Chapter 10
At noon two days later, after a morning spent with his solicitors, Darcy received a note from Bingley, asking to join him at the club.
He was first tempted to invite Bingley to his house but abandoned the thought.
If Bingley wanted to meet at either of their homes, he would have suggested it.
He probably wished a private meeting to avoid any interference from their families
However, the moment he entered the carriage, he regretted his acceptance: the weather was unbearably warm, and inside the carriage, the air was impossible to breathe.
The club appeared mostly empty, and Bingley awaited him in obvious impatience at a secluded table.
“Thank you for coming. There is something important I must speak to you about. It is hot outside, is it not? London is not a proper place to be in summer.”
“Bingley, you look ill. What is the matter?”
“Nothing is the matter; I mean —I had a bad night. Several bad nights actually.”
They enjoyed a glass of brandy then Bingley continued.
“Have you read the newspapers recently? I made a shocking discovery. Can you imagine that the youngest Miss Bennet —Lydia —wedded Mr. Wickham a few days ago?”
“Yes, I know.”
“It was quite unexpected, was it not? I remembered him having an inclination towards Miss Elizabeth; of course, she was too smart to enter into such an imprudent marriage. But her younger sister? How will they live? I doubt Mr. Bennet has much to offer as a dowry.”
“Bingley, did you bring me here to speak of Wickham? I must be honest with you: if I had known, I never would have left my house in such impossible weather.”
“No, not at all. I want to ask you…I am considering returning to Hertfordshire. To open Netherfield again. What do you think?”
Bingley’s voice and eyes showed his resolution about the plan and his anxiety to hear his elder friend’s opinion.
Darcy was not surprised by the news after Bingley’s conversation with Lady Hardwick.
More than eight months had passed since Bingley left Netherfield, and he still seemed as troubled as he was in the first days.
Any incentive was enough to encourage him to return.
But still —he seemed to expect Darcy’s approval.
He swallowed more brandy, choosing his words carefully.
“Charles, I think you should be confident in your own decisions. If you want to open Netherfield, you should go to it.”
Bingley’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Truly? But last November you said it would be better for me to give up any connections with Hertfordshire!”
“I know what I said. At that time, I was certain that I was acting for your benefit. I hope you believe that I was convinced my points were valid and that your happiness could not possibly lie in Hertfordshire. I still cannot say beyond any doubt whether I was right or wrong. But what I have learnt in these past months is that I am in no position to give you advice on such personal matters.”
“So you agree with my plan? I should like to know I have your approval.”
Darcy concealed his uneasiness behind a tentative smile.
“I do not deserve such consideration from you. There is something more that I have to confess, and I am afraid it will upset you —and rightfully so.”
“What are you saying, Darcy? I could never be upset with you.”
Their glasses were refilled, and Bingley watched him with curiosity. Darcy finally met his gaze.
“In the winter, Miss Bennet —Jane Bennet —was in town for three months. She stayed with her uncle and aunt in Gracechurch Street. I did not meet her personally, but your sisters told me that she visited them and they returned the call. I purposely concealed this fact from you, and I have no excuse for it. My interference in your affairs was absurd and impertinent.”
Bingley’s face coloured as he frowned. He seemed to struggle to understand what he heard, blinking and swallowing as he stared at his companion.
“You are telling me she was in town all that time and came to my house, and I was not informed?”
“Yes…I cannot do anything but apologise again and hope for your forgiveness.”
“You concealed such extraordinary news from me although you knew how important it was? If you were convinced of her indifference, why would you keep her from me?”
Bingley’s voice rose in anger, and the few club members in attendance glanced at them. He breathed deeply, gulped his brandy, and glared sharply at Darcy.
“I never would have expected such a betrayal from you. You are not the honourable man I thought you were, and I will never forgive you. What excuse do you have for your outrageous behaviour?”
“None. It was only a preposterous presumption that I knew what was best for you. I do not deserve your forgiveness.”
Bingley asked for more drinks, and as their glasses were filled again, he glared steadily at his friend.
“What if Jane Bennet’s feelings were not what you led me to believe? What if she suffered at my departure? What if she felt only half of the pain I had to bear? How will you ever compensate for her sorrow since you did not care for mine?”
