Chapter IV #2
And with that unceremonious announcement, their brother left the room, leaving two stunned sisters behind.
Of greater concern, Caroline discovered from the butler that Charles had departed only moments after he left the sitting-room.
He had taken a hired post-chaise, of all things, and though Caroline was grateful he left his carriage for their use, she could not imagine what he was thinking.
At least his destination was not Hertfordshire—that would have been an unmitigated disaster!
FITZWILLIAM DARCY WAS unaccustomed to receiving letters from those who were mere acquaintances.
What Miss Bingley had never understood was that Darcy had never considered anyone in Bingley’s family other than the man himself to be any more than an acquaintance.
To receive a letter from a woman who was not his wife or fiancée would have been improper, indeed, yet Darcy would almost have expected a letter from her before receiving one from Gerald Hurst.
The letter was a minor consideration next to the subject in the missive.
Darcy had been peripherally aware of Hurst’s absence from London—the one occasion he could not avoid Miss Bingley, the woman had mentioned it, her reason clear in her desire to know if he had any information on the man’s whereabouts.
Hurst’s company was not so enjoyable that Darcy spoke to him any more than he must, so he told her plainly that he had no notion of the man’s current whereabouts.
Darcy had not even been curious enough to ask Bingley about it, and Bingley had said nothing.
Darcy would not even have been here at this time of year had some business with his solicitor not required his presence.
Darcy had intended to return to Pemberley once he completed it, but the matter had dragged on longer than he expected, and he had decided there was scarcely time to return before Christmas.
Fortunately, Fitzwilliam was in town, as were some other more distant cousins, so Darcy and his sister had spent an agreeable Christmas day, one that did not include the company of Miss Caroline Bingley.
As he read Hurst’s letter that morning, the day after Christmas, he settled back in his chair in his study, toying with his pocket watch as he considered what the other man had said.
That Wickham was making himself agreeable to all and sundry incited no interest; Wickham went about gaining acceptance until his habits made him unwelcome.
Darcy could only suppose that Wickham had likewise run up debts in Meryton and trifled with every shopkeeper’s daughter between Watford and Luton.
What was more troubling was the business of his interest in Miss Elizabeth, though Darcy supposed that her words to him during their dance at Netherfield should have told him that on her side, there was friendship.
Darcy did not suppose Miss Elizabeth was the sort of woman to dally with a bounder like Wickham, and he knew she would see through him before long, despite whatever lies he had fed her upon their first meeting.
To accost her in Sir William’s house was not what Darcy would have expected of Wickham—he was usually too circumspect for that, bestowing his attentions on those unlikely to see through him.
If he had become so depraved as to attempt the seduction of a gentlewoman, Darcy would have expected him to target Miss Lydia Bennet, a girl who would remain ignorant of the trap until it snapped into place around her.
The question was, what was he to do about it?
The reasons for preventing Bingley’s return to Hertfordshire were in force for Darcy, who had an ancient family line to consider, unlike his friend’s less distinguished lineage.
Bingley could marry Miss Bennet and receive a measure of respectability because she was a gentleman’s daughter; in Darcy’s case, he was expected to wed a woman of society, perhaps someone of his mother’s rank.
More common brides were not unknown in his family line, but on the few occasions Darcy had considered his future wife, the notion that she would be a country miss had never been part of his thinking.
That meant that Darcy should not go to Hertfordshire, regardless of how much attention George Wickham was paying to Miss Elizabeth.
The woman had proved too enticing for Darcy’s liking, such that it was wiser to ensure he was not in her company.
But that did not mean he was comfortable with leaving her to her fate at the hands of Wickham.
Hurst’s letter ignited a belated wish to protect the community from a man who, even if he did not want to take responsibility for him anymore, was still someone about whom he possessed pertinent information.
Perhaps he should have done so before when he was staying at Netherfield.
Regardless, what was done was done, and Darcy did not mean to make himself unhappy over it.
A letter to Hurst explaining the details of Wickham’s sins—edited to ensure it mentioned nothing of matters that must remain a secret—would safeguard Miss Elizabeth and the community.
