“Not only will we all suffer for having a fallen sister, but Jane will suffer the added burden of being a jilt. It will further impugn her prospects should she try to marry from this neighbourhood. Since the banns have not been read and Jane released him, I doubt that Mr Bingley’s reputation will be much affected.”
“He has used Jane ill, deserted and disappointed her, and worse, he has shown a feebleness of character in doing so.”
Elizabeth knew that Fitzwilliam’s own decided and confident temper could not endure such weakness. “Jane’s feelings will prey upon her. Mr Bingley, as a man, will have continual occupation that will weaken whatever little remains of his affection for her.”
“I hope you do not imply that all men are so inconstant.”
Perhaps not so long ago she might have been quick to judge, to assume the worst of him. “I should deserve utter contempt if I supposed true attachment and constancy were known only by women. You yourself are proof of that. I can now agree with you that Mr Bingley never truly loved Jane. I would not have believed him to be overly concerned with rank and reputation, considering his family background.”
“On the contrary, it explains a great deal.” Elizabeth’s face must have expressed her disbelief. “Bingley is from a respectable family, and his father left him property to the value of a hundred thousand pounds, all from the cotton industry. His father had sufficient money for his son to be brought up as a gentleman.”
“If he was raised as a gentleman, it is even more despicable for Bingley to break his engagement.”
“Bingley has always desired to join the landed gentry. His father’s greatest wish was to see his family settled in an estate and sever all ties with the trade that made him wealthy. Marrying the daughter of a gentleman would have aided him in achieving a desirable status. He undoubtedly fears that, as a newly wealthy man, his reputation would suffer for having a wife whose sister has a natural child.”
“I suppose I should be grateful that you inherited your landed estate over many generations. Thank goodness your family is old enough to withstand the scandal,” Elizabeth answered wryly.
“Lydia spoke to me of much the same thing.”
They stood together in sad silence for a moment before she told him of her decision to stay behind. “I decided not to join the Gardiners on their northern tour when they leave tomorrow.” Elizabeth did not try to hide her disappointment. “I need to be with Jane now. I can shield her from all of our mother’s criticisms and be of some comfort to her. Lydia will accompany my aunt and uncle. They are not happy with having only her for company, but they understand why I ought to remain with Jane.” She ached at the idea of sitting idly at Longbourn, but she could not leave Jane alone at a time like this.
“I will leave for London to search for Wickham immediately after the Gardiners depart. Will you meet me again tomorrow morning?” His voice was just above a whisper, and he gave a glance toward the door. “I do not wish to say good-bye to you in front of all the others.”
“I had not expected you would ask me that,” she replied slowly.
“Must I always do what is expected of me?” His tone was urgent. “Must I always do what is decorous and correct? Can I not simply be a man who longs for the company of the woman he loves?”
Elizabeth remembered his passion the morning in the cottage: unreserved, wildly happy, joyful. That morning he had not been Mr Darcy of Pemberley with hundreds of people dependent upon him and responsibilities laden upon his young shoulders. She thought for a moment that perhaps he might have been lonely amid so much obligation and civility.
“Of course you can,” she said, and the tension left his eyes. “I feel the same. I will meet you at daybreak. The Gardiners will not leave until after ten o’clock, so we shall have plenty of time.”
He absolutely blushed. “No, you have entirely mistaken my meaning. I am not asking…I do not mean to imply that we must…I simply want to spend time alone with you, Elizabeth.”
She found his embarrassment endearing. She smiled indulgently as she settled herself in his arms. “Are you prepared to suffer all the gossip should your efforts to find Wickham be in vain?”
“Having you as my wife will offer me such happiness that I shall have no reason to repine. I will return soon to marry you, my dearest Elizabeth, no matter where Wickham is, no matter Lydia or Jane or anything else. I love you, and unless you send me away, nothing will keep me from you.”
ChapterTwenty-One
Upon entering Netherfield, Darcy faced the exact situation he had hoped to avoid. Miss Bingley greeted him as the footman relieved him of his hat and gloves and, while clutching his arm as if she were drowning, asked whether she might speak with him privately. Unable to dismiss a lifetime of well-bred manners, he showed her into the drawing room, purposely leaving the door open.
“Mr Darcy, I am shaken at the news from Longbourn, and I simply had to enquire after your well-being.”
“I am disappointed and grieved, but determined to do all that I can to right the situation.”
Miss Bingley’s eyes glowed, and she smiled demurely. “Quite so—I had expected nothing less from a man of your integrity. Charles has already been to see Jane, and although Eliza has not her sweetness of character, she will not be unreasonable to your request.”
Did Miss Bingley suggest he would petition Elizabeth to release him? He knew not whether to laugh outright or unleash the full extent of his anger. “I am a happily engaged man. I could not declare off now if I wanted to, which, I assure you, I do not.”
She raised her eyebrows, her expression souring. “I assumed this scandal would compel you to acknowledge that your respect was not engaged—only your fancy. I hoped that I might comfort you at this trying time. Eliza Bennet has always been very forward. Considering her sister’s…I must say, I lack the words to describe such a shocking affair. I presumed that to continue an engagement with such a woman would be at a variance with your good breeding.”
“Your presumption is offensive.” Darcy was in a foul temper. “You fail to consider the possibility that I am in love with Miss Elizabeth and that she is too in love with me to release me. In addition, my honour as a gentleman requires that I both respect my intention to marry her and do what I must to preserve the reputation of her family.”
“In love? Such romantic language!” She laughed. “I can imagine an underbred woman like Eliza making a habit of falling in love, but I would have thought that a man of your birth and education would prefer to see more restraint in the lady he married.”
He stared at her incredulously. “I will no longer suffer your impudence or simpering attentions.” He gave her one last, stony look and left the room.
Darcy wandered Netherfield’s principal rooms looking for Bingley. It surprised him to find him in the library; it was the last room Darcy had thought to search. Bingley sat in one of the upholstered chairs before the tall windows facing the lawn.
