A Companion For Miss Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Page 15

  ‘It is not long until Christmas,’ said Mr Darcy.

  ‘It is only November,’ Mr Bingley pointed out.

  ‘Yes, well, I am sorry for it, Bingley, but duty calls.’

  At this, Mr Bingley squared his shoulders. He too, as a gentleman, knew the meaning of duty. He also knew that, if Mr Darcy considered it his duty to leave at once, then nothing would stop him.

  ‘Will you take some refreshment before you leave?’ asked Mr Bingley.

  ‘No, I thank you. We will stop on the way,’ said Mr Darcy.

  ‘I will have the cook pack a hamper for you, in case you cannot find anywhere suitable,’ said Mr Bingley.

  Mr Darcy forced himself to smile and he thanked his friend. They both knew there were many suitable establishments along the way, but it was a gesture of friendship and so Mr Darcy accepted it with a good grace.

  ‘If you will excuse me, Bingley, I must order the carriage.’

  Mr Bingley bowed and then continued going upstairs.

  Miss Caroline Bingley, who had been around the corner whilst this exchange took place, hastily left her place of concealment and slipped into the library, so that Mr Darcy should not see her when he descended the last few stairs and stepped into the hall.

  Any well-bred young lady would have removed herself immediately when she found herself overhearing a private conversation, but Miss Caroline Bingley had remained rooted to the spot. The whole thing was extraordinary! Mr Darcy was to leave Netherfield Park at once. Why?

  She retreated to the far corner of the library, skirting the bookcases, and sat down on the window seat to think. She was glad she had been a minute or two late going up to dress for dinner. That small delay had put her in the right place at the right time, and now she was agog with what she had heard.

  The door opened and Mr Darcy entered the room. Miss Bingley saw him through a crack in the books on the library shelves but was otherwise hidden from his view by a large bookcase. She was just about to reveal herself when Mr Darcy was followed by his sister and a conversation began. The temptation to listen was too great, and she remained where she was.

  ‘Georgiana, I have told your maid to pack your things. We are returning to London this evening and we will not be coming back to Netherfield Park.’

  Georgiana asked in amazement, ‘Why? What has happened?’

  Mr Darcy’s voice softened.

  ‘Need you ask?’ he said tenderly.

  ‘Is it . . .’ Georgiana swallowed. ‘Is it because of Mr Wickham?’

  ‘Yes, my dear, it is.’

  ‘Oh. I had better tell Miss Bennet to pack, then, if we are to leave this evening.’

  ‘Miss Bennet will not be coming with us,’ said Mr Darcy.

  ‘But why?’ asked Georgiana, in a baffled tone of voice.

  ‘I will explain everything once we are on our way,’ said Mr Darcy gently. ‘But for now, you must do as I say. Go and pack your things and then we will be on our way. Once in the carriage, I will answer all of your questions.’

  Georgiana hesitated but then said, ‘Very well.’

  There came the sound of her footsteps crossing to the door.

  Miss Bennet is not going with them? thought Miss Bingley, puzzled, in her hiding place. But her puzzlement was quickly overcome by glee.

  Miss Elizabeth Bennet was not going with them! Miss Elizabeth would not be spending day after day with Mr Darcy!

  She had been jealous of Miss Elizabeth since their first meeting, and she had become increasingly disturbed by the idea that Mr Darcy admired that impertinent young woman. But from the tone of his voice, it was clear that Miss Elizabeth had done something to annoy him and was no longer in favour.

  Good! thought Miss Bingley in triumph, even as she wondered what it could be.

  There came the sound of the door opening and closing. Miss Bingley, thinking that Mr Darcy and his sister had left the room, decided to step out from behind the bookcase. But then she heard the door opening again and she heard Mr Darcy’s voice. So Mr Darcy was still in the room. Had Georgiana returned?

  A moment later, Miss Bingley heard Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s voice saying, ‘Mr Darcy.’

  So! Miss Elizabeth was the new visitor to the library.

  Mr Darcy replied, ‘Miss Bennet.’

  He sounded surprised and displeased. He also, to Miss Bingley’s surprise, sounded agitated.

  There was a pause as bowing and curtseying evidently took place.

