“It is a pleasure to see you, too. May I hope everyone at Netherfield is well?”
“Oh, yes, quite well, thank you.” Georgiana faltered. No doubt she wished to avoid the minefield of asking about the Bennets.
“And your brother? Have you heard from him lately?” Elizabeth held her breath. She did not know why she was so anxious for any news of Mr. Darcy. Perhaps she just wished for a reminder that they both lived in the same world.
“He writes me faithfully twice a week. He is such a good brother! I had expected him to stay longer at Rosings, but he has already returned to London. He was pleased to hear that I was visiting you.” Georgiana’s cheeks were tinted a pale pink.
The heaviness that had been in Elizabeth’s stomach since her encounter with Mary King turned into a happy warmth. “When you write him next, please do give him my best regards.” He could make of that what he will, but it felt right to say it.
“I was thinking of calling at Longbourn tomorrow,” Georgiana said tentatively. “If you are not otherwise engaged, that is.”
Elizabeth’s happy feelings floated away. She knew Mr. Darcy would not thank her for jeopardizing his sister’s reputation. Her mouth felt dry and she had to force herself to speak. “As fond as I am of your company, I am not sure that is a wise idea.”
Georgiana’s face fell. “As you wish,” she half-whispered.
With a pang of guilt, Elizabeth said, “I hope you know I speak only in your best interests, not out of my own desires.”
Miss Bingley removed herself from the carriage and approached them. Without so much as a nod at Elizabeth, she said, “Georgiana, please return to the carriage immediately. This woman is not fit to associate with you. Your brother would be angry with me if I allowed you to….”
But she never had a chance to finish what she planned to say. Georgiana drew herself to her full height, taller than both of the other women, lifted her chin, and said coolly, “What my brother wishes me to do is between him and me, and I know he would be very disappointed in me if I did not show the kind of loyalty to my friends that he himself would.” Her resemblance to Mr. Darcy at that moment was uncanny.
Elizabeth was half tempted to laugh, half tempted to applaud Georgiana’s declaration of her independence.
She compromised with an amused smile. She would not leave the poor girl dangling, though, after her brave words. “Miss Darcy, I was thinking of taking a walk along the river tomorrow. There are some lovely views near the old stone bridge. Would you care to join me?”
Georgiana smiled, first timidly, then radiantly. “I would be very happy to do so.”
***
Elizabeth had planned her walk for the early afternoon, but she was not surprised when she was forestalled by the arrival of both Miss Darcy and Mr. Bingley at Longbourn that morning. Mr. Bingley’s face was lined as if he had been suffering sleepless nights.
When he came to the sitting room, he announced that Georgiana had invited him to accompany her and Miss Elizabeth on their riverside walk, and wondered whether any of the other Bennet sisters might choose to join them. Mary declined, stating the necessity to continue her studies, and Kitty owned that she would prefer to remain indoors. It was taken as a given that Jane would be joining the walkers, although she had said nothing.
They set out first in the carriage, which Mr. Bingley directed to the old stone bridge. He sat facing the three women, making determined small talk. Elizabeth kept her eye on Jane whose expression was the same one of amiable distance that had caused Mr. Darcy to think she did not care for Mr. Bingley. It was strikingly different from the smiles Mr. Bingley’s presence had provoked in her these last weeks.
The path along the river was only wide enough for two to walk abreast, so Elizabeth set forth with Georgiana, while Bingley and Jane followed behind, soon allowing the others to outstrip them. As they strolled, Elizabeth asked Georgiana about her childhood at Pemberley, taking a guilty pleasure in every mention of Mr.
Darcy’s name. It was clear that Georgiana idolized her brother. In the meantime, the other couple lagged further and further behind to the point of being out of Elizabeth’s sight for several minutes. She hoped rather than expected that this would lead to a happy conclusion.
When the path reached the road and it was time to return to the carriage, Elizabeth kept Georgiana in conversation for several minutes without walking, attempting to let Bingley and Jane catch up to them, rather than imposing themselves unexpectedly by meeting in passing. When the other couple finally appeared, Jane’s face showed signs of strain. Elizabeth set off on the return journey at a quick pace, thinking that Jane might wish to return home as soon as possible, and this time the four walked together.
When they returned to Longbourn, Mr. Bingley handed Jane and Elizabeth out of the carriage, but did not accept Jane’s half-hearted invitation to refreshments, pleading another engagement. Elizabeth, now quite worried, was glad she would have the opportunity to talk to her sister sooner rather than later, but the carriage was not quite out of sight when Jane said, “Please do not say anything, Lizzy. I wish to be alone.” She walked off hurriedly in the direction of the wilderness where Elizabeth had first acquainted Mr. Bingley and Georgiana with the intelligence of Lydia’s flight. Elizabeth watched after her in concern, but could not justify ignoring her sister’s request.
