Chapter 10 #2
"Wickham happened to be in Hertfordshire at that time as part of the Derbyshire Militia.
I do not know how he singled out Miss Elizabeth to spread his story.
I encountered him only once, coincidentally when he was being introduced to Miss Elizabeth and the other Bennet ladies.
I never saw him again after that. Although he was invited to the Netherfield ball along with the other officers, he did not attend. "
"Answer me, Darcy. Did you speak to Miss Elizabeth in Wickham's presence?" Richard hoped to solve one piece of the puzzle with this question.
"No, my anger flared upon seeing him, but I swiftly suppressed it when I caught sight of Miss Elizabeth. I did not wish to engage with Wickham in her presence. I restrained my emotions, acknowledged Wickham with a nod, and withdrew."
"So Wickham observed you looking at Miss Elizabeth and attempting to restrain your anger," Richard deduced.
"It is possible that he witnessed it," Darcy replied.
Oh Darcy! You are transparent to him. Why can’t you realize it?
"Then, cousin, he perceived your attraction to Miss Elizabeth and, as always, endeavoured to exploit it. He can read you like an open book. Did I not urge you to let me handle Wickham after Ramsgate?" The cousins still had differing opinions on that matter.
"I should have heeded your counsel. I was fearful for Georgiana's reputation," Darcy admitted with a pained expression.
"Let that be for now. Why are we hastening to London? Are you attempting to distance yourself from her?" Richard already knew the answer but felt the need to ask.
"Yes and no. I desired to distance myself from her, yet I also wished to see Bingley.
One thing I have come to understand from this debacle is that Miss Bennet, I mean Miss Elizabeth's elder sister, is indeed in love with Bingley.
And it is evident that Bingley reciprocates her affections.
If there is a chance for them, I do not want them to lose it.
Believe me, I comprehend Bingley's anguish now," Darcy explained.
Richard was content with that, but he still had one more question, although he was not sure whether this was the right time to ask it.
His cousin was in a deplorable state, and such a question might not be well received.
However, when there was doubt, Richard's motto was always to go for it rather than hold back.
"Darcy, pray tell me, how did you propose to Miss Elizabeth? I am aware of your unswerving commitment to honesty, yet I daresay that honesty holds little sway in the art of marriage proposals. I must admit, I am somewhat apprehensive that you disclosed every struggle you endured because of your attraction to her. Did you divulge the reasons behind your prolonged avoidance of her? And did you happen to recount all the obstacles that delayed your proposal until that very moment?” Richard fixed his gaze upon his cousin, anticipating a display of either indignation or regret. He saw the former.
"Is that your opinion of me, Richard? Do you think of me as a man who would stoop to insulting a lady, nay, not just any lady, but a lady whom I love with the entirety of my heart, whilst offering my hand? You are unaware of the depth of my love for her, Richard. I will never insult her like that.”
Richard had no more questions. He was not one to accept defeat that easily.
Darcy, I shall give you some time, perhaps a month. After that, I want you to travel to Hertfordshire or whichever place Miss Elizabeth resides and court her as a true lover would.
London
Bingley
Bingley was like a man on a mission. It was not even afternoon, yet he had already completed the three tasks he had set out to do. This was a far cry from the man who loitered around the gentlemen's club and other places in town for the past four months.
Though he had retired to his chambers early the previous night, he lay in bed, deep in thought for a long time.
He couldn't help but be amazed by how easily he had asserted his authority over Caroline.
The image of his sister's face at the mere mention of Miss Bennet's name would be forever imprinted in his memory.
It revealed pure fear and had greatly aided him in dominating their conversation the previous evening.
Alas, what a fool I've been! How could I have allowed Caroline to wield such influence over my life for so long?
As he reclined in his carriage on the way back to his townhouse, he pondered the best approach to handle his sister.
The last thing he wanted was for Caroline to revert to her old ways as soon as he left for Netherfield.
He considered seeking Hurst's help in managing Caroline.
Hurst's reputation might lead others to think him an unlikely candidate to exert authority over someone like Caroline, but Bingley knew better.
Then there was the matter with Darcy, something that still weighed heavily on his mind. He could hardly believe that Darcy, the ever-honest and loyal Darcy, had resorted to acting behind his back.
