“We have a henge in Derbyshire called Arbor Low,” Darcy said, turning to the Gardiners. “It is not so well preserved or dramatic as Stonehenge, but I would be delighted to form a party to visit it. I have not been since I was a boy of fifteen or so, and I do not know that Georgiana has ever seen it.”
“We would not wish to trouble you, Mr Darcy,” replied Mrs Gardiner. She added, glancing down the table, “Your guests may not wish to make the journey. I do not remember seeing it when I lived here, although I have heard of it. We three might go on our own without inconveniencing you.”
Darcy knew this response to be a civil formality and brushed it away. “Nonsense, Mrs Gardiner! It is just outside Bakewell. Georgiana?” he spoke up to attract his sister’s attention and she looked at him. “Would you like to make the trip to Arbor Low? We will take the Gardiners and Miss Elizabeth, and any of you who wish to join us.” Here he looked at Bingley. “It will take half a day if we include a picnic.”
Mr Gardiner spoke up, “We would be delighted, sir, if we are not taking you from your guests.”
“I certainly intend to join you,” exclaimed Bingley. “I shall like it very much.”
The next Wednesday was fixed upon, and the ladies withdrew to the music room to await coffee and the gentlemen. The vicar took his leave.
Once alone together, the ladies found their mutual society to be tense in the extreme. Georgiana and Elizabeth sat at the pianoforte selecting music to play. Caroline and Louisa stood to the side, feeling the dreadful slight of not being asked their opinion or invited to perform. Mrs Gardiner chose a seat with the intention of requesting Mr Bingley sit next to her. She was interested in him on Jane’s behalf.
Fortunately, the men did not tarry over their port. Darcy, in his desire to spend every possible moment in Elizabeth’s company, propelled them out of the dining room. They brought their drinks to the music room and settled in to listen. Darcy secured the chair with the best view of the pianoforte. Louisa and Caroline sat by themselves, facing Darcy and away from the instruments and performers.
Elizabeth played the pianoforte and sang two songs, ones she already knew well. When she looked up from her fingering, Darcy’s eyes were beaming at her, and she smiled a little as she sang.
Elizabeth is here in my home, singing like a linnet as if for me alone. It could only be bettered if we were, in truth, alone. He applauded heartily when she finished.
Georgiana suggested another song, but Elizabeth demurred, saying she had heard it sung but did not want to make her first attempt at playing it a public one. Georgiana said in a low voice, “Elizabeth, I do not sing in company, but if you will be my voice, I shall accompany you as I have practiced this piece several times. My brother loves to hear you sing; he has told me so.”
Elizabeth nodded, blushing, and her eyes involuntarily went to Darcy, where she became momentarily engrossed in the affection in his dark eyes. Where do I stand in his esteem? she wondered. How I wish I knew. She smiled at him, which deepened his fond expression, and turned her attention to the next song.
While Elizabeth was singing, Darcy was oblivious to everything and everyone else in the room. He allowed his fancies to run away with him, imagining long winter evenings with just his sister and Elizabeth for company, his two favourite ladies playing duets until he would take Elizabeth’s hand and lead her to their bedroom. Detecting the beginnings of arousal, he closed his eyes and attempted to master his breathing.
“Her singing is not as horrible as that, is it Mr Darcy?” The hiss-like whisper of Caroline Bingley’s voice jarred in his ear. She had walked behind the chair where Darcy sat. The enticement he was feeling vanished.
“Miss Bingley, you once again reveal a distinct inability to accurately read my thoughts,” Darcy murmured. “I wonder that you still make the attempt.” He glanced up at her with extreme irritation then away. “I can offer no suggestion of improvement to Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s voice. There is no lady I would rather hear.” He stood abruptly and walked to the end of the pianoforte.
Mr Gardiner attended the exchange, and although he could not hear what was said, the sneering insolence of Caroline Bingley and Darcy’s resulting disturbance of mind were evident. He turned to catch his wife’s eye and discovered her to be in serious conversation with Bingley, that gentleman looking very interested in what Mrs Gardiner was saying. They were so occupied in discussion that they neglected to applaud at the end of Elizabeth’s song, nor did they stand and approach the serving table when, as the music ceased, a footman delivered the coffee service.
