“Our dear girl, Thomas. Lizzy carries my sister’s blood in her. And I am certain that Constance is in heaven, crying tears of joy, as she watches us.” Margaret tenderly touched Mr Bennet’s cheek with her fingertips. “She is an amazing young lady. It pleases me that I will now be able to be a part of her life. And, if I am not mistaken, I believe there will be a wedding in the near future, and I will be acquiring a new nephew.”
Mr Bennet glanced over to where Darcy stood by, watching the farewells. “He is worthy of her. And he loves her dearly, as he should.”
“Keep well, Thomas. I hope you will continue to write to me. I enjoy hearing from you.”
“I will do so.” Mr Bennet said, as he handed Margaret into the carriage. “Safe journey to you all.” ~~ ** ~~ Mr Hurst was healing, and the physician declared the need for only another week before he could be moved. Hurst was pleased with removing his wife and her sister from Pemberley, as he was angry with Caroline’s continued behavior towards the Bennet and Gardiner families. He could understand why Bingley was reluctant to leave, as he was still attempting to secure the hand of Miss Jane Bennet.
Colonel Fitzwilliam was enjoying the rivalry for Jane’s attention. Though he was only a second born son of an earl, he had been frugal with his money and his grandmother on his mother’s side had left a piece of property to Richard. He could easily resign his commission and live comfortably, on the small estate and his savings.
Richard was shocked at Bingley’s abandonment of Jane Bennet, and considered the man a fool. Though Jane was reserved and quiet, not flirting and attempting to draw attention to herself, Richard could easily determine that she was shy. Perhaps it was all the years of being around William and Georgiana, which taught Richard how to decipher people better than Bingley could. He would have thought Bingley would have learned by being close friends with Darcy, but Richard was not willing to bow out of the race to win the hand of the fair maiden.
Bingley was becoming frustrated. Every time he prepared to woo Jane with a ride about the estate or some time alone, Richard seemed to beat him to the draw. Rising earlier than usual one morning, Bingley hoped to be in the breakfast room when Jane entered with her sister, allowing Bingley a chance to speak with Jane. Unfortunately, Richard and Jane had gone out riding that morning and did not return until after breakfast, as they had taken a basket to enjoy on their excursion.
When Bingley attempted to arrange a meeting with Jane in the conservatory, Richard was already there with Jane, discussing the flowers they both preferred. Richard had discovered Jane’s love of using flowers and herbs to make bath waters and lotions, and he discussed with her his mother’s love of unique flowers from all over the world.
Nearing the end of his patience, Bingley finally approached Jane and asked to speak with her. The two stepped into the library to speak. “Miss Bennet, I have been trying for days to have some time alone to speak with you. I have wished to ask you if you would be willing to enter into a courtship with me.”
Jane was not surprised by his request. “Mr Bingley, I have had fond feelings for you since we were all in Hertfordshire. My concern of entering into a courtship, or any sort of arrangement, with you is how easily you were persuaded to walk away from me. You left Hertfordshire without even a farewell. What would you have done had you not come across me visiting Pemberley? Would you have returned to Netherfield, or would you have continued to live your life around the lies your sister has spoken? I realize that your sister preferred a better arrangement, one with wealth and connections, but it was your right to decide for yourself who you wished to marry.”
“And it is you, Miss Bennet, who captured my heart and you who holds it in your hands at this very moment. I was wrong to listen to Caroline. You have no way of knowing just how I suffered every day since we parted at Netherfield. My greatest hope and prayer is that you will forgive me, and allow me to make amends to you, and to devote the rest of my life to loving you and making you happy.”
“I have changed since you were at Netherfield. The pain I suffered has made me weary of freely offering my heart to just anyone. I will make certain that my heart is never trampled on as it was by you and your sister. You made the decision to go against your heart and what you knew to be true. How can I guarantee you will not abandon me again, next time your sister decides I am unworthy?”
