Chapter 50 Gathering #2
Slapping his friend on the shoulder by way of greeting as he entered, Darcy replied, "Who could blame me if I did? But, as it turned out, my room was needed for unexpected arrivals, so off to Netherfield I came."
"Needed? Unexpected arrivals?" Bingley asked excitedly. "By whom? Did Miss Mary and her party arrive early?"
Darcy completely understood the anxiously hopeful look on Bingley's face, although he could not help laughing. He shook his head.
"No such luck for you, my friend. It was my uncle and sister who joined us today. My cousin Anne and her husband will arrive sometime tomorrow, and Miss Mary is still expected to arrive around midday on Thursday."
Despite his obvious disappointment, Bingley said cheerfully, "Well, that is good news for you, anyway. I know you have been concerned about them both."
"And I know you wish it had been Miss Mary, but even if it had, you could not leave your guests this evening to go visit her no matter how much you might wish to. This way the torture will be less."
"He has a good point," said another man's voice.
Darcy turned in the direction of the speaker and saw Mr. Damask and Lord Sheldon standing at the bottom of the main staircase.
He bowed politely to them both. As the gentlemen returned his bow, Lord Sheldon continued, "It is hard to be good host when your mind is occupied with jumping on your horse and riding off to see your lady fair.
Good evening, Mr. Darcy. I understand you have recently learned who is a true member of the Rose family and who is not. " Lord Sheldon was clearly teasing.
Darcy replied, "Oh, as I understand it, Miss Elizabeth is a member of the Rose family, she just does not carry the name in the way that I thought."
"Good answer, lad. I hear you two have apologized, smoothed over your differences and agreed to be friends?"
Darcy avoided the temptation to admit they had now agreed to be spouses, not just friends, and instead said with a smile, "We have indeed."
"I am glad that is all sorted out," Lord Sheldon told him. "And I must apologize for not responding to your letters. As I am sure you know, Miss Elizabeth was adamant that she did not wish you to know her true name."
"Yes, my uncle told me much the same. I understand you both had a good visit with him just before he came to Pemberley for Christmas."
"I see that all the secrets are now out on the table," Mr. Damask said, chuckling.
"Perhaps," said Darcy, holding in a bit of a smirk.
He knew both men would be surprised at the news of his betrothal to Lizzy, and he wanted to keep it from them a little longer, although he could easily have trusted them not to mention it to Mrs. Bennet.
"I look forward to speaking with you both more at dinner, but if I do not wish to be late, I really must go up and change into more appropriate clothing. "
"Well, let me just show you to your room," Bingley said. "I had forgotten you would need to change after riding over. Are you still using Wickham's horse?"
"Yes," Darcy said. "My father picked out a fine animal when he chose that one. I must admit I am hoping no one else has a valid claim to it."
"If anyone does, perhaps you can offer them the value of it instead," Mr. Damask said.
The gentlemen parted, the two older men going to join the ladies, who were already in the sitting room, while Bingley showed Darcy the way to his room.
"It appears to be a very pleasant house," Darcy said as they walked up the stairs and then down a wide corridor. "How do you like being the master?"
"Oh, it is not much different than being master of the house in town," Bingley said.
"I am fortunate that there is an excellent housekeeper who is employed by the estate's owner.
Mrs. Nichols keeps the whole house running smoothly and she even knows how to work well with my sister trying to control things. "
"Speaking of your sister," Darcy said, "Have you had that discussion with her?"
Bingley nodded, some of his jovial look dropping away.
"I hope to never have to do that again," he said.
"She did not want to talk with me, but I insisted.
I tried to be kind, but I also had to be very blunt with her about her behavior and how desperate she appears to others.
She did not admit it, but it is clear you were all correct that she was afraid of what would happen when I marry.
She has also been upset that she could not win over Mr. Lollard.
I hope we really did come to an understanding. Time will tell, I suppose."
"I think I will keep my door locked at night, just in case," Darcy said.
"Good idea," Bingley agreed, nodding. "Well, here is the door to lock," he said, opening one of the doors.
"If they have not already, the servants will bring up your trunk soon.