Darcy noticed the tête-à-tête and was filled with a sense of foreboding when he saw Bingley, his countenance ever a map of his feelings, glare openly at his sister Caroline, all the while leaning in to catch Mrs Gardiner’s every word. Elizabeth and Georgiana moved to the serving table, and they were met with kind words of appreciation from Darcy and Mr Gardiner. Hurst approached on wobbly legs, picked up the port decanter and carried it back to the corner where he had been dosing.
“Your singing is every bit as lovely as I remember, Miss Elizabeth,” said Darcy, pulling his attention away from Bingley’s unprecedented grave expression. Bingley was still eyeing his younger sister with exasperation.
“You are too kind, Mr Darcy, but your sister assures me you never lie and are never wrong, so I must assume you mean what you say.” Her eyes were alive with their usual teasing sparkle. “It would be difficult for anyone’s voice not to sound its best when accompanied on such a fine instrument, played by someone who performs as well as Georgiana.”
Georgiana and Elizabeth began to compliment Darcy on the quality of the pianoforte, which had only just arrived, an early birthday gift from brother to sister. Caroline Bingley silently poured herself coffee, hearing with irksome annoyance that Elizabeth and Georgiana addressed each other by their first names, a civility Miss Darcy had never extended to her. Her deeply rooted dislike of all things Bennet was ready to erupt, and she did not notice her brother’s fixation upon her as his talk with Mrs Gardiner continued.
Georgiana did not care for coffee and returned to her instrument, selecting music to continue playing.
Darcy and Elizabeth were alone at the serving table, and both were now inescapably aware of the intensity of Bingley’s eyes upon his sisters. Darcy’s perplexity was difficult to mask, and Elizabeth tried not at all.
“What can they be speaking of, do you suppose?” Elizabeth asked as she watched her aunt’s face, so earnest in whatever she was saying to Bingley.
“Miss Elizabeth, did your sister mention in her letters to you from London whether your aunt was present when Miss Bingley paid her call?”
Both Mrs Gardiner and Bingley were now looking at Georgiana, and Bingley was shaking his head.
Elizabeth’s eyes grew wide with concern, answering Darcy’s question in the affirmative by the very nature of her expression. It was at that moment Bingley jumped to his feet and approached Darcy like thunder. His actions were so incautious that Georgiana stopped playing.
“I say, Darcy? May I have the immediate use of your study for a few moments? I would speak with my sisters — both of them.” He turned and fixed them with a look of such glowering resentment as they had not seen since they teased him as a boy. But the anger of a man thwarted in love was much more intense than any fleeting childhood indignation.
Darcy spoke in a low voice. “Perhaps this should wait until morning when our dinner guests have gone?”
Bingley responded hotly, “This involves everyone here, it seems, but it starts with my sisters.”
“No, Bingley, I think you will find it starts with me.” Darcy spoke as if bestowing his own death sentence.
Bingley turned a dispassionate gaze to his friend. “Sir, I do not wish to imply in any manner that I will not soon be requesting a private audience with you.”
Mrs Gardiner joined them at the coffee service. “Mr Bingley, I must apologize for disquieting you so. Mr Darcy, I fear Mr Bingley’s a
nd my conversation has revealed events surprising to him. We were discussing matters misrepresented to both my family and to Mr Bingley. I am mortified to unknowingly have spoiled this most charming evening.” She caught Elizabeth’s eye. “We should take our leave.”
Elizabeth nodded and turned back to the pianoforte to make her excuses to Georgiana. Mrs Gardiner went to her husband, whispering in his ear. He nodded and arose.
Bingley’s sisters still were unaware of the storm about to burst, but they were watching their brother warily.
Bingley spoke firmly. “Mrs Gardiner, you owe me no apology. In fact, I am very much in your debt. Mr Gardiner, I look forward to seeing you at the river tomorrow.” Bingley bowed to the Gardiners. “Louisa, Caroline, come with me.”
His sisters looked at him with alarmed surprise. “Charles, really!” chirped Louisa. Her brother fixed her with a gimlet eye, and her next words died on her lips. The three siblings exited the room.
Darcy looked woeful. “Must you all leave?” He knew it was unavoidable but could not resist speaking. His gaze turned to Elizabeth as she returned to the centre of the room, followed by Georgiana.
