Pride, Prejudice & Secrets (7 page)

For his part, he considered the lack of fortune irrelevant, given Bingley’s own wealth, while the inferior social status of her relations was not as significant as their foolishness and lack of propriety. But those issues could have been overlooked — as he had done — if Miss Bennet had returned his affections in equal regard. The difference in his own situation was that Elizabeth Bennet returned his affections and had accepted his offer without coercion by her mother, as would have likely occurred had Bingley offered for her sister.

Indifference had been the thesis of his argument: that, while Miss Bennet received his attentions with pleasure, she did not respond with any particular sentiments of her own. His conclusions had been based on his impartial observations, and absent that conviction, he never would have argued against the connection.

In addition, it had taken little observation of Mrs. Bennet and her vulgar comments about the impending marriage of her daughter to convince him she would exert the utmost influence on her daughter to accept Bingley’s offer, no matter her daughter’s reluctance. Darcy made that point strongly to Bingley, hammering it home until his friend finally admitted to the sense of his argument.

I could not believe Mrs. Bennet’s speaking openly of her daughter being well settled at Netherfield! And she cared not a whit that I overheard her; she went on to exult that the marriage would throw her remaining daughters into the paths of other rich men!

Of course,
he thought wryly,
now she will get her wish — if not in the way she originally imagined — since I will have to introduce her daughters as my sisters. Perhaps I ought to do something more overt in that matter, something on the order of settling a modest dowry on the other girls…

He wondered briefly whether he should inform Bingley by letter or visit, but his consideration was brief since it seemed clear the task would best be carried out in person. He knew Bingley would have many questions, and those questions should be answered in person so as not to stimulate memories from last autumn.

Despite believing he acted in Bingley’s best interests, Darcy could not remember the episode with any satisfaction. He had been completely undecided about Elizabeth when Bingley’s sisters departed Netherfield after Bingley left on business with the announced intention of convincing him never to return. He had seen no other option than to accompany them, and after convincing Bingley to stay in town, he found himself committed to do the same. He could not return to Netherfield with Bingley gone unless he was prepared to openly declare himself to Elizabeth Bennet, and he was unprepared for such a move. In fact, he was so upset by her taking the part of George Wickham during the ball that he was not sure of anything — whether the attraction he felt was real or a passing infatuation, whether he wanted to deepen the relationship, terminate it forever, or simply continue in his usual detached manner.

Finding himself trapped in London, he decided to let his attraction languish and let time take its course. If he could forget Elizabeth’s ‘fine eyes,’ that would be a resolution of sorts. And if not, he could return and openly declare himself. Even when he and Fitzwilliam left for Rosings, he had made no firm decisions. He
thought
he had put her out of his mind, but events proved he had been deluding himself. The dictates of society and the expectations of family and friends warred with the attraction he felt for this lively and intelligent young lady from the country.

And then I find her established at the house of my aunt’s parson. The question at hand is how much of this to reveal to Bingley.

After several minutes of introspection, Darcy gave a sigh.
In so many ways, it would have been easier if Jane Bennet had warmed to Bingley. I would have been in Elizabeth’s company on any number of occasions, during which I would have had time to settle my mind and recognize the strength of my attraction. I could then have courted her, and with family and friends informed of my intentions, our engagement would not seem so hasty and impulsive and would not have required so many explanations.

He decided this topic had been pursued as far as worthwhile, and he would see Bingley in the morning and go from there. Little good could come from speculations about what he should or should not have done, or what would have been best if only this or that took place. The situation was what it was, and he would have to do the best he could.

Chapter 5

“Straightforwardness, without the rules of propriety, becomes rudeness.”

— Confucius, ancient Chinese philosopher

Saturday, April 11, 1812: Hunsford Parsonage, Kent

Elizabeth was already awake when Charlotte knocked on the door and entered with a full pitcher of cold lemonade and a cheerful smile. “And how does the patient fare this morning?”

“Not too badly but certainly not recovered,” Elizabeth said, sitting up in bed and swinging her feet to the floor. “My throat still hurts, but I have hope of that lemonade.”

She gratefully accepted a full glass from Charlotte and took a long, slow drink. The delicious cool liquid had an immediate effect, and it seemed to make the pain float away. “Oh, that feels ever so much better.”

Charlotte took the opportunity to assess Elizabeth’s fever and nodded in satisfaction. “You are still feverish, but I am sure it is less than yesterday.”

“I hope so. I am so dreadfully tired of feeling ill.”

“I believe I have said this before, but you must be patient, Eliza. The important thing is that you are improving. You have only been ill for a little over two days, you know.”

