“Yes I do, and it is your job to do it,” he said.
“Oh, good lord,” Darcy muttered.
“Iamgood, exceptionally so. Thank you for recognising it, Darcy.” The viscount faced Miss Reed, but before he could speak, she did.
“Bramwell, please, if for tonight alone, behave. Miss Bennet has only just met you, and I do not want her to think you take delight in mocking everyone and cannot be serious for even a minute. I want her to like me. How can she, if she spends the evening wondering what manner of lady would marry such a man?”
“You might as soon ask what manner of lady would marry a peevish fellow like Darcy!”
Without saying a word, Darcy punched the viscount’s shoulder. “I know it might strain your meagre intellect, but please do try not to insult me in front of my future wife or, really, ever.”
Elizabeth met Miss Reed’s eye and they laughed. The music began, and all four of them gave their attention to the performers.
The evening ended with Miss Reed asking Elizabeth if she would like to go shopping or perhaps visit a museum or exhibition together. Elizabeth promptly invited her to join her, Miss Darcy, and Mrs Gardiner in two days; they would be looking for Elizabeth’s wedding clothes.
CHAPTERFIFTY-SIX
The ladies set out on the appointed day. They spent above an hour touring shops and making several smaller purchases before they went to a warehouse which had the most magnificent fabrics. Elizabeth was having a wonderful time and was on the point of deciding it would be one of her favourite memories of this visit to town when she saw Mr Bingley. Her good cheer was instantly replaced by a darker emotion. Her heart thudded and her jaw clenched painfully. Unfortunately, he spotted her before she could escape his notice. Given the circumstances, a decent gentleman would have withdrawn; Mr Bingley immediately approached her.
“Miss Elizabeth, I am glad to see you. You know, I suppose, what happened between me and Darcy? He told us he was going to Meryton.” He spoke as though breathless.
Elizabeth gave him a curt nod. Over his shoulder, she caught her aunt’s eye and signalled that she did not need her or their companions to intervene. Despite having no interest in being near Mr Bingley, a part of her was curious to hear what he wanted to say. It might contain something that would alleviate a portion of the injury and anger Darcy and Jane were experiencing.
“I regret what happened with Darcy, I really do. The thing is, my sisters and I come from, well, quite humble origins, despite our wealth, and our father made us vow to improve our social position. Meeting Darcy was…”
“An opportunity you could not resist?” Elizabeth suggested when he failed to go on.
His cheeks coloured and he nodded. “That is a blunt way to put it, but yes. Darcy is an excellent fellow. I know that, and-and I know I have lost a great deal since he severed our friendship.”
“You can hardly blame him!”
“I understand why he was taken aback when…well, he found out. I just wish he would allow me to explain. Given his family, I am convinced he would appreciate the reasons why we did what we did. We could still be friends, or friendly acquaintances, even if he and Caroline did not—”
“I will stop you there. Mr Darcy and I are betrothed, and even if we were not, knowing what I do about how you and your sister deceived him, how you attempted to lure him into a marriage solely to satisfy your mercenary impulses—to say nothing of your plans for Miss Darcy—I cannot conceive of a future in which he could view you with anything other than contempt.Icannot, for what you did to him and to my sister. I wish you the best of luck in the future. I believe you will need it, because people will inevitably discover your true nature and, unlike Darcy, they will not be quiet about it. Do not approach me again.” Even to her ear, her tone was cold and unlike herself.
As she was turning her back to him, he blurted, “How is Miss Bennet?”
“You dare to say my sister’s name? You have no right to ask such a question.”
“I did genuinely like her, truly I did, but—”
“If that were true, you would not have misused her and left her open to derision for disappointed hopes.”
“That could not be helped. You must understand how important it is to my family that I raise our position in society. It was my father’s dearest wish.”
Elizabeth regarded him for a moment. He appeared so eager and certain that she, Darcy, Jane, and everyone else would view his actions as justified, if only they listened to his excuses. That was impossible when the Bingleys had deliberately acted in ways that brought sorrow to people who did not deserve it. Although Elizabeth had not met the elder sister, Darcy had told her Mrs Hurst had married a man of fashion, and the union was not successful. He had learnt more about the couple’s difficulties since uncovering Mr and Miss Bingley’s deceit, including that Mr Hurst wanted nothing to do with his wife’s brother and sister. Perhaps it did not matter to Mrs Hurst or the Bingleys whether they found happiness in marriage or not, as long as they could congratulate themselves on the excellence of their spouse’s wealth and connexions. For herself, Elizabeth would hate such a life. As Mrs Darcy, she would never know that misery.
She shook her head and went to her companions; they immediately exited the shop and made their way to the next one on their list. Mrs Gardiner remained beside her, the other two ladies immediately behind them, close enough to hear their conversation.
“Are you well?” her aunt asked.
“I am. I was sorely tempted to cut him, and perhaps I should have. He is odious. I cannot believe he expects forgiveness.” Elizabeth had not failed to notice that he had only mentioned Jane after she had. Naturally, his chief concern was regaining a connexion to Darcy, who was a well-positioned member of theton. Jane could do nothing for him. She considered his expression of affection for her sister rubbish.
“I have discovered that some people place their wants or perceived needs above everything else—and everyone else. If anyone is injured by their actions, they need to understand that no malice was intended. As though that erases the damage they caused.” Mrs Gardiner touched Elizabeth’s arm in a soothing manner.
“I am glad it was him and not his sister. I would be tempted to scratch her eyes out!” Elizabeth curled the fingers of one hand as though showing how she would have done it. “I know it is not fair. Mr Bingley is at least as much to blame, and I shall not excuse him more easily because he is a man or treat his sister more harshly because she is a woman. Both deserve nothing but my disgust and dismissal.”
“Which is exactly what you gave him. You should tell Mr Darcy about this.”
