Chapter XII #2
Darcy considered this longer than was proper.
Leaving a day earlier would allow Bingley to return to the south more quickly, and it would ease the burden on Georgiana that his departure would inevitably create.
Yet Darcy’s innate sense of politeness would not allow him to request it, even if he thought it was for the best.
“That is unnecessary, Bingley,” said Darcy, trying to keep the reluctance from his voice.
“You have already cut your visit short. If you feel you should take your family north today, I shall not gainsay you, but I do not require it. Georgiana can see to your family’s comfort for the day you will remain. ”
“You are an excellent friend, Darcy,” said Bingley, grasping his hand. “Few would have tolerated Caroline all these years without complaint.”
“Not at all, Bingley. When your sister becomes too much to endure, I take the simple expedient of absenting myself from her company.”
Bingley offered a rueful chuckle. “If it were that easy for me, I should be well pleased, indeed.”
As it was nearing the time for Darcy’s departure, he invited his friend to accompany him below stairs, talking as they walked.
Bingley was not lacking words, but then again, he had never suffered from that affliction.
As Darcy might have expected, Bingley all but ignored the reality of Darcy’s imminent departure and instead focused on what he would find in Hertfordshire, the assistance he could offer, and the pleasure he expected from being in Miss Bennet’s company again.
Darcy allowed him to talk, knowing his friend deserved all the patience Darcy could offer him.
“The carriage is prepared, Mr. Darcy,” said the butler the moment he stepped into the foyer.
“And cook has provided a basket,” added Mrs. Reynolds, as she regarded him with hope-filled eyes. “Please give my regards to the young lady.”
“Thank you,” said Darcy, appreciating his staff’s efficiency as always. “Where is Georgiana? I must speak with her before I depart.”
“Miss Darcy is with Mrs. Annesley in her chambers,” replied Mrs. Reynolds. “I shall have her summoned at once.”
Before Mrs. Reynolds could step away, another voice interrupted them.
“Mr. Darcy,” came the smooth tones of Miss Bingley.
She stepped from the hallway leading to the sitting-room, wearing an expression that suggested she had heard something of Darcy’s departure and harbored certain suspicions about the reason for it.
He could not remember if Miss Bennet had mentioned her sister’s presence in Brighton for the summer.
Even if she had, it was quite a leap to guess the truth.
Whether Miss Bingley harbored certain suspicions was immaterial—she would be in no position to confirm it regardless.
“It is most curious, sir, that you are to depart when you still have guests at Pemberley. I wonder how you can account for it.”
“Darcy does not need to account for his actions to you, of all people, Caroline,” said Bingley, his tone warning her against further commentary.
As he might have expected, Miss Bingley ignored her brother altogether.
Behind Darcy, Hurst and his wife descended from the upper floor, their faces suggesting they expected some measure of unpleasantness, though he doubted they knew about his immediate departure.
Hurst, Darcy noted, was scowling at Miss Bingley, his bored expression replaced by cold fury, while his wife only appeared fearful.
“Perhaps a gentleman does not need to account for his movements, Charles,” said Miss Bingley, never removing her eyes from Darcy, “but a man who has invited acquaintances to stay at his estate should at least provide some explanation when he designs to quit it.” Miss Bingley’s tone turned mocking.
“Or has Pemberley’s hospitality suffered of late? ”
All that surprised Darcy was her audacity—it seemed her anger had overwhelmed her sense, which led her to speak when she would have done better to remain silent. Darcy cared nothing for her opinion, and that was what led him to end the discussion.
“You have my apology, Miss Bingley, but you are correct—a matter of some urgency calls me to the south. I must depart without delay. In my absence, Georgiana will see to the last day of your stay here.”
Though Darcy intended to depart at once, Miss Bingley snorted most indelicately. “Do not suppose that I do not understand. This sudden need to depart has something to do with Miss Eliza Bennet. Has she exposed herself to ridicule, such that you must take her away from Lambton at once?”
