Unforgiving Temper (16 page)

“Oh, yes you can – and you shall. You must
look to your future, dear – all our futures. If your father takes
another turn, I am sure I do not know what we shall do. The
Collins' would claim Longbourn in an instant and we would all be
turned out in the hedgerows with nothing but the clothes on our
backs. Would you have that on your conscience?”

Jane looked down at her plate, desperate to
escape the obligation of having to answer, to escape the emotions
that threatened to overwhelm her.

Mr. Bennet's condition had not worsened
since the second attack; but neither had he improved. The doctor
had done all he could and now only time would reveal the outcome.
The uncertainty weighed on them all. She knew her mother was driven
by desperation, but the calculated disregard for propriety was too
much. Jane could not make a social call with her father so ill, yet
her mother seemed determined to force just such a thing.

Adding to her concerns was the contradiction
of Caroline Bingley. Last January's abrupt, barely-civil visit to
Jane at the Gardiner's home in Cheapside was in direct opposition
to the warm, gracious words contained in the invitation now lying
beneath her mother's hand. Could she dare hope there was a sincere
change of heart?

And what of the brother? A long, deep pang of
sorrow pierced Jane's heart. There had been no response to her note
explaining why she could not come to tea, and the silent days that
followed had cast serious doubt on the true nature of
Mr. Bingley's sentiments. Her fears were further validated by
her Aunt Phillips' report just this morning of Netherfield being
closed up again. If she were to be honest with herself, she would
acknowledge that Mr. Bingley no longer cared for her. To
accept Caroline Bingley's invitation would be devastating.

“I cannot do this. Please do not insist,” she
implored her mother with every feeling she had.

“But indeed, I do, my dear, I do insist!”
Mrs. Bennet cried, choosing to ignore her daughter's panicked
expression. With eager anticipation she looked out the window,
observing the weather, and was instantly disappointed. “What a
shame it is a lovely day, for if it would rain, mayhap we could
contrive to have you stay over again. Well, we shall just have to
think of something else.”

* * * *

Very grateful to be out of the heat, Jane
handed her gloves and fur-lined pelisse to the footman at
Netherfield's front door and followed Mr. Wilson down the cool,
dark hall. Although Mr. Bingley's carriage had afforded some
shelter from the bright June day, it was not enough to relieve the
discomfort of the heavy velvet gown she wore. Dabbing at the
moisture on her brow, she fervently hoped her mother's ambitions
for a fainting spell would not come to pass.
It would not matter
in any case
, she told herself stubbornly.
He no longer
cares. I will stay only as long as politeness dictates and then
leave
. Hesitating at the door now held open by Wilson, Jane
tried to minimize her flushed appearance then took a deep breath
and entered the sitting room.

Caroline was the first to see her, and by the
amused exchange that passed between Mr. Bingley's two sisters,
Jane knew instantly that her wilted stated could not be overlooked.
Mr. Darcy was kind enough to ignore her appearance and merely
offered a small bow.

Casting a quick glance in Mr. Bingley's
direction, Jane fully expected to be met with polite indifference,
at best; but to her great astonishment, he seemed genuinely happy
to have her standing in his parlor – even in her wretched state.
She had little time to contemplate this latest Bingley
contradiction, however, as Caroline quickly captured her arm and
drew her further into the room.

“Miss Bennet! It is so good of you to
come.”

“I am happy to accept your hospitality,
Miss Bingley. I hope I have not kept you waiting.”

“No, no, not at all! What a lovely gown you
are wearing, my dear. I believe I have never seen velvet in
June.”

“I must confess, I had not expected it to be
quite so warm today,” Jane replied, the redness in her face
deepening.

“It IS June, my dear, and – ”

“And a beautiful day at that, is it not,
Darcy?” Bingley threw his sister a warning glance as he neatly
turned the conversation.

“Yes, Bingley, it is.” Darcy agreed heartily.
“Very similar to Derbyshire this time of year. I think my sister
would agree. Miss Bennet, may I be permitted to introduce you
to her?”

