Chapter 11 #2
"That letter. Good heavens, I received a letter from Mr. Darcy around the time he was in Hertfordshire. I informed Hill that I would read it later, but I completely forgot," he stammered.
Elizabeth knew precisely where to look. She desperately rummaged through a stack of unopened letters until she found one bearing Darcy seal. With a look that conveyed her anger, she extended the letter to her father, who immediately grabbed it before reading it in full.
She observed her father sinking into his chair, his eyes tightly shut, displaying his internal turmoil.
It was apparent that he was consumed by self-reproach.
Elizabeth patiently waited for several minutes, but her patience eventually waned.
Unable to contain her curiosity any longer, she swiftly seized the letter from her father's grasp and started reading its contents.
Dear Mr. Bennet,
I must offer my sincerest apologies for this indiscreet departure from propriety.
I do realize that we have not been formally introduced.
Nothing other than my sincerest concern for the wellbeing of your esteemed family and my awareness of the importance of what I am about to relate could have made me break the strict codes of propriety and forced me take up my quill to write to you.
I am leaving for London tomorrow with no clear return date in mind.
And I wanted to warn you about someone before it is too late.
Last week, I happened to witness your daughters getting acquainted with a new officer who recently joined the Militia.
His name is George Wickham and he is known to me from my childhood.
He is the son of the former steward of Pemberley.
He and I were childhood playmates. There is no other person in this country who is aware of the real character of Wickham as I do.
On first impression, Wickham will come across as a pleasant, captivating and amicable individual.
But there is another side to his character that is concealed behind his charming facade.
He has a manipulative and deceitful nature whose only objective in life is to live an easy life by taking advantage of others.
He travels around, goes to new places, uses his charm to deceive the people and runs away later leaving behind huge debts and many failed promises.
I have already written to Sir William Lucas and Colonel Forster about this, asking them to warn the merchants of Meryton about his tendency to run away from debts.
Unfortunately, Wickham’s deceptive tendencies are not limited to accumulating and fleeing from debts.
He uses his charm to deceive and manipulate young girls and take advantage of their trust. I myself support three of his offspring and their mothers back in Derbyshire.
Wickham had seduced those women and taken advantage of their innocence.
There are many fathers who would like to get their hand on Wickham back in my home country.
Yesterday, during the ball at Netherfield, Miss Elizabeth inquired of me regarding Mr. Wickham.
I hold her in high esteem as a lady of intelligence and discernment, and I harbour no concern about her succumbing to Wickham's deceitful falsehoods.
It was evident to me that her inquiry arose from a desire for truth, displaying her refusal to blindly accept Wickham's words.
Tears welled up in Elizabeth’s eyes, obscuring her vision. She closed her eyes in anguish, and remained so for some time, before delicately brushing away the tears to resume the reading.
However, I thought it is better for her and other young ladies of Meryton to have actual knowledge about the real character of Wickham than rely on their ability to perceive danger.
Unfortunately, it is not possible for me to disclose Wickham's proclivities directly to any young lady.
None of what I can relate about Wickham is suitable for a maiden's ears.
So I am writing this to warn you, so that you can take necessary steps to make sure none of your daughters fell under his influence.
Feel free to pass on the information to other guardians of Meryton as needed.
With heartfelt concern and the sincerest intentions,
Fitzwilliam Darcy
Elizabeth slowly placed the letter on the table and sat down. She was no longer thinking about her missing sister. Instead, her mind was consumed by the image of a handsome gentleman, his eyes filled with tears, gazing at her in anguish.
Bingley’s Townhouse, London
Bingley
Bingley had been occupied for the past week, which left no room for conversation with his brother. When they finally met in his study for a face-to-face discussion, he found himself momentarily at a loss for words.
"What troubles you, Charles? If it concerns Caroline, rest assured, she may reside in my townhouse until her marriage. You may journey to Hertfordshire without apprehension," Hurst commenced the conversation.
