Page 57 of Obligation and Redemption
Elizabeth was becoming accustomed to taking tea in the morning within the confines of her room.
Her hunger was real, but her appetite continued to be in opposition to her needs.
Elizabeth was by nature a social creature, so she had begun taking this opportunity to get to know her temporary maid.
She had learnt of the woman’s struggles and successes and how Mr. Darcy’s estate had fit into her life.
Elizabeth learnt that Laura had been married at the age of seventeen and lost her husband nearly five years later.
She had lived in Lambton, the same town in which her aunt Gardiner had grown.
Elizabeth was surprised to learn that her maid had known her aunt as girls, attending school and playing in the fields together.
It occurred to Elizabeth how unfair life could be, that every individual exists at the mercy of chance.
Her aunt had grown into a woman of wealth and means by the benefit of her birth and through her marriage to a resourceful man, while this woman was now reduced to being a servant, due to the untimely death of her husband whom she also had loved.
Elizabeth considered her own situation and how she had arrived there by no design of her own, or Mr. Darcy’s for that matter.
She felt remorseful, after hearing her maid’s tale, for all of her own petulant thoughts and behaviours.
She had spent the previous day complaining about having to buy so many gowns, and this woman was reduced to having to dress her in them.
Elizabeth promised herself to think more gratefully.
She now lived in an elegant home, all of her needs met and a library full of books.
Elizabeth would dwell on her many blessings!
It was a good thing that she had recovered some of her inherently cheerful nature, for the next month would bring trials to test even the most sanguine of creatures.
BINGLEY ARRIVED IN LONDON AS SCHEDULED. He brought Colonel Fitzwilliam with him, thus saving him from having to ride in the open air again in the late fall chill.
The two were only acquainted by association with Darcy, but both were of an amiable disposition and got along admirably.
Bingley had planned his trip to town in his usual manner, giving no more than three days’ notice and leaving his sisters behind, as he was planning on returning after his current affairs were in order.
He had decided to make a formal request to secure Miss Bennet as his own.
Coming to London would allow him to retrieve the ring that his father had given his mother two years before her early demise.
Bingley reflected upon that ring and its significance to his parents’ relationship at the time.
His father admired and cherished his mother, who although somewhat spoilt by the man, was also in love with him.
The stone was a sapphire, the colour of the sky on a summer day, and would nicely complement Jane’s own reflective, azure eyes.
He had been giddy with delight as he considered his plans and was unable to contain his enthusiasm with any degree of success.
Colonel Fitzwilliam patiently listened to Bingley’s exclamations of joy and transport the distance from Netherfield to Tromwell House, where Colonel Fitzwilliam would be staying for the following week.
The colonel had noticed the beautiful sister of Mrs. Darcy, for how could any man with eyes not?
She had a sweet disposition and a demure affect that held no symptoms of contrivance.
If Bingley could afford such a match, he would be fortunate to take the opportunity .
Darcy, knowing that Bingley was to arrive in London, and suspecting his mission, was greatly disturbed by the prospect of his friend’s becoming ensnared by the lovely Miss Bennet.
He had heard many times the effusions of Mrs. Bennet and how she rejoiced in her success in a connection to, not one, but two rich men.
Even if Miss Bennet had any feelings for his friend, could Darcy in good conscience not warn Bingley away from being trapped in a life attached to such a vulgar family?
Darcy had the distance and temperament to ward off the interference of such a mother-in-law, but Bingley did not.
He would be vulnerable to her schemes and forced to sponsor all of the younger sisters in London society.
Darcy could not bear to think of such a future for his amiable and unguarded friend.
Before leaving Netherfield, Darcy had conspired with Bingley’s sisters in a plan to extract him from Miss Bennet’s grasp.
The sisters were to come to town one day after Bingley’s removal with the use of Darcy’s own equipage.
He would send it to them, so that they, along with Mr. Hurst, could travel in comfort without having to hire public transportation.
