Chapter 14
The day after Mr Bingley’s visit, Jane Bennet was still not her usual self—nor was her younger sister.
Despite their strong bond and complete trust, neither spoke openly of the reason for her distress.
Each wondered about the other’s feelings at the sudden appearance of the man who brought her so much turmoil.
To Elizabeth, it was apparent that Jane’s affection for Bingley had not diminished in the slightest and that she struggled to restrain her hopes regarding his return.
Likewise, she readily noticed that Mr Bingley’s admiration for Jane remained vivid and that, very likely, Mr Darcy’s opposition was either gone or kept under good regulation.
Darcy’s expression was softer and kinder than she had ever seen him in Hertfordshire.
Considering that Mr Bingley had just returned, Mr Darcy certainly had no time to change his opinion based on his own observation, so he must have accepted her words and censure over his own beliefs.
Elizabeth secretly applauded and approved of Mr Wilson’s disgust with Bingley’s indecision.
Someone had to tell the gentleman that he must show more determination and self-confidence when his life—and others’—was at stake.
But she also admired Mr Darcy’s intervention in favour of his friend and the elegant reproof he directed towards Mr Wilson.
He showed Elizabeth—and the others who understood his meaning—that he took the blame for Bingley’s leaving Netherfield.
Mr Darcy was not only a well-educated man, but a bright and apparently honest one. His character had begun to reveal itself to Elizabeth as she read his letter, and it continued to sketch itself through small proofs, making her further repent her unjust reprimand.
“Lizzy, what did you feel seeing Mr Darcy again? You were so upset when we first met in the park, but yesterday you looked more composed. Are you still angry with him?”
“No, I am not. I confess I feel very uneasy in his company, but I have no reason to be angry—quite the opposite. I mostly wonder why he is not angry with me and why his manners are so much improved. I would be furious if someone were to accuse me unfairly.”
“Perhaps he knows you had reason to misjudge him, Lizzy.” Jane smiled. “I noticed that his behaviour is very different, indeed—more amiable. It makes me understand how he and Mr Bingley are such good friends.”
Elizabeth quickly changed the subject. “Mr Bingley is just as pleasant as I remember him—only more handsome.”
Jane blushed. “Mr Bingley was always a man beyond reproach. He is just as any young man should be. I wish him nothing but happiness.”
“Well, he looked rather happy yesterday. And I think he will be even happier when he returns for dinner.”
“I wonder if he will bring Louisa and Caroline,” Jane asked.
“I, too, wonder whether he will bring them, but more important: Why did Mr Wilson invite them? He does not even know them. I am afraid he will not be gentle towards them.”
“Who?’ Jane inquired in a sudden panic.
“Mr Wilson. I sense he has not forgiven them for their impolite manners towards you and our aunt. They should expect a harsher scolding than Mr Bingley was given.”
“Lizzy, surely you are joking! I hope you are wrong! I would not want anything to happen that might put Mr Bingley in an uncomfortable position. He was always very kind to us all.”
“I am joking, Jane; do not distress yourself,” Elizabeth said, willing to put Jane at ease.
Yet, she knew Mr Wilson well enough to suspect her guess was correct.
The gentleman seemed to take the entire story of the Bingleys quite personally, likely because his sister had been offended.
A dinner with Bingley’s sisters might be entertaining but not peaceful.
Mr Darcy’s presence at the dinner was something Elizabeth purposely delayed considering. However, she intended to take the opportunity to let him know she did read his letter thoroughly and trusted his information.
∞∞∞
The same day around noon, Mr Bennet arrived with his three younger daughters and Sir William.
From that moment on, the house was filled with loud voices, cries of admiration, laughter, and even running through the halls.
Lydia and Kitty could barely be kept under control, behaving less properly than the Gardiner children.
Mr Bennet—tired after the boring journey—ignored them completely and retired to the library almost immediately. He only delayed long enough to embrace his eldest daughters and tell Elizabeth repeatedly how much he missed her.
“Lizzy, I have a surprise for you!” Lydia shouted when they finally decided to stop wandering about the house.
