Chapter IX
Darcy was not at all happy to be taken to task by his much younger sister, but an uncomfortable feeling in his breast told him that he deserved it.
For a time after Georgiana left his chambers, Darcy stewed, not resentful toward her but at the situation.
Had he not stayed silent for her benefit, to protect her reputation?
Georgiana bore some fault for allowing Wickham to court her and persuade her to elope with him.
Darcy had done nothing more than spare her the consequences of those actions.
It was not long, however, before Darcy’s thoughts began to turn in the proper direction.
The reason Georgiana had trusted Wickham was that Darcy had not seen fit to warn her, never suspecting Wickham capable of such connivance.
There was some validity to his contention about protecting her reputation, but it was more complicated than that.
Darcy had spent so many years dealing with Wickham’s excesses that he wanted nothing more than to rid himself of anything to do with him forever.
It was as much that desire as the need to protect her that stayed Darcy’s hand.
That night, Darcy slept little, his head filled with his sister’s words and his reflection on his past with Wickham.
When the morning arrived, he rose as usual, but he was more reserved, not wishing to speak to anyone.
Georgiana accepted this without comment, taking herself to the sitting-room after they broke their fast. Bingley, however, invited Darcy to his study, and though Darcy was not eager to have his friend’s company, he assented.
Bingley wasted no time when they entered.
“Darcy,” said he, his expression unusually stern, “what is troubling you?”
Though Darcy would have preferred to demur and change the subject—and made the attempt—his friend proved equal to every effort at deflection.
Soon, for the second time in two days, Darcy found himself explaining his thoughts to another.
While he thought of softening it for his friend, he opted in the end to explain all, including Wickham and their past together, as well as his concerns about the Bennets.
He even told Bingley an abbreviated version of the affair at Ramsgate.
It was to Bingley’s credit that he did not become angry or judge or otherwise rail against Darcy for his opinions.
Instead, he listened, asking questions occasionally, but generally allowing Darcy to unburden himself.
When he finished, Bingley sat deep in thought for several moments.
“Let me discuss Wickham first,” said Bingley at length. “As I am removed from the situation, I believe I can offer advice untainted by sentiment.”
“I would appreciate that, Bingley,” said Darcy, feeling humbler than he had in many months.
“In short, I agree with your sister.” Bingley flashed Darcy his irrepressible grin. “It may surprise you to learn of it, but it is true all the same. This Wickham sounds like the sort of man who would ruin another for sport, but I cannot imagine he would find much encouragement here.”
Darcy regarded his friend. “What of society’s need to gossip?”
“Perhaps they will,” replied Bingley. “Given what you have told me of Wickham, I suspect that once his activities since arriving become common knowledge, no one will listen to what he says. It will sound too much like the fox and the grapes.”
With a slow nod, Darcy said: “I had not thought of it that way.”
“That is understandable, my friend—your concern is for your sister’s reputation. The gossips can be senseless, but even the most determined among them can see when a man is intent on revenge.”
“Then I suppose I must do something about Wickham,” said Darcy with a sigh.
“Perhaps,” agreed Bingley. “Yet I think you need to do little. A few words spoken to the right people will see Wickham dealt with in a most satisfying manner—Colonel Forster, for example.”
“You are correct, of course. I shall not act at once, for I wish to ensure the danger to Georgiana’s reputation is minimal.”
“Of course, old man,” agreed Bingley. “With your careful nature, I expected nothing less. I do not suppose Wickham can burn the town down in one day.”
Darcy nodded, but Bingley moved on to the other matter.
“Now, regarding Miss Bennet and my attentions to her, I hope you will forgive me, Darcy, but the notion that Miss Elizabeth means to see me married to Jane at all costs is preposterous.”
Never having heard his friend speak so decisively, Darcy could not help responding with a grin. “Oh? And how can you be so certain?”
“Because she is intelligent enough to understand that she needs to make no such effort. I am more than willing—she need do nothing I have not already determined to do myself.”
Though Darcy tried to discover some way of refuting his friend’s claim, nothing came to mind.
Instead, Darcy reflected that he had always had the highest opinion of Miss Elizabeth’s character.
Was suspecting her of a false desire to ensure Bingley proposed to her sister not the opposite of such sentiments?
“Furthermore,” said Bingley, “I have proof that none of the Bennet sisters will marry where they do not like.”