The house would be closed for the winter and the service help discharged from their duties, giving references and payment through the end of December to the unfortunate employees losing their positions.
This, Darcy insisted upon, despite the disinclination of Miss Bingley.
Darcy would then, at leisure in town, meet with Bingley warning him of all of the arguments and grounds for severing his relationship with Miss Bennet and her unsuitable family.
The day after their shared shopping excursion, Darcy planned to make calls.
He had informed his wife the evening before that he would not be home the majority of the day.
As his absence meant her respite, she did not inquire as to his destination nor ask when he might return.
Instead she spent the morning enjoying the delights to be found in his library before her errands in the afternoon.
Darcy arrived at Bingley’s home on Grosvenor Street at the appropriate calling time.
To say that his friend was surprised regarding his visit would be minimising the effect.
Bingley had always supposed that a man newly married would have other endeavours as occupation.
The reason for his unaccountable call would soon be revealed.
During the course of the two-hour visit, Darcy delineated the many obvious and obscure reasons to break his attachment with Miss Bennet, not the least of which was his suspicion that his new sister held no true affection for him, and as Bingley was of a modest inclination and dependent in most all circumstances upon the judgement of his friend, he capitulated and soon gave up all hope of a life with Miss Bennet.
The effect on Bingley was great; his despondency after the visit was keenly felt.
Because his sisters had closed the home, he had no alternative but to trust the revered judgement of his best friend, nay, the one whom he depended upon most in the world.
This would bring an overwhelming melancholy over Darcy’s friend that would affect his disposition more than Darcy could have foretold, for Darcy had never known what it meant to love as Bingley had.
With a heavy heart, yet pleased with his success, Darcy left Grosvenor Street and then headed to Tromwell House.
He had intended on visiting his sister upon first returning to London, but had been distracted by Elizabeth’s odd schedule.
When he arrived, he found his sister to be in a state of agitation, for Fitzwilliam had arrived two days previously, and she had not yet had a word from her brother himself.
She had gleaned all of the details that she could manage from her cousin regarding the wedding and the new Mrs. Darcy, and she longed to speak with her brother to discern his capacity to endure such a horrid affair.
When Darcy was announced, Georgiana quickly went to the sitting room, anxious to see her dear brother.
When she entered, Georgiana rushed to his side where Darcy stood to embrace her.
“Brother, I have been so worried for you! James said that you were well, but I have been so uneasy and eager to see you for myself. I thought you might come yesterday. What has kept you?”
“Georgiana, all the questions! As James said, I am well. I have no battle scars of which to brag as he has. I have been tied up at home, not able to get away until today. But I promise you, I am sound.” He then asked how she fared.
“I am well, except for worrying about you. Tell me all.” She wondered how his new wife had succeeded in keeping him from his own family these three days.
“I am married, not in prison, love. I have nothing of which to complain.” He sat down and motioned for his sister to do the same. “I was surprised when Fitzwilliam arrived at the ball at Netherfield. I had supposed none of my family would be in attendance.”
“Oh, but I would have come, if only to provide help, had I been allowed.”
“Yes, I know, but it was best that you not attend.” Darcy thought about Wickham’s unexpected presence in Meryton and was relieved he had made the decision to keep her away.
He would not burden her with Elizabeth’s conceivable alliance with the scoundrel.
At least in that capacity he had not failed his sister.
“Her family is that bad? James only said that they were a lively bunch, but that was enough to make me concerned for your spirits. I know that you find light-hearted groups wearisome.”
“That I do, but I can assure you, there are no blemishes to show for the tedious company. We must all of us learn patience when exposed to inferior society.”
Darcy’s aunt and uncle entered during the visit and assured him that although they could in no way condone his marriage, that they would always welcome him into their home.
“When will we have the satisfaction of meeting Mrs. Darcy? Are you still thinking of making the introductions at Christmas?” questioned his aunt.