***
“Bingley!” Darcy nearly barked entering the study. “An alarming report has just reached my ears,” exclaimed Darcy. “Jane! Is it my angel? Should I call Mr. Jones?” Bingley flew in to a panic.
“No, no calm down, man. You’re angel is in no danger that I’m aware of,” Darcy said pacing back and forth. “No, not Miss Bennett, but Miss Bingley is at the center of this debacle. It has been heard that tonight your sister intends to compromise me...by any means necessary,” Darcy announced.
Bingley burst out laughing. “Surely you don’t mean—“
“I mean exactly what I say. Your sister intends to compromise me by any means at her disposal,” Darcy looked at Bingley letting both disgust and concern play across his face.
“Well! I will be speaking to her immediately and if she cannot behave I will send her to our aunt in Shropshire!” They heard Miss Bingley’s shrill voice coming towards them down the hall. Bingley charged towards the study door and threw it open enraged. “Caroline get in here now!” He demanded.
“No need to shout, Charles, I am here,” she entered the room like a queen and sat in one of the arm chairs for guests as though it were a throne. She acknowledged Mr. Darcy with a bob of her head and what she thought was a seductive smile as Mr. Darcy bowed as a gentleman ought, his face as stoic as ever.
“How may I help you, Charles?” She asked as though it were she who demanded he attend her rather than the other way around.
“Are you aware that it is being bandied about that you, my sister, a supposed lady, is plotting to compromise a gentleman in this house?” He asked storming. Miss Bingley had the grace to act surprised though both Bingley and Darcy could see through the charade.
“Oh, how awful, I fear my reputation is ruined! Yours too, Mr. Darcy. I fear there is only one thing to be done,” Caroline batted her eyes in an attempt at innocent flirtation.
“Caroline, the only reputation with any stain on it is yours! For being a plotting, conniving fortune hunter—seeking to raise your status in society. If anything, Darcy is a victim to your manipulation and is not honor-bound to you in any way, so don’t even try it,” Bingley finished his face crimson with anger.
“Me! A fortune hunter!” Miss Bingley grew indignant. “The only fortune hunters around here are those Bennett sisters. Contriving to get not one, but two sisters as a guest here in order to ensnare a wealthy gentleman,” she eyed them both.
“Madame,” Darcy said speaking up for the first time. “If, in fact, the Bennett sisters’ primary goal was to ensnare a rich husband then they have made a muck out of it, what with Miss Bennett too ill to leave her room and Miss Elizabeth spending the majority of her time tending to her,” he finished.
“Caroline, you and Louisa were the ones who invited Miss Bennett here and yet you berate both her and her sister, accusing them most unfairly of ulterior motive. A motive, I might add, all young women have which is to marry and marry well if they can. But to plot to compromise a gentleman, that is beyond the pale and I am ashamed of you,” Bingley finished.
“I have no plot to compromise Mr. Darcy,” Caroline maintained. “Perhaps Miss Eliza would be so uncouth as to use such a tactic. After all, she has been spotted alone, more than once, in the corridor with the gentleman,” Miss Bingley spat motioning to Darcy.
“Oh you mean the secret corridor in the public rooms that everyone uses? “Said Darcy with a raised brow, knowing Miss Bingley would understand the reference.
“Caroline, I am loathe to do it, but I will arrange to have you escorted to Aunt Mildred in Shropshire, at once,” said Bingley.
“What!” She shrieked.
“It is clear you cannot be trusted and I will not have my guest made uncomfortable either by unwarranted talk or an actual plot afoot!” Charles said with finality.
“Who will keep house for you if I am to leave?” Caroline asked smugly.
“Why Louisa, of course,” Bingley answered with equal smugness.
“Well, you do not have to send me to Shropshire. Louisa, Hurst, and I will simply repair to town,” Caroline volleyed back.
“A true lady would know that would be impossible with multiple female guests, and one who is ill at that. A true lady would own up to her mistakes and handle the consequences with equanimity,” Darcy said disgustedly before turning to Bingley. “I will repair to my room,” he bowed and exited swiftly leaving Miss Bingley chastised and Mr. Bingley full of resolve.
