An (Un)believably Artful Theft (Love’s Little Helpers #4)

Chapter 37

CHAPTER 37

P apa was not in his book room when Elizabeth woke the following morning. Nor did she find him sitting at the breakfast table.

When asked, Mrs. Hill explained, “Mr. Bennet left nearly an hour ago for Meryton.”

Elizabeth was of a mind to follow him, but she restrained herself. He would have gone to Uncle Philips’s office. Of that, Elizabeth was certain. Oh, but she wished she could be present to hear what was said! Then she would know how to receive her father when he returned to Longbourn. Uncle would cast a favorable light on her activities, but would it be enough?

Unable to stomach any food yet, she took Remy for a walk over the fields while she waited for the rest of the household to stir.

How thorough was her ruin? Would her sisters be made to pay for her offense? Would her father understand why she had done what she had? Could he forgive her?

Of Mr. Darcy, she tried not to think at all. She imagined him deciding to stay, of calling at Longbourn in a display of support which would eventually win over her neighbors. It was a lovely dream that she wished she did not have because it led her to hope when, in all likelihood, he would leave Hertfordshire and forget all about her.

However, after she had returned home to breakfast with her sisters (whose appetites suffered as hers did), and they had settled in the drawing room to await Papa (whose extended absence increased everyone’s anxiety), her heart fluttered when a caller was announced. Instinctively, she bit her lips and pinched her cheeks. Had Mr. Darcy decided to call after all?

Hill announced Mr. Bingley. Elizabeth held her breath, hoping to hear Mr. Darcy’s name announced next, but it was necessary to force a smile and hide her disappointment when it was not. Jane was too relieved, and Mama was too overjoyed…

But then Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley were also announced.

It was apparent that Mr. Bingley was aware that his sisters’ presence would cause them unease, for he had no sooner entered the room than he stated his reason for bringing them. “My sisters owe you an apology, and it is my intention to see that they give it to you and to each of the families with whom they gossiped before the ball. I, too, beg for your forgiveness. You have paid dearly for my ignorance and leniency.” He glanced at Jane briefly.

To Elizabeth’s surprise, her sister did not bow her head in acceptance. She held her head high as though weighing the worth of his apology. Mama, on the other hand, was eager to accept any favor he was willing to extend, though she was hard-pressed to speak too favorably when she would not offer his sisters the same deference.

He looked meaningfully at his sisters, as did they all, and he motioned for them to speak.

Miss Bingley stared at her hands, her lips pinched and her voice tight. “My deepest apologies to you, Miss Elizabeth.”

There was a pause until her brother nudged her to continue.

Her chin jutted out in protest, but she continued, “It was wrong of me to tell your neighbors about your profession.”

Another nudge.

“And to claim your work as my own.”

Mr. Bingley cleared his throat and nodded his head at Mrs. Hurst, who muttered, “You have my apologies, too.”

He nodded for her to continue, but she merely glared at him in return.

His complexion reddening, Mr. Bingley added, “We will do what we can to undo the damage that has been done. It is the least we can do. If you never wish to see us again, it is no less than we deserve.”

Jane said nothing, which visibly added to his distress.

For Jane’s sake as much as his, Elizabeth said, “Thank you, Mr. Bingley.” More than that, she could not say, for it was not yet in her power to forgive.

“Then, we shall bid our farewells now.”

“Farewell? You do not intend to quit Netherfield Park!? What about Jane?” protested Mama.

Jane placed her hand over their mother’s, her tone as unruffled as her manners. “Mr. Bingley has decided what is best for his household, and we must respect his choice.”

The man looked miserable. Elizabeth sympathized with him but trusted Jane to know how to act. He stood to take his leave. “It depends how long our calls today will take, but I hope to reach London before nightfall. If you are in town, I hope…”

“London?!” Mama wailed as though it were a faraway land.

“Yes,” replied Mr. Bingley. “I owe Darcy an apology for the mess I allowed to happen.”

Elizabeth’s head spun. Mr. Darcy had already left?

Mr. Bingley bowed his head. “He expected better from me.”

Jane whispered under her breath, “I did, too.”