  Then Miss Bennet said, ‘I have just seen Miss Darcy running upstairs in tears. When I asked her what was wrong she told me she is leaving for London immediately, and that I am not to go with her.’

  ‘That is so,’ said Mr Darcy.

  ‘Might I ask why?’

  ‘I have urgent business to attend to,’ said Mr Darcy coldly.

  ‘That explains why you need to go to London, but not why I am to remain here at Netherfield Park.’

  ‘You will not remain here at Netherfield Park,’ said Mr Darcy. ‘You will return to Longbourn, where you will remain. Miss Darcy will no longer be needing your services.’

  Miss Bingley was astonished, but also delighted. This was better than she had dared hope. Miss Bennet was being dismissed!

  Miss Bingley almost crowed aloud with delight.

  ‘I cannot understand it,’ said Miss Bennet in astonishment. ‘Why am I to be dismissed? And why did you not tell me of this yourself?’

  ‘I would have done so, but you did not give me time.’

  Miss Bingley chuckled to herself, delighted to hear Miss Elizabeth being given a set-down.

  ‘Have I done something to offend you?’ asked Miss Elizabeth in confusion.

  ‘As to that, only you can know,’ he said, in evident agitation.

  What kind of answer was that? wondered Miss Bingley.

  ‘Will you not at least tell me what it is?’ asked Miss Elizabeth.

  ‘I am very busy. I leave for London in the hour. You will return to Longbourn when your bags are packed. I have arranged for the Netherfield carriage to take you. You have been paid for three months and so there are no wages owing. You may consider the salary you have not yet earned as being in lieu of notice.’

  ‘But this is monstrous!’ said Miss Bennet. ‘What have I done to deserve such treatment?’

  ‘That is between you and your conscience,’ he said. ‘And now you must excuse me.’

  Miss Bingley heard him stride across the room. She heard the door opening and closing. There was a moment’s silence and then the door opened and closed again as Miss Bennet left.

  Miss Bingley hardly dared breathe until she was sure they had both left the library far behind, then she peered through the crack in between the books, just to make sure the library was indeed empty. Then she came out from behind the bookcase.

  What did it mean? She thought over everything she had heard and tried to make sense of it. There was very little to take hold of, only scraps of things here and there. Miss Darcy had been talking to Mr Wickham. Miss Darcy and her brother were to travel to London immediately and Miss Elizabeth Bennet was to return to Longbourn in disgrace.

  Why?

  It must be something to do with Mr Wickham.

  Mr Wickham . . .

  Miss Bingley thought hard. Where had she heard that name? It was certainly familiar. Ah, yes, he was the son of old Mr Darcy’s steward.

  Slowly, things began to take shape in Miss Bingley’s mind. Not the right shape, but a shape nonetheless. Miss Darcy had been talking to the son of a steward, a man who was a long way beneath her in social rank. Mr Darcy was angry about it, and he was angry with Miss Bennet for encouraging her.

  Yes, that made sense. Mr Darcy was a proud man. He did not want his sister consorting with the sons of stewards. Miss Bennet should have prevented the conversation but she did not. Therefore, Mr Darcy had realised she was an unsuitable companion and had dismissed her. He was travelling to London because he wanted to remove his sister from the vicinity of Mr Wickham �
�� who was no doubt determined to scrape an acquaintance as his father had been of service to the Darcys – and he was going at once.

  Miss Bingley wondered how she could turn this state of affairs to her own profit. She was not always clever, but where her own interest was concerned she sometimes had flashes of brilliance, and she soon came up with a plan. She put it into action at once. Going to Georgiana’s room on the pretext of lending her a book, she found her in tears.

  ‘My dear Georgiana, what is wrong?’ asked Miss Bingley.

  Georgiana made an effort to stifle her sobs, but at last the story came out: she was to go to London immediately, and Miss Elizabeth was to return to Longbourn.

  ‘She has been such a good friend to me,’ sobbed Georgiana. ‘I do not want to lose her.’

  ‘I am sure your brother will change his mind,’ lied Miss Bingley.

  ‘No. He will not. He is adamant that she . . .’

  ‘That she what?’ asked Miss Bingley, rather inelegantly.

  But Georgiana would not be drawn on the subject. Instead she dried her eyes and said, ‘It is so unfair.’

  ‘Am I right in thinking there has been some misunderstanding?’ asked Miss Bingley.

