“I – I cannot quite take it in, Aunt. I must think –“
“I understand, of course. Since you will not be going out this evening, you will have a good deal of time to adjust your expectations.”
***
Longbourn looked very festive that evening. The girls had brought in all manner of greenery, and had even hung mistletoe in likely locations. Ribbon had been wound around the banister, expensive beeswax candles burned on every table, and an enormous log crackled in the parlour fireplace.
The Bingleys, Hursts and Mrs. Armstrong were welcomed heartily. Their outerwear was taken, and they were then introduced to Mrs. Bennet’s brother and his wife, the Gardiners.
Mrs. Gardiner would not be rude to Mr. Bingley, of course, but he could not miss the fact that she was a good deal cooler to him now than she had been when they were last here for Mary’s wedding. He hoped he would have the opportunity to explain himself to her before the evening was out.
In fact, it was Mrs. Gardiner who introduced the subject as soon as the usual pleasantries had been exchanged and everyone had found a seat. “I do not see Miss Bingley here,” she observed, coolly. “I hope she is well?”
Every face turned to Mr. Bingley. He cleared his throat nervously, and then said, “I did not allow my sister to join us tonight.”
There were a number of gasps from his audience.
He continued, “Her behaviour has been dreadful, and I understand that I am very much to blame for allowing it to continue as it has. I cannot change the past, but I can certainly do better moving forward.”
Mrs. Armstrong added, “She will come to Scarborough with me when I return north, and she will no longer trouble her brother and the future Mrs. Bingley.”
Mr. Bingley had the great satisfaction of seeing his intended give him her very best smile. Mr. Bennet nodded at him. Mrs.Gardiner began to applaud – heavens! – and then everyone in the room joined her! Mr. Bingley turned red, but seeing the humour in the situation, he rose and bowed to the company, which in turn made everyone clap all the harder. It was a merry party that went in to dinner half an hour later.
***
That night, Jane expressed her surprise and delight. Elizabeth was equally delighted, saying, “Mrs. Armstrong is exceedingly kind to be willing to take Miss Bingley on.”
Jane said, “Charles told me privately that the only reason she was induced to do so was the fact that Miss Bingley will contribute to the household finances.”
“Oh! I did not know that the lady was in sufficiently dire straits for that to be sufficient inducement.”
“Her husband died quite young, and she did not have a large enough dowry to live as she wished after that sad event. Charles has offered her funds before, but she did not like to take charity.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Well, this will certainly not be charity!”
“Which is precisely what she said!”
Chapter Forty
Mr. Darcy journeyed to London at the end of January. He had sent word ahead to the housekeeper, so the house was fully staffed and the larders were full when he arrived. He sent a message to the Matlocks, informing them of his presence; an immediate reply came inviting him to dinner that very evening.
He was welcomed warmly by his aunt and uncle; his cousin Daniel, Viscount Middleton – Richard’s older brother and the heir to the earldom – was present as well.
“I am given to understand that you and I are in Town on the same errand,” he drawled lazily.
Mr. Darcy eyed his cousin warily. The man was very fashionably dressed, with an intricately tied, snowy-white cravat, an embroidered waistcoat, and Hessians shined to mirror polish. His blond hair was arranged to look deliberately casual, with acurl arranged on his forehead. Mr. Darcy managed not to roll his eyes. “What errand is that, Daniel?” he asked.
“Why, finding a wife, of course! I shall be brave in the attempt, a veritable Daniel in the lion’s den!” He roared with laughter at his witticism.
Mr. Darcy had never found this cousin to be particularly amusing, but he smiled politely at the jest.
The Earl rumbled, “Choosing a wife is a serious business, Daniel.”
“Is it, though, Pater? It seems to me that one must simply pick the best of the lot, offer for her, and get her with child a time or two. No need for all the fuss that is made about it!”
“You will need to find a young lady who is as cold-blooded as you are on the subject,” Mr. Darcy observed.
The Viscount shrugged. “I am generally mobbed by young ladies and their mamas, as are you, Darcy. Worse, in fact, given that I can offer a title.”
