Chapter 13 Miss Bingley’s Wrath
Elizabeth quietly closed the door behind her and turned to face her two sisters, who were watching her anxiously.
“Mr. Darcy has just taken his leave,” she said softly. “He is traveling to London to obtain the marriage license.”
Her composure faltered; she covered her face with her hands and sank to her knees. Both sisters rushed to her side, kneeling beside her.
Jane spoke first. “What is it, Lizzy? Was he rude? Is he angry?”
Elizabeth shook her head, her face still hidden.
“No, he was so kind, so good. If I am faint, it is with relief. I offered him release, and I trembled, fearing he would take it and leave me to Mr. Collins. But he did not. I was so afraid he would abandon me to my just reward. The uncertainty has left me weak.” She remained as she was for a few minutes.
When she had recovered her nerves, she stood, moved to the bed, and sat heavily.
“And though I am thankful that he chose to stand by me, I cannot help but feel sorrow on his behalf. I pray he had not set his heart on another, for he will surely feel the loss of an unrequited love.”
She lifted her eyes to them, clearly distressed. “What if, in the passage of time, he should come to look upon me as our father looks upon Mamma? At times, I believe he despises her. He regards her with such scorn, and she makes matters worse with her prattle and vulgarity.”
She moved until her back rested against the headboard.
“Perhaps there are things in me that will strike Mr. Darcy in the same manner, and, over the years, they will grate upon him as our mother grates upon Papa. Such are the consequences of marrying outside of one’s sphere. And now they are to be mine.”
Jane put an arm around her shoulders. “Lizzy, you need only speak with him. He is a rational man, and by your own admission, a kind one. Tell him your fears, and ask that he speak openly to you of any habits that displease him. Perhaps this will save you from becoming like our parents.”
Hope sparked in her eyes. “He has been kind. I will speak to him, every day if I must, until all my vulgarities are rooted out.”
Her sisters laughed. Jane clarified. “Not vulgarities, Lizzy. You go too far, let us call them quirks.”
“Quirks then. I am feeling better, more at ease about this marriage. But now I need to get out.” Elizabeth walked to the window and looked out.
“The weather is fine, and I have missed my walk today. Will you ladies come out with me? Mr. Darcy extracted a promise that I should not walk alone, for fear that Mr. Collins might yet attempt some outrage.”
Both sisters agreed, and within minutes, they were descending to the first floor together.
The butler met them at the foot of the stairs. “Miss Bennet, may I assist you, ladies?”
“Grayson, our outerwear, please. Lizzy has missed her walk this morning.”
The butler turned to Elizabeth. “Miss Lizzy, you have taken a daily walk since first I knew you. How old were you then, about five years of age? You were quite the favorite of the Barnet sisters.”
Just then, Mr. Bingley entered the hall from his study and smiled broadly at the young women. “I thought I heard voices,” he said.
The butler’s expression became more reserved, but he winked at Elizabeth before withdrawing.
Jane addressed their host. “Mr. Bingley, we are preparing to walk in your garden. Sir, you approve?”
Mr. Bingley’s grin broadened into a smile. “I shall join you, if I may.”
Jane was gratified and smiled up at him. Elizabeth and Mary exchanged a glance and smiled also. The ladies donned their outerwear and, together, moved into the fresh air. Mr. Bingley offered Jane his arm, while Elizabeth and Mary followed behind.
When they were well out of hearing, Elizabeth said softly, “Mary, perhaps there is a silver lining in all this. Jane will have more time to attach Mr. Bingley now that we are living under his roof.”
Mary nodded. “Yes. I have never seen two people fall in love so quickly. Or do you think it is merely physical attraction?”
Elizabeth’s brow furrowed. “I do not know. Is an instant attraction proof of something deeper? I believe it may be, for I was immediately repelled by Mr. Collins, though he is the very model of a gentleman in dress and deportment. There is something in his eyes that I find… unwholesome. But Mr. Bingley feels just the opposite, decent and safe. Perhaps some couples truly do experience love at first sight.”
The sisters walked on, discussing their notions of love and attraction, until they entered a little grove, where they encountered Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst, seated on a bench in a heated discussion. The two women fell silent at once and rose to greet them.
Miss Bingley’s face was flushed crimson, her eyes narrowed. She turned upon Elizabeth with fury. Her gaze traveled slowly from Elizabeth’s hair to her shoes, measuring her with cold disdain.
“I do not know what he sees in you. He should have left you to the rector, for you are not fit for anything better.”
She stepped closer, but Mr. Bingley had returned at once and placed himself before his guest.
“Seven years lost, just like that,” Caroline muttered, a sound almost like a growl escaping her throat. Then she turned on her heel and walked away.
Mr. Bingley and Mrs. Hurst were both red-faced. Before he could speak, Elizabeth said quietly, “Please, Mr. Bingley, do not apologize for your sister. I do not know what her former attachment to Mr. Darcy may have been, but I can see she is grieving the loss. I do not hold it against her.”
Bingley took Elizabeth’s hand. “Thank you, Miss Elizabeth, for your understanding. Caroline is taking the loss of her favorite very hard.”
His eyes flicked toward Jane, and seeing the pain in her expression, he added gently, “But she must learn to restrain her disappointment. I will speak to her.”
Turning to Jane, he said, “Miss Bennet, I see you feel the insult to your sister as deeply as she does. Please find it in your heart to pardon my sister. I will ensure there is no repetition of such behavior.”
Mrs. Hurst had moved to Elizabeth’s side. “Are you well, Miss Elizabeth?”
