Page 6

As soon as the gentlemen left, Jane could not hold her thoughts any longer.

“I cannot believe this is happening! Mr Bingley did not know I was in London! I thought he did not want to see me! How could his sisters not tell him? If not for Mr Darcy, I might have returned to Longbourn and never seen him again!”

“Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst are not to be trusted at all — I have long told you that, Jane. At least now you know that Mr Bingley is most willing to see you,” Elizabeth replied, busy trying to control her own emotions.

Mr Darcy had invited them to dinner. Why would he do that?

He was barely acquainted with the Gardiners, and he had every reason to still be angry with her.

Perhaps he wished to apologise for separating Mr Bingley from Jane.

Or perhaps he wanted to express his gratitude for the recovery of the watch.

Many explanations could be found, but his gesture remained surprising.

“It was such a pleasure to meet Mr Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam,” Mrs Gardiner said. “But I find it hard to believe that we are to dine at Mr Darcy’s house. I cannot imagine why he would bestow such attention upon us. He surely is not obliged to do so.”

“I was surprised, too, especially considering what we heard about his pride and arrogance,” Mr Gardiner added.

“Mr Darcy’s manners are much improved since I last saw him,” Elizabeth said.

“I have observed no improper pride in him so far,” Mrs Gardiner said. “And, considering everything I know about the Darcys, I am exceedingly flattered by his invitation.”

The conversation continued a little longer, then Mr Gardiner went to his office while Mrs Gardiner attended to the children, allowing the sisters a few moments of privacy.

“Dear Lizzy, I almost fainted when I saw Mr Bingley. I still find it hard to believe he was here! He seemed so sad and apologetic. And he had lost some weight, I believe.”

Jane’s enthusiasm was heartwarming, especially after all the long months of sorrow. Considering the responses of both Jane and Mr Bingley, the separation had not caused much harm to their tentative friendship.

Elizabeth continued to think of Mr Darcy and the reasons behind his amiability. She had enjoyed seeing Colonel Fitzwilliam again, but as pleasant as his company was, her interest was engaged by his cousin only.

The dinner at Mr Darcy’s house also meant an introduction to Miss Darcy, and Elizabeth wondered how affected the girl had been by Mr Wickham’s scheme. That wretched man’s insolence seemed to have no limits, and it would certainly be difficult to stop.

Later that day, Elizabeth received Mr Bennet’s response to her letter warning him about Mr Wickham. Mr Bennet had replied in his usual style:

Dear Lizzy,

Your old favourite Mr Wickham is of little concern to us, as I hear his efforts are concentrated on pursuing Miss Mary King. My brother Phillips said Mr King, her uncle, is not happy about the courtship, and he has certainly objected to the otherwise charming officer.

Furthermore, your uncle Phillips mentioned something about the officer’s tendency to make purchases on credit, leading him to have accrued a long list of debts. I cannot imagine this situation ending well for him.

Mr Wickham aside, I hope you will return soon.

Since you have been gone, I have hardly had a few minutes of sensible conversation.

I look forward to hearing about Lady Catherine’s fireplaces and the windows of Rosings.

Mr Collins has written to me, and I feel he is begging for some compliments he can convey to her ladyship.

Your father

T. Bennet

Elizabeth smiled, folding the paper. Apparently, Mr Wickham’s recent actions were in congruence with his usual character — one that she had failed to recognise but Mr King had easily identified.

How long Mr Wickham would manage to keep up appearances inside the regiment and how long he would remain in the militia was hard to estimate, but she agreed with her father — the situation was unlikely to end well for him.

The following morning, one more surprise arrived after breakfast. It was a note from Mr Bingley to Mr Gardiner, and its contents left Jane bewildered.

Mr Gardiner,

After some deliberation, I have decided to reopen Netherfield. I feel that closing it was a hasty and imprudent decision, which requires amends.

Consequently, I intend to return to Hertfordshire as soon as possible.

Considering the circumstances, I am asking your permission — and theirs, of course — to travel back with Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth.

I assure you that I shall provide them with extra protection and will escort them to Longbourn safely.

C. Bingley

Mr Gardiner read the letter to his wife and nieces wearing a large smile.

“What an excellent arrangement,” Mrs Gardiner said, while Jane responded with tears of joy.

