If Only In His Dreams (7 page)

Caroline wished her brother to assist her in capturing Darcy’s hand in marriage.  She had tried over and over to make Charles see the benefits that would be had by their entire family, with her as Mrs Darcy, Caroline could see that her parents’ dream of the Bingley’s becoming one of the upper circle of society.

“Charles, I do pray that you are correct and that Mr Darcy is only taking in the view of the neighborhood, though I do fear for his safety.  If he has not returned within the next hour, I insist that we have the staff search for him.”

“Search for whom?” Darcy inquired as he entered the room.

“You, old chap.  My sister was decided that you had met with an accident and were laying in a ditch, bleeding to death.”  Bingley stated with a chuckle.

Giving her brother a scything glare, Caroline turned her attention to Darcy.  “I was deeply worried, Mr Darcy.  You have been gone from the house for hours and I could not imagine what would keep you away for so long.  You are not familiar with the neighborhood or any of the residents here, so you can imagine my fear of you having been thrown from your horse and badly injured.”

“I made my way to Longbourn, which is the home of the Bennet family.” Darcy spoke as he took the proffered glass of brandy which Bingley held out.  Walking over to a chair, Darcy took a seat.  “I spoke with Mr Bennet last evening at the assembly, and wished to spend some more time in the company of the family.”

“Oh, Mr Darcy, that was so dangerous for you to spend so much time
with the likes of such country folk.  The ideas that someone of their society may have, of attempting to attach themselves to someone such as yourself.” Caroline stated.  “You must be quite careful with these country ladies, they have not been raised with proper manners.”

“I have no fear, Miss Bingley.  And I wish to announce that as of this morning, I am officially courting Miss Elizabeth Bennet.” Darcy said, taking another sip of his brandy as he watched Caroline’s reaction.

Having just taken a drink of her tea as Darcy spoke, the news caused her to gag on her tea, spraying it out of her mouth as she coughed for several moments.  Once she finally was able to speak again, Caroline was in a tirade.  “Mr Darcy, how could this have happened?  Did that chit attempt to cause a compromise?  Did she force you into this solution for her improper behavior?”

“Miss Bingley, please use more caution when you speak of Miss Elizabeth.  As I have stated, I am courting her at the moment, though my ultimate goal is to marry her.  She is the woman whom I have dreamed of and have waited for these past few years.  I spoke to her brother of my interest last night and
Miss Elizabeth this morning.  I find Miss Elizabeth to be an amazing young woman and look forward to getting to know her even better
.  Oh, Bingley, that reminds me,
would it be too great an imposition for you if I were to have my mother and sister join us here?  If so, I know that Mr Bennet would be able to assist me in finding a place to lease nearby to accommodate my family as they have a chance to know Miss Elizabeth better.”

“We have at least four more sleeping chambers, Darcy, if I count correctly.  Is that not right, Caroline?”

“The rooms are
not fit for such persons as Lady Anne
Darcy; she is the daughter of the late Earl of Matlock and sister to the current one.  I believe it would be wiser to have them meet her at a later time, perhaps in Town.”

“Nonsense, Miss Bingley.  My mother will be quite comfortable here at Netherfield.” Darcy stated.  He knew that Caroline Bingley would be his most difficult obstacle while he rema
ined at Netherfield.  Being as
she was her brother’s hostess, she had control over the running of the house; Darcy would be at her mercy when it came to his staying there with his family.  “I believe that Mr Bennet stated that they have several guest rooms at Longbourn, perhaps it would be easier all around for my mother and sister to be able to spend time with Miss Elizabeth.”

“That will not be necessary, Mr Darcy.  I will have the staff here do their best to improve on the rooms and prepare them for your family.” Caroline stated as she attempted to determine ways to put an end to this courtship and make herself the more suitable choice in the eyes of the Darcy family.

“My thanks, Miss Bingley;
I will send a letter to my mother this afternoon.  She and Georgiana could possibly arrive by the end of the week.”  Darcy placed his glass on the table and made his way from the room.  Just before reaching the door of the drawing room, he turned around towards Bingley.  “If you will give me an hour, I will refresh myself and be ready to join you on the tour of the property.”

“Very good, Darcy,
I will see you in an hour.”  Bingley smiled as his friend left the room, a liveliness in his step.  After Darcy was up the stairs, Bingley laughed.  “I do not believe I have ever seen Darcy quite so pleased with life.  Miss Elizabeth is just the ticket for him from the looks of things.”

“Charles, I am shocked at you.  You should be finding a way to protect your friend from this foolishness.  Obviously Miss Elizabeth Bennet has caused a scandalous compromise which the family insists on having covered up with Mr Darcy’s promise to marry her.  Did you not hear him say that he is only courting her, not that they are engaged already?  No, Brother, Mr Darcy is trapped by this Bennet family and it is our duty to aid him in finding his freedom from such a horrid match.”

“
Caroline that
will be enough of that talk.  The Bennet family is respectable and very
well liked.  I will not have you besmirching them.  If Darcy has chosen Miss Elizabeth to marry, then I am certain that he finds her to be perfect for him.”

“You cannot be so foolish, Charles.” Caroline gave her brother a look of disbelief.  “The only reason a gentleman of Mr Darcy’s position takes a wife of a country nobody is if there was a compromising situation.”

