Chapter 14

M uch to the relief of the residents of Longbourn, the night Mr. Collins spent in their home did not cause them any concern.

At dinner he was quiet, almost contemplative, something which shocked his patron more than any other. He spent some time in the drawing room—also no trace of the verbosity he had exhibited in his letter—with the family after the meal; there had been no separation of the sexes. Collins had been the first to retire for the night, barely a half hour later.

Two footmen had been on duty in the hallway near his chamber throughout the night, and they had not been required to act in any way as he had not attempted to leave his chamber until the morning.

After Collins broke his fast with the family, where he only spoke when spoken to, he made his way up to his chamber to make sure all his packing was completed, and then he was soon on his way to the inn where Bennet had reserved a comfortable suite of rooms for him. Unlike when he arrived and was only met by Biggs and Johns, Bennet and his sons farewelled their distant cousin in the drive after he had taken his leave of the ladies in the drawing room.

What none of them knew was Collins had been introspective since accepting the truth that not only was he never to inherit, but he, and none of his antecedents, had ever been in line to do so. That realisation had caused him to begin to question everything he had formerly believed in his life. He had only finally gone to sleep in the small hours of the night after reviewing his thoughts of possible murder to gain what he desired. He had admitted to himself it was his father's voice in his head which had driven those despicable thoughts. How had he, a man of the cloth, ever considered such a heinous action. He was resolved he needed much prayer and reflection to chart a new course for his life.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

One who was also thinking about his life and the choices he made was Fitzwilliam Darcy. He knew what he needed to do to repair what was broken, but he was not yet ready to eat humble pie and do what he should.

He lamented the distance which had been created between himself and Richard. Deep down he was aware it was created by his own words and actions, but in order to defer looking at the truth, he clung to the belief Richard's association with the Bennets, who were so far below them in society, was the root of the problems between them.

Whenever he was troubled, Darcy enjoyed punishing rides. As he had not slept well—he had not done so since the infernal assembly—he took his ride later than normal. Darcy sought Richard but his cousin's valet informed him that his master had left on his horse right after breaking his fast. Darcy was sure he knew where Richard had gone.

The thought produced a scowl, which Richard's valet thought was aimed at himself. ‘ What is this fascination Richard has with the Bennets? ' Darcy asked himself silently as he turned on his heel and stormed into the sitting room between his and Richard's chambers and then into his own. "I am going riding," he barked at Carstens, his valet.

Soon enough Darcy was on his way to the stables where, thanks to a message his valet had sent, Zeus was saddled and waiting for him. It did not take long before he was thundering across fields trying to release his pent up frustrations. After about an hour, he felt much of the tension drain out of his body, so he slowed Zeus until after some minutes he was in a trot. He found himself riding parallel to the boundary fence which separated Bingley's leased estate from Longbourn. As he looked across the other estate's fields, he saw a riding party of six.

His scowl from earlier returned when he identified Richard on Invictus, it was not hard to recognise the three Bennet sisters. His eyes followed Miss Elizabeth for some moments; she had a very good seat. There were two more young men who he had never seen before. Who were they? Why was one of them in an animated conversation with Miss Elizabeth?

His determination he would forget her once he returned to London after the ball did not mean he had to be sanguine with other men paying attention to her. In his jealousy, Darcy never took the trouble to observe that the male riding and speaking to Miss Elizabeth was only fifteen or so years old.

Rather than punish himself watching the riders on Longbourn's lands, Darcy wheeled Zeus and pointed him back towards the stables.

All Richard, who had noticed Darcy glowering at them from the other side of the fence, could do was shake his head at his hard-headed cousin's refusal to make his amends and enjoy the company of the Bennets, as Richard was sure he would.

With his cousin headed back towards Netherfield Park's stables, Richard returned to a much more pleasant pursuit—speaking to Mary Bennet.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

Darcy was in a foul mood when he stormed back into his bedchamber. How dare Richard abandon him in this infamous manner? His good sense asserted itself and Darcy calmed himself before Carstens attended him. He requested his valet have a nice steaming bath filled for him.