“May we assume, Aunt, Mr Bingley knows at last that Jane was in London for the winter?” Elizabeth asked.
Mrs Gardiner looked at Darcy with perceptive eyes. “He quite believed himself to be in the fairest way for happiness when he left Netherfield the day after the ball. Suddenly, he was beset by obstacles that made no sense to him. Imagine his confusion.”
Darcy lowered his gaze, his face colouring. He turned away and went to pull the bell for a footman. He returned and looked at Elizabeth. “You know already, Miss Elizabeth, that I behaved without honour or probity in this matter, and you know why. I give you leave to tell your excellent aunt and uncle whatever you wish. I know you will be honest.”
Georgiana looked from face to face, openly perplexed.
The footman entered, and Darcy ordered the Gardiner carriage brought around. “Mr Gardiner, you are still more than welcome to fish with us in the morning. If you do not arrive at eleven as we have planned, I shall understand completely.” Darcy looked meaningfully at Elizabeth and her uncle.
The Gardiners and Elizabeth made their way to the entry hall, followed by Georgiana and Darcy, and they were met by the butler and footmen holding their outerwear. The study where Bingley was engaged in a rencontre with his sisters was just two doors down the hall, and as Elizabeth and her aunt were donning their pelisses, that door opened. Louisa Hurst emerged first, in tears, and ran to the stairway. A furious Caroline, red with rage, followed in long strides behind her sister. Bingley was behind Caroline and said in a low but audible voice, “This will be continued at breakfast.”
Bingley joined the waiting group. “Mr Gardiner, may I have one quick, private word with your niece?”
“Yes, Mr Bingley, of course.”
Bingley offered his arm to Elizabeth, who, carrying her bonnet and gloves in her other hand, went with him into the vacated drawing room. Darcy looked worried.
Bingley sighed and turned to Elizabeth. He patted her hand nervously and spoke in a low voice, as they had not closed the door behind them. “Lizzy…if I may call you so; I feel you are the sister I was meant to have. I know you will tell me the truth. Was Jane at all partial to me at the time I left Netherfield?”
“Yes, yes, Mr. Bingley, she was. Jane was quite in love with you, but she is modest and we live in gossiping country. Those who do not know her nature would not have seen through her public equanimity. But I can tell you with every certainty that it would take very little effort on your part to encourage her. She still holds you in the highest possible regard.”
Bingley looked down at Elizabeth’s hand. “I do not deserve such forbearance.” Looking back at her face, he asked, “Was Jane told by my sister I had formed an attachment to Miss Darcy — that Darcy was hoping to align me with his sister?”
“Yes, Caroline inferred as much in a letter and, when she called at my aunt’s, said a betrothal was in the offing.”
“And did Darcy know of this?”
“He knew Jane was in London and had seen your sisters, but he knew nothing of the lies concerning Georgiana. You must know, sir, after Georgiana’s trying episode a year ago, Mr Darcy never would have agreed to even the suggestion of such an idea. Please absolve him of that at least. When we talked this morning, he was, I believe, genuinely displeased to learn of your sister’s dissemblance. He has much to answer for, Mr. Bingley, but not for the involvement of his sister’s name in Jane’s deception.”
Bingley nodded. It was all as he thought.
“Lizzy, if I were to write a letter to your father asking permission to court Jane when I return to Netherfield, do you think he would honour my suit?” Bingley looked intensely into Elizabeth’s eyes.
Elizabeth’s chest expanded as tears stung her eyes. “Yes, oh yes, sir… Mr Bingley! You do not know how happy you have made me.” She laughed and hugged him.
Darcy stood with his sister and the Gardiners in the entry hall, looking into the open door of the drawing room and fearing the conversation progressing there. Why did I not speak to Bingley sooner? What a coward! What word did Elizabeth use? Missish? I should have known Mrs Gardiner would have attended as hostess when Caroline called on Jane. I will lose them both…the perfect woman — my beloved — and my best friend. I am losing them both. He wanted to walk out into the night and never return; he wanted to roar at the moon.
“…isn’t that right, Brother?” Georgiana had asked him something and was looking at him. She was expecting some response, and her expression was concerned.
