Chapter XXX

" B

ingley appears to have done well for himself."

? Pulled from his consideration of the estate growing larger in the distance, Darcy turned his attention to Fitzwilliam. "Well enough, though I cannot say if Bingley means to purchase here. Netherfield is not deficient, but Bingley could afford better if he chose."

? Fitzwilliam nodded, his attention staying affixed to the house before them. "It is not Pemberley, for certain. It is not a handsome building, but there is something solid about it, as if it was built to withstand the rigors of a dangerous world. Given that, I cannot say it suits Bingley, for the man himself deserves a house that is far more in line with his sunny disposition."

? Darcy shook his head with no little amusement. "A pretty house for a dandy?"

? "You said he was a dandy, Darcy," replied Fitzwilliam. "I have never seen Bingley as frivolous or unserious, but he is a man who enjoys his diversions."

? "That much is nothing less than the truth," agreed Darcy. "Should he decide to settle here, he would have excellent neighbors, but I suspect he might wish for a property closer to his ancestral home."

? "Such as Derbyshire, perhaps?" asked Fitzwilliam, with no little amusement. "That sister of his would welcome a property in Pemberley's neighborhood. In fact, she might see the benefits of moving into Pemberley itself, rather than dealing with the inconvenience of her brother purchasing an estate."

? "Miss Bingley has never been so open in her pursuit of me."

? "Yet one always knew of her wishes, regardless."

? Darcy shrugged. "Perhaps. Since coming to Hertfordshire, however, she has been nothing less than pleasant; I have had no reason to condemn her comportment."

? "That is perhaps the most interesting part of your attention to a young lady not Miss Bingley." Fitzwilliam sat back and regarded him. "Miss Bingley has always taken care to behave with the utmost propriety, and yet I have always thought it a thin veneer hiding the woman lying within. I might have thought when confronted with the prospect of losing you to a country miss that she would abandon all pretense of civility and extend her claws."

? "If you thought that, then you are mistaken. While I cannot say that she is happy with my interest in Miss Elizabeth, she has not behaved reprehensibly."

? "Then perhaps she will accept the son of an earl as a replacement for a man of great wealth." Fitzwilliam grinned and added: "She is not lacking pleasing attributes and her fortune is acceptable, though not stupendous."

? "Did you not pledge to inspect Bennet's third daughter as a potential match?" drawled Darcy.

? Fitzwilliam waved him off. "A man must keep his options open you know. Miss Bingley possesses a larger dowry, after all."

? Darcy did not reply, though he shot his cousin a look, for at that moment the carriage rolled to a stop before Netherfield's entrance. When they disembarked from Darcy's coach, Bingley was on hand to offer his ebullient welcome, though his manners were a little suppressed. Despite Bennet's general circumspection, it appeared he had told Bingley of the business.

? "You made good time, Darcy," said Bingley, offering his hand, then welcoming Fitzwilliam to his home.

? "Slower progress than I made on the journey to the north," replied Darcy. "Since I wished to visit Longbourn when we arrived, I did not think it warranted the long travel days so we could arrive last night."

? Bingley nodded. "That is for the best. If you refresh yourself, we can go to Longbourn at once."

? The cousins followed Bingley up the stairs and into the house, Bingley directing the footmen who were unloading the carriage as he walked. Darcy was eager to change his clothes and depart at once, but he could not go to his room without confirming if Bingley knew something of the situation.

? "I will wager that Bennet told you more than he told me," answered Bingley. "There is no word from Collins, and only Lady Catherine can say why she opted to support his claim."

? "That at least is incorrect, Bingley," said Fitzwilliam with his usual insouciance. "Lady Catherine loves to be of use and will involve herself in the affairs of everyone around her; whether they welcome her interference is not a concern to her."

? Bingley grinned and allowed the point. "Darcy has told me so much of your aunt that I feel like I already know her."

? "Trust me, Bingley," rejoined Fitzwilliam. "Many believe they are acquainted with my aunt and many more wish to experience her ways. It is a sorrowful man, however, who has experienced her full measure, for no one escapes an acquaintance with her unscathed."

? "I shall take that under advisement," replied a wry Bingley, "and leave you to your preparations."