“Are you refusing me?” Bingley asked. “Have you an understanding with Colonel Fitzwilliam?” Jane shook her head. “We are dear friends, and I care for him dearly, but we have no understanding. I have only known him a short time, and I have learned not to easily trust young men. I am aware of the Colonel’s regard for me, but I need more time to know exactly what I want in my life. I have spoken of the situation with Colonel Fitzwilliam, and he is understanding of my wishes.”
“Please, Miss Bennet, tell me now if I have even the slightest chance of winning your heart. If you cannot see a future with me, please tell me now, and I will leave here immediately.” Bingley pleaded with her.
“Mr Bingley, I do care for you, as I was unable to completely cut you from my heart when you abandoned me in Hertfordshire. It is the matter of being able to trust you that causes me to hesitate. How can I willingly trust my heart in your hands? Your own sister has made her feelings clear, and she will never stand by and allow you to marry me. She will do all in her power to condemn a union between us.”
“I will not allow my sister to take you from me, never again. Caroline is old enough to be on her own. An establishment can be formed for her to be on her own. She can purchase a place to live in Town, or she can live with our aunt in Scarborough. But Caroline will not be welcome in my home, from this day forward.”
~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~ Chapter 14 Jane went to the music room to find her sister. “Lizzy, I need to speak with you. I am so confused.” “Let us go to my rooms.” Elizabeth said, taking Jane by the hand and leading her down the hall. Once behind the door of her bedchamber, Elizabeth asked, “What is causing you so much pain, my dearest sister?”
“Oh, Lizzy, Mr Bingley and I just spoke. I knew this day would come, but I had hoped it would have been easier to cope with. What am I to do?”
Elizabeth smiled. “Are you still in love with him? Or have you decided it is not worth dealing with his sisters?”
“You know me too well, Lizzy. I can cope with Mrs Hurst. She is pleasant to deal with in comparison to her sister. We both know that Caroline Bingley will not tolerate her brother marrying the likes of me. Even with my sister having royal blood lines, the likes of Miss Bingley will never consider them to be proper connections.”
“But, perhaps Mr Bingley would be willing to break off connection with his sister. If he were willing, would you be agreeable to a relationship with him?”
“I still care for him, dearly. But I am afraid to allow him to become too close. Can I overcome my fears or is it better to look elsewhere for my prince charming?”
Elizabeth laughed. “Well, if you are looking for a prince, it is a good thing your sister is related to princes. What do you feel towards Colonel
Fitzwilliam? You seem to enjoy your time with him.”
“The colonel is amiable and kind, intelligent and has a similar sense of humor as you. In fact, Colonel Fitzwilliam reminds me of you in many ways. And, though I love you dearly, do I wish my husband to be a copy of you? Oh, I do not know what to do.”
“Should we send for Aunt Helen to join us? Perhaps she will have some insight we are
overlooking.” Elizabeth asked her sister.
“Please, as I need assistance.”
~~ ** ~~
“Wills, I need to speak with you. I have a dilemma and require advice.” Richard said as he entered his cousin’s study.
“Please, Richard, have a seat. I have a meeting in an hour with my steward, but I am free until then.” Darcy motioned his hand towards one of the chairs before his desk.
Darcy stood and made his way to the sideboard, pouring two glasses of port. He
handed one of the glasses to his cousin, then took the other with him as he returned to his chair. “Now, what is the subject you wish to discuss?”
“As you are most likely aware, I have been spending a lot of time with Miss Jane Bennet. I have come to admire her and, yet, am unsure of where I wish the relationship to lead me.”
“I was surprised when you began spending so much time together. You have always kept your heart locked away. What has brought on this change?”
Richard took a long sip of his drink. “Perhaps I am tired of war and the violence with which I have been faced for so many years. I wish to have some peace and find a good woman with whom to settle down.”
Nodding his head, Darcy could see where the discussion was heading. “And you find Jane Bennet to be someone with whom you could settle down?”
