Page 72 of Regrets

“Or perhaps you and Miss Bennet can simply sit and coo together in the parlour,” Mr. Darcy said. “In any case, I need to speak with Mr. Bennet.”

“Oh? Is there news?”

“Very good news.” Mr. Darcy took Mr. Stanley’s letter from his pocket and handed it to Mr. Bingley.

“My God! So the entail has been broken all this time!” Mr. Bingley looked at Mr. Darcy in astonishment. “The Bennets have lived in fear all their lives for no reason!”

“Oh, there was a reason,” Mr. Darcy said, heavily. “The reason was simply greed. The Collins’ family wanted Longbourn, and were willing to perpetrate a fraud in order to get it.”

“Could William Collins go to prison for fraud?” Mr. Bingley wondered.

“Possibly; if he knew about the adoption, then yes.”

“It would be difficult to prove, I suppose.”

“It would. yes; I believe Mr. Bennet will be happy enough just to have the entail end. This news will change everything.”

Chapter Fifty-Six

Georgiana had not expected such good luck; both her brother and Mr. Bingley had gone to Longbourn on the very day she was to meet George! She had intimated female problems, which was always enough to have Brother back away quickly. She smiled to herself; men were easily fooled!

Now she would have to find a way to leave the house without a companion. She would tell Mrs. Hammond that she needed a tea for female complaints, and that she would then rest quietly in her room. And then she would, with any luck at all, be able to tiptoe out of Netherfield on her own and meet George at the fence.

“Poor dear; not feeling well?” Mrs. Hammond enquired.

Once again, Georgiana put a hand on her abdomen and smiled weakly.

“I understand completely,” Mrs. Hammond said. “I have just the thing for you! A special mixture of peppermint and ginger teas, taught to me by my own mother. I will have it sent up to you directly, Miss Darcy.”

“You are very kind, Mrs. Hammond,” Georgiana said, feeling rather guilty now.

“Ah, we women must be kind to one another, for if we are not, there is no hope for us! Go on upstairs, now, dear; this tea and a long rest will do wonders for you.”

Georgiana made her way upstairs; the tea was delivered a quarter of an hour later by a young maid. Georgiana tasted it and then set it aside. She had far more important things to do than drink tea! She changed into a walking dress and half boots, and picked out a bonnet and a pelisse. She checked the time; it was half past eleven. It would take her at least thirty minutes to get out of the house and to that particular fence, so she needed to get started.

She paused for a minute, recalling her brother’s words some weeks ago. Something about courage and confidence being excellent traits, but that one must be careful about…what was it? How to apply them? No; it was where they would lead you. Something like that. In any case, surely it was right for one’s courage and confidence to lead one to true love!

Chapter Fifty-Seven

Upon arriving at Longbourn, Mr. Bingley went at once to his betrothed. Mrs. Bennet and Mary sat with them as well, and the four of them launched into wedding planning.

Elizabeth invited Mr. Darcy to sit with her by the fire. This was the first time she had actually asked him to sit with her, and his heart stuttered with happiness.

After a bit of hesitation, she said, “I must thank you for giving me a new perspective on my father’s situation.”

Mr. Darcy replied, “I hope you understand that it was up to him to adjust himself to his new life; it was not for you to make allowances for him when you were a child.”

“No, but I can make allowances now. At some point, I will speak to him about it, but not yet.”

“I have news for your father, Miss Elizabeth. I imagine he would like you to be present.”

“Very well.”

The two of them made their way to Mr. Bennet’s study. Mr. Bennet set down the agricultural journal he had been reading, and rose to welcome them. “I take it there is news of some sort, Mr. Darcy?”

“There is, and it is most unexpected.”

“Go on.”