Chapter 6
Darcy listened to Georgiana playing, watching his sister intently. From another settee, Mrs Annesley glanced from one sibling to another. When the beautiful music ended, Darcy walked to the pianoforte and offered his hand, helping her stand up.
“Brother, I feel well, truly. Please do not worry for me. I always give you so much trouble.”
“Georgiana, stop saying that,” he scolded her lovingly. “I worry because I love you and anything that affects you is my concern.”
“I love you too and I pray to be worthy of your affection, brother.”
“If you love me, please rest more and eat more, as the doctor recommended. That would be enough.”
“I shall take care that Miss Darcy respects the doctor’s orders, Mr Darcy,” Mrs Annesley interjected.
“I do not doubt your care, Mrs Annesley.”
“Brother, please go and attend your business. I am fine,” Georgiana repeated, glancing at her brother with adoration and gratitude.
While his sister retired to her apartment, together with her companion, Darcy returned to the library.
For ten days, he had been trapped in a cage of fear.
Shortly after his return to town, as they walked in Hyde Park with his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Georgiana fainted without any apparent reason.
She was holding both their arms and she suddenly became weak and crumpled to the ground before either of them had time to catch her.
Fortunately, she suffered no other injury, but Darcy was devastated by fear and worry.
Painful recollections of his mother fainting unexpectedly tormented him.
His relatives—the Matlocks—said nothing of it, but he knew they all shared the fear that Georgiana might inherit their mother’s affliction.
The family doctor was fetched, but his examination brought no relief. He declared that Miss Darcy was weak, pale and thin, but he could provide no reason for her state.
Mrs Annesley worryingly admitted that in the last two months, Miss Darcy had scarcely eaten, despite her insistence and the cook’s efforts in preparing the dishes that Miss Darcy had once enjoyed.
Darcy blamed himself for his sister’s health.
After the tormenting experience with Wickham and the failed elopement, he noticed that Georgiana had become more restrained and somehow estranged from him.
He had selfishly chosen to ignore his observations and joined Bingley in Hertfordshire, leaving Georgiana with Mrs Annesley and Mrs Simms—the housekeeper.
Once again, his actions proved his selfishness.
He was very good at judging others, but so poor at guessing the feelings of those dear to him, like Georgiana. Or Elizabeth.
Although far away, she was still present in his thoughts.
Worried about Georgiana and barely leaving her company at all, through the long and restless nights he realised he was missing Elizabeth more than anyone else before.
He had no time to reflect upon what he could dare hope regarding her.
His previous considerations regarding her family and her lack of experience in accomplishing the duties attached to the Darcy name, slowly faded.
His last conversion with Mr Bennet—although brief—had improved his opinion of the gentleman.
As for Mrs Bennet’s schemes to marry off her daughters, those he had considered scandalous until recently, when they appeared less appalling after he received a couple of letters from his aunt, Lady Catherine.
Darcy heard Bingley’s joyful voice even before his friend knocked on the door. Bingley’s presence was always comforting, both to him and to Georgiana, so he gladly invited him in.
“Darcy, how is Georgiana?” Bingley asked, taking a seat.
“She says she is better. She has played the pianoforte in the last few days. But she still seems pale and thin to me.”
“And what has the doctor said?”
“Nothing new. I have many reasons to be concerned and I am considering asking for other medical opinions too.”
“I am sorry to hear that… although I am glad she is improving. May I help you in any way?”
“Your friendship is all the help we need, Bingley. Pray for us. And how are you?”
Bingley frowned for a moment, then he stood up and walked to the window.
“I am well enough. I have come to speak to you, but I do not want to bother you even further.”
“Speak up, Bingley. What is the matter? Pacing around in apparent distress is bothering me more than any conversation.”
“Well… the thing is...I would gladly remain in town if my presence is of any use to you. If not… I am considering returning to Netherfield.” Bingley said reluctantly. He stopped, gazing at Darcy, who returned the look with a stern glance.
“I see… And is there any assistance that I may provide you?”
“Assistance? No, no… But Caroline and Louisa are decidedly against me returning. They said I am being unreasonable and that I should consider the situation more carefully. They said you agree with them that I should remain in London for the winter.”
“Bingley, I have not spoken to your sisters since we arrived in town. It is true, however, that I did have some doubts regarding the hastiness of your attachment to Miss Jane Bennet. I believe you should be careful and cautious in your future actions and do not make any decisions unless you are convinced of your feelings as well as of the lady’s. ”
“Oh… yes...well… You are right, as always...It is just that...I left saying I would return in a week. I feel it would be impolite of me to simply disappear without a word… This is why I wish to return and...I am not certain for how long I will remain there but…”
“Bingley, you are an honourable and kind-hearted man. In the past, I might have been arrogant enough to force my opinion on you, but I was wrong. My judgement has been proven wrong several times recently. So now I will advise you to do whatever makes you content.”