? It took little time for Darcy to change and ready himself, such that less than ten minutes passed before his return to the entrance. Fitzwilliam had joined him on the stairs, and they descended to meet the family, who were all gathered for their departure. Darcy greeted Bingley's sisters hoping he did not appear to be impatient—though he was—and they all entered Bingley's carriage and set out on the road to Longbourn.

? More than once, Darcy caught his cousin's interested glances at Miss Caroline, as it seemed he had not believed Darcy about her recent behavior. It had lasted his absence, for while Miss Caroline contributed to the conversation in the carriage, she offered no special deference to Darcy, and made no comments that anyone could construe as judgmental toward the Bennets or anyone else. Darcy had little patience with the niceties of polite discourse, for his thoughts were winging ahead of the carriage to where the Bennets waited them, his reunion with his sister, the situation with Lady Catherine's demands, and above all, seeing Miss Elizabeth again.

? With this sense of heightened awareness, Darcy entered Longbourn, his first sight of Miss Elizabeth akin to a condemned man receiving a pardon at the moment of execution. She stood at the entrance, her eyes twinkling with amusement and expectation at the sight of him. Her dress was nothing special, a day dress Darcy thought he had seen her wear many times before, yet she was the most beautiful sight he had ever beheld. Everything about them faded away, leaving them the only souls in the world, their hearts and minds communing on a level far beyond mere mortal words and emotions.

? Feeling like a drunkard intoxicated by the fine wine of her presence, Darcy stepped forward and clasped her hand, bowing over it and raising it to his lips. "Miss Elizabeth. How pleased I am to be restored to your presence."

? "I am happy to welcome you back, Mr. Darcy," said she, the emotion in her voice the equal of his.

? "Well, I never thought to see the day," came a voice from behind them. "Darcy told me of his interest in a young lady, but to see him so besotted as to ignore the rest of the company—including his sister—is quite beyond anything I had ever imagined."

? Darcy shared a long look with Miss Elizabeth, bursting into laughter with her, then turned to face the rest of the company, including his jocose cousin. Georgiana stepped forward and dropped into a hasty curtsey before throwing her arms around his neck, and then everyone began talking at once. It was Mr. Bennet who raised his voice and brought some semblance of order to their company.

? "Based on the resemblance," said he, "I suspect this is your cousin, Darcy. No doubt he will continue to make sport with you, so I suggest you introduce him to our acquaintance at once."

? "That will give him consequence he does not deserve," said Darcy, much to the mirth of them all. "But I suppose there is little choice."

? When Darcy did the honors and those involved stated their pleasure, the company entered the house and made their way to the sitting-room. Bennet, noted Darcy, spoke with Fitzwilliam, and within moments they were conversing as if they were old friends. Their turn of mind was similar, guaranteeing their quick acceptance and friendship, but then again, Fitzwilliam was like that with almost everyone he met. Satisfied for the moment, he turned to Miss Elizabeth, seeing her amused scrutiny.

? "Well, Mr. Darcy?" asked she with a challenge in her voice.

? "Pardon me, Miss Elizabeth," said Darcy, "but I have no notion of your meaning. Do you wish me to say something particular?"

? She chuckled and fixed him with a severe frown. "When you departed, I seemed to recall a promise you made, and I wondered when and how you meant to fulfill it."

? "You are eager for its fulfillment?" asked Darcy.

? "I might have thought you were eager to keep your promise."

? "All in good time, Miss Elizabeth," said Darcy, patting her hand. "Had this business with my aunt not arisen, I might not have returned for a few more days. Before we take thought for our future, perhaps we should deal with the situation before us."

? Miss Elizabeth released a put-upon sigh, belied by the merry twinkling of her eyes. "Very well, sir. You had best proceed at once."

? It was, Darcy decided, an excellent suggestion, such that he squeezed her hand and turned to Bennet, who appeared to be watching them, a chortling Fitzwilliam by his side. With a nod, Bennet opened the discussion.

? "I have never had the good fortune of your aunt's acquaintance, Darcy—"

? "As I told Bingley," interjected Fitzwilliam, "you should thank the Lord on high for that blessing."

? Titters in the room met Fitzwilliam's jest, but Darcy shook his head, a warning for his cousin to be silent. Fitzwilliam subsided, but his grin never wavered.