Bingley shook his head.  “It is time you came to terms with the fact that Darcy has never wished to marry you.  He has told you time and time again, and the only reason he agreed to come here with us is that I told him you would behave yourself and not attempt to force yourself on him.  If you cannot do so, then perhaps I should send you to Aunt L
orraine.”

“I will not travel to Scarborough, so you can remove that thought from your mind.
You need me to stay here as your hostess.”

“Louisa, if I were to send Caroline to our aunt’s home, would you be willing to serve as my hostess while we are here?” Bingley inquired of his elder sister.

Looking between her siblings, Louisa was conflicted.  She was close to her sister, though she did not wish to upset her brother.  As she and her husband were at the mercy of her brother for a place to live.  Mr Hurst’s family despised Caroline and refused to allow Louisa and her husband to stay at their estate due to Caroline always traveling with them.   Perhaps it was time for her to stand her ground with her overbearing sister.  “Charles, I would be more than willing to do so for you. 
Caroline, I am afraid I will have to abide by what our brother decides on this matter.  Mr Darcy has made his feelings on this matter quite clear.  He will never marry you and it is time for you to find a husband and settle into your own home, instead of living with any of us.”

Having thought her sister woul
d support her on the matter,
her desertion was felt as if Louisa had smacked her in the face.  “How dare you, Louisa?  I have supported you in your decision to marry Mr Hurst, as well as other issues.  How dare you turn your back on me now?”

“Yes, you supported my choice to marry Gilbert, though you have caused a great deal of turmoil in our marriage.  His parents refuse to allow us to live with them for you would wish to join us and they despise you.  You are hateful and do not care who you injure with your spite.  It is time that you accept the truth.  You will never be Mrs Darcy, for Mr Darcy only tolerates you because of his friendship with Charles. 
And you must refrain from using Mr Darcy’s name to gain access to functions in society.”

“The invitations are due to peop
le who find me to be a pleasant addition to their parties.  They do not invite me due to our friendship with Mr Darcy.” Caroline nearly spat the words out.

“Well, they had better not be inviting you because of a misperceived connection with me or my family.” Darcy stated as he entered the
drawing room.  “I have told friends of mine when they have inquired as to our relationship that you were not to be invited as a kindness to me.  Your brother I will
be
allow
ed
to use our friends
hip to gain entry to gatherings as
he is the dearest friend I have.  I have tolerated you for years for his sake.  Now that I have found Miss Elizabeth, I will not allow you to use me in such a manner which would cause her pain.  There is no connection between us, Miss Bingley.  You are my friend’s sister, nothing more.”

“Mr Darcy, please know that I am
only thinking of your good name
and the good name of your mother and sister.  How will it look when your dear sister cannot find a good match because people do not wish to associate with your family due to your marrying someone of inferior birth?”

“There is nothing inferior about
Miss Elizabeth.  Her family has
been generations of gentlemen; she has been raise
d as a gentlewoman.  This is far
superior to your own status in society, as you are the daughter of a tradesman.  So do not even begin
to
speak ill of her background if you do not wish to be judged on your own.” Darcy then turned to his friend.  “Are you ready to make our journey around the estate?”

“I am.” Bingley stated and followed after his friend as they left the house.

“Louisa, how could you turn against me so?  You wish to see Mr Darcy married to some country trollop rather than me?”

Shaking her head, Mrs Hurst knew that there was
no
convincing her sister of the truth.
  “I am going to take a nap before the men return from their ride. I will see you later, Caroline.” Louisa then made her way up the stairs and to her room.

Caroline was furious with both of her siblings and
Darcy as well.  She walked to the window and looked out in the direction Longbourn was located.  “I will find a way to eliminate Miss Eliza Bennet from all of our lives.
  Mr Darcy will be grateful after I save him from such a disastrous connection.
”

Chapter 7

Anne Darcy received a letter from her son while she was enjoying breakfast with her beloved daughter, Georgiana.  She opened it quickly, for she missed him and prayed he was enjoying his holiday from Pemberley.

Dearest Mother and Georgiana,

My hopes are that you are both well and in good spirit.  I miss you greatly and look forward to our reunion soon.

I write to you to extend an invitation to join me here at Netherfield Park.  Charles Bingley has graciously opened the invitation for you to stay here at the house he has leased.  I believe you will find great pleasure in staying here, for I have the most important reason to have you here.

Mother, for the past
few
years, as you well know, I have been looking at all the eligible young ladies in search of someone who would be my perfect match.  I have finally found her.  Her name is Miss Elizabeth Bennet, a gentlewoman from an estate next to Netherfield.  Her parents are both deceased, and her elder brother is the Master of Longbourn now.  She has one elder sister, who has garnered Bingley’s attention.

Remember the dreams of which I have told you
?  The ones that brought forth my goal for the perfect wife for me; the moment
I saw Miss Elizabeth, I knew it
was
she
.  Her voice, her face, her hair, and most importantly, her personality, all of these combine in the most delightful way.  I cannot wait for you to meet her, I pray that you will find her just as charming as I do and that you will give us your blessing.  I have entered into an official courtship with the intention of marrying her.  The solicitors are in the process of writing up the contracts at this very moment.

Please say you will come here, Mother.  I cannot wait to see your face when you meet Miss Elizabeth.