by P. O. Dixon
“You state your opinion on this matter with such conviction that I shall not attempt to change your mind. However, I would ask if your friendship with Miss de Bourgh is worth the sacrifice, especially considering the short duration of your acquaintance?”
“One does not measure the depth of a friendship by the length of time it takes the attachment to unfold. I shall forever be indebted to Anne for the consideration she showed me whilst I was in Kent and the manner in which she took me into her confidence so I might comprehend the type of vile propensities Mr. Wickham is capable of, especially when there was no reason in the world she should have done so.”
Elizabeth blew out a long, deep breath. “Jane, you and I have spoken enough about my hopeless, three-sided dilemma. Pray, how are matters progressing between you and Mr. Bingley? How much longer do you suppose it will be before he offers his hand in marriage?”
Jane’s angelic smile could not be contained. “Oh, Lizzy, whenever Mr. Bingley and I are together, I imagine there is nowhere else on earth I would rather be, and when we are apart, I feel as though I can hardly breathe until we are reunited. As for a proposal, my greatest hope is that one will come soon. Until such time, I will be content to enjoy his company.”
“Jane, whilst I have every reason to believe it is just a matter of time, I also believe it might help if you do a bit more to help him along.”
“What are you suggesting?”
“Oh, I am only positing Mr. Bingley might benefit from a bit of encouragement. Perhaps you might talk to him about his hopes and dreams, and when he speaks on such matters, you must make sure to tell him how much in keeping they are with your own. He must have no doubt of the strength of your devotion. Mr. Bingley is a charming young man who undoubtedly enjoys the attentions of many young women wherever he goes. He must have no qualms over the depth of your regard for him.”
Elizabeth reached for Jane’s hand. With a gentle squeeze, she said, “Have you and Mr. Bingley had any discussion at all pertaining to the reason for his hasty departure from Hertfordshire last autumn?”
Jane kept silent for a moment. Finally, she said, “No, I have hesitated to bring up the subject for I really do not care to introduce awkwardness and strife where currently none exists.”
“I appreciate your desire for tranquillity and peace, but it might not hurt to suffer a bit of disturbance from time to time. In my limited experience, I would have to say gentlemen tend to enjoy a bit of a challenge.”
Jane tossed her golden hair over her shoulder. “Oh, Lizzy, are we not a fine pair?
“Why do you say that, Jane?”
“My reasoning is simple. You are doing all you can so as not to encourage Mr. Darcy’s affections, and I am to do all I can to encourage Mr. Bingley’s.”
Chapter 15
Darcy meandered through the crowded ballroom in search of his cousin Richard. Having satisfied his obligation to Lady Victoria by dancing the second set with her, he now had one more matter to attend before heading home. He had been away from Elizabeth long enough. He planned to return to Hertfordshire the next morning.
Soon enough, Darcy spotted the colonel in the billiards room, sitting off in a corner sipping his drink and awaiting a turn at the table. Darcy pulled up a chair beside him and slapped Richard on the back.
Richard did his best to avoid spilling his beverage. “I take it you no longer bear a grudge against me for what transpired in Kent.”
“You must allow me to apologise for my temper. I am more than aware of my fault in all that occurred in Kent. Had I been open with you and confided my true sentiments towards Elizabeth, I am certain you would have chosen your words more judiciously.”
“Indeed.” Richard partook of his drink.
“Besides, Elizabeth had every right to know the part I played in separating her sister and Charles Bingley. There must be no secrets between us.” A passing footman proffered Darcy a glass of champagne. Darcy accepted the bubbly beverage and took a sip. “I suppose I am in your debt.”
“One I intend to collect,” said Richard. “What about Bingley?”
“I have confessed everything to Bingley as well. He does not bear a grudge even though he would be well within his right to do so.”
“I understand the two of you have all but established yourselves in Hertfordshire of late. No doubt my sister appreciates your sacrifice in returning to town for her coming out.”
“Victoria is family. Of course I would be here.”