Soon enough he was soaking in the hot water, and he felt the last of his anger bleed out of his body. Once he had completed his bath, with his valet's aid, he dressed and decided to go find Bingley.

He discovered his friend in the study, nursing a snifter of brandy. Darcy's eyebrows shot up reflexively. It was the middle of the day and Bingley was already drinking.

"Bingley, you have been out of sorts. What is troubling you?" Darcy asked sympathetically.

"I find no enjoyment in the country," Bingley whinged, "I thought it would be much more entertaining. I do not even find pleasure in hunting, something I normally vastly enjoy."

Bingley would never admit his mood was all of his own doing. Miss Jane Bennet was impervious to his charms, and Caroline would no longer speak to him other than the most basic of civilities. At least this afternoon he would not have to worry about seeing her since she, Louisa, and Hurst were going to see what the shops in Meryton had to offer. The fact he had lied to his youngest sister and twice set her up for humiliation all in furtherance of his own societal and financial goals never pricked his conscience. In his mind, he, Charles Arthur Bingley, was the victim and had done no wrong.

Rather than point out the flaws in his friends statement, Darcy grasped onto one thing he had said. "If you are unhappy here, then why not join me when I return to London after the ball?" Darcy proposed. "I am sure there are enough diversions in town to make anything here a distant memory. I long to see my sister which has occasioned my leaving earlier than I had planned." Darcy knew the last was only tangentially and partially true. He was well aware what had necessitated his desire to hie for Town.

"I would, but I have no desire to reside on Curzon Street with the Hursts and my youngest sister," Bingley hinted he needed a place to stay knowing Darcy House on Grosvenor Square was a far more prestigious address than Hurst's house.

"If that is the case, then you are welcome to be hosted at my house," Darcy volunteered.

"I do not want to put you out," Bingley said what he felt he needed to say. He was sure Darcy would wave his concerns away. "I suppose I will remain here." Bingley sighed dramatically.

Although he knew what Bingley was doing, Darcy could not see a reason not to have his friend at Darcy House. He was sure the two of them would attend entertainment in London and that would assist him in his aim to evict a certain raven haired, emerald green-eyed beauty from his heart and mind. "It is no inconvenience. You know me Bingley, I would not extend the invitation unless I meant it."

"Then it is settled, we shall be two merry bachelors." Bingley perked up considerably. "Is Miss Darcy at your house?"

"No, she is across the square at Matlock House. She has been spending time with Lady Charity Rhys-Davies who is also at my aunt and uncle's house," Darcy averred.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

"Darcy and I will also be leaving for London after the ball," Bingley crowed with self-satisfaction at the table during dinner that evening. "I have decided to close up the house and ask the agent to sell the remainder of the lease if he is able."

"I will take your lease," Richard volunteered. Bingley was a fool and had learnt nothing in his time when he was supposed to learn how to manage an estate. Richard had no intention of leaving the area yet and the estate would give him the ideal location to further his connection with Mary Bennet.

"It is yours," Bingley averred excitedly. He cared not why Fitzwilliam wanted to take over his obligation. All he knew was it would save him the remainder of the money on the lease, for which he had already paid.

Darcy was about to make an acerbic comment regarding his cousin's desire to remain in the neighbourhood when he was departing the area with Bingley, but he was pre-empted by Mrs. Hurst. At least Richard was having dinner with them for once.

"Brother, was not your aim to learn about estate management? I was teaching Caroline about the duties of an estate's mistress," Mrs. Hurst remarked.

"Why do you care if I leave the estate? Are not you and my sister making for Town after the ball as well?" Bingley queried peevishly.

"We are escorting Caroline to London. I think you know the reason," Mrs. Hurst bit back as her younger sister looked away. "Would you like us to discuss the reasons our sister felt the need to go to Town at the dinner table?"

"Ehrm, no, no that is not needed," Bingley averred with speed.

Richard could not but wonder what had just passed between the siblings. Bingley looked decidedly white around the gills and he was looking anywhere but at either himself or William.

