Chapter 4
Darcy returned to Pemberley in a rush, while thinking of what more might be done for Miss Lydia’s care. Speaking to his butler was first in his mind, but before he had taken even two steps, he was accosted by Miss Bingley in the hallway who seemed to have been waiting for his return.
“Mr. Darcy, where could you have gone for so long? I hope nothing is remiss. We were all desolate without your company.”
“Miss Bingley, I hope you would excuse me, for I need to attend to some urgent matter.” Darcy replied. Then, seeing Bingley come into the hallway, he spoke again.
“Bingley, would you be kind enough to join me in my study in half an hour. There is a matter of utmost importance that I need to discuss with you.”
Having obtained Bingley's consent, he proceeded to his study where he summoned his butler.
Quickly he had given instructions for his carriage to go to the inn in Lambton and from there to convey Mr. Gardiner to Brighton.
A couple of footmen were sent to accompany the ladies in the Gardiner carriage back to Pemberley.
Then he penned an express for his housekeeper in Brighton, explaining the situation and asking her to defer to Mr. Gardiner in all matters.
As the express was dispatched, Bingley joined him in his study.
“Darcy, you look exhausted, whatever is the matter?”
Darcy explained Miss Lydia’s accident to him without any mention of Wickham or any other matter.
He trusted Bingley not to gossip but he might inadvertently let something slip, and his sisters were no friends of the Bennets.
He then outlined his plan for Bingley to open Netherfield Park so that they may remain in Hertfordshire to assist the ladies.
“I am most aggrieved to hear about Miss Lydia. She is a young and lively girl, and to go through such a trial is dreadful. Of course, I will do whatever I can to help the Bennets in their hour of need but are you sure Miss Bennet will be sanguine about my return?”
Darcy knew that the time for his confession had arrived.
“Bingley, I am sorry to say that I made a grievous error when I asked you to stay away from Miss Bennet last year. At that time, I was convinced of her indifference, but since then it has been impressed upon me that the lady suffered a great deal by your abandonment. She even came to town in January but by then I had not learnt better and concealed her presence from you.”
Bingley looked shocked by what Darcy had just said. He opened and closed his mouth several times then got up and started pacing.
“Let me understand this, so now you mean to tell me that Miss Bennet’s affections were engaged, and she thought I had abandoned her.”
He gave Darcy a hard stare as he sat down and continued.
“It is not that difficult to guess who has impressed the point to you. It has been quite clear in the past couple of days that Miss Elizabeth enjoys a rare confidence with you. But what is this about Miss Bennet being in town and how were you aware of it? If she cared for me, why did she not visit my sisters?” Bingley questioned.
“She did; it was Miss Bingley who informed me of her presence in town and we agreed that it would be better if you were unaware of her presence.” Darcy responded, dreading his friend’s reaction, for Bingley was already vexed.
Bingley looked furious as he got up and nearly shouted. “Better for whom? I understand my sister’s motivations, but you were supposed to be my friend, Darcy.” Bingley spoke resentfully.
“Bingley, I am your friend. You must believe me on that.” Darcy desperately answered.
“Miss Bennet needs me now and this time I do not plan to desert her. If the opportunity presents itself, I will secure her hand during our sojourn in Hertfordshire but Darcy we will discuss this matter once Miss Lydia is recovered. You may stay at Netherfield for as long as the Bennets need you but not a moment more.” With that, Bingley walked out of his study.
Darcy had expected Bingley to be angry, but this vehemence surprised him.
He had always been a most agreeable man, to such an extent that his goodwill towards all and sundry sometimes annoyed Darcy.
To have invoked the ire of such a person had renewed his sense of guilt.
Thinking that it would be better to leave Bingley alone for some time, he rang for his housekeeper and made arrangements for the arrival of Mrs. Gardiner and Miss Elizabeth.
Once that had been dealt with, he decided to go in search of his sister for she needed to be informed of all that had occurred and the guests they were expecting.
She was in the orangery with Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst and at first Darcy thought to separate her from the other ladies but then decided that he might as well break the news to all three of them.