  Georgiana nodded pitifully.

  ‘Then it will sort itself out, but it needs time for the air to clear,’ said Miss Bingley. ‘I hate to see you so distressed. I will come to London with you, to keep you company, but you must not upset your brother by all this weeping.’

  Georgiana dried her eyes.

  ‘I would not upset my brother for the world,’ she said.

  ‘Very well. Now make yourself ready. I am going to speak to your brother.’

  She left Georgiana packing those precious possessions she did not trust to her maid and went downstairs in search of Mr Darcy. She found him in the drawing-room. He was sitting on the sofa, drumming his fingers on its arm.

  ‘I hear you are to go to London,’ she said.

  Mr Darcy gave a curt nod.

  ‘I need to go to London myself, in order to speak to my dressmaker. I wonder if I might beg a seat in your carriage.’

  ‘I must disappoint you, I am afraid. I leave within the hour.’

  ‘That is no impediment. I can be ready very quickly. Let me confess, I am concerned about your sister. I have just spoken to her and she was very tearful. It is not for me to ask why, but I think some female companionship would be helpful to her, and as I understand Miss Elizabeth Bennet is returning to Longbourn I think I would be of use to Miss Darcy.’

  Mr Darcy stopped drumming his fingers and gave the matter some thought.

  ‘If I may say so, I think you were right to dismiss Miss Bennet.’ Miss Bingley steeled her nerve and took a gamble. The root of the problem seemed to be Miss Bennet’s dealings with Mr Wickham and so Miss Bingley said, untruthfully, ‘I have noticed her once or twice speaking to a gentleman by the river, and although I know that such matters are sometimes lax in the country, I cannot think it right for an unchaperoned lady to be speaking to a gentleman in such an intimate fashion. The way Miss Bennet looked around, as if to make sure she was unobserved, made it seem as if there was something clandestine about the whole affair. The gentleman, too, looked round from time to time, as if to ascertain they were not being watched.’

  Mr Darcy was aghast.

  ‘Talking to a gentleman?’ he asked. ‘Do you know who he was?’

  ‘Yes. He was pointed out to me in Meryton as a Mr Wickham.’

  Mr Darcy jumped up and exclaimed, ‘Wickham!’

  Miss Bingley opened her eyes wide and asked, in an innocent voice, ‘Is he known to you?’

  Mr Darcy looked furious and seemed about to speak. Then he controlled himself and paced over to the window. There was no sign as yet of the carriage.

  ‘It is no matter,’ he said, turning back to Miss Bingley. ‘Miss Bennet was not suitable for Miss Darcy’s companion. As you pointed out so wisely to begin with, Miss Darcy needs a woman of more accomplishments to lead her into womanhood.’

  ‘It will take some time for you to arrange it, but at the moment she needs a friend,’ said Miss Bingley. ‘If my company can be of any use to her, I will gladly offer it. You would indeed be doing me a favour by taking me with you to London. I confess I grow tired of the country and I long to see my friends in town.’

  Mr Darcy nodded and bowed.

  ‘Thank you, Miss Bingley. You are a true friend. You, at least, can be trusted,’ he added under his breath.

  Miss Bingley heard, but did not comprehend, this remark. However, she put it aside to puzzle over later.

  ‘I will instruct my maid to pack my things,’ she said. She wanted to be packed and on her way in the Darcy carriage before Mr Darcy had time to think about it and change his mind. She took one more chance, as Mr Darcy seemed disposed to be grateful to her at that moment, and said, ‘I will put up at an hotel.’

  She waited with baited breath for his reply, hoping that he would say she must stay at Darcy House.

  It came at last, and she let her breath go when he said, ‘You must stay with us. I am sure my sister would like to have you there. And you, of course, must be chaperoned. I will invite your sister and brother-in-law as well.’

  ‘You are very kind,’ said Miss Bingley. ‘And now I had better go and speak to my maid. She need only pack enough things for tonight and the rest of my things can be sent on.’

  ‘Do you think your sister can be ready within the hour?’

  Miss Bingley said she was sure it would be possible. She spoke calmly, and Mr Darcy simply nodded, as though it were the easiest thing in the world.