Sister? Jane blinked in surprise. It was then
she noticed the girl standing just behind him. “I would be honored,
Mr. Darcy.”

Bingley joined Darcy and Georgiana as the
introduction was accomplished. After a brief exchange between the
two ladies, he followed Jane and took a seat beside her on the
chaise lounge as Caroline began to pour.

Momentarily flattered by Mr. Bingley's
attention, Jane had to remind herself of his impulsive nature and
was determined that she would not allow him to trifle with her
again.

“Miss Bingley, I hope you do not think
me ungrateful, but with our circumstances at home, I really cannot
stay long.”

“Yes, of course. I understand completely,”
Caroline's smile was a bit too smug. “I would not think of keeping
you from your father's side.”

“Miss Bennet,” Bingley exclaimed
nervously. “Please allow me to offer my condolences on your
father's ill-health. Until Sunday, I had not known the nature of
his illness. May I ask, has he made any improvement?”

“Sunday?” Jane looked to Caroline and her
puzzlement faded with understanding as she saw the blank expression
on Caroline's face. “Thank you for your concern, Mr. Bingley.
He has neither improved nor worsened since the second attack.”

“A second attack? I am very sorry! Is there
anything I can do? May I send for my doctor? He is very good.”

“I thank you, no. That will not be necessary.
My father is resting comfortably at present. We have only to wait
and see. My mother has been greatly affected and keeps to her room
most of the day, but my sisters and I are managing.”

“It must be a great comfort having so many
sisters to share your burden,” Mrs. Hurst remarked with little
sincerity.

“And I remember Miss Eliza being quite
attentive when you took ill during your visit to Netherfield last
year,” Caroline added. “She must be a great comfort to you.”

“My sisters are most helpful and we are doing
well enough; however, my sister, Elizabeth, is not at
Longbourn.”

“Miss Eliza not at Longbourn?” Caroline
pounced on the news with pleasure. “Pray tell us, Miss Bennet,
what could she be thinking to go away at a time like this?”

“Oh, she does not know. Elizabeth received an
invitation to travel with a distant relation for the summer. She
was already away from home when our father took ill.”

Bingley tried to ease her obvious distress.
“I know that you and Miss Elizabeth are very close. It must be
very difficult for you to have her gone.”

“Will her absence be long?” Caroline wickedly
pursued the subject. “Louisa and I were just this morning remarking
on how much we were looking forward to seeing her again.”

“Unfortunately, I cannot say when she will
return, Miss Bingley. The nature of her travels has made it
difficult to communicate and we have not had a letter from her as
yet.”

Mr. Darcy's tone was somber as he seated
Georgiana across from Jane, choosing not to sit himself. “I am
sorry for your difficulty, Miss Bennet. My sister and I hope
that Miss Elizabeth may return soon, for your benefit and that
of your family. My sister had hoped to make her acquaintance during
our visit. Perhaps there will be another time.”

“Yes, I hope so. I am sorry for your
disappointment, Miss Darcy.”

Georgiana smiled shyly at Jane. “Having the
pleasure of your company today, Miss Bennet, I eagerly await
the opportunity of meeting your sister. I have heard so much about
her, and I hope our meeting shall not be long in coming.”

Caroline fairly seethed with vexation at the
attention Elizabeth managed to garner from Mr. Darcy and his
sister without even being in the room. One sister was bad enough,
but two of them was intolerable!

Jane stayed above an hour before rising to
take her leave. Mr. Bingley's attentions to her during the
visit had been pleasing, and his behavior more admiring than ever,
but she was resolved to keep her emotions in check. After the
disappointment of his departure last November, his recent plans for
another abrupt departure without explanation or farewell struck her
with tremendous force. She could not think so ill of him as to
believe him a rake, but clearly he was of an unsteady character;
not a man she could trust, no matter what her heart tried to tell
her.

* * * *

Happy to see the end of a very long day,
Darcy opened the door to his rooms and finally allowed his thoughts
free reign.

