Darcy in Want of a Wife

Chapter 3

The Study

Darcy House

London

For the fourth time, Darcy read the letter in his hands.

Darcy,

I discovered today that Miss Jane Bennet has been in London for many weeks and that you and my sisters knew it, but chose to hide her presence from me in Town.

My discovery was entirely by chance; I happened to meet Mr. Edward Gardiner, Miss Bennet’s uncle, who informed me that the lady loved me last autumn and has been pining for me all these weeks.

It is hard to put into words how betrayed I feel over this matter. I loved Miss Bennet with all my heart and intended to make her my wife. But you and my sisters pursued me to London after the Netherfield ball, and it was you who used your considerable powers of debate, and my admiration for your intelligence and experience, to convince me that Miss Bennet was indifferent to me as a man. You told me, with complete conviction, that Jane was only interested in my wealth.

And yes, she is now Jane to me. I called on her at her uncle’s house in Cheapside today and found Caroline on the verge of leaving, her nose held very high. Mr. Gardiner threw Caroline out, and I proposed to the lady I love and was accepted, as she loves me in return.

I am extremely angry with you, Darcy. I am also angry at myself; I allowed you too much power in my life, and that is as much my fault as yours.

I will send for my possessions at Darcy House but will ride for Netherfield this very day so that I can ask for Bennet’s blessing on my engagement to Miss Bennet.

I think it would be best if we do not see one another for at least a time. I need to determine the path of my life without the, perhaps well meant, interference of my family and friends.

But I must not finish this letter before thanking you for all your assistance and friendship these last years.

Sincerely and God bless you,

Charles Bingley

Darcy set down the letter on his desk, finally looking up to focus instead on the window on the far wall. He rose from his chair and wandered over, his hands meeting behind his back as he gazed out through the glass and attempted to collect his thoughts.

The grounds of the Darcy House, though gray and bare this time of year, still held remnants of their glory during the summer months in the form of crumbling vines that crept up gates and trellises. It was a grand sight even in the overcast weather, with ornaments and statues that spoke of many pounds of disposable income decorating the paths and gardens. Darcy was unable to dwell for long on the beauty of it all, however, with the contents of Bingley’s letter still fresh on his mind.

Bingley was to be married, imminently from the sound of it, to the very woman that Darcy had warned him against, Miss Jane Bennet. Darcy could hardly believe it, both that Bingley had encountered her despite his own attempts to prevent such a meeting, and that it seemed Darcy was wrong about Miss Bennet’s motivations in pursuing his friend.

Darcy considered himself a prudent and forthright man, one who abhorred deception and trickery. That is why it weighed so heavily that he had concealed Miss Bennet’s presence from Bingley when she had arrived in Town in early January. He had justified the action to himself at the time, confident that she was merely another superficial coquette after Bingley’s income, but from his friend’s letter, it appeared that he had been sorely mistaken. Bingley had every reason and right to be angry with him.

Darcy was disappointed in himself for his dishonesty, but more than that, he was grieved to have lost the good graces of one of his closest friends. There were very few people whom Darcy felt he could truly rely upon, fewer still who were not related to him by blood. He cared deeply for Bingley, and the loss of his trust was painful, if perhaps well-deserved.

Darcy’s thoughts wandered from Bingley to his soon-to-be bride, Miss Bennet, then to Miss Bennet’s next younger sister, who had entranced him with both her beauty and her sharp wit during his time at Netherfield the previous autumn.

Elizabeth Bennet had haunted his dreams for many weeks now, with her fine eyes and arch smiles and clever retorts that displayed a level of intelligence that few of the higher class could boast. She was so unlike the young women of the haut ton , who schemed and plotted for the most advantageous match. She was a stark contrast to her parents and younger sisters as well, displaying elegance and decorum beyond her years.

Darcy knew that he and she could never be a match, but oh, how she tempted him. Indeed, his longing for her was, at some level, part of the reason he had encouraged Bingley to leave Netherfield. He had assumed that distance from Miss Elizabeth would allow his infatuation to fade away, but instead, it had only fanned the flames of his desire. He was still hopelessly attracted to her, and now Bingley was angry with him. He had been selfish, and quite the fool.

