Chapter 14

A s the morning progressed, the household began to awaken. Georgiana and the colonel came to see him — both rejoicing in their reunion. Then Mr Collins tested their patience while Hill made preparations for breakfast. And then there was the sound of a carriage, and many loud voices were heard all over the house. He hoped — unreasonably, of course — that Elizabeth might come to his room to greet him.

The door was suddenly opened without even a knock, and Bingley burst in.

“Darcy, how are you? I understand you are coming home today! I am so pleased to hear that. But I have something to tell you too. I am engaged to Miss Bennet! Jane, of course. Can you believe it? I proposed to her this morning, and she accepted, and I just received Mr Bennet’s blessing.”

The news shocked Darcy and left him momentarily speechless. Although Bingley’s admiration for Miss Bennet was obvious, and such a possibility was inevitable, he had not expected it to happen so soon, or under such unsettling circumstances. However, Bingley had proved to be determined and confident enough to choose his own future without asking for advice or requesting approval.

“I am delighted to see you so happy, Bingley, and I wish you all the best,” he replied, but he could not say more as Mrs Bennet’s voice erupted in an outburst of unrestrained joy.

Bingley smiled, a little uncomfortably, and Darcy smiled too. “I congratulate you most heartily, Bingley. Truly.”

“Thank you, Darcy. I know I may count on you, even if you do not entirely approve.”

“I certainly approve of whatever makes you happy and trust your decision, Bingley. I am glad the ball was a success after all.”

“It was horrible, Darcy. So much distress, so much turmoil, and so much worry that I doubt I shall host another one soon. But I danced two sets with Jane, and now I am engaged — which makes it the best ball I could have hoped for.”

“True.” Darcy laughed. “It is all a matter of perspective.”

As the occasion required, Darcy had the chance to offer his congratulations to Miss Jane Bennet — and to see Elizabeth too, even lock eyes with her briefly. What pleased him even more than Elizabeth’s sweet smile directed at him was that next to her stood Georgiana, who looked more at ease with the Bennets than he had ever seen her among strangers. Indeed, the ball, with all its mishaps and turmoil, had concluded with the best possible outcome.

∞∞∞

The twenty-seventh of November had more meaning for Elizabeth than she expected. After a ball that had been close to disastrous, Mr Bingley had found the right moment to propose to Jane, and she had immediately accepted.

For a couple of hours, Elizabeth was the only one informed about the engagement, as the couple needed to obtain Mr Bennet’s blessing before making it public.

Mrs Bennet woke up rested; she still had a slight headache but was thrilled to have spent a night at Netherfield. She required details about the rest of the ball, was overjoyed that Jane had danced a second set with Mr Bingley, and was shocked by the news that Colonel Fitzwilliam, the son of an earl, was now staying at Longbourn. Such events tested her nerves and needed to be urgently shared with her sister and friends.

There had been a quick breakfast before their return to Longbourn. Mr Bingley’s sisters and brother had declined to attend, so it was only the master and all the Bennet ladies.

Elizabeth did not have much of an appetite; she was still trying to comprehend and link together the pieces of information about Mr and Miss Darcy and Mr Wickham. Therefore, she was content when, finally, the entire party returned home.

They were informed Dr Bates was examining Mr Darcy, and they found Miss Darcy, Mrs Annesley, and Colonel Fitzwilliam, as well as Mr Collins and Mr Bennet, in the drawing room. Greetings and impressions of the ball were shared — loudly and enthusiastically — then Mr Bingley requested a private meeting with Mr Bennet. Mrs Bennet was so agitated and overwhelmed by having an earl’s son and Miss Darcy in her home that she missed their departure. However, their return shortly after and the disclosure of their discussion caused an extraordinary burst of joy, and Mrs Bennet almost fainted while blessing all those around her.

Miss Darcy and the colonel looked surprised but immediately expressed their congratulations and best wishes. Mr Collins did the same — though with much more restraint.

