Chapter Fifteen
“The usual practice of elegant females …”
RETURNING TO THE SECURITY OF PEMBERLEY, HAVING BOTH GEORGIana’s and Bingley’s company brought him comfort.
The turmoil of the past few weeks had taken its toll on Darcy’s usually resilient composure.
Yet, being with Bingley constantly reminded Darcy he must make amends for his duplicity in separating Bingley from Jane Bennet.
One early autumn day, he and Bingley sought time outdoors.
As he accepted the loaded gun from Darcy’s servant, Bingley said wistfully, “I believe the last time we partook of the season’s shooting was at Netherfield.”
“I believe you are correct.” Darcy paused as he planted the idea.
“That was a pleasant time, was it not?” Although he did not purposely initiate it, a sigh slipped from his lips.
If he were to maintain his sanity, he desperately required Elizabeth’s company again.
“I was wondering, Bingley, have you made a decision on Netherfield? It appears a waste of your father’s inheritance to let an estate one never uses. ”
As expected, Bingley readily seized upon Darcy’s veiled suggestion. “Not having stayed through the winter, I remain uninformed of the house’s soundness. Perhaps I should consider returning to Netherfield and make my decision based on what I discover.”
“That appears a prudent means of making a verdict.”
Bingley asked cautiously, “Would you consider joining me, Darcy? We could shoot, ride, and enjoy my estate. My sisters remain in Hampshire. I would be indebted if you would come with me.”
Darcy chuckled at the success of his ploy. “I would enjoy that, Bingley.”
“Capital! I will send servants to open the house. We can travel to Hertfordshire next week if you are agreeable.”
Darcy’s heart leapt. He would see Elizabeth again. Could they continue what they had begun at Pemberley? “I would be happy for the time together.”
Over supper that evening, Bingley told Georgiana of his plan to return to Netherfield.
“Your brother consented to join me,” he shared.
Georgiana smiled knowingly at Darcy, but she said nothing other than to assure Bingley that she and Mrs. Annesley would be quite content to remain at Pemberley.
Georgiana knew Darcy well enough to know the uncertainty he felt in returning to Elizabeth’s home.
Everything could change in the next few weeks.
When he and Bingley set out on the following Monday, Georgiana hugged Darcy a bit longer than usual and reached up to caress his cheek.
“I shall say a prayer for your safe and successful journey, brother. As always, I wish you the greatest of happiness.” He smiled weakly at her as he boarded his coach.
Darcy could think of nothing but Elizabeth and the tenuous situation of their relationship.
“Darcy, we have been at Netherfield for two days,” Bingley mused, “and Mr. Bennet has yet to call. Would it be bad manners if we would call on him?” His friend stared morosely out the library’s window.
Darcy had taken up residence in one of the overstuffed chairs, but, in reality, his mind was no more on the book he held on his lap than was Bingley’s mind on the gardeners he observed.
Darcy had found it as frustrating as his friend had that Mr. Bennet had ignored Bingley’s return.
The snub would make it more difficult for Darcy to determine if Miss Bennet would accept a renewal of Bingley’s affections, and Darcy still required a legitimate excuse to call upon Elizabeth.
“Let us wait until tomorrow to see if the situation changes. If not, then we can offer our civilities,” Darcy said evenly. He prayed his hopes did not pepper his words.
“Tomorrow it is then.” Bingley continued to stare out the window. “It has been too long since we have enjoyed the Bennets’ company.”
Darcy’s heart clenched in anticipation. The past two days had played havoc with his emotions.
There were few places at Netherfield where images of Elizabeth did not dance through Darcy’s head.
He saw her on the staircase, as she was on that last Sunday before she and her sister had returned to Longbourn.
He saw her carrying the water through the upper passage to Jane Bennet’s sickroom.
He saw Elizabeth reaching for a book of poetry in the library.
The images haunted his waking, as well as his sleeping hours.
Tomorrow, he thought, tomorrow will speak to whether I declare my love to Elizabeth Bennet again.
Riding beside Bingley as they entered the pathway leading to Longbourn and deep in the bewilderment of what the next hour would bring, both gentlemen remained silent.
Darcy held no doubt Bingley wondered if he could renew his relationship with Miss Jane Bennet.
Meanwhile, Darcy wondered whether Elizabeth would welcome his presence in her home.
