“Brother, how lovely that you have returned,” Georgiana hurried to greet him.
“Darcy! Good God – I am happy to see you! Look who I found here! I did not know Miss Elizabeth and Miss Bennet were in town!”
Darcy hesitated a moment, greeted the visitors, then sat. He felt uncomfortable to be in Elizabeth’s company but could not leave either. It was his house and they were his sisters’ guests. He glanced at Elizabeth several times, responded to some questions, poured himself a drink and remained mostly silent. Fortunately, soon enough, the ladies took their leave. When farewells were said, Darcy waited at a slight distance from the others.
Elizabeth unexpectedly approached him and, before he had time to address her, she whispered so that no one else could hear: "Mr. Darcy, I was surprised to find that Mr. Bingley was completely oblivious to Jane's presence in Town. I understood you wrote to him; I wonder, then, how is it possible he received no information? Perhaps the letter was lost?" she asked sharply.
"I am not certain, but I shall make some inquires. I truly hope you are not implying that I deceived you," Mr. Darcy responded, surprised by her concealed accusation.
"I do not imply anything - I only point out the obvious!" she replied. Elizabeth had grown weary of Mr. Darcy and his deceptive ways. She knew that it was not polite to address him in such a confrontational way, but she honestly did not care. She very much wanted him to know what she thought of him and his abhorrent dishonesty.
"I am surprised that you might think so little of me, Miss Bennet," Mr. Darcy said still in low voice, gazing deeply into her eyes.
She found little to say. Her behavior at that moment was anything but proper – she knew that. He looked annoyed and offended and she ended the conversation, unwilling to start an argument.
"Mr. Darcy, just looking at Mr. Bingley and my sister, it is obvious that they should never have been separated. And Miss Bingley's suggestion that Mr. Bingley would favor Miss Darcy over Jane was simply ludicrous."
Mr. Darcy was stunned and Elizabeth felt her cheeks burning with shame. She should not have mentioned that outrageous and obviously untrue insinuation. Darcy responded to her still in a whisper, but with anger in his tone. "I am astounded by what I am hearing, Miss Bennet. Why are you even involving my sister in this conversation? She seemed delighted with your company, but I am tempted to believe the feeling is not mutual. She has gone to great lengths to ensure a lovely visit for you today, and I am shocked at your lack of appreciation."
"What on Earth do you mean?" Elizabeth whispered back. "I have nothing but the highest opinion of Miss Darcy! It is your behavior I doubt. As I have already stated, you told me that you wrote Mr. Bingley, but he claims that he received no such letter."
Mr. Darcy only stared at her. He was at a loss for words.
The others approached them and any conversation ended. Warm gratitude was expressed for Miss Darcy and hopes that they might meet again soon. Bingley accompanied the ladies to their carriage, while Georgiana waved to them from the doorway.
Darcy remained behind his sister, still and silent. Elizabeth glanced at him for a moment, then the carriage moved forward.
Chapter 5
"They left rather abruptly," Georgiana stated, after the women had taken their leave. She thought the visit had gone well, but their departure made her question if she had done something wrong.
“They did," Mr. Bingley agreed, however his thoughts were not on their departure, but rather on the fact that he had seen Jane. "She looked lovely, did she not?" he asked Georgiana. "Miss Jane Bennet, I mean. Do you suppose she was happy to see me?"
Georgiana smiled sweetly. "I do not think that 'happy' does her feelings justice. I think she was rather enthralled, dear Charles."
This answer satisfied Mr. Bingley very much, as he felt the same way.
"Do you think they enjoyed the food?" Georgiana asked Mr. Darcy. "And the tea?"
"Since I arrived only minutes before they left, I can only suspect they did. Otherwise, they would not have stayed so long," Darcy answered curtly. He was very upset with Elizabeth, and at the accusatory words she had thrown at him. She was rude and unfair – as he had never believed her to be.
However, Mr. Darcy could see Georgiana's insecurities about being a hostess, and he felt very protective of her. So he reassured her that she had done splendidly.