Mr. Bingley walked over and pulled the bell to summon a servant. A footman opened the door and bowed. “Have Miss Bingley’s and her maid’s trunk packed immediately and order the carriage readied. She is going to visit our aunt in Shropshire.”
“Now?” She shrieked.
“Yes. Now,” Bingley bowed before quitting the room, the footman following swiftly behind him, leaving behind a screeching Caroline.
***
Chapter 9: Pleasure and Pain
Miss Bingley did not leave without making sure her sentiments were known to the entire household. After their conference, Bingley went to Louisa and confirmed the plot Miss Bingley denied, sealing her fate. Louisa, tired of her sister’s charades, was glad her brother was sending Caroline off. Even Mr. Hurst roused himself to see Caroline being dragged to the waiting carriage, barely able to keep the grin off his face.
Mr. Darcy was witness to the entire scene, looking on with a stony expression at Miss Bingley’s pitiful attempts to appeal to him to convince her brother to desist in her removal. Elizabeth watched on behind the lot of them, embarrassed for Miss Bingley as she proved herself to be everything she accused Elizabeth of; crass, ill-mannered, and in no way an elegant female.
Soon, Miss Bingley was loaded in, her carriage door slammed behind her and was off to Shropshire. The entire group turned and entered Netherfield with a contented sigh.
“I say, Darcy, now that that’s done, are you up for a game of billiards?” Asked Bingley.
“As you wish,” Darcy said with a grin at Elizabeth.
***
Dinner was a jovial affair with the conversation flowing much easier without Miss Bingley’s caustic energy present. Mrs. Hurst didn’t feel the need to be pretentious, Mr. Darcy didn’t feel the need to be guarded, and Miss Elizabeth didn’t feel the need to be defensive. Like the conversation, the wine and port flowed as well, with Hurst and Bingley growing louder and louder in their conversation and Elizabeth and Darcy growing less guarded in shared looks of attraction and topics of conversation.
“What is the ruckus down here?” A sweet voice asked from the dining room entry.
“Jane!” Elizabeth shouted happily. “What are you doing out of bed?” She asked as Daisy helped her to a chair aided by Mr. Bingley. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Hurst stood and bowed.
“I simply felt too well to stay in bed and miss out on all the fun you all were having down here,” Jane smiled angelically.
“You are most welcome here,” said Bingley emphatically. Jane blushed happily.
“Are you sure you are well enough to be up?” Elizabeth continued concerned, pulling Jane’s wrap higher up on to her shoulders.
“I believe I can manage for a bit,” Jane said reassuringly. “Now, I must have my share of this conversation. What had you all in stitches a moment ago?” Jane asked. The group took up their conversation including Jane.
“I say, Bingley, I never had a more delightful evening at Netherfield than I’ve had tonight,” declared Hurst. “Nor have I,” agreed Darcy, Mrs. Hurst preening in the corner at her successful dinner.
“It has been a pleasure,” joined Elizabeth, “but Jane we really must get you back to bed,” insisted Elizabeth.
“Oh perhaps you are right, Lizzy,” agreed Jane, rising with the aid of Elizabeth.
“Goodnight,” the ladies declared before exiting the dining room.
“Goodnight. Sleep well,” said Mr. Bingley.
“What a wonder,” said Bingley turning back to the room.
“Yes, w
hat a difference,” Hurst agreed meaningfully.
“Those Bennett sisters are actually quite delightful once you get to know them,” declared Louisa as Darcy and Bingley exchanged a knowing look.
“Yes, quite,” agreed Darcy bowing to the room and exiting. Mr. and Mrs. Hurst and Mr. Bingley decided to retire as well, trudging happily up the stairs to bed.
***
Elizabeth was just exiting Jane’s room when she was startled by Mr. Darcy, standing in the shadows, his back lit by the half-moon streaming from the hall window.
“Alas, I thought I might have missed you,” Mr. Darcy declared walking toward Elizabeth. She smiled.
“And why, sir, would you be lurking about the corridors waiting for me?” She teased.