As one would expect, this was Longbourn, not Pemberley: The excellent company he had found in Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner would be replaced by the simple-mindedness of Mrs. Bennet, but what Mrs. Bennet said did not interest Darcy.
Elizabeth was his only concern. He could tolerate any insensitivity on Mrs. Bennet’s part for the pleasure of seeing the lady’s second daughter smiling genuinely at him.
Today, Darcy had a dual purpose for this visit: assess Miss Jane Bennet’s feelings for Bingley and Elizabeth Bennet’s feelings for him.
“Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley,” the Longbourn servant announced as the door to the small drawing room opened to the sight of Mrs. Bennet surrounded by four of her daughters.
Darcy’s eyes immediately sought Elizabeth.
Weeks had passed since he had last seen her.
His wish was to determine whether she had recovered from that awful day at the Lambton inn when she had wept for the ruination of her youngest sister and for her family.
Those tears had driven him to action. Like it or not, and Darcy was not confident he liked it, he had memorized Elizabeth’s every gesture and the full gamut of her emotions for weeks last fall; therefore, he instantly recognized her uneasiness.
However, the source of the awkwardness remained in question.
Was it his presence at Longbourn? Was it that others might discover what happened at Hunsford and at Pemberley?
Was it embarrassment regarding his knowledge of Miss Lydia’s folly?
I must be patient, he cautioned his foolish heart.
Permit me first to see how she reacts to my coming to Hertfordshire.
Then I will decide my next step. Regrettably, Elizabeth lowered her eyes before she made both gentlemen a curtsy and then eagerly returned to her needlework.
Mrs. Bennet warmly welcomed Bingley. “Please, Mr. Bingley, you must come sit by me,” she insisted. “Permit me to send for refreshments.” Barely civil, she acknowledged Darcy only by name. “And you are welcome as well, Mr. Darcy. Please have a seat.”
Darcy chose a chair where he might observe both Elizabeth and her elder sister.
Miss Jane Bennet appeared a bit paler and more sedate than he expected, but she received them with tolerable ease.
If Jane Bennet held no resentment, Charles possessed an opportunity to recapture the lady’s heart.
Darcy wished her sister would show him some preference.
As far as he could tell, Elizabeth ventured only one glance in his direction.
He wanted to be alone with her, to hear her voice, to observe her smile.
He wanted only the opportunity to profess his continuing love.
Instead, he swallowed hard and forced himself to say, “Miss Elizabeth, may I inquire about the health of your aunt and uncle?”
“They … they are well, sir,” she stammered.
“I am pleased to hear it.” He smiled easily at her. It was important to him for her to know that she brought him great pleasure.
“They were,” she hazarded another quick glance in his direction, but, in reality, she spoke to the floor, “so pleased with Pemberley. My uncle still speaks fondly of enjoying the sport he found there.”
Darcy said earnestly, “He will always be most welcome there.”
Before the conversation could continue, however, Mrs. Bennet interrupted, “You may not be aware, Mr. Bingley, of changes in the neighborhood. Miss Lucas has married Mr. Bennet’s cousin, Mr. Collins, and my youngest daughter has married Mr. Wickham.
Although I cannot think it necessary for Mr. Wickham to accept a commission that has sent him to Newcastle, I must tell you, Mr. Bingley, that having a daughter well situated is a great relief. ”
The mention of Wickham’s name sent a shiver down Darcy’s spine.
He could easily recall the disgrace and repulsion in which he had discovered Wickham and Miss Lydia.
He seriously wished he could have placed the youngest Bennet sister in a better situation, but the girl appeared to hold Darcy’s former friend in deep affection.
He hoped it would be enough to carry them forward, for he knew Mr. Wickham loved no one but himself.
Too mortified to look at him, Elizabeth notably stiffened as Mrs. Bennet asked, “Mr. Bingley, did you by some chance see the announcement of our dear Lydia’s marriage in the London papers?
She married from my brother Gardiner’s home, and, of course, he did not put in more than a brief mention of her family.
” Elizabeth may not have met his gaze, but Darcy could not force his eyes from her.
“I did see it. May I offer my congratulations?” Bingley replied.
Darcy purposely did not join the conversation for fear his tone would betray his thoughts regarding George Wickham’s worthlessness.
Mrs. Bennet lamented, “With Mr. Wickham having been stationed in the North, I have no idea when we might see our dear Lydia again.”