Chapter 39
Thirty-Nine
TIME TO TAKE SIDES
Darcy left for the five-mile journey to St Albans quite early, his intent to return to Netherfield as soon as was possible.
His errand there quickly accomplished, he was pulling up in his carriage before the noon hour, and had barely entered the house when he was approached by Mrs Nicholls, the housekeeper.
“Excuse me, sir, but Mr Hill of Longbourn has been waiting all morning on your return. I offered to send a messenger to Longbourn once you came back, as no one could say when it would be, but the man said he would wait.”
Darcy could not prevent his alarm at this news. Mr Hill was clearly not the sort who spent much time lounging about, looking for excuses to cool his heels.
“Where is he? I will speak to him at once.”
“He was waiting at the stables. I am certain he has heard of your return already; I will send a servant to bring him to the house.”
“Never mind that. I will go to him myself. Thank you.”
Darcy stalked out of the house, leaving Mrs Nicholls staring after him.
He found Mr Hill already making his way towards the main house; they met on the gravelled path between it and the stables.
“You were looking for me?” Darcy asked.
The other man nodded. It did not take him many words to summarise the nefarious plans of Mr and Mrs Philips.
“Philips, he and his wife intend to take Mrs Bennet and leave tomorrow for London. I suppose they mean to find lawyers and reporters to listen to them. I expect once he drags your name and your family into it, he will find both.”
Darcy was filled with a cold fury. How dare the despicable creature use him and Elizabeth in this disgusting, vile manner?
He could imagine how his enemies, George Wickham being chief amongst them, would exploit the opportunity to further degrade him and to spread more lies.
So few cared about truth when sensationalism sold newspapers.
It had to be stopped before it reached that point.
“I will see that it does not go so far as that,” Darcy vowed. “Can you bring Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, and Edward to Netherfield? We will need their help.”
Mr Hill nodded and turned away without another word. Darcy was grateful for the other man’s brevity—he had much to do in order to prevent his marriage, his family, and a little boy from becoming victims of selfish malice.
Elizabeth was glad she had taken the time to change from the faded dress she had been wearing when Mr Hill arrived, to her best day dress as she looked around the grand drawing room of Netherfield, with its marbles and gilt.
Mr and Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley regarded her curiously, but had been very polite—unsurprisingly on both counts, as she had been introduced as Mr Darcy’s soon-to-be bride.
They were even more friendly towards Jane, but of course they had already established that friendship.
Obviously, they saw in Jane a means of shoring up their relationship with the new Mrs Darcy.
Georgiana had taken Neddy with her upstairs almost upon the second of their arrival; thankfully, he had gone with her easily.
Mr Hill had explained the plotting of the Philipses, and Elizabeth despised the fact that her own relations were bringing on such trouble to Darcy, and felt all the mortification that these ladies would know of it.
But of course, if the Philipses had their way, many more than simply the Bingleys would become witness to their humiliation.
Worst of all, she could imagine a scenario in which, with Mrs Bennet’s weeping, one-sided testimony, Neddy might truly be wrested from them.
Only Darcy’s hand resting lightly upon her shoulder gave her the strength to face whatever was to come.
“But where is Charles?” Mrs Hurst asked, once introductions were completed.
“I expect him any time now,” Darcy replied soberly. “He is on my errand. I hope that I can count upon the support and discretion of all my friends for whatever conversations lie ahead.”
“Of course you can,” Miss Bingley was quick to agree, while both Mr and Mrs Hurst nodded eagerly.
“As you may have guessed, there are those who would take advantage of knowing me, and try to use that advantage for personal gain. Worse, they will abuse those near to me as stepping stones to gain access. Already, within moments, almost, of agreeing to marry me, it has begun happening to Elizabeth. These sorts hope to use ugly publicity to pressure my decisions, and even those of the courts.”
Her aunt and uncle were already despicable, well before meeting Darcy—they had always planned to annex Neddy’s inheritance. It was simply his way, Elizabeth realised, of making their betrayals less personal.
