Sufficient Encouragement Refresh– Chapter Sixteen

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Chapter Sixteen

While sitting at his table eating a late breakfast, Lord Arlington received a letter from Darcy. He planned to visit and bring his friend, Mr. Bingley. Arlington had met Bingley one or two times. However, the younger man seemed too astonished to speak in Arlington’s presence. Darcy’s distaste for Arlington was well-known to him. If Darcy came alone, Arlington was sure the errand would be to complain about being left to go to the Crenshaws’ in his place the other evening. Arriving with a friend was unusual and intrigued him. Bingley had factories in Yorkshire, perhaps a business venture was the purpose of their visit.

Darcy and Bingley arrived promptly at the requested time. Accustomed to Darcy’s look of displeasure, Arlington had not expected to see his cousin’s anxious looks or haggard appearance. Bingley looked even more nervous than usual in his presence.

“Gentlemen, be seated,” Arlington said. “How have you been?”

“Tolerably well,” Darcy said succinctly.

Arlington immediately discerned his cousin lied. His right eye always twitched when he told an untruth. Bingley remained silent. If Arlington was less affable, he would be offended at this odd pair that did not extend the usual civility back to him. Silence consumed them, making Arlington want to leap on his chair and shout.

Instead, he affected a leisurely pose in his chair and spoke in a nonchalant manner. “I have no complaints, other than the aria last night seemed slightly off.” Inviting his cousin’s displeasure would be better than this infernal silence.

“I hear, you have been enjoying much of the opera.” Darcy raised an eyebrow.

It seemed his bait would go untaken if that’s all Darcy had to say. Sighing, Arlington sat erect and crossed his legs. Darcy would have it his way and get on with the straight talk. “Darcy, you requested this meeting, and I can see you have no interest in empty chat. Say your piece.”

Darcy cleared his throat before speaking. “As you may know, I have been in Hertfordshire with Bingley for several weeks. We have left for only a few days and when I return, I mean to take Georgiana with me.”

Arlington mutely nodded his head, his mind wandering. What on earth could attract Darcy in Hertfordshire enough to return? Just as Arlington was envisioning a beautiful country girl that would certainly draw his notice, if not Darcy’s, his reverie was interrupted.

“I want you to come with me.”

That was just like Darcy! He did not ask he gave orders. “And I would like to visit Spain, but we cannot always have our desires, Cousin,” Arlington winked at Bingley’s smile.

“There is the matter of Georgiana’s safety. Wickham is quartered in the neighbourhood of Bingley’s house, and I would appreciate an additional chaperone for her.”

“Why take her there at all? What does a country town have that London does not? If you miss the countryside so much, why not visit one of your estates?” When Darcy did not answer, Arlington looked at Bingley for a clue, but the young man remained silent. “Did you not hire a new companion?”

“She cannot leave with us as her only daughter is entering confinement soon.”

“With your dislike of company and Georgie’s fear of you, I hardly understand why you would need additional company for her. Bingley has a sister, doesn’t he?”

The man in question only nodded his head.

“Miss Bingley cannot offer the supervision and companionship that a girl of Georgiana’s disposition needs.”

“Then ask her other guardian,” Arlington said. Why should he be inconvenienced?

“Richard has only just returned and will be busy with matters for some time. In any case, as little as I can understand it, she has always been fond of you.”

Curse Darcy for bringing up Georgiana’s affection. Arlington had disappointed so many people in his life, it touched his heart that she still revered him with awe-like fascination. If he could, he would keep her an innocent young girl forever. It seemed like a noble desire, but at the heart of it was selfish motivation as it did not take into account her wishes. Surely, she looked forward to coming out and having suitors with a future of marriage and children. These were simple aspirations which Arlington had long since given up on.

Rather than give any indication of the depth of his thoughts, he shrugged. “I will think about it. I thought Bingley had a request for me?”

Bingley turned red but finally met Arlington’s eyes. “Forgive the impertinence, but I believe you have expertise in these matters.”

“I would not think that I could have more experience than yourself.”

Bingley blushed again. “Your reputation far exceeds my own…”

Arlington choked on his wine. His eyes darted to Darcy’s who wore a small smile at the scene. After recovering, Arlington managed to say, “I had thought you were speaking of a business venture. It seems you come for more personal reasons.”

Surely Darcy and his jolly but nervous friend did not come for advice on how to secure a mistress. Arlington had wasted his youth on frivolity and women. There was little else on which he could give advice.

“Bingley needs assistance in ascertaining the affections of a lady,” Darcy blurted out.

Arlington looked his guest over. “You are handsome and rich enough. She desires you.” He stood to refill his port.

“Her mother certainly wants him for a son-in-law, but the lady is very discreet in her opinions.”

“Marriage! Why would you talk to me about courtship and marriage? I had thought you meant advice on arranging a mistress or liaison.”

Bingley stood to his feet. “I would never disrespect Miss Bennet so!”

Arlington returned to his seat and shook his head. “Ah, so you think you love her?”

“I—I care for her.”

