“Bingley, are you so afraid of confrontation that you refuse to check your sister? Theonlyreason that I have tolerated her terrible behaviour and relentless pursuit of me is for my friendship with you. I had hoped that your older sister had more sense, but she also defers to Miss Bingley regardless of the scorn that is directed at them. If you are unable to check your sister, to control her, and to see that she is leading your family to ruin, then there is little left between us. Do you know what vile lies she spewed to me about Miss Elizabeth?” Darcy demanded.
“Yes, but she thought…” Bingley hedged.
“You have been to Portman Square! You tried to apologise to Miss Bennet and you know the truth of the connection, correct?” Darcy cut him off and Bingley nodded. “And I will bet that your sister is ignoring the facts and still spewing her false venom?” Bingley nodded again. “Then as you know the truth, why have you not made your sister see reason?”
“It is so hard with her, Darce. If you would only marry her it would make her…” Bingley did not get the chance to finish the sentence.
“Are you out of your senses!! Even if that shrewish, harpy of a sister of yours attempted a compromise, I WOULDNEVERMARRY HER!!” Darcy thundered.
“I-I errr, ehm…” Bingley spluttered, fearful now at the outburst that he had caused.
“Mr Bingley,” Darcy said icily with disdain, “all connection between us is now at an end. If you visit any of my homes, you will be told that we are not at home to you! If that delusional harridan of a sister of yours attempts to push her way into my house again, I will have her arrested for trespassing. If either of your sisters dare approach me or any member of my family in public, they will receive the cut direct. I will greet you as an indifferent acquaintance but no more than that in public. It will be made known in theTonthat should your sisters try to use my name or that of my family to help their social climbing efforts that there is no connection, and that I do not want my name associated with them or you. Do you understand all that I have said, Mr Bingley?” Darcy commanded.
“Yes Darce…” Bingley stared at him in shocked surprise.
“That isMr Darcyto you, sir. Good day.Killion!” The butler stepped into the study, “Mr Killion please show Mr Bingley out, and if he calls again, we are not at home to him as we are not to his sisters. Please make that known to all of the Darcy House staff.” Darcy gave the order and Bingley paled, almost stumbling as Killion guided him out.
With that, a stunned Bingley found himself watching as Killion closed and locked the front door of Darcy House. ‘What have I done? Is placating Caroline worth all of the trouble and cost? I need peace at home; I cannot tell my sisters about what happened today. Whenever they mention Darcy,MrDarcy, I will dissemble a little. All will be well, I am sure. Once he calms down, I am confident that he will send me a note,’ Bingley thought, giving himself unwarranted false hope. Had anyone who witnessed the scene been privy to Bingley’s thoughts, it would have been clear that Caroline Bingley was not the only one of the siblings that believed what they wanted to, regardless of reality.
When he arrived home, his need to come up with a story was evidently superfluous. His sisters seemed overjoyed and were twittering about an invitation that was coveted and they had at long last received.
“What makes you so happy, sisters?” Bingley asked while secretly dreading the news.
“An invitation came today for all of us.” Caroline preened. “Finally, we are to get our due as members of theTon. We have received an invitation to the annual end of the season ball given jointly by the Duchess of Bedford and Lady Jersey. I told you those Bennet sluts were not connected to them; they would never have invited us if they were. You see I was right! Both Bennets are lowborn nothings being kept by some rich men!” Caroline crowed in her perceived glory. “In two weeks, our dreams come true.” Caroline almost twirled with glee but caught herself just in time.
The two older siblings looked at each other, knowing that what Caroline said about the Bennets was untrue and that the Countess and Duchess in fact were their godmothers. As they had always done in the past, they did not try and disabuse Caroline. They did not want to deal with a tantrum, as they knew that she would only believe what she chose to. It had always been well in the past.
Chapter 9
“Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth Bennet,” Killion announced as Jane and Lizzy paid a return call to Miss Darcy. Georgie was in the drawing room with her cousin Tiffany and companion Mrs Annesley. As the Bennets were announced, the three ladies stood and both parties curtsied to one another.
“Miss Darcy, will you introduce us to the lady, please?” asked Jane as they had not met her companion yet.
“Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth, my companion, Mrs Helena Annesley; Mrs Annesley, Miss Jane Bennet and her younger sister, Miss Elizabeth Bennet.” Following the introductions, the ladies sat and Miss Darcy rang for tea. A short while later the ever-efficient Darcy House servants brought in the tea service with some small cakes and biscuits.
“Is your brother away from home Miss Darcy, or is he hiding from me, afraid that I will take him to task again?” Elizabeth’s wit caused smiles from all of the ladies, even Mrs Annesley despite the lady’s effort to school her features.
“He is not hiding, Miss Elizabeth,” Georgiana giggled lightly. “He is away from the house on a matter of business with my cousin Richard. As far as I know, they should be here soon; I am sure that once Killion informs them of the presence of visitors that the gentlemen will make an appearance.
Miss Darcy abruptly changed the subject. “It would please me greatly if both of the Misses Bennet would address me by my familiar name,” she said in a rush, as if she could barely contain her eagerness to impart the request. As she spoke, she glanced at Mrs Annesley, who gave her an approving nod.
“Please call me Tiffany. Although a few of my relatives use it, I do not prefer ‘Tiff’ as it is a word used to describe a fight or disagreement,” Lady Tiffany added before either Lizzy or Jane could answer, the last said with a huge smile.
“I will, as long as you call me Elizabeth, or Lizzy like most everyone does.” Elizabeth smiled warmly at their new friends.
“I, too, agree, as long as you call me Jane.” It was thus decided that the four would address each other with informality, which helped deepen the friendship that was developing between the young ladies.
“Lizzy, I need to thank you for what you said to William about me and Ramsgate,” Georgie said with her head down. “For the longest time William tried to absolve me of any wrongdoing, even though I knew he was wrong. Being able to address things openly and honestly has helped us both heal. You have done us a great service.”
“At the time I was so angry at your brother for the hypocrisy that I felt I saw. To know that my words have had a positive effect in the smallest way, makes me very pleased,” Elizabeth replied gently.
“The smallest way, you say!” exclaimed Lady Tiffany. “Your words have caused such a change in my cousin that it is hard to recognise the man he is now versus the man he was but weeks ago. My family had despaired that anyone would be able to get through to him. As my father said, it took this,” Tiffany pointed at Lizzy with a playful smile on her lips, “‘slip of a girl’ to do that which we had all tried and failed to do.’”
“I wonder why he is willing to change for you, Lizzy,” Jane teased.
“It was not for me Jane,” Lizzy retorted; her blush much deeper than her protest. “If he is becoming a better man, then everyone, including himself, will benefit.” Lizzy decided that she needed to change the subject. “Within a week Jane and I, along with our friend Mrs Collins, will move into Bennet house across the square from your house, Georgie. Miss Lucas is returning home to her parents in two days. We have three younger sisters; two of whom will be going to school soon, which is one of the things about which I wanted to ask your brother.” The ladies had been engrossed in their conversation and did not notice the door had opened and that Darcy and the Colonel stood in the open doorway.
“What is it you wished to ask me?” Darcy’s voice startled the ladies, and the gentlemen bowed in unison. When the men had taken their seats, Mr Darcy spoke again. “Welcome to Darcy House, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth. You remember my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam?” He spoke to them both, but seemed to direct his gaze to the younger Miss Bennet. Darcy noted with some amusement that his cousin’s gaze was fixed firmly on the blond beauty seated on the chaise. Miss Bennet’s gaze was likewise on his cousin.