“I am sure they had a lovely time and I hope you did too," Darcy said to his sister. "Even if they were not the most gracious of guests."
"But whatever do you mean?" Georgiana asked. "I thought they were most gracious, indeed. Miss Jane Bennet is such a wonderful company and Mrs. Gardiner told me so many wonderful stories from Lambton. And Miss Elizabeth – she is all liveliness. Her presence makes me … feel good," Georgiana declared with an enthusiasm Darcy rarely saw in her.
He immediately reconsidered his words, to avoid any unnecessary distress. “Forgive me, my dear. I am sure you are right. The truth is Miss Bennet and I had a rather harsh exchange of words before she left.”
“Well, you and Miss Elizabeth always had harsh conversations,” Bingley interjected. “And it is no wonder she does not like you, after you offended her at that first Meryton Ball. I always had the impression you were fighting every time you met.”
Georginaa gasped in disbelief and Darcy looked at his friend intrigued and puzzled. He had been certain that everybody noticed his inclination for Elizabeth while he was in Hertfordshire and that she also observed and returned his partiality. That was the main reason for his departure – to avoid giving her hopes that would never be fulfilled. What did Bingley mean that she disliked him?”
“You offended Miss Elizabeth?” Georgiana inquired. “It must be a mistake – you never offend anyone!”
Bingley laughed. “Forgive me, but on this I – and many other people - would contradict you, my dear Georgiana. Yes, yes, I know Darcy is generous and fair and he would always help someone in distress. But he is never … pleasant, so to speak. Especially with strangers.”
Darcy dismissed his friend’s remark and turned to his sister. “It was a mistake; I did not offend Miss Elizabeth purposely. Bingley insisted that I should dance, and …But that is all in the past. Miss Elizabeth believes me guilty of a charge that is untrue. And Bingley – where have you been all these days? I received no word from you.”
“I was with Lord Barton and his friends at his estate in Oxfordshire. I just returned today. But there was no letter from you. And no news from Caroline either. I am sure the correspondence was lost somewhere.”
Darcy rolled his eyes and poured a glass of wine. He had his own suspicions about the missing letters.
“Perhaps you should ask Caroline, maybe she saw the letters,” Georgiana offered genuinely.
“Yes, I will,” Bingley agreed.
“Now please excuse me, I will retire to practice at the piano before dinner,” Georgiana said, taking her goodbye from Bingley.
Once alone, the two men enjoyed another drink, each thinking of a certain Miss Bennet. Darcy was distressed and disappointed in Elizabeth’s behavior toward him.
She had insulted in him in his own home, and accused him of lying right to his face! Without even trying to see if he was at fault or not! Her audacity and disrespect was very difficult for him to overlook at this moment, as he was feeling that she had made him out to be the subject of ridicule. To all this, he suffered from knowing that he had been wrong the entire time, that Elizabeth never thought highly of him-- quite the opposite.
Now he understood that she was not only upset with him for a particular reason. She must carry an old grudge and blamed him for several things. He wondered how he could have misread the situation so. Back in Hertfordshire, he had surmised that Elizabeth had been ever so slightly interested in him. He thought he had felt a growing connection between himself and Elizabeth, however now, he felt nothing of the sort. All of his affections for her were one-sided; she had no consideration for him in the least, and that made hi
m both angry and sad.
“I will tell Caroline that Jane is here. She will be pleased and perhaps will ask her for tea,” Bingley said enthusiastically.”
"Bingley, I have it on good authority that your sisters received that letter and know quite well that Jane Bennet is in town," Mr. Darcy replied coldly.
"How so?" Mr. Bingley inquired.
"They came to call on me," Mr. Darcy replied curtly. "They called on me the other day to ask for my assistance in the matter of you and Jane. They received the letter, and they had no intention of informing you that Jane was in London. They intend on keeping you separated."
Mr. Bingley looked at him, dumbfounded, gulping several times. He opened his mouth to speak but no words came out.
“What do you mean? Why did they come to you? What do you mean ‘keep us separated’?”
Darcy sipped a little wine, then watched his friend carefully.