  Miss Bingley thought how fortunate it was that gentlemen never knew what a lot of commotion went into a lady’s packing. If he had known, he would have known it was well nigh impossible. Miss Bingley knew it would involve a whirlwind of activity from every maid in the house. But it must be done. She was not about to lose this opportunity.

  Visions of white silk and winter bouquets danced before her eyes. A church, the sound of bells . . . she was lost for a second in a happy day dream. But only for a second. There was much to be done before she could reach the altar.

  She left the room and went in search of Mrs Hurst. Mrs Hurst was delighted to hear that Miss Bennet had been dismissed.

  ‘This is your chance, Caroline,’ she said. ‘You must make sure of Mr Darcy whilst he is disturbed and upset. Pay attention to his sister, show him you are indispensable and you will be the mistress of Pemberley yet.’

  ‘I will, Louisa, I will! But you must help me. You must be ready to leave in an hour. Can Mr Hurst be ready in such a short time?’

  ‘Mr Hurst will be ready, if I have to carry him to the carriage myself!’ said Mrs Hurst with a determined air. ‘I will instruct my maid to pack only the most necessary items, and I will see to it that Mr Hurst instructs his valet in the same way. They will be able to pack a small amount in an hour. Everything else can be sent on tomorrow. Have no fear, Caroline. We will not let you down.’

  The only thing worrying Miss Bingley was that she was leaving Mr Bingley unguarded. He was becoming uncommonly attentive to Miss Jane Bennet and Miss Bingley did not desire that match at all. But the threat of her brother marrying Miss Jane Bennet paled into insignificance when set against her own chance to marry Mr Darcy.

  She left her maid packing her things and went in search of her brother. She made an effort to persuade Mr Bingley to leave Netherfield Park and return to London with Mr Darcy, in the hope of separating him from Miss Jane Bennet, but he refused.

  ‘No, Caroline, it is impossible! I have promised to hold a ball at Netherfield and half of Meryton is looking forward to it.’

  ‘The invitations have not yet gone out. You can hold it in the New Year.’

  But he refused to change his mind.

  Caroline could do no more. But whatever the outcome there, it was as nothing beside her own very real chance to become Mrs Darcy, and she intended to use all her powers of persuas
ion to that end.

  An hour later, Mr Darcy’s carriage rolled away from Netherfield Park. Inside were Mr Darcy, his sister, Miss Bingley, Mrs Hurst and Mr Hurst. Mr Darcy was silent, Miss Darcy was tearful, and Mr Hurst was soon asleep. Mrs Hurst was thoughtful and Miss Bingley was lost in visions of herself walking down the aisle and standing at the altar with Mr Darcy.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Miss Elizabeth Bennet heard the carriage crunching on the gravel below, and looked out to see it rolling past her bedroom. She was heartbroken to see Georgiana’s face looking out of the carriage window and she raised her hand to wave farewell. But she had no idea if Georgiana saw her, for Georgiana’s attention was claimed by Miss Bingley, whose magnificently plumed bonnet could be seen in the back of the carriage, overshadowing Miss Darcy’s slight figure.

  Then Elizabeth sat down on the edge of her bed and wept.

  She had no idea why she had been dismissed, or why she had been told to leave at such short notice. She had done nothing wrong, and she was grieved to remember Georgiana’s tear-stained face. They had become firm friends and it smote Elizabeth’s heart to be parted from her in such a terrible way.

  But soon her spirit started to return. Elizabeth was not one to be crushed or cowed for long. Her spirit was of a kind to rise and meet challenges, not wilt beneath them.

  She washed her face and then finished her packing.

  How she longed to be at home, and to have her darling Jane there beside her.

  She went downstairs and met Mr Bingley in the hall. He was terribly embarrassed and apologised incoherently for what had happened.

  ‘Darcy’s business must have been very urgent,’ he said. ‘But I am glad you did not go with him. I am looking forward to seeing you at the Netherfield ball, you and your sister – sisters,’ he corrected himself, going red.

  ‘I am looking forward to it, too,’ said Elizabeth with a smile.

  It was the one bright spot of hope in her life, which had otherwise become inexplicably clouded. Mr Bingley had not returned to London, and if things went well, he and Jane would soon make a match. Without Miss Bingley to interfere, Elizabeth thought it would be sooner rather than later.