“I wanted to say goodnight and to confirm that you were still willing to walk with me in the garden tomorrow,” Mr. Darcy said nervously.
“Oh,” Elizabeth said, her heart beginning to thrum in her chest.
“May I escort you to your door?” He asked holding out his arm, which Elizabeth took shyly. They began the short stroll down the dimly lit corridor, quickly reaching her door.
“Well then,” said Elizabeth barely above a whisper.
“Good night,” he said softly placing a kiss in her palm. “Until tomorrow,” he bowed and turned to head to his room.
“Until tomorrow,” she whispered.
***
The next morning, Mr. Darcy paced outside the dining room knowing Miss Elizabeth was alone in there breaking her fast. His valet, Frazier, had informed him twenty minutes ago she had entered the breakfast room.
“Good morning, Mr. Darcy!” Elizabeth said brightly. “I was just finishing up,” she said rising elegantly.
“Excellent,” he said nervously.
“Well, I will just fetch my bonnet and we can be off,” she smiled and took his arm heading out of the dining room. Daisy was already in the hall waiting with her bonnet. “Oh, how convenient,” she laughed taking the bonnet from the maid and daintily placing it on her head. “There, all ready,” she said before, once again, taking his arm.
“Shall we be off, milady?” He said playfully.
“Yes, good sir,” she said jovially and they headed toward the garden, both with butterflies dancing in their stomachs.
They walked down the path quietly for a moment, each reveling in the pleasure of being in one another’s presence. “It’s a beautiful garden,” Elizabeth said, breaking the silence.
“Yes. If you like Bingley’s gardens you'll love the ones at Pemberley. They have been the work of many generations. My mother, particularly, cultivated the rose garden. They are her favorite flora,” Darcy said feeling as though her were rambling.
“Oh, Jane and Kitty also love roses,” Elizabeth said off-handedly.
“What about you, Miss Elizabeth? What is your favorite flower? Though none can compare to you in beauty,” he stared into her astonished gaze. She smiled with pleasure.
“Lilies,” she answered. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy,” she said after.
“It is true, my loveliest Elizabeth,” he said stopping them behind a curve in the park and taking both of her small, delicate hands in his large calloused ones. “You’re too generous to trifle with me. You must allow me to tell you how much I admire and love you,” he smiled warmly.
“Oh,” she responded faintly.
“From the moment the wind blew you through the door to care for your sister, I have thought of no other but you. You are kind, thoughtful, patient, and intelligent. You are my match and I cannot go another day without knowing if you will consent to be my wife,” he said hopefully.
“Yes! Yes I will William. For you see, I have come to realize you are exactly the man in both wit and intelligence I require in a husband. Also, I most ardently admire and love you as well,” she said, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
“Elizabeth,” he hissed before drawing her to him and giving her the softest of kisses.
“We shall be the happiest of couples, Elizabeth,” he said jubilantly.
“Yes, I believe we shall,” she agreed with a grin as they turned to head back to the house.
“I will go and talk to your fa—“
“Where is he? Where is my nephew? I am most seriously displeased!” Said a woman’s loud and commanding voice. Elizabeth startled.
“I wonder who that could be.” “I know who that is,” Darcy said resigned as he led Elizabeth through the double doors and came face to face with his formidable aunt, Lady Catherine DeBourg from Kent.
“Is this she? Is this the country nobody who is trying to use her arts and allurements to trick you into a most unequal marriage? Heaven forbid!” Lady Catherine exclaimed dramatically. Caroline Bingley stood behind Lady Catherine with a smirk on her face, as well as Mr. Collins who was nervously wringing his handkerchief between his hands, when he wasn’t mopping sweat off his brow.
“Caroline, what is the meaning of this? I thought I sent you off to our aunt?” Mr. Bingley said confused. “Oh I met Lady Catherine at the coaching inn while I was on my way to being banished, my dear brother. She was already on her way here having been informed by Mr. Collins, there, that her nephew was being put upon by his dear cousins, Miss Bennett and Miss Eliza,” Caroline smirked.
“I didn’t—“Mr. Collins started.
