Page 12

On the Trails of Netherfield Park

Two Hours Later

The sound of the horses’ hoof beats was a familiar soothing rhythm, and Phoenix’s black head bobbed up and down, his ears relaxed in pleasure. Bingley’s calm gray gelding trotted beside him, blowing out cloudy breath every so often. A cool mist clung to the hillsides and condensed on the tree trunks in long dark streaks.

Darcy adjusted his coat and took a deep breath, savoring the rolling movement of Phoenix’s gait and the crisp fresh air. The sky arched above them, cloudless and blue, and the leaves of the bushes and trees twitched in the gentle wind. It was a beautiful day, and Darcy was glad that Bingley had suggested they go for a ride.

They attained the top of a hill, and Bingley reined in, looking out over the fields towards the south. Longbourn was just visible, the gray shingles of the roof peeking through the trees.

“Darcy? ”

“Yes, Bingley?” Darcy asked, turning a curious gaze on his friend, observing that he was now wearing a heavy frown.

“I need your advice,” the younger man said.

“Of course.”

Bingley hesitated for a moment and then said, “It has to do with the Bennet family, and Miss Elizabeth in particular. There are rumors floating around that she was engaged in an illicit tryst during the ball at Netherfield.”

Minor disquiet gave into alarm, and he exclaimed, “What?!”

He then looked around anxiously, only to relax in the confidence that they were far away from any potential eavesdroppers. That must have been the reason that Bingley suggested they go for a ride.

“I know it is absurd,” Bingley said, his face twisted with worry, “but apparently the rumors are flying everywhere that Miss Elizabeth was seen climbing the stairs, and she was not seen for some time afterwards, and apparently her appearance was somewhat disheveled when she returned. I cannot imagine that the lady would behave in a dishonorable way, but it does not matter what I think. If everyone believes it, it will greatly affect not only Miss Elizabeth’s reputation, but her sisters as well. I love Jane Bennet with all my heart, but I also have a responsibility to my sisters, and it will do no good to either of them, and especially Caroline, for me to be married to a woman whose sister is…”

Darcy lifted up a hand to stop his friend and said, “Allow me to think for a minute, please.”

Bingley nodded, his expression still a mask of worry, while the gray gelding danced a little, apparently sensing his master’s distress.

It was nearly five minutes before Darcy came to a conclusion, and then he nodded briskly and said, “Shall we ride? The horses should not stand still for too long.”

“Of course,” Bingley said in a subdued tone.

Darcy waited until both horses were walking side by side before he said, “There is some truth to the rumors, Bingley. You remember, of course, that I was locked in the library that evening.”

“Yes?”

“Miss Elizabeth was trapped in there with me.”

Bingley choked in astonishment and turned amazed eyes on his friend. “How can that be, Darcy? I remember when the Bennets left, and all the daughters were there.”

“Yes,” Darcy said heavily, “because the lady chose to climb out the window and down the trellis to escape the library. ”

Bingley choked again, this time with such fervor that he began coughing, and Darcy reached for a flask on his hip and handed it over. His friend took a slug of water, which dampened his cough, and, when he had sufficiently recovered, exclaimed, “How could you allow such a thing, Darcy? She could have been killed.”

Darcy grimaced and said, “I am well aware of the danger, but please do not imagine that I allowed her to take such a hazardous step. We hunted for a key to escape the library and then, when that proved a fruitless endeavor, I offered my hand in marriage if there was a scandal, which seemed almost certain at that point. When I looked back at her, she was halfway out the window and refused my pleading to return.”

Bingley turned a startled look on his friend and said, “You offered marriage?”

“Of course I did,” Darcy said indignantly. “My honor demanded it, as her reputation would be ruined if we were found together.”

“My apologies, my friend. I meant no disrespect. I am impressed that you were willing to take such an action when you and Miss Elizabeth dislike one another so much. It is truly good…”

“Why do you imagine I dislike Miss Elizabeth?” Darcy demanded in frustration, which provoked a startled look on Bingley’s face .

“Well, of course you dislike her,” Bingley said. “You insulted her beauty at the Meryton assembly, and you argue with her almost every time you and she are in company!”

Darcy groaned and pulled his horse to a stop.

“Does everyone know about that stupid insult of mine?” he asked plaintively.

Bingley, who had also halted his horse, said, “I suspect so, since you made no attempt to speak in a quiet voice when you declared Miss Elizabeth not handsome enough to dance with. But why do you care? I am well aware that you consider the people of this little town far beneath you societally.”

This was undoubtedly true, and once again, Darcy touched Phoenix’s flanks gently to guide him into a walk.

“I do not dislike Miss Elizabeth,” he finally said. “In fact, I admire her very much. She is such a fascinating woman, handsome, clever, and very certain of herself. I hardly looked at her the night of the Meryton ball, and my scornful remarks were intended for you only, as I wished you to leave me alone. I greatly regret my behavior now.”

“Well, I am pleased to hear it,” Bingley said, “though you ought to apologize to Miss Elizabeth. ”

“I have,” Darcy replied mournfully. “She did not seem impressed.”

“Well, you can hardly blame her for disliking you based on your first unfortunate encounter,” Bingley said practically. “But I confess that I am puzzled as to how these rumors started, unless someone saw Miss Elizabeth climbing down the trellis?”

“I doubt that. As you know, I am confident that Wickham locked me in the library, and now you know that Miss Elizabeth was with me. I had just explained my history with the rogue, you see, and it seems probable that he overheard us.”

“So you think that Wickham is trying to ruin the Bennets?” Bingley demanded indignantly.

“Or me, yes. He is probably under the impression that I dislike Miss Elizabeth, and it would amuse him to force me to marry a country lady whom I dislike and who dislikes me. The problem is that once scandalous gossip begins, it is hard to stop.”

“It is,” Bingley said unhappily, “though given the situation, I can hardly abandon Jane Bennet, even if I wanted to. It is not in any way her fault that a rascal is gossiping about her sister!”

“Good,” Darcy said. “The more I think about it, the more I am convinced Miss Bennet is your perfect match. ”

“But what of Caroline? If there is a great scandal, it will badly affect her.”

Darcy did not care a great deal about Miss Bingley, but he had every intention of helping the Bennets.

“I have an idea,” he said.

***

Longbourn

An Hour Later

Elizabeth stepped into the vestibule, handed her outerwear to a maid, and braced herself. The evening was bound to be a difficult one, given that Charlotte was engaged to Mr. Collins, and her mother was undoubtedly still furious. Moreover, it would likely not be long before Mrs. Bennet learned of the rumors regarding Elizabeth’s behavior at the ball, in which case…

“Lizzy, Lizzy!” Lydia squealed, hurrying into the room. “Such wonderful news! Mr. Bingley has asked Jane to marry him, and she has accepted. ”

Anxious distress gave way to overwhelming joy, and she took a few eager steps towards the drawing room, only to stop when Mrs. Bennet, her face alight with ecstasy, rushed into the room and cried out, “Oh, Lizzy, we are saved, we are saved! Mr. Bingley has offered for Jane. Oh, I am so very happy!”

“I am happy as well, Mamma,” Elizabeth replied and was startled to receive an enthusiastic embrace from Mrs. Bennet before the lady danced off in search of someone else who had not yet heard the good news.

“Miss Elizabeth,” the butler said, “the master would like to see you in the library as soon as possible.”

Elizabeth was surprised, but she nodded and hurried upstairs to refresh herself before making her way to the library. She stepped into the room, and her eyes immediately went to Miss Bennet, who was standing next to Mr. Bingley, her handsome face was glowing with joy.

“Jane, my dear Jane,” Elizabeth cried out, rushing forward to embrace her favorite sister. “Oh, I am so happy for you!”

“And I have never been happier,” Jane said, her eyes shining with joyful tears. “Never in my entire life. I am so very fortunate.”

“I am the fortunate one,” Charles Bingley said, and Elizabeth released Jane to hold out her hands toward him and said, “Mr. Bingley, I am delighted indeed over this engagement. You and Jane are, I am confident, very well suited.”

“I entirely agree,” Bingley replied, turning a besotted look on his bride to be.

“I quite agree, too,” Mr. Bennet said from his position by the fire. “You will be a very happy woman, my dear.”

Jane went to him instantly and kissed him. “Thank you, Father.”

“You are a good girl,” he replied, “and I have great pleasure in thinking you will be so happily settled. I have not a doubt of you and Mr. Bingley doing very well together. Your tempers are by no means unlike. You are each of you so complying that nothing will ever be resolved on; so easy, that every servant will cheat you; and so generous that you will always exceed your income.”

This provoked a laugh from Bingley, and Jane shook her head. “I hope not so. Imprudence or thoughtlessness in money matters would be unpardonable inme.”

“I am glad, but come, I must speak to Lizzy and Mr. Darcy. Perhaps you would care to enjoy tea with Mrs. Bennet, who will doubtless wish to speak of wedding clothes and the like! ”

Bingley and Jane chuckled together and departed arm in arm, which left Elizabeth behind in the library with her father and Mr. Darcy, whom she had only just realized was in the room, standing in a dark corner near her father’s poetry collection.

“Mr. Darcy!” she said in surprise, feeling her cheeks flush pink.

“Miss Elizabeth,” the gentleman replied with a bow.

She curtsied in return and then turned bewildered eyes on her father, whose forehead was creased with worry.

“My dear,” Mr. Bennet said gently, “do sit down by the fire, please.”

She obediently did so, though her stomach lurched with anxiety.

“Elizabeth,” her father continued after he and Darcy had also sat down. “I fear that we have a significant problem on our hands.”