Miss Bennet & Mr Bingley

by Fenella J Miller

  ‘The blizzard has gone, there is barely an inch on the road. It will be perfectly safe to return.’ She glared at him, more angry than she had ever been in her life before. ‘You are a perfidious gentleman, I have been much deceived by you. I pity the young lady who finds herself your wife.’

  Not waiting for his assistance she pushed the doors wide open then stalked back to where the horses were standing and grabbed the bit of the nearest animal. If he would not harness his team, then she would do it for him.

  ‘Very well, have it your own way. I can assure you I shall be as relieved as you to be back in town. Do not think I shall call on you again, Miss Bennet, our association is at an end.’

  She bit back her pithy response; it would not to anger him further, not when he was doing as she wished. She had no desire to be abandoned on the side of the road, she might freeze to death before another vehicle came along to rescue her.

  The carriage was soon ready to depart and she scrambled up on to the box seat, leaving him to lead the animals outside. He joined her and in stony silence they returned to town. It was getting late, her aunt and uncle must be so worried about her nonappearance.

  How she wished it was Mr Bingley sitting beside her, then today would have been an enjoyable adventure not a hideous nightmare. The road was treacherous, the horses not able to travel at more than a walk, and the journey that had taken barely three quarters of an hour in the other direction took one hour and a half to complete this time.

  Mr Fox reined in outside the Gardiner house but he did not offer to assist her, and she certainly did not invite him in. Her aunt and uncle must have been watching through the window and the front door opened immediately.

  ‘Stay where you are, Jane my dear, I shall come down myself to assist you.’

  Her uncle reached up and she was lifted down. Now she was back safely her bravado evaporated, she felt wretched, ill used and frozen to the marrow. ‘Thank you, Uncle, I must apologize for being so tardy. I shall explain everything once I can inside.’ Without a backward glance she moved away from the carriage, and if her uncle was surprised by her incivility to Mr Fox, he did not comment.

  ‘Come in, come in, you poor thing, you are in a dreadful state. Let me take you upstairs, I already have hot bricks warming your bed, and a tray of something nourishing will be brought to you immediately.’

  ‘You are too kind, Aunt Gardiner. I am ashamed of putting you through so much anguish on my behalf. I hardly know where to begin to tell you what has transpired. Mr Fox is not a gentleman, I do not wish him to be welcomed in this house again.’ She ought not be issuing instructions in this way, she was a guest in their house, but she felt too dispirited to explain in detail what she had suffered at his hands.

  An hour later she was feeling much more the thing, and ready to give the whole sorry story to her aunt.

  ‘I cannot believe that we were so misled by that young man. You can be very sure he will no longer be received by any friends of ours. I blame myself for encouraging you to accept his invitations.’

  ‘Please do not, I am a woman grown and can make my own decisions. However, from this point on, I shall not go out in society, I shall spend my time with you and the children.’

  * * * *

  As Charles struggled to regain his feet the carriage rocked wildly, he could not believe their bad luck. The duel had been successful, it would be ill fortune indeed if they were apprehended by the constables. Again Darcy assisted him; his cloak was the problem, he was kneeling on the folds and this kept him trapped on the floor.

  ‘Here, allow me to help you, Bingley.’ His friend’s strength was more than adequate to heave him on to the squabs. The carriage lurched violently to one side and he almost ended on the floor again. He hauled himself upright and hooked his hand into the strap.

  ‘If we are stopped, Bingley, let me do the talking. What did you do with my pistols?’

  ‘I am sorry, in the excitement I did not have time to retrieve them.’

  ‘Excellent!’

  To his astonishment his friend reached up and hammered on the roof; immediately the driver responded and the horses dropped to a less dangerous, collected canter. ‘Darcy, we shall never outrun the constables now. What are you thinking of?’

