Bingley, on the other hand, had slept very well, with pleasant dreams of a happy future with Miss Bennet. There was no guilt or pain to disturb his slumber. Refreshed and ready for the day, he was up early, and intended to go downstairs and await the others in the breakfast room.
Darcy exited his room just as Bingley was passing by. The two friends greeted each other, though their manner of speaking was markedly different. Whereas Bingley was cheerful and pleasant, Darcy was nervous and distracted.
“You are up early, Darcy. Join me in the breakfast room, where we can have tea while Cook prepares our meal.” So saying, he put his hand on Darcy’s shoulder as if to usher him into that room.
Darcy stiffly resisted this entreaty and shrugged Bingley’s hand away.
“Forgive me.” There was only the slightest hint of an apology in Darcy’s voice. “I am leaving for London almost this instant.”
Bingley was surprised to learn that his friend meditated a quick removal to Town, for Darcy planned his journeys carefully and never left unannounced.
“Why? You have not been here three weeks, and yet you are leaving?” This was unfathomable to him. Bingley was persuaded that Darcy was in love with Miss Elizabeth and could not understand why he would want to leave her now.
“Business has come up that calls me away, and I desire to see Georgiana.” How pathetic that he should use his own sister as an excuse to further his deception.
Bingley followed Darcy to the entryway, where the latter began pacing in front of a window watching for his carriage. Bingley’s eyes followed Darcy’s progress back and forth across the floor.
“Business? Have you received an express from Town of which I am unaware? Come, man! Please stay. I will invite Georgiana here. Let her join us at Netherfield. You need not go. You must stay! I insist. I —”
“NO!” Darcy’s response was delivered heatedly.
Bingley could not recall a time when Darcy had raised his voice to him and so was shaken by this rebuke. Before he could respond, however, Darcy spoke again, this time more subdued.
“Please forgive me, but Georgiana must remain in London.”
“Very well, but had I not encountered you in the hall, would you have left without a word to me?”
Darcy looked away and did not answer.
Bingley, who was in pain for his friend, was immediately disconcerted by Darcy’s intended incivility.
“When will you return?”
“Soon, I hope.” Darcy did not know if that were true or not. He had to stay away from Elizabeth until he could conquer his feelings for her. Perhaps he could never return, for he knew full well what her feelings were for him.
Darcy turned his back on Bingley, straining to hear any sound that might signal the arrival of his carriage and the end of the uncomfortable interview.
Given the early hour and Darcy’s agitation, Bingley was struck by a terrible thought.
“Have you told Miss Elizabeth that you are leaving?”
Darcy looked at him for a moment, his grave countenance answering Bingley’s question. A carriage was heard rounding the house.
“I . . . I must go.”
“What? You have not spoken with her?”
“I have not. I cannot.”
“You cannot? I thought . . . I thought you cared for her.”
Bingley could not understand why Darcy would leave Miss Elizabeth and began to suspect that Darcy was not just leaving Netherfield but running away from her.
“Have you quarreled with Miss Elizabeth; have you had a disagreement? Please, you cannot leave her without some conversation! Why are you being so cruel? Do you not love her? You cannot tell me that you do not!”
Darcy’s voice was a rasping whisper as he made an honest confession. “Yes, I do love her.”
Bingley was shocked and made no answer as Darcy turned and fled from the house and into his waiting carriage. He left without saying another word. He was gone.
Bingley watched the coach drive out the gate. “Darcy, what have you done?”
* * * * *
ELIZABETH PATIENTLY AWAITED MR. DARCY’S visit. She could honestly say that she was fully recovered from her fall, and while desirous to return to Longbourn, she had promised Jane she would not remove until Mr. Manning released her from his care.
Mr. Darcy usually came to visit her by now, but she was not concerned. He would come as he always did. She wanted to know more about his childhood and his years at school, and desired to tell him everything she could about her family. She hoped for just a moment that they would be left alone, that having some errand or other, Anne would leave the room.