Too stunned to trust her reaction, Elizabeth looked at Mary, who gave her a subtle nod to communicate that she knew what to do. Turning to Mr. Bingley, Mary asked, “Mr. Darcy is no longer at Netherfield?”

“He departed at first light. ”

Mama harrumphed. “Without so much as a by-your-leave?”

Elizabeth’s heart sank. Mr. Darcy was gone. She would never see him again.

Mr. Bingley and his sisters departed shortly thereafter. There was nothing else to say, and they had many more apologies to make that day.

As soon as he left, Mama turned to Jane. “How could you be so cold toward Mr. Bingley? He might have made an offer!”

Jane paused before replying calmly, “Mr. Bingley did well to apologize, but before I can return his regard fully, he must know that I will not permit his sisters to treat mine as they have done.”

“But he is our only hope! Who will make an offer for any of you now? Mr. Collins refuses to have anything to do with us, Mr. Darcy is gone, and now Mr. Bingley has said he will quit Netherfield! We are ruined!” Mama burst into tears.

Mary kneeled at her feet, clasping her hands between hers. “It is not as bad as that, Mama. Mr. Goode intends to speak to Papa soon to ask for my hand.”

“But he is only a clerk!” Mama sobbed.

“He loves me. We shall be happy. What else should we wish for?”

“A fortune!” exclaimed Lydia.

“How did Aunt Philips not know?” asked Kitty, tapping her chin. “She could have warned us!”

Mary replied, “I asked her about that, but she was as ignorant of the gossip as we were. Perhaps it was the intense rain that prevented the news from reaching her. She heard nothing of it until the same time we did… at the ball.”

Elizabeth was too numb to care. The damage was done. Mr. Darcy was gone. She tried to be happy for Mary, but it was difficult when she knew she would never have the same happiness.

Papa returned then, pale and shaken. Mama sat him down by the fire and sent for tea.

“Lizzy?” he called from his chair.

She rushed to his side as he rose to his feet. “No, Papa, you must sit,” she said.

He placed his hands gently against her cheeks. “I owe you an apology.”

Elizabeth had had quite enough apologies for one day and averted her eyes.

“Look at me, dear girl.”

The endearment got her attention. There was no anger or disappointment in his tone.

“Your uncle told me everything.”

Elizabeth held her breath.

He looked her in the eye. “I am ashamed of my behavior and so proud of the young lady you have become despite my poor example.”

She had not realized how badly she needed her father’s forgiveness until he granted it. The tightness in her chest released, and tears spilled over her cheeks. He brushed them away with his fingers. “I always considered myself cursed, using my failures as an excuse to do nothing at all. I became lazy, negligent. Well,”—he sniffed and stood taller—“I am resolved to act. You did what I ought to have done. Thanks to you and your uncles, we already have a promising start.”

Elizabeth could hardly breathe. Did this mean what she had wished for all along would come true?

He smiled at her, affirming her hope. “I am not the same painter you are, but with some practice, I shall remember to do that which I once loved.”

She was in his embrace then, weak and heartbroken but hopeful.

A fortnight passed, and Papa kept his promise. He joined his daughter in the attic, where they painted together every day. The improvement to his mood was immediate and beneficial to the entire household. To Mama, he gave more affection. To Mary, more praise. To Jane, more support. To Kitty and Lydia, more guidance. His enthusiasm was contagious.

Even Kitty and Lydia were inspired to consider what creative endeavor they ought to pursue. This might have been influenced by their jealousy at Mary’s success with Mr. Goode, but Elizabeth was glad to see the change, no matter the source of their motivation.

The Bennet household had never been happier. Well, mostly.

Sometimes their contentment felt like salt in Elizabeth’s wounded heart. She found it increasingly difficult to hide her own disappointment. Her reputation was in shambles. Mr. Darcy was gone. She would never marry. However, her sisters might settle as well as they could manage. Papa would provide for their needs and take greater care of their prospects. Mama’s nerves calmed.

Elizabeth tried to be satisfied with their happiness, but their success contrasted too heavily with her failure. She mourned the loss of what might have been. Every night, Elizabeth cried herself to sleep, and only Remy knew.