Suddenly, Darcy remembered that he had invited Bingley and his family to dinner that very evening. From the contents of the message that he had just received, Darcy was doubtful that Bingley himself would be in attendance. Perhaps he should cancel the event altogether?

No, he decided a moment later, and he turned from the window as he did so. It would be in his best interests to speak with Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst, to see what their opinions on the matter with Miss Bennet might be, even though Darcy knew them to be proud and sometimes cruel women. This was especially true of Miss Bingley, but apparently she had been present when Bingley arrived to call on Miss Bennet, and thus might have information that Bingley had not shared in his letter. Darcy was not looking forward to it, however. It had all the makings of being a very tiresome dinner.

/

Longbourn

Dinner Time

Dinner at Longbourn was rarely a peaceful affair, not with Mrs. Bennet prattling on about the latest gossip and Lydia and Kitty arguing over something or another. Although she usually preferred to dine in more peace, today Elizabeth was grateful for the noise; it allowed her uncharacteristic silence to go unnoticed.

Elizabeth was still shaken by the revelation from earlier that day, that Wickham was a scoundrel and a fiend who preyed on young women. Lydia and Kitty’s current discussion of the officers in Meryton only turned her stomach further. If sweet, honest Sophia could be won over by Wickham’s lies, how much more could her often-foolish younger sisters be? Suddenly, the thought of them going into town unaccompanied, as they so frequently did, was terrifying to her.

Elizabeth pushed her boiled potatoes about on her plate, wondering what she was to do with this newfound knowledge of Wickham. She was not certain that there was anything she could do, not without revealing poor Sophia’s unfortunate plight, for that was the only reason that she knew that Wickham was not the charming gentleman he claimed to be, and she did not wish for the Coopers’ shame to spread throughout the area.

As astonished as she had been to learn of Wickham’s cruelty, Elizabeth realized, reluctantly, that she had no true reason to think well of the militia lieutenant. Wickham was a newcomer to the area, and had no one to vouch for his character, other than Mr. Darcy, who clearly loathed him. Elizabeth realized that perhaps the gentleman’s dislike of Wickham was entirely justified.

Elizabeth was thankful that her mother and father had failed to notice her mood, as she was not keen on sharing Sophia’s predicament with them, especially her mother. She knew that Mrs. Bennet would likely shame the girl for being promiscuous, and the entire tale would be spread throughout Meryton within the week. Mr. Bennet, on the other hand, was not a gossip, but Elizabeth expected that he would feel no obligation to assist a tenant daughter.

Elizabeth would pen a letter to her aunt as soon as she attained her bedchamber this evening. Mrs. Gardiner was a kind and intelligent woman, and Elizabeth was certain that she would be able to help. If she could not take Sophia in herself, she would find a place for her to stay for her pregnancy and arrange for the baby’s care.

The door opened and Elizabeth looked up. Her sorrowful thoughts gave way to astonishment as Mr. Stewart, the butler, announced, “Mr. Bingley.”

It was indeed Mr. Charles Bingley, who had left for London nearly three months previously with a promise to return immediately. No one had seen hide nor hair of the man since, and now, to have him here … oh, what a pity Jane was in London!

“Mr. Bingley!” Mrs. Bennet shrieked, leaping to her feet. “My dear sir, I am so very glad to see you again! Are you returning to Netherfield Hall then? But oh, will you not sit down and join us for dinner?”

Elizabeth found herself smiling. If there was one thing that was true about her mother, it was that she was extremely hospitable and did not like to think of anyone going hungry.

“Thank you, Mrs. Bennet,” Bingley said, his blue eyes twinkling with cheer. “I would be very pleased to join you.”

Within a minute, a servant had provided another plate and set of silver, and Mr. Bingley had taken his place between Elizabeth and Mrs. Bennet.

“Did you know that Jane is in London, Mr. Bingley?” Lydia blurted out as the butler poured Madeira into their guest’s cup.

“I do now,” Mr. Bingley replied and took a sip of wine. He waited until the butler had retreated from the room and shut it behind him, and then a beaming smile broke out across the gentleman’s handsome face. “I learned of Jane’s presence in London entirely by chance this morning. I called upon her soon after – only a few hours ago – and asked for her hand in marriage. If Mr. Bennet gives me his blessing, then I hope that Jane and I will be married within a few weeks.”