“I know, I know,” Elizabeth said, “and I admit I am wallowing in self-pity, but I want so badly to be well, to be out in the sunlight, and it chafes that I cannot do so. My head still hurts, and I believe my back and shoulders hurt worse today than yesterday. But I do feel somewhat hungry.”

“That is indeed a good sign! I will order a light breakfast sent up.”

“Thank you, Charlotte. And I will write a note for my uncle if you would be so good as to contract for an express to London.”

“Should you not wait until you feel better?”

“Today is Saturday. I should be completely recovered by Monday morning. And I want to remove a source of discord from the near proximity of your husband’s patroness.”

“I am sure it will do little good at this point,” Charlotte said, and, while her voice was serious, she did not sound unduly anxious. “Her ladyship has not sent for Mr. Collins this morning as she usually does on Saturday, prior to Sunday’s sermon.”

“It was very good of him to do what he did for me,” Elizabeth said. “I am grateful, but I do not wish him to take additional risks. Please, let me eat a bit of breakfast, and I shall dash off a few lines before I go back to sleep.”

“Very well, then. I shall have your breakfast sent up directly.”

Elizabeth nodded her thanks and laid her head back on the pillow. She intended simply to rest her eyes, but she was startled out of sleep by a knock on the door and the entry of a maid with a platter holding a deep bowl of broth with vegetables and several slices of well-buttered bread. She left the tray on the bedside table, and Elizabeth sat up in response to the delicious aroma of the broth and the scent of freshly baked bread.

Fifteen minutes later, Elizabeth laid the spoon down with a sigh of satisfaction. After eating nothing for almost two days, she could not believe how delicious such simple fare tasted.

Now to deal with the note to Uncle Gardiner,
she thought, crossing to the writing table.
Now, what shall I say? I have to explain the unexpectedness of my request, but do I want to tell him about Darcy? If so, I must explain the wrongheaded and presumptuous nature of the whole affair, and I am not sure I can compose such a letter with my headache.

After a moment’s thought, she decided to say nothing of Darcy’s presumptions.
That will have to be related in person. I am sure he will understand and be able to offer some sage advice. No, I will simply say I have to leave unexpectedly and as early as possible.

Dipping the quill in the inkwell, Elizabeth quickly finished her note, asking her uncle to retrieve her on Monday if at all possible. She apologized for the surprise, saying that she well understood that her request would require him to engage a carriage for the journey. She also informed him of her illness but stretched the truth somewhat by saying she was almost recovered.

To her surprise, Charlotte came in response to her ring for a servant. “I heard the bell and decided to come myself. Have you finished your note?”

“Yes, and if you could send it by express, I would appreciate it. I can pay the express rider from what my father gave me for my passage by post.”

Charlotte nodded. “I will send Janet to the village immediately. I am sure your uncle will be excited by your engagement. It is such a brilliant match, Eliza! Imagine, ten thousand a year! That is more than many a noble!”

Elizabeth nodded uncomfortably and hastily changed the subject. “I just want to disappear before I cause any further distress to your husband.”

“Please do not distress yourself about the matter. Whatever damage has been done is already done, and your presence for a day or two cannot affect it. If Mr. Collins’s stand on your behalf does lead to a rupture with Lady Catherine, I will not lament it overmuch. I have had few opportunities to feel pride in my husband, but this is one of those times. We shall have to wait and see.”

With that brave statement, Charlotte departed, leaving her friend to her headache and her thoughts. Though Elizabeth tried to sleep, she was at first unsuccessful as she worried about informing Darcy of her wish to end this farce of an engagement immediately.

Surely, he has not put an announcement in the London papers, has he?
she thought.
I know marriages are always announced, but I am not sure about engagements.

She wished desperately that she could consider the problem without her head pounding. She seemed to see a multiplicity of items entangling her, and she wished she could just send Darcy a note like the one she had just dispatched to her uncle. But she knew she could do nothing so cold; she had to tell him in person, so he could find the least embarrassing manner of ending the engagement without irrecoverable damage to his honour.

But this generous thought no sooner passed through her mind than she was roused to anger at the way this situation came about.

The presumption of the man! To assume that a simple nod when I was quite ill meant acceptance of his preposterous offer! It meant nothing of the kind; it only meant I heard what he said! Only the proud Mr. Darcy would take advantage of one who was ailing. It is unbelievable that matters have gone so far; just how much damage will have to be undone?

In her ailing state, Elizabeth did not recognize the incongruity of saying, on the one hand, that her illness was not at all severe while at the same time blaming Darcy for taking advantage of the same illness. Such an unpleasant admission was beyond her powers at the moment and would have to wait until she could think with a head cleared of fever and throbbing pain.