Elizabeth responded to a knock at her door, knowing full well by the sound that it was not Mr. Darcy.
Mr. Bingley hesitantly entered the room. “Good morning, Miss Elizabeth. Good morning, Anne.”
“Good morning, sir.”
Anne discerned an expression of strain in Mr. Bingley’s eyes. She could sense his discomfort and wondered what was disturbing him. She also noticed that Miss Elizabeth seemed entirely unaware that anything might be the matter.
“Good morning, Mr. Bingley,” answered Elizabeth. “It is a pleasure to see you.”
“It is a beautiful day today.”
“Yes, it is. Anne opened the curtains for me early this morning.”
“I am delighted to see you in such obvious good health. Do you know what Mr. Manning’s plans are for you?” It was only on rare occasions that Bingley had been required to carry ill tidings to another person. He considered himself unequal to the task, particularly in this instance. As painful as it would be, he had to tell her the truth about Darcy’s departure from Netherfield.
“He is to come this morning. If he determines that I am well, which I am, he will allow me to leave in two days. Everyone here has been so kind to me. I shall be sorry to leave.”
“Miss Elizabeth, I have something to tell you that is upsetting to me, and I fear your disapprobation.”
Bingley crossed the room and stood near her bed. He had not spent much time in company with her, so while he was aware of her attachment to Darcy, until that morning, he had not known the extent of it.
“I will always approve of you, sir. What is your news?”
Bingley turned away from Miss Elizabeth. “Mr. Darcy left for London very early this morning.”
Elizabeth was not prepared for this news. She was not prepared for anything other than Mr. Darcy walking through the door of her bedchamber.
“That cannot be so. Are you certain? Did he say when he would be back?”
“He only said that he would return soon. Did he not come to bid you farewell?”
“No, I had no idea that he was leaving. I had expected to see him this morning.” She paused for a moment, searching her mind for some explanation. “Did he leave any message for me?”
“No, he did not.”
Bingley could see the brightness fade from her eyes.
“I see.”
Unwilling to remain in the room and witness her unhappiness, he used Miss Bennet as an excuse to leave.
“I believe your sister is coming today. I will bring her to you as soon as she arrives.”
Elizabeth looked up at him. The pain on her face was unbearable to witness.
With a bow, Bingley left the room to await with dread the arrival of Miss Bennet. She was very protective of Miss Elizabeth and would neither understand nor tolerate Darcy’s cruelty to her sister.
* * * * *
A SERVANT LED JANE TO the drawing room where Mr. Bingley was sitting. She observed that he seemed oblivious to the noise and activity of the house, and she dismissed the servant before she could be announced. She wanted to spend a moment studying Mr. Bingley’s features but became concerned when she noticed that he appeared somewhat agitated.
“Mr. Bingley, are you well?”
Bingley turned at the sound of her voice. “Forgive me for not receiving you properly. You are very welcome to Netherfield, Mis
s Bennet.”
“Thank you, sir. May I take the liberty of asking what is troubling you?”
“I am pained and distressed, not only for myself, but for others, as well.”
“May I be of any —”
“It is a very unfortunate business and has caused me great concern. Mr. Darcy left Netherfield early this morning without seeing Miss Elizabeth or leaving any message for her.”
“What? I do not understand. Why would Mr. Darcy do such a thing?” An icy feeling rushed through Jane’s heart. This is what she had feared most. She knew that Elizabeth loved Mr. Darcy with her whole heart. She would be devastated. “Does Elizabeth know?”
“Yes. I have just returned from informing her.”
“You should have allowed me to tell her!”
Jane’s face was flushed with anger and resentment. She had warned Mr. Darcy, yet he had done this. How was she to help Elizabeth heal from this blow? She blamed herself for not doing more to discourage Elizabeth’s interest in Mr. Darcy and for trusting everyone at Netherfield to care for her.
“Miss Bennet, please —”
“I must go to Elizabeth immediately.”
Mr. Bingley followed Jane as she left the drawing room and moved quickly up the stairs. Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door to Elizabeth’s bedchamber.
