Fault or Virtue: An Imaginative Retelling of Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice' (10 page)

“Oh, my beautiful Jane!” their mother exclaimed as she held her eldest daughter’s
face in her hands as Jane attended to her at bedside. “You will be married in London in
less than a week! And with Elizabeth gone, Mr. Collins will approach one of your
younger sisters with hardly any embarrassment.”

“A week, Mother?” Elizabeth teased nervously. “That is hardly time to prepare
for a wedding.”
Her mother brushed her off but amended her statement afterwards. “Engagement
in one week, marriage in four months. On five thousand a year, the whole of Meryton
will have nothing else to talk of for years!”
“Mama, could we not delay our departure for two weeks in case they return?”
Jane asked self-consciously.

!
%"!
“London is too diverting a place for well-to-do bachelors, Jane! There is no
reason you should not go,” their mother assured her, “it is perfectly natural for two young

girls to visit their family in London.”
“We are hesitant to look desperate,” Elizabeth explained.
“You are not to chase the Bingleys around London, Lizzy! You must simply let it

be known that Jane has arrived to town and they will seek you. Don’t worry about that
austere Mr. Darcy, I can’t imagine he’ll be bothered for company in London.” Mrs.
Bennet was ever the expert on any current subject.

Elizabeth was momentarily bothered by the mention of Mr. Darcy, but recognized
that it would be best. Jane and Elizabeth were less than inclined to follow Bingley to
London for different reasons, but they could not whole-heartedly argue with any plan that
would separate them from their mother.

While on an errand in Meryton before her departure to London, Elizabeth ran into
Mr. Wickham. She felt slightly awkward in his presence due to Mr. Darcy’s warning, but
there was nothing to be done. She was only sure that she delighted in the Wickham’s
company, but could say not much more for him or against him. In fact, she realized, that
was exactly what she felt towards Darcy.
Before the kiss.

“Mr. Wickham! What a pleasure it is to see you,” she was almost sorry that her
journey to London would mean being deprived of his company.
“The pleasure is mine, Miss Elizabeth.” He took her arm in his and escorted her
on her way.
“I had missed your company at the Netherfield Ball, Mr. Wickham,” she sounded
more affected than she meant to.
What could Wickham have done to earn Darcy’s ire?
“I was sad to stay away. I heard it was a delightful affair.” He fixed her with a
serious expression, “I heard your company was a favorite of Darcy’s, I hope you were not
uncomfortable with his attentions.”
“Not at all, why do you ask?” The question spilled out too quickly.
“I should not say, Miss Elizabeth. As he has quit the neighborhood, you may well
be out of harm’s way,” he looked interestedly in another direction.
“Harm’s way?” her voice betrayed her concern.
“I should not broach the subject in your company, but you must understand that it
is only done for your protection. You see, where Darcy cannot marry where he wants,
due to pride, familial duty, monetary reasons…well, let us just say that Darcy is a man of
enough wealth that he does not allow marriage to get in the way of what, or who, he
wants.”
Her stomach jumped into her throat as she gasped.
Could it be true?
She began to
see the signs: Mr. Darcy, who at first appeared so ill tempered and rude had suddenly,
when thrown in close proximity with her, completely transformed into a most attentive
gentleman. And then the kiss! Her skin crawled with the thought. She made no answer to
Mr. Wickham, but instead chose to revisit her interactions with Mr. Darcy over and over
again in her mind, seeing and understanding at last his intentions towards her. But what
could she make of his warning of Mr. Wickham? She would soon be removed from
Wickham’s company, but this meant that she would once again be near Darcy. The two
men detested each other, that much was evident, but was either the victim?

“So you see, Miss Elizabeth,” Mr. Wickham tried to stir her out of her
contemplation, “his untimely removal was fortunate indeed.”
Untimely, it certainly was. Elizabeth could not assign a reason to it. Surely
Bingley was not the type of man to take on a mistress; he was too easily read, too open,
too honest. It was his mysterious and tempered friend that was the danger. She wondered
if Bingley had perhaps suggested they leave in order to keep Darcy away from his
intended’s family. This theory did not stand up for long, however. Bingley was far too
gentlemanly to continue an acquaintance with Mr. Darcy if he was in the habit of keeping
mistresses, especially if it meant him being in such close proximity with Caroline. And
then there was Darcy’s own sister that must endure her brother’s habits. Elizabeth felt
sick to her stomach. His kindness turned bitter in her memory.
And to think, I had almost
deemed him charming!
What bothered her most, however, was that she could not, nor did
she want to forget about his kiss.

