Page 55 of Suddenly Married
Georgiana spent nearly two weeks with Elizabeth's sisters and mother and could not recall ever having enjoyed such a pleasant experience when visiting family.
In addition to all the social gatherings she attended, there was always something new to do in a house with two girls her age.
If she had been given the choice, she would have remained there much longer.
Indeed, Mrs. Bennet assured her that she might stay as long as she wished.
Yet she knew she must return to London and speak with her brother.
In ten days' time, it would be Mrs. Bennet's surprise birthday party, and Georgiana had conceived a plan to help her brother connect with his wife's family.
"I shall miss you dearly, Georgie," Kitty told her new friend.
"I shall miss you too, Kitty, but I promise to write whenever I can. Do not be anxious; I intend to return soon. I only hope you will help me persuade the rest of the family to accept my brother, despite all his errors," Georgiana replied.
"I promise you I will. Although you must know, I do it for you," Kitty answered warmly.
"But let us speak no more of that. Tonight we shall have guests for dinner, and afterwards we shall play cards.
Everyone wishes to bid you farewell, Georgie.
" Then, with a laugh, she added, "It is amusing, for you left a very different impression than your brother in Meryton, and many find it difficult to believe you are siblings. "
"If they knew my brother's true nature, they would soon perceive how alike we are. He was the one who raised me and taught me all that I know."
Just then, Lydia entered Kitty's room to announce that Maria Lucas had arrived, and the girls all hurried down the stairs to welcome their friend. It was Georgiana's last evening at the Bennets' house, and they intended to make the most of it.
◆◆◆
Mr. Darcy was in despair. After much reflection, he wiped away his tears and resolved to leave the house.
If he remained there, he would surely perish under the weight of his tormenting thoughts.
The following day, he would confront Lawrence and demand an explanation for his conduct with Elizabeth.
For the present, however, he needed a distraction to occupy the hours before that moment arrived.
He turned to the pile of invitations that habitually came to his house, searching for any occasion where he might seek refuge from his dreadful thoughts.
At last, he found one: a ball at the residence of Mr. Bowman, a friend of his uncle.
He scarcely knew the man, yet it mattered little; anything would suffice.
He ordered his valet to prepare a bath and lay out attire suitable for a formal event, and within two hours, he was entering his host's ballroom.
Caroline had returned from the north more than a week earlier with Louisa and her brother-in-law.
Charles Bingley remained in Scarborough with his family, whose connection to trade neither Caroline nor Louisa could endure.
Louisa, always weary and irritable owing to her condition, was poor company, and the London season had not yet commenced, leaving little diversion.
Caroline was therefore delighted to receive the Bowman invitation, though it had been addressed to her absent brother.
She determined to attend in his stead, comforted by the knowledge that her friends Amanda and Felicity would be present.
As soon as Mr. Darcy entered the ball, he regretted his decision.
Yet, being already there, he knew he must remain until he could withdraw politely.
After greeting his host, he conversed briefly with him.
When Mr. Bowman inquired after Mrs. Darcy, he explained that she was visiting her family and was still in half-mourning.
He later joined Lord Fleming and other gentlemen of intelligent conversation and, for a time, found some enjoyment in the discussion.
To steady his spirits and banish melancholy, however, he drank more than one glass of brandy, which at least left him calmer and more composed.
Since the scandal with Mr. Clark, Lady Isabella's life had altered considerably.
Only the week before, she had ended a five-month affair with a married gentleman who had grown obsessively attached to her.
Yet even in his absence, her thoughts returned continually to Lawrence.
Determined to amuse herself, she resolved that evening to indulge one of her favourite diversions—malicious wit.
Having discovered that Caroline Bingley, while professing friendship, had slandered her, she was eager to teach Miss Bingley the cost of making an enemy of her.
"Gentlemen, you will forgive me if I steal my husband for a moment," Lady Isabella declared. "My dear, you know that a ball loses all its delight if I cannot dance with you."
"Of course, my darling. We shall dance the next set," Lord Fleming replied.
While standing beside her husband, Lady Isabella listened idly to the gentlemen's conversation but kept her eyes fixed upon Mr. Darcy.