***
Nearly two hours later, when Jane had not yet returned to the house, Elizabeth collected Jane’s blue wool shawl and headed out toward the wilderness. Her sister’s favourite hiding place was on the old swing they had all played on as children, and Elizabeth thought this her most likely destination. As she expected, Jane sat on the warped board of the swing, rocking back and forth with her feet dragging along the ground. She looked up when Elizabeth came through the line of trees.
“We have enough invalids in our family at the moment,” Elizabeth said. “I would not wish you to take a chill.” She draped the shawl around her sister’s shoulders.
Jane sighed and pulled the soft fabric tightly against her. “I thank you. The breeze was indeed becoming cool.” Her voice seemed somehow empty.
“Do you wish to talk about it? Or shall I leave you again?”
Jane shook her head. “There is nothing to tell. He has loved me all this time, and only left because he was persuaded that I was indifferent to him. He returned to Netherfield hoping for a new beginning with me, and while he wishes we could marry, he understands it is impossible as things stand. If he married me, he would be harming the prospects of his sister and any children that might ensue from such a marriage. He said he was willing to go forward with it anyway, but even I could tell he was half-hearted about it. When I refused, he seemed more relieved than anything else.”
“You refused? Oh, Jane, why? If he is willing to marry you, you should snap up the opportunity for happiness!”
Jane pushed off with her feet so that the swing was higher, then released it to swing forward and back again, forward and back. “I know I should have accepted for mamma’s sake, but I love him. If we were to marry, he would lose all the progress he and his father before him made in society. I am not willing to bring that sort of ruination and pain upon him for the slight exchange of my love.” She bit down hard on her lip, as though trying to keep from crying.
“That is hardly a slight exchange, as Mr. Bingley must know as well.”
“And then there would be having to deal with Caroline’s unending hatred because by marrying me, Mr.
Bingley would have ruined her chances to make a good marriage. Shall I put myself forward at her expense?
She would gain nothing if we married, and lose a great deal. It is not worth it. Mr. Bingley would end up resenting me for what I had done.”
“Jane, only you would refuse a proposal from the man you love because it might hurt the chances of a woman who has already tried to destroy yours!” Elizabeth’s argument was only half-hearted, since she knew that Jane would never be able to take a step like
that to harm another.
“He did not truly wish me to accept. If he had, he would have pressed me further. As soon as I said I understood, he said nothing more.”
“He is a man easily influenced by others, not always for the better.” She wondered if Mr. Darcy’s influence played a role this time as well. The thought made her heart ache, but she could not blame him if he advised his friend against the marriage now.
“It is true,” Jane said. “But he is still the most amiable man of my acquaintance.” She began to weep again, and Elizabeth had no comfort to offer beyond her handkerchief. Her eyes were filling with tears as well. She knew too much now about the pain of love that would never be fulfilled.
***
Jane was subdued all evening and into the next day, but she kept her own counsel. Elizabeth hated to think of what Mrs. Bennet’s reaction would be when she discovered Jane’s suitor had decamped. The question became more pressing when a letter arrived for Elizabeth from Netherfield. She opened it to find an elegant sheet of paper written in a flowing hand, and before she even read it, she guessed what it was likely to contain.
If she was to judge by the stricken look on Jane’s face, her sister knew as well.
My dear friend,
I am disconsolate to tell you that Mr. Bingley and his sister have unexpectedly decided that our party is to return to London tomorrow morning. I would wish you to know this is none of my desire. Becoming further acquainted with you has been my greatest pleasure here in Hertfordshire, and I am saddened at the interruption.
When the plan first arose, I wanted to come tell you of it myself, but Miss Bingley says that we must prepare for our departure and that the carriage cannot be spared. I hope we will be able to meet again soon, and in the meantime, may I ask if you would be so generous as to correspond with me? I wish you all the best, and that your current situation may have a happier outcome than present expectation. Thank you for your friendship.
Yours in haste,
Georgiana Darcy
“They are leaving tomorrow. Georgiana does not say anything about a planned return.”
Jane nodded jerkily, put aside her work, and left the room.
CHAPTER 12
The butler brought Darcy an envelope on a silver platter. “An express from Miss Darcy, sir,” he said.
Darcy ripped open the envelope, fearful of what it might contain, but it was only a notice that there had been a change of plans and she intended to arrive in London the following day. He tossed it aside.
“Will there be a reply, sir?”
“No, no reply.” Darcy waved him away moodily.
So he would see Georgiana tomorrow. At least then he would finally get some answers. Bingley, despite his promise to keep Darcy informed of the situation at Longbourn, had not bothered to contact him at all.
Georgiana’s letters had been cheery and made several mentions of Elizabeth, but nothing about any problems with the Bennet family. He had concluded that in fact the crisis at Longbourn did not exist, and had been manufactured for his benefit by Elizabeth as an excuse for avoiding being in his presence again. It was a bitter pill; he had hoped from her letter that she thought somewhat better of him than that, at least that she would be willing to tell him the truth.
He poured himself a generous snifter of brandy. Why could he not simply forget about Elizabeth Bennet?
He had been attracted to women before, sometimes to the point of infatuation, but always he had been able to move on. Elizabeth did not even like him, for God’s sake! What would it take for him to leave her in his past?