“Forgive me. I made a mistake by talking to your sisters about your affection for Jane Bingley. We agreed that she was not suitable for you and that you would not be happy with choosing her as your wife,” Darcy confessed.
Bingley’s astonishment took his breath away.
“You spoke to my sisters? How dared you do that? I knew you did not approve of Jane. But to conspire with my sisters against the sweetest creature in the world? You told me she did not return my affection. But even Georgiana noticed Jane was pleased to see me! This is … I did not expect that from you, Darcy!”
“Bingley, I have no other excuse but my foolish assumption that I could guess Jane Bennet’s feelings. I cannot apologize enough for interfering.”
Again, Bingley stared in astonishment, uncertain if he should be happy or angry by Darcy’s admission.
“So, you admit you were wrong?” He finally uttered.
“I am not certain, Bingley. I cannot judge fairly enough. But I do not know the opposite either and I should not have imposed my opinion on you. Again, my behavior was wrong and I beg your forgiveness.”
Bingley remained still, disconcerted for a few more moments, then finally regaining his spirit, asked:
"And what did you tell them? My sisters?"
"I told them that I would have no part in the matter. In fact, I did quite the opposite. That was when I promptly wrote to you to tell you of Jane's presence here."
"I see," Mr. Bingley replied. “Thank you. I appreciate your fairness. I will have only one more drink, and I will leave. So, what do you think of Jane Bennet? Is she not the most beautiful woman? And so gentle and sweet. Even Georgiana liked her. How fortunate that I arrived when they were here! This was a very good day indeed. An excellent day …”
Bingley continued to mumble, jumping from one subject to another, but Darcy barely listened to him. He was still angry and resentful toward Elizabeth, wondering how he could make her regret her hasty judgment and accept that he had been honest in everything he said. She had been utterly wrong and this time she was the one who offended him undeservingly.
&&&
Both Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst were in the parlor when Mr. Bingley returned home. He marched right up to them and demanded that they put down their needlepoint at once, as he had a very serious matter to discuss with them. Alarmed, they both did as requested.
"I have just come from Mr. Darcy's," Mr. Bingley started. "Where I was most unexpectedly met with none other than Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth and their aunt Mrs. Gardiner."
The two sisters took a deep breath, glancing at each other. Bingley was well acquainted with their expression so he could see the guilt strewn on both their faces.
"Furthermore," Mr. Bingley continued. "Not only was I met with unexpected guests, I was also met with some unexpected information. Caroline, it appears that Miss Bennet wrote to you a fortnight ago, to tell you of her presence here in London."
Caroline opened her mouth to interject, but Mr. Bingley firmly held up his hand to silence her. "I am not finished," he said. "Darcy also told me that you came to call on him to ask for his assistance in keeping me from Jane."
Caroline looked away from her brother, then to her sister. Mrs. Hurst, as guilty as Caroline in the whole matter, pursed her lips.
"I can explain," Caroline began. "I did not tell you of Miss Bennet's presence because I sincerely believe that the Bennets are attempting to take advantage of you. I saw nothing beneficial to come from your seeing her again, as she had clearly bewitched you with her beauty and-"
"Enough," Mr. Bingley interjected again.
"But brother, can you not see-" Mrs. Hurst tried, but she was met with a look of such fierce anger that she quickly snapped her mouth shut.
"You had no right to interfere in my affairs. You have caused Miss Bennet undue pain and suffering and much shame to me. And for what? You are thinking only of yourselves."
"This is precisely why we hid the letters from you," Caroline stated, shaking her head. "Because if you -"
"Letters?" Mr. Bingley asked, horrified. "Up until now I only mentioned one letter that did not reach me. Now you confess to multiple?"
Caroline immediately saw her error. She began stammering but Bingley’s patience was lost.
"You took a letter addressed to me? A personal letter from a friend? That is such … I cannot even say the words…"
"Mr. Darcy agreed with us at one point. He agreed that Miss Bennet was not sincere, and that she was not an appropriate partner for you," Caroline wailed.
