“That is the least he would do,” replied Darcy. “No, Wickham, you are now beyond all decency and must pay the price.
“And before you invoke my father, he would be no moreforgiving were he in my shoes now. Though you might not like to confess it, the only reason he approved of you so much was because he was unaware of your more dubious habits.”
The way Wickham regarded him, Darcy thought he would ask Darcy why he never informed his father. It was a relief when he decided against it, for it was a subject that still produced pain.
“Then what is to become of me?” asked Wickham as if he feared the response.
“My father will use his influence to see you transported,” said Fitzwilliam. “You may work your sins out in Van Diemen’s Land lacking the ability to profit from your fellow man again.”
Wickham nodded without emotion. “I suppose it is the best I can expect. At least I will keep my life.”
“You will,” replied Darcy. “At the moment, I consider it far more than you deserve.”
“From your perspective, I suppose it is.”
“There is little more to discuss, Darcy,” said Fitzwilliam. “I will not stay and listen to him insinuate we are misusing him. We have done what we needed to do; let us leave.”
“I agree,” said Darcy.
Without another word to the prisoner, they turned and knocked on the door, and the constable soon unlocked it and let them through. Despite dismissing him and departing without another word, it surprised Darcy that Wickham did not even speak in anger. They left with a farewell for the constable and a promise to keep him abreast of Wickham’s disposition.
Less than half an hour later, Darcy and Fitzwilliam reined in their horses before Netherfield and dismounted, separating to their rooms to change from their riding clothes. When they joined the rest of the party, they found a most unwelcome development. Miss Bingley and the Hursts had arrived.
Chapter XIX
It was obvious upon entering that Bingley was not pleased with his sister. Miss Bingley sat with Mrs. Hurst, Hurst occupying a nearby chair and appearing unconcerned with anything other than the glass in his hand. Nearby, Lady Catherine and Anne sat close together, the lady’s countenance showing disapproval, while Anne appeared nothing less than amused.
For Miss Bingley’s part, she appeared akin to a dog with a bone, resting with it between its front legs, relishing its treat while considering how best to go about devouring it. While Bingley had intended his family to go north, Miss Bingley had persuaded her brother by marriage to join Bingley at Netherfield. That she discounted Darcy’s understanding of her appalling actions toward Miss Bennet and still considered an alliance between them a possibility spoke to an unmistakable measure of hubris. Her behavior in the autumn had been atrocious—when she saw the new beginning Darcy had achieved with Miss Elizabeth, she would no doubt show her true nature.
“Mr. Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam,” greeted the woman, rising to meet them with her graceful curtsey. “Welcome back to Netherfield.”
“Miss Bingley,” said Darcy, eyeing the woman while trying to hide his distaste. “What a... surprise it is to see you here.”
Unexpected though it was to see her, it was not beyond Darcy’s experience for her to dissemble. “I know not why it would be a surprise, for I wish to be here to see to your comfort while you stay with my brother.”
“Your gracious welcome humbles us,” said Colonel Fitzwilliam. By his tone, Darcy knew his cousin meant to havea bit of fun at Miss Bingley’s expense. “To visit your family in the north and return so quickly, you must have traveled with the wind to achieve such a feat.”
Now that Darcy recalled, Miss Bingley had made Fitzwilliam’s acquaintance but once, and on that occasion, seeing the woman for what she was, he had toyed with her shamelessly, teasing and frustrating her at every opportunity. Miss Bingley remembered the same, for the way she regarded him with narrowed eyes, she must be calculating how she was to endure him. For the moment, she appeared to focus on disingenuity.
“How you came by such a notion I cannot say, Colonel Fitzwilliam. My brother has returned to his country estate, and he requires a hostess. As I have often served in that capacity, I shall not go to the north while he requires my presence.”
Bingley appeared as if he wished to say something, but he stayed silent, perhaps mercifully. A fiction though Miss Bingley’s pretense was, Bingley would not wish to make her appear any more foolish than she already was.
“Ah, then it becomes clear,” replied Fitzwilliam, affecting sage understanding. “It speaks well to your character, Miss Bingley, that you would wish to support him at this time of great consequence to his happiness.”
Miss Bingley’s smile turned brittle. “I do not know what you mean. We are staying at my brother’s country estate for the summer, nothing more. At the first available opportunity, I am certain we shall return to town, for it is so much more interesting than remaining in the country.”
“I have lived many years in the country, Miss Bingley,” said Lady Catherine. Darcy’s aunt did not seem to possess much patience for Miss Bingley, unsurprising as she did not appreciate social climbers.
“From what I heard,” said Miss Bingley, returning to her chair, “you live in Kent, which must be superior to anythingthiscounty can offer. It is no surprise that you enjoy living in that society.”
With a glance at Fitzwilliam, which betrayed his interest in continuing to provoke their new hostess, they joined the company, knowing it would be a long afternoon if they must endure Miss Bingley without making their escape.
What followed was everything Darcy had ever expected, and unnerving in some ways. When Lady Catherine was part of a group, there was very little chance for anyone else to insert their opinions, for when she spoke, she expected others to listen, and rarely had time to allow anyone their part of the conversation. On this occasion, Miss Bingley spoke incessantly, while Lady Catherine watched her, clearly not amused by this social upstart. Mrs. Hurst simpered and agreed with every word that issued from her sister’s mouth, proving she was no more adept at reading the room than Miss Bingley. The rest of the party remained quiet, allowing Miss Bingley her head, some annoyed, some amused, some simply wishing they were elsewhere. Darcy felt himself to be a member of all three camps at once, though mostly the last. As Miss Bingley rarely required a response, he most often imagined himself in Miss Elizabeth’s company. It helped him endure the afternoon.
Through it all, Fitzwilliam interjected comments designed to provoke Miss Bingley, displaying a savage glee when he succeeded. He could be the most genial man alive when he put his mind to it, but Darcy was also reminded that Fitzwilliam did not suffer fools. Miss Bingley was most certainly being foolish and in more ways than one.
It was perhaps an hour before dinner when they finally escaped her company, Anne and Lady Catherine looking equally relieved. Miss Bingley excused herself to go to her rooms to change for dinner, and while Anne and Lady Catherine retreated to their chambers, the men sequestered themselves in thebilliards room, taking their frustrations out on the billiard balls. Soon, the sounds of clacking balls accompanied the conversation of the men as they played. Other than Hurst, for he contented himself with watching them while sipping on a glass of port.