“Lizzy, it is Jane. Please allow me to come in.”
Elizabeth did not answer
Jane turned to Mr. Bingley. “Would you please excuse me?”
“Yes, of course.”
Jane watched him retreat to the staircase before opening the door.
“Lizzy?”
Jane was immediately distressed. Anne had been dismissed and Elizabeth was not in her bed. Jane rushed into the room to find her sister near the dressing table, struggling with pins and buttons in an effort to dress herself. Large, silent tears poured from her eyes. Her whole body trembled.
Jane put her arms around her and murmured comforting words. Elizabeth returned the embrace and slowly began to relax.
“Mr. Darcy is gone,” Elizabeth whimpered. “He offered no explanation. He just left Netherfield this morning without a word to me. I do not understand what happened or what I said to make him go away. Jane, I want to go home.”
“But what about Mr. Manning’s —”
“I do not care for Mr. Manning’s opinion! I cannot remain here any longer.”
“Of course, Lizzy.” Jane sympathized with Elizabeth’s desire to leave and would not refuse her.
“Please, help me.”
“Here, turn around . . . ”
While helping her dress, Jane’s thoughts raged against Mr. Darcy. She would never forgive him if anything happened to Elizabeth because she was leaving without Mr. Manning’s consent.
* * * * *
“LIZZY, PLEASE REST HERE FOR a moment. I will call for our carriage,” Jane said as she assisted her sister to a chair.
Jane descended the stairs and found Mr. Bingley waiting for her in the hall.
“It was never my intention to assume your place, Miss Bennet. Please forgive me for informing Miss Elizabeth of Darcy’s departure, but I felt she ought to know as soon as possible. How is your sister? Is there anything I can do?”
“She is not well, sir, and insists on removing to Longbourn. Please call for our carriage.”
“I am familiar with Mr. Manning’s instructions. She is welcome to remain here.”
“She is determined and will not be swayed, nor will I make any attempt to persuade her otherwise.”
Bingley was not surprised. “I will call for your carriage and send Anne to pack her trunk.”
“Thank you, but we must leave at once. Please send the trunk around later.” Her voice softened. “I regret that we are to leave under such circumstances. I know you meant no harm.”
He nodded, grateful for one kind word from her.
“You must be aware of Elizabeth’s attachment to Mr. Darcy — an attachment that she felt was reciprocated. It would appear to me that he was merely trifling with her affection.”
Feeling a need to defend the integrity of his friend, he made a feeble effort to speak in his defense. “Darcy said he would return soon.” Bingley regretted making that statement the moment he had expressed it.
“That is of small comfort to Elizabeth, sir!”
Jane turned and went upstairs to assist Elizabeth. Thankfully, she had heard nothing of Jane’s exchange with Mr. Bingley.
As the young women descended the stairs, Elizabeth leaned heavily on Jane’s arm, causing the latter to understand that perhaps Elizabeth was not as strong as she had believed.
Elizabeth was aware of nothing around her. Jane, attending to her sister, ignored an apology that Mr. Bingley was attempting to make as they left the house.
* * * * *
IT WAS NOT UNTIL THE carriage approached the halfway point to Longbourn that Elizabeth spoke.
“Thank you for taking me home. I could not have remained there. I could not . . . Oh, Jane!” A sob racked her body.
Jane knew not what to say. She was grateful to have been at hand, and knowing Elizabeth’s temperament as she did, she was certain that Elizabeth would have fled Netherfield on foot. “What can I say to comfort you?”
“I do not understand. I know he loves me.”
“Please do not say such things. If he truly loved you, he would not have gone.”
“He does love me, Jane!”
Jane dared not respond to this assertion. She was fearful of speaking of Mr. Darcy in a manner that might cause her sister to defend him. She had nothing pleasant to say about the detestable Mr. Darcy, but knew Elizabeth was too deeply touched by him to be able to listen to her opinion.
“I feel so cold and alone, like a part of me is missing. I do not recognize my own reflection in the glass.”
