Miss Bennet & Mr Bingley (27 page)

Taking her drink, she returned to her apartment. She would write to her
sister before she went back to bed; no one else would think to do so, she was
sure. This information was going to spoil Elizabeth’s trip, but although it
pained her, she knew Lizzy would want to know immediately what had taken place.

She found the half written letter she had started the previous night and
decided she would continue on the same sheet of paper. Her thoughts were in a
jumble; she was bewildered by what had happened. It was so imprudent a match on
both sides, but she was willing to hope for the best, and that somehow
Wickham’s character had been misunderstood. He was thoughtless and indiscreet,
but she did not think that this elopement indicated anything bad at heart.

She found it difficult to compose herself sufficiently to write without
alarming her sister. The letter was blotted, with many crossings out and she
feared Elizabeth would not be able to decipher it. Quickly folding it she wrote
the address, hoping it would arrive without delay at its destination.

The night was warm, her windows open to let in what little breeze there
was. Jane removed her night robe and climbed back into the bed she usually
shared with her sister. It was impossible to sleep. Whatever reassurances her
father had given to the contrary, it did not seem to be a satisfactory
conclusion to Lydia’s impulsive behaviour. How could a girl so young and
inexperienced make a success of married life? And Wickham? Although his choice
had been disinterested at least, he must know Lydia brought nothing with her.

The runaways must have passed within ten miles of Longbourn. If only
they had stopped to consider how wrong were their actions, her poor parents
would not have to endure the worry of having a daughter missing.

 
* * * *

Pemberley in July was the perfect place to be, Charles decided, as his
carriage rolled to a halt outside the magnificent edifice. There were no
importunate young women hoping for a smile from him and with his closest friend
on hand to entertain him, he was as content as he would ever be without Jane at
his side. Since the
 
duel his admiration
for his friend had grown. He was a man of many parts, able to extract himself
from difficult situations and enjoy so doing.

Liveried footmen raced to let down the steps and his friend strolled
round from the stables to greet him in person. ‘Did you have an uneventful
journey down? Miss Bingley and the Hursts arrived earlier today, they are
already making themselves at home.’

‘I am glad to be here, and to see you looking so relaxed, my friend.
Indeed, I can safely say I have never seen you look so well.’

Darcy smiled. ‘We are not the only ones in Derbyshire, Bingley.
Elizabeth Bennet and her uncle and aunt, Mr and Mrs Gardiner are staying at
Lambton. I am taking Georgiana to meet her tomorrow.’

Charles thought that his friend’s buoyant mood was quite out of
proportion to his having a chance encounter with a mere acquaintance. Were his
earlier suspicions correct? Did Darcy have an interest in Elizabeth after all?
He hoped that might be so. Whatever the outcome of that relationship her
unexpected appearance in Derbyshire would give him the opportunity to enquire
how Jane was doing.

 
If he could manoeuvre the
conversation in the correct direction he would ask Elizabeth why Jane had not
replied to his letter, perhaps he might discover there was an innocent
explanation.

 
Charles felt happier than he had in months.
To be able to talk about the woman he loved to someone who loved her too! He
was overjoyed at the prospect.

The next morning he waited until Darcy and Georgiana had left and then
followed on horseback. His subterfuge was pointless as his friend saw him
arrive at the inn; at least his arrival would not be a surprise to anyone.

He hurried up the stairs and into the room. He could not help greeting
Elizabeth with warmth, he had grown fond of Jane’s sister the few times they
had met last year. However he could not ask the questions he most desired the
answers to,
at least not yet, but he was determined to speak to her in
private as soon as possible and find out more about Jane.

‘Miss Elizabeth, how is everybody at Longbourn? I do apologize for not
having returned to Netherfield; I have been much involved with business and
other things. You know how it is, when in town and involved in society the
months fly by.’ He hoped he sounded like a man who had not been pining for an
unrequited love.

 
‘My family are well, thank you
for your kind enquiry, Mr Bingley.’

‘I hear that Miss Lucas is now married to Mr Collins and residing in
Hunsford?’

‘Yes, I spent some weeks with her and am pleased to report that she is
happy in her new life.’

‘Are you staying long in Derbyshire?’ Miss Elizabeth answered that they
were to return in two weeks as Mr Gardiner had urgent business in town. He had
no opportunity to ask directly how Jane was, if she still remembered him with
kindness, until just before they left.

‘I am very sorry that it has been so long since I have had the pleasure
of seeing you. It is about eight months. We have not met since the 26th of
November, we were all dancing together at Netherfield.’

 
The mere mention of that evening
reminded him how lovely Jane had looked, their shared amazement at their
extraordinary supper and the way she had felt in his arms when they had danced.
That night he had been so happy believing the next day she would agree to be
his wife. Was it possible he could start to hope again? He did not allow her to
comment but continued, hoping she would understand his meaning.

 
‘Are all your sisters at
Longbourn at present, Miss Elizabeth?’

‘Lydia is in Brighton with Colonel and Mrs Forster, Kitty and Jane are
at Longbourn looking after my little nieces and nephews whilst my aunt and
uncle are here with me in Derbyshire.’

Charles felt his heart swell inside him at the mention of the woman he
loved. He knew that Jane would be affectionate with children, she was the
sweetest girl imaginable.

Darcy came across to interrupt their conversation
and Charles had
never been less pleased to see him. He could have sat and talked to Elizabeth
about Jane all day
. ‘I have
invited Mr and Mrs Gardiner and yourself to dine with us at Pemberley, ma’am. I
hope that is acceptable?’