"Thank you, Hurst. That was indeed one matter I wished to address.
However, there is more I seek from you concerning Caroline.
I desire to ensure she never reverts to her previous disposition.
For that purpose, I want you to exhibit greater control when dealing with her," Bingley reluctantly met his brother's gaze, which remained steady.
“What exactly is your concern, Charles? Don’t beat the bush. Pray come to the point,” Hurst inquired.
"Very well, I shall be forthright. I am aware that your union with my sister is commonly regarded as one of convenience.
When you sought my approval for the proposal, you were honest about your financial difficulties and the need for Louisa's dowry to clear your debts.
I didn't give my consent because of your gentlemanly status and the possibility of Louisa going up in societal standing.
I did so because I thought, at least on your part, it was more than just a marriage of convenience. I believed you loved Louisa."
Bingley paused, assessing his brother's reaction. Observing Hurst's continued silence, he pressed on.
"I knew Louisa was never in love. However, she accepted your offer not because she considered you as a way to rise in society.
She valued security over affection in marriage and regarded you as someone who could provide that to her.
She never understood the importance of love.
Our parents, particularly our mother, bear responsibility for this, as they placed material concerns like wealth and connections above matters of the heart.
Unlike me, my sisters spent most of their growing up time with my mother and her family in Scarborough.
They were incessantly exposed to our family's endeavours to elevate our societal standing.
I harboured hope that your affection for her would be the making of Louisa, prompting her to appreciate the value of attachment and love.
Alas, post-marriage, your efforts to appear like an indolent, carousing gentleman has left me perplexed, while Louisa continues to tag behind Caroline. Frankly, I am at a loss."
If not for his brother's raised hands, Bingley would have carried on.
“Why do you think I am making efforts to ‘appear’ like an indolent, carousing man?” Hurst asked with a smirk.
“Oh, Hurst, I may not be the most fastidious master of our household, but I do oversee our accounts. I am well aware of the quantity of spirits present under this roof and the daily consumption thereof. It is evident that you partake less than it may seem to others. Moreover, I doubt your slumbers when you recline upon the sofa, feigning rest with closed eyes. So, I must inquire, dear brother, what is the charade you play?” Bingley looked up straight to his brother’s eyes, sporting a smile.
Hurst
Hurst remained silent for some time. He always believed that his brother possessed more than met the eye. It was heartening to see him finally starting to assume control of his life.
“Charles, let us assume you had married your Miss Bennet. On the evening of your wedding, you happened to overhear your Miss Bennet talking to one of her sisters, say Miss Elizabeth, boasting her achievement in bringing about a marriage from someone with such a high station. Then she goes on to describe how she managed to feign love to you during the courtship to invite a proposal from you. What would you do if something like this happened to you? What would be your reaction?” Hurst looked straight at his brother.
“Louisa and Caroline?” Bingley asked with a shocked expression. Hurst nodded his response.
Both remained silent for a minute before Hurst continued.
“The fact of the matter is, I still love her. But she still sees me as someone who she is obligated to live with. Mind you, she fulfils her obligations in every regard. For one who does not seek tenderness and companionship in matrimony, she would make an ideal spouse. But I am not such a person. I initially tried to forget what I heard and endeavoured to get her to open up to me. I wanted to make her fall in love with me. Yet, it proved to be rather difficult, especially with her being under the influence of Caroline. Caroline is the problem in this household, Charles. It is good that you finally asserted your authority over her.”
Bingley remained silent for sometime, before responding.
"I should have managed Caroline more effectively, shouldn't I? I was too late," Hurst discerned Charles's self-reproach in his statement.
“Yes, brother. You should have. But it is better late than never,” Hurst replied.
“So what is your plan moving forward? I believe Louisa is starting to understand the influence Caroline has over her. I believe you now have a window of opportunity,” Bingley’s eyes were on Hurst.
