Chapter V
By the following morning, the need to speak to Miss Elizabeth about her sister had become urgent.
Darcy had not misunderstood Bingley’s continual questions to Mr. Gardiner about the Bennets, his unfeigned interest in Miss Elizabeth, the unusual abruptness with which he responded to his sister’s efforts to undermine her.
Bingley still imagined Miss Bennet as the woman who fulfilled all his wishes for a wife.
It was high time for him to learn the truth, but Darcy would say nothing unless he had a reasonable expectation that Miss Bennet would welcome his return.
Darcy rose early, intending to make his way to Lambton and obtain the assurance he required. If he received it, and he did not doubt he would, Darcy intended to confess to Bingley when he returned to Pemberley. What he had not considered was Miss Bingley, determined to prevent his departure.
“Mr. Darcy,” said the woman in a tone she considered silky.
She had clearly been waiting for him. Difficult though it was, Darcy suppressed a grimace at her dogged persistence.
In all the time he had known her—during a previous visit to Pemberley, two months at Netherfield, and his observation of her habits in London—she had never been an early riser.
She was one of those curious women who appeared to believe town hours were fashionable and should prevail even when in the country.
Darcy had thought it a reasonable assumption that he could go to Lambton and perhaps even return before she stirred from her room.
Miss Bingley’s desperation must be acute.
“Miss Bingley,” said Darcy, bowing not an inch deeper than he owed to a guest at his estate. “I hope everything in your room is to your satisfaction—I had not expected to see you about so early.”
“There is nothing amiss with my bedchamber, Mr. Darcy,” said Miss Bingley, though her tone told him that something else was not to her taste. “It is fortunate that I have come across you this morning. Shall we break our fast together, then perhaps take a turn in Pemberley’s gardens?”
Coquettish was the only way to describe the smile she gave him, but Darcy was unmoved by her attempt. “I apologize, Miss Bingley, but I have already had breakfast.”
Miss Bingley’s face fell, but Darcy took no notice. “Perhaps once you and your family have eaten, we may all tour the gardens together.”
“It is no trouble to go now,” said Miss Bingley, though she did not appear pleased at his suggestion that they all go together. “I shall take breakfast when we return.”
“Now is the best time for you to break your fast, Miss Bingley,” said Darcy firmly. “At present, I have a pressing errand I must see to. After that, I shall be at leisure to attend you and your family.”
All pretense dropped, for Miss Bingley fixed him with a scowl. “Mr. Darcy, I must advise you in the strongest terms possible to reconsider.”
“Reconsider what, Miss Bingley?” asked Darcy. “So far as I recall, I have said nothing about the nature of my errand.”
“Please,” snapped she, her patience waning. “Do not think me witless, Mr. Darcy—it is no feat of logic to deduce that you mean to visit Eliza Bennet in Lambton.”
“If I mean to do so, what is it to you?”
Miss Bingley did not appreciate his blunt question, but she did her best to ignore it. “I would not have you misled by the wiles of a predatory woman.”
This amused Darcy more than he thought it should. For Miss Bingley, of all women, to warn against the predatory nature of another was nothing less than laughable. Darcy was tempted to say as much to her, but that was not the way a gentleman acted, and he had little time for such things, regardless.
“Trust me, Miss Bingley, I have had many months’ experience recognizing and resisting such efforts.”
“And yet you invited her to Pemberley yesterday.”
It was a challenge and nothing less.
“I did,” said Darcy, keeping his tone even.
“You should stay away from her, Mr. Darcy,” insisted Miss Bingley. “Miss Eliza is a woman who will take any chance to insinuate herself into your affairs.”
“If there is any insinuation,” said Darcy, “I rather believe it is on my side. Miss Elizabeth and her relations are to dine with us tonight.”
Miss Bingley’s mien flushed crimson with anger. “With respect, you do not understand the depths to which the Bennets can descend.”
“That is where you are mistaken,” replied Darcy. “I have a precise understanding.”
Though Miss Bingley opened her mouth to speak again, Darcy did not allow it—he was weary of the conversation and wished to bring it to an end without further delay.
“Miss Bingley, let us be clear on one point. If you choose to dislike Miss Elizabeth or her family, that is your prerogative—I can say nothing to change your mind. But I will decide with whom I will associate. Nothing you can say will cause me to reconsider.
“Now, I believe the breakfast room awaits you. I shall return before long.”
