Page 21 of Obligation and Redemption
Jane had been watching the entire interaction between her sister and the bookseller, having an uncomfortable feeling about coming to town.
They headed to their next destination three doors down.
There were two ladies being waited upon when they entered, a Miss King and Miss Long.
They looked up when the bell on the door rang.
Elizabeth and her sister entered and went straight to the ribbons on the opposite side of the store.
The two ladies and the shopkeeper kept stealing glances their way and whispering.
Although Elizabeth had a familiarity with these ladies, she would not count them as friends.
The owner, Mrs. Hopkins, joined the Bennet sisters and asked, “What are you ladies doing in town? I am surprised to see you.”
“I cannot guess why, as we shop here regularly, “ Elizabeth replied.
“We heard news of your illness of course, but you look recovered.”
“As you see.” Elizabeth did not like the way this conversation was going either. “Do you have any new green ribbon? I would like some to match my cream satin.”
“I received a new shipment last week. You can find the new ones hanging over the table by the window.” Then she walked away.
In all of Elizabeth’s days, she could not remember this woman ever leaving her to shop on her own.
Usually, she was fawning over the gentry, and the Bennets in particular.
Then Charlotte Lucas and her younger sister, Maria, walked in.
Elizabeth was happy to see a face that she knew would be friendly.
Miss Lucas and Elizabeth had been close friends since about ten years ago when Sir Lucas moved his family to the estate adjacent to Longbourn on the side opposite of Netherfield.
“Lizzy, I am glad to see you out. Jane, I hope you are well.”
“Charlotte, I am happy to see you. What brings you into town?”
She nodded to her sister, “I am with Maria. She wanted to purchase some fashion plates to help her dream up her next gown. I decided to join her since the day is so fine.” Maria was looking down at her feet.
“Lizzy, I am surprised to see you here.” She glanced to the two customers who had stopped talking and seemed to be concentrating most fervently on the selection of patterns.
Not Charlotte too. “I suppose you want to get to your shopping. We will not disturb you.”
“Please do not go on my account. I have been looking forward to spending time with you. Did your mother not tell you that I stopped by two days ago? I have been most anxious to see you well.”
Elizabeth felt relief. “Charlotte, you are the best of friends. I am feeling back to my usual self, and decided to get some fresh air. You know me too well not to comprehend that a good walk is the best medicine for me.”
Charlotte smiled at her friend and then turned to Jane, “Would you be so kind as to help Maria in sorting through the fashion plates? You know that I am greatly deficient when it comes to the latest styles.” Jane, suspecting that Charlotte desired some privacy with Elizabeth, readily agreed and led Maria to that section of the shop.
Elizabeth spoke softly, “Charlotte, what is amiss? You must tell me what you have heard. My father said that my mother spread rumours in town, and I can see by the looks I have been receiving that her words have taken root.”
Charlotte, looking around, saw that they had an audience.
“Let us step outside.” After walking onto the boardwalk, Charlotte pulled her aside to the area just between the two structures.
“Lizzy, first let me say that I know you, and I have confidence that you have always acted with respectability; there is no reason for me to suspect your behaviour in this instance to be otherwise. However, my mother has insisted that I not have contact with you until this misunderstanding with Mr. Darcy has been resolved.”
“Does she think I have behaved inappropriately?”
“I do not know, but she believes that my association with you can lead to unfavourable outcomes for us. Lizzy, you need not tell me what actually happened that day. I support you as I would a sister, but I must keep my distance or risk censure from my parents, just until this blows over.”
“But what if it does not?”
“Lizzy, you are innocent, I am certain. I believe that everything will work out satisfactorily.”
“Dear friend, you must tell me. What are people saying?”
After a pause, Charlotte related, “That you had an assignation planned with Mr. Darcy at the folly on your father’s estate, hoping to secure him and that a storm quickly arose trapping you there.
Apparently one of you was injured while the other had to stay to administer relief.
They believe that Mr. Darcy was just using you, while you were attempting to secure your future. ”
Elizabeth looked on her friend in horror. “But that is not what happened, I can assure you, Charlotte. Is that what my mother is saying about her own daughter? This is unconscionable.”
“I do not know if that is what your mother said; I just know that that is the story going around.” After a few moments of silence, she continued, “Lizzy, although my mother has forbidden me to see you, I want you to contact me should you need anything in which I may assist you. My dearest friend is in trouble, and I cannot sit idly by while you may need me. I will always be here for you.”
Elizabeth hugged Charlotte in an affectionate embrace, then parted before they could be seen. “Your confidence in me will give me the strength to endure whatever may come. I need only think of your steadfastness.”
“There is one more thing; I saw Mr. Collins walking around town looking for you. He is asking where you may have gone. He seems to think that he has become your guardian. I tell you this so that you may find a means of avoiding him. The last thing you need is a scene with another gentleman.”