  ‘If there are no pistols in the carriage, and we have disposed of the doctor, there can be no proof we were doing anything illegal. The constables might suspect our purpose, but without evidence they can prove nothing. I shall tell them we have been visiting with friends but became lost in the dark. They will know that is fustian, but will be unable to prove it.’ His teeth showed white in the gloom and Charles knew his friend was enjoying the experience.

  He attempted to relax, but could not help himself from stiffening as two riders overtook the carriage and demanded it pull over. He was glad that Darcy intended to do the talking, he doubted he would make much sense, his nerves were all over the place this morning.

  His friend lowered the window and stared out imperiously. ‘What is the meaning of this? Can a man not go about his business without being waylaid in this outrageous manner?’

  The coach door opened and two armed men waved them out. ‘Out here, if you please, gentlemen, we wish to examine the interior of your vehicle. We have reason to believe you have been illegally duelling.’

  Charles hesitated, waiting to see what Darcy wished him to do. He grinned and then indicated that he followed him. ‘I am Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley. How dare you treat me in this fashion. Mr Bingley and I have been visiting friends, not that it is any concern of yours.’

  The constable’s air of authority began to deflate. Charles was lost in admiration for this handling of a difficult situation. As instructed he remained mute and left the talking to Darcy. The second man searched the inside of the vehicle and emerged shaking his head at his associate. This was exactly as Darcy had said it would be.

  ‘If you have finished your business, my man, we wish to return to town. Kindly remove yourselves at once.’

  ‘I beg your pardon, Mr Darcy, it appears our information was incorrect. You may continue on your journey.’

  Charles wanted to leap back in and demand that the horses were sprung, but Darcy stared superciliously down at the two constables and then sauntered back to the carriage. The driver snapped his whip and they rolled away.

  ‘My God, that was a close run thing. You were magnificent, you fobbed them off perfectly. Now I can look forward to my breakfast.’

  ‘It is not over yet, I expect Winterton will have been apprehended by now. There were six men, I expect the other two to arrive imminently, baying for our blood.’ He smiled. ‘I think it is time to spring the horses, my friend, unless you wish to spend a night in jail.’

  Immediately Charles was on his feet and craning out of the window. ‘Get moving, they will be after us again.’ There was no sign of any pursuit behind them, but he trusted his friend’s judgement and if he said they needed to make haste that was good enough for him.

  He was thrown back as the horses were urged into a flat gallop. He braced his feet against the far seat, rather enjoying the excitement. He had left the window down, and with some difficulty stuck his head out without losing it. He dropped back in shock.

  ‘They are on to us, I spotted four horses in the distance. Do you think we can outrun them?’

  ‘We must hope that we do. Is your driver resourceful?’

  ‘In this sort of situation? I have no idea, Darcy. I believe there is a crossroads the other side of these trees, if we can get there before them, with luck the dust will have settled and they will have no idea which direction we took.’

  He had no idea what being taken into custody might mean for him, acting as a second did not hold such a high penalty as actually fighting. Amidst the bouncing and jolting it was difficult to see how his friend was dealing with the thought that he might imminently be removed to prison.

  ‘Will Winterton be taken in? Do you think he gave us up to the law in ord
er to get his own back?’

  ‘A gentleman would not do that. Unless they have both of us he can tell them it was an accident. Absolute balderdash, that they will not be able to disprove it if I am out of reach.’

  This time Darcy risked his neck to see if their pursuers were gaining on them. The carriage veered wildly to the left, the right side of the carriage was airborne. For a moment Charles thought he was about to meet his maker. Then the wheels crashed back, the vehicle righted itself, and they continued at breakneck speed.

  Darcy laughed out loud. ‘We have just safely negotiated the crossroads, with luck they will think we continued on to town. God knows what lies in this direction, but I am sure your driver knows his business.’

  This proved to be the case. A short while later the carriage slowed to a more decorous trot and then dropped to a walk before turning into the cobbled yard of a substantial coaching inn.

  However, it did not stop there, but continued under a second archway where it finally halted.

