“Nothing is more certain,” replied Bingley with open warmth. “The Bennet sisters will be eager to make your acquaintance.”
“The youngest girls’ chief fault is a lack of restraint, Georgiana,” said Darcy. “You need have no concern for their acceptance.”
Georgiana offered a shy smile and turned back to the window to look out at the countryside. They fell silent as the carriage approached Netherfield in the distance, and for a moment, Darcy wondered at the strange turns of his life that had led him back here.
When he had departed in November, he had convinced himself it was for the best and determined never to return. Then, when Miss Elizabeth had refused his proposal, he had been certain he would never see her again. Yet now he was returning to Netherfield Park, the place where his interest in Miss Elizabeth had first taken hold. Darcy could not say where matters would lead or if he had any chance of changing her opinion, but he could not help but be heartened by her calm, friendly way of speaking.
The introduction to Georgiana would be a boon to his interest in her. The Miss Bingleys of society had long used his sister to gain access to Darcy himself—the notion of reversing that stratagem to his advantage was appealing, though he would never be as open about it as Miss Bingley. Georgiana would not mind. By her own account, she had anticipated making Miss Elizabeth’s acquaintance and would soon come to love her. Darcy did not think there was a better woman for Georgiana to emulate than Miss Elizabeth.
Chapter XII
Seeing Lydia so silent and chastened was a singular event for the family at Longbourn. Elizabeth knew it would not last long, especially with her father speaking of hiring a companion, but for the moment, she was determined to make the most of it.
“So, you can see,” said Mr. Bennet after explaining the events of the morning, “not only has Mr. Wickham proven to be a debtor, but his conduct toward Mary King was no less than mercenary.”
Lydia said nothing, which was probably for the best. Mr. Bennet noted this, but he was not finished speaking.
“It is fortunate, indeed, that Mary King has such conscientious protectors, but even more fortunate that she distracted Wickham. Given the tales we heard of his exploits toward the ladies, matters might have been much worse if he had focused his attentions elsewhere.”
As Mr. Bennet was gazing at Lydia when he said this, no one in the room, least of all the girl in question, could misunderstand his meaning. Lydia, to her credit, grimaced at this further evidence of her former favorite’s ways, but she did not speak. Mr. Bennet nodded to himself and allowed the subject to rest. That opened the door for Mrs. Bennet to turn the discussion to what she considered important.
“That Mr. Bingley has returned is excellent news! It must be a compliment to you, Jane.”
“Yes, I can imagine it is,” said Mr. Bennet. “Now that he understands I will not allow casual flirtations followed byanother hasty departure, I suspect you may achieve your design of marrying one of your daughters to a man of consequence.”
Mrs. Bennet frowned at her husband, uncertain of his meaning. Mr. Bennet did not hesitate to explain.
“I spoke with Mr. Bingley to ensure he knew the gravity of his responsibility, Mrs. Bennet. If he does not commit to his pursuit of our Jane, he would do well to retreat from the field at once.”
With a shrug, Mr. Bennet added before his wife could erupt in histrionics: “He has assured me of his intention to follow through, so you need not worry. I suspect he will not shirk.”
Mrs. Bennet did not scruple to hide her opinion on the subject, not that she was capable of hiding anything. Though appalled that her husband had risked chasing Mr. Bingley away, his assurance that Mr. Bingley had not fled in terror heartened her. The subject of her next comments was not at all palatable to Elizabeth’s feelings.
“And you may induce Mr. Darcy to renew his proposal to you, Lizzy.”
Mrs. Bennet shot Elizabeth a glare that suggested she must do everything in her power to secure Mr. Darcy. There was no reason to tell her mother that her reasons for rejecting Mr. Darcy were still in force—in fact, there was every reason to demur, not the least of which was the argument it would provoke. Thus, Elizabeth chose discretion and offered her mother a noncommittal response that seemed to satisfy her.
“That is my cue to seek my study,” said Mr. Bennet when Mrs. Bennet spoke of Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy’s return, what sort of girl Miss Darcy was, and what she could do to hurry them along. “Lizzy, come with me, for I have one more thing I would like to ask.”
Though curious, Elizabeth assented. Mrs. Bennet might have wished to have Elizabeth close at hand, but did not protest her going, her thoughts already turning to Mr. Bingley. Mr. Bennetled them to his study, and when they were inside with the sturdy oak door closed behind them, he gestured for Elizabeth to sit.
“I beg your pardon, Lizzy, for this is a matter that is not my concern. Call it the curiosity of a man who sometimes notices more than he should.”
Elizabeth nodded. “What would you like to know?”
“When Wickham claimed he compromised Miss Darcy, I not only saw Darcy’s fury and a hint of trepidation from his sister before she mastered it, but you stepped forward to discredit him. Am I correct to assume that there is some basis to his claim and that you know of it?”
Elizabeth could not quite determine what she should say. That her father was perceptive enough to have noticed was no surprise, nor was his interest in the matter and his obvious determination to keep it from the rest of the family. Mrs. Bennet and Lydia had loose lips and would betray the truth in a moment of inattention. It seemed her pause had confirmed it, for Mr. Bennet sat back in his chair, considering.
“If you wish, there is no need to confirm it—your silence is answer enough. As Mr. Wickham still draws breath, I must assume that he failed. The most curious part of this is that Mr. Darcy told you—that is what I cannot quite make out.”
“Thereissome validity to Mr. Wickham’s claims,” said Elizabeth, “though I am not at liberty to say anything more.”
“Nor did I think you were.” Mr. Bennet shrugged. “As I said, it is not my concern, though it explains Darcy’s antipathy for Mr. Wickham.”
“It was in place long before that, Papa.” Elizabeth paused, considering what she should say. “When I refused Mr. Darcy’s proposal, I commented on his supposed treatment of Mr. Wickham. That provoked Mr. Darcy to lay the whole of his history with Mr. Wickham before me—what happened with Miss Darcy was part of that.”
“I suspected something of that nature, Lizzy,” replied Mr. Bennet. “Yet it still astounds me that Mr. Darcy shared such a close family secret with you.”
