How did I let this happen?
Darcy tried to pace with nervous energy, but his motion was prevented by the ambling crowd. He stood astonished and knew not where to go or where to look, rage and bewilderment battling for the dominating feelings crossing his mind. It was in this confused manner that Bingley found him not long thereafter.
“Come, Darcy.” He led him away from the crowd. “You must tell me what happened. It is all anyone can talk of. Hurst left his card game to find me in the ballroom. Hurst! Abandoned his game! What did you do?”
Darcy had genuinely believed that he could reason with Wickham and persuade him to acknowledge his child. Was that hopeful rationalising on his part or arrogance? Upon hearing Bingley’s entreaties and realising he was being led away before a gaping crowd, Darcy recovered his deportment and steadied his features. It would not do to appear shaken and outraged. He needed to act with a level head if he was to recover from this disaster.
“Bingley,” Darcy said, choosing his words carefully, “I request a favour of you.”
“Yes, just tell me what has happened!”
“I am going to write a letter, and I need you to deliver it in person for me first thing in the morning. You then must wait for a reply.”
Bingley laughed pleasantly. “Have you left all your servants in London? Why do you ask this of me?”
Darcy stopped walking to meet Bingley’s eye. “I need you to deliver a letter to Mr Wickham and await his response. You have my consent to accept his apology. If he does not concede and agree to my terms, you will be obliged to hand him a second letter containing my challenge.”
Bingley’s brow creased, and then a heartbeat later, his eyes widened in shock. “Darcy! You cannot be serious.”
“I have never been more in earnest! Aside from what that man owes to Lydia, Mr Wickham just insulted Elizabeth’s reputation to a room full of the wealthy and influential. I shall not stand by yet again and let that man proceed unimpeded. If he does not retract his slander and recognise Lydia’s child, I see no other option for preserving their honour and mine. I will not allow it to be said that my wife—” Darcy broke off, too angry to continue.
Bingley looked down Alfred Street and into the night, sighing heavily and shaking his head.
“Do not ask this of me, Darcy. I cannot be your second.” Bingley’s face showed his regret. “Do you not see why I needed to distance myself? There is no hope of keeping this silent—for God’s sake, even Hurst noticed. This will be whispered about in every gentlemen’s club. I cannot be known to have defended the Bennets after…”
“After your breach of promise to Jane.”
“Miss Bennet released me!” Bingley insisted. “Although I won’t deny that was what I wanted, I must detach myself for the sake of my family’s reputation.”
“It is as likely that, in the sober light of morning, Mr Wickham will recant and do what I require of him. If it comes to a meeting between us…” Darcy hung his head at the thought. “Bingley, I am offended you will not stand by me.” He could not keep the injured tone out of his voice.
“I am certain that you will act honourably. Your cause is a just one. But I must think of my own name, and there can be no connexion between my family and the Bennets. What about Caroline’s future? What of my intention to live the life of a gentleman? I shall make a clean break of it. I am soon to return to Netherfield—do not look at me that way! I have an eligible purchase offer and need to meet with my agent. From that point forward, I will not return to Hertfordshire or interact with any member of the Bennet family.”
Darcy stared at Bingley for a long moment before coldly replying, “Then I regret that here we must part ways, Mr Bingley.”
Darcy made his way back to Camden Place. Nothing could restore Bingley to him with a faith unbroken, a character unblemished. Nothing could take away the knowledge of what Jane had suffered or remove the truth of Bingley’s conduct toward himself. Bingley had forsaken him in his hour of need, and after so carefully, if not always appropriately, looking after Bingley’s interests, Darcy could admit to feeling wounded.
Darcy was in no state of mind to entertain and was put out when his servant told him, upon entering his house, that he had a visitor. Considering that perhaps Wickham had sent a man with a letter of apology, Darcy agreed to see the caller.
“There you are, Darcy!” Colonel Fitzwilliam stood with a smile to greet him. “I had feared you might spend your evening dancing and gaming. As you see, I have arrived earlier than promised.” His cousin peered at him as he came closer. “I say, whatever is the matter?”
“Forgive me—I am truly pleased to see you.” He offered a wan smile along with his handshake, then said in an impatient rush, “I require your immediate help, and if you forsake me as well, then I am at a loss.”
“Anything—how might I help you?” His voice showed his grave concern at seeing him distressed.
Darcy hesitated to say the words aloud and glanced at the window. He saw his reflection in the glass, the vision looking back at him appearing pallid and weary. He turned back to his cousin. “I have challenged George Wickham to a duel, and I need you to be my second.”
ChapterTwenty-Five
Longbourn
Thursday, July 24
My dearest Fitzwilliam,
My impatience to be gone from Longbourn increases daily. The Gardiners have written to me about the loveliness of Pemberley and Derbyshire, and I am eager to see it myself. Shall I sit outside the church every morning in the hope that you return sooner than expected? I do not wish to waste a precious moment before becoming your wife. You would not mind marrying me on short notice, I hope.
My aunt wrote that Georgiana, with the help of Mrs Annesley, was a delightful hostess. When your housekeeper learned that Miss Darcy was entertaining the relations of the soon-to-be Mrs Darcy, she could not help but speak to them. Mrs Reynolds has never heard a cross word from you, and she has known you since you were four years old. She adds that you are handsome and wonders whether anyone is good enough for you, that you are the best landlord, the best master, affable to the poor, and so on. You ought to have brought Mrs Reynolds to the assembly in Meryton. Had I spoken to her before I met you, my first impression would have been more to your credit.
