Page 119 of Obligation and Redemption

I love you the more in that I believe you had liked me for my own sake and for nothing else.

John Keats

The following day, Darcy meant to break the news to his wife that he must leave for town again, but would return within a fortnight.

So during breakfast, he told her of his plans, carefully omitting the reason for his leave-taking.

He did not want to increase her hopes in vain should something occur to inhibit his success – Bingley was still the capricious man he had always been.

Elizabeth accepted his words in resigned understanding.

She could not decide how she felt about his departure.

She had felt relief when he last made the journey, but now, she had become accustomed to his presence and actually looked forward to mealtimes and the evenings when they would be in company together.

However, she had much to keep her busy. With the change in weather, she had planned on meeting more of the tenants and neighbours.

This would be the perfect opportunity to make new acquaintances.

Darcy left three days later, at dawn, with the hope of arriving late the following evening.

The days were growing longer and he was anticipating good weather along the way.

Although he had made this journey many times in the past, two full days in the confines of a carriage was uncomfortable to bear; however, he kept up his spirits with thoughts of his wife and her joy when she was to discover that her sister would again have her hopes restored.

He had sent word ahead on this trip, so the house was ready for his appearance.

The morning following his arrival, he paid a call at Bingley’s residence.

Caroline accepted his presence with unfeigned delight, as she joined the men in the sitting room.

She attempted to play the consummate hostess, demonstrating to Darcy that his loss should be keenly felt.

Her attentions were, however, in vain. Darcy indicated to his friend that he would like to meet with him alone to discuss a private matter of some import, so they entered Bingley’s study and sat before the fire.

“Darcy, this sounds serious. I hope all is well between you and Mrs. Darcy.”

“Yes, things are very well, as it happens. In fact, it is on behalf of my wife that I am in town.” At Bingley’s nonplussed expression, he continued. “Bingley, I have done you a disservice that I mean to attempt to rectify.”

“I cannot imagine what you have done.”

“My wife’s happiness has become very important to me, and I find that I am responsible for employing my influence in a way that has resulted in her sorrow, as well as the disappointment of two others, one of whom I care about greatly and the other being my sister, my new sister that is.”

He now had Bingley’s undivided attention. “Go on.”

“Bingley I must apologise for stepping into a situation in which I had no place. I gave you advice that at the time I felt to be in your best interest, but now I see that it was misplaced and officious. ”

“What are you saying? Come out with it.”

“I should never have encouraged, no directed you to give up your hopes for Jane Bennet. She is a lovely woman of pristine character who would in truth be a good match for you, if you still would have her.”

Bingley sat there stunned. “Are you in earnest? Why the change in sentiment? I thought you keenly disapproved of her and her family.”

“My wife, Elizabeth, is what changed. Or rather I changed with her guidance and understanding. Without pushing me, or anything of the sort, she has been able to show me how wrong I have been in judging Miss Bennet. Her mother remains the same obstacle as she always has been, but with me as your brother, we should be able to easily avoid the detrimental effects of associating with the Bennets. Her ties with trade are, of course, unfortunate but possibly worth the benefit of having a wife whom you can love.”

Bingley was sitting in quiet contemplation as he listened most attentively to Darcy’s astonishing words of advisement.

“So, friend, what do you say? Do you still hold Miss Bennet in high regard?”

“Darcy, I am in a stupor, unable to account at all for what you say. Do you mean to tell me that you have changed your mind, that you are now encouraging me to court Miss Bennet?”

“I am saying that you should follow your heart, not mine.”

“You do not think I would be hurting my family in so doing?”

“I cannot tell you what the effects will be upon Miss Bingley, but Miss Bennet is a gentleman’s daughter, so her standing in society is in truth higher than Miss Bingley’s.

She does not have wealth, but her brother-in-law does.

No one outside of you and Miss Bennet should have any awareness of her true financial plight, so society would have no actual knowledge to judge her, just speculation.