Mrs Hurst gasped. “But…but who would do such a thing?”
“Henry and Begonia Philips are considering it. They will not be successful. They have taken what could have been an opportunity that might have opened doors, and instead will be cut from our lives—as anyone who ever thinks to take such advantage will discover for themselves.” If Darcy’s tone was stern, almost threatening, Elizabeth understood it.
If any of the Bingleys thought to follow the example of the Philipses, they had been warned.
“I have asked you to remain for the impending conversation as a demonstration of discreet strength and support. I will also ask for a show of utmost graciousness towards the visitor we shall shortly entertain.”
Hurst, who was standing nearest the window, straightened. “Charles’s carriage is coming up the drive.”
Not long afterwards, Bingley arrived together with Mrs Bennet and Miss Mary Bennet.
“I know you wished to speak to Mrs Bennet,” Mr Bingley said to Darcy upon his entrance, “but Miss Mary asked to attend her mother.”
Darcy nodded his agreement; Mrs Bennet appeared slightly intimidated by the grandiose drawing room and its assemblage, although Mary appeared merely curious.
Darcy remained at his position near the fireplace, tall and austere, all eyes upon him, as Mr Bingley seated the new arrivals upon a gilded settee with velvet cushions nearest the fire, and went to stand behind the chairs where his sisters looked on.
No one was smiling. Mrs Bennet looked towards her daughters.
“Lizzy…Jane…you are both here? Mr Bingley said he wished to speak to me at Netherfield, privately.”
Elizabeth realised at once what her mother would have thought—that he was approaching her regarding a betrothal with Jane.
Even Mr and Mrs Philips would not have been able to talk her out of going anywhere with him, however irregular it might have appeared.
By the slight blush on Jane’s cheeks, her sister had likewise guessed the ruse.
“Yes, Mama,” she replied. “Neddy is upstairs, with Miss Darcy.”
Mrs Nicholls and another servant entered, carrying a gleaming silver tea set and a platter with a selection of delicate cakes and pastries. It was a few minutes before everyone was served and the servants departed. Darcy cleared his throat, and all eyes turned back to him.
“Mrs Bennet, Miss Mary, thank you for coming. I hope that you have already heard our good news—your daughter, Elizabeth, has agreed to become my wife.”
“Lizzy?” Mrs Bennet’s surprise was obvious.
“Yes, Mama. Mr Darcy told Uncle Philips yesterday. I thought he might have informed you.”
Mrs Bennet frowned. “He did not. How stupid of him!”
“Not stupidity, no,” Darcy said. “Rather, he wishes to control what information you receive. I have it on very good authority that he means to apply for guardianship of your son, Edward. In order to do this, he needs your cooperation in every particular, as your opinion will be important to the court. He must paint me as a cruel usurper, and your daughter, my wife, as my willing and grasping accomplice.”
“You make a great many assumptions, Mr Darcy,” Mrs Bennet said, obviously offended. “My brother has always had my best interests at heart. He manages so many decisions that I would not have the first idea how to make, and takes very good care of us.”
“Does he take good care of all of you?” Darcy asked. “Or merely those who do as he wishes?”
Elizabeth tensed for an argument, but to her surprise, Mary—who had been nearly silent up to this point—spoke.
“He has a good point, Mama. He takes care of Lizzy and Neddy not at all. I suppose he will cut off Jane, too, now that she is with Lizzy.”
“That is because they left Longbourn!” Mrs Bennet cried.
“‘But whoso shall offend one of these little ones…, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea,’” Mary quoted.
Elizabeth saw Miss Bingley’s eyes widen, but she felt like cheering. “Mama, you know why I took Neddy away from Uncle Philips. Mary is correct. He truly hurt an innocent child, and for no good reason.”
Mrs Bennet’s mouth trembled. “He says Neddy is wild, and growing wilder out at Fox Hollow. He is difficult, no matter what you say. None of you girls ever gave me half the trouble that little boy gives, not even you, Lizzy. Henry says he needs more discipline and that you spoil him.”
