Chapter 7 #2
Lady Emma, on the other hand, could imagine nothing more tedious than spending an afternoon taking tea with her daughter and Georgiana Darcy.
The two young ladies discussed books she had never read and music she had never heard.
In her opinion, neither possessed the beauty nor the accomplishments that generally attracted gentlemen.
Nevertheless, Lady Emma was determined to see her daughter married as soon as possible, and Fitzwilliam Darcy was an excellent prospect.
Handsome, wealthy, and master of Pemberley, he seemed the perfect match—even if he was every bit as serious and dull as his sister.
Mr Darcy was in his study. He had already finished his work for the day and knew that he ought to go and greet their visitors.
He was disappointed in himself. He knew that Lady Claire was the ideal match for him.
Her father was wealthy and held a title, and she was nothing like the frivolous young ladies of fashionable society.
She had also become good friends with Georgiana, and it was clear that her affection for his sister was entirely sincere.
The previous evening, he had resolved to make a genuine effort to know Lady Claire better.
Yet, once he fell asleep, his dreams had been filled with someone else—a young woman with a charming smile and beautiful eyes.
The day he left Hertfordshire, he had resolved that he would marry out of duty alone, and Lady Claire was the most suitable lady to fulfil that role.
With that thought, he rose and made his way to the drawing room.
"Good afternoon, Lady Emma. Lady Claire," Mr Darcy said, as reserved as ever.
"My dear Mr Darcy," Lady Emma replied warmly. She immediately approached him and began extolling her daughter's many virtues, together with her dowry of thirty thousand pounds.
"Brother, Lady Claire told me that next week she and her uncle are planning to walk in the park by the river. Could we join them? I have not been there since last summer, and they say it is especially beautiful at this time of year."
Georgiana already knew her brother would not refuse. It would be the perfect opportunity for him to spend more time with her friend.
"If Lady Claire and her uncle have no objection, I should be delighted to join them for their walk," Mr Darcy said, turning to Claire. She answered him with a shy smile.
"Of course, they will have no objection," Lady Emma interjected. "I shall not be able to accompany you, as I have another engagement, but I am certain you will all have a delightful afternoon together."
The truth was that she could think of nothing more tedious than another afternoon in such reserved company. If her brother-in-law accompanied them as well, it would be even more unbearable.
"We should be very pleased if you joined us," Lady Claire replied in so soft a voice that, had the room not been perfectly quiet, no one would have heard her.
Once everything had been settled, Lady Emma and Lady Claire took their leave. Just as they stepped into their carriage, another drew up outside Darcy House. Mr Bingley's sisters had come to pay a call on Mr Darcy.
After her guests departed, Georgiana retired to her room to rest, while Mr Darcy returned to his study.
He had barely begun reading the letters his steward sent him from Pemberley when the butler announced the callers and informed him that the ladies wished to speak with him.
With a faint sigh, Mr Darcy made his way to the drawing room to discover what had brought them there.
"Mr Darcy, we are very sorry to trouble you, but something dreadful has happened. We felt we should come to you at once so that you might advise us," Caroline explained, while Louisa nodded in agreement.
"What has happened, Miss Bingley?" Mr Darcy asked with concern. He hoped to bring the conversation to an end as quickly as possible. He had never enjoyed the company of his friend's sisters, and the less time he spent with them, the better.
"Yesterday, Jane Bennet came to call on us.
Fortunately, Charles had already gone to his club.
Can you imagine the audacity of that woman, arriving as though we were intimate friends?
She is staying with her uncle in Cheapside, and it appears she intends to remain in London for the entire season," Caroline declared, while Louisa readily agreed.
Mr Darcy began pacing the room uneasily.
He wondered whether Jane had come to London alone or whether Elizabeth was with her.
He did not wish to see Elizabeth again, for he knew he was still vulnerable to her charms. If he truly intended to court Lady Claire, he could not do so while his thoughts remained fixed on another woman.
That would be deeply unfair to Lady Claire, and he was not certain he possessed the strength to overcome such feelings.
For that very reason, he knew he had to remove every possible temptation.
"I understand your concerns perfectly. In my opinion, the wisest course would be to bring this supposed friendship to a quiet end.