“Caroline!” barked Bingley.
“Not at all,” said Darcy, contempt forcing its way into his response. “As Bingley said, I do not need to explain myself to you of all people.”
“Mr. Darcy,” said she, her tone now conciliatory, “I must once more advise you to release this unseemly fascination with Miss Eliza Bennet. If you persist, the family will ruin you forever. There is no member of the family who is worthy of even basic notice. Please, sir, whatever else you do, do not let them pull you down!”
“Be silent, Caroline,” said Bingley, radiating disgust. “No one wishes to hear your lectures.”
“And what would your uncle say?” pressed Miss Bingley, ignoring her brother. “I cannot imagine he would condone the joining of your noble line with such a woman as Miss Eliza.”
“My uncle would say much less than he would if I lost the use of my senses and proposed to you, Miss Bingley.”
It was blunt and improper and entirely justified in this situation.
Darcy, pushed past the point of endurance, watched as Miss Bingley’s face turned purple in her impotent rage.
Some sense must have told her that to continue her diatribe would be inadvisable, so instead she glared at him, fury rendering her mute.
“Since you have provoked this confrontation, Miss Bingley, let us have it and be done. My statement last night concerning my disinterest in you appears to have been insufficient.
“You should understand that my uncle’s opinion, while a consideration, does not inform all my decisions.
If he were to disapprove of Miss Bennet, it would be a concern, but it would not change my mind.
As I know my uncle, I am confident I can predict his response.
How quickly he will come to appreciate Miss Bennet I do not know, but I am certain he will, in time. ”
Darcy’s lip curled in disdain. “If, however, I presented you to him as my future bride, he would wonder if I have taken leave of my senses. Despite your pretense otherwise, you have no claim to gentle birth, Miss Bingley. Your dowry and your brother’s efforts to join the landed class lend you some legitimacy, but you possess none of these things by virtue of your birth. ”
“I am—” tried Miss Bingley, but Darcy interrupted her.
“Yes, I am aware of your dowry and that seminary of which you like to boast. The fact is, Miss Bingley, that I do not look down on others for their origins. Do you suppose I see Bingley as less because he was not born to a gentleman?”
“Of course, Darcy does not,” said Bingley, still glaring at his sister. “Not for a moment have I ever felt the fire of Darcy’s contempt.”
“Just so,” agreed Darcy. “By the same token, I do not look down on you for your identical parentage. Yet you look down on others for that very reason when you have no claim to gentle birth yourself. The hypocrisy would be laughable if it were not so very pathetic.”
Darcy could see that he had silenced her, which provided a measure of grim satisfaction.
Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Hurst looking at his sister by marriage with a measure of satisfaction.
There was no reason to prolong this argument, but there were a few points she needed to understand, little though she might appreciate them.
“It would be best if you left this alone, Miss Bingley. I have already told you there will never be a closer connection between us, so I cannot imagine why you take any interest in my doings.
“But let me be understood so there is no doubt.” Darcy did not release her gaze, telling her through that alone he was serious.
“If you wish to continue to claim my friendship in London, though that is only a pretense, I suggest you keep your own counsel. London society is not kind to pretenders, Miss Bingley—to continue to protest when I have already made my sentiments known is nothing less than folly.”
“That is true,” said Mrs. Hurst.
From the way Mrs. Hurst regarded her sister, Darcy knew she was all but pleading with her not to damage their reputation in London.
Though Darcy would not take that step—it would hurt Bingley as much as his sisters—he was done tolerating Miss Bingley’s interference.
There were ways to deal with her that would do less harm to his friend; Darcy did not wish to use them, but he would if she did not desist.
“I have heard enough,” said Bingley, curter than Darcy had ever heard his friend speak before.
“Darcy, I thank you for your invitation, but as you are to depart on urgent business today, there is nothing for us to do but take our leave as well. Thus, we shall pack our effects and depart from Pemberley within the hour.”
“Charles!” exclaimed Miss Bingley.