Chapter 61 Reckoning
Dinner was tranquil, and afterward Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bennet played a game of chess while the sisters caught up with one another.
The Darcys returned to Netherfield by ten o'clock.
The ladies went directly upstairs to their bedchambers, but Mr. Darcy joined Mr. Bingley in his study.
When they were seated, Darcy said, "Charles, I am afraid I must tell you something that will distress you."
Charles stopped pouring the brandy he had just been praising to the skies and turned to look at his friend.
"What is it, Darcy?"
Darcy held out his glass. Bingley poured the brandy and then served himself. Once both men were seated, Darcy began.
"Yesterday at dinner, regarding the incident with the mouse."
Charles chuckled.
"That was a most awkward business, was it not?”
"Yes, it certainly was."
"Darcy, you need not concern yourself about the damask tablecloth.
The housekeeper set to work on it immediately, and the stain has been removed.
It looks as good as new. As for Caroline's silk gown, it is completely ruined, but I will not permit you to replace it. That is entirely out of the question."
Darcy took a sip of his drink.
"Charles, the truth is, there was no mouse."
"No mouse? What is this, Darcy? No mouse, you say? What then..."
"You wish to know what caused me to choke? Charles, your sister..." He paused. "The truth is that Caroline... that is to say, the truth is that Caroline made an improper advance."
"She made an improper advance?"
"Yes. She... touched me. That is to say, she touched my..."
Charles Bingley had just taken a drink of his brandy, and now he began to sputter and choke.
Darcy's brow furrowed. He should have waited until his friend had swallowed.
He waited while Charles coughed. The brandy must have burned his throat. The man's face had turned red, and his expression suggested considerable discomfort.
Darcy stood, poured a glass of water, and handed it to his friend.
Charles took a large swallow. It seemed to help. He drank again and then set the glass down.
When he could again speak, Charles asked, "Darcy, Caroline touched you?"
"Yes. She even applied pressure."
Darcy's face reddened to his cheekbones, as did his friend's.
Charles jumped to his feet and walked away.
Darcy watched him pace the room in disbelief.
At last, he returned and stood over his friend.
"Darcy, I have no words. I do not know what to say or how to apologize to you."
"Charles, you need not apologize. It is her trespass, not yours. I simply wished you to know, lest she attempt something more serious. I believe she wishes to avenge herself upon me for marrying another."
Mr. Bingley stood staring into the fire for a long while. At last, he spoke.
"Yes, that does seem like something Caroline would do.
She has been certain of you all these years.
Louisa warned her. I warned her. But she would not listen.
She was convinced she could make you fall in love with her, or at least capture your attention with her beauty, her dowry, and her accomplishments. "
Charles shook his head pessimistically. "But she could not, and now she is face to face with reality. I agree. She may seek to avenge herself."
"I only hope she does not attempt to compromise me during this visit. The Beaumonts arrive tomorrow, and the memorial will be held the following day. Perhaps Elizabeth and I should return to London directly after the memorial."
Darcy took a sip of his brandy. "You may come and visit at Pemberley in the summer, and we can hunt, fish, and catch up then."
A faint smile touched his lips. "Without Caroline."
Mr. Bingley was silent for a moment, considering Darcy's plan.
"I think that is best, Darcy. For all I know, she may be planning to crawl into your bed. If she loses her virtue, she will be on my hands forever."
Darcy's eyes widened. "She will not lose her virtue to me, Charles. I can assure you of that."
"We all know you are a deep sleeper, Darcy. It is possible she could lose her virtue before you were fully aware of what was happening."
Darcy stared at him. "I had not considered that, Charles, but I suppose it is possible. As it is, I sleep with Elizabeth, so your sister would find an empty bed. I locked the doors last night."
"But you forget that the housekeeper has a set of keys. Caroline could enter your bedchamber."
"You are right, of course. I had not thought of that. I shall have Reeves set up a cot in my bedchamber. I would allow him to sleep in the bed, but I am certain you do not wish to marry your sister to my valet."