? "As I was saying," said Bennet, "I do not know her, but she is even more absurd than all your stories suggest. She may even be a match for my cousin who is not lacking in his own brand of silliness, though I did not suspect him of ulterior motives. This business perhaps suggests that there is more to him than I supposed."

? "I also did not suspect him of duplicity," said Darcy. "Is it your opinion that he approached you hoping to learn more before bringing his suit?"

? Bennet shook his head. "I have no answers. My cousin appeared more than a little simple to me; his comments concerning the estate and the suggestion he might have passed it to me even if he had inherited it disarmed me. He appeared to possess no ability to practice deceit."

? "Unless we can find any other explanation," said Miss Elizabeth, "it seems there is little option but to assume he confounded us."

? "That is true," said Mr. Bennet. "I spoke with my solicitor, and he dismissed the matter as one the courts would not even deign to investigate. That is, unless others of substantial influence involved themselves to skew the scales of justice."

? "I suspect you speak of my father, Mr. Bennet," said Fitzwilliam. "Father is a good man who, while he will use his influence when he believes it necessary, does not abuse the privilege he holds. Lady Catherine might invoke my father's name to threaten and achieve her ends, but when he hears of her actions, he will not be pleased. I cannot think he will involve himself in so trifling a matter as the claim of my aunt's lacky to a property held by another."

? "A trifling matter to Lord Matlock, perhaps," said Bennet, his jesting tone evidence Fitzwilliam's characterization did not offend him.

? Fitzwilliam inclined his head. "You are correct, of course. The matter is of utmost importance to you, but as my father has no acquaintance with those involved and knows his sister very well, it will little interest him. Except, perhaps, when he learns of Darcy's obvious besotted state for your daughter."

? "We are acquainted," said Bennet, "though it is a slight connection."

? "To return to the original subject," said Darcy, "I concur with Fitzwilliam's assessment."

? "As I informed the Bennets," interjected Georgiana.

? Darcy smiled at his sister and nodded. "As my uncle will not be inclined to lend his support to such a frivolous matter as this, Lady Catherine will have only her own influence to bring to bear; she believes her authority supreme, but I judge it insufficient to affect events to her liking."

? "That is the trouble with Lady Catherine," said Fitzwilliam, shaking his head. "Or should I say one of her many failings. Lady Catherine possesses supreme confidence in her abilities and an unshakable faith in her power. My father has needed to act many times to rein in her sillier tendencies."

? "He will not be happy when he learns of this," said Darcy.

? "Then what do you propose I do?" asked Bennet. "I refrained from answering the letter to wait for your return, but I suspect she might contemplate actions even more injurious should I ignore her."

? Fitzwilliam laughed. "If there is one thing Lady Catherine cannot abide, it is being ignored. You have the right of it, Bennet—if you ignore her, Lady Catherine might assemble an army to eject you from your home."

? "I would advise against writing to her," said Darcy. "Instead, I propose that I ride for Rosings Park to set her straight. She may not listen to me but invoking my uncle's name should be enough to induce her to desist."

? "Loath though I am to subject myself to my aunt's presence," said Fitzwilliam, "I agree that is likely the best option."

? Fitzwilliam turned to Darcy and added: "It would also be advisable to dispatch a letter explaining the situation to my father. Should Lady Catherine dig in her heels and insist on pursuing this madness, he can act to prevent her."

? "Lord Matlock has made Bennet's acquaintance," said Darcy with a nod to Bennet. "Before I came to Hertfordshire, I informed my uncle and aunt of my going, so they understand the rudimentary facts of the situation."

? "That is well, as it will allow us to avoid long explanations," agreed Fitzwilliam.

? "Then I believe we have our plan."

? "I appreciate your support in this matter, Darcy," said Bennet, while nodding to Fitzwilliam. "It seems I have been quite a trial on your good nature, for not only did I sue for assistance in learning to manage the property, but you must now take up your sword and slay the dragon on my behalf."

? The company sniggered at Mr. Bennet's jest, and Fitzwilliam exclaimed: "A dragon is an excellent way to describe my aunt! There are few more fearsome than she!"

? "Fitzwilliam and I shall leave tomorrow at first light," said Darcy when their mirth had abated. "I doubt we can return to Hertfordshire tomorrow, but if we leave early enough a return to London might be possible."

