Chapter X #3
The soft smile that appeared on her features spoke volumes about her affection for her sister.
“Jane has been most sensible about everything. She understood that all was not as it seemed and declared that she would remove herself from Miss Bingley’s machinations.
She will not allow the actions of another to place her into a competition she does not choose. ”
“That is most sensible,” said Darcy.
Miss Elizabeth’s expression told him everything he needed to know. “Jane is nothing if not sensible. She is also forgiving to a fault—Jane still considers Miss Bingley a friend.”
Darcy shook his head in wonder. In some, excessive forgiveness without requiring accountability could be a flaw, but in Miss Bennet it was, somehow, what he had expected.
“Miss Bingley has not accepted Bingley’s affection for Miss Whitcombe, and she will not desist.”
“No, I cannot suppose that she will,” agreed Miss Elizabeth. “Jane is not forceful, Mr. Darcy, but she is not lacking fortitude. It is not her way to openly resist or make a scene. Instead, she will stop cooperating. Miss Bingley may not even see it for what it is.”
It was an accurate picture to be certain—Darcy did not doubt it in the slightest. “Then she should prepare for discomfort.”
“Jane will do what she must.”
For several more moments they sat there, conversation exhausted, considering what the future might hold.
Darcy had never seen Miss Bennet’s mettle, and now that he had a clear picture through the eyes of her sister, he esteemed her more.
In a struggle between the proverbial immovable object and the irresistible force, he now knew that Miss Bennet’s immovable object would prevail.
Darcy wondered if he should take a hand, to warn Miss Bingley from her course.
Then he thought of Miss Elizabeth’s confidence in her sister, and he knew it was not his place to interfere.
From a certain point of view he had already interfered more than he should.
Now it was time to allow Miss Bennet to show that firmness of purpose and refusal to fall in with Miss Bingley’s designs.
It was Bingley’s turn to decide on his future and not allow his sister to dictate to him.
And it was Miss Whitcombe’s turn to show her esteem for Bingley, if she had not already, and offer him a future Darcy now suspected had been within her reach long before he had called Bingley a friend.
“Perhaps we should rejoin our sisters,” said Miss Elizabeth at length.
Darcy, roused from his thoughts, agreed, and guided her back to the sitting-room where Georgiana and Miss Bennet were engaged in conversation.
The moment they stepped into the room, he saw Miss Bennet’s eyes find her sister’s, and saw Miss Elizabeth’s slight nod in response. The sisters understood each other.
Later, as they prepared to depart, Darcy used a moment when his sister distracted Miss Elizabeth to speak to the elder sister.
“Please accept my apologies for interfering, Miss Bennet,” said he, appreciating the ability to perform this last necessary act.
“As your sister will no doubt tell you, I had some part in Bingley not returning to Hertfordshire—though I believe it was for the best, and know my motives were pure, it was presumptuous of me to interfere.”
Miss Bennet regarded him with compassion for a few moments, then she offered absolution. “Not at all, Mr. Darcy. Given what I now know, I believe it was for the best that Mr. Bingley did not return. In the end, it has allowed him to follow his heart—that is the best outcome I can imagine.”
A slight smile formed on his lips, though he had no intention of it. “I have often heard your sister extol your goodness, Miss Bennet. She has not done you justice.”
“Not at all, Mr. Darcy,” replied she. “Lizzy is my fiercest protector, but love will lead one to claim virtues that do not exist. I am a woman, and nothing more.”
“An excellent woman, I should think,” insisted Darcy. “Though my friend may not be an option for you anymore, let me say that if the entire male half of the species cannot see you for the gem you are, there is no hope for us at all.”
Miss Bennet laughed, a light, effortless sound that told Darcy more than anything else that she was content with her situation and not pining for Bingley. It eased his heart and his conscience.
“Now you sound like Lizzy, Mr. Darcy.”
Darcy’s gaze found Miss Elizabeth, speaking with his sister, though he noted frequent glances in his direction. “If she has influenced me, I can only suppose that it has been for the best, Miss Bennet. I hope that I am a better man because of it.”
“If those around us make us better, we cannot ask for anything more,” said she.
Soon thereafter, the Bennet sisters took their leave.
As he watched the carriage disappear down the street, Darcy reflected on the exceptional women he was privileged to call friends, the same women he had not seen clearly those months before in Hertfordshire.
How fortunate he was to have come to his senses.