The days passed too quickly for Elizabeth’s liking, and before she knew it, she
and Jane were packed into a carriage bound for London. Bingley, they were sure to find,
but Elizabeth dreaded the likelihood that they would be brought into Darcy’s company as
well. She hoped beyond reason that Darcy had retired to Pemberley instead of remaining
in town.

The day after they arrived at the home of their Aunt and Uncle Gardiner, a
journey to Bingley’s townhouse was planned. At the last moment, however, Elizabeth
feigned a headache, too fearful of seeing Mr. Darcy, and begged Jane until she agreed to
venture there alone. Jane had no suspicions that Elizabeth’s headache was a rouse and so
left somewhat hesitantly while Mrs. Gardiner looked upon the situation with a keener
eye.

“How do you find the Bingleys, Elizabeth?” her Aunt Gardiner asked her when
she had come downstairs. “What did you make of them in Hertfordshire?”
“Mr. Bingley is just as amiable as his sister is not.”
“And is Jane of the same mind?”
Her aunt, seeing that no headache now inhibited Elizabeth’s opinion, was now
very interested in her nieces’ relationship with the Bingleys.
“Jane would disagree with me in Caroline Bingley’s favor, I think.”
“They could not have left without any warning as your mother said,” Aunt
Gardiner pressed.
“I’m afraid they did. The morning after the ball, they quit Netherfield. Jane was
crushed.”
“And you?” she said, beginning to think that both Elizabeth and Jane had feelings
for Mr. Bingley.
Elizabeth took a moment to answer, giving weight to her aunt’s suspicions.
“I was baffled, to summarize it,” Elizabeth answered, reminded that her aunt had
no notion of Mr. Darcy’s existence.

Elizabeth acutely regretted her selfish deceit as soon as she welcomed Jane home
from her solitary visit to the Bingley’s townhome. Her demure smile was forced and
wavered, and her eyes were tearful.

“Jane, what is the matter? Was Mr. Bingley not at home?” Elizabeth pulled her
sister into a tight embrace, but instead of crying, Jane sniffed heartily and kept her
composure.

“No, Lizzy, it was much worse than that. I saw Caroline. Her brother was not at
home, you see, and she made it very clear that she does not wish to keep our
acquaintance.”

“Oh, Jane! It could not be so bad as that, I should have come with you! It was so
short a visit, she was most likely trying to get you out of the house before her brother
arrived and that would be the end of it.”

“I could not think of her so poorly as that, Lizzy. Perhaps I caught her off guard,
they only just quit the neighborhood and…and I just arrived so suddenly.”
“Jane, could you not think ill of anyone? I will tell you what we will do. In three
day’s time, if she does not return the visit, then we will both call and…” she was
interrupted by Jane.
“Lizzy, we mustn’t. What would she think of me then? I cannot be such an
imposition.”
“Dear Jane. We cannot fall in her estimation. I do not care what the Caroline
Bingley's of the world think of us. They have not enough worth for it to matter.”
The matter was settled, simply because Elizabeth refused to discuss it further, and
Jane refused to dwell on it further and so went to bed.
“I just passed Jane on the stairs, what has happened?” Aunt Gardiner asked,
joining Elizabeth.
“It seems that Miss Bingley is continuing to attempt to keep Jane from Mr.
Bingley.”
“That was Jane’s impression?”
“I am certain that it will be. We are to attend Miss Bingley when she inevitably
does not repay the call. I am determined that Mr. Bingley learn Jane is here.”

“It might not be as I thought, Mr. Gardiner,” Mrs. Gardiner said to her husband a
while later.
“How is that, dear?” he asked.
“This morning I would have sworn that both Jane and Elizabeth were in love with
the elusive Mr. Bingley.”
“Is he not so lucky?”
“Jane is attached for a certainty, but Elizabeth is another case. I am very curious
to meet this Mr. Bingley, for I doubt I will glean more before our introduction.”

And so the three days passed quickly and without any sign of Caroline Bingley.
Elizabeth gently prodded Jane into the carriage, and they were off to Bingley’s
townhome, and they were to arrive just as it was an appropriate time to do so.

Elizabeth ignored the servant’s subtle protests to their entry, and the eldest Bennet
sisters were shown into a delicate little sitting room with only Miss Bingley was the
occupant.

