Chapter 35

Bingley directed his coachman to take them to Buxton. It was a sizeable town and close to Larch Lane. He said very little during the drive, other than asking Jane and Elizabeth whether they required anything. Jane kept her head lowered and only shook it. Elizabeth, likewise, remained quiet. She felt guilty for everything that had happened—for Bingley’s unhappiness and simmering anger and for having begged Jane to keep secrets from her husband. Bingley had assured them both that he knew they had acted as they thought best, and he appreciated the impulse to spare his feelings.

“Do not mind Bingley’s mood,” Jane told her when they stopped near Bakewell to take breakfast. “He is disappointed in Mr Darcy and uncertain whether he will be able to overlook it.”

In other words, Bingley was mourning what might be the severing of the connexion, just as Elizabeth had feared he might.

“I ought never to have asked you to keep the truth from him. I am to blame for this. Surely, if I had only tried, I could have found a way to tell him enough so that he understood why I would prefer not to see the Darcys but that it need not affect their friendship.”

“Everything will be well, for all of us. I am certain of it. You will say I am being fanciful and only seeing the good in everything and everyone, but I feel in my heart that it is a very good thing that this has come out now. Somehow, you and Mr and Miss Darcy will all be better for it.”

Elizabeth laughed, though it sounded sad rather than amused. “I cannot see how that is possible, and it absolutely is not if you mean to imply the three of us shall be friends. I am glad we are gone from Pemberley and that you no longer have to keep secrets from Bingley. Let us resolve to do what we can to cheer him. You will have your own ways of doing so, and you are his best comfort. As for me, I shall ensure he knows that I am as enthusiastic about our tour as I have ever been, and I am sure I have a joke or two or an amusing anecdote tucked away up here.” She tapped her forehead with a finger. “Before the morning is up, we shall have him smiling and laughing again.”

Jane regarded her for a moment. “And you, my dearest sister, will you be happy again?”

“I shall, and much quicker than you might imagine. I shall be my usual self before you know it.” To ease Jane’s disquiet—and for herself—Elizabeth silently vowed to do whatever she could to be more cheerful.

They made good time to Buxton, and after arranging for rooms at an inn, spent the day quietly exploring the town. Bingley said little until dinner.

“I know we came to Buxton because it is close to Larch Lane, but I am questioning whether it would be a good idea to proceed with the purchase.”

Elizabeth saw the same questioning expression on her sister’s face as she knew she herself wore. They turned as one to Bingley.

“You are?” Jane said.

Less hesitant to ask what had possessed him to say such a thing—and rather suspecting the reason—Elizabeth said, “Have you changed your mind about its suitability, or is something else worrying you?”

Bingley poured himself more wine, though he did not drink it. “It is so close to Pemberley. That was an attraction not so long ago, but now, I do not know. Does it not seem…wrong to you?”

“Not at all.” Elizabeth stated firmly. All three of them had agreed that Larch Lane would make the perfect home, and she was not about to let anything other than discovering some fundamental flaw with it dissuade Bingley. “If you are thinking of my feelings, I appreciate it, but it is not necessary. My situation should not affect your choice of estate at all. It is not as though Mr Darcy and I would have to see each other. I admit that it has not always been easy when we have been together, but it will become easier in time—for both him and me.” Elizabeth reached across the table and rested her hand on his. “Listen carefully to me about this. You should not make a decision that has long-term consequences for your family based on something that is short-lived, as is the discomfort Mr and Miss Darcy and I feel when we are together.”

Bingley furrowed his brow and turned to Jane. “What do you think, my dear?”

Jane glanced at Elizabeth before responding. “Recollect, I approved of Larch Lane knowing of…everything, but the choice is yours.”

“Would it prevent you from living with us, Lizzy?”