  ‘We are safe, your driver and groom can take care of the team back here whilst remaining out of sight. Are you ready, Bingley? I could do with my breakfast, I am sharp set.’

  Two hours later they left the inn and returned at a more leisurely pace to town. Charles was to leave his friend where he had collected him. ‘I think it is a good thing you are going to Kent to visit your relatives, it would be better if you are out of town for a while.’

  ‘Thank you for your support this morning. I had a capital time, I cannot remember when I was so energized. When I return from Rosings, remember you and your family are to come to me at Pemberley for a visit.’

  When Charles returned his house was awake, but fortunately Caroline was not in residence at present or he would have had a deal of explaining to do. That evening he was to dine at Grosvenor Square and he believed that Georgiana would be accompanying Darcy. He hoped she would not mention her brother’s strange behaviour to Caroline or Louisa.

  He arrived early that evening and was greeted warmly by Caroline.

  ‘My dear Charles, did you know that we are all invited to go back to Pemberley when Mr Darcy and Georgiana return after Mr Darcy’s visit to Rosings?’

  ‘Yes, Darcy mentioned it to me. However, I think I might remain in town this time. Although society is a little thin at the moment, it is not long to the start of the season and I already have several invitations from families who have returned from the country.’

  He saw his sister frown and wondered at it. The invitation had been issued and Darcy would not change his mind because he was not intending to accompany them on this occasion. He would reassure her on this matter when he got a moment to be private with her. There was also something he wished to discuss with his sister that he could not do in public.

  Georgiana volunteered to play the piano forte and, whilst the others gathered to listen, he drew his sister to one side. ‘Caroline, have you heard from Miss Bennet since you were in town?’

  ‘No, why should I? I cut the connection immediately we arrived here. Charles, I do not think you should stay in town whilst we are at Pemberley. You are Mr Darcy’s closest friend, I am sure he only invites us to stay because of your connection.’

  He thought she was probably correct but it would be insensitive to say so. He knew it was her dearest wish to become mistress of Pemberley and he did not have the heart to tell her it would never happen.

  ‘I am sorry that you felt obliged to drop Miss Bennet,’ he said to Caroline. ‘I believed you had a genuine fondness for her. I would not like to think my disappointment had spoiled your friendship.’

  ‘You must not worry on my account, Charles. She was never anything more than a casual country acquaintance - someone to enliven my days whilst we were at Netherfield.’

  He turned away, disappointed in her. He loved Jane, believed he always would, and did not like to think that his beloved had been used in this cavalier fashion by his sisters. He was determined not to go to Pemberley, he needed to keep busy, be surrounded by noise and bustle, and not be constantly reminded of what he had lost. There was too much time spent in silent contemplation in the countryside.

  * * * *

  Two weeks after Jane’s unpleasant experience it was as though it had never happened. The snow had all but gone, Mr Fox’s name no longer mentioned. Her relatives were kindness itself, and at no time made her feel she was being ungracious by remaining at home when they went out to dine.

  When a letter from her sister arrived saying that on her way to visit Charlotte and Mr Collins in Hunsford, Sir William had agreed to call in at Cheapside and stay the night, she was overjoyed. Such excitement! It had been too long since she had spent time with her sister, she could scarcely contain her eagerness to be reunited with her Lizzy. It was noon when Jane, who was watching from the drawing-room window, saw their visitors arrive.

  ‘Oh good, they are here at last. I shall go and meet them myself.’ She glanced up to see her little cousins hiding halfway up the stairs, waiting to greet the visitors. They had not seen her sister for a twelve month, and they were too shy to come lower.

  ‘Lizzy, I am so happy to see you.’ Jane held out her hand and Elizabeth took it. She turned and curtsied politely to Sir William. ‘I am pleased to see you, Sir William, it is so kind of you to break your journey here so that my sister and I can see each other.’

  All was joy and kindness. The guests were shown to their rooms and her sister into her own chamber. After a cold collation the day passed most pleasantly away; the morning in bustle and shopping, and the evening at one of the theatres. This was a treat for all of them, even the children were included.