“Ah, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth,” she stood with affected formality, “forgive
me, I did not expect anyone so early.”
“It is lovely to see you again, Miss Bingley,” Elizabeth answered quickly,
“forgive our eagerness to see after your health, for when you did not repay my sister’s
call, we feared the worst.”
Caroline colored considerably and Jane threw Elizabeth a pleading look.
“I appreciate your kindness, I did not intend to give you worry. I am surprised at
your company, however, it was only days ago that you were quite fixed in Longbourn.”
“We thought the same of you at Netherfield.”
Elizabeth and Caroline dominated the conversation, to Jane’s dismay, for the
former was determined to stand up for the slights against her most beloved sister. Both
contributors were so invested in their conversation, that the hostess neglected her design
to be rid of the visitors as soon as possible, and was only reminded of such a purpose
when her brother and Mr. Darcy came upon them unexpectedly. And so Elizabeth found
herself in the company of the man she had hoped to never see again.
“Miss Bennet! Miss Elizabeth!” Bingley nearly ran to Jane. “Why did not tell me
they were here, Caroline?”
“Why, they, I…” Caroline stuttered, “they have only just arrived and you were
out, Charles.”
Elizabeth refused to look at Mr. Darcy so she could hardly make sense of his utter
silence. Darcy, other the other hand, could do nothing but stare at the temptress he had
only days separated himself from.
“Well, what a pleasant surprise! Have you just arrived to London?” Bingley
looked to Jane eagerly, but Caroline stepped in.
“Actually, Charles, I believe I have kept them long enough. I am sure they have
errands to see to.”
“You must stay, Darcy and I would very much enjoy your company if your
schedules would allow it,” Bingley pleaded. Elizabeth pitied him, but thought better of
extending their visit.
“Thank you, Mr. Bingley, but your sister is correct. We have overstayed our
welcome as it is. I only insisted that my sister call here again so that I may pay my
respects to Miss Bingley. You see, when my sister called a few days ago, I was not well
enough to accompany her.”
Caroline’s face flushed with guilt as her brother’s eyes searched hers for answers.
Darcy wrenched his gaze from Elizabeth to study the floor. Darcy was certain that
Bingley was caught, but he still meant to avoid the
other
Miss Bennet.
“I am sorry to have missed you the first time, Miss Bennet,” Bingley said as he
attempted to recover, “and I hope that no matter your intended length of stay in London,
we will be able to enjoy each other’s company many more times. May I ask where you’re
staying so that Darcy and I may return your call tomorrow? I regret to say that I’m aware
that Caroline is too busy to join us.” Jane looked uncomfortably between brother and
sister, but finally worked up the courage to answer. Elizabeth chose this moment to steal
a glance at Darcy. He was his old self: miserable. He did not fix his attention on anything

!
%&!
in particular around the room and Elizabeth even thought it possible that he was more
uncomfortable and unhappy here than he had been at the Meryton assembly.

“Gracechurch Street, Mr. Bingley, near Cheapside,” and then added, with a
significant blush, “it would be a pleasure.”
Bingley escorted them out to their carriage, leaving Darcy and Caroline alone in
the parlor.
“Until tomorrow,” he said, and smiled widely at them, handing them in to
carriage.
As soon as the carriage turned the corner Jane turned, exasperated, to Elizabeth.
“Lizzy! I thought I would faint from panic! I could not believe you!” her tone was
serious, but her face betrayed her joy.
“Take care, Jane! You sound like Mama. I will not take your complaints to heart,
dear sister, for you are too happy with the result for them to be sincere.”
Jane waved her handkerchief playfully in Lizzy’s direction before covering her
smile with it again.

As promised, the gentleman repaid their call in a timely manner the next morning.
With their uncle at work and their aunt on errands, the Bennet girls received them alone
in the Gardiner’s parlor. Mr. Darcy looked as dour as the day before, especially in
comparison to the excitable Mr. Bingley.

Elizabeth’s nearly sleepless night before allowed her to time to consider the
meeting thoroughly. If she had any compassion for her sister’s wishes, she’d have to
allow Jane and Bingley time to themselves, meaning that she would be left in the
company of Mr. Darcy. She realized all too late the impertinence and impropriety of the
conversation between herself and Mr. Wickham on the subject of Mr. Darcy’s private
affairs and she did not want to betray that conversation in broaching the subject with Mr.
Darcy. Therefore, since she had no public excuse for disliking the man, she’d have to
remain civil. In keeping with her refusal to dwell on serious things for too long, she
resolved that her morning with Mr. Darcy would be an opportunity for her to flex her wit
and conversational skills. She had almost looked forward to it. That is, if there were any
chance at conversation at all. Darcy still hadn’t met her gaze and she feared they might
pass the visit without uttering one word to each other.