Chapter 31

Darcy took a long, solitary ride early the next morning. He needed the time alone to clear his thoughts and prepare for another day of seeing Elizabeth. Her being at Pemberley was more difficult than he had imagined it would be. It seemed that each hour he was growing more vexed by the situation, but he had nowhere to safely direct his destructive sentiments, which meant he kept them inside himself, an ugly malevolent mass growing steadily larger.

Bingley and he would go to Larch Lane the next day, and Darcy had decided to hint that his friend should not extend his stay at Pemberley much longer. It would pain him to say goodbye to Elizabeth again, but it would be for the best—for her, for him, and certainly for Georgiana, who was growing increasingly uncomfortable. He had tried to avoid admitting it, but it was irresponsible not to; his first duty must be to her.

The ride helped, and he was much better prepared to be with his guests and sister when they met at breakfast. He asked Mrs Bingley whether she had settled on any plans for the day.

“Bingley has promised to take me on a tour of the neighbourhood and to Lambton. Did he not tell you? He was supposed to ask whether you and Miss Darcy would like to join us.” She gave her husband a look of fond reproof, and Darcy envied their easy relationship.

Bingley chuckled and finished chewing and swallowing the large piece of toast he had just eaten. “It appears I forgot. My apologies. What better way to occupy ourselves on such a fine day, eh? Lizzy will come with us. What say you? Does it not sound amusing?”

Darcy did not need to ask Georgiana’s opinion. “I thank you for inviting us, but I believe we should remain behind. My steward has left me some letters and such to review.” Making an excuse for Georgiana was on the tip of his tongue, but it would be false and doubtless evidently so. He did not wish to insult their companions.

“Oh, that is a shame. We understand, of course. We would not wish to disrupt your work or Miss Darcy’s studies more than necessary,” Mrs Bingley said. To Georgiana, she continued, “I promise we shall not trespass on your hospitality much longer, shall we, Bingley?”

The look she gave her husband suggested it was a conversation they had already had. Darcy could have kissed her; he might not be required to have an awkward conversation with his friend after all. He wondered how often he had underrated Mrs Bingley. He could never view her as favourably as he did Elizabeth, but beneath her beauty and smiles, the lady was intelligent and sensible. While she coaxed Georgiana into telling her a little of her favourite places around Pemberley, Darcy surreptitiously observed Elizabeth, who met his eye several times. She looked tired and sad, and he hated to see it. It confirmed to him that she must leave as soon as possible, as distressing as their separation would be.

The Bingleys and Elizabeth were still out when an unexpected guest arrived: Fitzwilliam. The butler, Hudson, brought Darcy the news. Darcy stared at the servant for a moment, wondering whether he had heard him correctly. Sufficiently regaining his composure, he set aside his pen.

“Where have you put him? Have you informed Miss Darcy?”

“The colonel is in the blue drawing room, sir. Mrs Reynolds is having his usual apartment prepared. And, no, I have not yet told Miss Darcy.”

Darcy thanked and dismissed him, saying he would inform his sister himself. Why was his cousin here? He guessed that Georgiana had asked him to come, and it distressed him that she would write to Fitzwilliam and claim a need for his company without telling Darcy what she had done.

He found Georgiana in the sitting room she had taken as her own. She and Mrs Annesley were practising Italian. He apologised for interrupting them, then directed his attention to his sister, watching her carefully as he spoke.

“Hudson just informed me that our cousin Fitzwilliam has arrived. I had no notion he intended to visit.”

The flash in Georgiana’s eyes and short-lived smile on her face spoke of more than delight that he was there. Darcy turned to the older lady.

“I trust you will excuse my sister from her studies for the remainder of the day.”

The look Mrs Annesley gave Georgiana was disapproving, and he had the impression she suspected Georgiana had known Fitzwilliam was expected. He took his sister away. Her steps were lighter than usual, and as they approached the stairs, he indicated they should stop for a moment.

“Did you ask him to come?”

She bit her lips together and did not seem inclined to speak.

Keeping his tone even to show he was not angry, he said, “I would like an answer, please.”

Darcy was left with the view of the top of Georgiana’s head for what felt like a full minute before she lifted her chin and glanced at him, their eyes meeting for a second.

“I wrote to him when you told me she would be at Pemberley.”

Darcy sighed. It was ridiculous to him that she would not even say Elizabeth’s name. “To which ‘she’ do you refer? Miss Bennet, I assume?” When she nodded, he continued. “What harm has she done you since she and the Bingleys have been here? She does not even ask that you speak to her. I wish I understood why even seeing her disturbs you so greatly, and I wish you had told me that you had written to Fitzwilliam.”

Again, she was silent, and Darcy wondered when he would no longer worry that every word he spoke, every action he took, would cause his sister an injury.

“Well, let us go and greet him, shall we?” He held out an arm to her, offering his support as they descended the stairs and went to their cousin together.

As soon as she saw him, Georgiana flung herself into Fitzwilliam’s arms, greeting him as though he had come to rescue her from a horde of highwaymen. Darcy gritted his teeth.

I suppose I have only myself to blame if that is how she feels. I convinced her that having Elizabeth and the Bingleys here for a few days would not be difficult. Who am I to say what she can and cannot bear?

The spiteful looks his cousin gave him only worsened Darcy’s mood. Fortunately, while the three of them were together, no mention was made of Elizabeth. That changed when Fitzwilliam asked Georgiana to return to her apartment.

“I want to have a chat with your brother.” As soon as they were alone, Fitzwilliam said, “Are you mad?” He sat across from Darcy, his arms spread and one foot resting on the opposite knee, taking up as much space as possible.

“No, I am not mad, and you had no reason to come here in such haste.” A deep fatigue settled over Darcy. How many times had he and his cousin spoken of Elizabeth over the last year? He had no desire to listen to Fitzwilliam again tell him why a union between them would be wrong.

“Elizabeth Bennet is staying under your roof, and you think there is nothing amiss with the situation? Forget how difficult it is for you to see her—you are free to cause yourself as much distress as you like, though I fail to see the charm in it—asking Georgiana to play hostess to Wickham’s sisters?—”

“We both know it is Elizabeth’s presence you—and Georgiana—object to, not Mrs Bingley’s. Georgiana is letting an irrational fear rob her—and, yes, me—of the opportunity to have Elizabeth as part of our family. Why do you refuse to understand how much Georgiana would benefit by it? There is no more sympathetic, understanding woman.”

Fitzwilliam gave a dismissive wave. “I know you believe it, but it is too great a risk to take. What if you were wrong? Consider what that would do to her.”

“I am not wrong. Georgiana says she is afraid she would have to see Wickham. Since that is the sum of her argument?—”

“You cannot say it would not happen. If Elizabeth were your wife, and her sister turned up at the door, seeking shelter, do you think she would turn her away, even if Wickham was with her?”

“Yes.” Speaking over Fitzwilliam, who surely intended to call him a fool, Darcy continued. “For Georgiana’s sake and for mine, she would, even without me asking it of her.”

Fitzwilliam shook his head. “We are never going to agree. Well, like it or not, if she and the Bingleys are at Pemberley, so shall I be. The only other choice is that I take Georgiana to Romsley Hall with me today.”

“What my father was thinking to make you one of her guardians—” Darcy ran his hands through his hair. “Have it your own way, but remember they are my guests—people I consider friends. If you cannot treat them with respect and politeness, you will leave—without my sister. Elizabeth and the Bingleys will not be here much longer.” Darcy stood and strode from the room, wanting to be far away from his cousin.

Jane, Bingley, and Elizabeth were informed of Colonel Fitzwilliam’s arrival upon their return that afternoon, but Elizabeth did not see him until dinner. She delayed joining the others until directly before they would go into the dining room. She and the colonel greeted each other politely but exchanged no other words.

Miss Darcy was more animated than she had been previously, though she confined her attention to her cousin. Bingley began to talk of his and Mr Darcy’s estate visit the next day, and the colonel evidently overheard something of it.

“Oh yes, I had heard you were looking for a new estate. I did not know it was in this county.”

Bingley nodded, but it was Jane who responded. “We did not choose Derbyshire particularly. We have seen half a dozen or more since leaving town. We are making our way to Scarborough, to see my husband’s family.”

“We were nearby when I received notice from my agent about two prospects close to Pemberley. I knew at once we had to see them, and I wrote to Darcy about staying with him. What a happy coincidence that the estate we like best is the one closest to his!” Bingley said.

Turning to Elizabeth, Colonel Fitzwilliam asked, “And you decided to accompany them rather than return to Hertfordshire?” His voice hinted at disapproval.

“I did.” Elizabeth sipped her wine, refusing to say more.

“We insisted, did we not, my dear?” Bingley said. Jane nodded, and he went on to explain that Elizabeth would live with them. “Until some fortunate gentleman takes her from us. I told you we had a very pleasant visit with Grey, did I not, Darcy? Do you know him, Colonel? We stayed a week with him. There is nothing to fault in his estate. The situation is just what it should be, the house and grounds lovely and well-maintained.” He laughed. “I have had my mind turned to purchasing a property for so long, I view them all by such measures now. If Graystone Manor had been on the list of possibilities, I would have put in an offer immediately. One could not help but be happy there. I am in no rush for Lizzy to marry, but I do not believe we shall have her with us for very long.” He winked at Elizabeth.

Elizabeth wished she could sink into the floor. She was too mortified to look at her companions, but she knew several sets of eyes were on her. Jane spoke, but her voice sounded remote.

“Bingley, you ought not to tease Lizzy. You know it might give people the wrong impression.”

“Is she engaged to Mr Grey?” Miss Darcy whispered to her cousin.

Elizabeth imagined she was not supposed to hear the remark; nevertheless, she looked at the girl and shook her head, not knowing whether Miss Darcy would take it as a response to her question but finding it difficult to give a firmer response.

I expect it disappoints her,she thought bitterly. She would not need to worry that her brother and I might marry if I had accepted another man’s proposal.

“The estate the Bingleys favour is not twenty miles from here. Bingley has asked me for my impression of it, thus our visit tomorrow.” Mr Darcy’s deep voice carried an edge of challenge.

Colonel Fitzwilliam kept his gaze fixed on him for a long moment before again attending to his dinner.

Elizabeth refused to listen to any more of the conversation. Instead, she ate as much of her meal as possible, afterwards retiring for the night, making a vague excuse. She doubted anyone believed her.