The answer, which sounded like a confession, surprised and confused Bingley.
“Your advice is always useful to me, Darcy. I cannot remember when your judgement was wrong, I always rely on your opinion. I wish you could join me, but I know you must be with Georgiana.”
“I cannot leave until I am certain Georgiana is completely recovered. But I am sure your return will be welcome.”
“I hope so too. I will write to my housekeeper and my steward, to prepare Netherfield. I plan to leave in two days, but I shall visit you again in the meantime.”
“Come whenever you wish. We would be glad to have your company for dinner any evening—or every evening,” Darcy said.
The conversation with Bingley brought Darcy unexpected relief. His younger friend seemed stronger and wiser than Darcy believed. Despite his sisters’ opposition, Bingley had decided to return to Netherfield. Whatever would happen in the future, Bingley was the master of his own actions.
He was aware that Bingley’s return might affect him too. The connection with the Bennets would certainly be tightened further and his path might cross Elizabeth’s soon. He was uncertain if he dreaded the reunion or prayed for it.
The next morning, Darcy was surprised to receive his uncle, Lord Matlock, and his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, immediately after breakfast.
“Nephew, I cannot stay long, as I am expected by Lord Dalton,” the earl said.
“I am in no hurry; my business is usually late in the evening,” the colonel said in his usual mocking tone.
“I hope you do not bring bad news, Uncle.”
“Well, Darcy, it is for you to decide if it is bad or not. Have you checked your post yet? My sister Catherine is quite vexed, she said she sent you two letters this week and you have answered neither.”
“I read only the first of Aunt Catherine’s letters and it upset me; it was insensitive and rude.
Aunt Catherine firmly believes that I spoil Georgiana too much and I should not be so preoccupied with a mere faint.
Also, she mentioned that Anne faints all the time and that I should be equally preoccupied with my duties to her.
My present state is not favourable to writing a decent reply. ”
“I fear the second letter may worsen your present state,” the colonel said.
“Richard, this is no time for mockery,” the earl interjected severely.
“I spoke nothing but the truth, father. Forgive me, Darcy, I did not mean to be insensitive.”
“Uncle, will you not tell me what is the matter?”
“You should read your letter, nephew. I do not feel comfortable repeating what was written in mine.”
Annoyed and impatient, Darcy searched through the pile of papers on his desk. Finally, he found Lady Catherine’s sealed letter, dated three days ago, and opened it with vexation.
‘Darcy,
As your closest relative, I must say I am deeply disappointed in you.
I now have the explanation for your silence and lack of consideration in replying to my letter.
I would have expected such unguarded behaviour from Richard but not from you.
Can you imagine the shame I had to suffer when my clergyman, Mr Collins, informed me about the rumours regarding your outrageous relationship with his cousin?
A woman of no connections and no consequence, whom even he refused to marry?
A woman whose easy character made her turn towards that Wickham man, the son of your father’s steward?
How dare you allow the shades of Pemberley to be thus polluted?
I would expect a man in your position to be more discreet with his amusements.
I suppose I should be grateful that you came to your senses and eventually distanced yourself from that woman before you affected our family’s reputation. I pray that Anne will never suffer the torment of discovering the flaws in your character.
In order to remedy your errors, you should promise me to never speak to that woman again, and come to visit Rosings as soon as possible.’
Darcy put down the letter, gazing at his uncle and cousin, who were staring at him with apparent curiosity.
As always, he read his aunt’s letters with little attention; most of them were full of Lady Catherine’s demands regarding someone or something. In those moments, Wickham and Collins were the only names that remained in his head.
“Lady Catherine has lost her mind, I am afraid. She wrote to me of some laughable nonsense about me being involved in a relationship with a woman who is in a relationship with Wickham. For Heaven’s sake, it is all some incoherent jumble.
Here it is, read it for yourself,” he said, handing it to his uncle.
“There is no need for me to read it, Catherine repeated the story in her letter to me. She claims that her clergyman—who appears to be a good authority since he visited the village in person—brought her the reports. It is said that you were involved in an intimate affair with a Miss Elizabeth Bennet and once you left her, she attempted to attach herself to that Wickham boy.”
Darcy looked at the two in utter disbelief, waiting for his cousin to burst out laughing and reveal that it was a bad joke.
The gravity of their expressions froze him in the middle of the room, stunned, his head spinning and his fists tightly clenched.
“Darcy…”
“This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard and, if I did not fear that this story may have ruined an innocent, honourable young woman’s life, I would laugh my heart out, saying that you have all lost your minds!
Aunt Catherine has certainly lost hers, unlike her clergyman, who likely never possessed one. ”
“Darcy, I cannot stay long, but please calm yourself. Neither of us could believe such a claim but I believed you should know that the rumours exist and might affect you.”
The earl left, closing the door behind him. The colonel was sitting in the same place, while Darcy was still standing unmoved in the middle of the room, trying to gulp down the lump in his throat.