The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy (2 page)

In light of all that followed, Darcy regretted that he had not left Hertfordshire shortly after the assembly. The dark-haired Elizabeth Bennet had succeeded in capturing his attention as no other woman ever had. With each subsequent meeting, his admiration grew, and he soon found her occupying most of his waking moments.

While attending a gathering at the home of Sir William Lucas, he had listened in on her conversations and had followed her movements like some lovesick puppy. When Elizabeth came to stay at Netherfield Park to care for her ailing sister, her proximity exposed an underlying sexual tension that he found disconcerting. But it was no longer just the physical that he found so alluring. A series of conversations had revealed a woman who possessed a natural intelligence and who was confident enough to challenge the opinions of those with whom she disagreed, including his own.

Humiliated by his behavior, he had returned to London. But Elizabeth had followed him there. In his dreams, her presence was so real that he had imagined that he could taste her lips, smell the scent of her hair, and feel the rhythm of her body as she moved beneath him. And although it had been his intention to send word to Bingley that his business affairs required that he remain in town, after less than two weeks, he was on the road to Hertfordshire to attend the ball Bingley was hosting at Netherfield Park.

It was during his absence that George Wickham had made his first appearance in Meryton, and in that short time, Wickham, a man without scruples, had managed to convince Elizabeth that Darcy was someone who could not be trusted and who did not keep his promises. But Darcy did not know that at the time and was caught unawares when Elizabeth had remarked during the Netherfield ball that Wickham had lost his friendship “in a manner for which he was likely to suffer from all his life.” That remark, and the general consensus that Bingley would shortly make an offer of marriage to Miss Jane Bennet, spurred him to action.

The next morning, he wrote a letter to George Bingley, in which he informed Charles’s eldest brother that there were expectations within the neighborhood that Charles would soon become engaged to Miss Jane Bennet, and he outlined his objections to the match. With all of his being, he believed that such a marriage would be a disaster. It was not just a matter of the lady’s inferior position in society or the lack of propriety displayed by her family; Darcy believed the lady did not love his friend. But because it would be financially beneficial to her and her family, she would agree to an offer of marriage.

However, George Bingley’s intervention was not required as Charles yielded on the matter the day after they had reached London. He relied heavily on Darcy’s superior knowledge of such affairs, and considering his sisters’ emphatic opposition to the match, he had allowed himself to be convinced that any such union was doomed to failure.

The next day, Charles left London to attend a horse fair in Surrey. Although he valued his friendship with Darcy above all others, Charles resented his role in separating him from Miss Bennet, and because Darcy was a reminder of what he had lost, he decided he could do without his company for a while and sent word to his sisters that he would remain in the country.

***

With no communication between the two gentlemen, Darcy realized that Bingley was taking the forced separation from Miss Bennet much harder than he would have expected because it was Darcy’s experience that his friend was often in love.

Upon learning of Charles’s return from Surrey, Darcy immediately went to the Bingley townhouse. While waiting for his friend, he was sitting in the drawing room trying to figure out what it was that he found so annoying about Caroline Bingley. There were nine Bingleys, and he had met seven of them. But it was only Caroline who got under his skin. Not even her intellectually challenged sister, Louisa, came anywhere near to irritating him as much as Caroline did just by entering a room, and that is exactly what she had done thirty minutes earlier.

“Mr. Darcy, please join us for some refreshments,” Caroline offered. “There is something about an autumn day in London that makes one want to drink coffee.”

But before he agreed to join them, he wanted to know where Charles was and when he would be expected.

“Charles has decided to replace his entire wardrobe, and today he is visiting the boot maker. He has been gone two hours, so I do expect him momentarily.” Actually, Caroline had no idea when her brother would return, but she would detain Mr. Darcy as long as possible. She was convinced she held some attraction for the gentleman as she often caught him staring at her, as he was doing now.

Caroline was correct. Darcy
was
thinking about her. He found her to be an attractive, intelligent woman. With her ability to draw, paint, sing, play the pianoforte, and speak French fluently, she truly met the definition of an accomplished woman. However, she was also catty, but so were most of the women in London. Just last evening at a card party, he had overheard two women lavish praise on a third lady, only to tear her to pieces as soon as she had left the room. He simply did not understand it. With the exception of political debate, it was something that men did not do.

“Mr. Darcy, we have quite lost you. May I inquire as to what is occupying your thoughts?” Caroline was hoping that his thoughts were of her.

“I was thinking that if your brother does not come home in the next ten minutes, I shall have to leave.”

Caroline was not about to allow that to happen and said the first thing that came into her head.

“Did you know that Miss Jane Bennet is in town?”

“How could I possibly know that?” Darcy said with an edge in his voice. Although comfortable with his efforts to get Bingley to leave Hertfordshire, he certainly understood that Jane Bennet would have been disappointed. He would have preferred to think of her at home with her family.