Mr Bingley’s face bore the largest grin. Only Jane was silent, with a happy smile and a becoming blush, her beauty enhanced by her discreet happiness.

Minutes later, Dr Bates presented his favourable report and the decision to move Mr Darcy to Netherfield. To Elizabeth, the news — though expected and necessary — caused a tightness in her chest. As unthinkable as Mr Darcy’s stay at Longbourn had been, she regretted his departure. In a corner of her heart, there was a hidden fear that, once he was gone, she would not see him much — if ever — and she admitted to herself a sense of loss and sorrow at that thought. Of course, Jane’s forthcoming marriage to Mr Bingley would provide them with many opportunities to meet again — if he wished for that.

Her prior ill opinion of Mr Darcy had changed and improved; a sort of friendship had grown between them — one she valued and did not want to risk.

But she could not deceive herself either; he had other friends, and she had admired other men she had met before, but the kind of feelings that had slowly risen within her in the last week she had never experienced before, nor did she dare name them. Last night, before the ball, she had visited Mr Darcy briefly, and his intense gaze had warmed her for the rest of the night.

Now, as Mr Bingley hurried to inform him about the engagement, and Jane and Miss Darcy joined him, Elizabeth followed them.

She was curious to see his response. She was aware that Mr Darcy had not approved of his friend’s admiration for Jane, just as he did not approve of her mother and sisters’ manners. She had also heard him talking to the Bingley sisters about the Bennets’ relatives who lived near Cheapside.

All this, Elizabeth could not forget, nor could she easily forgive. Was it possible to fall in love with someone for their goodness of character and despite their flaws?

Elizabeth entered Mr Darcy’s room, which was already filled with people. All her worries eased when her eyes met his, even though it was only for a brief moment, before Dr Bates requested they all leave to allow the patient to be prepared for the move.

“Miss Elizabeth, I wish to thank you again for your kindness,” Miss Darcy said in the midst of all the agitation.

“And I wish to tell you again there is no need for thanks, Miss Darcy,” she replied with a smile. “However,” Elizabeth continued after a brief hesitation, “if you do not mind, I would like to speak to you privately. Only for a moment.”

“Of course. Privately? Perhaps in your chamber, where I slept last night? I believe my coat and reticule are still there.”

“Yes, my room would suit perfectly.” Elizabeth led the way up the stairs, opening the door and allowing Miss Darcy to enter before closing it behind them. She took a seat on the edge of the bed and invited her guest to do the same.

“Miss Darcy, I know it is no business of mine, and I might sound presumptuous, but please know I am asking for Mr Darcy’s benefit.”

“Please do so,” the girl answered, a puzzled crease between her brows.

“You mentioned to me that you recently met Mrs Forster. Is Mr Darcy aware of that?”

“Oh…no…I did not mention it to him.”

“You looked quite affected yesterday, so I assume it was something important. And last night, at the ball, I happened upon Mrs Forster, Mr Wickham, and Mr Denny. They were only talking, but they dispersed as soon as they saw me. I just had a strange feeling about it. I might be wrong, but to me, they were not acting like mere acquaintances.”

“Oh…” Miss Darcy’s countenance darkened, and she was silent for a moment, her hands clasped in her lap.

“I am sorry if I am intruding,” Elizabeth whispered. “I hope you do not mind.”

“I do not mind, Miss Elizabeth. And you are not wrong. I-I met Mrs Forster a few months ago, in Ramsgate. Mr Wickham, who has been a friend of our family’s for a long time, introduced her to me. Her name was Harriet Gibbon, and she was with her husband.”

Although she was sympathetic to the girl’s evident distress, Elizabeth could not help gasping in disbelief.

“With her husband? Not Colonel Forster, I assume?”

“I have never seen the colonel. But I am sure her husband’s name was Mr Martin Gibbon. I met them a few times.”

“Dear Lord, this is very strange… I am not sure what to make of it all, but I am sure it is important for your brother to know. Please tell him about Mrs Forster. He will surely be able to connect all the pieces and will know what to do with them.”

“You are right, of course. I intended to tell him, but I am reluctant to bother him while he is recovering. I have given him so much trouble already, and he has always been so kind to me!”

“Trouble? I doubt it, Miss Darcy. I have heard Mr Darcy talking about you a few times, and he always sounded caring, affectionate, and proud of you.”

“Thank you for telling me,” the girl answered tearfully. “I hope to live up to his expectations and not disappoint him. He is truly the best brother, and the best master and the best landlord.”

“What a wonderful, loving description. Just what a brother needs from his younger sister. I wish I had such a brother, but I only have four sisters,” Elizabeth said, still smiling to put the girl at ease.

“I would very much like to have a sister,” Miss Darcy confessed in earnest.

“Well, from what I have observed, my sisters are in complete awe of you, so you may borrow them for as long as you stay in Hertfordshire. You should be warned, though, that at least two of them will probably want to return to London with you.”

Elizabeth was joking, but Miss Darcy looked positively delighted.

“Oh, I would like that very much! You all should come! I am sure my brother would approve! Besides, I have a house of my own, close to my brother’s.”

“That is very kind of you, Miss Darcy. For now, the most important thing is to see Mr Darcy fully recovered. And please, do not forget to mention Mrs Forster to him. The sooner the better.”

“Of course. I promise to tell him today. Miss Elizabeth, shall I see you tomorrow?”

“Certainly, I would like that very much. Will you come to Longbourn?”

“I am not sure yet. But I shall send a note if you agree.”

“That would be perfect,” Elizabeth said, and Miss Darcy thanked her again, smiling. Miss Darcy’s only fault was to express her gratitude rather too frequently; otherwise, the young woman was as pretty as she was sweet, well educated, kind-hearted, timid, and bright. Elizabeth imagined her other accomplishments, as mentioned by Mr Darcy, Mr Bingley, and his sisters, were just as true.

For a moment, Miss Darcy’s invitation to London tickled Elizabeth’s heart. That she could visit Mr Darcy’s house was something she could not allow herself to even consider.

∞∞∞

By the evening, Darcy was finally settled in his old room at Netherfield. Georgiana, Mrs Annesley, and the colonel, as well as Dr Bates, had also been given rooms on the same hall, so they occupied the entire floor. Although Dr Bates had bandaged his chest tightly to protect his ribs, the move had not been easy. Climbing in and out of the carriage, enduring the journey itself — brief though it had been — then ascending the stairs, even though he had been carried on a chair by two servants, had affected Darcy greatly. The pain had returned with greater intensity, and he eagerly took the medicine Dr Bates offered, hoping for palliation. Without a doubt, he needed more time to heal — just as the doctor had suggested — so he was unlikely to leave that part of the house again soon.

Around dinner time, Colonel Fitzwilliam visited, holding a glass of brandy.

“Would you like a drink, Darcy?”

“No. I am already dizzy from the medicine. Are your accommodations comfortable?”

“Very much so. I called on Colonel Forster, and I talked to him army man to army man.”

“Did you? I cannot say I am surprised.”

“I am sorry to say this about a fellow colonel, but that man is none too sharp. He is older than me, I believe, but he has a childish naivety. I did not mention that Wickham might have shot you, since you asked me not to.”

“Thank you. Did you see Wickham too?”

“Sadly, no. Apparently, he is away on business with Mr Denny. I asked Forster why his officers are free to come and go and whether their use of guns is equally unrestricted. He said militia officers have slightly different rules as they are not on the front line of war. As if they are only required to smile and dance.”

Colonel Fitzwilliam rolled his eyes and gulped some brandy.

“I was equally frustrated when I spoke to the man. I fear he will learn about Wickham the hard way,” Darcy said.

“Well, one way or another, he needs to learn. I asked him to inform me the moment Wickham returns, without warning the scoundrel. I fear I cannot trust him to do that, though.”

As they spoke, Georgiana entered, and they immediately ceased the conversation.