Darcy was too upset over Richard's deciding to remain in the area to notice the interplay between the siblings or Bingley's fear at his sister revealing something he did not want known. He decided if he was to ask Richard about his reasons, it would be later in private.

"While we perused the shops in the town, we ran into the Bennet sisters this afternoon," said Miss Bingley, changing the subject. "They improve significantly when one gets to know them better."

Rather than dismiss them as she had at the assembly, Caroline Bingley spoke to the Bennets and found them all to be interesting girls, and ones whom if she had remained at Netherfield Park after the ball she would have had pleasure getting to know better. She would be able to further an acquaintanceship in London with Miss Bennet who would be in Town visiting her aunt, uncle, and cousins after Christmastide. They had exchanged directions before parting that afternoon.

"So they were tolerable to speak with?" Richard asked innocently. He did not mean to stir trouble, especially after he had recommended Bennet cease using the same words around William, but his cousin was being such a sanctimonious prig he deserved some prodding.

Darcy shot his cousin the gimlet eye. Richard was not looking at him to see if he reacted to his use of one of the words Darcy had spoken at the assembly so he ascribed it to a coincidence. He was confident Richard knew not what he had said.

Richard had not missed the way his cousin flushed. He had quickly looked away before William looked at him, which he did not miss from the corner of his eye. He grinned internally. If his cousin had not acted like a popinjay and had gone to apologise, he would not have been as churlish as he had been of late. He hoped William had not lost all of his good sense, and intended to berate him for remaining in the neighbourhood. Insulting the Bennets would not be a good option.

"Fitzwilliam, we can see Mr. Philips about the lease on Monday morning," Bingley suggested. He did not want to give the man a chance to change his mind.

"Agreed," Richard returned. "Bingley will you and your family be attending St. Alfred's church on the morrow?"

"We will not," Mrs. Hurst spoke up, "we will attend the services at the Longbourn Village church. The Miss Bennets invited us to join them at the services on the morrow."

"Then we may ride together in my coach," Richard interjected, "as that is where I will attend as well."

"Bingley and I will be at St. Alfred's as is correct and proper," Darcy stated with asperity before Bingley could react to Richard and his sisters. He knew he was too angry with Richard so he would not attempt to speak to him about his decision to remain and take the lease from Bingley. He did not want to say something he would not be able to take back.

Bingley nodded his head in agreement. Darcy was his ticket to the Ton , so agree with him he would, even if it meant not seeing the delectable Miss Bennet. Mayhap he would be able to charm her the night of the ball.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

"You girls said Miss Bingley was greatly altered from when we first met her and saw her in company a few times?" Priscilla verified in disbelief.

"Indeed Mama, gone were the pretentions and haughtiness. She was pleasant and a pleasure to speak to in Meryton," Jane confirmed as her younger sisters nodded. "In fact we decided to meet when I am in London."

"How long will they be in London?" Priscilla asked.

"Neither Miss Bingley nor either of the Hursts gave a date for their return, Mama," Elizabeth responded. "I agree with Jane, it was an entirely pleasant meeting. One thing I saw in Meryton troubled me."

"What was that, Lizzy?" Henry asked.

"Charlotte Lucas was speaking to our cousin," Elizabeth reported.

"And why should that trouble you?" Priscilla pushed. "Charlotte is a sensible woman and you know she is not romantic. Besides, all you saw was them speaking. It could mean nothing."

"I suppose that is true," Elizabeth owned.

"The invitation to the ball Mr. Bingley is holding at Netherfield Park arrived today, we are all invited," Priscilla revealed.

"Thankfully we depart early on Monday so we do not have to attend," Tommy stated with relief .

"Henry would have attended, but you are not old enough so it would not have been a concern," Bennet corrected his younger son indulgently. "So yes, you will both be back at your respective schools long before the ball."

"Mary, is there anyone you particularly want to partner for a set or two?" Henry teased his twin."

"Henry," Mary slapped at his arm playfully while she blushed scarlet. "Is it not time for bed?" Mary put on a stern face at the laughter in the room. She was not able to hold it for long before she too was giggling.

Soon enough everyone made their way to their chambers.