Previous Chapters: One / Two / Three / Four / Five / Six / Seven / Eight / Nine / Ten / Eleven / Twelve / Thirteen / Fourteen / Fifteen / Sixteen / Seventeen / Eighteen / Nineteen / Twenty / Twenty-One / Twenty-Two / Twenty-Three Twenty-Four / Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Jane walked in the garden with Elizabeth while awaiting Bingley’s arrival. She knew his intentions this morning and hoped Caroline would arrive with him. She did not count on Elizabeth’s anxious behaviour, however. There was a crunch on the gravel behind them, and Elizabeth whirled around then sighed in disappointment as it was only the rustle of leaves.
“You do not think Caroline would delay them all morning, do you?” Elizabeth searched the road for any sign of a carriage.
“I truly believe she will come with him. Who could deny such a loving brother?”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “Not that I believe Mr. Bingley an insufficient brother, but he is younger than her. Not everyone holds the same sway over their sisters as Mr. Darcy has over Georgie.”
“I am sorry I have been too occupied to pay her more attention.”
Elizabeth smiled. “I am not. You are occupied exactly as you should be. I am so happy for you!”
Jane laughed. “If only Mama would quit dropping hints at expecting a proposal.”
“You do not wish for one?” Elizabeth studied her feet.
“I do not doubt that I will have one from him in his own time.”
“Ah yes. A gentleman does not like to be forced into things.”
“Quite true,” Jane agreed. “However, I cannot help but feel that I was partially to blame for his leaving and staying away so long. I think I was too guarded with my feelings, and I ought to now show him my affections more plainly. After all, it is proper to do so now. I never want him to doubt my love again.”
“The both of you are very silly. Anyone can plainly see how much he cares for you, and I think it is just as obvious to Mr. Bingley, who spends his time nearly exclusively with you, that you love him.”
“Take care, Lizzy.” Jane patted her sister’s arm. “One day you will fall in love and find that it is the least rational time in your life. Doubts and fears shall plague you. You will anxiously look for any sign of encouragement from the one you esteem and then worry you only imagine his affections. The assurances from your family and friends will mean nothing until you hear it directly from him.”
“And have you?”
Jane only smiled. Some things were too private to share.
“You are too sly, Jane! Please tell me!”
She was saved the trouble of having to reply by the arrival of the Bingley carriage with the single men following on horseback. She watched as Elizabeth’s eyes flew to Mr. Darcy’s, followed by her beaming for just a moment before turning her head. Jane laughed to herself. She was not the only Bennet daughter who was fond of slyness. Bingley hand Caroline down from the carriage, drawing a genuine smile from Jane.
“Caroline, how nice it is to see you.”
“I hope my brother made my apologies over the last few days. I did not feel well and did not want to pass it on.” The other lady said with an uncertain tone.
“Indeed, he did relay that you were indisposed. I am glad to see you well today.”
Caroline met Jane’s eyes. “I am happy to be here.”
Jane sensed the truth of the statement but watched Caroline’s face as her mother and sisters noisily spilled out of the house. Instead of seeing the hint of displeasure she usually witnessed, she saw an expression of sadness as Caroline watched Kitty and Lydia go to Georgiana’s side. Then Caroline’s eyes darted to Elizabeth.
Mrs. Bennet called Lord Arlington over to where she stood next to Elizabeth, and Darcy slowly approached as well. It was nothing new to Jane; Elizabeth frequently commanded the attention of the male sex, although she never seemed to notice. Caroline took a deep breath and straightened her posture. Louisa and Mr. Hurst approached her side, and Mrs. Bennet shooed them all inside for tea.
Everyone broke into small groups then. Jane’s younger sisters sat around Georgiana, who had slowly become less shy around them. Darcy and Arlington sat near Elizabeth, the latter two frequently laughing and the former managing to smile. Her mother talked to Louisa about fashion while Mr. Hurst helped himself to many biscuits. As Bingley talked to her about the upcoming Christmas season, Jane noticed how Caroline sometimes remarked in one conversation or another but was never truly a part of any of them. Elizabeth would likely scold her, but Jane found compassion for the woman she hoped to call sister.
