Page 80 of Master of Himself

Later that night, Charles lay awake, contemplating the events of the past fortnight and wondering why he’d been caught up in Darcy’s problems. Although he didn’t perfectly recall the old wizard’s speech, he certainly couldn’t be accused of either arrogance or pride. Never in his life had he thought of himself as above his company, as Darcy once had.

But, if he were being honest, he couldn’t ignore Darcy’s observation about his numerous lady loves. There had been many this past twelvemonth, and others before that. Even before he had come of age, he had fancied himself in love with several charming beauties. When he had come into his inheritance, there had been no shortage of ladies vying for his attention, and he had enjoyed every minute of it.

Was he as inconstant as Darcy had claimed on that terrible morning when he had fled from Netherfield? Did he lose interest the moment another ravishing beauty crossed his path? Was he that easily distracted?

It was perfectly true that once he’d met Jane Bennet, he hadn’t thought even once of Destiny Haversham. He’d been thoroughly captivated at the first sight of Jane, who was the most beautiful creature he had ever encountered. But besides her beauty, Jane had so much more to admire; she was charming, graceful, kind, with perfect manners, quiet strength, and easy conversation.

He wondered if any of his former favourites had missed him. He hadn’t seen either Lady Alice or Melanie at tonight’s assembly. Did they hold any ill will against him or mourn his loss? Had he injured them by neglecting them and casting them off? He couldn’t be such a cad – could he?

And surely, since Jane had come into his life, he couldn’t even look at another woman – could he? How crestfallen he’d been to be unable to speak with her during her stay at Netherfield. He would have gladly confessed his dilemma to her and reassured her of his devotion. Surely, if he searched the entire kingdom, he would never find another lady as captivating as Jane Bennet.

Of course, he had once considered himself absolutely devoted to Destiny, but hadn’t had a single thought of her until Darcy had mentioned her name. Was he what his grandmama used to call a here-and-thereian? A care-for-nobody?

Much like Wickham, Charles had become accustomed to pleasing himself these past few years. He had taken innumerable mad starts, gone on far too many larks, and had considered no one else’s opinion on any of it.

Perhaps he ought not be so critical of Caroline, when his own conduct had been less than stellar. As her elder brother, he ought to have guided her in the right direction, rather than allowing her to make a nuisance of herself with Darcy. They were both still finding their way since they had moved to London, and yet had much to learn. However, now that he’d met Jane Bennet, he would relegate his madcap adventures to the past and conduct himself in a more gentlemanlike manner.

Chapter 24

Saturday 30 November

Longbourn was uncommonly quiet when Darcy arrived, and he wondered if the absence of Lydia’s chaotic influence had finally restored peace to the house. The elderly butler advised him that Mr Bennet was expecting him, and sombrely escorted him to the study.

The gentleman rose to receive him. “How good of you to call, Mr Darcy,” Mr Bennet said, shaking his hand. “Is Mr Bingley not with you?”

“Unfortunately, my friend is still tending to urgent business matters, and will return directly, but he sends his best regards,” he said, to which Mr Bennet nodded his understanding and gestured to a chair.

The butler withdrew and closed the door without a sound, making Darcy suspect that all wasn’t well.

“You may have noticed the lack of pandemonium at Longbourn,” Mr Bennet said without a trace of his usual levity.

Darcy had also noticed his host’s pallor and uncharacteristic gravity. “Has something gone amiss?”

“Before I left to search for Lydia, I advised my wife to go about her business as usual, and give every appearance of a unified family to the world. When I returned home, I learned that she and my daughters had been cut in the village on Thursday; none of our neighbours would acknowledge them, nor the merchants. Mrs Bennet has taken to her bed with nervous complaints and my daughters are attending her.”

“But how has this come about?”

“As I’ve previously mentioned, Mr Collins was present when we discovered that Lydia had run away, and after an unpleasant quarrel, I evicted him. Despite our attempt to contain the story, I suspect my heir has reported Lydia’s tale far and wide, including his abhorrence of the affair.”

“I despise gossip mongers,” Darcy said, his disgust of the parson rising to new heights.

“As do I, but thanks to my cousin, the Bennets are ruined. I attempted to call on my good friend Sir William yesterday and was denied entry,” he said in a grave voice, sadly shaking his head. “Unfortunately, I have no one to blame for this affair but myself. I left my daughters’ upbringing to my wife, but I ought to have taken a firmer hand with them, especially my wild child, Lydia. What’s worse, I was in my library that night and assumed that she was asleep in her chamber. I never even checked on her.”

Darcy feared that their efforts in town had done little to protect Elizabeth and her sisters. “I ought not to have been so presumptuous to believe that our solution was infallible,” he said, then upon further consideration, he recalled the purpose of his call. “The situation is indeed dire, but not, I believe, past saving.”

“What can be done? No one will acknowledge us or receive us.”

Darcy agreed with this regrettable truth. “Perhaps, but they will certainly receive me. I doubt anyone would refuse to acknowledge your daughters if they were in my company,” he said. Then added, “Or Mr Bingley’s.”

Mr Bennet humbly bowed his head. “Thank you, Mr Darcy, but you and Mr Bingley have already done more for my family than any man could reasonably ask.”

“I confess, Mr Bennet, that my motivation is quite selfish,” Darcy said. “Everything I have done was for Miss Elizabeth’s benefit.”

Mr Bennet straightened his shoulders. “Lizzy?”

Darcy nodded. “I’ve come today to ask your permission to address her.”

Mr Bennet’s eyes grew wide with astonishment. “You want to marry my Lizzy? I thought you held a poor opinion of her beauty.”