Page 33 of The Happiness of a Most Beloved Sister (Pride and Prejudice Variation)
CHAPTER THIRTY
“ I have a favour to ask.”
Bingley’s request punctuated the end of a long paean on Miss Bennet’s remarkable beauty. As a result, Darcy was not in a particularly magnanimous mood, but he nodded. “Go on.”
Although they were the only occupants of Darcy’s coach, Bingley leant forwards and spoke in a conspiratorial whisper. “I intend to ask for Miss Bennet’s hand, and it would be a great boon to have her sister out of the way. Would you be so kind as to distract her elsewhere?”
“Of course.” Any excuse to spare Elizabeth Miss Bennet’s company met with Darcy’s approval. “I shall ask her to take a turn with me.”
“Capital idea.”
A handful of minutes later they were pulling up to the Gardiners’ residence on Gracechurch Street.
They were led directly into the usual parlour where the three ladies were gathered, dwelling in awkward silence.
Darcy’s gaze immediately found Elizabeth, whose smile was artificially bright in a poor attempt to disguise the dullness of her usually fine eyes.
His own faltered as he fretted over the possible reasons for her faded cheer.
He supposed Miss Bennet must be the source, but what sort of malediction had she cast now?
Fortunately, Bingley had given him the perfect excuse to separate Elizabeth from the rest of the party and enquire. “Miss Elizabeth, the rain has ceased, and I think it an excellent opportunity to take the air. Would you be so kind as to join me on a walk?”
“Of course.” She looked to her aunt. “So long as I have permission.”
Mrs Gardiner patted Elizabeth’s nearest hand and readily granted her consent, adding, “Enjoy yourself, dear.”
Elizabeth withdrew to collect her walking boots and spencer, and Darcy took the opportunity to cast a narrow glance at Miss Bennet, searching for any clue as to what she might have done to depress her sister’s spirits.
Miss Bennet kept her attention riveted on Bingley, though the hard set of her shoulders told Darcy that she was aware of his unfriendly scrutiny.
She gave no other hint of discomposure that would inform him of her latest malevolence—not that he exactly knew what he was looking for—and he turned away to watch the doorway for Elizabeth’s return.
She rejoined the party with alacrity, and Darcy offered his arm, which she immediately took. They retreated to the entry hall, leaving Bingley to his business; he could determine what to do with Mrs Gardiner himself.
Thanks to the early morning rain, the day was cooler than the one before yet also fresh and pleasant.
The shower had washed away some of the stink of London, though of course it would be back once the temperature rose.
It was a perfect time to escort his lady love to the small park at the end of the road and probe her with concerned questions.
“Are you well, Miss Elizabeth?”
A small sigh delayed her response. “I am in good health, though I suppose that is not what you are asking. You wish to know why I am so dispirited this morning.”
“I confess I do. Have you quarrelled with your sister again?”
She lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “We have, though it is not only that which bothers me. I am honestly more troubled by being forced to face the truth of Jane’s character than merely being in conflict with her. I feel so foolish for ever believing she held me in the same esteem that I did her.”
They crossed into the park, which was empty save for themselves and the occasional squirrel, and began perambulating down the long path that cut through an avenue of trees. They were no longer in bloom, but flower petals scattered about their feet, swirling in the fine breeze.
“I am sorry to hear it,” Darcy said after a thoughtful pause.
“And yet unsurprised, I suspect.”
“You well know my opinion of Miss Bennet. Tell me, what has she said to discompose you so?”
Elizabeth inhaled a deep breath and launched into a recitation of her confrontation with her sister from the day before, which had apparently occurred only minutes after he had left her at the Gardiners’ doorstep.
That Miss Bennet would confess to feigning illness to install herself at Netherfield did not shock him—he had rather suspected it, especially given subsequent events—but he was disgusted with her.
Ungrateful wretch! How dare she complain that Elizabeth is too devoted?
A piece of him that remained loyal to his friends scolded that he ought to rush back to Gracechurch Street and disrupt Bingley’s proposal with this information, yet a larger part reminded him that Bingley was not the friend he had once thought, or any more deeply attached to Miss Bennet than she was to him.