***
The next morning Darcy woke with a headache, but it was beginning to pass by the time Bingley’s carriage arrived at his door. He came out to meet them. Georgiana embraced him warmly, but looked a little sad. Bingley looked as if he felt worse than Darcy did, and if Darcy was not mistaken, there was a distinct odor of drink coming from him, despite it not yet being mid-afternoon. Only Miss Bingley appeared her normal self.
“Bingley, Miss Bingley, would you care to come in to refresh yourselves?” Darcy asked.
Bingley half-lurched out of the carriage. Darcy caught his arm before he could lose his balance.
Miss Bingley ignored her brother’s antics and said, “Why, thank you, how kind of you to invite us.”
“Not you, Caroline,” Bingley said, his speech a little slurred. “You go home. I want to talk to Darcy.
Privately.”
Miss Bingley stiffened. “Very well, Charles, if that is what you wish.” She sounded as if she was speaking to a misbehaving child. “Mr. Darcy, if he should cause you any difficulty, just send me a message and I will have someone collect him immediately.”
Darcy nodded to her, though he did not care for her tone. Without waiting for any further invitation, Bingley stumbled into the house and followed his usual route to the sitting room. When Darcy caught up to him, Bingley was already pouring himself a glass of port.
“Is it not a little early in the day for that?” Darcy asked mildly. A few hours in a carriage with Miss Bingley might be enough to make a man wish for a drink, but this was excessive.
Bingley sat down heavily on the brocaded sofa, the port threatening to slosh out of his glass. “Won’t do. I can’t marry her. Wish I’d never gone back. Still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met.”
“It did not work out?”
“How could it, after what happened to her sister? I couldn’t do it to my family. Couldn’t take the scandal at all, so I left her all alone. I’m a coward, that’s what I am.”
Darcy could have sworn the floor shook under him. “What happened to Miss Elizabeth?”
“To her? Nothing. It’s the other one, the one I wrote you about.”
Darcy wanted to wring the information out of him. “I have not heard a word from you since you left Pemberley.”
Bingley looked up at him through bleary eyes. “I wrote you. Sent it to you at Rosings. A few days after we arrived.”
Darcy counted days in his head. He had stayed at Rosings only for two nights before having a disagreement with Lady Catherine severe enough to make him choose to leave rather than to remain in her company. The letter would have arrived just after he left Rosings, but it should have been forwarded to him in London, as Georgiana’s letters had been. Then again, he would not put it past Lady Catherine to deliberately withhold his letters from him out of spite. She would not dare to try anything with letters from Georgiana, but he could imagine her delight in refusing to send on Bingley’s letter. “I did not receive it. What has happened?”
“The youngest sister - Miss Lydia - ran off with an officer. Eloped. But they never married. He abandoned her in London. It was your old friend Mr. Wickham, in fact.”
Wickham again! A murderous impulse seized Darcy. How dare he lay his hands on Elizabeth’s sister?
“What happened?” he asked darkly.
“To Miss Lydia? No idea. She turned up at the uncle’s house in town, and that’s the last anybody knows of it. The family is in complete disgrace. No one will receive them because of the shame. And I cannot marry Jane because of her fool of a sister. It’s not right.”
Darcy knew all too well how cruel society could be, especially in country neighbourhoods. How Elizabeth must be suffering! So there was a reason why she had left Pemberley in such a hurry. “And the family has done nothing to preserve Miss Lydia’s reputation?”
Bingley raised haunted eyes. “I do not know. I am not in their confidence. Georgiana might have some idea. She spent a great deal of time with Miss Elizabeth. Caroline refused even to speak to any of the Bennets.
It was horribly unpleasant.”
Darcy could only imagine. “Bingley, you must remain here. I will have someone bring you some food, and I will return after I have spoken to Georgiana.”
But Georgiana had little more to offer, apart from telling him how brave Elizabeth was when she told them what had happened and how devastated Jane Bennet seemed. Darcy
returned to Bingley who was staring morosely into the fireplace, an empty glass by his elbow. Bingley roused himself enough to answer Darcy’s questions, but little more.
“So did you propose to Miss Bennet?”
“Not really. At first we were all waiting, and then when it seemed her sister was lost forever, I spoke to Jane. I told her I had loved her all along and could think of nothing I would like more than to have her for my wife. She told me she would not put me through the scandal of marriage to someone like her. Good God, Darcy, she wept! I would have done anything for her, but I knew she was right. If we married, it would ruin Caroline’s prospects, take away from our position in society which is perilous enough as it is….no, I could not do it, and she was the one who was brave enough to say so. That was two days ago. God alone knows what will happen to her now. I cannot bear to think on it. What a fool I was to walk away from her a year ago! If I had married her then, all this would have been avoided.”
Darcy stood by the fireplace, oblivious to the heat pressing against his legs, his fingers tapping on the mantelpiece. “Perhaps Wickham can be prevailed upon to marry the girl. That would be something.”