Richard cleared his throat. “How goes your courtship of the lovely Miss Elizabeth? Are all your transgressions forgiven?”
“I believe she has forgiven me.”
“I still find it hard to believe she spurned your proposal of marriage. Are you having any success in your attempts to change her mind? How are you succeeding in your quest to make her the next mistress of Pemberley?”
“My quest would run a lot smoother were it not for her misplaced loyalty to Anne.”
“What has Anne to do with any of this?”
“Did I not tell you? Anne asked Elizabeth to help her in her misguided mission to secure a marriage proposal. I always knew Lady Catherine harboured the hope that Anne and I would be married. Thanks to Elizabeth, I have finally realised Anne laboured under that preposterous notion as well.”
“Now that you know, what do you plan to do?”
“The only thing I can do. I wrote to Anne and told her that her hopes will never be realised—that I am in love with someone else.”
“Poor Anne.” Richard signalled the footman for another drink before returning his attention to Darcy. “Do not misunderstand me; I do not fault you. You only did what must be done. I wonder if your letter will make a difference.”
“I certainly pray that it does.”
*
Her father had been right about one thing. Indeed, peace and quiet had settled over Longbourn of late. The militia had gone to Brighton and so, too, had Elizabeth’s youngest sister, Lydia. By the end of the first week following Lydia’s departure, Kitty had finally accepted it and ceased her needless protests.
Elizabeth counted Wickham’s leave-taking a mixed blessing. However, another gentleman’s departure from Hertfordshire had been met with disappointment, though she fought to hide her dismay. Mr. Darcy had returned to town to attend to family obligations and commitments.
Mr. Bingley had remained in Hertfordshire. All things considered, Elizabeth supposed she had no reason to complain. His courtship with Jane was still underway. Jane still stood a chance of finding happiness. Did anything matter more than that?
In addition, she and Jane were spending more time at Netherfield, which would have been a decidedly good thing except it necessarily entailed more time in Miss Caroline Bingley’s company. In fact, Elizabeth and Jane planned to call on Miss Bingley that day at the young lady’s request.
The faint roar of thunder murmured in the distance. Mrs. Bennet ceased sipping her tea. She turned and stared out the window, taking note of the weather. “It is a pity Lizzy does not ride horseback. Then she and Jane might arrive at Netherfield drenched, for no doubt will shall have rain.”
Astounded, Elizabeth pretended not to hear. Surely her mother did not imagine fate would allow a repeat of the first time Jane had visited Netherfield riding horseback in the rain and subsequently falling ill. The first time had been awkward enough.
The silence in the room spurred her mother’s scheming muse. “With any luck, Mr. Bingley’s friend Mr. Darcy will have returned.” She looked at Elizabeth. “Oh, Lizzy, I realise you do not like the haughty gentleman. You have been uncharacteristically generous in spending time with him so Jane and Mr. Bingley might enjoy some time alone. The more I consider it, however, the more I think were you to apply yourself a bit more he might take notice of you.”
Heavens—if Mamma only knew the truth of the matter, we might well be summoning a physician to attend her certain case of apoplexy!
Her mother’s assertion garnered a snicker
from Kitty, who must have considered the prospect of such a notion absurd.
“What is the matter with you, Kitty?” Vexation coloured her expression. “Anything is possible, especially if Lizzy is forced to remain in the gentleman’s company for an extensive time—three or four days will be plenty of time to turn his head if she exerts herself.”
Elizabeth could take no more. “Mamma!”
Mr. Bennet peered over his paper. “I have entertained quite enough speculation of what might be, my dear. The girls will take the carriage. Besides, Mr. Darcy is unlikely to condescend to visiting these parts again.” A flicker of amusement peppered his speech. “I wager he has suffered enough of the boorish company of the likes of us lowly folks of Hertfordshire to last his entire lifetime.”
Despite the look of displeasure Elizabeth awarded her father, she dared not to say anything in Mr. Darcy’s defence—not while everyone else sat around the table. But saying something to her father was exactly what she meant to do as soon as they were alone.
