Chapter 8 #2
Surprise flickered plainly across Bingley’s features.
He looked from one to the other again, slower this time, as though attempting to piece together what altercation he had interrupted.
Darcy could almost feel the weight of the man’s uncertainty pressing into the narrow space as if the very air had shifted with the force of the words that had just been spoken.
After a moment passed, Darcy spoke, having concluded that his friend would not.
“Bingley, I had intended to seek you out and inform you that I must return to Pemberley in the morning. However,” he continued, his gaze sharpening as it settled upon his hostess, “circumstances now require that I depart as soon as arrangements can be made. I have repeatedly urged you to speak to your sister regarding her presumption towards me, yet it appears you have failed to do so. Once again, she has taken my arm without leave—and this time she has gone further, presuming to address me by my Christian name. I have never granted her such familiarity, nor would I, for our only connexion has ever been through you.”
Bingley remained silent for several moments, his expression unsettled as his gaze moved helplessly between them.
“What do you mean, Darcy?” he asked at last, plainly at a loss.
Miss Bingley’s initial shock gave way almost at once to something more resolute. Her colour rose, her chin lifted a fraction higher, and when she spoke again, her voice was composed—almost meticulously so.
“Charles,” she said, “you assured me that Mr Darcy’s object in coming to Hertfordshire was well understood.
You were perfectly aware that I had conveyed as much to my friends—that his joining us here was no idle circumstance, but a step towards strengthening our connexion.
I cannot now return to London and have those expectations appear entirely unfounded.
If I do so unwed—or even unattached—the injury to my consequence will not be easily repaired. ”
Already, she was arranging the narrative in her mind; London need never know the truth of how matters had ended here.
Bingley stared at her, disbelief overtaking his earlier confusion. “Caroline,” he said firmly, “I did not know you had made such claims, for had I known, I would have cautioned you against so rash and unfounded a course.”
Turning to Darcy, he continued, his tone apologetic, “I have spoken to her more than once, but she does not appear inclined to heed it.”
He paused for a moment, considering. “The night before last, after you mentioned her habit of lingering near your rooms, I believe I spoke to her then. I suppose I cannot entirely fault you for wishing to leave, although I would ask that we speak privately for a moment before you go.”
He turned back to his sister, clearly uneasy as he took in the carefully determined look on her face.
“Caroline… you ought to return to your room for the present,” he said after a moment. “I will speak with you once I have taken my leave of my friend.”
Darcy felt mollified by his friend’s anger on his behalf, but still, he was unwilling to stay another night in this house. Better to stay at an inn than be subject to any of Miss Bingley’s possible machinations.
“Very well, Bingley,” Darcy said before following his friend back down the passage to his study.
“Darcy,” Bingley began as soon as the door was closed.
“I do apologise for my sister’s behaviour.
I have spoken to her often, but she does not listen.
She hears only what she wishes to hear. Most assuredly, I never told her that you intended to propose and would not have dared to do so knowing how you feel. ”
“You must do something about her, Charles,” Darcy said, watching his friend drop into one of the chairs before the fire, his frustration evident in his posture.
After a moment of indecision, he sat across from his friend and continued firmly.
“But I am telling you now, I will never be in her company again. She is not welcome at Pemberley or Darcy House, even as your guest, and I will not speak to her if I encounter her in public. If she forces the matter, I will cut her, and that will have an impact on your acceptance in society as well as hers. It is best you get her away from society entirely and end her delusions once and for all.”
“I had hoped that this time away from Town might do her some good, but it seems that my hopes were misplaced. Again, I promise you that I never told her you intended to offer for her,” Bingley said.
Darcy shook his head. “I do not doubt you, my friend, but it is clear that your sister is either unable or unwilling to see things as they are.
But I will not tell you what you ought to do in this instance, but merely intended to let you know that I must depart.
Amongst other things, Mr Grant informed me that Richard will be arriving back in England soon.
He has invited my cousin to spend some time at Millwood Cottage and my cousin has accepted his invitation.
Mr Grant extended the same invitation to Georgiana and me, and I have decided to accept so we might spend some time with Richard whilst he is in England.
“As you recall, I had intended to stay with you only for a month, and have already been here for nearly a fortnight beyond that. You have let this estate for a year, but I am afraid that, despite my efforts, you have learnt little about its management. It was your father’s desire for you to become a landed gentleman, but you ought to decide if that is your wish, if you intend to give an estate the attention it deserves.
You do not seem all that interested in learning how to manage it. ”
Bingley only nodded at this, and after a few minutes where both men sat in silence, Darcy rose from the chair he had settled in.
“Bingley, after that display in the passageway, I intend to depart the area immediately, not waiting for the morning. I will ride north and allow my valet to make his way to Millwood on his own and will let Mr Grant know to expect him. I thank you for your hospitality, but I would beg you not to forget what I have said. Do write to me to let me know what you decide and whether I might be of any assistance to you.” He hoped his friend understood that he was offering assistance only to Bingley himself and not towards others in his family.
“I thank you, Darcy,” Bingley said as he rose, extending his hand.
Darcy clasped it firmly. “After you leave, I shall speak with Hurst and seek his advice. I will write to you, although not until I have had some time to consider what I ought to do next. I know I had spoken of hosting a ball, but now I am beginning to wonder if that would be wise.”
Darcy considered this for a moment, his brows drawing together as he weighed his words. At length he fixed his host with a steady, direct gaze.
“Although it is hardly my place to offer such counsel, if you do decide to depart the neighbourhood, I urge you to take proper leave of the families here. They have shown you a degree of hospitality that has not, I fear, been fully returned.”
He paused, hesitating again before continuing.
“I do not believe your sister is inclined, or even capable, of performing what courtesy requires. She has been somewhat warm towards Miss Jane Bennet, but her attentions to Miss Elizabeth Bennet have been marked by a decidedly cooler civility. Indeed, for reasons I can easily comprehend, she scarcely conceals her disdain for that lady. She displays even less tolerance for the remainder of the neighbourhood.”
He exhaled slowly and pinched the bridge of his nose, a faint gesture of frustration at himself as much as at Miss Bingley, particularly in light of his conversations with Mr Grant in recent days.
“You and I have endured her constant disparagement of the society here—criticisms I am ashamed to admit I once encouraged with far too much eagerness.” His hand fell back to his side, his jaw tightening as he met Bingley’s eyes once more.
“Therefore, do not rely upon your sister to manage these farewells. Accompany her on any calls she claims she intends to make—or, at the very least, review any letters she proposes to send as she takes her leave.”
“Of course, Darcy,” came Bingley’s reply.
Although his friend spoke with sincerity, Darcy could place little confidence in the certainty of his resolve.
He could only hope Bingley would follow through.
His thoughts strayed briefly to the Bennets and how they might receive news of Bingley’s departure.
Bingley had shown marked admiration for the eldest daughter, yet Darcy remained uncertain whether such admiration would ever deepen into something more.
After exchanging a few final words, Darcy took his leave. He returned first to his chambers to inform his valet of the change in plans, then descended by way of the servant staircases and made for the stables. By fortunate timing—or providence—he managed to avoid Miss Bingley entirely.