Do not return her call. If you keep your distance, Miss Bennet will soon understand that you have no wish to encourage a closer acquaintance.
And, above all, do not mention her visit to Bingley. "
"A most excellent suggestion, Mr Darcy," Louisa said.
"I knew no one could advise us better than you, Mr Darcy," Caroline replied with a coquettish smile.
Mr Darcy was uncomfortable interfering in his friend's affairs and wished to bring the unpleasant discussion to an end once and for all.
“Well, I believe this matter is settled. Now, if you will excuse me, ladies," Mr Darcy said, rising from his chair, "I have several matters requiring my immediate attention."
"Of course, Mr Darcy. We are most grateful for your advice," Caroline replied with a graceful curtsy.
"You have been of the greatest assistance," Louisa added.
"I wish you both a pleasant afternoon."
"And you as well, Mr Darcy," Caroline said with a smile before she and her sister took their leave.
As soon as they were seated in their carriage, Caroline looked triumphantly at her sister.
"I told you Mr Darcy would know exactly what to do."
"And he was right," Louisa replied. "If we simply keep our distance, Miss Bennet will soon understand that Charles has no wish to pursue the acquaintance."
"Exactly. She will eventually grow tired of waiting for Charles and will return to Hertfordshire. Once Charles has forgotten all about her, everything will be as it should."
The sisters exchanged satisfied smiles, convinced that they had finally found the perfect way to keep Jane Bennet away from their brother.
◆◆◆
Elizabeth had been in London for a week and had enjoyed every moment of it.
Lady Campbell had seen to her every comfort.
She had even arranged for a renowned modiste to come to the house to take their measurements and help them choose fabrics and designs for new gowns.
Yet none of that was what mattered most. Aunt Eleanor was extraordinary, and Elizabeth admired her deeply.
She could scarcely believe she had grown so fond of someone she had known for such a short time.
There was something about Lady Campbell that always made Elizabeth feel safe in her presence.
That day, Elizabeth decided to visit Jane in Cheapside because she had missed her company and wished to know how she was.
"How are you, Jane?" Elizabeth asked. The moment she saw her sister's face, she knew something was wrong.
"I am very well, Lizzy," Jane replied with a faint smile. Yet there was sadness behind it.
"Have you heard from Mr Bingley?" Elizabeth asked, sensing that her sister's melancholy had something to do with the gentleman.
"No, I have not heard from him. But I no longer care." Jane had resolved to close that chapter of her life once and for all. She then told Elizabeth that she had called on Caroline and Louisa a few days earlier.
"They told me they had no intention of returning to Hertfordshire. They also explained that they—and Mr Bingley—were very busy and had little time to socialize outside their own circle. Lizzy, I am certain they will never return my call."
"Can you not see that they are trying to keep you away from Mr Bingley?" Elizabeth asked indignantly.
"I do not believe it matters any longer, Lizzy. Mr Bingley is a gentleman. If he had truly cared for me, he would have returned to Netherfield. Please do not excuse a grown man as though he were a child. As far as I am concerned, this chapter is closed, and I hope you will respect my decision."
"I am sorry, Jane. Although I still believe that his sisters and his friend have influenced him, I suppose you are right. Mr Bingley is a grown man, and he has allowed himself to be guided by others. In that respect, he is every bit as responsible as his sisters—perhaps even more so."
Thanks to Eleanor's guidance, Elizabeth had begun to understand that adults must take responsibility for their own choices and accept the consequences of their decisions.
Madeline Gardiner had deliberately left the two sisters alone so that they could speak freely.
In a way, she felt guilty every time she looked at Elizabeth.
She understood her husband's dilemma all too well.
Deciding whether to share his suspicions with Eleanor was no easy matter.
They had agreed to remain silent until they were certain of the truth.
Moreover, Mr Gardiner wished to speak privately with his sister, without Mr Bennet present.
He wanted to ask her directly whether Elizabeth was truly Lady Campbell's daughter.
Raising the matter before they had all the facts could do far more harm than good.
Elizabeth remained in Cheapside for dinner. Lady Campbell's carriage was to collect her later that evening.