? "Oh, aye," said Fitzwilliam. "I would not wish to stay at Rosings. Lady Catherine will ply you with entreaties that you propose to her daughter and may settle for Anne compromising you should you resist."

? "Especially given the events around our last visit," replied Darcy, wincing at the mere thought.

? "Well, if you are to undertake such hazards on my behalf," said Bennet, "the least we can do is send you on your way with a meal. Will you not all stay for dinner?"

? "Thank you, Bennet," said Darcy. "I speak for us all when I accept with gratitude."

The Netherfield party departed Longbourn long before Darcy might have wished in deference to their need to make for Kent the following morning. Caring little for the company's mirth and regretting the need to leave her soon after being readmitted to her presence, Darcy focused his attention on Miss Elizabeth, paying only the barest civility to anyone else. When he pulled himself from her presence, Darcy steeled himself for what he needed to do and promised they would not part again when he had dealt with Lady Catherine. Eager though he was to reflect on her perfections during the journey back to Netherfield, Miss Caroline interrupted his musings with questions he had not expected from her.

? "Mr. Darcy," said she, her manner almost diffident, "I am curious to know more about this aunt of whom you speak."

? "As I suggested," said Fitzwilliam, "that is a perilous subject, Miss Caroline. It would be better if you refrained, for speaking of Lady Catherine has sent many boasting ample moral fiber fleeing in terror."

? Miss Caroline smiled at Fitzwilliam's jest, well-worn though it was, though her scrutiny did not waver. Though other more pleasant thoughts than his aunt beckoned, Darcy could do nothing but respond.

? "I believe we covered the salient points, Miss Caroline. Aunt Catherine is a force unto herself, and not inclined to listen to anyone, even my uncle. She will obey him if he insists, but her neck is far too stiff to bend any further than she must."

? "She must be a formidable woman," said Miss Bingley.

? "That she is," said Darcy, "though as Fitzwilliam suggested, she possesses less influence than she believes. At Rosings, she rules with an iron fist and chooses lackeys she feels will do her bidding without question."

? "Could she have persuaded this Mr. Collins to contest the ownership of Longbourn?" asked Fitzwilliam.

? Darcy shrugged. "Anything is possible."

? Fitzwilliam nodded and the company fell silent yet again. Though the sun was setting toward the horizon, the season meant there was still more than enough light to see, allowing Darcy to view the occupants of the carriage. It appeared Fitzwilliam had lapsed into contemplation, while Bingley and his elder sister were looking out the window at the passing scenery. Miss Caroline, however, continued to regard Darcy as if their previous conversation had not answered all her questions. As Darcy expected, she spoke again when she noticed his regard.

? "This business of your aunt's wishes is not unknown in town."

? Darcy shook his head, filled with both disdain for Lady Catherine's unwillingness to allow the matter to rest and exasperation for her behavior. "There is a certain set that speaks of it, but I quash the rumors wherever I can. Those who know anything of the situation understand my aunt has long wished for the union but know I will never capitulate. For the rest, I care little about what they say."

? "Then it has no basis in truth."

? "Lady Catherine insists she agreed with my mother that I should wed Anne. To me, it is nothing more than her wishes; I never considered myself bound."

? Miss Caroline nodded. "That is understandable, Mr. Darcy. Yet I cannot but suppose it will displease your aunt when she learns of your intentions toward Elizabeth."

? "That is perhaps the largest understatement I have ever heard," chortled Fitzwilliam. "England may never be the same when Lady Catherine leaves destruction in the wake of her rampage."

? "I know you both warned against it," said Bingley, "but I should like to have even one instant in her company to comprehend her."

? "An instant is all it would require," said Darcy wryly.

? "That is why I wish for that alone. Any more I suspect will scar me for life!"

? Fitzwilliam howled with laughter and Bingley joined him, and Darcy even allowed the mirth of the situation to take over. There was little enough of humor to be had when dealing with Aunt Catherine, such that one had no choice but to grasp such opportunities without hesitation.

? "What if you were courting the daughter of an earl?" asked Miss Bingley.

? Wiping the tears from his eyes, Darcy acknowledged her point. "Lady Catherine would still have been unhappy, but you are correct she would have been much more circumspect when she expressed it. Miss Elizabeth's recent status as the daughter of a parson will only make it worse."

? "Better, however, than should you fix on one of lower position."