Then, after sketching a perfunctory bow, Darcy strode away toward the entrance where his horse awaited him.
As he set out, Darcy noted Miss Bingley near the door watching him as he rode away.
She had not surrendered—this Darcy knew.
The more prudent path would have been to wait for Miss Elizabeth to depart, then redouble her efforts, but Darcy knew that Miss Bingley was incapable of that.
Any appearance of interest on Darcy’s part in any woman, let alone Miss Elizabeth, would bring out her claws in defense of what she believed was hers.
As Miss Bingley was an objectionable subject, Darcy turned his attention to other matters. Within moments, Miss Bingley was forgotten in favor of thoughts of Miss Elizabeth.
HAD DARCY THE ABILITY to see Miss Bingley’s thoughts, they would not have surprised him. Caroline’s failure to keep him at Pemberley was annoying, but she was incensed that he appeared taken with Miss Elizabeth Bennet of all women, and determined to prevent such a calamity from occurring.
The question, of course, was how she might ensure her victory.
She considered presenting herself beside Miss Eliza that evening and allowing the contrast to speak for itself, but Caroline was no longer certain she could prevail.
Or, it was not that she doubted she could prevail; rather, she feared Mr. Darcy’s infatuation might lead him to act before he came to his senses.
As she contemplated the problem, she became convinced that the path to victory might not lead through Mr. Darcy at all.
Miss Eliza was an adventuress, quick to take an opportunity but possessing little substance.
If Caroline warned her away with just the right measure of authority, she might persuade the pretender to abandon any pretensions to Mr. Darcy’s notice.
If that failed, a few sharp words might drive her off..
In the end, Caroline did not doubt triumph would be hers.
While Mr. Darcy might confound her and marry an heiress with a stupendous fortune and connections the highest circles of society, he would not fall prey to a woman such as Miss Eliza.
If he yielded to the temptation of his cousin, Anne de Bourgh, or another like her, Caroline would regret the lost opportunity, but she would understand it.
The very notion of him choosing Eliza Bennet was intolerable.
THAT MORNING, ELIZABETH was again surprised when Mr. Darcy appeared. As they were to attend him at Pemberley that evening for dinner, she had not thought to see him again before then. Yet Mr. Darcy entered their suite of rooms not long after breakfast, appearing apologetic though determined.
“Darcy!” greeted Uncle Gardiner, pleased to welcome him. “I had not thought to see you this morning.”
“And I apologize for intruding on your morning, Mr. Gardiner,” said Mr. Darcy, appearing a trifle uncertain about himself.
Elizabeth, watching the gentleman and wondering what had brought him there, caught her aunt’s eye.
Mrs. Gardiner gave her an expressive look, and Elizabeth acknowledged it, though she did not dwell on it.
That Mr. Darcy still looked on her with favor was something she could not deny, not given his eagerness to be in her company.
At the same time, she remained uncertain, not only about Mr. Darcy, but what she should make of his actions.
“Not at all, Darcy,” replied Mr. Gardiner. “Is there something in particular you wished to discuss?”
Mr. Darcy’s eyes flicked to Elizabeth, and he shifted his weight, a curious gesture in a man who was so self-possessed. It did not escape Mr. Gardiner’s attention, and her aunt appeared amused by it.
“If I might beg for your indulgence,” said Mr. Darcy, “I wonder if you would allow me the privilege of a private conversation with your niece, Miss Bennet.”
This time Elizabeth gaped at Mr. Darcy. He could not be thinking of renewing his addresses. It seemed her uncle had the same concern.
“This is most curious, Mr. Darcy,” said Mr. Gardiner, defaulting to formality. “I beg your pardon, but may I ask after the subject of your intended discourse?”
Though mortified, Elizabeth could see at once that Mr. Darcy also understood the meaning behind her uncle’s question.
“No, Mr. Gardiner, I have no intention of raising that subject. It is a matter of mutual concern to us both and one on which I wish to know her opinion.”
Mollified, Mr. Gardiner offered a nod. “I apologize, Darcy, but appearing here with such solemn intent . . . The interpretation I was reaching for was not unreasonable.”
“It is not,” agreed Mr. Darcy.
The gentleman regarded her for a long moment, then he spoke further.
“I shall not pretend you have misunderstood me, sir—I know you have both seen something of my interest in your niece. At present, I do not judge it the proper time for such a conversation, though I hope someday Miss Elizabeth will allow me the privilege of speaking on the subject.”