Mrs. Nichols has already provided hot water and there is manservant standing by to assist you.
When you are ready, please join us in the sitting room. "
"I will try to be quick about it," Darcy said. "I would not want you to have to hold dinner for me."
"No rush," said Bingley. "There is still plenty of time. Just ask the servant for anything you need."
~o~
Over dinner Darcy met Lady Sheldon and renewed the acquaintance with Mrs. Damask and all three Cathcarts.
They shared some lively conversation, which included some teasing about Darcy's search for Miss Rose.
He took it in good part, remembering that he had not only found her, but he was also betrothed to Lizzy now, even if they did not know that yet.
Miss Bingley appeared more subdued than Darcy had ever seen her. To his relief, she made no overt attempts to gain his attention beyond the basic interactions expected of a good hostess. For his part, he offered her the courtesy expected of a guest but made no more.
He thought Mrs. Damask, Lady Sheldon, or both must have had a word with her regarding proper treatment of the servants.
Miss Bingley seemed more courteous than usual as she gave her instructions during the meal.
Previously she had always behaved as if the servants were barely human and in need of sharp words to motivate them to do anything.
It was one of the traits he had found very unappealing about her.
In general, Darcy did not make friends of the servants, but he recognized their importance to a smooth-running household and their value as people and treated them accordingly as his father had taught him.
Bingley's guests already knew of both the attack on Lizzy and Richard's subsequent marriage to the former Miss Lucas.
They did, however, have several questions for Darcy about the events.
He reported on the current status of Wickham and Collins.
His arrangements for the latter's extended trip to Scotland earned both laughter and approbation from the company.
After the separation, the men asked more detailed questions about Wickham, what was likely to happen to him and about Darcy's shared history with him.
Although Mr. Damask, Lord Sheldon and Tom Cathcart were all acquainted with Darcy's uncle and Mr. Damask had known Darcy's father, they were not aware of that background information.
At times the conversation was easygoing, but at other times, Darcy felt he was the subject of an interrogation as the questions became increasingly detailed.
He was relieved when they rejoined the ladies in the sitting room for a little music before bedtime.
As the group was breaking up for the evening, Darcy quietly asked Bingley to stop by for a few moments of private discussion in Darcy's room before he retired for the night. When his friend arrived a little while later, full of curiosity, Darcy explained.
"I needed to tell you about something that happened this morning, but it is a secret from anyone else for now. Well, it is a secret from Mrs. Bennet, so the fewer people who know, the less likely she is to learn it too soon."
"Like my courtship of Miss Mary?" Bingley asked.
"Exactly like that," Darcy confirmed, "and for about the same duration unless you have any objections."
"I am all curiosity now," Bingley said, "but you can rely on my discretion. To what might I object?"
"Well, the truth is that Miss Elizabeth and I are now betrothed and.."
"Betrothed?" interrupted Bingley, "Since when?"
"Since this morning. I think you are the only one who can imagine how hard it was for me not to tell anyone. So far, only her father and Sir Phillip are in on the secret, although I am certain all her sisters have at least guessed at it. I did not even tell my uncle or my sister."
"I am honored, and a little jealous, but why would you think I would object?"
"Not to the betrothal. I know you and Miss Mary are waiting for her arrival on Thursday before you publicly announce your courtship.
I wondered if you would object to our betrothal being announced at the same time.
I know our news might overshadow yours, particularly with Mrs. Bennet, and neither Miss Elizabeth nor I want you to feel we are stealing the attention that is rightfully yours. "
Bingley laughed. "I am certain there will be enough of Mrs. Bennet's joy to go around. And I am equally sure that we will all be more comfortable if we share the attention instead of leaving her to focus on just one or two of us."
"I hoped you would feel that way," Darcy said. "Miss Elizabeth and her father both thought Miss Mary would agree as well."
"If you are anything like me, I assume it is hard to keep your secret. I want to shout it to the world," Bingley said.
"According to Sir Phillip and Bennet, we are shouting it to the world without ever saying a word when the two of us are together," Darcy said, with a grin that told the whole story to his friend.