“She remembered me from a tea we were both at in London and I felt compelled to inform her that her nephew, Mr. Darcy, was indeed in some danger of being compromised by a country lass using the illness of her equally devious sister to impose upon my brother and gain access to dear Mr. Darcy,” Caroline finished feigning horror.
“If I may—“Mr. Collins tried again.
“Naturally, I came here in all haste to rescue you, nephew, and Miss Bingley was kind enough to escort me to the correct direction. It seems I have arrived in the nick of time. I see this artful girl has contrived to steal a moment alone with you when she is supposed to be looking after an ill relative,” Lady Catherine pierced Elizabeth with an ice-cold glare.
“That is what she does! She imposes on the staff to look after her sister while she comes below stairs with my brother and his friend,” Miss Bingley said snidely.
“That is enough,” Darcy and Bingley shouted together.
“I believe there has been some misunderstanding,” Mr. Collins tried to chime in again.
“Did you or did you not write to me and say your two cousins were staying with the Bennett’s neighbor, where my own nephew is residing?” Lady Catherine said coldly to Mr. Collins.
“Yes, but—“
“Well, two single women contriving to stay in a home with two single men is shocking. Only one goal could be in the minds of the two calculating, poor, country misses—a goal of getting husbands! Oh yes, Miss Bingley told me all about their scheming mama and her hopes of catching rich husbands for her five daughters due to their own estate being entailed away to Mr. Collins, oh yes, I know it all,” Lady Catherine pinned Elizabeth with her icy glare.
“You have just described any mama with a single daughter in the Ton. What makes Mrs. Bennett’s goals any different from them?” Darcy countered.
“The difference is you are betrothed to Anne!” Lady Catherine shouted as Elizabeth and Miss Bingley gasped.
“Madame, I wish you would desist with the foolish notion that I am engaged to your daughter. I am not, nor have I ever been engaged to your sickly daughter. She would never be a proper mistress of Pemberley nor is she well enough to deliver an heir,” Darcy said losing patience.
“Caroline, I don’t know why you stand there smirking. I said you will go to aunt’s and you shall. I hope your belongings are still with the carriage because you are not welcome here,” Bingley said, grabbing Caroline by her elbow and leading her screeching to the front foyer.
“Ma’am,” Elizabeth address Lady Catherine. “I don’t know what Miss Bingley has been telling you—“
“You dare address me without being properly introduced
! Have you no sense of proper manners? Heaven forbid, the shades of Pemberley be thus polluted by a woman of inferior means and no proper manners!” Elizabeth could barely keep from rolling her eyes at the irony.
“Why do you keep saying the Bennetts are poor? Mr. Bennett might not have the income of your illustrious nephew, but the estate brings in 7,000 a year and, you may congratulate me, but I have just become engaged to Miss Mary and her father informed me her dowry is 15,000 pounds, quite substantial!” Mr. Collins stated while managing to continue bowing to Lady Catherine. Darcy stared in shock upon Mr. Collins’ pronouncement. Elizabeth was both relieved and annoyed at the parson for revealing a well-guarded family secret.
“Hmph, 15,000 is nothing to Anne’s 50,000 pounds,” Lady Catherine looked down her nose at Elizabeth. “You may not be as low as I thought but you are still an insignificant country nobody.”
“Miss Elizabeth is everything kind and good. I told you she came to Netherfield to care for her sister, who has been ill. Miss Bingley, her sister Mrs. Hurst and Mr. Hurst have been here the entire time, so there has been no impropriety,” declared Mr. Collins, shocking Elizabeth with his defense.
“Well thank heaven for that! “Exclaimed Lady Catherine. “Darcy, you shall pack your things at once so we can leave this backwater town,” Lady Catherine commanded, as she turned and began walking to the front foyer.
“No,” Darcy said simply.
“Excuse me,” she turned around shocked.
“I will not be going with you. I don’t know what you are thinking, believing you can come and retrieve me like an errant school boy, but I am my own master and have been for a very long time. I yield to no one. Least of all you,” Darcy finished with resolve. “Mr. Collins would you please escort Lady Catherine to her carriage? She is leaving now,” said Darcy.
With All Her Heart Page 4