Not one to give up on such a worthy scheme as she had concocted, Mrs. Bennet said, “Well, Mr. Darcy cannot be the only friend Mr. Bingley has. Perhaps another of his wealthy friends might visit him from town. We must be prepared to take advantage of whatever fortuitous opportunity presents itself.”
Mr. Bennet stood from the table. “Far be it from me to challenge you in such matters, my dear. I shall leave you to the task of orchestrating marital assignations for all our daughters.”
“Papa,” said Elizabeth, “may I speak with you—in private?”
“Of course, my dearest Lizzy. You are welcome to join me in my library.”
Her mother’s eyes opened wide. “Are you not intending to accompany Jane to Netherfield Park? Kitty, run along and get ready to accompany your sister in Lizzy’s stead.”
Oh, how she hated it when her mamma carried on that way—encouraging someone whose mind was as ill-formed as Kitty’s to pursue a gentleman like Mr Darcy. Yes—her mother was doing no more than what was expected of any woman with the burden of finding husbands for five daughters, but this was carrying things a bit far!
Elizabeth closed her eyes. Thinking back, did her mother’s excitement over Lydia’s trip have anything to do with advancing that goal? Dread washed over Elizabeth. Heaven forbid! She still had not forgiven her parents for allowing Lydia to run off to Brighton under the supervision of Colonel Forster and his young bride. An officer the colonel may have been, but Elizabeth really had to question his judgement—an older man presumably with knowledge of the world, succumbing to the charms of a young woman who was foolish enough to call herself best friends with Lydia. She whispered a silent plea before opening her eyes. She looked at Jane, Mary, and Kitty and once again prayed her youngest sister would be all right—in spite of the heavy odds against such a thing. All their prospects depended upon it.
Tired of her mother’s unsuccessful attempts to rouse Kitty, she said, “Mamma, I have every intention of accompanying Jane.” Even an afternoon at Netherfield Park with Miss Bingley was preferable to an afternoon of listening to her mamma’s schemes. “I shall take only a few minutes to speak with Papa.”
Once they were in the library, unlike her father, Elizabeth did not take a seat. She took a deep breath. Resolved, she jutted her chin and crossed her arms. “Papa, why must you ridicule Mr. Darcy?”
Her father leaned back in his chair and laced his fingers behind his head. “Lizzy, my dear, when did you become such a staunch defender of Mr. Darcy? Besides, what do we live for if not to make sport for our neighbours and laugh at them in our turn?” He harrumphed. “Especially those who would presume to hold themselves above their company.”
“Papa, you misunderstand Mr. Darcy. He is nothing like that.”
“Is he not, my dear child? I know you do not dislike the gentleman nearly as much as you once did, but when did your attitude suffer so material a change that you find it necessary to come to his defence? Has he been making promises to you?”
“No—”
“Nor will he, for I have it on good authority he is to marry his cousin, Miss Anne de Bourgh. Now what do you think of my news? You have met the young lady, after all. Will theirs be an alliance worthy of the proud, disagreeable man?”
“My purpose in speaking to you is not to debate the merits of Mr. Darcy’s marital intentions.”
Mr. Bennet sat straight and began shuffling some papers on his desk. “Capital! We both have far more diverting matters to entertain us. However, I would advise you, my Lizzy, to exercise caution where the gentleman is concerned. He is a man of substantial means. No doubt, he is accustomed to having his way. I should hate to see you suffer heartbreak.”
Her father had not bothered to look at her as he spoke those words, which was just as well as far as Elizabeth was concerned, for had he but looked, he would have realised she was halfway there.
“Now, run along,” he said, “and leave me to the solace of my library. I shall see you when you return from Netherfield. Have a good day, young lady.”
Resigned, Elizabeth headed out in search of Jane. A servant met her just outside the library.
“A letter for you, ma’am.”
Elizabeth accepted the missive. Seeing it was from Anne, she ducked into the parlour to read it. Surely Jane would tolerate a slight delay.
