If Jane was correct—if Mrs. Hurst was correct—then Mr. Bingley would return before long. Would Mr. Darcy accompany him? Elizabeth could not be certain about that, for she did not think she was in error about Mr. Darcy’s opinion of the neighborhood. Should he return, Elizabeth could ask him and, if that was not possible, observe his interaction with Mr. Wickham. Even if she could come to no clarity on the subject, what did that matter?
It did not matter—that was the crux of the entire situation. Mr. Darcy’s dispute with Mr. Wickham was none of her concern. The only possible connection it might have to Elizabeth was if Mr. Wickham was as bad as Mr. Darcy suggested. Depending on his exact character, there might be some danger to the community.
But Elizabeth knew she could do nothing about that without knowing far more than she knew now. Thus, it was best to step back and observe. Should she learn anything, she would not hesitate to act. Until that time, there was nothing more to be done.
One thing was evident, however. There was no reason to hold a grudge against Mr. Darcy, and every reason to allow the matter to rest.
Chapter III
For several days after, Louisa watched and waited. During her exchange with Elizabeth, she’d sensed her support for Mr. Wickham, but though Louisa never saw them in company—she saw Mr. Wickham only once and did not speak to him—she detected a hint of caution in her manner. If what Louisa knew of Mr. Wickham was the truth, that was for the best. The man had, by all accounts in the community, been plying Miss King with his attentions, but that did not mean he would not turn to another if he thought he had an opportunity.
Yet that was a secondary consideration. As she was in company with the Bennets often, she had many occasions to observe Jane, and what she saw did not displease her. Though many would scoff at the notion, it was something Gerald said that opened her eyes to the truth.
“Miss Bennet has never been indifferent to your brother, Louisa,” said he, his usual bluntness cutting through any nonsense. “She is far too artless to feign interest when she feels none, her mother notwithstanding.”
Louisa regarded her husband. “You suppose her to be attached to Charles?”
“What doyouthink?”
After considering this for several moments, Louisa ventured: “Before we returned to Hertfordshire, I was uncertain. Now, however, it is as clear as day.”
“Then you see what I do,” replied Gerald. “Darcy is observant, Louisa, but I think his judgment is compromised in this instance.”
Louisa considered this. “You refer to Miss Elizabeth. As I recall, Caroline had some choice words to say about her, comments she never makes unless she feels threatened.”
“Then you have your answer.”
“You have never said anything before.”
“Caroline has a piercing voice, and she uses it whenever anyone disagrees with her.”
That was, Louisa had to confess, nothing less than the truth. Gerald and Caroline were not at odds with each other, but he had a low tolerance for her ways and often absented himself or kept his silence when he knew that speaking would provoke her.
“Though Caroline argued that Miss Bennet was indifferent,” said Gerald, “I saw nothing of it. She is reticent to be certain, but she does not have the temperament for deception.”
“It was not Caroline who pushed Jane’s indifference,” said Louisa absently as she considered what her husband had said. “That was Mr. Darcy. Caroline argued Jane was unsuitable, though she latched onto Mr. Darcy’s assertion readily enough when he made it.”
“Yes, I remember. Your sister wants to tie him to a woman of her choosing—if she’d shown even a hint of interest, Caroline would have pushed your brother toward Lady Diane Montrose.”
It was the truth—Louisa did not hesitate to acknowledge her husband had the right of it. “She might have pushed, but I doubt Charles would have yielded.”
“No, he would not. Bingleycanbe stubborn when he wishes it.”
“Then your assertions about Miss Bennet . . .”
“Louisa,” said Gerald, his tone gentler than was his wont, “I know you and your sister want your brother to make a stupendous match, but have you considered his wishes and happiness?”
“If I did not, we would not be here,” said Louisa, knowing he already understood.
“Then let him make his choice free of interference. Miss Bennet is not indifferent to him, and his infatuation has lastedlonger than any other woman he has fixated upon. Miss Bennet may even be the making of him.”
“And Caroline? Did you not warn me of the potential consequences of my actions?”
Gerald shrugged as if it did not signify. “Caroline almost always has a bee in her bonnet. I do not suggest you push Bingley at Miss Bennet to spite her—just step back and allow him to make his own decision.”
It was, she considered thereafter, excellent advice. Caroline did not object to Miss Bennet for herself, or even for Mr. Darcy’s assertions of her indifference. For Caroline, it all came back to her lust for advancement in society, her eagerness to leave their common origins behind them. A brief conversation after they had persuaded Charles not to return made that point clear as day.
“Caroline,” Louisa said the evening after Mr. Darcy had left Charles brooding in his study, “do you believe Mr. Darcy’s suggestion of Miss Bennet’s indifference?”