  Somehow, Jane found herself separated from Elizabeth, and obliged to sit between Sir William and Maria. She glanced across several times and saw her sister happily conversing with their aunt during the intervals between the acts. She knew she would have time, when they were alone in her bedchamber, to share any secrets they had been holding back from their letters, perhaps she might even mention Mr Fox.

  However, Elizabeth had nothing much to say about Longbourn, apart from the fact that Mr Bennet missed Jane and was looking forward to her return. Elizabeth was full of excitement as she had been invited by their aunt to travel to the Lakes in the summer and the opportunity to share her own news did not arrive.

  Jane listened to her sister talking rapturously about the treats to come. ‘Oh Jane, what delight! what felicity! This treat will give me fresh life and vigour. Adieu to disappointment and spleen. What are men, to rocks and mountains? Oh! What hours of transport we shall spend!’

  The fact that Mr Wickham had abandoned her sister to pursue a young person called Miss King who had recently inherited £10,000, seemed not to bother Elizabeth one jot.

  Jane found it hard to sleep, she heard her sister’s steady breathing, and it gave her comfort. She wished that she had felt so little for Mr Bingley that she could accept his moving on to someone else as easily as Elizabeth had accepted Mr Wickham’s defection for another. She did not have the heart to spoil her sister’s happiness by discussing her own continued sadness.

  The house in Gracechurch Street seemed empty and flat after Elizabeth, Sir William and Maria left; Jane did her best to appear in good spirits offering to take her little cousins on frequent outings. The boys were delighted to accompany her to the River Thames to watch the ships go by. The eldest, Lucy, informed Jane that the tide would be turning by the time they arrived, and they would see the coal and timber lighters, as well as larger ships, sailing past. Plenty to entertain them for an hour or more.

  The children were accompanied by their nursemaid, Elsie, a jolly girl, who knew her charges well, and left Jane with little to do but hold hands and answer questions. When they returned from the excursion she was pleasantly fatigued, and having passed an unsettled night, knew next time she retired to her bed she had a fair chance of sleeping soundly.

  Mrs Gardiner attempted to fill the afternoon with another visit to the c
irculating library. Jane had little appetite for novels at present, in fact she had very little inclination for anything frivolous.

  ‘Jane, if you wish to return to Longbourn, I shall be happy for you to use the carriage. It is not more than a few hours drive. You seem so dispirited now that Lizzy has left, would you not feel happier at home?’

  Jane was aghast. The last thing she required was to be at Longbourn without dearest Elizabeth at her side. The very thought of listening to Kitty and Lydia’s silliness made her shudder. No, she had much rather stay where she was until Elizabeth returned with Maria in six weeks time; then they should travel back together.

  Longbourn would not be the same. She tried not to think that it would never be the same now that he had left the area. ‘Thank you, aunt, but I am very content to remain here.’

  ‘The remaining six weeks of your visit shall pass quickly, Jane. I know you do not wish to go out in the evening, but the weather is improving every day, and I intend for us to go and visit the menagerie at the Tower, and we shall visit the museums, and perhaps we can discover a lecture or two you might enjoy.’

  ‘You do not have to inconvenience yourself on my behalf. I do not wish to be a trial.’ She saw her words had disappointed. ‘However, if you really have the time and energy for so much activity it will make the weeks fly past.’

  ‘In that case, my dear, we shall begin with the menagerie. The children would enjoy a trip to the Tower; and we could certainly drive around to see the sights. When it is warmer we could take a picnic to Hide Park or Green Park.’

  ‘That sounds delightful, I am feeling better already. Perhaps, if there is time, we could visit an area which has a milliners, a drapery shop, and a general stores. I should like to buy the children a small something before I depart, and also purchase gifts for my family.’ The matter decided satisfactorily for both parties no more was said about Jane’s low spirits.