That same afternoon, Darcy arrived at Netherfield. He had ridden the last twenty miles for relief from the tedium of the carriage, and he entered the house wet from a light rain and travel-worn. Charles met him at the door. “I will send hot water, Darcy, so that you can warm up in a hot bath.”
Darcy nodded. “Thank you, Bingley. I am cold down to the bone.”
After he had bathed, Darcy came down to Bingley’s study, where he found his friend pacing.
Darcy’s eyes narrowed. “What is it, Charles? Is all well with you and Jane?”
Charles looked grave. “Jane and I quarreled this morning. I injured her when I defended Caroline’s rudeness. Yet that is not the worst of it. Darcy, Caroline is with child. Lord Dunwich is the father. Louisa tells me it is widely known that he has already compromised two other gentlewomen and refused to marry them. There were even wagers laid in the betting books at White’s as to how many days would pass before he ruined her. Caroline knew all this, yet believed he would make her his wife. Now she is with child, and I must find her a husband.”
Darcy was grave. “There are too many like him. Wealthy, handsome, and charming. The very sort of man Miss Bingley has always pursued.”
Charles gave a short laugh. “Yes, a man like you.”
Darcy stiffened. “Not like me. I would never...”
Bingley raised a hand quickly. “Forgive me. I did not mean it so. I meant only that you are rich, well-born, and admired. That was all.”
Darcy inclined his head, and Charles went on. “We leave tomorrow for Yorkshire. I will marry her to one of our cousins. It is the only way. Will you remain?”
Darcy shook his head. “I can remain only tonight, perhaps tomorrow. Then I must return to Kent. Richard requires my assistance. But Charles, I am sorry. She is your sister, and this must weigh heavily upon you.”
Bingley’s eyes shone with unshed tears. “If I can find her a husband before scandal breaks, she may have some semblance of a respectable life. She does not value what she is about to lose. She thinks herself undone because she will not marry an earl, yet she does not see how near she stands to disgrace. I can only hope she will learn from this and change for the better.”
Darcy went upstairs to bathe and dress for Christmas dinner. Charles sat down to brood.
Chapter 50: Betrothed
Mr. Darcy entered the drawing room and looked for Elizabeth. She was sitting next to her sister on a small couch, knitting.
Caroline rose as soon as she saw him standing in the doorway, tall and striking as ever. She set down her embroidery hoop and crossed the room. “Mr. Darcy, Charles did not tell us he was expecting you. This is a pleasure.” She slipped her arm into his and leaned against him.
Darcy would have known of Caroline’s pregnancy even if Bingley hadn’t told him. Her lovely figure had thickened, and even her face was altered. When she walked towards him, the rounded swell of her abdomen was plain, even though she was wearing a shawl to cover herself. He felt sorrow for Bingley. At some level, Darcy had always believed that Caroline would bring shame to her family, and now she had done just that. He disengaged himself from her arms and said, “I am only in Hertfordshire for one night. I travel to London tomorrow morning.”
Caroline frowned. “You will remain with us for only one night? But we are close friends. Come, Mr. Darcy, stay with us a second night at least.”
Darcy pressed his lips into a tight line. “Pray excuse me, Miss Bingley. I need to speak with Miss Elizabeth before I retire to bed.”
She blinked. “Miss Bingley? You are never so formal with me. We have been friends these many years, and I have always been Caroline to you.”
Darcy apologized. “We have been friends for seven years now. Forgive me if I seemed too formal. Now, if you will excuse me, I must speak to Miss Elizabeth.”
He moved past her and then stopped before Elizabeth and said with quiet courtesy, “Miss Bennet, you look well.”
She had risen, and now she curtsied. “Mr. Darcy. I thought you would be detained with business for many months.”
“I shall be. I leave for Rosings in a day or two. I go to London first and then expect to remain in Kent for at least two months.”
Elizabeth inclined her head. “Then I wish you success, sir.”
He looked grave. “Colonel Fitzwilliam and I shall travel to Kent together. Anne de Bourgh and my aunt are safely settled in Bath. We have every hope that Anne’s health will improve soon.”
Elizabeth replied, “I wish her well.”
Caroline had come up again and seized his arm, but Darcy quietly freed himself once more and moved toward Jane, bowing to his hostess.
Elizabeth gazed after him. The cut of his coat showed his broad shoulders and narrow waist to advantage. His deep voice filled her ears like music. She longed for his touch and knew in her heart that if he asked her again, she would accept him. The thought of another woman at his side, her arm entwined with his as Miss Bingley’s had been moments ago, of another sharing his home and his bed, was utterly insupportable. She knew then that she would accept him no matter the social barriers.
Darcy stood before Jane. “Thank you for receiving me so kindly, though my visit was unlooked for and it is Christmas Day. I wrote to Charles a fortnight past, hoping to have arrived sooner,but my journey was long, and the weather did not always favor me.”
