to London tomorrow; my time at Netherfield has been most disheartening. I wished to send you good news, but instead, I fear my expectations were unreasonable. Mr. Bingley, however, will be more successful. I told Bingley I will return to Netherfield in ten days, but those plans may change; my heart may not be able to withstand it. I am sorry Elizabeth will not be returning to Pemberley with me. I know this was your wish as much as it was mine. I know not what else to do.
Fitzwilliam
When Bingley entered the morning room, finding Darcy dressed for a journey surprised him. “Darcy, do you plan to leave Netherfield today?”
“I do, Charles.”
“Why? Are you not satisfied at Netherfield? I know countrysociety does not appeal to you, but I hoped you would find it more pleasurable this time.”
“Charles,” Darcy established the tone of what he had to say, “would you please join me at the table? I have something important to tell you.”
“Darcy, you sound so serious.” Bingley walked cautiously to the table and slid into a chair.
“Charles, I am not leaving Netherfield because of country society. In fact, I learned my lesson; some parts of the country can be very appealing.” The ambiguity of Darcy’s speech confused Bingley. “I do have business to address in London, but that is not my main reason for leaving. After I say what I have to say to you, you will desire my going.”
“Darcy, this speech lacks sensibility; I could never turn away a friend such as you have been to me.”
“I have been a poor friend, indeed, Charles. You trusted me unwisely.”
“Darcy . . .?” he began, but his friend stopped him with a raise of his hand.
“Please, Bingley, I must say this while I still have my nerve. I gave you a disservice.” Bingley sat unresponsive, not sure where this conversation led. “I conspired with your sisters last fall to separate you from Miss Bennet; I did so because I considered you to be my best friend, and I believed at the time Miss Bennet was indifferent and did not desire your affection, but that is no excuse for what I did to you.”
“Darcy,” Bingley got up to pace the room,“am I to understand you kept me from Miss Bennet with some sort of lie or deceit? How could you? You knew how I felt about her.You hurt me, and what is worse, you hurt her!”
“Bingley, you are right to be so upset. I am without reason; my conceit at thinking I knew what was best for you is unforgivable.” Darcy, eyes lowered, sat dejected, realizing he ruined his relationship with Charles Bingley. Several minutes passed before Bingley spoke again.
“Darcy,” Bingley tried to steady his voice,“I am not sure how I will be able to forgive you, but I must assume some of the blame, this much I know. My nature is too changeable.What you did, you did for me, and I allowed it to happen. I should have returned to Netherfield as I planned to do; I have known that for a long time.”
Darcy let out a deep sigh, knowing how much he hurt his friend, but his conscience would not allow him to tell his friend only half-truths. “Bingley, you are good to offer your absolution; yet, I have something else to confess.”
Bingley’s face showed he was seeing Darcy for the first time. Turning back and gritting his teeth, he said,“Please continue.”
“Miss Bennet was in London last winter for nearly three months; she stayed with Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. Miss Bennet sent word to Caroline and even called one day. Caroline, with my permission, gave Miss Bennet a cut by not returning the visit for many weeks. She led Miss Bennet to believe you were interested in Georgiana. I was aware of her being in London, but I told you not. Again, I saw you fall in and out of love so often I did not judge your affections to be so constant. Since the time I realized you and Miss Bennet were meant to be together, I have tried to bring you back to one another.”
“Darcy, you overextended your influence on my life. Is it no wonder Miss Bennet sees me as being a lothario.”
“Bingley,” Darcy laughed, “Miss Bennet, if I may be allowed one last judgment, loves no one but you.”
“She cannot! She must think me a cad—to be indifferent to her!”
“Charles, there are not many things of which I am absolutely sure, but the constancy of Miss Bennet’s feelings for you is one of the few things. Miss Elizabeth reprimanded me at Hunsford for my misgivings; the Gardiners showed me how thoughtful Miss Bennet is. I came here to observe her reactions to your renewed entreaties; her love still rests in you, Charles, if you are willing to ask her.”
