Goodly Creatures: A Pride and Prejudice Deviation (55 page)

Darcy was unsure what to say in reply. Finally he decided to truthfully confide some of his concerns about the Bennet sisters to his friend. “I believe Miss Elizabeth might have been plotting with Wickham to defraud me. It is possible that is why she agreed to waltz. You have heard me speak of how disreputable George Wickham is. My fear with regard her sister is that she was plotting with her mother to be the mistress of Netherfield. Soon after the wedding, you would be ignored as they went about the neighbourhood trumpeting their importance. Mrs Bennet said aloud that she was pleased you asked her daughter to waltz because it would make you indebted to her for putting her in such a risky position.”

Charles Bingley argued with his friend for the better part of a half hour. Finally, worn down and with his confidence shaken; he agreed to remain in London until after the holiday season rather than returning immediately once his business was concluded. Darcy was twenty-eight, had been married, had two lovely children and was responsible for managing both Pemberley and Rosings. He decided to defer to his friend’s greater experience and wisdom… but he did not think he truly agreed. In his heart, he knew the feelings he had for Jane Bennet were not the same as the ones he had experienced with Lillian Wingate, Annabelle Redesdale or Julia Jessup.

The morning following Mr Bingley’s departure for London, Jane Bennet was still glowing. Her feelings for Charles—they had agreed to the familiar address as they waited for the waltz to begin—were very different from what she had experienced with George Trent. Mr Bingley wanted so many of the same things as she. What made her almost giddy with expectation was that he was not hesitant about telling her of his admiration, and his ease had encouraged her to be more open.

Just before noon a messenger from Netherfield brought a note for Jane. The young man had been instructed not to wait for a reply.

Netherfield
28 November

When my brother left us yesterday, he imagined that the business which took him to London might be concluded in three or four days. Knowing Charles as we do, my sister and I determined that once situated in town he will be in no hurry to leave it again. We feel it best to follow him, and I sent him an express to encourage him to open the Hurst’s townhouse instead of spending a few vacant hours in a comfortless hotel. Many of my acquaintances are already there for the winter. I wish I could hear that you, my dearest friend, had the intention of being among us—but of that I despair. I sincerely hope your Christmas in Hertfordshire may abound in gaieties which that season generally brings, and that your admirers will be so numerous as to prevent your feeling the loss of our presence.

Mr Darcy was impatient to return to Pemberley. His daughter’s birthday is in a fortnight, and his son’s is on Twelfth Night. Our hope is he will bring his family to London in January. We are all longing to meet his sister again. I really do not think Georgiana Darcy has her equal for beauty, elegance, and accomplishments; and the affection she inspires in Louisa and me makes us dare to entertain the hope of her one day being our sister. I do not know whether I ever before mentioned to you my feelings on this subject; but I will not leave without confiding them. My brother admires her greatly already, and her relations all wish the connection as much as his own. I hope a sister’s partiality is not misleading me, because I know Charles most capable of engaging any woman’s heart. With all these circumstances to favour an attachment, and nothing to prevent it, am I wrong, my dearest Jane, in indulging the hope of an event which will secure the happiness of so many?

Caroline Bingley

Jane rushed to find Elizabeth and Becky. Lizzy had warned her earlier in the morning that his sisters, and possibly even Mr Darcy, might try to separate them. Jane had been entirely too filled with the remembrance of the way Charles had smiled at her during their waltz to take her seriously.

When Lizzy read the note, her anxiety that her history with Darcy might have played a role in this development resurfaced. Becky had told them last night of Mrs Bennet’s talk of both Mr Bingley and Mr Wickham and her hopes for her daughters during supper. However, Elizabeth was not ready to dash her sister’s hopes. Perhaps Mr Bingley was stronger willed than Miss Bingley’s letter made him sound, and he would be able to stand up to both his sisters—and possibly even Mr Darcy.

“Jane, I know that her speculation about Georgiana Darcy to be entirely wishful thinking. Miss Bingley would like a connection with the Darcy family, and she would see an attachment between her brother and Miss Darcy as a favourable turn of events in her quest. However, I am quite certain his sister has neither interest in Mr Bingley, nor he in her. The entire time I was at Netherfield none spoke of any relationship between them—even though Miss Darcy was mentioned several times.”

Becky tried to make her friend laugh. “Jane, if Mr Darcy desired a connection between Mr Bingley and his sister, he would have surely disclosed that information to your mother last night just to end her incessant talking.”