"Darcy had no business to interfere either! He, and you both, might have an opinion, might give me your advice, may even oppose my decision, but not interfere! At least he had the decency to see his fault and to remedy it! I strongly suggest you do the same!"
"Never," Caroline said, rising to her feet. "That woman will ruin you! She will tarnish our family name. Her ill-mannered mother and sisters are insupportable! I will not change my mind!"
"I warn you, do not speak more in such a manner. And do not place me in the position of choosing between you and Miss Bennet.”
“Charles, what you could possibly mean?” Louisa asked.
"I will speak however I like," Caroline satiated back. "Because I speak the truth, even if you do not want to hear it!"
Bingley was filled with such rage towards his sisters that he had to take a moment to calm himself down. Caroline stood, a haughty look on her face while Mrs. Hurst only nodded in agreement with Caroline.
"I have every intention of pursuing Miss Bennet. And I am confident that she sincerely returns my affections. As for relations, keep in mind she is a gentleman’s daughter and we have all our fortune made in trade! So she is above us! Besides, she is a kind and beautiful woman, generous and affectionate, which is a lot more than I can say about the both of you at present."
Both Caroline and Mrs. Hurst gasped at this. Such insults, and from their very own brother, they had never heard. Bingley did not give them time to reply as he stormed away from his meddling sisters and retired to his room. Nobody would keep him away from Jane Bennet any longer.
&&&
Darcy was still upset when Bingley and the Colonel came to dinner the following evening. Before Georgiana joined them, the gentlemen sat around and discussed mostly the important matter of the Bennet ladies – which was Bingley’s most important preoccupation.
"So you confronted your sisters. Good for you, man,” the colonel patted Bingley’s shoulder.”
“Yes. I have been a fool long enough. I almost lost my chance of happiness by listening to others. Besides, as I told Caroline and Louisa, I do not know why anyone believes the Bennet’s situations is below ours. We possess a fortune made in trade, for Heaven’s sake.”
“True,” the colonel agreed. “It is good that you are open minded and can see the situation as it is. So, what do you intend to do now?”
"I intend to pursue her as best I can," Mr. Bingley replied with a smile.
Darcy said nothing to this. He was happy for his friend, but Bingley’s relationship with Jane Bennet woul
d surely complicate things for him even more. He was so very confused about Elizabeth at the moment. She had shown such a disregard for him that he had to decide if he wished to ever see her again.
"Do you think I should call on her soon, then?" Mr. Bingley asked.
"Oh yes," the colonel agree. Again, Darcy said nothing.
Later on, when the matter was again discussed during dinner, Georgiana decided to join Bingley too, much to the gentlemen’s delight. Darcy remained silent on the subject. He could see a friendship was slowly forming and was aware that it would affect his life. Yet, he had no arguments and no strength to forbid Georgiana befriending the Bennet sisters.
&&&
The somber mood that had plagued the Gardiners’ house since the Bennet sisters’ arrival had lifted by the next day. Jane was in such high spirits, that everybody looked at her with amusement. Jane hummed around the house, a broad smile on her face, beaming with happiness.
Elizabeth, on the other hand, was still weighed down by distress, although Mrs. Gardiner knew not the full reason for it. A brief confrontation of sorts had taken place at Darcy house during their recent visit, but Elizabeth refused to discuss it and the others did not insist upon it.
So, although Elizabeth was still upset, Jane was happy, and Mrs. Gardiner supposed that having at least half the sisters happy was better than having them both in despair.
Around noon, an unexpected and delightful interruption broke their daily schedule. Mr. Bingley and Miss Darcy called and were received with the warmest welcome.
The greetings were friendly and the joy of meeting again genuinely expressed.
“Forgive us for such an impromptu call. Charles announced to me he planned to visit you and I decided to join him,” Georgiana explained.
“Why would we forgive you, when we are so honored and so happy to have you here?” Mrs. Gardiner replied with a smile, ringing for refreshments. “How was your ride from Park Lane? Quite long, I expect?”
In a More Amiable Light Page 5