She wanted dreadfully to sleep, but her worsening headache prevented slumber. She tried to calm her mind and think pleasing thoughts, such as sunlight on her bonnet and the soft spring breeze rustling through the trees. Gradually, her breathing slowed, and she finally found the healing solace of sleep. But, though she did not awaken, her sleep was disturbed by a dismal dream in which she struggled and fled but could not free herself from the sticky strands spun by a spider with Darcy’s face. She tried to scream, but she could not even manage that as the web bound her mouth and prevented her from telling friends and family that it was a mistake. Just a mistake…

Saturday, April 11, 1812: Bingley Townhouse, London

Darcy found Bingley outside his townhouse when he arrived, clearly in response to the note he had sent over previously, asking for a half-hour of Bingley’s time.

“Hullo, Darcy!” Bingley called as he bounded down the stairs. “Of course I am always glad to see you, but your note intimated some special purpose for your visit.”

“Indeed there is, but let us go inside. Tell me — are you alone here today? Or do your sisters visit?”

“Actually, Caroline is visiting. I believe she tires of Mr. Hurst after a few weeks and seeks a diversion by transferring her residence from the Hurst townhouse to my own. I do not know whether she is awake yet. If she has no engagements, I do not usually see her until after noon.”

Seeing Darcy’s frown, Bingley asked, “Is that a problem?”

“No, not really. If she awakes and learns of my news, it makes matters…difficult.”

Bingley’s eyebrows went up, but he said nothing until he and Darcy were secluded in his study and Darcy had accepted a cup of coffee. He was somewhat surprised when Darcy raised his cup.

“A small toast, Charles: to friends and friendship.” They clinked cups and sipped, then Bingley indicated the chairs in front of his desk.

As usual, Bingley is so free and easy; he would never dream of sitting behind his desk and placing me across from him,
Darcy thought wryly.
Would that I could be as amiable! Were that fortunate circumstance true, I would not be so concerned about this interview.

“It is probably best if I start at the beginning. I have been absent while visiting my aunt for several weeks. Do you remember a Mr. Collins who came to your ball at Netherfield?”

“I remember him a little. He was that foolish, clumsy man who tried to dance with Miss Elizabeth Bennet. And he also rather insulted you, as I remember, by presuming to introduce himself to you.”

Darcy was rather surprised that Bingley remembered either of those details since he had thought him totally consumed by his attentions to Miss Jane Bennet. However, he only nodded. “That is the man. He is, if you remember, my aunt’s parson, but I was surprised to learn that he married Miss Charlotte Lucas, the elder daughter of Sir William Lucas, after we left Hertfordshire.”

“Really! That is rather surprising. I did not see him pay Miss Lucas any attention.”

“Nor did I.”

“However, I
did
see him hovering around Miss Elizabeth Bennet. I had an idle thought that he might make an offer to her.”

“That is a rather dismal thought!” Darcy said feelingly.

“True, but you know the financial situation of the Bennet sisters. He might have thought Miss Elizabeth would have to accept him in order to provide a home for her mother and sisters. It is interesting he chose her friend instead.”

“Very.” Darcy thought it completely ludicrous that such a man could presume he was suitable for such a young lady as Elizabeth. “But Miss Lucas did marry him and moved into the parsonage house near my aunt’s estate.”

“That must have been a surprise when you visited.”

“I did have some warning from one of my aunt’s letters. What did surprise me — in fact, astonished me — when I arrived at Rosings was to discover that Mrs. Collins’s good friend, that same Miss Elizabeth Bennet, had been visiting for a fortnight.”

“Oho!” Bingley said, laughing out loud. “That must have been entertaining! The two of you struck sparks whenever you were in company, and your arguments were highly entertaining. Why, I remember several evenings at Netherfield when…”

Something in Darcy’s expression caused Bingley to stop. “What is it? Have I said something to offend you?”

“No,” Darcy said slowly, wondering how Bingley seemed to remember those times he and Elizabeth matched wits as “arguments.”
I did not consider them arguments,
he thought.
I believed she was teasing me because she had detected my attraction to her.

“No,” he said, his voice stronger. “But, if you thought I was arguing with Miss Elizabeth in the autumn, you will likely find my news more surprising than I anticipated since we are now engaged to be married.”

Bingley’s jaw dropped, and it was several moments before he regained control of himself. He peered closely at Darcy. “You are serious, I presume?”

“Never more so,” Darcy said cheerfully.

“I do remember Caroline teasing you about Miss Elizabeth’s ‘fine eyes.’ but I considered it one of those cunning remarks she so often made, trying to gain your attention.”

“What she did not know is that I appreciated more than Miss Elizabeth’s ‘fine eyes,’ and that appreciation only increased while I visited Rosings. Before I left, I made an offer of marriage, which she accepted.”