“Georgiana, ladies, I hope you are having an agreeable morning. I am sorry I have been detained by some important matters.”
“Brother, we are happy to have you now. I hope everything is well.” Georgiana replied.
“Mr. Darcy, we have been most worried for you. What could have happened to keep you so occupied the whole morning? We all know Pemberley runs flawlessly.” Miss Bingley responded, as she took Darcy's arm.
Gently removing Miss Bingley's hand, Darcy went and sat next to his sister.
“I am sorry I have been remiss in my duties as a host. I further apologise for the news that I am about to convey for we will all soon have to depart Pemberley.”
“Depart Pemberley! whatever for? We are all so charmingly situated here. I can think of no place better than the current environs to have the perfect summer.”
“I thank you for the compliment, Miss Bingley, but the situation is beyond my control.”
“Whatever is the matter brother? I hope nothing alarming has happened.” Georgiana politely inquired.
“I had gone to visit Miss Bennet at the Lambton inn this morning, and it was by a fortunate chance that I came upon her when she had just received some distressing news from home. I have pledged to help her family to the best of my abilities and Bingley has agreed with me. We will soon be making our way to Hertfordshire as we escort Miss Bennet and Mrs. Gardiner to Longbourn.”
“Mr. Darcy, there could be no cause for such a thing. I am sure Louisa agrees with me that whatever disgraceful situation the Bennets find themselves in is no concern of ours.” Miss Bingley exclaimed. Mrs. Hurst also nodded, showing her support to her sister.
“Miss Bingley, I did not at all indicate any disrespectful situation. On the contrary it is a most distressing situation for Miss Lydia.”
Here he turned to his sister and explained, “The youngest sister of Miss Elizabeth had gone to Brighton as a particular friend of Mrs. Forster, the wife of the militia colonel; there she had a most unfortunate accident. She lies unconscious; her condition is most precarious”.
Georgiana gasped, “Oh! How terrible. I hope she is being taken care of?”
Darcy held his sister’s hand, “To that end, Mr. Bennet, his wife, and the next youngest sister Miss Catherine have all travelled to Brighton to be with Miss Lydia. Miss Mary Bennet and Miss Jane Bennet are in Hertfordshire with the Gardiner children. Mr. Bennet had requested his brother Mr. Gardiner to take in Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth while Miss Mary may remain with her other Aunt in Hertfordshire.”
“Is there no way for us to help them? How worried all of them must be.”
“Yes dearest, I spoke to Mr. Gardiner, and he felt that he would be more useful in Brighton, for in their grief the Bennets may find making arrangements in Brighton much more difficult. I have offered my escort to the ladies as they travel to Hertfordshire. Mr. Gardiner would by now have departed for Brighton. Miss Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner will soon be arriving at Pemberley and in a couple of days Bingley and I plan to accompany them to Hertfordshire and remain at Netherfield to be of use to the Misses Bennet.”
“Mr. Darcy, I am most surprised; we all know that Miss Lydia was the most uncouth girl. It must have been due to her own impetuous nature that she found herself in such peril, the Bennets may well manage without you inconveniencing yourself.” Miss Bingley spoke in a disdainful tone.
“My decision is made, Miss Bingley. I am sure your brother will speak about the matter to you. Please excuse me, for I need to be available to welcome Miss Bennet and Mrs. Gardiner to Pemberley.”
“I will come with you, Brother. I cannot imagine the despair Miss Elizabeth must be feeling. I would like to be of use to the ladies if possible.”
“Of course, dearest.” Darcy replied with a fond smile at his sister’s mature reply.
The Darcy siblings made their way to the front hall in anticipation of the guests.
Soon the Gardiner carriage arrived, and the ladies were welcomed with all courtesy to the house and taken to their rooms to settle down.
Darcy had made sure that an interconnected room with a sitting room in between was provided to them for he expected they would be up most of the night with worry for Miss Lydia.
The common sitting room would provide them with a private place to sit together at any time, and not be alone.
He was determined to provide every comfort that was in his power to Elizabeth.