“I do believe the same, brother. Let us see,” Hurst did not want to discuss this further.
Longbourn, Hertfordshire
Elizabeth
Elizabeth sat on her bed, contemplating whether or not to inform Jane about Mr. Darcy's involvement in Mr. Bingley's departure.
After much thought, she decided to keep this information from Jane.
With Lydia's elopement, there was no hope for any of them to secure a marriage, let alone marry someone like Mr. Bingley.
Thus, there was no point in bringing up thoughts of Mr. Bingley in Jane's mind.
Suddenly, Jane entered the chamber and settled in a chair near the window. Elizabeth noticed that her sister's mind was elsewhere. She waited for a while, but patience was never her strong suit.
“What is it, Jane? What are you thinking of?”
Jane was startled by Elizabeth's voice and took a moment to respond. God, wasn’t she aware of my presence at all?
"Oh, Lizzy, what can I possibly say to Mr. Bingley now?" Jane asked.
Mr. Bingley? What is she referring to? Oh my God! Did she encounter Mr. Bingley after all?
"Jane? Is there something you haven't disclosed to me? Did you, perchance, encounter Mr. Bingley after all?" Elizabeth quickly leaned forward.
"Oh, Lizzy. I forgot you were unaware of this.
I never had the opportunity to write to you regarding it, given everything that transpired with Lydia.
I saw Mr. Bingley one day on Piccadilly Street.
Lizzy, he requested permission to call upon me.
He loves me. However, now, with the predicament involving Lydia, I know not what to say to him.
If Lydia is not found and married, we shall be ruined.
I do not wish for him to share in our downfall," Jane's countenance once again reflected sadness.
As far as Elizabeth was concerned, her sister was jumping too far ahead. She desired to learn of all that transpired in London first.
"Set Lydia aside for the moment. She has caused enough trouble already. Tell me about your encounter with Mr. Bingley. I wish to know every detail," Elizabeth was impatient.
After thirty minutes, Elizabeth came to know everything. She understood what Mr. Darcy meant when he said that he acted in service to a friend.
"So, you are asserting that Mr. Darcy did not urge Mr. Bingley to distance himself from you?" Elizabeth sought clarification once again.
“No, Lizzy. I believe Mr. Darcy was perplexed by my efforts to hide my affection for Mr. Bingley.
He overheard our mother's incessant discussions concerning Mr. Bingley and me, as if there was a tacit understanding between us.
He was concerned for his friend. Yet, even then, he did not attempt to direct Mr. Bingley's actions.
He merely sought to make certain that Mr. Bingley was aware of the expectations our mother had managed to cultivate among the local society.
He behaved precisely as a true friend should.
Furthermore, unlike Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst, Mr. Darcy considered matters from our perspective.
Mr. Bingley told me that Mr. Darcy reprimanded him for his heedless conduct, which had inadvertently generated a widespread expectation of betrothal between us, without him formally approaching our father for consent.
Mr. Darcy was concerned about safeguarding our reputation, in contrast to Mr. Bingley's sisters.
As for Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst, you were right about them.
They conspired against Mr. Bingley behind his back.
I now comprehend that their displays of affection were nothing more than a charade.
Their intent was to gather information about me, aiming to facilitate my separation from Mr. Bingley. ”
Elizabeth observed that Jane was angry, a rare sight. However, her mind did not dwell there. She could not cease thinking about Mr. Darcy.
I was probably right about Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst. But where does it leave me? I was completely and utterly wrong about him.
Regret is a difficult pill to swallow. As she lay awake that night, she could not cease pondering over everything that had unfolded between herself and Mr. Darcy.
She now began to comprehend that he was precisely the man whose disposition and talents would best suit her.
Her heart recognized it immediately, at least based on the attraction she felt from the very first moment she laid eyes on him at the assembly.
There is a fine line between attraction and love. She had already crossed it, even if she didn’t realize it then. Unfortunately for her, it was one week too late.