“There is no reason she should, as I and others have told her many times,” Darcy said.
Elizabeth embraced Georgiana, saying, “Thank you for telling us. I assure you, your secret is safe with Jane and me, and whenever you wish to talk about it further, if that time ever comes, I am always more than willing to listen.”
Georgiana offered her a tremulous smile and nodded.
“Did the Bingleys know any of this?” Elizabeth asked him. “I do not mean about last summer, but the rest of your history with him?”
Darcy shook his head. “Only in vague terms. We were no longer friends by the time Bingley and I met. I recall once being asked about Wickham in Bingley’s hearing, and when he asked about him, I said we had known each other all our lives, were once close companions, but he had disappointed me, or something along those lines. I do not remember why his name was mentioned last year. It must have been not long before we came to Hertfordshire, and I admit, I could not hide how enraged I was by it.”
“Brother, will you tell me what truly happened with Mr and Miss Bingley? You said you learnt some disagreeable things about them, but what exactly?”
Darcy regarded her, feeling like the breath had been pulled from his lungs. He did not want to tell her that he had been deceived by yet another man he had considered a friend, and he especially did not want to admit that the Bingleys had planned to marry the two of them simply to improve their social standing. Desperately, he turned to Elizabeth.
“Shall I?” she asked, her tone gentle in a way he had come to recognise she used when he was most agitated. It was at once soothing and reassuring.
He nodded, and over the next while, listened as she and Miss Bennet told Georgiana the events of the autumn. He added his part, explaining meeting the Collinses in Kent and confronting the Bingleys.
“So you see, you are not the only lady who was taken in by a charming gentleman. I suppose Mr Wickham was charming, and likely handsome?” Miss Bennet said to Georgiana, who nodded. “I would not have guessed that before knowing Mr Bingley, but I believe I have gained a little wisdom, even just today. Handsome, charming gentlemen are potentially dangerous creatures, and it is important to be cautious in their presence. Mr Bingley flattered me, and I wanted desperately to believe he cared for me, so much so that a part of me wondered whether there was any truth in what Miss Bingley wrote.” She turned to Darcy. “I apologise. It is difficult to explain, but I knew she was lying, and at the same time, I hoped that they and you simply…misunderstood the situation and each other.”
“I also wish I could believe it was all a misunderstanding,” he said. “I do not require your apology, Miss Bennet, but I shall accept it, if it makes you easier.”
“Let us have done with false friends, unless anyone has something else pressing to ask or say,” Elizabeth said. “Otherwise, I propose we give all our attention to happier topics, such as a certain upcoming wedding!”
Darcy was the first to agree, their sisters soon following.
CHAPTERSIXTY
Darcy could see that Georgiana struggled against being overwhelmed by the gaiety that surrounded the Bennet family in the final days before the marriage of one of its daughters, but as he had predicted, Miss Bennet proved to be an excellent companion to her and did everything she could to make his sister comfortable. This was especially appreciated, given how occupied Elizabeth was with her mother and neighbours, all of whom wanted to talk about the wedding, her recent trip to town, and what she knew of Pemberley. Miss Mary and Georgiana also became friendly. Given their shared love of music, it was not a surprise. Miss Lydia, on the other hand, was a bit too loud and energetic for Georgiana, as she confessed to Darcy soon after they were first introduced. Frederick Reed and Mr Bennet spent endless hours talking over their youth and acquainting each other with how their lives had progressed since they had allowed their correspondence to lapse. It added to Darcy’s sense that he and Elizabeth were always meant to meet, fall in love, and unite their families.
The party became even more joyful after the unexpected arrival of Mr and Mrs Collins.
“Lady Catherine insisted we come,” Mr Collins explained. “We wanted to be here, of course, but so soon after taking the living, I did not like to ask her to agree to my absence, but then she raised the notion herself. She said we ought to be here to see my cousin married. Or do I call you sister now, Lizzy?”
Although it sounded like a joke, the man looked genuinely puzzled, and Darcy was astounded he ever believed Elizabeth would marry her cousin. While they might have been friends, they were not at all suited to each other as husband and wife.
“She even sent us in one of her carriages! All the way to Longbourn, if you can believe it!” Mrs Collins said. “She often has one of her carriages—she has several—called to take us to the parsonage after we spend an evening with her, but to have it bring us all the way here is generous of her. Do you not agree? I think it is because she is so pleased with William, but he says it is because she likes Lizzy. I do not thinkthatcould be enough to make her be so kind to me and William.”
There was wonder in her voice, and Darcy did not blame her. His aunt had been exceedingly liberal. Regardless of how Mrs Collins explained Lady Catherine’s actions, Darcy knew it was for his sake. Lady Catherine was demonstrating that she accepted his choice of wife, possibly having considered what her sister, whom she had loved dearly, would want.
Darcy had a brief conversation with Mr Collins and asked him how he liked living at Hunsford.
“It has been an adjustment, getting used to my new duties and not, well, not always being sure exactly what Lady Catherine expects of me and my dear Kitty.”
“Do you mean to say that when she asks your advice it appears that what she truly wishes is for you to agree with whatever decision she has already made?” Darcy arched his brow and waited for Mr Collins’s response, hoping by his manner to show an affirmative was expected.
Mr Collins lightly blushed. “I do not wish to insult her. Indeed, it is in my best interest to please her and her daughter, and that is what I endeavour to do. She says she likes Lizzy—who could not?—but I get the impression she would prefer that I did not have a connexion to her, given you are her nephew. Miss de Bourgh laughed a great deal when she learnt of your engagement. I admit to finding it all rather…perplexing.”
“I would not spend a moment worrying about it, Mr Collins. The only important point is that my aunt will not make trouble for you, despite Elizabeth and me marrying. Tell me, how does my cousin Anne treat Mrs Collins?”
The colour in his cheeks darkened, and he stammered without really answering.
“I expected as much. I shall write to my aunt and ask her to speak to Miss de Bourgh. I do not know whether it will do any good, but Mrs Collins should not have to suffer her abuse. Lady Catherine has invited Elizabeth and me to stay in June, and we intend to accept. I have not asked them yet, but my hope is to bring both Miss Bennet and my sister with us. I shall speak to Miss de Bourgh about Mrs Collins then, though she does not care about my opinion and is unlikely to heed anything I say.” With luck, Anne would soon be married herself and gone from Rosings. Until she was, Darcy would do what he could to protect the Collinses from her.
“You are very good, sir, and I appreciate it. I do hate to see my dear Kitty discomposed. She has tried to please Miss de Bourgh, if only because she does not wish to upset my patroness, but…”
Darcy waved away his thanks and advised him to tell Mrs Collins that there was no satisfying Anne, and she would do better to direct her efforts at Lady Catherine. After listening to Mr Collins talk about how happy he and his wife would be to have two of her sisters in the neighbourhood for several weeks, Darcy excused himself and went to Elizabeth, who was sitting with Mrs Collins. She jumped up and said she needed to talk to her younger sister about something, leaving her place on the sofa free for him to claim.
“You frightened her away.” Elizabeth’s tone was teasing, and he met it with a roll of his eyes. “I am not entirelynotserious. She is worried that she disclosed too much when you met in January. I assured her she said just as much as was appropriate, and we appreciate it. Kitty also thinks Lady Catherine might be vexed about our betrothal. After all, you could marry a rich lady of rank. But I told her your aunt and I got on quite well. While she might be disappointed you did not make another choice, I cannot believe she is upset about it.”