The look on Bingley’s face belied his true feelings. He loved her but either would not admit it to one he knew so little or did not wish to declare his feelings before knowing hers. The latter was likely the reason he was in Arlington’s room. “You wish to save yourself the embarrassment of requesting her hand before knowing her sentiments?”

Bingley nodded, and Darcy’s attention was also focused on Arlington. “Each lady is different, but if her mother is such a promoter of the match, then it is more difficult to decipher. Has she taken notice of Darcy?”

Darcy quickly answered. “Certainly not.”

“Well, I can hardly comment without meeting her.” He took a sip of his port. “It seems you get your wish, after all, cousin. I will come to Hertfordshire with you although I do not believe that what draws you back is the concern for your friend attaching himself to a fortune hunter.” Seeing Bingley’s look of anger, he added, “I mean no offense. I am sure she is as good as any of them.” His words did little to change the expression on Bingley’s face, but then Arlington had not cared to be as charming as usual. “How was dinner with my parents, Darcy? And the latest debutante being thrown at you?”

“It was a dinner. We ate. There was conversation.” Clearly annoyed, Darcy stood. “Thank you, for your assistance. I should return to Georgiana and begin preparations for our travels.”

“Yes, thank you.” Bingley followed suit.

After the men had left, Arlington studied his wine glass. He had no reason to stay in London and no real reason to leave either. Again, he felt adrift in life. What use was there in the endless seas of balls, dinners, engagements, and ladies? Once, he had planned on really living life and being of use. He wondered when it was that after turning his back on the Matlock fortune, he had become the typically dissipated heir in waiting. Had Claire lived, he would have had purpose and meaning. He would have been a husband and father. There would have been a reason to wake each morning and go about his business. He would have a legacy to leave; children to instruct. As it was, no one relied on him or expected better of him, save one. Having committed to leaving with his cousin out of little more than curiosity, he would do his duty by Georgiana. Especially if Darcy was foolish enough to bring her within one hundred miles of Wickham.

******

Jane Bennet stifled a sigh of exasperation as she sat in the drawing room with her family. She stabbed her needle through the embroidery she held. It was of Longbourn. She had planned to display it in her married home. However, that now seemed like nothing more than a foolish fancy.

“Why is Mr. Bingley staying so long in London? What can keep him from Jane?” Mrs. Bennet wailed for the tenth time that evening.

“If I ever go to London, I would never leave,” Lydia said. “Meryton is so dull!”

“Maybe you will marry Captain Carter. Would you follow him from camp to camp?” Kitty asked.

“Captain Carter?” Mrs. Bennet interrupted their musings. “Oh no, nothing short of a colonel from a good, fine family will do for you girls. I do not care if Captain Carter does have a large allowance from his father or how grand their store is. Every one of them is shoppy.”

The girls said nothing as they were well acquainted with their mother’s prejudice of shopkeepers, insisting they all put on airs. Mrs. Bennet was always the first to remind everyone her father was a solicitor and her brother a merchant— not a shopkeeper.

She frowned and stabbed her needle through her work. “After Jane marries Mr. Bingley, he can put you in the path of other men.”

Growing distressed at the continued talk about Mr. Bingley and her mother’s expectations, Jane gave Elizabeth a pleading look.

“Miss Darcy’s cousin is a colonel,” Elizabeth ventured.

“And probably too pompous to even do the King’s bidding, I daresay.” Mrs. Bennet frowned at her embroidery.

“Miss Darcy is very amiable and kind, if shy. She says her cousin is very gentlemanly, and you could not meet with a pleasanter soul.”

“So quite unlike her brother, then! So much pride!”

Elizabeth set aside the book she read. “If we make allowance for fortune and figure and believe his nearest relations are kind, should we not believe his closest friends when they declare Mr. Darcy only needs time to make an acquaintance?”

“How can you say that, Lizzy? He said something quite terrible about you!” Kitty declared.

Jane watched as Elizabeth chewed her lip. Her sister was behaved peculiarly in recent days, but Jane was grateful to have the prying eyes and questions of her family directed towards another. Now, it was time to give her sister the same courtesy. “It was a private conversation. Surely nothing good can come from overhearing a private conversation. What do you think, Mary?”

Jane gave Elizabeth a grateful smile as Mary began extolling on the necessity of forgiveness.

“Lizzy did not intentionally eavesdrop,” Mary said after a moment of reflection. “It reminds me of Levitical laws regarding sins that happen in private versus in public. Mr. Darcy spoke in a crowded room and by all accounts did not care to make his remarks quieter than a normal speaking voice.”

“You see!” Kitty cried.

“However,” Mary cut through her younger sister’s victorious cry, “Jesus commanded us to forgive one another and turn the other cheek.”

Lydia harrumphed. “I could never do that. Why would I give someone another chance to hurt me?” She giggled and rolled her eyes. “Not that it should matter. I would never allow someone the opportunity in the first place.”