"No, indeed not. Yes, keep the doors locked and install your valet in your bedchamber. You need only endure two more nights, and then you will be free of us."
"When can you come to visit me, Charles? Are you free next July?"
"I am. I shall come and visit you at Pemberley, since we have lost the opportunity to do so this year."
"And perhaps you will have found a husband for your sister by then."
"Perhaps. Now that you are married, she must find another to take your place. I shall keep my eyes open and see if I can find someone suitable."
Darcy could not very well offer any of his bachelor friends. He liked them all too well to sacrifice any one of them in such a manner.
"Perhaps one of your cousins would suit her, Charles."
The two men conversed in private until nearly midnight. Then they parted and retired for the night.
As Reeves helped Darcy out of his coat, Darcy informed his valet that he would be sleeping in his master's bedchamber.
"Yes, sir. I shall set up a cot."
"No, it is too late for that. You may set up a cot tomorrow. Tonight, you may sleep in the bed."
Reeves looked surprised.
"But lock the door."
"Yes, sir."
At breakfast the following morning, Charles entered to find Darcy alone.
"Darcy, I would ask your advice."
"Of course. How may I help you?"
"Last September, when I first leased this estate, I met Miss Jane Bennet. Darcy, I must tell you that I was very taken with her, and had it not been for Caroline, I believe I would have married Miss Bennet. She is the most beautiful and amiable woman of my acquaintance."
Darcy sat staring at his friend.
"You had intentions toward my sister-in-law?"
Mr. Bingley must not have liked the expression on Darcy's face, for he hurried to explain.
"Yes, I did. I meant to ask for her hand, even though we had known one another for only a brief period of time. I knew almost immediately that she possessed every quality I could desire in a wife. I was most attentive to her. In fact, I am certain my attentions were very marked."
"And then you left her on account of Caroline?"
"Yes. That is exactly it, Darcy. Caroline was adamant, and it was just as she described last night at dinner. We packed and were gone from one day to the next."
"And you left Jane Beaumont open to the censure of her neighbors?"
Charles studied his hands.
"Yes. I suppose that is what happened."
Darcy said, "That is exactly what happened, if your attentions were as marked as you describe. How have your relations with the family been since your return?"
"I have only been back this month. In fact, it has been only two weeks since I moved back into Netherfield."
"I see. So you have not had an opportunity to explain yourself or apologize to Mr. Bennet."
"That is correct. I do not know what to do, Darcy. Should I apologize to Mr. Bennet or to Lady Beaumont herself?"
Bingley suddenly looked aghast. "Or to Beaumont?"
Darcy toyed with the food on his plate. "Bingley, I would advise a clean break. Give up the lease and move away."
He paused before continuing. "The Bennets do not participate in the London Season, and Beaumont has little taste for London society. I doubt he will show his face in London again until it is time to seek spouses for his children. He is perfectly contented with the society of the local gentry."
Darcy set down his fork.
"I do not believe you should accompany us today, nor attend the memorial tomorrow. You would only cause pain to my sister-in-law and my wife."
"Darcy, do you suppose your wife knows of the insult I offered her elder sister?"
"Oh, I am certain she knows. Those two sisters are very close. You may be certain that Elizabeth knows, and the only reason she has not rained censure upon your head is that she knows you are my close friend."
Bingley's eyes widened. "Do you suppose that is where she was going before the mouse incident?"
Darcy chuckled. "Yes, perhaps she was. Bingley, the more I learn, the more convinced I am that it is for the best that we return to London directly after the memorial. I suggest you follow close on our heels, lest someone call you out here in Hertfordshire."
Charles rubbed his chin. "Yes, Mr. Bennet would be well justified in calling me out."
Darcy shook his head. "I was not referring to Mr. Bennet. I meant Beaumont, who, I am told, is deadly with a dueling pistol."
"Darcy, you have a point. I shall go and instruct the servants that I will be returning to London on Saturday and that the house is to be closed."