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The following day, Darcy left Rosings Park with the colonel. At his cousin’s suggestion, he paid a visit to the parsonage first to take his leave. He spoke little and said nothing at all to Elizabeth, instead watching the colonel carry the entire conversation.

Elizabeth was much quieter than usual, but she did smile at the colonel. At him, she barely threw a few glances.

“Will you stay in Kent for long, Miss Bennet?” his cousin asked.

“No. I plan to leave in less than a fortnight.”

“Will you go directly to Longbourn?”

“Probably not. I intend to stay in London for a few days, then return home with my sister Jane.”

“If you approve of it, I would like to call on you during your stay in London,” the colonel said. “I would be delighted to meet your sister.”

Elizabeth cast a quick look at Darcy before answering, “I am sure my sister would be honoured to make your acquaintance, Colonel. My uncle lives in Gracechurch Street, number eight.”

“I admit I am not familiar with that part of London, but I shall be pleased to explore more of it.”

“Your intention is very kind, Colonel. If you do not visit us, I shall assume you have been too busy.”

“I am never too busy to do things I enjoy. Only Darcy is too busy with his duties, and he overlooks his own wishes.” The colonel laughed.

Darcy was ready to reply, but Elizabeth spoke first.

“I am sure Mr Darcy would find the necessary time if he truly wished to do something. Any man would,” she said, casting another quick glance at him.

“I do find time for things I truly wish to do, but on certain occasions, that has been to my detriment. Lately, I have learnt that I would do better to fulfil my duties than indulge my wishes.”

He observed Elizabeth’s change of expression, proving she understood his meaning.

“I cannot agree with you, Darcy,” the colonel said with a laugh. “I have never regretted following my wishes, even if at times it was wrong to do so.”

“Apparently, you are more fortunate than I am, Cousin,” Darcy uttered. “But as lovely as this conversation is, we must end it, as we should return to Rosings. It is rather late, and we have a long journey to London.”

Elizabeth, Mrs Collins, and Miss Lucas expressed their best wishes, while Mr Collins offered to accompany them back to the manor.

While he had never liked the clergyman, Darcy had always tried to maintain a civil relationship with him. But since he had found out that the tedious man had dared to propose to Elizabeth, Darcy could not stand him and avoided talking to him entirely.

“There is no need for you to take so much trouble, Mr Collins. I am sure you have more important things to employ your time,” he said.

“Not at all, Mr Darcy! Nothing is more important than to express my best wishes to you and to pay my daily visit to her ladyship,” the man replied. Darcy fought the temptation to roll his eyes and glanced at Elizabeth instead. To his amazement, she rolled her own eyes with a little smile towards him. He had seen her smiling numerous times before, but that particular little smile looked different, and Darcy wondered about it long after he left the parsonage and throughout the entire journey back to London.

***

After a lovely dinner with Georgiana and Mrs Annesley, her companion, Darcy spent a little more time in conversation with his sister, then he withdrew to his chamber. Georgiana assumed he was tired, and he did not contradict her. In fact, he was exhausted, not from the travelling but from all his turmoil over Elizabeth and the lack of sleep following his failed proposal.

He decided to call on Bingley the next morning and see whether he had read the letter, then discuss it.

His valet helped him to change for the night and filled him another drink, then said, “Sir, there is a note for you here on your desk.”

“Is there? I did not even notice it. What note? From whom?”

“It is from a Mrs Crawford. Apparently she has called twice this week, looking for you. I do not know who she is, and she did not disclose her business.”

“I am not acquainted with any Mrs Crawford. Do you know what she looked like?”

“I was told she was between thirty and forty years of age. Clean clothes but nothing fashionable.”

“Let me read the note,” Darcy requested, puzzled.

On the small piece of paper was written:

Mr Darcy,

I apologise for applying to you, but I am desperate, and I cannot find help anywhere else. It is a matter of life and death for a young mother of sixteen and her infant, and your mercy may be their only salvation.

I pray you will forgive me for bothering you with a matter almost wholly unconnected with you and that your kindness, about which I have heard so much, might induce you to listen to me if only for a moment. Since I understand you are expected to return home soon, I shall call every morning, praying to the Lord for the miracle of finally meeting you.

Your humble servant,

Jane Crawford

Puzzled and bewildered, Darcy stared at the note, then at his valet.

“What on earth is this?”

“I know nothing else about it, sir. Apparently, the lady seemed upset and would not answer any further questions.”

Darcy rubbed his temples. He could not imagine what that woman might want from him, except perhaps money since she mentioned a child and a young mother. But why did she ask him particularly? Perhaps she had asked many other people too? Could she be a swindler? Would she dare enter his house and attempt to deceive him?

“Porter, I might not be home tomorrow morning either. If she calls again, tell her I am aware of her request and am willing to provide help if she presents me with proof of her honesty. Ask for her direction.”

“Very well, sir.”

A knock on the door surprised them; it was certainly not a time for visits or conversation, so Darcy assumed it was his sister and she had something important to tell him. Porter opened the door, and there stood Bingley, waiting with a troubled expression and his clothes in some disorder.

“Forgive me for disturbing you, Darcy. I happened to be passing and saw the knocker was up. I hear you have just returned. I talked your man here into letting me come up.” He gestured to a harried-looking footman behind him, whom Darcy dismissed with a nod.

“Do not worry, it is no disturbance. Come in, Bingley. Porter, that will be all until morning,” he said. “Bingley, would you like a drink?”

“No, I already had a few after dinner…but on second thoughts, yes, I would like one more.”

“I assume you read my letter,” Darcy said, handing his friend a glass and gesturing for him to take a seat.

“I did. What does it mean, Darcy?”

“Was I not clear enough? I have reason to believe I was wrong in my estimation of Miss Bennet’s feelings for you. And I thought you should know that she has been in town since January and is still here.”

“But…how do you know?”

“Miss Elizabeth Bennet was in Kent, visiting her friend the former Charlotte Lucas, who has since married Mr Collins.”

“Has she? So?” Bingley enquired impatiently.

“I had a heated conversation with Miss Elizabeth, and, among other things, the particular subject of you and Miss Bennet was discussed.”

“And what did she say?”

“Well, she said I was selfish, ungentlemanlike, and completely wrong in presuming Miss Bennet had no feelings for you. She said many other words, which I shall not repeat.”

“But…are you absolutely sure?”

“I am not. I am only relating what Miss Elizabeth told me. She must know her sister’s mind better than I do. Besides, if you are interested, you may ask Miss Bennet directly.”

“Miss Elizabeth told you her sister is in town?”

“Yes,” Darcy replied, hesitating for another moment. “But, in all honesty, I already knew that. Miss Bennet visited your sisters, and they returned the call.”

Bingley looked completely dumbfounded.

“Miss Bennet was in my house?”

“Yes.”

“When did this happen? My sisters told you but did not tell me? What is happening, Darcy? Are you a better friend to Caroline and Louisa than you are to me?” Bingley asked, his voice rising with anger.

“I deserve your ire, Bingley. I was not honest with you because I believed it would be better for you not to see Miss Bennet again. I was wrong and presumptuous. As for your sisters, I cannot speak on their behalf. You should ask them yourself.”

“Oh, I shall, you may count on that,” Bingley said, emptying his drink in one gulp. “I shall ask them for Miss Bennet’s address, and I shall go and apologise.”

“I have the address, if you want it,” Darcy offered, and Bingley’s eyes widened.

“Of course I want it!”

“She is staying with her uncle and aunt in Gracechurch Street, at number eight.”

“Well then…thank you…” Bingley said, rising and refilling his glass without even asking permission. He then remained standing, staring down at Darcy. “I am very upset with you, Darcy. I expected no less than complete honesty from you. I am stunned that you plotted with Caroline and Louisa to keep secrets from me. I thought you did not even like them!”

“It is not a matter of liking them or not, since they are your sisters. I admit my behaviour was dishonourable, even if my intentions were good. You have every reason to be upset with me. Miss Elizabeth was, and probably Miss Bennet will be too, and rightfully so.”

“Well, Miss Bennet will be upset with me too. Probably even more. Since my sisters visited her and I did not, she might assume I did not wish to see her. If I call on her tomorrow, she might be angry with me. She might not even want to receive me!”

“I have no knowledge of what your reception might be, Bingley. You will have to see for yourself when you call.”

Bingley did not reply; he only took a few agitated steps about the room and sipped from his glass.

“Would you care to come with me, Darcy? You owe me as much!”

“I do owe you, Bingley. Yes, I shall, if you want me to.”

His friend’s face brightened immediately.

“Good. I cannot believe this is happening. I have struggled all this time… I believed your assertion that Miss Bennet did not return my feelings. I mean, why would she? She is so beautiful, so kind, with such a sweet nature — and she is a gentleman’s daughter. I might have some money — all from trade, I might add — but there is not much to recommend me. I am neither particularly clever nor well educated. I am sure Miss Bennet can easily find a better match than me.”

“You are too hard on yourself, Bingley — and too modest.”

“That should compensate for my sisters, who are too fastidious and uppish, without any particular grounds for being so. I still cannot believe you agreed with them, Darcy!”

“Keeping such a secret from you reveals a clear flaw in my character, as Miss Elizabeth pointed out. I have no other choice but to remedy my wrongs.”

“You will begin tomorrow — no, in fact, you began when you wrote me that letter. I was quite shocked when I received it. I shall leave you now. You must be very tired. Shall I come and fetch you tomorrow morning?”

“Yes, you may join us for breakfast. Georgiana will be happy to see you.”

“Excellent! I would much prefer to breakfast with your sister than with mine! Good night, Darcy.”

Once his friend left, Darcy felt relieved that he would not lose Bingley’s friendship. As upset as he was, Bingley’s response had not been as strong as Darcy had expected and deserved. As for himself, he was not so ready to forgive his own actions. The truth was, regardless of his reasons, he had plotted with Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst. He had every reason to feel ashamed and guilty.

Accompanying his friend to visit Miss Bennet was something Darcy had not planned, but he could not refuse Bingley, who was in desperate need of support and reassurance. As Elizabeth had told him, it was not enough for him to admit his errors; he needed to correct them too.

***

First thing in the morning, Darcy rang for his valet.

“I might be gone for the entire day. If the woman returns, you know what to ask her. Furthermore, find out whether the young mother and child she mentioned are ill. If they are and I am not at home, send someone to Dr Taylor and ask him, on my behalf, to visit them. I would like you to go with him too, so you can report the details on my return.”

“Of course, sir.”

“I have thought about this all night, but I cannot imagine who this Mrs Crawford might be. Regardless, if there is a mother and child in real danger, I shall not be indifferent to it. I trust you will be diligent in discovering the truth.”

“Of course. I shall do as you requested, sir.”

Half an hour later, Bingley arrived, early for breakfast, impatient and anxious.

“I quarrelled with Caroline last night. I forced her to admit she deliberately concealed Miss Bennet’s presence in town from me. And then she dared to forbid me to visit Miss Bennet today! Can you imagine that? She forbade me! I was so angry that I demanded she move to the Hursts’ house immediately. I do not want to see her at present.”

“You are the master of your house, Bingley, and you decide who is welcome in it.”

“Caroline is absurd, I tell you! But I do not want to think any more about her now. I am trying to calm myself before we go to Gracechurch Street. I hope Miss Bennet will be at home.”

“You must calm down, indeed, Bingley, or you will scare Miss Bennet. She will certainly be surprised by your visit, so you must mind your manners.”

“I know. That is why I asked you to join me. Shall we leave after breakfast?”

“Yes, you must eat something and have some coffee. Or perhaps a herbal tea would be more appropriate for your nerves.”

“You may mock me, Darcy, but you might be right. I shall ask for some herbal tea, just to be sure.”

Bingley’s restlessness was further proof of his feelings for the lady and another reason for Darcy’s guilt. As Elizabeth had said, he might have ruined his friend’s happiness. Their reception in Gracechurch Street would indicate whether he could repair the damage or if all hope was lost.