“Mr Bingley has finally learnt to take action based on his own wishes,” Elizabeth declared, wondering how much Mr Darcy had influenced that decision.

“It seems so. If you girls have no objections, I shall write back immediately. I am sure his company will be equally useful and pleasant to you.”

“Please do so, Uncle. Tell Mr Bingley we are grateful for his offer,” Elizabeth replied, while Jane nodded, flushed and nervous.

***

“Darcy, I truly appreciate your support,” Bingley said. “As wrong as you were in the past, you have proved to me that you respect my choices and consider my happiness.”

The two of them were in Darcy’s library, the day after the visit to Gracechurch Street. They had spent the previous afternoon debating what to do next, ending with Bingley’s decision to reopen Netherfield and travel back to Hertfordshire with the Bennet sisters.

“I deserve no credit, Bingley. I am just relieved that your friendship with Miss Bennet was not completely ruined by my presumptuous intervention.”

“Will you visit me at Netherfield?”

“I would like to, but my plans are still uncertain. You should enjoy your time there, nevertheless.”

“I shall. I have already told Caroline and Louisa that they are not welcome to join me. They have tested my patience too much already. I need time to forget and forgive them.”

“You are the master of the house — you should impose your rules on everyone.”

“I intend to do so. Now I shall leave you. I am going home to wait for Mr Gardiner’s answer.”

“I am quite confident of it being in the affirmative,” Darcy replied as Bingley rose to depart.

While he was indeed confident that Bingley’s letter would receive a positive answer, he was not equally sure about the one waiting on his desk.

He had received it earlier that day and recognised Wickham’s handwriting, but then Bingley had arrived, and the letter had needed to wait.

Now that he was alone again, Darcy finally ripped it open, curious about what the scoundrel had to say.

Darcy,

I wonder how you found the watch and why it was given to you since I planned to retrieve it myself this week. Now that you have it, so much the better.

You are too hasty to accuse me of stealing. The watch was willingly given to me, and if you were not told that, it means a certain person chose to lie to you.

I do not know what other things you wish to discuss with me. If you have a business proposal, I shall listen to it. I am not so fond of life in the militia as to reject a more advantageous offer.

I shall be in London in two days, together with two friends who will join me if you request a private meeting. I shall send you a note when I am settled.

Darcy put down the letter, staring at the fire.

He could read between the lines and understood that Wickham had already done something to endanger his position in the regiment, so he was probably looking for an alternative source of funds.

It was always the same — wherever he went, he usually managed to maintain the appearance of goodness for a few months, then he revealed his true character and was forced to move on.

What troubled Darcy was the reference to the watch being given to him as a gift.

A tightness in his chest made him doubt his sister and himself.

Could it be? He had to know the truth in order to negotiate with Wickham.

Any detail he missed would give that reprobate an advantage in their argument, and it could expose a secret he had struggled to keep hidden.

Georgiana had still not left her room, and it had been almost a week now. As much as it pained him to force her, it was time for a serious conversation. She might suffer momentarily, but she had to share the truth.

He walked towards his sister’s room with a heavy heart and a reluctance he had never felt before. He knocked, and Mrs Annesley opened the door.

“Forgive me for disturbing you. I need to speak to my sister for a few moments. Privately, please.”

Mrs Annesley hesitated, then she stepped away, allowing him to enter. Georgiana was sitting by the window, holding a book that she seemed to have entirely forgotten was in her hand. On the table was a tray with food and tea, barely touched.

“Dearest, may I sit for a moment? We need to talk,” he said.

Georgiana nodded, while Mrs Annesley left the room.

“My dear, you look ill and pale. I am sure you are not sleeping and not eating. You must talk to me so I can help you.”

“I do not need help. I am well,” she whispered. “I am so sorry for giving you so much trouble. I am nothing but a burden to you…”

“Georgiana, please stop,” he requested, a little too harshly.

“You are the only one who blames yourself, and you are suffering from guilt, even though the situation is not your fault. I cannot believe I allowed George Wickham to hurt you so deeply. I should have protected you from him and from Mrs Younge. I failed in my duty as a brother.”

“Please do not say that!” she begged tearfully. “Nothing pains me more than to know I hurt you!”