Chapter 1.11 #2
By now, Bingley’s countenance had darkened, and he was looking at Darcy with great attention.
“And what about not informing you regarding their coming to Town? Do you really think the letter was lost as Mrs Gardiner politely suggested? Or perhaps Caroline forgot again! However, as Miss Jane herself pointed out, your sister did not forget to mention to her that you were closely engaged with Georgiana and me. Can you not understand the true meaning of that?”
He looked pointedly at his, by now, thoughtful friend and shook his head.
“Moreover, we must take into consideration a further effect. After our open display of preference at the ball, our sudden departure and failure to return without any proper explanation no doubt exposed us to the censure of the whole neighbourhood for caprice and instability, and probably left the ladies to its derision for disappointed hopes. I can only imagine what gossip was spread through Meryton!”
As Darcy spoke, Bingley’s face expressed a tumult of feelings he had never experienced in such depth. Every moment of their visit replayed in his mind, and he at length correctly interpreted what he had seen with his own eyes but failed to comprehend.
“What a simpleton I have been; I cannot believe it! I am a stupid, stupid man; I do not deserve Jane Bennet! All this time Caroline made her believe that I had abandoned her and was now engaged to Georgiana! How shall I ever face her again? Not only did I stupidly trust Caroline without question, I could not offer Jane the smallest consolation or comfort, as I was not perceptive enough to understand her distress. It was you, my friend, who better understood the woman I love. How can that be?”
He was so furious that his face had turned completely red, a state in which Darcy never had seen him in the whole course of their acquaintance. His own rage quite vanished in the face of his friend’s distress.
“Bingley, calm yourself. All is arranged now, and you will be able to face Miss Bennet quite well, I should say. And she will be equally pleased to see you again, I am sure.”
Bingley just shook his head and ran his fingers through his light hair. “I cannot control myself, Darcy. I am so hurt by my sister, disappointed in myself, and ashamed for what I made the Bennets endure.”
“Bingley, no one blames you. You are one of the best and most considerate men I have ever known. But it is true that your sister has gone too far this time; she intentionally deceived us all, and that is not acceptable.”
“I agree with you, Darcy, and I shall not try to excuse her. I am sure we both know what her motivation has been, but no motivation could justify such outrageous behaviour,” said Bingley in complete embarrassment.
“We are in full agreement, Bingley. Happily, everything turned out well before any permanent damage occurred.”
“Yes, Darcy, and that is only thanks to you.”
The carriage stopped at Darcy’s house, but Bingley refused the invitation to enter, promising he would stop to collect Darcy for their visit later that evening. Presently, he was extremely anxious to speak to his sister.
∞∞∞
Bingley reached his own house and with dispatch inquired after Caroline, finding her in the dining room with Louisa.
Good, this is even better, thought he, entering slowly and endeavouring to maintain a serene countenance.
“Charles, what a surprise! I am so happy to see you! How is dear Georgiana? I hope she is well?”
“Yes, thank you, Caroline, she is acceptably well and improving.”
“I am sure your presence nearby was appreciated by her and Mr Darcy, Charles. I would have been close to her too if Mr Darcy had allowed me to be. However, curiously, he refused to admit me. That must have been because Georgiana was more desirous to see you than me.”
She exchanged an insinuating glance with her sister, and then turned to her brother, only to find a stern face in the place of his typically joyous smile. “Come brother, we all know how fond you are of Georgiana, and from what I saw, both families are pleased by the attachment.”
“Caroline, I cannot believe how superficial you are to think such a frivolous thing while Georgiana was dying! I was not escorting her to a ball, for heaven’s sake!”
Both women looked at him, shocked by his tone. He tried to calm himself, poured a glass of wine, and then took a place on the settee facing them.
“Caroline, I have wanted to ask you for some time now. Has there been any news from Hertfordshire?”
The sisters exchanged a glance, but Caroline quickly regained her usual spirits. “No Charles, not a word. Jane never replied to my second letter.”
“I find it unusually curious that not a single word of compassion or support has been sent for Darcy’s sister; after all, the Bennets were quite closely acquainted with him.”
“Well, Charles, perhaps they were not in the least interested in the poor girl’s suffering, or maybe they have found another subject of interest in the neighbourhood. As for what would be politely required, even you must have noticed that the Bennets were not very proficient in that respect.”
