Mary overrode her without hesitation. “Miss Bingley was kind enough to send us a letter explaining the decision to abandon Netherfield last winter. That letter told us that her brother was soon to be betrothed to Miss Darcy. How surprised we were to learn that this was not the case. Jane, you still have the letter, do you not?”
There was a moment of silence in the room, broken suddenly by a babble of voices. Mr. Darcy was saying, “Miss Bingley, I wonder how you dared –“ and Mr. Bingley was saying, “Miss Darcy? Why, she is just a child –“ and Miss Bingley was saying, “I only said that I hoped –“ and Mrs. Hurst was saying, “Why, Caroline, how could –“ and then Mary overrode the voices by standing up and saying, “Perhaps I am confused as to the contents of the letter. I know that Jane keeps it in her top drawer, and it would be the work of a moment to fetch the letter and read it aloud to the company. Shall I do so?”
“No, I think not,” Miss Bingley whispered.
“Did you really write that, Caroline?” Mr. Bingley said, his voice laced with horror.
His sister looked away.
Mr. Darcy stared at Miss Bingley. “I cannot believe that you would utilise my sister’s name in your schemes, Miss Bingley. I confess myself most seriously displeased.”
Miss Bingley rose. “I find that I have a dreadful headache. Charles, may we return to Netherfield?”
“Caroline, you may certainly go; I am certain the Bennet ladies will understand. But I will remain here.”
Both Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst left the room at once, not looking back.
“I cannot tell you how very sorry I am,” Mr. Bingley said, once his sisters were out of the room.
“Had you paid us a call before leaving, as good manners would dictate, we would not have had to rely upon such a letter to tell us why you were departing,” Mary said.
“Mary!” Jane hissed.
“No, she is quite right,” Mr. Bingley said. “I have no excuse for such bad behaviour. Miss Bennet, I apologise from the bottom of my heart. I feel that all I do is apologise to you.” He smiled, but it was a sad smile indeed.
Mr. Darcy said, through clenched teeth, “Bingley, your sister’s manners are none of my business, but were shemysister –“
Kitty interrupted, saying, “I have your drawing, Mr. Darcy.” She leant down to reach under the sofa and produced a rolled-up piece of paper. She rose and handed it to Mr. Darcy, who unrolled it and held it up.
The Bennet girls gasped. “ItisLydia!” Mary said. “Kitty, that is wonderful!”’
Jane turned away from the paper.
“Jane?” Elizabeth asked, concerned.
“I do not know how to feel, sister,” Jane said, softly. “I am furious at her, of course, but I am also dreadfully worried about her.”
“I am doing everything I can,” Mr. Darcy began.
“Oh, yes, I know, Mr. Darcy, and we are everything grateful.” Jane said.
“Miss Kitty, can you make more of these drawings?” Mr. Darcy asked.
“I will, of course; how many do you need?”
“As many as you can manage; once you have a full dozen, I will bring them to London.”
Jane said, “Kitty, we will take over your other duties so that you may concentrate on the drawings. How wonderful that you have this talent! It may help our sister return to us.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
When Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley returned to Netherfield, they found the two Bingley sisters waiting for them in the drawing room. Miss Bingley rose at once and put a hand on Mr. Darcy’s arm.
“Sir, I feel I must explain…”
Mr. Darcy shook the lady’s hand off. “Miss Bingley, I can hardly imagine that there is a reasonable explanation for such a letter.”
“I wanted to make absolutely certain that Miss Bennet understood that she could have no expectations of Charles.”
