Page 14 of Mr Darcy’s Worth: Three Pride and Prejudice Variations

Mr. Darcy's Devotion

Darcy put aside the letter; he knew he was still wearing a smile on his lips. Bingley’s handwriting was as careless as ever, perhaps even more so considering his obvious happiness and eagerness regarding his upcoming marriage.

Unlike in the past, Bingley now wrote often, keeping his friend informed about the preparations for the wedding and all the changes he was making to accommodate his soon-to-be wife.

Bingley’s joy gave Darcy some comfort for the guilt that had troubled him since last April when Elizabeth had accused him of separating Bingley from Miss Jane Bennet.

He realised he had almost ruined his friend’s chance of happiness, but fortunately, fate, as well as Bingley and Miss Bennet’s kind hearts, had diminished the damage of his arrogance.

Bingley’s letters had yet another reason to please Darcy: they contained a few — yet so satisfying — details about Elizabeth, who was of course always in her sister’s company.

Every time Bingley mentioned his betrothed, there was something added about Elizabeth, whom Bingley called ‘a true sister to him’.

Poor Bingley; compared to the selfishness and nastiness of his own sisters — who were still trying to sabotage his engagement — Elizabeth must be a real palliation.

The recollections of Elizabeth at Pemberley were certainly a palliation for him, Darcy thought. Georgiana had been immediately charmed by her too, and if not for that blackguard Wickham, things might have been different.

Even the name of his enemy enraged Darcy. No, he could not even be called an enemy; he was simply worthless. His last deception — the elopement with Miss Lydia Bennet — had certainly distressed Elizabeth, but it had tormented Georgiana too.

As difficult as it has been, Darcy had chosen to reveal the truth to his sister before the unwelcome wedding took place. He feared she might find out by accident, and likely her suffering would have been even deeper.

Witnessing Georgiana’s shock and turmoil was unbearable and added more to his resentment towards Wickham.

That the scoundrel had become part of the Bennet family was another obstacle atop all the other reasons which should have kept him away from Elizabeth.

And yet, nothing could keep him away from her when he first proposed at the Parsonage, and nothing would keep him away from her now, except his doubts in regard to her true feelings and how she might respond to a second offer.

When he had returned to Netherfield with Bingley and had seen her again, Elizabeth had looked different from how he remembered her at Pemberley.

But he was probably different too. He had wished to speak to her but had found no opportunity during his short stay.

He did not dare assume her opinion of him had changed and in what way.

He hoped it had, but he had been wrong in his estimation before, so he chose to be prudent — even fearful — with his hopes and expectations.

He planned to return to Hertfordshire for Bingley’s wedding. That stay would be short too, as he intended to depart on the wedding day; Bingley would surely wish to be alone with his wife on his wedding night!

A thought crossed his mind, causing him further distress. A few months ago, as he walked towards the Parsonage on his way to propose to Elizabeth, he had imagined his wedding night. But what had followed had been many nights not of love and passion but of torture.

“Brother?” he heard a soft voice calling.

“Yes, dearest. Do come in.”

“I do not wish to bother you.”

“You never do.”

His sister entered timidly and sat on the sofa close to his desk.

“Brother, I am going for a walk, and I might call on my aunt and uncle. Cousin Geoffrey is at home too. Will you not join me?”

“Is Mrs. Annesley unable to accompany you?”

“She plans to come too, but I fear you are alone too much, Brother. You have barely left the house in weeks. I can see you are unwell. That you are upset…”

“My dear, I am not upset. I am preoccupied, I admit. But please do not worry.”

“I do worry. I have not seen you smile since we were at Pemberley…when Miss Bennet and Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner visited.”

“I am quite sure I have smiled a few times since then,” he tried to joke.

“Hardly… Have you decided when you will return to Hertfordshire?”

“In a fortnight. A week before the wedding.”

“What would you say to me coming with you?” Georgiana asked, taking him by surprise.

“Coming with me? To Hertfordshire?”

“If you do not mind. Mr. Bingley invited me to visit Netherfield when we last met. And I assume Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner will be there too. I would be happy to see them again…as well as Miss Bennet.”

“I certainly do not mind…but I thought it would be too much trouble for you. I shall not stay more than a week. And there will be quite a bustle there before the wedding.”

“I am well aware of that. Netherfield is only a few hours’ journey, and the late October weather is perfect for travelling.”

He was still unsure how he felt about the request, but the girl’s insistent gaze made a refusal impossible.

“Very well, my dear. I shall write to Bingley. He will be overjoyed by the news.”

“I hope Miss Bennet will not mind. Miss Jane Bennet.”

“Quite the opposite, I am sure. But you must be prepared to hear some talk of Wickham. Mrs. Bennet and some of the ladies in Meryton were quite fond of him.”

“Oh…” Georgiana lowered her eyes, hesitating for a moment. “I hope Mr. Wickham will conduct himself in a manner that does not disappoint them. Especially now that he is married.”

“I doubt that. I see little chance of improvement in Wickham. He does not lack the skills, but he does lack the honour and willingness. Otherwise, I would have supported him further.”

“Perhaps his affection for his wife…” she whispered.