“Apparently, she arrived in town three weeks ago. It seems that visiting Louisa and me was her first order of business. She sent us several notes, and her persistence was finally rewarded. I visited her yesterday at her uncle’s home in Cheapside.”

It was not a good visit. Caroline was disappointed to find that the Gardiners lived quite comfortably in a large house in Gracechurch Street, featuring Meissen porcelains, a Sevres tea service, and richly carved French furniture. She had not expected to find the Bennets had relations who were genteel and obviously well off.

“She probably thought of you as her friend,” Darcy responded.

Louisa gave her sister a look to warn her that she had gone where she should not have.

“Of course, she is our friend,” Caroline said quickly, trying to cover her gaffe. “It is just that I wished to spare her any embarrassment. Obviously, she cannot come here. It would not do for her and Charles to meet, and as soon as I had an opening in my schedule, I visited her. It was never our intention to hurt Miss Bennet, and Louisa and I were very grateful that you were with us on that day when we convinced our brother he should not see her again.”

“Miss Bingley, I do not need to be reminded that I was a party to that discussion. I think of it almost every day. I just do not derive as much satisfaction from it as you do.”

“Mr. Darcy,” Louisa interjected, “Miss Bennet traveled to London with her sister, Miss Elizabeth, and she happily shared with Caroline that both had attended a ball as well as the theatre and were enjoying being in town.” Louisa wanted to get the conversation away from the subject of tearing Charles away from the woman he loved, especially since she was having second thoughts about her own role in parting the two lovers. Despite Caroline’s many criticisms regarding Jane Bennet, Louisa liked her. “I think we can safely say Miss Bennet is well on her way to getting over any hurt feelings she may have had because of our brother.”

Caroline looked at her sister with alarm. Mr. Darcy had once made a remark about Eliza Bennet’s fine eyes, and she had noticed how he sought her out at the Netherfield ball. She did not want to discuss anything to do with that particular lady.

“Mrs. Hurst, are you saying that Miss Elizabeth Bennet is in London?”

“No, sir,” Louisa said, shaking her head. “She
was
in London. However, she has since gone to visit friends somewhere in Kent, and Miss Bennet alone remains in town.”

“Has she gone to visit Mrs. Collins? I believe they have a close friendship.”

“Yes, Mr. Darcy, that is the lady. I could not think of her name, but she is the one who married Lady Catherine’s vicar. So Miss Elizabeth is definitely not in town.”

Caroline was unhappy with Louisa for providing so much information about Eliza Bennet’s whereabouts. The Collinses were near neighbors to Lady Catherine, and it was possible that if Mr. Darcy chose to visit his aunt in Kent, he might encounter her in the nearby village or, very likely, in church.

Any thought of Bingley immediately went out of his head. Ever since leaving Hertfordshire, Darcy had tried not to think about Elizabeth. He did not want to remember her dark eyes or hair, her beautiful smile, and infectious laugh. And her wit! What had she said at Netherfield about the efficacy of poetry in driving love away? He would never again read a romantic poem without thinking about her comment. For a time, he had been angry with her for her defense of Wickham and for believing his lies, but the anger had dissipated only to be replaced by an emptiness he had never before experienced.

Caroline, seeing the effect Louisa’s news had had on Mr. Darcy, attempted to regain his attention. “I imagine Miss Elizabeth will thoroughly enjoy her stay at the parsonage. It is my understanding from Mr. Collins that the house is well situated and has a lovely garden. I am sure the attractions of the nearby village will be appealing to someone who is so content to live near Meryton.”

Caroline mistakenly believed she was being gracious, or at least as gracious as she could be when discussing someone whom she considered to be a rival. But Darcy saw it for what it was: a reminder that Miss Elizabeth was merely the daughter of a gentleman farmer, and as such, beneath his notice.

Darcy finally declared he could wait no longer, and after handing his card to Mrs. Hurst, he asked that Bingley call on him. Although he was unable to see his friend, the visit was successful in one regard. It was no longer a mystery as to what he found so unappealing about Caroline. She was an attractive woman on the outside, but her beauty only masked a deep well of unkindness and the satisfaction she derived from belittling others.

On the ride from London to Hunsford Lodge, Lizzy reflected on all that had happened in the few months since Mr. Bingley had come to Netherfield Park, and in her musings, she also recalled the many conversations Jane and she had shared as young ladies on the cusp of adulthood. While snuggling in their bed, they talked of the men who would come into their lives and win their hearts. Ironically, it was Jane who was the more practical of the two. She wanted a man with a kind disposition, who was handsome and charming, and who would be able to provide for her and their children. Her greatest hope was that she would marry for love, but considering her lack of fortune, she realized it was all a matter of luck.

Lizzy, on the other hand, wanted a man of understanding who would engage her intellectually. Before they married, her husband would appreciate that she held opinions on matters great and small, and that there was a wider world she wanted to explore, even if she could only do so by reading magazines and newspapers and visiting the circulating library. And there were so many exciting things to read about and to discuss. England, most especially London, was at the center of the world, as was evidenced in the shops with their Chinese silks, American tobacco, Indian teas, and Madeira wines, and great political and military events were taking place on the Continent and in America.