“Of course, girls,” she heard Mrs. Bennet say, and her younger sisters filed to the door.
Unexpectedly, Mary turned back. “Miss Bingley, would you like to come with us? I admire your taste in Italian songs.”
The question clearly surprised Caroline, and Jane smiled at Mary. Strangely, the two ladies had some things in common. Both desired to be relished as accomplished, and both seemed frequently forgotten in a room of more exciting occupants. She did not know if Mary asked out of civility or a true desire to spend time with Miss Bingley, but Jane was happy nonetheless. She was certain Caroline could not object to her family if they showed her better attention. Gratitude alone would make Caroline see their value.
“Mr. Bennet is in his library again?” Lord Arlington asked Mrs. Bennet.
“Oh! It is no slight to you, good sir,” she hastened to explain.
“I had not worried that it was. Some of us prefer solitude. We are the intruders in his home.”
“You are never an intrusion!” she exclaimed in a shrill voice. “He is not sleeping well and often falls asleep while reading now, but I always think it the greatest respect to allow him to rest. And so my daughters have been taught the same thing.”
Lord Arlington waved away her concerns and complimented her on the tea, ensuring several minutes of profuse thanks on her side.
Bingley had been watching the scene as well and then turned to Jane. “Is your father well? I have not seen him for several days.”
Jane shook her head. “I have not heard that he is ill, but he seldom leaves the library now, only when the officers come.”
Her words attracted the attention of Darcy and Arlington. The latter asked, “Oh? Any officers, in particular, who are his favourites?”
Jane smiled at his tease. “It is the same ones who always visit: Captain Carter, Mr. Saunderson, and Mr. Denny. Mr. Wickham has not come in several days. Papa sits here for the visit and then invites them into the library for cards and chess. If any of you prefer them, I am certain he would enjoy a match.”
The gentlemen looked at each other pointedly but said nothing. Jane saw Elizabeth observe their behaviour as well.
“Perhaps on the next call,” Arlington said and stood. “Darcy, we had better leave if you still want to go shooting.”
Jane did not miss the looks of disappointment that Elizabeth and Darcy both had as Elizabeth remarked, “I daresay I am jealous of gentlemen, always being allowed out of doors. When you leave, I shall be forced to go to the music room with the others.”
Darcy smiled. “We will schedule another walk, then. I leave it to you and Georgiana to arrange the matter.”
“Indeed! And I notice you do not praise me and say I do not need the practice.” She feigned a pout and a glare. “Shall our debate continue? For oftentimes where there is music, there is dancing, and you may have to reap the penalties of our practice.”
He chuckled and leaned closer to hide his reply from Mrs. Bennet, Louisa, and Hurst, but the others were near enough to hear it. “So long as I can claim a dance with you, I do not care what jigs are played. Or if you are to perform, then tell me you have no reason for sad love songs.”
Elizabeth blushed scarlet, and Darcy bowed to her before declaring he would say farewell to Georgiana as the others had been invited to stay for dinner.
*****
That night after supper, Bingley met with Darcy and Arlington in the billiards room. “I assume you left Longbourn to deal with Wickham?”
Arlington shook his head. “Maybe you can talk some sense into Darcy. He is too stubborn for his own good!”
“Just because you are used to having no one question your statements based on your title does not mean I will be afforded the same freedom. Nor can I say anything without casting suspicion on Georgiana.”
“Then let me handle it!”
“Wickham managed to get in Colonel Forster’s good graces when he was supposed to be sent to London instead of attending Bingley’s ball. There can be no hope from his commanding officer unless we entirely expose my sister.”
“Richard could be of use,” his lordship suggested.
