Page 25 of Brighton Rescue (Pride and Prejudice Variation #23)

Darcy shrugged unhappily, “Mr. Hartford was smitten with Miss Bennet almost instantly, and Elizabeth, who has known Mr. Hartford longer than Miss Bennet, no doubt assured her sister of his good character. I do believe him to be a most honorable gentleman, Bingley.”

His friend, who was struggling with crushing disappointment, jolted slightly and asked, “Elizabeth? Does that mean...? ”

“Yes,” Darcy said, caught between joy at his own situation and sorrow for his friend’s. “Yes, Elizabeth agreed to be my wife yesterday. We are to be married.”

Bingley clenched his teeth so hard that they hurt, but he was a generous friend and, even in the midst of his own misery was able to say, “Congratulations, Darcy. I wish you all imaginable happiness.”

“Thank you. I do feel guilty, I assure you. I gave you very poor advice back in Hertfordshire and after Elizabeth told me in the spring of her sister’s attachment to you, I should have written immediately, but I felt uncertain as to both your inclination and your location, so I do apologize, Bingley. ”

Charles Bingley sank onto a wooden bench under a spreading elm tree and stared dismally toward a gently waving stand of cattails.

“It is not your fault, Darcy. I ought to have followed my own heart last autumn. And as for your letter – I received it a few days ago and waited too long to come here to Brighton. I am to blame for this debacle, all of it. If Miss Bennet finds love with another, I cannot resent her decision in any way.”

Darcy sat down next to his friend and stared sadly at the ground. He was so very happy with Elizabeth, and if he had only held his silence last autumn, Miss Bennet would now be Mrs. Jane Bingley and he and Charles would soon be brothers by marriage .

The two sat in melancholy silence for another ten minutes, and then Bingley rose slowly to his feet. “I am aware the situation is awkward and will thus return to Brighton today and London tomorrow. Congratulations again, my friend.”

Darcy stared at the other man with consternation. “I am quite certain that Lady Amelia and Mr. Hartford would be willing to let you stay overnight, Bingley, either here or back in town.”

“Do you and your party return to Brighton today?”

“We plan to return tomorrow or the next day, but you need not ride immediately back to Brighton.”

“I do, Darcy, I do. I would not, for all the world, be a source of discomfort to Miss Bennet. I will plan to spend the night at Hartford House by the ocean and will return to London tomorrow. I am quite resolved.”

Darcy stood up and said hesitantly, “There is one other thing you should know, Bingley.”

“Yes?”

“Miss Bennet was in London earlier this year for three months. She called on Miss Bingley, and your sister behaved with sufficient coldness that Miss Bennet realized the friendship was at an end. I knew of the lady’s presence in London, and did not inform you.

I apologize again for my interference, and .

.. if you do find love again, I hope you will remember that your sister is all too ready to interfere if she does not approve of your choice. ”

Charles Bingley’s jaw was clenched and his hands tightened into fists. “You concealed Miss Bennet’s presence? You and my sister? How dare you, Darcy?”

“I was a fool,” Darcy answered, his head drooping. “I could not regret it more.”

Bingley gritted his teeth and glared at his friend before slumping morosely and declaring, “It remains my fault, Darcy. I am to blame for letting both you and my sisters lead me about by the nose. I can only hope that I will learn something from this excruciatingly painful experience.”

/

“Whatever has happened?” Colonel Fitzwilliam demanded as Bingley disappeared out of sight on the road back to Brighton.

Darcy moaned and explained, “Bingley came here in pursuit of Miss Bennet, but she and Mr. Hartford are courting.”

“No! Already? They only met two days ago! ”

“It seems that unlike me and Bingley, Mr. Hartford is able to come to rapid decisions where lovely ladies are concerned.”

The colonel sighed and leaned against the outer wall of the stable, stretching out his limbs after his ride. “A pity, but sometimes life moves on while we are cogitating.”

“I feel very much at fault,” Darcy said miserably. “It was I who encouraged Bingley to stay away from Miss Bennet. If I had kept my own counsel, they would likely be happily married.”

“Stop it, Darcy,” his cousin ordered. “It was Bingley’s decision to stay away from Miss Bennet, not yours. He must learn to stand on his own two feet, and perhaps this disappointment will help him develop a backbone.”

“All the same...”

“No, I will not hear you lambast yourself further,” Fitzwilliam declared, pushing away from the stable wall and beginning to stride toward the house.

“Did Bingley tell you that he would have arrived in Brighton earlier if he had not chosen to squire his sister to a museum? I like Bingley, certainly, but if he is going to continue to be dominated by his younger sister, I believe Miss Bennet is better off without him. ”

Darcy frowned thoughtfully at this. It was true that Miss Bingley was tiresome and domineering, and both Bingley and Miss Bennet had gentle natures.

Perhaps his cousin was right that the two were not especially well matched given that neither was willing to disappoint others, even when the others in question were being needlessly demanding.

“Oh, Richard?” Darcy said as they achieved the path which led to the front door.

“Yes?”

“Elizabeth and I are engaged to be married!”