“That is the problem. I find her to be pleasant, kind, loyal to those she loves, but she is incredibly shy and does not share her feelings readily. Though I am good at determining the feelings of others, I have suddenly realized that Jane Bennet is so very similar in personality to you. Perhaps that is what has drawn me to her, but do I wish to have a wife who is similar to you? No offense, cousin, but I do not think I would be happy with such a wife.”
“Then it is time for you to look elsewhere. Allow Bingley the chance to court her. I believe they will make a good couple.” Darcy said.
“My very thought, Wills. But I do not wish to injure Miss Jane by not offering for her. I pray I have not given her expectations that an offer was coming.”
“Do not fear, Richard. If I am correct, Jane Bennet is going through the same situation with her feelings towards you. So, shall we play a game in the billiards room, before we prepare for dinner?”
~~ ** ~~ Mr Bennet stepped in the hall from his daughter’s bedchamber. “Ah, Mr Bingley. I was just coming to find you.”
“Mr Bennet, is something wrong? Is there something I can do for you?” “A moment of your time, if you do not mind. If you would be so kind as to join me in this sitting room here. It is attached to rooms in which my daughters are staying.”
Bingley was nervous as he stepped inside. Finding Jane Bennet standing before the sofa did nothing to calm him.
“Mr Bingley, my daughter and I have had a chat about you, and she wished to speak with you again. You recently requested the opportunity to court Jane. Are you still interested in a courtship?”
Bingley looked at Jane quickly, before returning his attention to her father. “Indeed, Sir. I know that I am deeply in love with Miss Jane and it would be my greatest joy to have her become my wife. I know she fears my inconsistency from the past, but I am willing to do whatever she asks to prove myself faithful and steadfast.”
“Are you concerned with the behavior of your sister, Miss Bingley?” Mr Bennet asked. “I am, Sir. As a matter of fact, I spoke with my brother, Mr Hurst, just an hour ago. He and I agreed that it is time for Caroline to have her own home. Hurst is not particularly anxious to have Caroline live with him and my sister, Louisa. My sister has enough to purchase a small home in Town or elsewhere, though I am determined to ensure it not be close to wherever I am living. And I will make certain that my sister knows she will not be welcome in my home. Her behavior towards others, especially those in your family, will not be tolerated.”
Jane looked at her father, giving him a slight nod of her head. Mr Bennet returned his attention to Bingley. “Then, my daughter is waiting for you to speak with her. I will give you some privacy, though I will be in the hall, just outside the door.”
Bingley was shocked at this turn of events. As soon as Mr Bennet was outside the door, Bingley dropped to his knees before Jane. “Miss Bennet, I vow to make you happy for the rest of your life. I know that I love you and that I was a fool to have let you go as I did. It will never happen again. Would you do me the great honor of accepting my hand in marriage?”
Jane chuckled. “I thought you wished to court me?” “I did, but I realized there is no need on my part to court you. I know what I want and I do not wish to take a chance of losing you.”
“Very well. I would ask for a two month engagement though. I know you will require time to establish your sister in her own home and decide on where you will live, whether at Netherfield or some other estate.” Jane stated clearly.
Bingley took hold of her hand, bringing it to his lips. He kissed it over and over, declaring how happy she had made him. Mr Bennet returned to the room and Bingley quickly asked for permission to marry Jane. Laughing at the young man who held Jane’s heart, Mr Bennet gave his approval.
~~ ** ~~
“How dare they treat me so?” Caroline screamed as she threw the pillow from her bed, knocking over the vase of flowers on the bedside table. “They cannot be rid of me so easily. I will not go. What will they do, drag me to the carriage, kicking and screaming, in front of Mr Darcy’s staff?”
She picked up a hairbrush from the table and threw it across the room, breaking the looking glass. “Charles and Hurst are fools if they think they will treat me in such a manner. I will not tolerate it. Set up a house of my own. As if I am some old maid to be put upon a shelf and forgotten about. A spinster to ridicule and belittle. Oh, no, I will not tolerate such ill treatment.”
The door from the hall opened and Louisa Hurst slipped in the room. “Caroline, you must control yourself. I could hear you down the hall.”
