Chapter 12
Darcy frowned at his reflection in the looking glass.
Having now abandoned his fruitless objections to Charles’s attire, he had allowed Henderson to dress him in a green double-breasted tailcoat, a yellow and white plaid waistcoat, pale-green striped pantaloons, and gleaming Hessian boots.
While he would never have purchased such dandified attire himself, he admitted that they suited Charles to perfection.
After a light tap on the door, Charles entered without a trace of his usual sunny demeanour. His friend was attired in one of Darcy’s favourite combinations, the charcoal-grey coat with a grey herringbone waistcoat. Unfortunately, Charles appeared less than enthused with the neutral colours.
“Henderson chose well this morning,” he said, observing Darcy’s appearance. “I’m sure Miss Bennet will appreciate it, even if you don’t.”
“Take heart, Charles. Your meeting may have been brief last night, but you’ll see her at breakfast. I’ll arrange for her to sit beside you, and you can discuss all your good qualities,” he said, to which Charles offered a half-hearted grin.
“It’s the least I can do to repay you for apologising to Elizabeth on my behalf. ”
Charles dragged his hand through his hair. “What if Henry’s right, and we haven’t considered this properly? What are we missing?”
Unable to answer, Darcy shook his head.
“What if it’s not the weather gods, but some other spirit like faeries or sprites?”
“Because they don’t exist?”
Charles glared in annoyance. “Really, Darcy. I should think that our present situation proves there is evidence to the contrary.”
Darcy released a frustrated breath and conceded the point. Something not of this world had caused this mischief, and he had no better idea of what to do about it than he’d had that night. “Let’s discuss it further after breakfast. Shall we go meet the ladies?”
Charles agreed and followed him out of the master’s chamber and down the stairs, where they found Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth waiting for them in the grand hall. Both ladies bade them good morning as they approached.
“How are you feeling, Miss Bennet?” Darcy inquired, knowing Charles would have done so.
“I am much recovered, Mr Bingley, and wonder if we may impose upon your kindness one last time with the loan of your carriage to convey my sister and me to Longbourn.”
Glancing at Elizabeth, her imploring eyes conveyed her complete agreement with her sister.
“Yes, of course. It shall be no trouble at all,” he said, then signalled to a nearby footman to have the chaise brought around to the front of the house.
Charles took immediate exception. “I beg you to reconsider, Miss Bennet. You’re not fully recovered,” he said. “Perhaps you might consider staying one more day.”
“I thank you for your concern, Mr Darcy, but I’ve already risen from my bed, and there’s not the least need to impose on Mr Bingley and his sisters a moment longer.”
Elizabeth wrapped an arm around her sister. “We thank you most sincerely for your abundant kindness, Mr Bingley, but it’s time for us to go home. I’ll ensure Jane is warmly dressed and in no danger of catching a chill.”
Darcy saw no reason to compel the ladies to stay. “And I’ll supply warm rugs and hot bricks to see to your comfort during the ride home.” When Darcy gave the orders to a waiting footman, both sisters expressed their earnest thanks and hurried up the stairs.
“I wish you had convinced them to stay, Dar—” Charles ducked his head and lowered his voice to a whisper. “Miss Bennet risks her health by going outdoors while she’s ill.”
Darcy led his friend into the sitting parlour and closed the door. “Would you rather keep them here against their will?” he said in a quiet voice. “They have no desire to burden your household.”
“They could never be a burden.”
“Not to you, of course, but what of your sisters? They’ve made no secret of their disapproval.”
Charles sank into a sofa and held his head. “I wish Jane could have stayed for one more day.”
“I know this has been difficult for you, Charles, and I’m sorry for that. You’ll have ample opportunity to pursue her once we’ve sorted everything out. Until then, matters are hopelessly complicated.”
Charles reluctantly agreed and offered no further argument.
When the Bennet sisters were ready to depart with their trunks securely bestowed and the chestnut mare tied to the back of the carriage, they repeated their heartfelt thanks and boarded.
Once the ladies were warmly protected from the morning chill, Lockhart set off down the driveway with the precious cargo.
Charles watched the carriage until it had disappeared from view, then paced frantically. “She ought to have stayed. What if she relapses and her condition worsens?”
“Then she’ll take to her bed at home, where she’ll be far more comfortable and suffer no qualms about imposing on your hospitality, which has been weighing heavily on her mind, as you well know,” Darcy said, attempting to reason with his friend.