She had long admired his appearance but regarded him as grave and tedious, much like her husband, and was certain he was faithful to his wife.
Yet his sombre expression and the manner in which he drank convinced her that he had quarrelled with Mrs. Darcy.
When she saw him withdraw to the terrace, her attention shifted to Caroline, who followed him with her eyes. A plan formed instantly: she would humiliate Caroline in the cruellest way possible.
Caroline, for her part, was overjoyed to find Mr. Darcy at the ball without his wife.
On learning that Elizabeth had not accompanied him, she concluded at once that he must be estranged from her.
Memories of Elizabeth's humiliation, when Mr. Darcy had once supported her claim that the Bennet family was vulgar, gave Caroline renewed hope.
Certain he would soon approach her, she waited in expectation.
Meanwhile, Mr. Darcy, upon the terrace, was consumed with thoughts of Elizabeth—torn between jealousy at the thought of her happiness in another man's arms and anguish that she might be the victim of one seeking to take advantage of her.
He reproached himself bitterly for having driven her into so impossible a situation.
At that moment, Lady Isabella approached Caroline and her companions. "Good evening, my dears. How do you fare?" she asked with a smile.
"Very well, thank you," they all chorused with false civility.
"I thought you should know," Lady Isabella continued with malicious sweetness, "that I saw the handsome Mr. Darcy step into the garden.
While speaking with my husband, I observed that he appeared much aggrieved with his wife.
I believe I shall go and offer him some consolation.
You understand me, I am sure." She smiled wickedly at Caroline.
The ladies tittered, until Caroline declared, "If anyone should keep him company, it is I. We have always been close friends."
"I do not think that is wise, my dear. It is quite clear he has never been interested in you," Lady Isabella replied coolly.
Caroline, stung, retorted, "We shall see," and swept towards the terrace.
There she found Mr. Darcy in the shadows. At last, she advanced with affected gaiety. "Good evening, Mr. Darcy."
"Miss Bingley," he said gravely, scarcely noticing her approach.
"Why so melancholy, Fitzwilliam? I am only glad that you have distanced yourself from Eliza. That silly woman and her vulgar family are unworthy of you. Allow me to show you what true elegance is."
Mr. Darcy at once stepped into the light and answered with force.
"I was a fool when I permitted you to speak ill of Elizabeth's family in her own home, and worse still when I dared to agree with you.
I cannot tell you how much I regret it. Let me make myself plain: Elizabeth Darcy is the only woman I love and shall always love.
That you, who presume to call others vulgar, should offer yourself to a married man is beneath contempt.
Do not ever address me again, or I shall be compelled to cut you publicly.
And never again call my wife Eliza, for you, she is Mrs. Darcy. Farewell."
With that, he re-entered the ballroom, sought out his host, and departed in haste, furious with himself for ever having allowed that woman to wound Elizabeth under his roof.
Caroline soon returned, but alone. All had witnessed Mr. Darcy's stormy reappearance and abrupt departure, and whispers spread rapidly. Before long, the tale was everywhere: Caroline Bingley had sought to compromise Mr. Darcy and been scorned.
The worst came when Lady Isabella remarked with a mocking smile, "I told you so, Caroline," and her companions laughed mercilessly. Caroline wept that night, and two days later departed for Scarborough, intending to remain there for some time.
◆◆◆
Colonel Fitzwilliam had arrived at Rosings the previous evening, in time to dine with the family. Before retiring, he had spoken with Anne, and after a long conversation, they agreed that Richard should be the one to inform Lady Catherine of their resolution.
He was to explain that he would assume the administration of the estate with the assistance of a new steward and his cousin Darcy.
Lady Catherine would continue to manage the household, since Anne would remain living with her.
For his part, Richard intended to resume his military career, though he would travel whenever possible to supervise the work at Rosings.
Furthermore, he and Anne would retain the responsibility of appointing the new clergyman who should replace Mr. Collins.
Richard awaited his aunt in the study, having asked the butler to announce that he wished to speak with her. As soon as Lady Catherine entered, he determined to begin without delay, lest she launch into one of her endless harangues.