Jane made an attempt to brighten. “I believe you both to be right, but I feel such dread that once again I have been abandoned.”

Lizzy’s eyes bore into her sister’s. “Tom did not abandon you… he died. George Trent did what so many men do; he married for money. Even if the two of you had foolishly wed while blinded by infatuation, I am convinced you would have been miserable. He was not a man capable of loving deeply and forever. There is such a man for you… as sure as there is a god in heaven.” She took her sister’s hands and squeezed them for emphasis. “It may not be that Mr Bingley is the one, but you will find someone. You are entirely too good and too beautiful… do not settle, Jane!”

Elizabeth wrote late into the night to Mr Darcy. In the end, she decided to tell him of the accusations toward him by Mr Wickham, as well as her fears for his sister. With regard to Mr Wickham, she would attempt to acquit herself of those charges and those with respect to Mrs Younge. However, she decided not to tell him of Mrs Darcy’s betrayal. Her decision reflected the hopelessness she felt in being able to change his opinion of her. The integrity of his family was too important to him to be able to see her right for revenge.

She also knew he needed to be informed of her own confession to her father. They had both been responsible for her father’s suspicions—she by her avoidance of Mr Darcy, and he by his careless words during her father’s interview. Neither had guarded their secret well, but instead indulged in reckless behaviour toward one another. She would tell him of the comfort she felt, and her father’s plans to check Wickham.

Darcy’s trip to Pemberley became the occasion for some much needed reflection. There was a key to unlock her that he never seemed to find. The further away from Hertfordshire, the more he was troubled by the things she had said when she did not know he was listening. What Anne should have confessed could be the piece he needed. He remembered how agitated Anne had been trying to tell him. Her guilt had seemed to consume her until she lapsed into unconsciousness. Had she threatened Miss Elizabeth with exposure if she did not relinquish the baby? They had been alone for almost an hour before Anne had secured her agreement. The pain in Miss Elizabeth’s eyes at every mention of Bethany convinced him that must be it. Anne had mumbled something about being entitled. That was the way of their circle; they were… what had Miss Lydia said?…
‘takers’

Jealousy had, indeed, been the reason for his cruel behaviour, and his words were worthy of Othello…
‘You mean nothing to me.’
They had been killing words, and he feared they had strangled any growing affection she may have felt for him.

When Darcy reached home, Pemberley, Georgiana, Bethany and Lewis were waiting for him on the front steps. The trio had obviously been watching for him. His sister’s face was wreathed with smiles, his daughter was twirling and his son was jumping up and down and laughing. Despite the sadness mixed with self-loathing he felt, his greeting for his family was warm. It was truly marvellous to be home.

Still, by dinnertime, he was struggling to conceal the morose turn of his thoughts. Georgiana, on the other hand, was much improved. Only occasionally did she appear to be thinking of something sad. Lewis was the first to question him about a wife. He momentarily wished his son had remained inarticulate.

“Papa, did you find a wife?”

“No, Lewis, I did not.”

“Why?”

“We are not all as lucky as you to fall in love with the first girl we meet.”

Bethany picked up the conversation from her brother. “Did you meet some ladies?”

“Yes, but several were already spoken for.”

“But not all?”

“No, there were a few that were available.” He refused to lie to his children so he said, “I danced with some, but none were both available and what I wanted.”

Bethany was entirely too smart for him. She said, “So you met one you wanted, but she was not available.”

Georgiana had been watching her brother, and instinctively knew the source of the sadness she had observed in him since his return. She said softly to her brother, “I think Bethany is about to capture your king.” To her niece, she said, “Bethany, your father is tired. Let us tell him about all we did in his absence. After dinner, you will play the Mozart variation, and the three of us can sing
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little, Star
for him.”

“Oh, yes, Aunt Georgie… umm and you can play that whistle. Papa, Dr Jamie taught Aunt Georgie how to play, and he told us all about Ireland. They fight and laugh there.”

Fitzwilliam Darcy wondered exactly when Dr Wilder had become Dr Jamie.

39 THE TALENT OF WRITING AGREEABLE LETTERS IS PECULIARLY FEMALE

Mrs Reynolds had given him her letter early in the day, before the festivities for Bethany’s birthday began, but he was not able to read it until his children had gone with the nurse to prepare for bed. He promised them he would be up to tuck them in, and then retired to his study. He sat at his desk and began to read. Several times as he pondered her words, he looked at the painting of the young girl reading.