“And why did you not defend me? Why would you allow your husband and our brother to treat me in such a manner? You are my elder sister, and you promised Mother, on her deathbed, that you would protect me.”
“Caroline, how am I supposed to protect you from your own foolishness? You have refused to accept that our brother is in love with Jane Bennet. You treat her and her family poorly. Of course Charles will defend her over you. If you would only try to make some sort of kind gesture, treat Jane as I have since we have been here, perhaps Charles and Gilbert would take it into consideration.”
“I am supposed to fawn over that country nobody, pretend that she is someone of importance? It would make me ill to even contemplate such actions.”
“But Sister, you must realize when to declare defeat. It will do you no good to fight against Charles and Gilbert. Though I have always wished to see you settled here as Mrs Darcy, you have forced our brother to send you away. Now you will have no way to spend time with Mr Darcy and allow him to appreciate you. How will you ever capture him as a husband?”
“I will remain here. I will not allow Charles and your husband to send me away. I am not a spinster, and they had best be prepared to accept that fact. Mr Darcy will ask for my hand, I am sure of it. Time is all that is needed.”
“What will you do? He spends so much time with Miss Elizabeth…I mean Lady Elizabeth.” “She is no lady, Louisa. She is a bastard of some distant relations to royalty. And her father is nobody of importance. I need to remove her from the estate, so I have time to impress upon Mr Darcy how much better suited I am to be Mistress of Pemberley.”
“There is no way to have her removed. Mr Darcy is fond of her and has issued an open invitation to the Bennet family to remain here. I cannot imagine his sending them away.”
Caroline had a gleam of evil in her eyes. “But I can see that she leaves, whether of her own accord or of mine.”
~~ ** ~~ The following morning, Caroline feigned a headache and stayed in bed. Bingley demanded her to prepare to leave, as he was not believing her tale of woe, but Louisa came to her sister’s rescue.
“Charles, how can you be so heartless? Can you not see in how much pain our sister is after the manner you have treated her? You were cruel to tell her that you no longer wish for her to live with you. You as much as declared her on the shelf. No man will look at her to marry, not when her own brother has given up hope. Without your assistance, she will never be invited to gatherings where she will meet men. And what does your decision do to her chance with Mr Darcy? You know she has had her heart set on marrying him. It
is too cruel to take her away from him.”
“Louisa, Darcy has never had any inclination towards Caroline. He has told me so himself. He will never offer for her, and, even if she were to force him into a compromising situation, I would not force my friend to marry Caroline. I know where his heart lies, and it is not with our sister.”
Louisa had to think fast. “But Charles, do you not wish to see her happily married? She would be considered a spinster, put out to pasture, if you refused to allow her to live with you. It is your duty, as her brother, to do what you can to improve her position. Our parents would be turning in their graves if they knew how you plan to toss Caroline aside, just to have your own happiness. I know it is due to Miss Jane Bennet that you are forsaking our sister. You wish to have your own happiness, so you abandon our dear sister for your own pleasure. It is too cruel of Miss Bennet to insist on your
abandonment of Caroline. You would be wise to rid yourself of her and find someone more agreeable, someone more worthy of your hand.”
Bingley shook his head. “Oh, no. I will not tolerate any further discouragement from you or Caroline, especially when it comes to Miss Jane Bennet. I have asked for her hand and she has made me the happiest of men. You and our sister have made your opinion of my choice of brides clear. But she makes me happy and I love her dearly. So you and Caroline will have to accept my decision.”
“Can you not see that you are making our sister ill?” Louisa begged him. “Allow her the chance to come to terms with your choice, rather than forcing her away immediately. It is heartless and cruel of you to expect her to leave today. She needs to rest and recover her strength.”
“Louisa, we were not invited to visit here in the first place. Then Hurst broke his leg, so we required time for him to heal. I will not force Darcy to play host to us any longer. Hurst is able to travel now, and it is time for Caroline to live her own life. So, the sooner we journey to Town and find Caroline her own home, the better.”
A Royal Bennet Page 15
