Chapter 19
RETURN TO HERTFORDSHIRE
Fitzwilliam Darcy was not in the habit of changing his mind once it was made up, but his recent resolution to avoid Hertfordshire and Miss Elizabeth Bennet lasted only hours after his cousin’s announcement.
He had lain awake far into the night, contemplating the image of Fitzwilliam courting and perhaps—very well, most likely—winning Miss Elizabeth.
He had in time come to the conclusion that, however much he might despise the very idea of watching it unfold, he must, and not for his own sake, but for theirs.
Colonel Fitzwilliam, though the son of an earl, was not the sole or even the primary gentleman responsible for the credit of his family’s name, and his future estate, while handsome, produced but half Pemberley’s income.
Nor would he also be responsible for two smaller estates and the invested wealth of several generations.
He could marry a lady of no renown and slip into comfortable near-obscurity.
If they became sincerely attached, each to the other, he would find a way to reconcile himself to the fact that his cousin had secured the only lady ever to have truly captured his own interest. He would learn to regard her as a cousin, and an example of what a lady ought to be, and nothing more.
He feared, however, that Miss Elizabeth would be pressed to accept Fitzwilliam even more strongly than she would have been pressed to accept Mr Collins, had not they intervened.
And how different that scheme appeared in retrospect!
Fitzwilliam’s interest in freeing Miss Elizabeth from Mr Collins’s attentions was explained by more than disinterested care for the happiness of an amiable acquaintance.
If she saw Fitzwilliam merely as a friend, he dreaded the eventuality that they might be unhappy together, a probable outcome where one is in love and the other merely likes, and both were too clever to misunderstand the other’s feelings for long.
Darcy resolved that he would remain at Netherfield Park for as long as it took to determine whether Miss Elizabeth truly welcomed Fitzwilliam as a suitor.
If she did not, he would do everything in his power to extricate Fitzwilliam before his honour was engaged.
Bingley’s business could not be fully settled until Monday, so it was only on Tuesday morning that the Darcy carriage once again moved north towards Hertfordshire.
It carried not only the three gentlemen, but two ladies as well: Georgiana Darcy and her companion, Mrs Annesley, who were to spend the Christmas season at Netherfield Park.
Following behind were Mr Hurst, his wife, and her sister, in Bingley’s carriage.
Though Bingley’s sisters had strenuously objected to leaving town, Miss Bingley had in the end been swayed by the knowledge that Mr Darcy would be fixed there through Twelfth Night at the very least, and Miss Darcy with him.
Mrs Hurst, as was usual, followed where her younger sister led, and Mr Hurst, as always, was perfectly happy to go wherever he was promised good food and drink.
Darcy’s sister had been distressed to learn that they would spend the Christmas season apart and had all but begged him to secure an invitation for her to visit Netherfield.
He had then been forced to explain that Wickham was in the area, and though there were plans afoot to remove him from the county within days of their return, he could not with absolute certainty state that she would not catch a glimpse of him.
She accepted this information with a quiet dignity quite removed from the summer’s sighs and tears, and remained unmoved in her wish to pass Christmas wheresoever her beloved brother and cousin might be.
As the carriage made its way along the Great North Road, Georgiana questioned Bingley and Fitzwilliam about the ladies of the area, her interest piqued by a suggestion of Bingley’s that she could look forward to making new friends during her stay.
The eldest two Bennet sisters and Miss Lucas were particularly recommended to her as sensible young ladies, and the Miss Gouldings and Miss Longs were acknowledged as perfectly amiable also, while the younger Bennets, Miss Harrington, and Miss Maria Lucas were admitted to be rather silly.
“I much prefer a silly girl to a mean-spirited one,” Georgiana said, upon receiving this verdict on the girls closest to her own age in the neighbourhood. “I expect I shall get along with them well enough.”
“I am certain you shall, Georgie,” replied the colonel. “And they will be eager to know you. It is not often that new people enter such a small neighbourhood. I hope you will not allow their excitement to make you mute.”
Expecting his sister to duck her head and mumble a response to this tease, Darcy was surprised when she smiled and replied, “I may surprise you, Cousin. My aunt and Mrs Beresford both took me on calls to their friends while you were away, and several of the households included young ladies who were introduced to me. I believe I have learnt how to better conduct myself when forming new acquaintances.”
