Chapter 4
Closing the Night at Netherfield Park
“I cannot tell you when I last had so enjoyable an evening. What think you, Darcy?” Bingley said by way of opening conversation when he, Bingley, and Miss Bingley settled in the drawing room for a drink. The Hursts had chosen to retire upon their return to Netherfield.
“Charles, please stop. Mr. Darcy does not need a recitation. He was there,” Miss Bingley snapped.
“I quite agree with you, Bingley,” said Darcy. “I am glad to know you enjoyed the evening, for we ourselves had little time to speak. Tell me, how did you find the lovely Miss Bennet?”
Darcy knew he was being rude and would ask his mother’s forgiveness in his prayers.
But he also knew his mother would turn in her grave should Miss Bingley ever become the next mistress of Pemberley.
And he hoped Bingley might ignore his sister’s chastisement and seek a future without reference to someone who cared so little about his felicity.
“She is a veritable angel.”
“Indeed, she is.”
Darcy gave his agreement, then sipped his brandy.
Looking down into the glass, he saw the color of Miss Elizabeth’s irises.
The illusion of the liquid expanding as the glass was raised reminded him of her eyes widening while they danced.
He felt a warm sensation in his chest when the rim of the glass touched his lips.
He knew it was possible to drown in this amber, the same as he felt compelled to drown himself in her eyes.
“Perfect. You have found another angel,” Miss Bingley said with a dismissive motion of her hand.
“I will not countenance any further remarks toward those of Hertfordshire,” Bingley said. “It is done without cause, and you are cruel without provocation, Caroline.”
“Nor will I subject my sister to such lies or cutting remarks about those who live here when they have done naught but welcome you. I shall remove with Ana to the inn tomorrow.” Darcy set his drink on the table and then walked toward the door.
“I have spoken in haste. I am only tired, Darcy.” Miss Bingley jumped to her feet.
“I know you speak this way of any lady whom I converse with. I will tolerate it no longer,” Darcy said, his tone even. “I will not subject my sister to such ridicule anymore. It may be asking too much, for I hear little else from you, Miss Bingley.”
Miss Bingley gasped, and Darcy was satisfied she understood. He bid his friend goodnight, then left the room.
Bingley Gives His Sister Fair Warning
“Caroline, sit.” Bingley was gratified that she complied without protest. “It is past time you accept that Darcy will never consider you. You will never hold a position in his life beyond that of being a friend’s sister. My sister.”
“I have just come to understand so, Charles,” Caroline admitted, her eyes pooling with tears.
“But can you accept it?”
“What do you care? You have warned me against pinning my hopes on him these many years.”
“I care”—Bingley took his sister’s hand, kneeling beside the chair she had collapsed into—“because you are my sister and I love you. I have only known a protective love for you, though I am uncertain you have loved me a single day of your life.”
“You are my brother. Of course, I love you.”
Bingley assessed his sister to determine if even she believed the words she spoke. In the end, however, it mattered little. He loved her and wanted to believe he, at least, had her respect. One day, he hoped she might love him in return.
“Then show me. Show Louisa you value her as your older sister, that you are happy for her and the life she has chosen, which has elevated her to the landed gentry. And also because she is happy. Show me you do not seek reasons to be angry with me every day. Be our sister, for we have ever been brother and sister to you. Show us it matters to you that we love you.” Bingley handed her his handkerchief.
“I will try.”
“You will have to do more than try, or you will find yourself unwelcome to either of our homes.
I will not allow you to abuse my wife as you have abused me.
Further, Darcy is not the reason you are here.
Be solicitous of my friend and his sister, but you are my sister and have offered to be my hostess.
I now take steps to fulfill our father's dying wish. I am learning estate management from Darcy because I intend to be a good master when I purchase one.”
“I am certain you shall be, Charles. I, however, have created a bit of a quandary in proclaiming to my friends that Darcy would offer for me. My failure has made me too much of a fool to find a husband from amongst the circles in London,” Caroline said, shamefaced.
“Wish Darcy every success in the quest to find a lady who will love him, as I one day hope to be loved by my wife. It is time you give others the happiness they hope you find.”
Bingley held his hand out when he stood. Once she gave him her own, he kissed it and escorted her up the stairs. In their family wing, they heard Louisa laughing in the rooms she occupied with her husband.
“He loves her?” Caroline asked, expressing every sign of surprise.
“Would I allow him to marry our sweet sister if I did not believe so? And he does not drink so much or often as you accuse him. He uses the ruse to ignore your cutting remarks because I asked him to temper his anger toward you.”
“Ever my protector. I will apologize to our sister and brother-in-law tomorrow.” Caroline rested her hand on the door to her rooms.
“A great place to start.” Bingley kissed her cheek.
“Start,” Caroline whispered.
Hearing the courtesy of apologizing to her maid for making her wait before his sister shut her door, Bingley found satisfaction. That was the Caroline he so dearly loved.
