Chapter 1 #3
The colonel glanced at him, and a mischievous smile indicated there was more to come. “Despite the fact that I already know your opinion, perhaps taking a mistress would not be a bad idea. It would provide you with some relaxation and entertainment.”
Darcy’s sharp glare interrupted the colonel’s amusement. “I can think of many things more entertaining than to pay a woman to be at my disposal. The only thing more despicable is a master who forces himself upon a servant. How can anyone find ‘relaxation and entertainment’ in such an arrangement?”
“Come now, you are being ridiculous. An entire world is living on such arrangements. You cannot be above us all by being the only one to oppose it. And I surely do not suggest forcing anyone—I speak of a mutually agreed upon arrangement that brings pleasure to both parties. Even more so, several ladies would gladly welcome meeting with you a few times a month. You know them as well as I do—and perhaps even better. You cannot pretend to be a saint.”
“I am not a saint—quite the contrary. And I surely do not pretend to be better than anyone else. But age has brought wisdom and changed the way I perceive my life. Perhaps I expect too much, but I surely do not intend to marry only to search for joy elsewhere. And now—more than any time before—I know I am right.”
“Well, well—I confess you have lost me. More than any time before? Has anything happened recently—other than secluding yourself in Hertfordshire with Bingley and his sisters? By the way, what is wrong with Bingley? He has not been at the club in the last weeks. Hurst told me he is visiting Beaumont in Cambridge.”
“Nothing is wrong with him. He is just visiting a friend,” Darcy answered hesitantly.
“So he leaves a property he just rented, only to visit someone else’s property. Peculiar. If I were to guess—knowing Bingley—there must be a lady involved,” the colonel declared with amusement. “Does it involve the lady he fell in love with in Hertfordshire, the one you convinced him to abandon?”
Darcy made no reply.
“Come, Darcy, it must be something serious since Hurst said Bingley’s sisters were relieved and grateful for your help. Caroline will surely take it as a sign of your affection.”
Laughter followed the colonel’s last words, but Darcy’s severity increased.
“It is not a subject for amusement, Richard. It is true that Bingley allowed himself to be charmed by a young lady whose beauty was superior to her situation in life—and her family’s manners, certainly. He was greatly disappointed when he discovered his mistake.”
“There is nothing new in this; I have often seen Bingley in love with beautiful young ladies.”
“This time, there was a serious attachment on his part. I believe he was tempted to bind himself to the lady.”
“Truly? I can imagine his sisters’ despair. We all know they dream of seeing him married to Georgiana…and you to Caroline.”
Darcy’s voice was ice-cold. “Richard, for heaven’s sake, stop talking nonsense.
Georgiana is not even out. Nobody in his right mind would think of her marrying.
I do not deny that I would be at peace to know she will someday bestow her affection upon someone with Bingley’s kindness and generous heart.
But that is years away. As for my marrying Caroline, I shall not even dignify such a thing with a reply. ”
His sharp tone only increased the colonel’s laughter. “Very well, let us return to Bingley. I somehow feel that the manners of the young lady’s family upset you more than our young friend.”
“He could not see clearly, so it was my duty to open his eyes. And the family situation was nothing compared to the fact that the lady obviously did not return his affection. She is a young woman of remarkable beauty with little that can be held against her. But she has four younger sisters, and their property is entailed to a cousin. So she must enter into a marriage that will provide some safety for her family. I thought Bingley was too much in love to be content with so little. Though the lady had no dowry, no connections, a mother with little dignity, a father with little care for anything but his own comfort, and three sisters with no talent and poor manners, she at least should have been deeply in love with him in order to make a proper wife.”
“Dear me, so many things to object to with little to be held against her! So, she had four sisters or three?”
“Four…but the next in age was beyond reproach. I admit she was the most exceptional lady I have ever met.”
“Darcy, you surprise me with such words. Exceptional in what way?”
“In every way: in beauty, in character, in education, in wit, and in spirit.”
“I am all astonishment. But I imagine she shares the same flaws as her sister: the family, the manners, and so forth.”
“Indeed.”
“You said her family property is entailed to a cousin—did I understand you correctly? Her father is a gentleman then?”
“Yes. And the cousin is no less than Aunt Catherine’s clergyman—and one of the most ridiculous men that ever lived.”
“But, Darcy, why would a gentleman’s daughter not be enough for Bingley? And a beautiful one with no apparent faults of her own. Come now—Bingley’s father made his fortune in trade. He should be happy with such an alliance.”
“Yes, but there were other more important considerations…as I just told you, and I shall not repeat them.”
“I can imagine poor Bingley’s disappointment when you presented all these arguments.”
“He was disappointed. But I congratulate myself for saving him from a most imprudent marriage, one he would have regretted in less than a year.”
“Upon my word, Darcy, for someone who has never been in love, you seem to me quite arrogant to interfere so profoundly in your friend’s life.
How can you be confident that the young lady did not share his affection?
Did you hear her say as much? And how can you be sure that he would have regretted his marriage in a year?
What if you are wrong and ruined his happiness—and hers? ”
Darcy needed a moment to compose himself. “I observed her closely—both of them. And her mother. Her heart is not easily touched. She accepted his attention with serenity. Her smile was beautiful, but she had the same expression for everyone. I am sure I was not wrong in my judgment.”
“It is good that you can make peace with such a decision. I hope the future proves you right. And Bingley must not have been deeply in love if he allowed himself to be dissuaded so easily.”
“I cannot reproach myself; everything I did was for Bingley’s benefit.”
“Cousin, I have not the smallest doubt that you believe that. And I do not suspect you of any ill intention, but I am afraid of a genuine mistake that might affect other people’s lives in a way you did not intend nor anticipate—and will not be able to remedy.”
“I am not so arrogant as to not take such a risk under consideration, Richard. But I pray it is not the case. By the way, another mutual acquaintance was in the neighbourhood whose presence made me happy to depart: Wickham.”
“Wickham? Why on earth was that scoundrel there? He is like some horrible disease you cannot get rid of it until you take drastic measures.”
“He had joined the militia. Can you imagine anything more ridiculous? With the same impertinence and the same deception, he made his way into a regiment. The families in the area found him a most pleasant companion. I would not be surprised if he used his charms on more than one innocent young woman.”
“So what did you do?”
“What could I do? The moment he saw me, he must have begun spreading falsehoods about me. I only met him once by chance. When Bingley hosted a ball, Wickham at least had the decency not to attend.”
“You should have said something—warned people about him.”
“And tell them what? Half of the truth is not enough to reveal his character, and the entire truth cannot be disclosed. He could as easily say something malicious about Georgiana if I were to say anything against him. I could not start a war of gossip and accusations with him in a strange neighbourhood where people do not truly know me. I could not expose my sister to a danger of that kind.”
“I understand your reasoning. But how much longer shall we allow him to use his schemes and have his own way? We must find a solution.”
“I shall—if he ever crosses paths with me again or disturbs me in any way. I hope he is wise enough to stay as far away as possible. Now—would you like to join me for breakfast?”