“What a fine thing!” Bingley exclaimed. “And did you like any of the young ladies?”
“I did, as it happens. There are two I hope to know better, if our time in London coincides in the future.”
“That is the trouble with having only gentlemen as your guardians, I suppose,” Fitzwilliam commented wryly. “Once you have friends, you may call upon them with your companion, but we have lesser means of putting you before those who might become friends than ladies do.”
“You are taking me to a neighbourhood where there are several young ladies of whom you approve, are you not?” she retorted kindly. “Now, tell me what I truly wish to know—do any of them love music?”
The next morning, Darcy and Fitzwilliam visited the militia camp, and met with Wickham in Colonel Forster’s office to present him with his new commission and his ticket on the post-coach to join his new regiment in two days’ time.
The two colonels were diligent in impressing upon the man that failure to appear would be considered desertion, and to advise him of the penalties for such an act.
Wickham, of course, appeared entirely unconcerned, and declared himself more than ready to take up his new post and, as he put it, ‘see a bit more of the world than stuffy old England’.
The smug satisfaction with which he spoke inclined Darcy to believe that Fitzwilliam’s prediction had been realised, and the man expected to rub elbows with nabobs and make himself agreeable to their well-dowered daughters.
Perhaps he would, in time. Colonel Parker had seemed certain they were bound for a rather isolated outpost, but where they might be moved during their stay, it was impossible to predict.
It was also impossible to shield the whole world from him.
They had put him in a position where it should be much less likely that he would have the opportunity to defraud or seduce anyone for some months at least; after that, it would be fate, the army, and Wickham himself who determined the rest.
They would be in Meryton to see Wickham off—to verify that he left as planned, rather—on Friday morning, but until then, Darcy resolved to forget the man as best he could and turn his thoughts to assisting Bingley with his estate, attempting to ensure his cousin’s happiness, and enjoying the daily company of a most beloved sister.
Bingley awaited them impatiently at Netherfield, eager to call upon the Bennets.
Their coats had hardly been dusted off before they must be put on again, and only the eagerness writ plain upon Georgiana’s face stayed her brother from suggesting that they might delay the call until the morrow.
Miss Bingley valiantly attempted to persuade them all to stay, or at least Mr Darcy and dear Miss Darcy, who could have nothing to say to anyone at Longbourn, but she was doomed to be thwarted.
Their party were greeted warmly at Longbourn, though Miss Bennet seemed strangely watchful, almost wary.
He noticed that the loud, forward youngest daughter of the house was not in evidence; he had worried over how Georgiana might receive her and was satisfied to put off the event.
He tried most diligently not to look at Miss Elizabeth at all beyond what civility demanded, though he did discreetly observe the greeting between her and his cousin.
That each was happy to meet the other was clear, but he saw no more than that on either side.
Fitzwilliam was perfectly capable of concealing his thoughts and feelings until he chose to express them, but he was not so intimate with Miss Elizabeth as to determine whether her lack of particular favour was maidenly modesty or a dearth of feeling.
Once Georgiana had been introduced, Mrs Bennet wasted not a second in informing the visitors that her middle daughter was lately engaged to Mr Collins, who had returned to his parish but was expected back the week after next, per a letter received only the day before.
Miss Mary accepted their congratulations with quiet pleasure, and responded favourably to Colonel Fitzwilliam’s comment that he and Darcy attended their aunt in the spring whenever possible, and would be glad to meet her in the environs of Rosings Park in years to come.
“It may be that I shall see you this spring,” she added, “for Mr Collins and I hope to wed before the winter has ended.”
“You will not see me, I am afraid,” the colonel replied. “I have another commitment this spring. But it is likely that Darcy will spend Easter at Rosings as he so often does, is that not right, Cousin?”
Darcy agreed that it was probable, unless some more urgent circumstance called him elsewhere. “I hope you will be happy there, Miss Mary. I am sure you will be comfortable; the parsonage is a handsome house.”
Mrs Bennet eagerly asked for details of the home her daughter would inhabit, and as Miss Mary did not seem disinclined to hear the answer, Darcy, with some assistance from Fitzwilliam, related what he could recall of the place.