But in one thing Jane and she were in complete agreement: Both wanted to marry for love. In Jane’s case, it had very nearly happened. Mr. Bingley was all Jane had ever wanted and more, and she had fallen deeply in love with him and he with her. So what had happened? She knew the answer to that question. Mr. Bingley’s sisters and Mr. Darcy had happened, and together they had worked against the match from the very beginning. She was sure that Caroline and Louisa were sensitive about the Bingley fortune having been made in trade, and it was their intention to climb the social ladder and never look back. It was obvious Mr. Darcy held considerable sway over his friend, and in the end, he was able to convince Mr. Bingley that marriage with Miss Bennet was not in his best interest.

At the Netherfield ball, if she had spent less time thinking about Mr. Wickham, she would have anticipated what was shortly to happen. She would have seen how the inappropriate behavior of her mother and sisters was being viewed by Caroline, Louisa, and Mr. Darcy. And to make matters worse, there was Mr. Collins. Anyone who condemned the behavior of her mother and three younger sisters would come to the conclusion that even the extended Bennet family lacked refinement and common sense.

But all that was in the past, and nothing would be gained by thinking about it. Lizzy refocused her attention on her visit with Mr. and Mrs. Collins, and a smile came to her face. Charlotte was her dearest friend, and there would be so much to discuss, and as for Mr. Collins, she could safely rely on him to be an endless source of amusement.

***

When the chaise pulled up in front of Hunsford Lodge, Lizzy understood why Charlotte could be happy here—even with Mr. Collins. It was a pretty house with a lovely garden and a fine view of Rosings Park, and it was near enough to the road leading into the village that Charlotte could easily visit with her neighbors.

As expected, as soon as Lizzy had both feet on the ground, Mr. Collins began to point out every advantage of living at the parsonage, clearly with the intention of making Lizzy regret her refusal of his offer. No matter how unexceptional or insignificant the object, right down to the fender in front of the fireplace, each merited a comment from her cousin. After the tour of the house had concluded, Mr. Collins led Lizzy to his favorite vantage point from which he could see Rosings Park and, therefore, the comings and goings of his esteemed patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

After supper, Charlotte remarked to her husband that Elizabeth had had a long journey and might wish to retire. With the excuse of making sure that everything was as it should be in Lizzy’s room, Charlotte went upstairs with her friend and closed the door.

“Finally, we are alone,” Charlotte said, and she gave Lizzy a hug. “How good it is to have company from home. After Papa and Maria left, I was quite homesick, but now you are here and I am content.”

“So tell me, Charlotte, is everything to your satisfaction?” Lizzy asked while sitting on the bed and unlacing her boots. “Do you take issue with any of Mr. Collins’s claims that everything is perfect and beyond criticism? You said that Lady Catherine was a most attentive neighbor, but I could not decide if you were praising or censuring her.”

“By attentive, I meant nosy,” Charlotte said, rolling her eyes. “When I said that she shows an interest in all we do, it was the truth, for nothing is beneath her notice. She comes into the house and finds fault with everything and everyone, leaves instructions for the necessary corrections, and departs. But despite all this, I am quite content to be here and to be the mistress of my own home, and for all of Mr. Collins’s faults, he is a kind man who sees to the needs of his parish.”

“I am happy to hear it, truly, but what about your needs?”

“Easily met. Monday and Tuesday are reserved for visits to his parishioners or church business. On Wednesday, we dine at Rosings Park, so that Lady Catherine may criticize the sermon Mr. Collins has written. He spends as much time as possible on Thursday in the garden, an activity he enjoys, and one which I encourage. It seems that Lady Catherine has outlived most of her friends, so we usually dine at the manor house on Friday as well so that we might entertain Her Ladyship. On Saturday, we do all our shopping for the week in the village, and that night, we perform as man and wife. Sunday, he preaches, and then the cycle repeats. Very little changes from week to week, and because my marriage is lacking in romance, I can see you are unimpressed.”

“Charlotte, I made no comment.” Nor would she. The thought of Mr. Collins performing as a husband could result in the loss of her appetite.

“Lizzy, you do not need to say anything. Unlike you, I never was romantic. All I asked was a comfortable home, and I have that. But speaking of romance, Miss de Bourgh called this morning to say that they are to have visitors at Rosings, her cousins Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr. Darcy. What a coincidence! You are here, and Mr. Darcy is coming to visit his aunt.”

“Surely, Mr. Darcy is free to travel about the country without giving any consideration as to where I might be,” Lizzy said, confused at Charlotte’s continued insistence that the gentleman had some interest in her.

Charlotte just nodded, but she thought it unusual that Mr. Darcy was coming to Kent when he had just been to Rosings a few weeks earlier. There must be a special reason for him to return so quickly.