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“I have heard reports of your articulate retorts, leaving the person in no doubt of your thoughts on them. I confess to being disappointed not to see you in action.”

Elizabeth blushed as both her fiancé and friend chuckled at her expense.

“Miss Bingley made her first two verbal thrusts in the shop, including calling me Miss Eliza, something she has been taken to task for several times. It is my turn to confess that I did consider, for a moment, returning her words in a manner all of my own. Captain Oxley, the Naval officer from Tuesday, did spring to mind.”

All three caught the analogy and laughed as expected.

“But then I realised that I could take the high road. There was no need to respond, I had won. Miss Bingley could not have been more obvious or determined in trying to secure Mr. Darcy as her husband. Apparently, I managed to perform such a feat without either of us being aware of it.”

More laughter.

“I am much happier than I was back in the autumn. Despite my initial reservations I have enjoyed the season far more than I ever expected to. And the three of you here have much to do with that enjoyment. Your kind words mean a lot to me Your Grace, but to be counted as a good friend, and in public, is more than I deserve. Why would I waste time and effort on someone who just does not matter?”

Elizabeth Bennet had grown and matured. But more importantly she had friends and support. Her temper, nicknamed Oxley by her husband, was still there. But it was buried deep and the only instances of it being exhibited in the years that followed were in the last minutes of her confinements. Darcy was of the opinion that she was allowed such lapses.

Chapter 31

“Darcy, can you explain what on earth happened yesterday. Caroline will not stop wailing, Louisa seems to have been struck mute and Hurst is even more drunk than normal. I must tell you that I was happy to get your note last night but from what little I can discern there was an unfortunate incident yesterday afternoon.”

With that Charles Bingley was silent. He and Darcy were on horseback, although both steeds were walking slowly. Darcy was not ready to have this conversation but knew it was urgently needed. It was why they were in Hyde Park before the sun had even risen above the horizon. It would be painful and would take a while.

“Bingley, I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news but there is no way to avoid it.”

With that as an opening sentence Darcy proceeded to outline all that he had discovered in Kent. He produced the letters from the inner pocket of his riding coat and Bingley could see they were in his sister’s distinct script. The more details Darcy explained the more horrified he became.

“I know that you are innocent of any of the rubbish written by your sister but I am afraid you are tangled in the net she has woven. If the contents of these letters became widely known then it would ruin Georgiana, years before setting foot in society. It is unacceptable, something I can see you understand just from the look on your face. When Richard and I returned to London we told his mother, my aunt, and she was livid. She was going to give the cut direct to Miss Bingley. She also shared this fact with Lady Maria Leonard, her closest friend.

“This is where everything intersects yesterday afternoon. You know that your sister was unable to keep a civil tongue in her head whenever she was around Miss Elizabeth Bennet. She came across her while both were out shopping on New Bond Street. She was rude to Miss Bennet on three separate occasions within the space of a few minutes. Unfortunately, the last was within the hearing of Lady Maria. When she discovered your sister’s name she cut her direct. In public, and in the middle of New Bond Street. To make this sordid tale even worse Lady Maria was accompanied by her cousin, the Duke of Desmond.”

Bingley looked like he was about to fall off his horse.

“Please tell me it does not get any worse?”

“This morning in The Times there will be a notice by my uncle, The Earl of Matlock, announcing my engagement to Miss Elizabeth Bennet. I do not remember if Desmond referenced our engagement but he did describe Miss Bennet as a good friend while reinforcing Lady Maria’s cut.”

Bingley was relying on his horse to follow the trail as he sat there his face pale and his eyes closed. His voice, when he finally said anything, was nothing more than a whisper.

“I am ruined. The family is ruined.”

Darcy said nothing and continued beside him waiting for Bingley to at least partially recover.

“My sister insulted your fiancé in front of you?” A nod. “In public?” Another nod. “While the pair of you were walking with the Duke of Desmond and the oldest sister of the Duke of Richwood?”

Darcy pursed his lips but nodded again.

“And this is after she had the utter stupidity to write that I was about to become engaged to your 15 year old sister. A young lady still three years away from making her curtsey to the Queen.”

The silence lasted for close to a mile.

“I have no right to ask this, but it is not going to stop me. Do you have any idea what I should do?”

“I have been scrupulous in the past in not offering advice when it comes to your family.”

“I know Darcy, but I need to hear it, even if it is nothing more than confirming unpleasant truths. Please, for the sake of our friendship, even if it is now broken.”

It was Darcy’s turn to ride in silence but only for a few seconds.

“Mrs. Hurst was with your sister but it is the name Bingley that was the unfortunate centre of attention yesterday. She and her husband need to leave London, and immediately. Wherever you and your sister go, they need to go in the opposite direction. If you return to your home of Scarborough then they need to head to Devon or Cornwall. She needs to break the link with the Bingley name.