Still dissatisfied, Charles continued to pace. “I scarcely exchanged two words with her during her stay.”
“Nor would she have been amenable to a private conversation with you in your present condition, because she’s scarcely acquainted with me,” Darcy said. “You saw for yourself how guarded she was last night.”
Charles groaned and threw up his hands. “I can’t think properly here. I need to go to town.”
“Now?” In Darcy’s opinion, this was the worst possible idea.
“Yes, it’s all so confusing. I must go the instant Lockhart returns with the chaise.”
“Charles, if you would only take a moment to consider—” Upon observing Bingley’s stricken eyes, furrowed brow, and heightened colour, Darcy abandoned this line of thought. “I’ll come with you,” he said, determined to support his friend. “Shall we order our trunks packed?”
“I can’t wait that long. Henderson will fuss and fret over every cravat and handkerchief. We can send for them later. I’ll go mad if I stay another minute.”
Although Darcy couldn’t agree with this strategy, he hoped to use the time to talk some sense into his friend.
A short ride would do no harm and would give them a chance to speak privately, away from the pressures of the house.
They waited in the driveway, and once Lockhart returned with the carriage, Darcy gave the order to head to London and boarded.
As they set out, Charles clung to the strap and absently tapped his feet. When they approached Meryton Road, he closed the curtains so no one could see inside the chaise.
“You’re too impulsive, Charles,” Darcy said once they reached the London Road. “You haven’t completely thought this out.”
Charles raked his fingers through his hair. “I suppose not, but with my sisters watching my every move and their constant complaining and harping, I need to get away.”
Darcy couldn’t deny that he had equal concerns about their situation. “Where should we go?”
“Since Hurst House is locked up, I suppose we should go to your place.”
“Very well. You can give the order that we’re not to be disturbed,” Darcy said, hoping it wouldn’t come to that. If they went to Darcy House, Georgiana would have no shortage of questions that his friend would be unable to answer.
Charles nodded his agreement.
This imprudent escape was exactly what Darcy had come to expect from his friend. He ought to have known that Charles would take flight when the pressure of circumstances out of his control became too difficult. “We left before breakfast. Are you hungry?”
“I can’t think of eating now.”
“You’ll be hungry by the time we reach the Blue Goose. Once you’ve broken your fast, you’ll be able to think more clearly.”
“I never should have taken Netherfield,” Charles said in an agitated tone. “None of this would have happened if I had stayed in town.”
“But you wouldn’t have had the pleasure of being master of your own home. I know you wouldn’t have given that up,” Darcy said, attempting to reason with his friend.
“Perhaps not, but that only lasted a month,” he said with a defeated air. “What are we to do, Darcy? We can’t go on indefinitely as we are. I can’t court Miss Bennet like this.” Charles gestured to his face and body. “It would be scandalous.”
“Don’t tell me you’ve fallen in love again.”
Charles’s eyebrows shot up. “What do you mean?”
“You fall in love with someone new as often as the wind blows. This past summer, it was that lady with the whimsical name…Serenity or Felicity.”
Charles diverted his focus to the floor. “Destiny.”
“And before that it was Lord Crompton’s daughter.”
“Lady Alice.”
“And another one at the Wilson’s party.”
“Melanie,” Charles whispered.
“And too many others to mention – and I have only known you a twelvemonth. There must have been more prior to them.”
“There’s nothing to that,” Charles said with a careless shrug. “It only means I have a warm heart.”
“You’re inconstant, Charles. I doubt you ever really loved any of them.”
“Of course I did.”
“Have you ever mourned their loss?” When Charles stared blankly at this question, Darcy continued. “No, because there was always someone new to take the last one’s place. Just like there will be with this one.”
Charles scowled at this. “No, Darcy, Miss Bennet is different.”
“How so?”
“She’s a gentle soul, kind and unassuming. She never flirts with me or toys with my affections.”
On this point, Darcy couldn’t disagree; she had been perfectly charming last night and had done nothing to put herself forward. “But does she return your affections?”
“Well, that’s what I intend to find out…just as soon as I’m myself again,” Charles said, then squeezed his eyes shut. “Dear Lord, what a hopeless fix we’re in.”
Darcy couldn’t blame his friend for being discouraged, especially with no solutions in sight. Despite this, he maintained a positive stance. “Don’t worry. We’ll come about.”
They travelled in silence until the carriage entered the yard at the Blue Goose. “You’re right,” Charles said. “I’m starving.”