“Lord, I am so hungry; these biscuits will not do! I need some meat! I guess there is enough food in such a house! We are staying near the richest people in London. Dear Lord, who would believe it? Kitty, can you believe it? I am sure we will go to some balls and parties too!”
“Lydia, please calm down. We should be careful about our manners, my dear! We do not want to embarrass Mr Wilson or any guests that might come. And we surely cannot ask more of Mr Wilson than he generously has offered us already.”
Mary declared, “I do not care about parties and balls. I look forward to searching for some books in the library. And I hope there is a music room too.”
“Then you should have stayed home,” Lydia concluded. “That way we might have had more room in the carriage; we were rather crowded! Thank God, Sir William had his own carriage. He and Maria will return to Meryton in three days. Such bad luck for Maria!”
“Lydia, what surprise did you mean, my dear?” Elizabeth inquired to diminish her sister’s excitement.
“Oh yes, I forgot! Guess what happened with your favourite Mr Wickham and Mary King? Nothing! Nothing at all! Her uncle took her to live with him in Liverpool and broke up her relationship with Wickham. How fortunate for him! She was such an unpleasant creature! Are you happy? I know you are!”
Elizabeth blushed increasingly with each word as she admitted that, until a few weeks ago, she was no different than Lydia in thoughts and judgement.
If such news had come before her visit to Kent, Mr Wickham might have returned his attention to her.
She was frightened and ashamed to imagine such a scenario and to consider where her ignorance and prejudice would have taken her.
“Mr Wickham’s affairs are of no importance to me—or to you, Lydia. He may do as he pleases. I am sure Mary King’s uncle did what was best for her.”
“Oh, you are such a bore, Lizzy! Of course I care what Wickham does. He is the most handsome man I have ever seen. Do you know that he came to London with us? Lord, we were so crowded; he sat next to Papa and all three of us opposite. I would rather sit by him, but Papa would not allow it!”
Elizabeth felt dizzy. “Mr Wickham came with you?”
“Yes! We told him we would be in Town for the rest of the Season, and he had some business too, so it was such a lucky coincidence! He said he would call on you! You should be grateful that he is so nice to you, Lizzy!”
Elizabeth’s head ached. Surely, he would not dare to call on her here.
Or would he? He had no idea that she had more complete knowledge of his past, and he might believe she was still partial to him.
So why would he not feel himself welcome?
She had been silly enough to believe his mischievous lies; he had every reason to think she was the same simpleton she had been when they last met.
She became restless, fearing Wickham might call at a time when Darcy would be there too. What might he think of such a happenstance? Surely, he would presume she gave no credit to his letter and still favoured Wickham over him.
“I hope Mr Wickham sends a note before he calls,” she said.
“Oh, I do not think he will. Papa told him to come anytime.”
Elizabeth’s distress grew. “Papa said that? He should not have done so before asking Mr Wilson’s permission.”
“Permission? Why would he do that, Lizzy? Wickham is our friend! And Mr Wilson met him at Longbourn, so they are not strangers to each other! Lizzy, you are behaving quite strangely. What has happened to you? May I ring for food now? How many servants are in this house?”
Several minutes later, two footmen brought trays with various kinds of meat, cheese, and fruits that immediately captured Lydia’s attention. Elizabeth escaped to the library, eager to speak to her father.
Inside were only three gentlemen; Sir William had retired to rest in his chamber with a view of Hyde Park. Her distress was quickly noticed and addressed.
“Lizzy dear, what has happened? Come and sit by my side,” Mr Bennet invited her. “Look—what books I have found. This library is a gem.”
“I know it is, Papa. Nothing happened. In fact, it does— There is—” She glanced at her uncle and Mr Wilson. “Papa, Lydia told me Mr Wickham came to Town with you. And that you invited him to call on us without even asking Mr Wilson’s opinion.”
“Yes, he did. And yes, I did. I think he only tried to assure himself a free ride to Town. And I accepted him as I thought you might enjoy his company. I know he is a favourite of yours. You should be grateful to me as the fellow was rather boring,” he answered in jest.
Elizabeth flushed with embarrassment. “Mr Wickham was pleasant company for a while, but sadly, I found that he is not as honest as we were led to believe, and most of the stories he told us were untrue. Therefore, I do not think we should encourage his presence in our family.”