As kind as Miss Bennet is, she will need your protection at first, but I am confident that she will eventually win your friends to her favour. ”

“Darcy, you were so certain before. How can I trust what you say to be sound?”

“You can’t, but I am glad you are questioning me!” Darcy smiled as he shook Bingley’s hand. “So what do you say, would you like to pay a call?”

“Pay a call? What can you mean?”

“She is in town as we speak, at her relations’, the Gardiners.”

“But Darcy, could she forgive me? Do you think she has feelings for me?”

“We cannot know unless you call on her.”

Bingley displayed a large, unaffected smile. “I will ring for our coats.”

Forty-five minutes later, the Darcy carriage pulled up outside a large, yet comfortable house on Gracechurch Street.

Darcy had not taken time on his previous trip to Cheapside to examine closely the home of the Gardiners, but he did so now.

The building was covered in red brick with large windows that opened up to the clean street.

There were quaint window boxes that contained seasonal plants and would likely be full of colour in the summertime.

The small garden at the entrance was well maintained and the porch handsomely set up.

The two men alighted from the carriage and walked up to the entrance.

Bingley was fidgeting with his coat as Darcy looked on in amusement.

Darcy himself had never felt the anticipation of calling upon a maiden for whom he had strong regard, and he felt a pang of jealousy for his friend, for if Darcy were correct, Bingley was to court a woman who held equal sentiment.

The door was answered by a manservant who took their cards and invited them into the foyer to await direction.

Within a few moments, he returned and asked them to follow him to a finely appointed drawing room.

They stepped inside and there she was, more beautiful than Bingley could have remembered.

Next to Jane stood her aunt, a lovely woman in her own right.

They took their bow and Mrs. Gardiner invited them to come in and sit down.

The conversation was somewhat stilted at first, as each tried to take bearing on the others.

But before long Mrs. Gardiner, who was well bred and an accomplished hostess, had made everyone feel comfortable.

She asked Bingley questions about his winter and plans for spring.

Meanwhile Jane’s serene countenance successfully hid the tumult within her breast.

Mrs. Gardiner, being the astute and guileful woman that she was, managed to steer the conversation in a manner that would put Jane and Mr. Bingley together in like interests.

While Bingley spoke with Jane in rapt, private conversation, Mrs. Gardiner turned to Darcy and said, “Elizabeth has written me of her love of Pemberley. I had told her to anticipate the gardens providing her with unlimited pleasures, and it would seem, though winter, that she is now in agreement. She is most happy when in nature, and I believe your estate will forever satisfy her need for bucolic surroundings.”

Darcy looked at her in astonishment, then said, “You have seen Pemberley, madam?”

“Has Elizabeth not told you? I grew up in the town of Lambton, not four miles from Pemberley. I joined my family on multiple occasions to your fine estate. I am sorry; I felt for certain that Lizzy would have informed you.”

Darcy recollected that her aunt had a previous association with Laura Carpenter, Elizabeth’s original lady’s maid.

“She did mention something about your childhood in Lambton, but I confess that I had forgotten until now, as she only mentioned it that one time and in context of someone else. Please, if you will, tell me of your family. Who were your father and mother?”

She smiled, knowing she would surprise him if indeed Elizabeth had not yet imparted to him her history with his family and estate. “For years my father held the living at the church in Lambton. We resided there from three years before my birth, until I was but fifteen, when my father died.”

“Your father was Mr. Pennington?” She smiled broadly. “He and my father were friends!”

“Indeed they were. My father respected Mr. Darcy immensely, always thankful for having a man of principle as his main benefactor. You see my father had known many profligate estate owners, watching as his flock, in former situations, would be at the mercy of unscrupulous masters. He valued your father’s friendship very much. ”

Darcy scrutinised her countenance as recognition dawned in his eyes. “I remember you! You are the former Miss Margaret Pennington, are you not? ”

“Yes, that was my name.” She watched as Darcy provided her with a most becoming smile.