Darcy shook his head. “No, he is still recovering from his illness and is hoping to resign his commission. He is plagued with indecision and self-doubt. He does not need to add my concerns to the ones he already has. Besides, he was going to your parents’ estate for Christmas. They have already left Town.” He cast a disapproving look at Arlington. “You would know if you took care of your correspondence.”
“Speaking of my parents, my father could certainly arrange something.”
“We are absolutely not involving the earl in what he will see as only a boyhood feud.”
“I believe Sir William is the magistrate. It will keep the matter local,” Arlington said with a touch of exasperation.
“Wickham has done nothing criminal. As I am also a magistrate, I take that matter seriously. I will not abuse my power even if it would ease my mind.”
“You could at least inform Mr. Bennet,” Arlington pressed.
“No,” Darcy shook his head. “He is already ill. I will not vex him with a matter that is not his concern and that he can do nothing to amend. I will not tell a man that he has been too lax in monitoring the acquaintances his daughters form.”
“Jane said Mr. Bennet was not ill,” Bingley said. He was a clever man, but it was difficult to keep pace with Darcy and Arlington together.
“His withdrawal seems similar to what afflicted my father,” Darcy said quietly.
Bingley glanced at Arlington, who shook his head, and the gentleman chose not to press Darcy further. Instead, Bingley chose to return to the heart of the issue. “Is Wickham truly so bad? He was raised with you.”
Darcy sighed deeply. “Those are my thoughts exactly. He is a menace but surely just to me. I do not think he is behaving any worse than other junior officers. I met him after the ball and offered him money then. He did not accept it.”
“Then perhaps he has learned his lesson!” Bingley thrilled at the idea.
“I hate to kill your joy,” Arlington said, “but people do not change. You have always thought he wanted money from you, but what if each encounter was a plan to wound your pride and to achieve some kind of justice for not being noticed more by your father?”
“He nearly eloped with Georgiana.” Darcy shrugged. “There is nothing that would have hurt me more than to have her tied to him for life.”
Arlington raised his brows. “Is there not? He could woo Miss Elizabeth from you.”
Bingley scoffed. “You heard Jane; he does not go to Longbourn anymore.”
“They might meet elsewhere.”
Darcy looked doubtful. “Elizabeth would be a fool to fall for Wickham when I have paid her such attention.”
“You are thinking with your pride,” Arlington warned. “The woman has demonstrated she does not care for worldly security.”
“What do you suggest?” Bingley asked.
“Darcy, you ought to propose immediately. Stake your claim. Tell Mrs. Bennet of your offer if you must, or meet with her father, who may insist upon it.”
“I would never take her freedom of choice away,” Darcy said quietly.
“Why would she not merely agree out of affection?” Bingley asked.
Arlington gave Darcy a sad smile. “I do think she is aware of your notice and has not taken the pain to discourage you, but she is not blindly lost to you either. The lady requires more time to know her own heart.”
Bingley scratched his head in confusion. “Then how could Wickham capture it so quickly?”
Darcy sighed. “My temperament is to blame, and I spent weeks attempting not to pay her any attention at all. Additionally, she is well aware of my first thoughts on an attachment between you and her sister.”
Arlington took a sip of his port. “Besides all this, ladies have a certain amount of vanity; they want to be flattered. Wickham is a charmer, whereas Darcy is still making up for a poor first impression where—if the rumour is correct—he declared she was slighted by other men for not being handsome enough to warrant a dance.”
Darcy’s jaw dropped open. “She knows?”
“It is the talk of the county,” Arlington replied. “I thought you knew.”
Darcy slumped in a chair. “It is useless, then. I have not the slightest idea how to woo a lady, especially one as sensible as Elizabeth and when she has such justifiable reasons not to trust me.”
“You could speak to her directly,” Bingley suggested and was subsequently ignored.
The clock chimed midnight. “I still think you ought to arrange a meeting with Colonel Forster about Wickham,” Arlington said before standing. “I will leave you to it while I get some sleep.”
Having come to no satisfactory conclusion, Darcy and Bingley also left for bed.
Rose Fairbanks 