Jane assisted Elizabeth to her room and saw her safely into bed. Unwilling to leave her alone, Jane sat with her through the night. Occasionally, she drifted off to sleep but woke with every movement and sound that Elizabeth made. Twice, she laid herself on the bed to comfort Elizabeth while she cried. Not since their father’s death had Jane witnessed such sorrow. Only one who loved with her whole heart could suffer so much under the pain of losing the object of that love.
* * * * *
DURING THOSE MOMENTS WHEN ELIZABETH was sleeping, Jane had time to reflect soberly on the events of the day. She had regrets of her own. She was angry with herself for being unkind to Mr. Bingley. Were she in Elizabeth’s place, she would have wanted to know immediately about Mr. Darcy’s departure. Mr. Bingley was correct in breaking the news to Elizabeth, but had she been there, she was certain that he would have agreed that it was her place to do it.
The possibility that Mr. Bingley might think ill of her was troubling, but it helped her to understand her own feelings. She had liked other men, but there was no other man that made her feel the way he did, and if she had her wish, she would never be parted from Mr. Bingley again. Now it might be too late. He had good cause to be offended by her words. She wished it was in her power to apologize and restore his good opinion, but all she could do was hope — hope that he would come to see her and hope that she could obtain his forgiveness.
* * * * *
THE NEXT MORNING, BINGLEY CALLED at Longbourn. His acknowledged purpose was to be assured that Miss Elizabeth was well and had not suffered any reversal because of her early departure from Netherfield. His true motive was to ascertain Miss Bennet’s feelings towards him. He was uncomfortable enough in this regard, particularly after her cold parting the day before. In all their other meetings, she had been warm and encouraging. Perhaps he was presumptuous, but he could no longer prevent himself from attempting to positively engage Miss Bennet’s affections. He had suffered a long night, despairing that she would think ill of him. For his own peace of mind, he decided he would go early to Longbourn. He could not endure another night of uncertainty.
* * * * *
Jane had not expected to see Mr. Bingley so soon but was pleased that he had come.
“Miss Bennet, I hope I am not intruding.”
“You are very welcome to Longbourn. It is a pleasure to see you again.”
They were quiet for a moment. All that passed between them was a look, but it was enough. Her fears of the prior evening were silenced.
“May I inquire after your sister? Has Mr. Manning seen her yet?”
“Yes, he came this morning. Be assured that she is well.” She saw him visibly relax. “Mr. Manning sympathized with her impatience to return to Longbourn and was very kind.”
“I am delighted to hear that.”
“Elizabeth keeps to her room, but I will let her know that you asked after her. Mr. Bingley, I must apologize for being ungracious yesterday. I am angry with Mr. Darcy, but I know you are not responsible for his actions.”
“Say nothing of it, for I join you in your anger with Darcy. I truly thought he cared for your sister.”
Bingley arose and paced around the room. All the way from Netherfield, he had argued with himself as to how she would receive his addresses. Miss Bennet seemed better pleased with him than he would have thought possible. It must be wrong, it must be too soon, but he would not turn back now. He returned to his place next to her.
“Miss Bennet, I have enjoyed our acquaintance very much, and though the circumstances under which it began were unfortunate, it has given me the greatest of pleasure.”
She looked at him expectantly.
“The purpose of my visit this morning is twofold. First, it is to assure myself that your sister is well. The second,” he paused for a moment, “is to seek your consent to court you. My intentions are honorable. I want to win your love and your hand.”
Jane recalled Elizabeth’s thoughts on marriage. “Only for reasons of the deepest love and affection.” Was that enough? Was that not what Elizabeth felt for Mr. Darcy? Mr. Bingley was that man’s friend and very much influenced by him. Could she trust Mr. Bingley? Should she trust him? He was very unlike his friend. Whereas Mr. Darcy masked his feelings, Mr. Bingley was open and sincere. In his whole countenance, there was an expression of honesty and integrity. He was not a complicated man. His tastes were simple and his manners pleasing.
Rocks in the Stream Page 10
