Page 6 of An Interrupted Proposal (Pride and Prejudice Variation)
“It appears we are of one mind.” Darcy nearly laughed at the startled expression which overran his friend’s countenance.
“We are? You believe I should return to Netherfield Park and woo Miss Bennet?”
“No, you should accompany me to Gracechurch Street this morning. Miss Bennet is visiting her aunt and uncle, and I have letters to be delivered there.”
“Miss Bennet is in London?” Bingley’s brows drew together in utter perplexment. “How do you know this to be so?”
At this question, Darcy paused. He could easily say Miss Elizabeth had told him, but the truth of the matter was that he had known Miss Bennet was there several months ago. If he respected his friend, he would tell him the entire truth.
“Bingley, I am sorry to say that Miss Bennet has been visiting her aunt and uncle since shortly after the festive season.”
His friend’s eyes grew larger. “Jane? Has been in London since January?”
Darcy nodded.
“Why did she not contact Caroline?”
“She did.” Darcy's pulse increased until he felt as though he were running. “Your sisters sought my advice, and it was decided it would be best if you did not know.”
Bingley tipped his head to the side, his brow furrowed. When he spoke, his voice was deeper than normal and extremely controlled. “I beg your pardon?”
Leaning forwards and clasping his hands together, Darcy took a deep breath. “I apologize. It was beneath me to interfere in your affairs and poorly done. I could say that I was attempting to protect you, but in truth, I believe I was thinking only of myself.”
“Yourself?” His friend’s expression became darker, but confusion still ruled. “How could separating me from Miss Bennet . . .” Bingley’s eyes widened once more. “You have feelings for my Jane?”
“No!” Darcy ran a hand through his hair. “I was attempting to avoid her sister.”
“Sister? Miss Elizabeth? She is in town as well?”
“No, she is in Kent.”
“Where you just were?”
“Yes.”
Bingley sat back in his seat, composed himself, and then waved his hand in Darcy’s direction. “I fear you must tell me all, as I am beyond confused by what has been said thus far.”
With a great sigh, Darcy sat back in his seat and told Bingley of the agreement that had been made between himself and his friend’s sisters before leaving Netherfield; the arrival of Miss Bennet’s letters, followed by the lady herself; his discovery of Miss Elizabeth in Kent; and the revelation that Miss Bennet remained in London and held Bingley in some regard.
“She admired me before we left Netherfield?”
“That is my understanding.”
The smile which raced across Bingley’s features retreated just as quickly. “But then I did not return. What must she think of me?” He cradled his head in his hands.
“There is only one way to know.” Darcy patted his friend’s shoulder. “Miss Elizabeth has entrusted me with letters for her family and I intend to deliver them this morning. Will you accompany me?”
“Should I?” Bingley raised his head. “Will it not be awkward for Miss Bennet to see me so suddenly after all this time?”
“I am not expected either, but I have business I must address with Mr. Gardiner. I would appreciate your presence as you are much better when meeting strangers.” He tugged at his cuffs.
“I believe it would appear odd if I arrived at the Gardiners’ residence without you.
It is only because you leased Netherfield Park that I am acquainted with the Bennet sisters. ”
Bingley stared at him, his eyes moving back and forth over Darcy’s countenance as though searching for some clue to how they might be received in Cheapside.
Finally, he nodded. “You are correct. I have wished to see Miss Bennet, and now I shall.” He rose from his seat and made for the door.
“I must change. I had not anticipated visiting . . .”
When his friend did not continue, Darcy offered, “It is early. Shall we take breakfast at White’s and then journey to Gracechurch?”
Bingley nodded. “I will return shortly.” He paused at the door, a wicked gleam appearing in his eye.
“You may wish to lock the door behind me. Should Caroline learn of your presence, we do not want her to find you alone.” He chuckled at his joke but stopped before leaving. “Shall I have coffee sent in?”
“And alert the household to my presence?” Darcy asked with a grin.
“Quite right, quite right.” Bingley chuckled as he closed the door behind him.
Darcy shook his head, laughing at his friend’s discomposure, but upon hearing movement in the hall, he quickly locked the door until Bingley knocked a short time later.
***********
Darcy checked his timepiece for the tenth time.
They were frightfully early but could think of no other activity in which to engage.
White’s had not disappointed, but neither of the gentlemen truly experienced the excellent cuisine as their minds were focused on the coming visit.