There was a stunned silence for a full minute, and then Mrs. Bennet shrieked, “Praise God! We are saved! We are saved!”

/

Drawing Room

Darcy House

Evening

Dinner was over and Darcy, with some reluctance, turned to face Bingley’s sisters, who were sitting next to one another on the plush loveseat near the blazing fire, while Mr. Hurst, husband of the elder sister, sat on a wingbacked chair with a glass of brandy in his hand. The man seemed nearly asleep, and Darcy felt a throb of envy, wishing that he was tucked up in his bed.

He had just suffered through a long and tiresome dinner with his guests, having to contend constantly with Miss Bingley’s gushing compliments in her usual attempt to win his favor. While Darcy was fond of Bingley, he had absolutely no interest in marrying the man’s sister.

On the subject of Bingley, he was the reason that Darcy had persevered his way through the evening, and now he said, “Miss Bingley, I understand that you were present this afternoon when Bingley called upon Miss Bennet in Cheapside. I received a letter from him with a brief explanation of the events, but given that you were there at the time, I would like to ask for your perspective on the encounter.”

Miss Bingley colored, a sour look replacing her previous simpering smile.

“Well,” she began. “Miss Bennet called on me many weeks ago and invited me to call on her at her uncle and aunt’s house where she has been staying. I, of course, have been very busy … as you well know.”

She smirked at him, and Darcy stared back, his face betraying nothing. He was aware, through Bingley, of his Miss Bingley’s frequent parties and shopping trips.

“Besides,” the woman continued with a toss of her head, “a ramshackle home in Cheapside is no place for a woman of fine breeding such as myself. I reluctantly returned Jane’s call earlier today, with the intention of showing that our acquaintance was at an end, and was just in the process of leaving when Mr. Gardiner, the homeowner and Miss Bennet’s uncle, arrived with Charles.

Caroline paused, huffed, and said, “I do not know what that man told him. But Charles was completely unreasonable. He began raving about how I deceived him, and when I attempted to speak rationally, he sent me away! Indeed, Mr. Gardiner’s servant actually laid hands on me and dragged me out of the room!”

Darcy bit his tongue to keep from smiling at the thought of Miss Bingley’s discomfiture, and noted that Hurst had woken up and was grinning openly.

Miss Bingley, obviously unaware of his amusement, whined, “I tried my best to warn Charles away from Miss Bennet, to convince him that she was another simple shrew with a pretty face, but he allowed me to be thrown from the house in a most disgraceful manner. Really, what could have gotten into Charles?”

Darcy was quite sure of what had gotten into Bingley, and he was utterly disgusted to hear how Miss Bingley had spoken of Miss Bennet. Though he had not thought that Jane Bennet would be a suitable wife for Bingley, he knew her to be a sweet and gentle lady who did not deserve to be abused by her supposed friend. By her own report, Miss Bingley had waited many weeks to return her call, and upon doing so, she had insulted the poor woman to her face.

“There must be something to be done,” Miss Bingley said, turning to her sister. “Perhaps we could send a letter to the Bennets and offer them money to call Miss Bennet back to Longbourn, and away from Charles?”

“Perhaps,” Mrs. Hurst agreed. “We will have to try. I cannot stomach the thought of having such vulgar, undignified connections and we must do all in our power to prevent an official engagement!”

“You are too late,” Darcy said calmly. “I received a letter from Bingley this morning, and they are already betrothed.”

This provoked a shriek of horror from Mrs. Hurst, followed by a frantic discussion between the sisters about possible ways of breaking up the couple.

Darcy stayed quiet, allowing the women to plot and scheme. He was now convinced that there was nothing to be done, that nothing should be done. If Miss Bennet truly loved Bingley, then they would be happy together.Moreover, given that Miss Bennet was the daughter of a gentleman, and Bingley the son of a tradesman, the match was entirely reasonable.

It was then that Darcy realized, with a sinking feeling in his chest, that it had been a mistake to ever ally himself with Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst.