Chapter 2.10
The morning after the wedding seemed strangely quiet and peaceful after the past two weeks of pandemonium. When Elizabeth and Darcy appeared, the Hursts and Caroline were already gathered for breakfast. The ladies greeted them politely yet coldly; Mr Hurst only nodded.
Fortunately for everyone involved, it was the last day they were to spend together at Netherfield, and Darcy had already thought of a way to invite only Bingley and Jane to Pemberley for the summer.
Elizabeth could not hide her smiles when Charles finally appeared. She waited to see her sister too, but the gentleman was alone and his expression stern. He greeted them briefly then asked for a cup of coffee.
“You are late,” Louisa said. “We did not wait for you since we were quite hungry.”
“Good.” Bingley seemed to answer with difficulty.
“Will Jane come down soon? We are not accustomed to being late for breakfast.”
“No, she said she would rather not have breakfast. She had a slight headache.”
No other conversation followed. Elizabeth exchanged concerned glances with her husband, both of them equally puzzled. Darcy looked at his old friend several times, but Bingley refused to meet his eyes.
Eventually, breakfast came to an end, and Bingley rose in haste. “I will go for a ride,” he announced.
“Do you wish me to keep you company?” Darcy inquired.
“If you want to, I would not mind,” Bingley replied after a brief hesitation.
The two gentlemen left the house. Caroline and the Hursts moved toward the drawing room while Elizabeth hurried upstairs to check on her sister.
∞∞∞
Darcy followed Bingley in his gallop through the fields. They rode, forcing the horses almost too much, for about an hour until Bingley suddenly stopped on a hill that offered a perfect view of Netherfield and dismounted.
“I am a poor excuse for a man. If I say I am ashamed of myself, it would be too little. And any embarrassment and distress I might suffer means nothing compared to Jane’s hurt expression. I failed her, and she is disappointed with me. I am a poor man and an even poorer husband.”
He stared toward the horizon. Darcy paced around as if he feared to approach closer.
“I do not dare ask what happened. You seem more distressed than I have seen you in a long time. I hope nobody suffered any harm.”
“They did—my pride is hurt. And Jane’s tender heart.”
“I really hope you are overreacting. I pray things are less distressing than you let me believe. You are not the kind of man to hurt your wife, so anything else can be easily repaired, I am sure.”
“This cannot ever be repaired. I am a ridiculous and pitiful man who deserves no respect.”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, I shall lose both my patience and my reason if you continue in this way. So I must ask: What on earth did you do?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing? Nice to see that you can mock me. Let us end this silly conversation, and I shall return home now before I go mad.”
“I do not mock you. I did nothing. I remember knocking on Jane’s door, and she looked as beautiful as a fairy. She said she would be ready in a half an hour, and I left her with the maid. I changed for the night, poured a glass of wine, and…the next thing I remember, it was morning. I fell asleep.”
“What? You fell asleep? You got drunk and fell asleep on your wedding night? Did I not warn you not to drink more than usual? You are an idiot indeed,” Darcy admitted, suddenly realising the justice of Bingley’s agitated struggle.
“I told you so. I am so ashamed of myself that I could stab my leg, and the pain would not be as sharp. And Jane’s face…
I knocked on her door this morning, but she seemed to have been crying, and she said she was tired and wished to rest, and she refused to talk to me.
She turned her back to me and…how can I ever make amends for such shameful behaviour?
Obviously, I am not the man she deserves. ”
“Well, I shall not argue with you about that. Did you explain to her what happened?”
“No…it seemed she wished to sleep, and I did not dare trouble her more.”
“So you left? You had breakfast and then went for a ride?”
“Yes—you know I did.”
“How could you do that? You hurt your wife then you left her alone? This is not to be borne! You cannot leave until you are certain your wife understands and forgives you—not ever in your life and certainly not on the first day of your marriage. Have you lost your mind?”
“But…should I have stayed? Even if she said she wanted to sleep?”
“Of course! You cannot imagine what is in a hurt woman’s mind, but you must try to discover it and compensate for your error. You should have stayed with her!”
“I did not…I thought…”
Darcy suddenly grabbed his friend’s arms. “Bingley, listen carefully, as I will only have this conversation with you once and will then forget it and never admit it took place. Elizabeth and I barely left our apartment in the first days of our marriage. I did nothing but make sure she was as happy as I was. We even had breakfast and dinner in our rooms. Do you understand my meaning?”
Bingley listened to him, puzzled and shocked, nodding.
“I am certain that Elizabeth talked to Jane about what she should expect in her own marriage. Instead, Jane spent her wedding night alone with her husband never coming to her. Surely, she must believe she was not desired—that you preferred sleeping alone to her company. How do you think she must feel right now? She must be as embarrassed and ashamed as you are. And even worse since you left, which means you also prefer riding to her company.”
“What are you saying, Darcy? That is madness; I would give up anything in my life for Jane’s company.”
“Well, nobody can be certain of that, and Jane less than anyone. At least, not before you return home and prove it to her.”
“But I am sure she…she could not possibly…oh, I must return home. I have not a moment to waste.”
He mounted and whipped his horse while Darcy hurried to catch him, barely able to conceal his laughter.
In front of Netherfield, Bingley released his horse and ran towards the door. Darcy barely had time to grab his arm.
“Bingley, wait a moment. Breathe deeply, and do not rush things again. Go to your room and refresh yourself then change your clothes. You look rather savage. And only afterward go to your wife and resolve this misunderstanding. And send us word later if you want something to eat. You do not need to leave your apartment today.”
Bingley’s jaws dropped. “You mean…? Now? But…it is daylight. I do not think Jane would…do you think she would…?”
“Bingley, you are impossible, man! How should I know that? It is your duty to discover exactly what your wife’s wishes are. Just do not presume and worry again for no reason. Go and make your wife happy. And for heaven’s sake, draw the curtains closed if needed; that will be dark enough.”
Bingley remained still and silent a few moments as if trying to comprehend his friend’s words, then he entered the house hastily and ran upstairs.
Darcy went directly to the library, asking for a glass of brandy.
∞∞∞
Elizabeth knocked on her sister’s door. No answer came, so she opened it hesitantly.
“Jane, how are, dearest? Charles told me you were unwell. Should I bring you something?”
“It is nothing, Lizzy. Please do not worry for me. Where is Charles?” Jane inquired with obvious distress.
“He went for a ride. William is with him.”
Elizabeth took her sister’s hands and was astonished to see her pale face wearing the trace of tears.
“Oh, my dear, what is wrong? What happened? Are you hurt?”
Elizabeth caressed Jane’s face then embraced her. Jane started sobbing while Elizabeth’s anger increased. She was certain Bingley was to blame for her sister’s distress, and she hastily considered several ways to murder him in his own house.
“Will you tell me what happened? Are you in pain? How may I help you?”
“Nothing happened.”
“Jane, please do not deceive me. Something terrible happened—that is clear. And I shall find out about it, one way or another.”
“No, no…please believe me. Nothing happened. I spoke to Charles last night, and he said he would come to meet me later after I was finished preparing myself. But…he did not come. I waited and waited. I did not know what happened, so I opened his door, and he was sound asleep…and…“
As Jane’s sobbing increased, Elizabeth breathed in relief.
She gently embraced her sister again, caressing her hair, while she bit her lips to cover her mirth.
How could she possibly believe that Bingley would have hurt her sister?
Poor fellow! She remembered his filling his glass many times during the day at Longbourn and later in the library, apparently to conquer his nervousness, then her husband’s warning to put down the glass.
Now she easily understood Bingley’s pallor and his attempt to avoid their company. He was certainly as distressed as Jane. Fortunately, despite its being a most embarrassing situation, it was easy to remedy.
“I am sure Charles does not find me desirable enough. I was such a simpleton. I hoped that…and I do not know what to do. I was wearing the nightgown you purchased for me—it was so beautiful—but…”
“Oh, come now, my dear—wipe your eyes. Jane, look at me. I am sure you are wrong, completely wrong. I think Charles found you too desirable, and he was just nervous about the prospect of your wedding night. I am certain he had one too many glasses of wine and, most likely having not slept well lately, he was overcome by fatigue. Things will be much better soon.”
“If I could only know what I did wrong…”
“Jane, you are being silly. Your husband will return soon. Wash your face and refresh your appearance. You do not look very desirable at the moment; I can tell you that.”
“Lizzy! Please do not tease me, I am—”
The new Mrs Bingley gasped when they heard the door to Charles’s rooms slam and his voice talking to the servant.
She gazed at her sister in panic, but Elizabeth smiled and kissed her cheeks then arranged her hair and offered her a handkerchief to clean her face.
Jane moved to the mirror then sat back on the edge of the bed.
Even if it was expected, the knock on the door startled Jane, and a new expression of panic widened her eyes. Elizabeth asked Bingley to enter; in another moment, he appeared and stopped in the doorway, looking from one lady to the other.
“Did my husband return too?” Elizabeth asked.
Bingley nodded in agreement, his eyes and full attention focused on his wife.
“Well then, I shall leave you now. I must find him. One of the greatest joys of marriage is that one can be with one’s own spouse whenever one wishes.”
Bingley and Jane glanced at her, but by the time she closed the door, they were staring into each other’s eyes, and Elizabeth heard them struggling to apologise and to take upon themselves an unwarranted blame.
She hastened her pace in search of her husband, eager to be in the arms of the man who never failed her.
She easily found him in the billiard room, and only a moment later she enjoyed the comfort and delight of his kisses.
Without separating from her, he suddenly lifted her to sit on the billiard table, his lips never abandoning hers.
“Did Charles benefit from your advice to solve this delicate matter?” Elizabeth murmured between tantalising kisses.
“Let us just say that I hope not to see him again for the rest of the day. Was Jane upset?” He barely spoke, and it was even harder for her to reply.
“She was…but I trust she will be fine now. Will you not teach me to play? I would like to keep you company,” she said, holding her arms tightly around his waist.
“I would be happy to,” he whispered, his warm breath tickling her ear. “And I will certainly put a lock on the door and a couch in our billiard room at Pemberley.”
∞∞∞
The next morning, the entire party departed for London after a short but emotional farewell from the Bennets.
Elizabeth was sad to leave her mare Summer behind, so they decided to take her with them.
Darcy promised to purchase another horse for Longbourn, but Mr Bennet advised him otherwise: with Jane moving to Netherfield, there was nobody left who enjoyed riding.
In one carriage were the Hursts and Caroline Bingley; another carried the servants. Darcy’s carriage would not accommodate eight people, so the gentlemen decided to separate from the ladies.
Mr Charles Bingley—more handsome and joyful than usual—was reluctant to separate from the beautiful, blushing, and exceedingly happy Mrs Jane Bingley, but he could not find a better arrangement. Travelling with his sisters appeared to be an even less desirable option.
Therefore, he joined Mr Darcy and Mr Gardiner in a smaller carriage while the three ladies, together with the Gardiners’ girls, entered the large one.
“Mama, why can I not go with Papa and Mr Darcy?” Becky asked. “I like speaking to him.”
“Because we made some decisions and everybody must respect them. The ladies will travel in this carriage. And you have bothered Mr Darcy enough for several months.”
“But I am not a lady; I am a little girl! And I did not bother Mr Darcy enough. That is why he invited me to Pemberley!”
“Becky, please come and stay by the window,” her sister Margaret whispered, taking her little hand. Becky obeyed for a few minutes then turned to her cousins and took a place on Elizabeth’s lap.
“Jane, will you come to our house in London? I have several new dolls to show you!”
“Unfortunately, I cannot, dearest. I have a new home now with Mr Bingley. I will live with him,” Jane answered, her face and neck suddenly crimson.
“Jane, why is your face so red? Are you ill?” the girl inquired, touching her cheeks.
Jane blushed even more. “I am well, my dear, do not worry. It is just that…as I said, I cannot stay with you since I am married now.”
“So you will live with Mr Bingley all the time?”
“Yes. But he is a very kind man, and we will both visit you often.”
“Lizzy and Mr Darcy said the same, but they only visited me a few times. I do not like that. It was much better when you and Lizzy stayed with us.”
“You should be pleased that Jane and Lizzy married such good gentlemen,” Mrs Gardiner interjected. “It is every girl’s dream—to meet a handsome, honourable man, fall in love, and marry him.”
Becky shook her head in disapproval, breathed deeply, and crossed her small arms over her chest.
“It is surely not my dream. I find marriage to be a very distressing business. I am quite sure I do not like it at all.”
“It can be disturbing at times, but I do like it.” Elizabeth laughed, kissing her young cousin.
“So do I,” Jane admitted, her cheeks turning crimson again.
Becky just sighed and rolled her eyes, puzzled to see such a complete lack of understanding in her beloved elder cousins. Half an hour later, rocked by the carriage’s motion, she fell asleep in Elizabeth’s arms, having decided never to marry.