Chapter Thirty-Three

M r. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam returned to Netherfield rather late, but the advanced hour did not keep them from learning about the drama that was currently being enacted. Mrs. Hurst whispered to the two gentlemen that her brother, Charles, had informed Miss Bingley that she was to be removed from the bosom of her family and made to live in lodgings in London, financed only by her dowry.

Thanking Mrs. Hurst for the information, the two retreated to the billiards room. Colonel Fitzwilliam began, "I do not know quite how to feel about this, Darcy. Bingley goes from namby-pamby to autocrat in the space of one day? What the deuce?"

Mr. Darcy shook his head. "I am equally bewildered. I did encourage him to speak to his sister; that evidently did not go well."

The Colonel said, uncomfortably, "I fear I may be to blame. My agreement with him as to courting Miss Bennet made him see his own faults, perhaps a little too sharply."

"You cannot blame yourself, Richard. Bingley's faults and his actions are his own. He is, perhaps, a little too susceptible to counseling from those he considers his superiors. Myself included, if I am honest."

"And, knowing that as I did, I should have been more circumspect in my advice."

There was a quick knock on the door and Mrs. Hurst peeked in. "I apologise, Colonel; with all the uproar in the house, I quite forgot to give you this message. It arrived a few hours ago. The messenger has already left." She handed the Colonel a sealed message and left, wishing them both a good night.

"It is from Mother," he said. He ripped it open and then gasped.

"Richard?"

"It is Georgiana; she is at Matlock House."

Darcy was at his cousin's side in an instant and read the message himself. "We must go immediately."

"We must, of course, but –"

"But we will stop first at Longbourn to explain." Darcy understood the Colonel's concern immediately.

"Bingley is also going to London tomorrow with Miss Bingley, you recall," the Colonel said. "Or so he says. He might ask that we travel together."

"We will simply say that we are in London on family business and cannot delay."

"Fair enough."