“Yes, thank you. Other than a racing heart, which will slow soon enough, I am well. Perhaps Mary will walk a little farther with me while I regain full composure.” She looked at her elder sister.
“Perhaps you will minister to Jane’s needs?
She is discomposed, and we feel each other’s injuries most keenly. ”
She curtsied and took Mary’s arm. The two sisters walked on.
Mr. Bingley turned to Jane. “Miss Bennet, may I serve you a little Madeira, or ratafia, as a restorative? You look quite pale.”
Mrs. Hurst took Jane’s other arm. “Come, let us take you to the drawing room and serve you some Madeira. You will feel more yourself after a few minutes’ rest.”
Mary placed her hand over Elizabeth’s, where it rested on her arm. “Lizzy, are you quite well? You look as pale as Jane did.”
“I will feel better once I walk. My heart is still racing. Miss Bingley hates me, did you see her eyes?”
“Yes,” Mary said softly. “I feared she might strike you. She must feel the loss of Mr. Darcy very keenly.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Yes, I believe it has shaken her whole world. Perhaps she is as afflicted as I am. If she has indeed pursued his affection for seven years and now finds all hope lost, she may feel a storm of emotion as terrible or worse than what I am enduring. If that is so, I pity her.”
The two sisters completed a circuit of the grounds before returning to the house, where a late luncheon awaited them in the breakfast parlor. A cold collation of meats, cheeses, and breads had been laid out, and they found Jane, the Hursts, and Mr. Bingley already at table.
“Miss Elizabeth,” Bingley said, “your cheeks have recovered their lovely color. Are you feeling better?”
“Yes, sir. The fresh air revived me. May I look through your library? All my favorite books belong to my father, and I was not able to bring them with me.”
Mrs. Hurst said, “I have just finished The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole. I enjoyed every word of it. You are welcome to borrow it.”
“I would be most obliged.”
Louisa turned to a footman. “Ring for my maid and have her bring The Castle of Otranto to me.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
The company relaxed after that, conversation flowing freely. Later, they adjourned to the drawing room, where Mr. Bingley persuaded Louisa and Jane to play at lottery. Elizabeth coaxed Mary to sit beside her.
“Mary, my dear,” she said with a smile, “I know you do not often read novels, but it will be diverting to read this one together. Come, sit with me.”
They moved to a quiet corner, and Elizabeth began to read aloud. Before long, both sisters were absorbed in the tale. Half an hour later, Jane and Mr. Bingley joined them, settling nearby to listen.
Bingley interjected now and then with playful remarks and sly observations about Prince Manfred’s absurdities and the supernatural events. The laughter that followed eased all remaining tension, and the household spent a peaceful afternoon reading and conversing.
When it was time to dress for dinner, Mr. Bingley escorted the ladies upstairs and then excused himself. Jane lingered at her chamber door, watching him disappear down the corridor toward the family wing.
Elizabeth also watched as the handsome, ginger-haired gentleman retreated.
“Oh, Lizzy,” Jane sighed softly, “to have such a man for a husband would be the fulfillment of all my dreams.”
“Yes,” Elizabeth replied with a wry smile, “but he comes with a terrible sister. She would make you suffer until the day she married, and perhaps even afterward, during every Christmas and Easter visit.”
“Unless Mr. Bingley were to send her to live with the Hursts.”
Elizabeth’s lips curved in amusement. “Do you truly believe him capable of such firmness? He is very amiable, perhaps amiable to a fault.”
“Perhaps.”
Elizabeth’s thoughts turned to Mr. Darcy. He was formidable and decisive. He had even threatened Sir William with a lawsuit should he dare to spread a rumor. Something within her shifted. She was to marry a strong, decisive man, and she took great comfort in that thought.
The sisters dressed one another and arranged their hair. When they emerged, Mr. Bingley was waiting in the hall to escort Jane below. Elizabeth and Mary smiled at each other and followed quietly, pleased at their sister’s good fortune.
But as they entered the drawing room, Elizabeth felt a sense of dismay. Miss Bingley was there. With her flaming copper hair and striking figure, she was undeniably handsome, but her anger filled the room like a storm. The three sisters stopped at the doorway.
Mr. Bingley, who had been speaking with Jane, turned to see what held her still. Then he saw Caroline. Louisa had not yet come down. There was no way to avoid the situation; he would have to confront his sister. Hurst looked up from his newspaper and raised a brow in sympathy.
“Miss Bennet,” he said quietly to Jane, “you will excuse me, I pray.”
He crossed the room and stood before Caroline. Her eyes flashed, but he saw pain there as well as fury. He sat beside her on the edge of the couch.
“Caroline,” he said gravely, “I know you have been hurt by this sudden turn of events, but I will not tolerate rudeness to my guests. If you can behave as a gentlewoman, you are welcome to dine with us. If not, leave now. I will not endure another outburst, and I will call the footmen to escort you out if necessary.”
Caroline studied him and saw that he was determined. “I believe you are in earnest,” she said.
“I am,” he replied. “Furthermore, Mr. Darcy has invited the Hursts and us to visit Pemberley this summer. He made it clear that if you cannot conduct yourself properly, you will not be welcome. The manner in which you treat Miss Elizabeth now will decide whether you accompany us.”
She was silent, considering his words, then sighed. “I will be polite.”
“Very well. You may begin by playing for us while we await the dinner call.”
She walked to the pianoforte and began to play, and Mr. Bingley returned to Jane’s side. “Miss Bennet, come, sit with me on the settee while we wait for dinner to be served.”