Both she and Louisa began to titter, making Bingley’s glass tremble in his hand with rage. He looked at them as though seeing them for the first time in his life and then leaned back in his seat. His face wore an unusually harsh expression, and his eyes were dark-blue steel.
“But, Caroline, you did explain to them about Georgiana’s accident, did you not? Darcy specifically asked me, and I told him you did so.”
“Yes, of course I did as you required. I am a woman of my word.”
“That is indeed very odd, because you see, dear sister, both Darcy and I just paid a delightful visit to the Gardiners’ house in Gracechurch Street, and we spent a few pleasant hours with Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth!”
His sharp, mocking voice alone would have been sufficient to worry Caroline, but his revealing words caused her to choke on a slice of teacake. She began to cough, her eyes widened in shock. Her face grew red in a desperate attempt not only to breathe but also to find a proper answer.
Bingley watched her with an unfeeling, ironic glare, making no move to help her as Louisa rose hastily to bring her sister a glass of water. Eventually, taking a few violent gulps of water, Caroline stopped coughing and opened her mouth, attempting to utter a few words, but her brother continued.
“You can imagine our surprise when we heard the Bennets were completely unaware of the accident and their surprise when Darcy related the whole story to them.”
His countenance was such as his sister had never seen before. For the first time, both Caroline and Louisa were aware of who was the undeniable master of the house and that he was greatly displeased.
Swallowing more water, Caroline finally found speech.
“Charles, that is indeed a surprise. When did dear Jane come to town?”
“Yesterday, Caroline, as she announced to you in her last letter—the one you did not receive, as you just assured me.”
“Indeed, I did not receive it. What delightful news. I shall go and pay her a visit today, I long to see my dear friend again. She is such a sweet, dear girl.”
“Caroline, do not toy with me a moment longer. Your behaviour was below anything I ever could have imagined, and I shall never forget it. You have deliberately disregarded my wishes and intentionally deceived Miss Bennet and her family, as well as Darcy and me.”
His voice was so strong and intense that even the servants were startled; it was the first time they had heard their master’s voice raised in anger.
“Charles, you forget yourself! How dare you speak to your sister in such a manner?” Louisa interrupted, but Bingley’s eyes were full of rage, and she almost felt a blow from the force of his angry countenance.
“Not a word from you either, Louisa! I am convinced you were fully aware of everything! And if Caroline is displeased with my manner, she is free to leave this house at any time.”
He turned his gaze from one to another, furiously clenching his fists. “How dare you? This is beyond imagination.” With that, he went to the door, turning his back on his sisters.
“Charles, please allow me to explain. You must know how much I love you and that everything I have done was for your benefit. I shall speak to Jane Bennet. It was just a misunderstanding; I am sure she will understand.”
“No explanation is possible, Caroline. Indeed, Jane Bennet will forgive you, for she has the most generous and kind nature. You would do much better to prepare a brilliant explanation for Darcy—that is, if he ever allows you near his person.” With that, Bingley strode briskly from the room.
Caroline trembled in panic as she saw her many, well-prepared plans ruined in an instant.
She was convinced once more that it was entirely Eliza Bennet’s fault.
As soon as her brother was out of hearing, her rage burst forth: “I hate her, I hate her…” causing the servants to shake their heads in shocked wonderment.
∞∞∞
Darcy entered his house half-pleased with his day and half-afraid to hear unfavourable news about his sister.
He went directly to her room and found her sleeping, her maid in one chair and the nurse in another. After the freshness of winter air, Darcy could detect the heavy odour of sickness. A wave of grief washed over him as he regretted his sister could not enjoy the refreshing weather outdoors.
He approached the bed and looked at Georgiana. She appeared childlike, her pale face thin, still bearing the evidence of illness. Darcy leaned closer and put the back of his hand to her forehead. He was relieved; she had no fever and seemed to be sleeping peacefully.
At his tender touch, she opened her eyes and smiled at her brother. “William, I am so happy to see you.” She breathed in deeply, closing her eyes in pleasure. “Brother, you smell like winter! Did it snow?”
“Yes it did, sweeting,” Darcy said as he returned her smile, placing a kiss on her forehead. “How are you feeling today?”