Chapter 21
On his arrival back at Darcy House, Darcy found a note from Bingley. It had been written the previous day. He broke the seal and opened it.
Netherfield Park
Hertfordshire
Darce,
Depending on when you arrive back here, I may not be returned from delivering my younger sister to her new home yet.
It is my intention to depart the estate with a drugged Caroline (it was the only choice to have her be calm enough for transport) and have her seen by a group of London physicians on the morrow.
As I am sure they will judge her insane, seeing that there is no other explanation, I will deliver her to St Mary Bethlehem Hospital.
(It sounds better than Bedlam does it not?)
As I discussed with you and my family, she will be housed in the side of the hospital, which is not open to the public, and where, for a fee, she will be humanely and well cared for.
You had mentioned your thoughts about Miss Darcy coming to visit us at Netherfield Park once my younger sister was no longer in residence.
If that is still your desire, take this as an official invitation for your sister, and if he is available, Fitzwilliam, to join us.
I understood why you never wanted my younger sister to meet yours.
She would have fawned over her, and knowing how shy Miss Darcy is, my sister’s false friendship would have been difficult for her.
I hope to be back by the end of this week or, at the very latest, the beginning of next.
Your friend,
Bingley
It was sad that Miss Caroline had descended into insanity, much like his Aunt Catherine had, but there was nothing to do other than what Bingley was doing. Darcy gave thanks to God above that other than Anna’s lapse in judgement in Ramsgate, his sister never gave him trouble.
That thought reminded him that he needed to call at Matlock House.
First, he would ask his aunt and Richard’s opinions, and if they agreed it was a good idea, he planned to invite Anna and Mrs Annesley to join him the next day when he returned to Hertfordshire.
Darcy admitted to himself that there was an ulterior motive.
He wanted Anna and Richard to meet Miss Elizabeth.
For the former, he wanted to see how she interacted with the lady, and for the latter, he desired Richard’s opinion.
He trusted his cousin’s judgement above all others.
Darcy knew it was very early, and he was aware that nothing may ever occur between him and Miss Elizabeth.
Even so, he felt that Anna being among the Misses Bennet would be advantageous to her.
He was certain they would be able to draw her out some, and since they were much closer in age to her—the youngest two especially—Anna would make friends with genteel girls of her own age.
Understanding that he was putting the cart before the horse; first, he needed to see those at Matlock House.
To that end, he left his study and then his house without his greatcoat.
It was a cold day, but given the short distance, Darcy did not worry about the temperature.
He strode across the green with long strides and was knocking on his aunt and uncle’s door a minute or two later.
The butler opened the door and stood aside to let Mr Darcy enter. “Lady Matlock and Master Richard are in the family sitting room,” the long-time retainer revealed before being asked.
After thanking the butler who had been employed in the house since before Darcy was born, he climbed the marble stairs two at a time until he reached the second floor. He marched down the hallway at speed until he arrived at the relevant door where he stopped and knocked.
“Enter,” Lady Matlock called out.
“William, what brings you here?” Fitzwilliam enquired. “Are you missing my stimulating company already?”
“So stimulating you put me to sleep,” Darcy riposted with a grin.
“Boys!” Lady Matlock admonished. “William, I am sure you are not here to banter with your cousin, and I certainly need not be present for that. Was there a particular reason you wanted to see us, or are you here to see Anna?”
“I do need to speak to Richard, but before I do, I need both of your opinions,” Darcy revealed.
Seeing Aunt Elaine and Richard looking at him expectantly, Darcy proceeded.
“I was thinking of asking Anna if she would like to join me in Hertfordshire, and I wanted to hear your thoughts on the matter. Before you reply, the shrew is no longer present, and she will never return. I would not have suggested Anna join me had Miss Caroline still been resident at the estate.”
“Has that harpy finally worn out her welcome in her brother’s household?” Lady Elaine queried.
“You may say that,” Darcy replied. “In fact …” He told Aunt Elaine and Richard about Miss Caroline’s behaviour and her eventual descent into madness. He ended with the news that she would soon be Lady Catherine’s neighbour in the hospital.