Bingley saw her cheeks colour as she answered in the affirmative. The
party were taking their leave, but he bowed and spoke quietly to her. ‘I am
delighted that you are coming to Pemberley the day after tomorrow, I have many
enquiries to make after
all
my Hertfordshire friends.’

He was satisfied that she understood his oblique reference to Jane; when
they met next he would make his questions more direct. He wanted to know which
friends Jane had been staying with in January when he had visited Meryton and
found her absent.

He rode home in high spirits and was pleased to see Darcy as happy as he
had ever seen him. Was there a romance in the wind between Elizabeth and his
friend? It would be interesting to study them when they were together at dinner
in two days time.

Charles spent a restless night, unable to sleep, his head full of images
of Jane. His life had taken on a new purpose, he had began to hope again. He
dressed in good spirits and was downstairs breaking his fast when his sisters
came in.

‘Good heavens! I did not expect to see you two down so early.’

‘Good morning, Charles. We intend to take the barouche into the village
and wish to be there before it gets too hot.’ Caroline helped herself to a tiny
portion of mushrooms and tomatoes and took it to a place at the table.

‘The village? What can be there be in such a tiny place to get my two
sisters out of bed before noon?’

Louisa laughed. ‘The housekeeper informed us there is to be a fair on
the green this morning and there will be a fortune teller. I have always wanted
to visit such a person and now have the ideal opportunity.’

The very idea of either of his elegant sisters allowing a gypsy lady to
touch them made him smile. ‘In which case I shall accompany you, I should very
much like to know what fate has in store for me.’

His sisters returned vastly disappointed by the excursion as the
promised clairvoyant had failed to appear. Nothing could dampen his enthusiasm
for the day. Darcy met him in the entrance hall his face white and strained.

‘Bingley, thank God you are back at last. I have to go to London
immediately but I did not wish to leave until I had spoken to you personally.’

‘Can it not wait until Miss Elizabeth and her relatives have dined
tomorrow?’

‘Mr Gardiner has been called back on urgent business so they would not
have been able to come anyway. You are very welcome to remain here in my
absence and keep Georgiana company.’

Charles heard the travelling carriage pulling up outside and then
noticed Darcy’s trunk was packed and waiting by the door. ‘Take care, and do
not worry about us, we shall entertain ourselves quite happily.’

However his pleasure in the day had vanished now he knew he was not
going to be able to talk to Elizabeth about Jane. It was curious that both she
and Darcy had been obliged to leave so suddenly, but it was none of his
concern. He decided to go out for a ride, it would give him time to think about
his next move.

On his return he was met by Caroline. ‘Charles, did you know that Darcy
has deserted us? It is the outside of enough to invite us here and then abandon
us to our own devices.’

‘He had to go to London, but you have Georgiana here to entertain you. I
thought you loved being at Pemberley.’

She scowled at him. ‘I do hope Miss Elizabeth and her dreadful relatives
shall not turn up to dine tomorrow. I could not bear it, not without Mr Darcy
to deflect their common behaviour.’

Charles stared at his sister with dislike. Had she always been so
supercilious and he had never noticed? ‘As it happens Mr and Mrs Gardiner have
also returned to town and Miss Elizabeth has obviously gone with them.’

Her mouth pinched. ‘Good, that, at least, is something I can be pleased
about. And you are quite right, I do love Pemberley, I wish I could live here always.
I shall go at once and tell Georgiana that I am to take charge of her in her
brother’s absence.’

This was the last thing Darcy would want. He had no intention of staying
at Pemberley himself, he would ride to London and see if he could find the courage
to visit Longbourn and try to persuade Jane to reconsider.

 
* * * *

Jane did not close her eyes all night, she could think of nothing else
but the disaster that had overcome the family. If only Wickham’s character had
been revealed this would never have happened. The next morning was no better,
it was her duty to tell her sisters what had happened.

When Kitty heard she was not surprised and Jane realized her sister had
known all along what Lydia had planned. She could only pray that Colonel
Forster might bring encouraging news when he arrived that morning. However the
information he brought was far worse than she could ever have supposed. Wickham
had no intention of going to Gretna Green and there was no sign of the runaways
anywhere.

For the second time she was obliged to break this terrible tidings to
her mother and further hysterics and upset followed. Her father was determined
to search for Lydia himself and he left for London with Colonel Forster
immediately after breakfast leaving Jane to manage the household as best she
could.

She had never seen her mother so unwell. It was some time before she was
able to control her weeping and then she did not seem able to converse
coherently. Hill sent up a special tisane and after much coaxing Jane was able
to get her mother to swallow it. This draught soothed her distress and Jane was
relieved to see her patient fall asleep.

There were things she had to do; she must speak to Kitty and Lydia and
reassure them. The children might be aware that matters were unsettled so it
was imperative that she run up there and instruct Elsie to take them for a
picnic. It would be better if her little cousins were elsewhere today. Then
must go down to the kitchens and make sure that meals would be prepared as
usual.

All this must be done as if
her
heart was not breaking too. What
she had suffered when
he
had left Netherfield was nothing in comparison
to what poor Lydia must be feeling at this moment.
She must be so
ashamed and so sorry to have caused her family such distress. And now what was
to be hoped for? At best, that her sister would marry a man who did not love
her. At worst, she would be ruined. Poor, poor Lydia!

Jane knew there was only one person who could make this less unbearable.
She needed Lizzy to come back to Longbourn. She would write at once explaining
the whole and telling her how much she longed for her return.