Darcy looked at her then back at the drawing room door. “I am sorry, Georgiana, I did not hear you.”
“I was confirming with the Gardiners our plan to visit Arbor Low.”
“Yes, yes, of course.” He shook his head and smiled at the Gardiners. “There is no reason to think this fair weather will not hold. Mrs Gardiner, you know how beautiful the Derbyshire summer can be, and we shall have a wonderful time.” He hoped he sounded more sociable than he felt.
In the drawing room, Bingley chuckled and offered Elizabeth his handkerchief. “I shall never understand the female tendency to cry when happy.”
Elizabeth laughed through her tears. “Far lesser men than you have given up the effort as a hopeless case. I do think, Mr Bingley, you should tell my uncle of your intentions.”
“Yes! I shall do so directly, before you leave, shall I?”
“Yes, you shall.” Elizabeth looked down and smiled to herself. How like Bingley to ask my permission! Well better mine than someone else’s, concerning my own sister…
They turned to leave the drawing room, but Elizabeth stopped him. “Mr Bingley?” she began.
Bingley stopped and smiled at her with a tilt of his head.
“I must beg you to forgive Mr Darcy. He knows he has stolen months of happiness from you and my sister, but I believe him to be filled with remorse. He can, at least in some measure, explain his actions if not excuse them. Please listen to him. Or if he happens to write you a letter, read it.”
“I fully intend to forgive him, after a few hours and a few brandies…” Bingley chuckled, and Elizabeth joined him with a beaming smile. They started out of the room. “And you will come with your uncle in the morning?” Bingley whispered.
She raised her face to Bingley’s and nodded. She would come.
The front door of Pemberley opened as the Gardiner’s carriage rolled to a stop. Darcy turned in time to see Elizabeth and Bingley emerge from the drawing room. They were smiling, and she was nodding and dabbing at her eyes with Bingley’s handkerchief.
“Now what is this?” Mr Gardiner asked. He was a calm man, not given to the enjoyment of emotional drama. He had experienced quite enough of it growing up with two silly sisters. Elizabeth flew to her uncle’s arms and looked back at Mr Bingley.
“Mr Gardiner, Miss Elizabeth would have me inform you that, tomorr
ow morning, I intend to send an express to her father asking permission to court your niece, Miss Jane Bennet, upon my return to the Meryton neighbourhood.”
Mrs Gardiner inhaled a happy gasp, and Elizabeth moved from her uncle’s embrace to her aunt’s as Bingley continued, “I have a matter, or perhaps three matters, to settle here” — he glared at Darcy — “and then I plan to remove myself to Hertfordshire with all possible speed.”
Mr Gardiner held out his hand to Bingley, who wrung it with excessive enthusiasm. “I am most pleased, Mr Bingley, most pleased. We do not know each other well, but I believe you to be an excellent fisherman, which I think will carry some weight with my brother Bennet!”
Darcy stood back and followed behind with Georgiana as Bingley helped the Gardiners and Elizabeth into the carriage. Darcy and Georgiana took part in the general thanks and well-wishes, and Darcy received a nod from Mr Gardiner when he reminded that man, yet again, to come and fish at eleven.
Elizabeth was handed last into the carriage, and Darcy heard Bingley whisper, “Thank you, Lizzy,” as she leaned out to return his handkerchief.
Lavender
“Faithfulness”
Chapter 3
Late Night Conversations
24 July, 1812
The carriage bearing the Gardiners and their niece rolled to Lambton with a happy cadence, mimicking the mood of the people it carried. Elizabeth spoke excitedly about her encouragement of Bingley and explained more fully the visit she had from Mr. Darcy that morning. She was overjoyed that matters had progressed so rapidly, although in her heart, she was worried about the conversation she knew to be taking place in Darcy’s study. Elizabeth hoped Bingley truly had the forgiving nature she believed of him. The Gardiners asked many questions about Bingley’s temperament, concerned as they were by the ease with which he had been influenced by his sisters and his friend. Elizabeth was able to answer honestly; Bingley had a limit to his forbearance, as she had just discovered, and Darcy was deeply sorry for his part in separating two such well-suited lovers.
The Red Chrysanthemum Page 4