? Understanding her meaning at last, Darcy looked on her with compassion. "I do not boast of my position in life, Miss Caroline. Yet it is nothing less than the truth that I am a wealthy man and possess connections to the nobility, and more than just my Fitzwilliam relations. If I esteemed such a woman, enough to brave all the slings and arrows of society her position would not matter when compared with the happiness I expected to receive from such an alliance.

? "However, you are correct about my aunt. Should I contemplate a marriage with a woman she believes completely unsuitable, one she could not even console herself was with the daughter of a gentleman, her fury would know no bounds."

? "Then it is well that you are such a man as to possess such courage," said she, her expression revealing nothing. "I wish you well, Mr. Darcy, for you deserve whatever happiness you can find."

? With those words, Miss Caroline fell silent and did not speak again. When they arrived back at Netherfield, she excused herself at once to return to her room, and though Bingley put his hand on Darcy's shoulder and offered him a wry grin, he said nothing, and they all sought their rooms. Miss Caroline, it appeared, had married the understanding of her situation with the prejudices of society at last. While it was a hard lesson to learn, Darcy thought she would benefit from it; perhaps she might still find what she wished, for her virtues and fortune might still prove an irresistible lure to the right man. With connections to Darcy and the remoter connections to the Fitzwilliam family, her situation would be attractive enough to draw attention from a certain level of gentleman, though likely not the highest echelons of society. Now that she had given up her designs toward him, Darcy found himself capable of wishing her the best in her future.

? "Well, Darcy," said Fitzwilliam, following Darcy to his room. "I might not have thought it likely, but it seems Miss Bingley is as altered as you suggest."

? "Enough to pursue her for yourself?" asked Darcy.

? Fitzwilliam shrugged. "She is a handsome woman, and her dowry is acceptable, though Mother would want more for me. As I have yet to unearth a woman possessing fifty thousand and connections to a dukedom who is madly in love with me, perhaps I might consider her."

? "What of Miss Mary?"

? With a waggle of his eyebrows, Fitzwilliam drawled: "Remember, Darcy: I need to keep my options open."

? With a chuckle, Darcy clasped his cousin's shoulder. "It appears you have the perfect opportunity now, though it must wait until we return. Can you stay at Netherfield for a time?"

? "Perhaps," said Fitzwilliam with an absence of thought. "Should we return to London tomorrow evening, I shall report to my barracks the following morning." Fitzwilliam grinned. "If you can wait long enough for me to confirm my availability, I shall return to Hertfordshire with you unless the general assigns me to some new task I must complete at once."

? "I suppose I can wait for a time," drawled Darcy. "It will give me a chance to check in with my man of business in London. When you are ready to depart, we can leave, perhaps arriving back in Hertfordshire in the early afternoon."

? "Thank you, Darcy," said Fitzwilliam with a nod. "Then I hope that I will return."

? "Have you given any consideration to resigning your commission?"

? "My father has set a sum aside for my future support," said Fitzwilliam, "but it will not be enough to keep me in the style to which I am accustomed. With the dowry a wife would bring, I may have enough to purchase an estate, though it will not be large. The half pay I would draw if I remained in the army until the war's end would be of much help in such circumstances."

? "You are not in any danger of being called to the continent?"

? "Not at present, though anything can happen." Fitzwilliam shrugged. "I am not afraid of it, for I have fought on the peninsula. Mother would be happier if I remained in England, but I do not wish Father to use his influence to see to it either."

? Darcy nodded and grasped his cousin's shoulder. "That is why you are such an excellent man, Fitzwilliam. Others purchase their commission at the rank you now hold rather than rising through the ranks by diligence and hard work, and many others have no compunction about using their father's authority to avoid battle."

? The shrug with which Fitzwilliam replied he often used when others made such comments. "If the army has taught me one thing, it is that all men are equal when you get to the heart of it. Those men who purchase higher ranks are common and though some prove themselves, others are nothing less than a disgrace. I would not wish to be considered among their number."

? "No, I cannot imagine you would," murmured Darcy.

? Fitzwilliam then excused himself to return to his room, and Darcy set about readying himself for bed. Though he wished for the reality of Miss Elizabeth's presence, for the next two days he would need to content himself with dreams of her. He meant to rest at once to make those dreams a reality.