Anxious to reach Gracechurch Street, but not before normal visiting hours, both Darcy and Bingley finished their breakfast much faster than they normally might have.
They even returned to their homes to secure their mounts for a brisk ride through Hyde Park but still were unable to fill the remaining time.
A sharp inhale from his friend drew Darcy from his thoughts.
Bingley had stopped his horse in the middle of the street and was staring off to his left.
Darcy followed his gaze and saw Miss Bennet walking towards them with a child on either side of her.
His friend was already moving in her direction before Darcy could say a word, so he followed.
“Miss Bennet,” Bingley said in a voice filled with awe. He quickly dismounted and bowed before her. “How fortuitous. My friend and I were on our way to your uncle’s home.”
“Mr. Bingley.” The lady’s countenance had paled upon their approach, but her cheeks were now rapidly colouring. “I had promised my cousins a walk yesterday, but the weather did not allow it. We are on our way to the nearest park before they must begin their lessons.”
When Bingley did not immediately respond, Darcy, who had also dismounted, bowed to the lady. “Miss Bennet, it is good to see you. May my friend and I join your party?”
Reluctantly, the lady pulled her gaze from Bingley and curtseyed to Darcy.
In that moment, he wondered how he had previously missed the obvious affection in her countenance and recognized his foolishness more fully.
The fear of his own feelings for her sister had completely blinded him to what must have been plain to everyone else.
Indeed, Miss Bingley would not have been so determined to separate the couple if Miss Bennet had not been as enamoured as her brother.
Though, in truth, her motivation may have been as much to remove Darcy from Hertfordshire as Bingley.
A gentle smile graced the lady’s lips. “Thank you for the suggestion, sir.” She turned to the children. “Shall we allow the gentlemen to join us?”
The girl blushed and lowered her head but nodded, while the boy’s response was more enthusiastic. “Oh, yes! Will the horses come as well?”
Finally finding his voice, Bingley smiled at the lad. “Miss Bennet, may we have the honour of an introduction?”
“Certainly.” She returned his smile. “These are my cousins, Master Thomas Gardiner and Miss Rose Gardiner. Cousins, these are my friends, Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley.”
The children bowed and curtseyed admirably, and the gentlemen responded in turn. “It is a pleasure to meet you both,” Bingley replied. “Do you ride, Master Gardiner?”
“Only a pony, but Papa says he shall buy me a horse once I can pick the fruit off the tree with my feet on the ground.” The boy’s cheeks pinked. “It doesn’t count if you climb the tree.”
A knowing smile was shared by the adults before Darcy crouched before the young man. “Would you like to ride with me while Mr. Bingley escorts the ladies?”
Though Thomas clearly wanted to say yes, he first looked to Miss Bennet for permission which was readily granted. Darcy lifted the boy onto his horse and swung up behind him. Miss Bennet gave him directions to the park, and they trotted away from the others.
Once young Thomas had satisfied his curiosity and seen all he desired, he glanced up at Darcy. “Is Mr. Bingley the man who made our Janie cry?”
Darcy stiffened. The eyes which studied him were eerily similar to the ones that had captured his attention in Hertfordshire. Taking a deep breath, he nodded. “Unintentionally so, due to poor advice he received from those he believed he could trust.”
The boy frowned. “Is he going to do it again?”
“No, I do not believe he will.”
The boy turned away from him. “Good.” He pointed to a patch of greenery on the next street. “There is the park.” He turned a mischievous gaze back over his shoulder. “Can we go faster?”
Darcy laughed. “Is there a horse path in the park?”
The boy nodded excitedly and pointed to the far side of the green. After a quick glance back to where Bingley and Miss Bennet walked arm in arm with Miss Gardiner holding the lady’s hand, Darcy turned his mount towards the far side of the park and indulged the lad’s request.
***********
Young Master Gardiner was a joy. He was a precocious six years of age, the eldest of the Gardiner’s children, and self-declared favourite of the Bennet sisters.
In many ways, Darcy imagined him a male version of Elizabeth at such an age and his hope of a future with that lady now included a more complete vision of their children than he had previously imagined.
“Our Lizzy is coming to London soon. Will you come to see her?” the lad asked as they made their way towards the rest of the party.
“I will.”
“Can we ride then?”
“It would make it difficult for Miss Elizabeth to accompany us.”
Thomas’s head lowered, but he quickly recovered. “She could walk with Mr. Bingley.”
“Or, perhaps, you could ride with Mr. Bingley, and I could walk with your cousin.”