Miss Darcy Sees Her Wish Realized
Gratified to see his sister sitting already in the breakfast room and at the table, Darcy bent to kiss her cheek.
“Why are you surprised, Brother? I am nervous. I know I said I wished for the opportunity to make a friend, but this? To be invited to visit her home for the whole day? That I did not expect.” Georgiana looked at him over her teacup.
“When you heard of the Miss Bennets, you charged me to meet them and learn all I could about the ladies. Bingley and I discussed yesterday our good fortune to dance with three of the Miss Bennets: Miss Jane Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, and Miss Mary. Additionally, there are two Miss Lucases. To set you at ease, Miss Elizabeth is on her way here to escort you to Longbourn in our coach. Unless you prefer to refuse the invitation, you are to spend the day in delightful company.”
“Oh, you are the best of brothers. Allowing me to cry off when I demanded the opportunity you not only granted, but in such a measure? You are certain she will come so far to meet me?” Georgiana moved to hug him.
“I recited her words yesterday, her enjoyment found walking out in the morning and finding equal pleasure in meeting you here at half nine.”
Brother and sister glanced at the clock to see that it was between a quarter after the hour and half past.
“She could be here even now.” Georgiana gulped her tea.
“I can assume, with four of her own, she, too, is against pressing her sisters to be quick with their tea as I am.”
“Will she like me?”
“I can say with certainty that she is determined to. She declared an intention to collect you, informing me that you would break your fast with the Bennets and stay with them for the greater part of the day. Later this morning, the Miss Lucases will also be at Longbourn. They all sew together, I understand. I will see you later when Bingley and I come for tea.”
“Oh, this sounds like it is to be a wonderful sort of day.”
“I hope you find from among the Miss Bennets and the Miss Lucases a new friend, perhaps more than one. Miss Elizabeth says her youngest two sisters are in need of tempering. Do not be afraid, just be yourself.”
“I am certain I can be myself, if the fearful version.”
“No need, though you will not believe me until you meet them. I do not think Bingley went a full hour without speaking of Miss Bennet’s goodness yesterday.
Did you notice that I did not refute him, nor did anyone else?
I spoke true when I said I found myself quite at ease in the company of the Miss Bennets and when dancing with Miss Lucas. ”
“Impossible.”
“I had always thought so, but it is true. I did not feel like a stranger to them, nor did they to me. And, as we saw yesterday, Miss Bingley is making efforts toward change.”
“But not the impetus, for we had little time alone.”
“I informed her that, should she continue to disparage other ladies and the neighborhood in general, we would stay elsewhere. Though I cannot be certain she is capable of breaking the habit, I do appreciate her attempts to curb her tongue. Now, let us enjoy a morning walk in the garden whilst we await Miss Elizabeth’s arrival. ”
“I am so happy, Brother. If only you were to be with me, I should be more comfortable with your new friends.”
“I suspect you will also appreciate Miss Elizabeth’s candor. I find it refreshing.”
Darcy affected a sheepish sort of grin, knowing it would make Georgiana laugh. He informed the man in the entryway that they needed no aid, assisting her into her spencer himself. They had no more than opened the door when they heard a cheery “good morning” from the formal gardens.
“Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy hailed. “May I introduce you to my sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy?”
“Miss Darcy,” Miss Elizabeth said in her delightful way while dipping a respectful curtsey.
“It was gracious of you to walk all this way and to invite me to your home today.”
“Oh, Miss Darcy, you have everything quite backward. You shall relieve the tedium of our routine. You are fortunate. It is the one day every month we might have news that our friends do not already know. I will also beg the use of your sewing skills. You, in fact, are doing us the favor. I will explain some of the finer aspects of our household so that you are not made too uncomfortable by my family. As to the other foibles, I will leave you to make your own judgment. We shall see you this afternoon, Mr. Darcy.”
“Bingley and I very much look forward to having tea with you and your sisters.” Darcy walked the ladies toward his carriage.
“Mr. Darcy, I know you are trusting me with the dearest of your treasures. I promise she is safe and will be treated with care,” Miss Elizabeth said, climbing in after Georgiana.
“I never thought anything less.”
“If we should walk out today, do be aware. The geese around the pond are territorial, and the greatest danger on the estate aside from tedium, Miss Darcy.”
“I…thank you.”
Darcy took a moment to enjoy his sister’s nonplussed mien. He understood the sentiment. He was careful who he introduced her to. And in this instance, he knew only pleasure at their meeting, for Miss Elizabeth had been warm and gracious from the first moments of their acquaintance.
“Now, are you really this shy? I do hope not. We will require you to tell us all about you,” Miss Elizabeth said, taking her hand.
“I am not at all interesting.”
“We have all lived together and heard the same stories so long, anything you say will be interesting, and I hope we will be interesting to you.” Miss Elizabeth squeezed her hand and indicated that Darcy should close the door.
Watching the chaise amble down the drive with his sister, Darcy wondered if the carriage also carried his hopes within.