“My dear, I hope you know he did not marry for affection. He eloped because he needed to escape his creditors, and Miss Lydia Bennet was young and na?ve enough to join him. She was a victim of his depravation — like all of us.”

“But you said the Bennets are not wealthy. Did she have a dowry to pay his debts?”

“No…but the family made sacrifices to cover his demands. It was neither an easy nor an honourable affair. I beg you not to speak of it further — it must be unpleasant for you.”

“If this is the case, she will suffer from his deception. I feel deeply for her since I was no different. I could have been in her situation. Except I had a dowry, which I now know was his main goal.”

“My dear, please do not allow Wickham to upset you any longer. He is nothing but a scoundrel unworthy of your grief. I regret not having sent him to prison a long while ago. The only thing I can do now is to watch him to be sure he treats his wife properly.”

“I am upset, and I am certain Papa would have been too. We both cared for him.”

“You did, and he may have had some affection for you both, but his inclination for waste and deception was stronger.”

A long and deep moment of silence followed until Georgiana spoke again.

“Brother, now that Mr. Wickham is part of the Bennet family…and Miss Bennet will marry Mr. Bingley… I know you used to visit Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner… Does it bother you?”

“Not particularly,” he responded after a brief hesitation. “Does it bother you, Georgiana?”

Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by the sound of hurrying steps and voices from the entryway. With a frown, Darcy walked to the door, which opened before he reached it. Shocked, he saw Lady Catherine de Bourgh, waving her cane at a servant.

“Darcy, what sort of a household are you running here? This man would not let me enter! Does he not know I am your closest relative? You should let him go immediately!”

“Lady Catherine! What a lovely surprise,” he responded, glancing at Georgiana, who turned pale. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”

“Indeed, it is no pleasure, Darcy! I was forced to leave my home to attend to an urgent matter conveyed in a most alarming report! It is good that I found you at home as we must discuss it urgently.”

“Please sit down — you look flushed and agitated. Let me order some tea. I hope Anne is in good health?”

“Anne is in the carriage. She is well, I suppose. At least as well as can be expected.”

“Have you just arrived from Kent?” he continued, wondering what might have caused his aunt’s precipitation.

“No, I have just arrived from Hertfordshire. More precisely from Longbourn.” The answer stunned Darcy.

“From Longbourn? What business did you have there?”

“Very important business. Have I not already said so?” the lady replied.

Before Darcy had time to enquire further, the door opened again, and the servant entered one more time, distress obvious on his face.

“Sir, I beg your forgiveness for disturbing you. The lady in the carriage…she has fainted, the coachman said!”

“Anne?” Darcy asked, glancing at his aunt. Without waiting for an answer, he hurried out, with Georgiana and Lady Catherine following him.

“Oh, I am sure it is nothing! Anne faints all the time,” he heard his aunt declaring, and rage overwhelmed him, joining his worry. What on earth had Lady Catherine done at Longbourn? Perhaps delivered a letter from Mrs. Collins? But why was she in Hertfordshire at all? She had no business there!

He finally arrived at the carriage and found Anne lying on the floor, her eyes closed. He touched her hand and called to her, but no answer came, so he swept her into his arms and carried her into the house.

“Which guest room is ready?” he called to his housekeeper, who was gazing at him, her forehead creased with worry.

“All of them, sir,” Mrs. Gibbs replied.

“Send for Doctor Harris now, and ask him to come this instant,” he shouted while climbing the stairs. His cousin was unconscious, but he felt she was breathing regularly. He did not stop until he entered a guest room and placed her on the bed.

“Darcy, I am glad you are so worried for Anne, but there is no need,” Lady Catherine said. “It might be a weakness due to the time we have spent on the road. We have barely had time to eat anything since we left Rosings.”

His aunt’s indifference enraged Darcy, but he managed to control his anger. Anne looked extremely pale and likely thinner than he had ever seen her. He observed Georgiana at the door, staring at him.

“My dear, call for two maids to sit with Anne. And send someone to fetch Lord and Lady Matlock — I am sure they would like to know what is happening.”

“Darcy, for God’s sake, stop!” Lady Catherine cried. “Look, Anne is already recovering, she needs no doctor!”

“Anne, can you hear me?” Darcy whispered, and the young woman nodded, opening her eyes.

“Yes…I am sorry…all is well,” she answered in a small voice.

“You do not look well, Anne. I have sent for the doctor. Doctor Harris has been treating our family since my infancy. You may remember him. He should be here soon. Until then, we shall take care of you. You should just rest…”

The two maids he had requested appeared in the doorframe, the housekeeper behind them.

“I have brought some herbal tea, sir.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Gibbs. Please be sure Anne is comfortable before the doctor arrives.”

“She does not need a doctor!” Lady Catherine interjected again. “What she needs is for you to keep your promise and marry her — as you should have done a long time ago!”

Darcy breathed deeply to stop himself from voicing the retort on his lips.

“Lady Catherine, I shall not indulge in such a ridiculous conversation at such a time. You might not be worried, but I am, and since Anne is in my house, I shall not allow her to leave before Doctor Harris examines her and approves of her being moved. Until then, we shall allow her to rest, and we shall continue our discussions in the library.”