“Oh?” asked Darcy. “What is that?”
“Do you recall that parson relation of the Bennets? The man who attended my ball?”
Darcy’s grin turned sardonic. “How could I forget? The man is so ridiculous, I wonder that even my aunt, who has a penchant for attracting such people to her, could find him.”
“Aye, he was more than a little absurd,” agreed Bingley. “Would it surprise you to learn that Collins proposed to Miss Elizabeth?”
Darcy’s laughter froze in his mouth. The oafish Mr. Collins, servile and stupid, parson to his aunt, who was herself quite ridiculous, had proposed to the intelligent, witty, magnetic Miss Elizabeth Bennet?
Then he recalled Collins’s behavior at the ball, the disastrous dances, the simpering smirks, the way he had bedeviled her all evening, and he understood what it must have meant, belated though it was.
“I see you understand,” said Bingley. “That night, my attention was exclusively on Miss Bennet, but even I recalled something of it when Miss Bennet spoke of it.”
“But she is not engaged to him.” Though he believed it, there was a part of him that was desperate for Bingley’s confirmation, to know she had not yielded and agreed to marry a man so decidedly beneath her by every reasonable standard.
“No, she is not. According to Miss Bennet, Collins proposed the day after the ball, but Miss Elizabeth would hear nothing of it. When her father supported her right to make her own decision, all Mrs. Bennet’s cries to the contrary meant nothing.”
With effort, Darcy pushed this all to the side and returned his attention to the previous discussion. “Then you contend that Miss Bennet will not accept you if she does not wish it because her sister already refused an offer of marriage.”
“Yes,” said Bingley. “If Mr. Bennet will support one sister’s marriage refusal, then it is reasonable to suppose he would do it for all the sisters.”
Though Darcy was not certain he wished to confess it, Bingley’s reasoning was sound. “What of Mrs. Bennet?”
“What of her? Miss Bennet has told me that neither she nor Miss Elizabeth agrees with her mother’s opinions about the marriage state.
” Bingley paused and offered a wry grin.
“Mrs. Bennet’s opinions appear to be rather lax.
She fears the entail, so she is determined that her daughters will marry—the identity of those future husbands matters little to her. ”
“Many in society hold similar opinions,” observed Darcy.
“That they do, my friend. Miss Bennet understands her mother’s concerns, but she wishes for something more in life than a cold alliance with a man for the sake of future security.”
“That is short-sighted,” said Darcy. “Her principles will be cold comfort if she ends in genteel poverty like so many.”
Bingley’s expression tightened, but he did not appear angry. “Perhaps it is, but I shall point out two facts. The first is that she will never face genteel poverty if I have anything to say about it. The second is that her ‘principles,’ as you call them, work to my favor, so I shall not complain.
“Darcy,” said Bingley, serious and resolved, “I do not require you to agree with my choice. All I require is your acceptance. Please desist and do not suggest Miss Bennet is false, for I will not have it. Her integrity is proven to my satisfaction—that is all that matters.”
There was little Darcy could do but accept his friend’s request. Even now, Darcy harbored some hope that he might bring his friend to see reason, though all hope seemed vain. From this moment, however, he must keep his opinions to himself lest he endanger their friendship.
Soon thereafter, they left the study in search of Georgiana.
Though Darcy might have thought they would find her at the pianoforte if Mrs. Annesley had not pulled her into lessons, no sounds of music echoed through Netherfield’s halls.
They found her in the sitting-room a short time later, but she was not alone—Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth had come to visit.
“MISS DARCY HAS INVITED you to Netherfield!” exclaimed Mrs. Bennet when Jane explained the contents of the letter that had arrived only a few moments earlier.
“Yes, Mama,” replied Jane. “The invitation includes both Lizzy and me.”
A shadow crossed Mrs. Bennet’s face. “Lizzy? What has she to do with it? Why should Miss Darcy invite her?”
“Perhaps because I am her friend,” replied Elizabeth, caring little for her mother’s display. “As of yesterday’s visit, Miss Darcy and I have agreed to forgo formality between us.”
Though surprised, Mrs. Bennet soon turned calculating. “Yes, of course. I understand her perfectly! Miss Darcy means to allow Mr. Bingley time alone with Jane, and you will help her accomplish it!”