“Thank you, Charlotte. I came into town today to discover for myself what was being said and to observe people’s reactions.
I have not been well-pleased with what I have seen, and your communication has disheartened me.
” At her friend’s look of contrition, she continued, “Be not disturbed by my saying so, I am glad that you have told me. I know I can trust in your good judgement.”
“I will go to Jane and send her out to you. I suggest you continue through this alley to the next street. I observed Mr. Collins leaving that area of town earlier.” Charlotte then went into the shop. When Jane joined her, they quickly made their way home to share the news with their father.
MEANWHILE, AT MERYTON, Mr. Collins was attempting to find the elusive Misses Bennet.
After several attempts at asking the local inhabitants, he came across a new member of the neighbourhood, who was riding into town.
With an appropriate bow, he began, “Mr. Bingley, sir, I hate to impose upon you on this beautiful day, which I am certain you have planned to spend in your own pursuits; indeed, if I were a man of leisure such as yourself, I likewise would enjoy the fine weather, but I find that you and I might possibly share the same mission as regards to the future of those we hold dear, and so I am humbling myself before you, one gentleman to another, with the hope that perhaps you could assist me in locating Miss Bennet and her sister, Miss Elizabeth. Of course I know that you are very busy and do not have time to actively assist me in my endeavour, but perhaps you have seen the ladies over the course of this morning.”
Bingley was quite astonished at this speech made by a man whom he had met but once, and who was wiping his brow with a wet handkerchief, as he was sweating abundantly.
Mr. Collins had uttered his words so quickly that he had only taken one breath through the whole communication, and so had to catch up at the end.
As their missions were perhaps somewhat related, Bingley smiled and offered what little input he had available, that he had not seen the ladies, but that he would enjoy the society if he had.
“Mr. Bingley, I must ask that you pass on my apologies to the guest in your home of Netherfield Park, which I suspect is a fine estate in itself, certainly finer than Longbourn of which I am the sole heir, and which estate will pass to me at the time of Mr. Bennet’s demise.
Of course, there is no residence within the county of Hertfordshire that can compare to the acreage of my patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, which boasts over one hundred windows and grounds that extend beyond the distance one could travel by foot in a day.
But I digress; as this reminds me of my errand, for Lady Catherine’s nephew, your guest to whom I have referred, Mr. Darcy of Pemberley, is in great danger of being abominably used by my cousin whom I have known but a fortnight, Miss Elizabeth, who conspired a compromise with that gentleman in order to force him into ignoring his duty to himself and to his relations, including Lady Catherine’s daughter, Miss De Bourgh who is none other than Mr. Darcy’s betrothed.
I saw Miss Elizabeth and her elder sister leave Longbourn on their way to Meryton to set ablaze the flames of deceit, for I know that Mr. Darcy would never put into jeopardy his duty to his dear aunt and cousin and make himself vulnerable to a country lady of low birth, such as Miss Elizabeth.
If I can find them, I will escort them back to Longbourn and insist that their father, Mr. Bennet, keep Miss Elizabeth away from local society, so as not to encourage further injury to Mr. Darcy’s character. ”
“I thank you, sir, for your interest in the integrity of Mr. Darcy. I will be sure to pass on to him how you are attempting to take such prodigious care of him, despite having never made his acquaintance. I am unhappy to say that I have not seen the Bennet ladies this morning, but if I do, I will certainly warn them.” At this, Bingley steered his mount to the side and rode away, leaving Mr. Collins to wonder at the exchange.
Bingley had indeed been attempting to do his duty to his friend, to find information related to the rumours.
Mr. Collins’s words did not convince Bingley of the veracity of his claims. To be sure, Mr. Collins’s speech more likely achieved the opposite of his goal, for Mr. Collins was not one whose words held gravitas.
Bingley had also been hoping to encounter Miss Bennet.
He found himself thinking about her often, as he had never met a woman with such kind expressions of sincere goodness, and he wanted to know more of her, despite his friend’s apprehensions concerning the Bennets.
He reckoned that were he to judge Miss Bennet for her sister’s supposed machinations, this would be akin to someone casting judgement upon him for his own sister’s duplicity in attempting to seduce Darcy, not that he believed Miss Elizabeth capable of such deception herself.
After a couple of hours, he found no sign of the sisters and eventually returned to Netherfield, having heard only a continuation of the tales that had been circulating concerning his friend.
He regretted having to share with Darcy the results of his probing.
Rather than diminishing, the tales were growing more specific and more indicting.
He attempted to deny to the locals the possibility of the claims, but had no proof to offer for his objections.
Bingley was regretting having invited Darcy to Netherfield and felt the full weight of the blame.
If only he had not let this property! He could not change the past, and thus quickly decided to help his friend into the future.