Page 37 of The Work of a Moment

Mr Bingley’s eyes looked dangerously close to popping out of his head.

“Or was it your quick attachment to Miss Wabblestew so soon after leaving Netherfield?” Elizabeth added.

“Wabshaw,” Jane whispered, clenching tight to her sister’s hand.

Mr Bingley’s face was drained of colour as he sat precariously on the edge of his chair, staring gape-mouthed at Elizabeth. “I-I… um, what? A maid? No! I behaved properly at Netherfield, and no lady, especially a servant, ever caught my eye.” He looked at Mr Darcy. “What? Did the estrangement begin there because of… of Caroline?”

Watching understanding dawn on Mr Bingley’s countenance was like watching a child learn that letters could form words. It could not be pleasant, finally realising that the comportment of a sister as cosseted and quick to anger as Caroline Bingley had consequences for more than just herself. Much as Mr Bingley’s witless inaction angered her, Elizabeth pitied him. In Miss Bingley’s eagerness to attach herself to Mr Darcy, she had manipulated her brother’s life to best suit her needs.

If not for Miss Bingley’s aim with a silver hairbrush, who knows where we would be.

“I do not know what to say,” Mr Bingley sputtered, his eyes wide in astonishment, “but to throw myself on your mercy, Miss Bennet. Events which were unknown to me, or which I have neglected to address properly with my sister, reveal me to have failed in my duties both as a gentleman and a brother.” He rose, standing somewhat unsteadily. “Miss Bennet, I beg your forgiveness and can only hope I have your understanding and patience whilst I deal with those I must claim as family.”

Mr Darcy stood and, taking his friend’s arm, made a brief bow. “We will leave you in peace,” he said, his eyes searching Elizabeth’s face. Fearing disgust for her outburst—for she cared far more what he thought of her than whatever Mr Bingley might think—she could not bear to meet his gaze.

A moment later, hearing the door close quietly behind the gentlemen, she leant back against the cushions and sighed.

Peace?

CHAPTER 27

The Beauty of Her Eyes

Darcy listened, astonished, as Elizabeth delivered a severe yet somehow cordial set-down to Bingley, listing his sins and those of his sister as if she were merely curious rather than angry. Bingley seemed stunned hearing the sister of the lady he purported to esteem voice the same accusations Darcy had levelled only hours earlier. A glance at Miss Bennet’s usually placid expression showed that she too was startled. Mrs Gardiner held a hand to her lips. Although she appeared to be frowning, her eyes were not disapproving. But Elizabeth—her eyes were alight with righteous anger, yet somehow, her voice held an equal share of warmth. How impressive she was, how brilliant in laying out Bingley’s failures! It could not bring her pleasure, but it had had to be done; he had failed to make Bingley understand, but Elizabeth, in her magnificent way, was jolting him into cognisance.

Darcy saw that while she grasped her sister’s hand firmly, the other trembled at her side. Perhaps feeling his scrutiny, she lifted it and smoothed her skirts. He willed her to look at him, desperate that she understand how well she had done, how much he supported her in everything she had said. But when she finished, she looked away from Bingley but not to himself as he had hoped.

Bingley mumbled some words, ridiculously begging for Miss Bennet’s patience, and rose gracelessly. Fearing his friend might toss his accounts here in the Gardiners’ parlour, Darcy stood and got them out into the street as soon as possible.

Elizabeth never looked at him.

He led Bingley to his carriage and climbed in to sit opposite him. Once assured he was well, Darcy told him, with finality, what his capriciousness and Caroline’s perfidy had cost him. “I understand that Miss Bennet has another suitor, a good man on the verge of proposing.” Seeing that his friend was stricken, he urged him to leave town. “You must get away from women—from the ladies your name has been linked to, but especially your sisters—if you wish to retain your reputation.”

Bingley stared morosely at the floor of the carriage. “So that is it? Leave town, let Caroline run riot.”

“I have my own words to say to your sister. In determining herself the arbiter of your heart, she imperilled my sister’s reputation—and our friendship.”

Bingley looked up sharply. Darcy reached out to pat his arm.

“All can be well between us, but you must absent yourself from town.” Darcy paused, watching Bingley to ensure he was listening, before continuing. “Do not tell your sisters where you will be. Miss Bingley is of age, but you still control her fortune and thus can direct her life. Release half of her money to her now and separate yourself from her. Advise Hurst to do the same. She must be in her own establishment, with a companion, in order to cause less harm to your family name.”

Bingley’s genial countenance clouded. Darcy knew family meant a great deal to him, no matter the unequal affection and care between them. He was asking Bingley to make a decision that he himself would find near impossible. He patted his friend’s shoulder in reassurance.

“Miss Bingley will never again be welcomed at my homes,” said Darcy. “Had she not injured her own lady’s maid, I would not have sent for Nora to replace her temporarily, and you would not have been seen meeting with her about your sister’s temperament. Miss Elizabeth’s inadvertent observation of your tête-à-têtes with a young maid precipitated all of these subsequent events.”

“That is what Miss Elizabeth referred to? She thinks I—? With the pretty servant girl from town? It was innocent. I simply asked after Caroline’s mood and her injured maid.” He put his head in his hands and groaned. “It was foolish of me.”

“I have explained to Miss Elizabeth the events that led to the meetings, and while her view of you has improved, her opinion of Miss Bingley has only worsened.”

“Caroline has always been difficult, Darcy, but this past year has been a challenge. I had hoped she would receive an offer and take her sulks off with a husband, to an estate far away. But Yorke was not interested, and her hopes, however, remain fixed on you.” Bingley raised his head. “I am sorry for that.”

“I will be certain she understands any connexion to me and my family has ended,” Darcy said, not quite willing to tell Bingley his plans to cut her publicly, if needed. “You must tend to your own affairs now. You are a good man, but your will suffers when in company with your sisters. Fabricating an attachment between you and Georgiana in order to discourage Miss Bennet is but the culmination of her campaign against any connexion between you and the lady and her family. Any woman you hope to wed will suffer similarly if your sister does not approve.”

Bingley met Darcy’s steady gaze. The distress which had marked his countenance faded, replaced by a cool, determined expression.

“I shall take great joy in finding a lady who disapproves of Caroline in equal measure.”

“That is the spirit, old man, so long as the lady cares for you as much as you esteem her.”