Hurst could take that information to Mr. Bennet, and both men could take it to the colonel of the regiment and the shopkeepers in the town.
That would discharge Darcy’s duty in the matter and keep him from the temptation that was far too intense for his liking.
It has often been said that the most careful plans can come to naught, and the present circumstances were a prime example of the truth of that maxim.
Darcy had determined what he must do and had raised his pen to the paper when he heard the unmistakable sound of approaching footsteps and a knock on his door.
When Darcy called out permission, Monroe, his butler, entered with Bingley close upon his heels.
“Bingley,” said Darcy, rising to greet his friend.
A moment’s observation told Darcy that his friend was not at all happy—an unusual circumstance to be sure.
“Darcy,” was Bingley’s even reply, a further sign that not all was well. “I apologize for coming here in all this state, but I have learned certain facts and wish to ascertain if you are aware of them.”
Though nonplussed, Darcy motioned to the chairs before the fire. “Of course, Bingley. I shall offer what information I can if you explain what you would like to know.”
Bingley thanked him, and when he was seated, he proceeded with a most un-Bingley-like directness. “What I should like to know, Darcy, is what you know about Miss Jane Bennet since we departed from Hertfordshire.”
Darcy paused in the act of sitting, uncertain what Bingley was saying. “I apologize, Bingley, for I have no notion of what you speak. Why should I have any information about Miss Bennet, of all people?”
The way Bingley’s eyes pierced him was most disconcerting. “Perhaps you would have no direct knowledge, but my sister’s character is such that she would crow to you about her cleverness if she had the chance.”
“That chance has not existed, even if she would do so. I have been in your sister’s company but once since coming away from Hertfordshire, and that occasion did not last long.”
Bingley’s frown softened, and he nodded, seeming to remember the occasion. “Then she has not come here on the pretense of visiting Georgiana?”
“We have not had our knocker upon the door since we returned to London, Bingley. The only reason the butler allowed you entry is our friendship. If your sister came, Monroe would tell her that we were not home to visitors.”
Bingley barked a laugh. “Yes, I suppose you are correct. Knowing that your knocker is not up, Caroline will not come—she would not wish others to learn you denied her entrance.”
There was no reason to respond—Bingley understood something of Darcy’s opinion of his sister, though he had never been explicit.
“Then I must ask about your assertions regarding Miss Bennet, Darcy. Since it seems Caroline has not shared her schemes with you, did you conspire with her to keep me in London when I would have preferred to return to Hertfordshire?”
“Conspire is a strong term, Bingley,” said Darcy, not wishing to enter into particulars.
“Miss Bingley and I shared similar concerns about the viability of Miss Bennet as a wife, but we did not plot together. When we met you in London, I allowed Miss Bingley to make her case to you while I focused on the state of Miss Bennet’s feelings, which I considered the more important matter.
If you choose Miss Bennet, that is your choice, but I felt—and I still do today—that if she cannot bring those things society finds so essential to a marriage, she should at least bring affection. ”
“Then what would you say if I told you that you were mistaken about her?”
Darcy regarded his friend, connecting the salient points in an instant. “Might I presume you speak of Hurst’s presence in Hertfordshire?”
“I was not aware that you knew of Hurst’s current location.”
“Hurst has been more energetic of late than either of us thought.” Darcy offered Bingley a knowing smile. “I also received a letter from him.”
The notion intrigued Bingley, but he did not press it for the moment. “You are correct, Darcy. Hurst told me by letter that you were mistaken about Miss Bennet’s affection for me. She is, by his account, quite morose since I left in November.”
“And how does Hurst know that? I should not have thought he was interested in associating with anyone in the neighborhood. As I recall, he had little good to say of them when we were all at Netherfield.”
“Ah, but you forget about my brother’s character. Hurst is not much for socializing, but he loves good food and drink. When he learned of my brother’s presence at Netherfield, Sir William invited him to the annual Lucas Lodge Christmas party, and Hurst spent the day yesterday at Longbourn.”