Page 29 of To Go Against Her Heart (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

The morning was bitter with the winter chill, and the tension in the room was so dense it seemed to reflect even in the air that circulated.

Elizabeth noticed that Miss Bingley remained unsettled even ten minutes after their arrival.

Elizabeth and Jane had called on the Bingleys that morning, a week after they arrived in town.

Though they were welcomed warmly and with pleasant smiles, Elizabeth could sense that the sisters were very uncomfortable seeing them.

After exchanging pleasantries, Miss Bingley mentioned several times how thrilled she was to see Jane and called it a delightful surprise to see her in town.

However, when Jane learned that Mr. Bingley was away on some business, her heart sank.

“We have been most pleasantly engaged since our return to town, Miss Bennet. Mr. Darcy and his sister were overjoyed to have us back, especially during the holidays. I trust your Christmas was a joyful one as well.”

“Yes, very much, Miss Bingley. Our uncle’s family spent time with us in Longbourn,” Jane replied.

“I understand you returned to town along with them. It’s always fortunate to have some relations here, though situated on the less favorable side of town,” she said, and Elizabeth held her breath, not wanting to lose her temper.

“I hope our acquaintances are well in Hertfordshire,” Mrs. Hurst asked.

“Yes, they are, and we were quite surprised by your sudden departure,” Elizabeth replied, raising her eyebrows.

“Miss Eliza, we never intended to spend Christmas there. We always get invited to Pemberley, but now, since the Darcys were in town, my brother wanted to return,” she said, and Elizabeth merely nodded.

“Is Mr. Bingley well?” Jane asked, mustering courage.

“Oh! Yes, he is. He often calls on Miss Darcy, and he could not miss his engagement with her this morning. He requested me to convey his regards to you and his friends in Hertfordshire. He is particularly fond of her music, and I must tell you the young woman plays remarkably well,” she said, and Elizabeth watched Jane’s disappointed face.

This cannot be true; did he deliberately excuse himself from our visit?

“We are indeed fortunate to have such genuine friends in town. We have not had a week pass by without dinner invitations or parties. And Miss Darcy has been most anxious to make up for the time we lost in the past months of us being in Hertfordshire. Just last evening, we dined with her, and, according to my brother, she is the most accomplished woman amongst our circle.”

Elizabeth observed Mrs. Hurst, and she could see a hint of discomfort on her face as though she disagreed with her sister.

As for Jane, whatever lingering doubt she harbored regarding Mr. Bingley’s affection vanished entirely, and the sisters left with no intention of prolonging their visit.

Although Miss Bingley promised to call on her soon, Elizabeth knew that it was just customary.

Once the carriage started, Jane started sobbing.

“I should never have come here, Lizzy. Please do not think I am angry with you; I could have lived without understanding his true feelings. But now, knowing the truth that he chose to excuse himself from meeting me, pains me more than I can express,” Jane cried with anguish.

“Maybe Miss Bingley concealed the information of your arrival from him and ensured he was away as you mentioned in your note that we would be calling this morning.”

“I do not think so, and there is nothing more to say about this matter. I am tired of blaming his sister every single time, and I am certain she would not dare to play a vile game like that. This will not do; I can no longer stand my own expectations, and do not want to entertain my hopes regarding him. I am sorry, Lizzy. I knew you meant well, but it is what it is,” Jane said, finally giving up hope.

Elizabeth still could not believe that Mr. Bingley was capable of avoiding her sister and suspected Miss Bingley’s hand in the scheme. Mrs. Gardiner sensed that the visit did not go as anticipated after her nieces returned, and Jane immediately excused herself and left for her room.

“Are you certain that Mr. Bingley was aware of Jane’s visit?”

“That is what Miss Bingley states, but I feel she could have easily concealed it from him. Maybe we should have visited unannounced; Jane did write to Miss Bingley before our call.”

“I wonder if at all there might be some truth in suspecting the nature of his feelings.”

“I do not think so. Jane might not believe it, but Miss Bingley is capable of separating them once again. I could see that her sister, Mrs. Hurst, felt very uncomfortable with Miss Bingley’s efforts to make us believe that her brother has been spending much time with Miss Darcy.”

“Honestly, I feel as dejected as Jane now,” Mrs. Gardiner said, and Elizabeth suddenly felt helpless and lost.

I pressured Jane to travel here. After failing so miserably in judging someone’s feelings for me, how did I dare meddle in her life and give her hope?

At last, she understood that nothing could be done for her sister now unless Mr. Bingley were to visit her at their uncle’s residence—and to Elizabeth, it was bitterly apparent that her so-called good intentions only plunged Jane into deeper misery.

***

The same day, Mr. Bingley sat with Darcy and Richard, showing no interest in their conversation. In truth, he was unaware of Jane’s presence in town, as his sister had concealed the information from him.

“I assume the property is well cared for in your absence, Mr. Bingley,” Richard asked.

“Ah! Yes, it is. I trust the steward, and your cousin has met him and will agree with my decision to leave matters in his hands.”

“So, am I to understand that you have no intention of returning there soon?”

“Well…I have not thought about it yet,” Mr. Bingley replied, feeling uncomfortable treading on the subject.

He took leave, promising to meet Darcy as planned the next day.

“Mr. Bingley sure does look distraught; Never before have I witnessed the gentleman in such a state of distraction,” Richard remarked upon his leave.

“He has his reasons, and I do not wish to discuss his private affairs with you.”

“Well, you could discuss your affairs with me as you don’t seem to differ much from him in your current state of disconnect from the world. I can understand that he is heartbroken, and I am wondering if it is the same with you. Tell me, Darcy, is it because of Miss Elizabeth?”

“That is enough! If you are deprived of amusement these days, I would suggest you hunt for it elsewhere. I am in no mood to let my personal life serve the purpose.”

“I see. You have just confirmed my suspicion. You are quite affected by her; nothing else would drive you this angry.”

Darcy winced inwardly, not wanting to continue the conversation with his cousin.

The past weeks had been nothing but torture as he was forced to attend several parties along with Georgiana.

The Harringtons and Kingstons had become regular attendees at all the parties hosted by the Matlocks.

Darcy could see that Georgiana had finally become accustomed to dealing with acquaintances who favored her only for her wealth.

However, he couldn’t shake his suspicions about Mr. Harrington—something was undeniably off about him.

According to Darcy, the man made every effort to fit into the circle he had married into, by being overly attentive to his wife and flaunting his pride in his social standing and wealth.

But Darcy learnt from reliable sources that he was deeply entangled in his father’s debts, and his marriage had practically saved him.

Apart from everything, what bothered Darcy was the man’s interest in Hertfordshire.

Darcy could not determine the cause, but there was something in his manner that roused his suspicion.

He had a conversation with his aunt some weeks ago, which made him more interested in the matter.

“I understand Georgiana has been spending much time with Mrs. Kingston and her sister during my absence.”

“She does. They call on her often, and if she accompanies them outside, I assure you I have always been with her.”

“I see that she is comfortable in their company now.”

“She is, but I cannot assure you that she considers them her friends. Honestly, Fitzwilliam, I am quite disappointed in society these days. Young women are often pressured into forming friendships that prioritize status over genuine connections. Pardon me, I do not have anything against the ladies, but as I have often seen, they do not seem to be genuinely attached to her. I must tell you, for a long time, I knew Mr. Kingston was courting Miss Harrington, but it was a surprise for his sister to marry into the same family as well.”

“I understand you were not acquainted with the Harringtons before.”

“I knew his mother, but not very closely. They had struggled with debt for years, but now they seem well off. His marriage to the Kingston family has worked to their advantage.”