Page 13 of A Sisterly Bond

“Forgive me — I have some letters to finish,” Mr Darcy abruptly said. “It was a pleasure to see you, ladies, and I apologies for disturbing your gathering.”

Before his sister had time to argue, Mr Darcy bowed and quit the room. His departure increased the awkwardness instead of diminishing it.

“I feel I have done something wrong and ruined everybody’s good spirits,” Miss Darcy said, wringing her hands in her lap.

“Not at all, Miss Darcy, I assure you,” Mrs Gardiner replied. “I shall take the liberty of explaining the matter, just to put you at ease. Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst were not entirely honest with Jane and apparently not with their brother either. Today’s encounter simply revealed something that should never have been hidden.”

“Yes, I assumed as much. Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst…they are… They can be difficult at times,” Miss Darcy said.

Mr Darcy can be difficult most of the time, Elizabeth mused but refrained from saying so aloud. In truth, she felt relieved and pleased with the day’s outcome. Mr Bingley had discovered his sisters’ deception and seemed thrilled to see Jane again. He had even asked for permission to call on her. What more could they have prayed for, at that very moment when Jane had lost all hope and descended into grief?

The conversation over another cup of tea proceeded with difficulty, utterly different from how it had been when they first arrived. Therefore, with proper thanks and gratitude, Elizabeth, her sister, and her aunt took their leave no longer than half an hour after Mr Bingley.

As soon as they were in their carriage, the discussion erupted around Mr Bingley — the subject of their mutual interest.

“I am so glad that Miss Bingley was finally exposed,” Elizabeth declared. “Her nefarious scheme to keep Mr Bingley away from Jane has failed, and I pray her brother will put her in her place! It was such a pleasure to see Mr Bingley angry and ready to confront his sisters!”

“That was pleasant to watch, indeed,” Mrs Gardiner agreed. “But I felt sorry for Miss Darcy — her intentions were entirely admirable, yet she found herself in the midst of a disagreement she could not understand. Her discomfort was painful to watch.”

“But we are not at fault for any of it, Aunt,” Elizabeth responded. “Miss Darcy’s distress was caused by her friends and her brother — who is certainly no stranger to Miss Bingley’s scheme.”

“Even so, I feel uncomfortable with how the visited ended, and I hope it does not affect Miss Darcy,” Mrs Gardiner uttered.

The conversation continued in the same manner until they arrived in Gracechurch Street. Once at home, they were received by a most enthusiastic Sir William, who informed them Dr Green had declared he and Maria completely recovered, with no danger of being contagious, and therefore ready to continue their journey to Kent.

Although Elizabeth had waited for that moment with eager anticipation, now that it had finally arrived, her feelings became unsettled. So many things had happened in the last few days, and Jane was in the middle of unexpected events that could change her life; staying in London was much more tempting for Elizabeth than spending time with the annoying Mr Collins. But she had no real choice — the plan was made and she had to follow it, despite her curiosity in regard to Mr Wickham and Mary King, Mr Darcy’s opinion of his sister’s relationship with her, as well as Mr Bingley’s sudden change of character and his renewed interest in Jane.

It was discussed whether they would leave for Kent the very next day, but Sir William chose to write to Mr Collins and wait for his response instead of simply making an appearance at Hunsford.

That evening, for the first time since their arrival in town, Sir William and Maria joined the rest of the family for dinner, which made it tedious and annoying. How would she suffer such evenings with both Sir William and Mr Collins, Elizabeth could not imagine. However, her spirits improved the following day when, loyal to his word, Mr Bingley called around noon.

Regardless of his departure from Netherfield and his remaining in London for several months, time and distance seemed to have been unable to alter Mr Bingley’s admiration for Jane. His first visit lasted almost two hours, and he asked permission to call again; Mrs Gardiner invited him for dinner, and the gentleman readily accepted. What else needed to be said?

Therefore, Elizabeth found the strength to leave London with an easy heart, relieved that Jane’s grief had come to an end and her broken heart was healed. There was nothing more Elizabeth could pray for; Mr Wickham and Mr Darcy meant little compared to her sister’s happiness.

Chapter 6

The journey from London to Hunsford proved as tedious as Elizabeth had feared. Sir William, restored to health and in high spirits, discoursed almost without pause upon the excellence of Mr Collins’ situation, the condescension of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and the general superiority of Kentish air.

Maria, still a little pale, listened with a quiet awe; Elizabeth, for her part, allowed her thoughts to wander between Jane’s improved prospects and the peculiar events of the preceding week. Mr Bingley’s renewed attentions had lightened her heart considerably, yet the memory of Mr Darcy’s restrained silence and Miss Bingley’s barely suppressed fury remained vivid enough to provoke amusement, indignation, and a bit of concern.

Still, Mr Bingley’s admiration for Jane and his determination in pursuing his happiness seemed strong enough to defeat any further opposition.

Elizabeth kept thinking about Miss Darcy, too, as well as at the other characters around her. Mr Wickham, once her favourite, had lost that place not so much because of Mr King’s disclosure but because of his poor judgment of Miss Darcy’s character. The more consideration she gave to that matter, the more certain she was there was more behind Mr Wickham’s dealings with Mr Darcy. Not complying with his father’s last wishes was unpardonable and ungentlemanlike of Mr Darcy. But Mr Wickham’s tendency to share his problems with new acquaintances deserved no applause either.

As for Mr Darcy, Elizabeth had much to resent, besides Mr Wickham’s stories. His arrogance, his conceited behaviour, his rudeness to her and everyone else in Meryton, and his ungenerous involvement in separating Mr Bingley from Jane were not so easy to forget.

If not for their fortuitous encounter with Mr Bingley — thanks to Miss Darcy — Elizabeth’s resentment might have been much stronger. However, having a sister as sweet and kind as Miss Darcy, and Mr Bingley being reunited with Jane, had somehow compensated for Mr Darcy’s wrongs and diminished Elizabeth’s resentment, if only a little.

They arrived at the parsonage on a fine late March afternoon. Mr Collins received them with a flourish of bows and an abundance of compliments that would have been more impressive had they been less formal. Still, he kept a safe distance from them, while Charlotte stood beside him, her manner calm and composed. Elizabeth detected a flicker of genuine pleasure in her friend’s eyes at the sight of familiar faces.

“My dear Sir William, Maria, Cousin Elizabeth, welcome to Hunsford!” Mr Collins exclaimed. “I am pleased to see you in apparent good health! Come, let me show you inside our humble abode.”

“And we are delighted to be here, finally!” Sir William answered. “What a handsome home you have, sir!”

“Indeed. My dear Charlotte added more to this house’s modest yet tasteful arrangements, as Lady Catherine declared herself.”

Elizabeth glanced at Charlotte and raised her brows, but her friend kept a serious air while Mr Collins continued, “Lady Catherine has been so gracious as to enquire after the precise hour of your arrival. Her ladyship is still preoccupied with your recovery, and she has appointed her physician to examine you immediately. Dr Linfield should be here any moment now, and if his examination is satisfactory, we should expect an invitation for tea soon.”