Epilogue
Chapter Twenty-Six
Meanwhile, Charles Bingley rushed to the ballroom in search of Jane.
The colonel said he was courting Miss Bennet, but that did not mean he could not plead his case.
They were not married and she was still a single woman.
Plus, they had a strong connection. He knew she loved him and he had been an utter fool to abandon her after his ball last November.
He would not make the same mistake twice and was determined to show her that his love was true and steadfast.
He spied her across the dance floor and paying no attention to who was dancing, skirted the edges until he came upon her and the blasted colonel.
“Miss Bennet.” He gave her a low bow and brought her fingers to his lips, brushing the lightest of kisses across her knuckles. He knew how to romance a young woman. “You look divine this evening.”
He gave the colonel and Darcy a quick greeting before turning his attention back to his angel.
“May I solicit your next available set, Miss Bennet? I look forward to partnering with you again, it will bring back fond memories of the last time we danced.”
At the startled glance Miss Bennet gave the colonel, he realized his error in reviving the memory of that night.
“I have only the sixth set open, Mr. Bingley—”
“Wonderful, I will claim it before some other gentleman steps forward.”
“Of course, you may have the sixth set then.”
“Jane,” the colonel interjected and Bingley felt a flash of anger at his use of her given name. “I do not mean to embarrass you, but Lord Blake asked for your remaining set. Mr. Bingley approached before I could relay his acceptance.”
“Oh, dear.” Miss Bennet flushed ever so prettily and looked a bit flustered. She turned soulful eyes toward him. “Mr. Bingley, please forgive my lapse in memory, but the colonel is correct. Lord Blake did ask me to save a set for him. I must decline dancing the sixth with you.”
By this time, the first set had finished and strangely enough, all the guests were filtering out of the ballroom, spilling into the anteroom and small sitting area which then led to the hallway and main staircase.
Bingley thought he heard Darcy spit out Caroline’s name before sharing a glance with the colonel.
“Take the servant’s corridor,” the colonel said, his eyes scanning the near-empty room. “You can access the hall much quicker.”
What in the world? Why would Darcy need to leave the ballroom so quickly? The colonel took Miss Bennet’s hand and said, “I should go and ensure that he does not outright kill her.”
“I am sure he will always behave the gentleman, but I know you wish to lend support.”
“You will be well?”
Some sort of secretive communication passed between the two of them, sparking an odd indignation in Bingley’s chest. He was not used to being ignored.
Women always adored his manners and congenial attitude, and at one time Miss Bennet had hung onto his every word.
His angel nodded and smiled at the colonel who raised her right hand to his lips and kissed it fully on the back.
Her cheeks colored at the upstart’s attention and her smile grew, making her look even more beautiful, if that were possible.
As soon as the colonel left her side, Charles attempted to take her hand in his, but she clasped them in front of her body and watched him, her face strangely shuttered.
“I have missed you, so much, Miss Bennet. Allow me to tell you how passionately I love you.”
“Please, stop. You should not make such declarations to me.”
“But you loved me too. I know you did. It was in your every expression, your body language. You held me in great esteem.”
“I did hold you in great regard, Mr. Bingley. You were everything a young man ought to be upon first acquaintance.”
“Then why? Why do you rebuff my attention?”
“You left, Mr. Bingley.”
“That is all? I left?”
“Love is not just for pleasant afternoons and dinner parties. Love is standing with that person in times of hardship. To never lose faith regardless of what comes your way. Your friendship was a delightful sandcastle, but when the waves of gossip and malice lapped at the foundation, it crumbled to nothing. Your desire to move upward in society was more important than keeping me and my family safe from rumors and innuendo. You removed to London because you thought Mr. Darcy had abandoned my cousin. You did not choose me. You chose the beau monde. Having made that choice, I wish you much happiness. Excuse me. I must attend my cousin.”
She pivoted and left him there, his mouth agape and his heart torn to shreds.
What had he done? He cast a frantic gaze about, worried others might have seen her give him the cut directly, but most of the guests were still gathered near the door and archways, striving to see out into the hall and foyer.
Whatever could be happening? About to cross the abandoned dance floor, he paused when the guests started to return and huddled about in small groups, talking with great animation.