Mrs. Bennet nodded. “Quite right, my child. It is far better to be cautious and think that others do not have your good interests at heart. Why, just look at the artful Lucases and Charlotte! If I had known all those times we entertained her in this very room that she was merely calculating how to steal it out from under our noses, we would not be facing disaster. However, I was too kind-hearted and now look at the situation!”

“Mama,” Jane said. “Father is well and may be for many years. There is no reason to fear the immediate future.”

“None of us know our days,” Mary said solemnly. “You might pass before him.”

Mrs. Bennet began to wail.

Mary quickly added, “God forbid it.”

“Thank you, Mary,” Jane said in a tight voice. “That is another point. Surely you see, Mama, that it is equally frivolous to worry about either occurrence.”

Mrs. Bennet threw a hand to her chest. “I have such palpations and thumpings ever since Lizzy threw over Mr. Collins! No, I am sure Mary is correct. My days must be few indeed.” She glared at Elizabeth. “What an ungrateful child you are, denying the wish of your dying mother.”

Despite everyone’s admonishments that Elizabeth could do naught but refuse such a ridiculous man and encouragements, that Mrs. Bennet was quite well, the conversation continued. After several minutes, she retired to her bedchamber where Hill took care of her.

After such a scene, the five girls elected to go to bed early. Jane expressed her gratitude to Elizabeth once in the privacy of their room. “Thank you for distracting Mama, Lizzy. It is difficult enough with my own regrets and recriminations about Mr. Bingley without our mother bringing them up constantly.”

“My dear sister, I wish I could spare you this agony.”

Jane gave Elizabeth a small smile. Despite Elizabeth’s hopes, no one could shelter her from the pain in her heart. Words did little to assuage the ache. “I am sorry that Mama is still angry with you.”

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “I would bear her anger for a thousand years before I would marry Mr. Collins. I cannot fathom what made Charlotte accept him.”

“You must make more allowances for temper and situation in life. She comes from a large family and has declining opportunities to marry.” Jane brushed through Elizabeth’s hair, part of their nightly ritual.

“She never showed much of an inclination to marry before. It is so strange that she would snatch up Mr. Collins.”

“Then believe that they both have affection for the other. A woman cannot induce a man to matrimony against his will. It is not as though she made him propose to her.” Jane tied Elizabeth’s braid with a yellow ribbon.

“No, I would not think she entrapped him. And we do know his mind was bent on marriage,” Elizabeth said with a smirk. “However, Mama insists a lady may make a man’s mind up for him, and Charlotte was of the same mind.”

“How do you know such a thing?” The sisters swapped places.

Elizabeth stammered and blushed. “She mentioned weeks ago that she thought you should encourage Mr. Bingley more.”

“Do you agree?” Jane asked and looked at her hands, not wishing to meet Elizabeth’s eyes in the mirror.

“Of course not!”

Jane sighed in relief. “You do not blame me then for his continued absence?”

“No! You could only be yourself. In truth, I had worried that it was my fault.”

“Impossible! How could you drive him away?”

Elizabeth focused on the task of braiding. It did not require the focus, as they had done this for each other since little girls. Jane knew her sister merely evaded the answer. She waited patiently, allowing Elizabeth time to find the right words.

When she had tied off Jane’s hair, Elizabeth broke her silence. “I fear I have made my dislike of Mr. Darcy no secret and it has wounded his pride. I worry he encouraged his friend to stay in town.”

“Do you think Mr. Bingley has so little resolve or that Mr. Darcy has so much pride and hatred? You defended him earlier.”

Elizabeth was silent once more. “I do not know what I think of Mr. Darcy.” Then drawing out a letter from her pocket, she smiled cheerfully. “I do know his sister is a very dear girl. I am sending our reply tomorrow; is there anything you wish to add?”

There being nothing new to add to the letter, the sisters climbed in bed. Once the light was out and Elizabeth seemed asleep, Jane allowed her thoughts to turn to Mr. Bingley.

He had been fixed in her mind from nearly their first moment of acquaintance as the most amiable man she had ever met. Her mother always had high hopes for her with any and every gentleman she met with a little bit of money or name about him. Jane learned from an early age to protect her heart.

A week ago, she would have said she liked Mr. Bingley very much, and should he have proposed, she would have consented. He was everything proper in a young man, he could afford to marry, and it would please her family. She had no doubts she could have grown to love him as a husband; her heart would have been open only to him. However, she had scarcely allowed herself to think about it. Many a gentleman paid her some kind of attention before their interest waned or time parted them.

Now she realised she had given her heart away unawares. No logical explanation of his worth had a thing to do with it. She had not seen any extreme encouragement on his side—she feared Elizabeth far too generous there. Nor could the flaw in his character revealed by his extended absence and the hasty removal of the Netherfield party from the neighbourhood change her feelings. She had liked him when she thought him the perfect gentleman, but in learning that he was imperfect, she discovered she loved him.

Jane allowed a tear to trickle down her cheek. In her youth, she had learned to hide her feelings of embarrassment and shyness. Now, she feared she lacked the strength to mask the continued pain of disappointment and regret.