Dear Elizabeth,
Your letter came not as soon as I had hoped, but soon enough to brighten an otherwise dreary day. I am pleased to hear your eldest sister’s spirits are much improved.
Elizabeth ceased reading and pursed her lips. Whilst she had happily shared the news of her sister’s good spirits, she had said nothing of the source of Jane’s happiness—that being the return of Mr. Bingley. To have to conceal so much of the goings-on in her life, specifically anything remotely tied to Mr. Darcy, for fear of subjecting Anne to any more pain than she currently suffered was untenable and thus Elizabeth’s letters were few and far between, and tended away from matters concerning the gentleman from Derbyshire.
In lieu of pondering those things that threatened her own equanimity, Elizabeth continued reading Anne’s letter.
I fear I cannot say the same for my own health, for I have suffered a lapse. I shall not go into the cause of my malaise, for you might then consider me rather stupid. Suffice it to say, my ill health prevents me from travelling to London to attend Cousin Victoria’s coming out ball. I began to consider it is just as well.
I cannot write any more now, but I pray I have written enough to satisfactorily reciprocate your kindness to me, and therefore may safely conclude.
Affectionately, Anne
A gentle knock on the door reminded Elizabeth it was time to leave. Jane poked her head inside the room. Elizabeth folded the letter and tucked it in her pocket. “Dearest Jane, will you forgive me for my tardiness. You must be eager to see your Mr. Bingley.”
*
“How dreary it is here at Netherfield now that Mr. Darcy has returned to town. Why, even the worst day in London is preferable to a rainy afternoon in the country.”
Caroline Bingley dragged herself away from the window and sat on the moss-green settee. Smoothing her silk skirt, she said, “Did I mention Lady Victoria’s coming out ball was last evening? I just know if I were in town, I would have been invited. Mr. Darcy would have been delighted to have me accompany him. Instead, I am relegated to the wilds of Hertfordshire whilst my dearest friends enjoy the splendours of the season.”
Caroline’s ceaseless opining over the reason for Mr. Darcy’s trip to town had not been the only way Elizabeth had learned of it. Anne had mentioned in an earlier missive his intention of attending their cousin’s coming out ball.
Lady Victoria Fitzwilliam—Mr. Darcy had spoken rather fondly of her whilst in Kent. If he truly had no intention of marrying Anne, was there a possibility Lady Victoria might one day be the merry recipient of his tender regard? Once he realises the impossibility of a future between us, owing to my obligation to Anne. H
ad Mr. Darcy already drawn that conclusion? Is that why she had learned nothing of Lady Victoria’s coming out from Mr. Darcy himself? He had plenty of opportunities, and it was not as though he was shy when speaking of her. His praises of the young lady whilst they were in Kent had been enough to convince her that she was the cousin he intended to marry.
Mr. Bingley said, “Caroline, I doubt seriously you would have been invited to Lady Victoria’s coming out ball. Furthermore, you know full well the reason you remain here in Hertfordshire.”
“Oh, how hypocritical you are, Charles, for forgiving Mr. Darcy whilst not forgiving me. It simply is not fair!”
His voice full of warning, Mr. Bingley said, “Caroline—”
She feigned ignorance. “Why must it be a secret? Does everyone not deserve to know the reason for my banishment to the country?”
“We agreed to keep that amongst the three of us, did we not?”
Elizabeth had an idea of the nature of the siblings’ contentious debate. Though she was privy to none of the details, she always supposed Caroline Bingley was just as complicit in keeping Jane’s being in London from her brother as Mr. Darcy had been. She glanced at her sister Jane whose countenance bore a troubled look owing to the Bingleys’ prickly discussion.
Yes, Elizabeth had forgiven Darcy for his interference and Bingley for his lack of conviction. As for Miss Bingley, Elizabeth never had expected much of her from the start, so it was hard to be disappointed by her misdeeds. But what of Jane who viewed everyone as decent and just? How would she feel towards the spiteful person who might be her sister—if everything turned out for the best? What was more, how would Jane feel about Mr. Darcy—her future husband’s best friend?
