Page 68 of Regrets

Caroline backed up two paces. “She only wants to invite the man to tea, in the hopes that he and Mr. Darcy will –“

He interrupted her. “No. Absolutely not. Never, ever, under any circumstances whatsoever, and most certainly not when Miss Darcy is present.”

Miss Bingley bowed her head. “Charles, I had no idea –“

“I know you did not. I apologise for raising my voice, Caroline. But you must tell Miss Darcy that it is completely impossible.”

***

“I feared as much,” a crestfallen Georgiana said, when Miss Bingley reported the conversation to her. “I see that my brother has already prejudiced Mr. Bingley against Mr. Wickham. But I thank you for making the effort.”

***

Dear Anne,

I raised the idea of having Mr. Wickham come to tea with Miss Bingley, and she said that she would have to tell Brother. I begged her not to, and then she said that she would speak to her own brother about it. But it seems that Brother had already biased Mr. Bingley against my poor George.

I did not think the idea would work, and I was right. Mr. Bingley said Mr. Wickham was never to come to Netherfield. I suppose the only way I will be able to see him is to go to Meryton. Of course, I cannot go to the encampment, but it seems that George spends a good deal of time in town; with any luck at all, I will see him there again!

Your loving cousin,

Georgiana

Chapter Fifty-Two

Everyone at Netherfield Park, from Mr. Bingley to the scullery lad, breathed a sigh of relief when Miss Bingley and Nancy departed. The very building seemed to rest easier on its foundation when her carriage vanished from sight.

“Well,” Mr. Bingley said, to no one in particular. “That is over.”

“Yes,” Mr. Darcy agreed. “And with surprisingly little effort.”

“Say, Darcy,” Mr. Bingley went on. “Caroline does not disapprove of my marrying Miss Bennet!”

“So is today the day?” Mr. Darcy asked.

“It is, yes!”

“I wish you well, then.”

“You will not accompany me?”

“To watch you propose to Miss Bennet? I think not!”

“I thought perhaps you and Miss Elizabeth could walk out with us, and then you could hang back a bit…” Mr. Bingley trailed off, his eyebrows raised hopefully at his friend.

Mr. Darcy immediately saw his opportunity to have that walk with Miss Elizabeth. “Ah, I understand you. I will be happy to help.”

***

The two gentlemen sat for about a quarter of an hour in the parlour before Mr. Bingley asked Miss Bennet if she would care for a walk. “It is not overly cold today, Miss Bennet, so I hoped – that is, I thought –“

Mr. Darcy helped him out, adding, “Yes, and I thought perhaps I might stroll with Miss Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth’s first thought was to refuse; she had no wish to walk with Mr. Darcy. But she saw him catch her eye and then jerk his chin a bit towards Mr. Bingley. Oh, Mr. Bingley wanted to propose to Jane! She nodded, vigorously, and said, “Just let me get my pelisse, and I will join you at once. Jane, I will fetch yours while I am upstairs, so just wait here.”

She returned just a few minutes later, her arms filled with garments, and the four set off. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy walked rather faster than Mr. Bingley and Jane, and so Mr. Darcy whispered into Elizabeth’s ear, “Hang back a bit, Miss Elizabeth.”

“Oh!” she whispered back, and then said aloud, “I must fix my lace! Do go on, Jane!” She bent down to her boot to lend her comment verisimilitude, and waited until the two were nearly out of sight.