While he was thus occupied, Bingley secured the exclusive company of Miss Bennet on the settee by the window, as Georgiana was drawn away by Miss Elizabeth and Miss Catherine.
He had no notion of what they spoke, but she seemed happy enough; her natural diffidence was evident in her expression and posture, but she did not duck her head and mumble at the carpet as she so often had in the company of new acquaintances.
She smiled at times and regarded her companions with real interest. For the first time, he saw in her a young lady instead of a little girl, and he was not entirely certain that the alteration was wholly pleasing to his fraternal feelings.
“It is a great pleasure to meet you, Miss Darcy, and one we had not thought to have,” Elizabeth said. “Your brother and cousin speak very highly of you.”
Miss Darcy blushed becomingly and replied, “They are kinder to me than I deserve. I dare say I have given my family as much trouble as any other girl.”
“We know all about troublesome girls at Longbourn, for we are five sisters!” Seeing Miss Darcy’s gaze pass over the three of them and then Mary across the room, she added, “You have not met our youngest sister, Lydia, and it is likely you will not until Sunday. Apropos to our current subject, she is not allowed to leave the estate without Papa or else Jane and me, a consequence of recent disobedience. She is allowed to attend callers, but has thus far chosen to remain in her room and punish us by withholding her presence.”
“I should not consider being less in company as too dire a penalty, myself,” the young lady said. “I tend to favour solitary pursuits.”
With an air of shyness Elizabeth had rarely, if ever, seen her display, Kitty ventured, “May I enquire as to what those pursuits might be?”
“I love the pianoforte above all things.” There was a note of eagerness in her voice that could not be mistaken. “And I am fond of books and of drawing.”
“Depending on what you like to read, you will be great friends with either Mary or Lizzy, then. They both play and they read ever so many books, though their tastes are vastly different.” Kitty giggled softly after relating this.
They spoke for some time of occupations and accomplishments.
Miss Darcy’s taste in books was fairly similar to Elizabeth’s, though like most girls her age, she was fonder of Gothic novels than Elizabeth could claim to be—her own flirtation with the lurid tales had lasted for perhaps a year and ended some time ago.
Miss Darcy and Kitty found common ground in stitchery, and were speaking of favourite motifs when the gentlemen approached them, leaving Mary with her mother, who could be heard speaking of the wedding breakfast she was planning.
“We have been taking good care of Miss Darcy while you were occupied with my mother’s and sister’s questions,” Elizabeth said.
Mr Darcy replied with a fond smile at his sister, “So I see.”
“Your mother is very excited about the wedding, and your sister seems pleased with her choice,” commented the colonel.
“Mary and Mr Collins seem to share a true affinity,” Kitty said graciously. “We are all very happy for them.”
“Indeed, we are,” Elizabeth agreed fervently.
Kitty giggled and the colonel had a sudden need to cough into his fist. Miss Darcy seemed very interested in this byplay, and Elizabeth chose to explain without reference to his brief attempt to capture her interest. “Mr Collins is a distant cousin of my father’s and, as fate would have it, his closest living male relation, making Mr Collins the heir to Longbourn.
His union with my sister will not only secure their personal happiness, but my mother’s future and that of any of us who are not so fortunate as to marry. ”
“I see. What a wonderful thing for your family,” Miss Darcy replied warmly.
The sisters agreed that it was, and then Colonel Fitzwilliam suggested that it was time they took their leave.
Farewells were said, many intentions of meeting again soon were exchanged between Miss Darcy and her new friends, Mr Bingley was coaxed away from Jane’s side, and the Netherfield party withdrew.
“What a very pleasant young lady Miss Darcy is!” Kitty exclaimed when they were gone. “And her dress! Did you notice how fine and delicate was the printing on the muslin? I should very much like to know where she got it, but I feared it might be gauche to enquire. I do hope we shall be friends.”
Elizabeth was well-pleased to see Kitty considering such things instead of saying whatever came into her head. She thought the desire to make a good impression upon Miss Darcy must be the cause. “She is a sweet creature, is she not? I believe we shall all enjoy knowing her better.”