He scoured the crowd, searching for Darcy, his wife, and then, his heart began to sink even further, his sister. What had she done now?
Lord Blake broke from his group and approached him, standing alone.
“Bingley, may I have a private word with you?”
Without waiting for his affirmation, Blake ushered him through the door which led to the card room.
Gathered about were several lords and gentlemen, the smoke of cigars encircling their heads.
Lord Blake took him to a corner and indicated he should take a seat.
Almost immediately, a footman approached and handed them each a glass of brandy.
“You have my attention, Lord Blake,” Charles said, and the sixth set which should have rightfully been mine, he added in his thoughts.
“I feel it only gentlemanly to advise you that your sister has made the largest social gaffe of her life and if you were smart you would take her out of London, post haste.”
“We have barely arrived! What has she done?”
Lord Blake then told him what had occurred and with whom. The longer he spoke, the more ill Charles felt. Caroline and her venomous tongue! Why could she not leave Darcy alone? Had he not told her he loved his wife and wanted nothing to do with her? Why did she persist in chasing after him?
He shook his head. His sister was so obtuse at times.
He would have to send her to Aunt Cora’s, there was no other choice before him.
He mused for a minute. That would be a nice change and after he convinced Miss Bennet to accept his hand, they would enjoy a lovely marriage with no sniping at the dinner table, or temper tantrums that saw the destruction of vases and figurines, and maybe they would be able to retain the services of their maids and footmen for longer than three months.
He and Jane would have an idyllic life together.
“Did you hear what I said, Bingley?”
“What?” He broke out of his pleasant reverie. “Oh yes, yes, I did. I shall have to send Caroline home. She has quite ruined our evening.”
“She has ruined more than that, she is a social pariah.”
“Hmmm…yes, I can see that. I shall have to send her away and release her dowry. I cannot have her ruin my chance at a happy marriage.”
“You have someone in mind?”
“Miss Bennet. She is an angel.”
“Miss Jane Bennet? Mrs. Darcy’s cousin?”
“Yes.”
“Are you aware Lord Matlock announced the betrothal of his son Richard to Miss Bennet before the commencement of the ball?”
“Engaged! They are engaged!”
Charles stood so fast his drink toppled off his lap and spilled down his pant leg. About to hasten from the room and confront the colonel, Lord Blake took hold of his forearm and stayed his movement.
“Do not do anything you will regret. Especially now, given the behavior of your sister. It seems the two of you are obsessed with the Bennet ladies for different reasons and my advice is for you to leave quietly. Speak with Darcy in a few days when this latest furor has died down and amend your friendship. As far as Miss Jane Bennet goes, desist with your admiration. Colonel Fitzwilliam is a hardened soldier, a crack shot and deadly with his blade. You do not want to get on his wrong side. He will cut you down and not lose one second of sleep over it.”
Charles stood; shoulders slumped in complete dejection.
It was then he noticed some of the gentlemen in the room were laughing and realized the way the drink had spilled; it looked as though he had lost control of his bladder.
He exited the room and Matlock House as quickly as possible.
The next morning, he joined his sister in the carriage to Scarborough.
***
The crowd dispersed in the foyer leaving the royal retinue, Darcy and Elizabeth, Lord and Lady Matlock, and somehow the colonel and Jane also stood with them.
His Royal Highness stepped closer to Darcy and said in a low voice, “When you grovel and apologize to your sweet wife – which you will - make sure it is done in private. If you attempt to gain her favor in public, she will think you are only trying to save face. I do not know what you were thinking, keeping low-flung trash like that Bingley woman as a friend, nor can I understand how you could say such cruel things about such a delightful creature as your wife. I will have my man check in with you two days hence to ensure you have done right by my cousin.”
The prince then stepped away and gave Elizabeth a low courtier bow. Everyone was shocked that he would perform such a humbling service. He took her hand and raised it to his lips.
“You are everything lovely, my dear. Your husband is a good man, all I ask is that you listen with an open heart. Remember your determination.”
Elizabeth graciously accepted the kiss on her hand and dipped into a deep curtsy, her head bowed gracefully.
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
She stayed in that attitude until he tugged at her hand to raise her upright.