I can’t believe Darcy would do this to me. It is unlike Darcy. Did Caroline deceive me? Yet, what reason would she have to lie when I can effortlessly verify her words when next I encounter Darcy? She is not that foolish, surely.
I need to see Darcy and ask him directly. If Caroline is right, then that is it. Regardless of his motives, I don't want a friend who acts behind my back.
As soon as he entered his home, he saw his friend waiting for him.
Bingley’s Townhouse, London
Darcy
Upon learning of Bingley's absence, Darcy initially contemplated journeying to his own residence and returning later in the evening to convey his newfound knowledge regarding Miss Bennet. However, he did not want to cause Bingley any unnecessary delay in discovering the truth. Therefore, he requested Richard to take the carriage to his townhouse and waited in the front parlour at Bingley’s residence.
Darcy had no intention of revealing the details of his rejected proposal to Bingley.
His plan simply involved disclosing that Miss Elizabeth engaged in an argument with him, during which she happened to mention Miss Bennet’s affection for Bingley and her subsequent heartache.
He also intended to inform Bingley about Miss Bennet's presence in the capital.
Unlike their previous discussion on the matter, Darcy had no intention of offering to accompany Bingley to Hertfordshire.
Such a suggestion was now completely out of the question.
After an hour of waiting, Darcy decided to revert to his initial plan. He had no desire to linger alone here for an extended period, lest Miss Bingley should choose to descend upon him. The last thing he wanted was to suffer through Miss Bingley’s fawning at this time.
However, as he approached the exit, Darcy caught sight of Bingley's carriage entering the gate.
Caroline
On the day she had intended to converse with her brother "first thing in the morning," Caroline woke up around mid day. She immediately inquired about her brother’s whereabouts, only to learn that he had already gone out.
What an unfortunate day to have overslept. It doesn't matter. I can still talk to him before Mr. Darcy arrives from Kent.
Caroline retreated to her chamber to partake in her morning ablutions. Once her toilette was completed, she elected to remain within the confines of her chamber. There was no one present downstairs to talk to anyway.
Never once did she entertain the possibility that Mr. Darcy was waiting downstairs. She completely missed his arrival.
Bingley
Bingley, taken aback by Darcy's unexpected early arrival, found himself momentarily at a loss for words. Though he still cherished their friendship, the ache within him held him back from expressing his sentiments fully.
"I am pleased that you have come here, Darcy.
I have been desiring a conversation of utmost importance with you.
Shall we adjourn to my study?" he proposed, commencing the exchange in a rather unconventional manner, devoid of customary salutations or expressions of camaraderie.
He observed a flicker of surprise in Darcy's countenance at this unconventional start.
"Indeed, I have been waiting to talk with you as well. I just came back from Kent," Darcy replied.
As they proceeded toward the study, Bingley instructed the footman to remain outside the chamber adjoining his study. Once inside, he securely closed the door, ensuring their privacy. Ignoring Darcy's inquisitive gaze fixed upon him, he prepared himself for the weighty conversation that lay ahead.
Darcy
Darcy had never seen Bingley like this before. This was a marked departure from the despondent Bingley he had encountered prior to his journey to Kent. He didn’t know why a sense of foreboding gripped his mind upon witnessing this transformation.
As Darcy sat down, Bingley began pacing restlessly behind his chair, clearly upset.
"What troubles you, Bingley? Pray, tell me," he inquired with concern.
Bingley abruptly turned, revealing unexpected anger.
"Are you aware that Miss Bennet is in London?" Bingley asked abruptly.
Ah, he has been informed of the matter. That is fortunate.
"Yes, I am indeed aware," Darcy replied, his curiosity piqued about why Bingley was perturbed by this revelation.
"And when did you find out?" Bingley asked again.
Why does the timing of my awareness matter? Good Lord, is he angry with me for not disclosing it sooner? When was it that Miss Elizabeth inquired of me about whether I encountered Miss Bennet in London? Was it three weeks?
"I became privy to that information approximately three weeks ago," Darcy disclosed, hoping to appease Bingley's growing discontent.
"And why, pray tell, did you never deem it fit to apprise me earlier?"
"What vexes you, Bingley? Tell me," Darcy inquired, his confusion deepened.
"Kindly address my query, Darcy," Bingley insisted, his tone demanding a response.