“Neddy is not wild, Mama. He is not spoiled.” It was all she could do to keep her voice calm and even.
“I am sure, Mrs Bennet, that you can see what Philips’s goal is,” Darcy said, moving away from the mantel to hand her his handkerchief. “If Philips becomes guardian of your son, who is the true mistress of Longbourn? Is it you? Or is it your sister?”
Mrs Bennet gasped. Elizabeth could see that this idea had never even crossed her mother’s mind.
“Why…why Begonia would not…she would never…”
“Mama, of course she would,” Jane interjected. “She has always been jealous of you.”
Elizabeth nearly smiled at this—it was not Jane’s way to criticise. Obviously, she was trying very hard to say what was right.
“Let me put it this way,” Darcy said. “I am the owner of several immense properties, including two thousand acres of country estate in Derbyshire and a fine home in Mayfair. Between me and your brother Philips, which of us is most likely to act as a custodian solely concerned for Edward’s best interests, and which one will pretend he is Longbourn’s lone master? ”
Elizabeth could see that her mother was about to do what she usually did when faced with important decisions—fall to pieces. But again, Mary intervened.
“Mama, you know they are right, and Papa would hate the way Mr Philips behaves towards Neddy. If Lizzy marries Mr Darcy, he becomes your son. It is only right that he should take care of you, as well as Neddy and me and Jane. Do you want Mr Darcy to take care of us while you keep your place at Longbourn? Or do you want to watch Uncle Philips and your sister seize it all?”
Mrs Bennet sniffled into Darcy’s handkerchief. “I…I suppose it ought to be Mr Darcy,” she said uncertainly.
Mary nodded crisply. “That is as well. I have been worried of late. It does not seem to me that our home is a happy one any longer. It is why your daughters keep leaving it.”
Elizabeth went to Mary and hugged her. At first her sister stiffened, but after a moment, she returned the embrace.
“Mrs Bennet, I take my responsibilities very seriously. I do intend to take very good care of all of you,” Darcy said.
His expression was sober, but Elizabeth saw the warmth in his eyes.
“I understand that Mr and Mrs Philips have a home in Meryton. Is there any reason why they cannot return to it, and at once?”
“No reason,” Mrs Bennet said meekly.
“What do you say, Bingley, Hurst? Shall we escort Mr and Mrs Philips to their own property? Perhaps we shall stop at Ashworth along the way, and invite Harrington to come along as well? I believe a magistrate could ensure that everyone understands the meaning of the word ‘trespass’.”
“At once!” Bingley agreed.
“Happy to,” Hurst concurred.
“Mrs Bennet, I have asked the Bingleys to host you here at Netherfield until such time as we are certain that you will not have to deal with any unpleasantness in your own home,” Darcy said.
“Would you care to lie down for a few minutes in one of our comfortable chambers? You have had a distressing afternoon,” Mrs Hurst asked kindly.
“I will ask for a posset to be prepared,” Miss Bingley added. “I find it is just the thing for my nerves.”
The men departed and the Bingley sisters led Mrs Bennet away between them, leaving the Bennet sisters alone.
“Mary, you were magnificent,” Elizabeth said, taking the seat Mrs Bennet had vacated. “How sensible you are! Thank goodness you were here today, and that Mama listened to you.”
“Mr Philips has grown unbearable. I wanted to leave with Jane when she did, but I knew there was no more room at Fox Hollow, and besides, Papa asked me to watch over our mother. All I could think that might help was to pray. I did not know what else to do.”
“I think, Mary, that sometimes that is the very best and only thing to do,” Jane said, kneeling before her sister and taking her hands. “Thank you.”
Elizabeth put her arm about her younger sister. “We love you, Mary. We are so glad you were here today to help Mama see reason. We are so happy you are our sister.”
Mary blushed a bright red, but looked more contented than Elizabeth had seen her in a long, long while.