“With the tales I have heard about the younger Miss Bingley, it does not shock me that she has ended up as she has.” Lady Matlock looked from her son to her nephew.
“As far as Anna accompanying you into Hertfordshire, I think it will be good for her, especially as she believes you do not want her company.” She held up her hand to stem the protests.
“William, I know you spoke to her before you left. Mrs Annesley and I believe that this feeling of hers is part of her way of addressing the guilt she feels.”
“I have no objection as long as it is what Anna desires,” Fitzwilliam added.
“Rich, do you have available leave?” Darcy asked.
“Yes, I do. After all of my time on the Peninsula, I have some months’ worth due to me,” Fitzwilliam replied. “Why do you ask?”
“Bingley invited you to come to Netherfield Park to be hosted for as long as you chuse to stay. And, I am sure that Anna will feel even more comfortable if she knows that both of us will be there with her,” Darcy explained.
“Did I fail to mention that there is a family with five beautiful daughters at the neighbouring estate? Two are not out and are very close to Anna in age.”
Mother and son looked at one another. Neither of them had heard William speak so positively about any young ladies who were not his sister. And he wanted Anna to know them!
“If Anna agrees to accompany you, I will as well,” Fitzwilliam decided.
Hearing the very pleasant chords of pianoforte music emanating from the first floor where the music room was located, Darcy knew where he would find his sister. He stood and made his way down to where his sister and her companion were.
“William!” Anna exclaimed excitedly.
Darcy saw the instant she caught herself and the joy left her and his sister’s eyes pointed at the floor.
“Anna, I am very happy to see you.” Darcy saw the eyes lift and a somewhat sceptical look in them.
“Anna, dear sister, how would you like to join me at Netherfield Park, the estate Mr Bingley is leasing in Hertfordshire?” He invited her.
“Y-you w-w-want m-me t-t-to j-join you?” Anna stammered disbelievingly.
“Of course I do! Anna, think back, when have you ever known me to say something I do not mean?” Darcy responded. “Have I not told you, many more times than once, how I blame those who manipulated you and even myself far more than I do you?”
Anna nodded. “I thought you wanted to be away from me and my shame,” she said softly.
“That is not right!” Darcy exclaimed forcefully. “You and I are the only members of our branch of the Darcy family left in the world. There is nothing you can do that will ever cause me to not want to be in your company.”
“You really do want me to accompany you?” Anna saw her brother’s emphatic nod. “But is not Miss Caroline Bingley there? She is the lady you said you do not want me to meet, is she not?”
“That is why I am asking this now. Miss Caroline is no longer present.” Darcy decided that the days of not telling his sister the truth about things that he thought were distressing were over.
He related a sanitised version of Miss Caroline’s loss of her grip on reality and what her brother was busy doing.
“It pleases me that you are willing to tell me that and not treat me like a delicate flower,” Anna stated with a half-smile.
“Richard will travel with us,” Darcy added.
“And even better, I will make you known to the Bennet sisters…” He told his sister what he knew of them, holding back the information that he was attracted to the second Miss Bennet.
“I think Bingley may be interested in the eldest Miss Bennet.” He paused and repeated his invitation.
“Have you reached a decision about travelling with me to Netherfield Park?”
She went silent again, and from the way her eyebrows were knit together, Darcy could see she was considering something difficult. He remained quiet and allowed Anna time to cogitate.
“Before I answer that, I have a question. You said I would meet these sisters, and you say they are very well-behaved and genteel.” Anna watched her brother nod and confirmed what she had said was correct. “Then would I not be dishonest if I did not tell them how bad I was?”
“It is your story to tell, if you chuse to do so, but it is hardly necessary when first meeting them,” Darcy replied. “However, as I said whether or not you tell them will be your decision.”
“Will they not be disgusted with me and want nothing more to do with me once they know what I was willing to do?” Anna worried.
“The Bennets are not judgemental. Let me tell you about my faux pas and how they forgave me and accepted me as a friend regardless…” Darcy told of his statement at the assembly and everything that occurred afterwards.
“They were very understanding, especially Miss Elizabeth, the second eldest of the five, and she was the one whom the insult most affected. The question remains, would you like to join Richard and me and travel to Netherfield Park?”