Darcy’s fingers clenched his glass, but he found no reply.
Bingley took another sip of brandy and inquired further.
“Why are you telling me all this now?”
“My confession was long overdue. I could not allow you to return to Netherfield without knowing the entire truth. And I still have something to add. As you know, I met Miss Elizabeth in Kent last April. I have reason to believe that her opinion is the reverse of mine regarding her sister’s feelings for you.
And Mr. Bennet —to whom I talked a few days ago —inquired after you in quite a friendly manner. ”
Bingley’s countenance expressed complete disbelief.
“You think I have reason to hope for a fair reception?”
“I do. But please allow me another moment —there is something more that I must tell you since you will surely hear about it upon your return to Hertfordshire.”
“Is there more? Have you done anything else to hurt Miss Bennet? Perhaps together with my sisters?”
The words sounded spiteful, but Darcy could not blame his younger friend.
“It is about Wickham. As you guessed, his marriage was not a regular one. He left his regiment because of his creditors…he had debts of a thousand pounds. He convinced Lydia to elope with him, and he agreed to marry her only after his debts were paid and a new commission purchased for him.”
Bingley forgot to breathe. He brushed his fingers through his hair and asked for coffee.
“I must give up brandy if I want to keep track of all this news,” he declared. “How on earth do you know all this?”
“Wickham hid in London, and Mr. Bennet searched for them for days. Miss Bennet —Elizabeth, I mean —asked me for help.”
“You helped the Bennets to track Wickham?” Bingley asked.
“Yes —is that so astonishing? Do you not believe me capable of a charitable gesture?”
“It is astonishing —not that you offered your assistance but the entire story. If only I had been in London…I cannot imagine how much Jane must have suffered. If I could have done something to help them too…”
“There was nothing more you could have done. It was fortunate that I knew the scoundrel’s den very well.
It was no effort at all —except to restrain myself from strangling him.
I only inform you now because you will surely hear the rumours, and Miss Bennet herself might still be distressed about her sister’s marriage. ”
“I thank you —it was a very considerate gesture. I must leave now. This meeting has proved to be most shocking. I did not expect such a disclosure. I must think more on it…”
“Bingley, I apologise again. I hope you know how much I value your friendship and how fond I am of you, although this cannot compensate for my wrongs to you.”
Bingley gave him another stern look.
“I will leave for Netherfield in a few days, and I will try to renew my acquaintance with the Bennets. I expect you to visit me on your way to Pemberley.”
Darcy averted his eyes.
“I cannot promise that. My plans are not fixed yet. It depends on many things. Besides, Georgiana and my aunt…”
“From what they told me, they are anxious to see Netherfield. I shall not insist further, but you should remember that I await your visit.”
∞∞∞
The short ride from the club to his house was filled with heat and distress. Darcy was relieved by his confession to Bingley. He regretted the pain caused to his friend —by both his past actions and the present disclosure. But it had to be done, and it was for the best.
Bingley was angry and disappointed, but at least he was prepared for what to expect on his return to Netherfield. And it proved to Darcy once more how wrong he had been in thinking Bingley’s feelings only a mere infatuation.
Perhaps Bingley had been in love many times before but not after Miss Jane Bennet.
His heart seemed to belong only to her. Whether Miss Bennet’s feelings were similar to Bingley’s, whether their connection would be bonded by a wedding, and whether their marriage would be a happy one or not, only God could know for sure, and only the future would prove it.
He —Darcy —had no right and no business to interfere ever again.
The carriage stopped at his destination, and Darcy quickly emerged. He was immediately hit by a wave of heat and hurried inside, but at the door, Watts was waiting for him.
“Sir, you are expected at Lady Hardwick’s house immediately. The countess is ill; the doctor was fetched and is already there.”
Darcy was momentarily paralysed with astonishment, and he needed all his strength to move. His steps —as hasty as possible —seemed painfully slow, and it felt like hours before he arrived there.
In the main hall were three servants and the housekeeper, who tried to give them orders to which nobody listened. At Darcy’s entrance, silence fell upon them.
“Where is my aunt?” he cried. “What happened?”
“Lady Hardwick fell in the music room…she was with Miss Darcy. We could not wake her for a long time. The doctor is with her now…he said to wait here…”