Page 17 of I Thee Wed (Pride And Prejudice Variation #2)

After their two guests had breakfasted and departed for London, Caroline and Mrs. Hurst had pressed their brother relentlessly throughout the morning. With smooth words and sly glances, they had urged Mr. Darcy to intervene, to rescue Charles from what they termed a “folly of the heart.”

“Darcy,” Caroline implored, her voice pitched low, “you must see the danger. My brother has quite lost his head over Miss Bennet. She is amiable, I grant you, yet she brings neither fortune nor connections. Her large family is vulgar, her mother is insupportable, and her uncle is in trade. You know as well as I do, such a match would be ruinous. When her father passes, Charles may be responsible for six unmarried women.”

Louisa added her voice, saying firmly. “It is your duty, Mr. Darcy, as our brother’s oldest friend, to remind him of his obligations. He has fallen in love with angels before. This time is no different.”

Darcy gave a grave nod. That evening, after the ladies had performed upon the pianoforte, Darcy went in search of Bingley and found him in his study.

Charles sat at his desk, papers strewn across the surface, yet the man himself sat idle, staring into the fire at the far end of the room. He looked up as Darcy entered.

“Darcy, I am very unsettled tonight. My sisters have spent the past hour telling me all the reasons I should forsake my dear Jane, and I am wearied with their counsel. Did you come to add your own arguments to theirs?”

Darcy remained standing, looking down at Bingley, who appeared greatly distressed.

“I come as your friend, Charles, and because of that, I must speak plainly. Miss Bennet has captivated you with her beauty and her elegant manners, but I question whether she truly returns your regard. She is sweet and polite to everyone she addresses, both men and women. Are you certain she shows a preference for you, a preference strong enough to forsake all others for you alone?”

Bingley flushed and looked down at his hands. “Jane is naturally a modest woman, and she is more reserved than most. But I have seen enough in her expressions and smiles to believe she likes me. In fact, I believe my dear Jane is in love with me.”

Darcy pressed harder. “Believe me, Charles, I understand the temptation you face. But I would remind you that you have fancied yourself in love before, with angels whom you forgot not two weeks after you met them. What if your attraction to Jane Bennet is no different? In this case, you must consider more than matters of the heart. You will gain nothing in fortune, and nothing in social standing either. On the contrary, you risk much. I believe Miss Bennet’s heart is untouched.

I observed her closely at the ball, and to my mind, she smiled no differently at you than at the other gentlemen who sought her hand.

I wish only to spare you the pain of a misalliance. ”

Silence stretched between them. At last, Bingley sighed and pushed the papers aside.

“I know you are right, Darcy. I have known it since my sisters first brought it to my attention, but I did not wish to hear it. I would not have listened to them, for they are often so prejudiced against good people merely because they are not of high birth. But I cannot dismiss your judgment. I must concede that if Jane truly cared for me, she would have made her feelings plain so that I might know how to act. I have deceived myself where Jane is concerned, because I wanted it so very much.”

Darcy placed his hand upon Bingley’s shoulder, as he sat bowed beneath his grief. “I only wish to spare you from a lifetime of misery, Charles. It is better to bear a little pain now than to suffer lasting regret hereafter.”

Bingley rose and crossed the room to pour himself a drink. “Very well, my friend. I shall do as you and my sisters have advised. I will go to Town, attend to business, and put time between myself and Miss Bennet. Perhaps then I shall see clearly.”

Darcy placed a hand upon his friend’s shoulder. “It is for the best.”

That night, their trunks were packed. Bingley left the next morning alone, explaining to the household that he had business with his attorney. He had spoken to Jane at the ball about his plan to leave, but gave no farewell now that he meant to leave her behind forever.