His heart was in league with Elizabeth, who did not deserve to suffer further should her sister stir up more trouble with the Bennets over his interference.
It was in the best interests of all for him to hold his peace.
When Elizabeth informed him of her sister’s threats, Darcy nearly reversed his decision, tempted as he was to turn round, march back to the Gardiners’ residence, and give Miss Bennet the set-down she so richly deserved.
If the lady thought to keep her horrid treatment of Elizabeth from Darcy’s notice, she was sorely mistaken.
If she retaliated against Elizabeth in even the most trivial fashion and he discovered it, Miss Bennet would be the one with regrets.
Whatever petty revenge she could concoct was nothing to the wrath Darcy could bring down upon her head—and marriage to Bingley would not save her from it either.
A touch to his clenched fist drew his gaze back to Elizabeth, who looked up at him with soft eyes. “I did not mean to discompose you, sir. I ought to have kept my complaints to myself.”
“Not at all,” Darcy countered, “for I would share the burden with you. I am merely angry on your behalf.”
“As you have been these many months. Forgive me for questioning your perspicacity. It seems you saw what I did not.”
“Perhaps I did, but then I had no affection for Miss Bennet to blind me to her imperfections. I know what it is to wish to think well of someone only to be disenchanted by them in the end.”
“You refer to Mr Wickham?”
“Yes, him too, but I actually meant Bingley.”
Elizabeth blinked rapidly at him. “Mr Bingley?”
“Indeed, for it has been some time now since I have begun to see him in a different light. I once believed him to merely require some trifling guidance, being several years younger than myself, but since meeting your sister he has displayed a deeper-seated want of conviction that I can no longer overlook. He is so easily persuaded by any strong personality that comes along that I fear he has no mind of his own. This is no detriment when the personality in question has noble intent, but he is equally ready to follow the direction of those with vicious ambitions. If a man does not have his own judgment, what does he have?”
“Nothing.”
“Exactly.”
They walked for a quarter of an hour more, and Darcy confided to Elizabeth Bingley’s intention to propose to Miss Bennet whilst they were out.
She took the news with admirable composure, albeit some weariness, and agreed it was likely for the best. If neither of them had expectations beyond the superficial in their match, then neither could be disappointed.
It was their joint supposition that Elizabeth’s jaunt to London was about to come to an abrupt close, and though Darcy longed to drop to his own knee and beg her to be his wife, he remained unsure of her heart.
Knowing that she had previously disliked him, combined with the recent turmoil she had endured, also stayed his hand; how could she possibly have grown a deep and abiding affection for him in those circumstances?
“Alas, I shall not be able to follow you immediately to Hertfordshire, but know that I shall make my way there as soon as possible.”
The slackening of her smile into a frown both pained and elated him; he did not like to cause her distress, but knowing his absence would be lamented by her gave him hope.
With any luck, it would cause her heart to grow fonder.
“I am sorry to hear it, but of course you need not put yourself out on my account.”
“To the contrary, I would travel with you if it were in my power. I would not separate from you at all if it were not for my sister’s sake. She and her companion mean to travel to Sanditon for the summer, and I need to make arrangements for them.”
Elizabeth laid her hand upon his forearm, her eyes glittering with concern. “It must be difficult for you to let her travel again on her own. You ought to go with her instead of following me to Hertfordshire.”
“It is difficult,” he conceded, “but she has begged me to allow her this bit of independence. She hopes another seaside holiday will help her overcome what happened last summer, and Mrs Annesley has championed the notion. Just the same, I shall be sending several of my burliest footmen to stand guard over them. And Fitzwilliam has suddenly declared an inclination for sea bathing as a remedy for unspecified injuries incurred during service to king and country.”
She giggled. “Then I wish her a safe journey. Selfishly, I am glad that you will be returning to Netherfield with Mr Bingley.”
They arrived back at the Gardiner residence some time later to find an effusive Bingley declaring his joy to the household. Miss Bennet sat more quietly on the sofa next to him, a self-satisfied smirk curling at one corner of her mouth. It is done, then.
Darcy followed Elizabeth’s example and offered the couple his best wishes, though the sentiment slipped between his lips by rote. He more hoped that they could be happy together than honestly believed it.