As Denham silently assisted in removing the
layers of clothing, Darcy considered the events of the day. Jane
Bennet had accepted the invitation to tea, yes; but her visit had
been marked by a change in her manner toward Bingley that even he
could see. She was more reserved and cautious than he had ever seen
her – more so than she seemed months ago, when he thought her
indifferent. With every fiber of his being, he prayed that it was
not too late for his friend.

Having finished the nightly ritual, Denham
bid his master a good-night and disappeared through the servant's
door. Darcy stood in his dressing gown and considered the inviting
chair and decanter of brandy that had been set out for him. With a
small smile, he acknowledged Denham's uncanny ability to anticipate
his needs, sometimes even before he knew them himself. Although
knowing his valet's purpose behind the gesture was to soothe the
effects of an evening with Caroline Bingley, it was with thoughts
of Elizabeth Bennet that Darcy took up the glass and filled it,
unsure if his inner turmoil was caused by relief or disappointment.
Only after the brandy had taken effect did Darcy allow himself to
examine his most painful thoughts – was Elizabeth’s absence mere
happenstance or by design?

Further contemplation of Jane’s visit and her
sister’s absence from home filled Darcy's head with more unanswered
questions. Did she anticipate his coming to Netherfield with
Bingley? Had she purposely avoided his company? He could not bear
to consider the answers. He knew he should accept the finality this
news demonstrated of his situation with Elizabeth, but his heart
would not let him. Surely there was some way he could show her that
he had changed, that he had listened to her objections of him and
worked daily to improve his character in a way that she would
approve.

Darcy filled the glass once more and took a
long, contemplative sip. The once great desire to banish Elizabeth
Bennet from his thoughts had long since been replaced with the
knowledge that she would always be a part of him. His life had been
changed for the better because of her. He did not believe it likely
he could ever claim her heart, but he did hope for her good
opinion. He dreaded meeting her, yet the thought of never seeing
her again was insupportable. He couldn't bear to think that she was
in this world and thinking ill of him. He desired – he needed – her
good opinion and he had to find a way of securing it.

For now, there was nothing more he could do
in Hertfordshire. At breakfast he would tell Bingley of his plans
to leave.

The sound of
Caroline Bingley's voice halted Darcy's step outside the breakfast
room door. What was she doing up so early? He paused, debating the
benefits of a good breakfast against the irritation of the woman's
disagreeable temper which seemed to be only increasing.

“It is very rude of you to insist on my
company, Charles. You did not insist on Louisa getting up at this
unpleasant hour!”

“It is not Louisa who is being difficult, it
is you; and you will do as I say.”

“Jane Bennet was just here,” Caroline forced
herself to soften the edge in her voice. “We can wait a few days.
Why must we go this morning – and at such an early hour? It is
barely polite and certainly not fashionable!”

“Fashionable or not, we are going. It was
obvious from Miss Bennet's visit yesterday that her situation
is much worse than I had guessed – and you will kindly refrain from
any more looks of that sort. I want her to feel she can count on us
for any help she may need. I cannot do that without you.”

“What good can I be? She was as distant to me
as she was to you.”

“Exactly. And that is why you will go and be
as friendly and inviting as you can manage. You will give
Miss Bennet every assurance of your friendship – and mine. Now
finish your breakfast, the carriage is waiting.”

Deciding he was not so hungry after all, and
deeming a ride in the fresh air to be a better choice, Darcy headed
for the stables. As he passed the staircase, he saw Georgiana
coming down and halted his hurried steps. “Good morning, Georgie,”
he said, taking up her hand for a kiss.

“Good morning, Fitzwilliam. Where are you off
to in such a hurry?” she asked lightly.

“I had thought to go for a ride; but now that
you are here, I shall accompany you to breakfast. May I?”

He was not about to leave his sister alone
with Caroline Bingley, not this morning. Gathering a fortifying
breath, he gave Georgiana a broad smile and led the way back to the
breakfast room.

“Good morning, Charles,
Miss Bingley.”

“Darcy! Miss Darcy! It is an excellent
morning! I am sorry to be leaving you to yourselves, but Caroline
and I were just about to make a call at Longbourn.”

“Longbourn?” Georgiana asked with interest.
“Is that not Miss Bennet's home?”