Elizabeth shook her head. “You are far more concerned for my feelings than the circumstances warrant. I understand why. It was a shock to you, and I apologise again and again for deciding it should be kept from you.” He waved this off, and she continued. “Remember that Mr Darcy and I have known there was no future for us apart from as acquaintances for months. The secrecy of the thing made being under the same roof much worse than it needed to be. Thus, Bingley, dearest brother, I demand you purchase Larch Lane at once and present it to my dearest sister as her new home. Then I, your dearest sister-in-law, will set about exploring every inch of the grounds and rejoicing in calling such a place my home, for as long as I live with you.”

In a more serious tone, she added, “Please, do not give up on your friendship with Mr Darcy. I know it is important to both of you. Nothing that has happened between him and me needs to alter it.”

He sighed. “It is not only that he did not tell me of his feelings for you.”

“I understand,” Elizabeth said, surreptitiously glancing at Jane to indicate that she knew the gentlemen had previously argued. “But Mr Darcy is not the only person who kept this information from you. I begged Jane last autumn not to tell you. I admit, I did so in part because it embarrassed me, but it was also because I feared exactly this would happen—that you would believe you could not be friends with him and a good brother to me. If you can forgive me for the deception, can you not also forgive him?”

“You know Lizzy has a great deal of common sense. We have both remarked on it, and I think we ought to heed her advice,” Jane said.

Bingley kissed Jane’s hand. “If it will make my dearest wife and dearest sister happy, then I agree. I shall proceed with the purchase of Larch Lane, and regarding Darcy…I shall allow my anger to dissipate.”

“I propose we set aside the matter of Mr Darcy and think only of you two finding your new home, one I shall be happy to share,” Elizabeth said. “Let us celebrate. Shall I enquire whether the innkeeper can offer us any special treats to add sweetness to the end of our day?”

Jane and Bingley agreed, and when the three of them retired later that night, they were all in much improved moods.

Darcy knocked at the door to his sister’s chamber. About an hour had passed since the Bingleys and Elizabeth had left Pemberley. Her maid gave him entry and took herself off.

“How are you this morning?” he asked.

Georgiana gave a lopsided shrug, one shoulder nearly touching her ear, and Darcy supposed that was all the answer he was to receive. He approached her, a cloud of caution hovering around him as it so often did when he wanted to talk to her of anything more than innocuous topics such as the weather or her enjoyment of a meal—though even they could be controversial if she happened to decide he would be disappointed in her response. He perched on the edge of a delicate bergère chair that had once been in their mother’s apartment.

“Mr and Mrs Bingley and Miss Bennet left earlier today.”

“Why? Did you ask them to go?” Georgiana’s gaze met his.

Darcy swallowed heavily before admitting that he had not. “I believe they felt they had remained long enough and wanted to give us time to ourselves.”

“Does that mean he decided against Larch Lane? Did you tell him you did not approve of it?”

“I did not. It is a fine estate and would suit them well. I cannot say what Bingley will do about it.” But whether he purchases it or not, I doubt we shall see much of him and his family in the future. On another occasion, he would tell her as much, but it was anyone’s guess whether this would reassure his sister or cause her distress. She might believe she was the cause of his friendship’s end. Had he not suggested that might be the outcome if he told Bingley not to come to Pemberley?

Georgiana looked away, and while her eyes remained averted, she said, “I expected you would propose to her while she was here.”

You have no idea how much I wish I had—or that I had done it ten months ago, as I had planned, or even last spring in town. “I do not know why you would.” Left unsaid was that she and their relations had made him vow not to.

Again, she shrugged. When the silence between them felt oppressive, he asked whether she would join him and Fitzwilliam for breakfast. “Later, if you like, we might take a ride or go for a walk. Which would you prefer?”

“If you insist. It does not matter to me which one. Are you certain they have gone for good? Mr Bingley did not simply take them out to-to tour the neighbourhood or visit Larch Lane again?” She watched him out of the corner of her eye.

“No, Georgiana. They are gone, and they will not return.”

She made an odd sound, almost as though she did not really believe it. He was too weary and heartsick to puzzle out her meaning, and instead he suggested they find Fitzwilliam and make arrangements for how they would spend the day.