Bingley’s smile had been growing as Darcy spoke, and he now threw back his head and laughed delightedly.

“Now I see why you asked whether Caroline was visiting! Oho! What a marvellous surprise! Let me offer my warmest congratulations, Darcy! Miss Elizabeth Bennet! Oh, Caroline will be incensed — first, at learning of the failure of all her machinations, and second, at learning who has actually won your regard!”

Darcy was pleased by his friend’s congratulations, of course, but he was more pleased that his news did not appear to have resurrected any adverse memories of Miss Jane Bennet. He had believed Bingley’s interest had ended, but he had not been absolutely certain until that moment.

“I would, of course, like for you to stand up with me at the wedding,” Darcy said.

“Surely, surely, Darcy. I am honoured to be asked.”

“Certainly, but I wonder if I might request the loan of Netherfield for a month or two if you still hold the lease.”

“I do, and you are certainly welcome to stay as long as you like.” Bingley frowned slightly. “But I have been intending to relinquish it. I have no plans to return there, so I should save myself the expense. But, as usual, I have procrastinated about doing something about it.”

“I see, and many thanks. It will allow me to call on Elizabeth regularly rather than riding from town.” Darcy watched Bingley closely but could discern no sign of distress at the mention of Netherfield. It appeared his intention of ending the lease was based only on the expense. He knew his friend’s memories had been painful when he first returned to London, but he had given every indication of putting them aside as the months passed. If the painful episode was not fully extinguished, it was nearly so.

Bingley’s mouth quirked in a sly smile. “But could you not stay at Longbourn? That is often done in such cases, I believe, and you could be even closer to Miss Elizabeth.”

“Possibly so,” Darcy said, his voice dry. “But I would also be equally close to Mrs. Bennet, who will likely be having raptures at the thought of a daughter settled at Pemberley. I believe it would be the calmer option to remain three miles from Longbourn.”

“And you could walk it as Miss Elizabeth did.”

“No, thank you, Charles,” Darcy said, striking a pose and tilting his nose in the air. “I am a horseman, descended from a line of horseman, and it is a point of honour that we never walk when we can ride.”

Darcy’s air of superciliousness was so perfect that Bingley had to laugh, remembering mutual acquaintances to whom such sentiments were made in absolute sincerity rather than jest.

“In addition,” Darcy said, his face now sober, “I can then have Georgiana visit. She is quite anxious to meet Elizabeth, and some of my relations may also care to visit. Naturally, I would be responsible for all expenses during that time.”

“We shall consider that another time.” Bingley gave a negligent wave of his hand. “In the meantime, I shall direct the housekeeper to prepare the place for your arrival.”

“Thank you, Bingley,” Darcy said sincerely.

At that moment, a peremptory knock sounded on the door, and Darcy immediately glanced at his friend in time to see him roll his eyes and mouth the word,
“Caroline.”
But Darcy only shrugged though his smile was rueful. Stressful as this interview might be, it was inevitable, and there was no time like the present to get it behind him.

“Please come in,” Bingley called, and Caroline sailed into the room.

“Mr. Darcy!” she said, her voice bright in her usual manner. “I thought it was your coach I saw! I trust you are in good health. I do not believe we have had the pleasure of your company for many weeks.”

“I am indeed in good health, Miss Bingley.”

“And your dear sister also? I do so long to see her again; it is even longer since we have had the pleasure of her company.”

“She also is well,” Darcy replied, and then a sudden and malicious inspiration struck him.
This is decidedly unworthy of me, but I simply cannot help myself! She really is quite predatory.

“In fact, she is quite excited to soon meet her future sister.” He controlled his features and voice carefully to make the announcement sound casual, as if he were relating a fact well known to all present.

The effect on Caroline Bingley, however, was electric. Her face froze with her mouth half open, and an icy chill swept down her spine.

Future sister?
she thought wildly.
What can he mean? His words say he is engaged, but how can that be? He has been visiting his aunt these several weeks, and I am quite certain he has not called on any ladies since we left Netherfield. I am absolutely confident of that; I questioned Charles very carefully but also very completely. Mr. Darcy has scarcely stirred from his house all winter.
A sudden memory flashed through her mind of Darcy’s comment about ‘a fine pair of eyes,’ and —

She jolted back to the present to find Darcy speaking.

“…was quite surprised at the news, naturally, and she is quite eager to meet Elizabeth when she returns from her visit with her friend.”

It is her!
she thought in near hysteria.
That little nobody with the insufferable air of self-sufficiency! How? How could such a…such a person!…appeal to Mr. Darcy! Especially when compared to me?