Unforgiving Temper (58 page)

“I do not understand. I thought your opinion
of Mr. Darcy was improved. He and his sister were kind to you
in London, were they not?”

“They were very kind to me. No one could have
been more so,” Elizabeth murmured softly before resuming her
brushing with brisk strokes. “It is just that I am home now and
things are different.”

“Not so very different,” Jane teased. “At
least not yet. We have one more week together before I am married,
and we must make the most of every moment! In any case, you are
safe from Mr. Darcy today for Charles told me he is not
arriving until tomorrow. So, I refuse to accept no for an answer.
You must come, if only to make me happy! You have been far too
somber and melancholy of late.”

Elizabeth pressed her lips tightly and blew
out a great sigh. “Very well, I shall go if you insist.”

Happily, Jane spun around in triumph, then
caught sight of Elizabeth's pained expression before it was quickly
concealed.

“Lizzy? What is it?”

“What do you mean?” Elizabeth hedged, knowing
full well that Jane had witnessed the brief break in her show of
indifference.

“I mean something is troubling you. You may
hide it from the others, but I have seen that look too many times
these past weeks when you think no one is looking. Please, tell
me.”

“There is nothing to tell. This is a time to
celebrate your well-deserved happiness. I would not do anything to
take away the smallest part of it!”

“Lizzy –” Jane took the brush from
Elizabeth's hand and pulled her down next to her. “You are unhappy
and that makes me unhappy. You know that. My mind will not be at
ease until I know what is wrong.”

“This is not the time, Jane. I am well
enough. Truly.”

Jane looked askance at Elizabeth's stoic
expression. “Do you really think I will be satisfied with that?
Please do not shut me out these last few days we have
together.”

It took another moment before Elizabeth's
shoulders slumped in defeat. “This is one time I wish that you did
not know me so well. I had hoped to see you wed and incandescently
happy as Mrs. Charles Bingley before I would have to say
anything.”

Taking up the brush again, Elizabeth rose and
swept it through Jane's hair in long, slow strokes as she ordered
her turbulent thoughts.

“When I was in London…no, that will not do. I
believe I must go back to my visit with Charlotte last spring.”

“Last spring?” Jane looked confused. “Do you
mean to tell me you have carried this with you all this time and
you said nothing. Tell me what happened!”

“When we met in London at the end of my visit
to Kent, you were so unhappy with the outcome of your own stay in
London that I could not bear to burden you with my own
troubles.”

“Troubles? Oh, Lizzy! I am sorry. I should
have been more attentive. I should have – ”

“ – been exactly as you were. Your heart was
broken! How could you be anything else? Besides, at the time, I had
no idea it would turn out like this.”

“Turned out like what?”

Knowing she could no longer avoid relating
what had passed between herself and Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth
resigned herself to her fate. At this point, it would be better to
just come straight to the point and get it over with.

“When I was visiting Charlotte in Kent,
Mr. Darcy was there also, visiting his aunt,
Lady Catherine. We spent some time together and ultimately, he
made me an offer, which I refused.”

“An offer…of marriage?! Mr. Darcy?” Jane
gasped in surprise. “That is astonishing! Not that it is surprising
he should want to marry you; but he always seemed so severe.” She
sat in utter dismay, trying to comprehend the news. “And you
refused him?”

“Yes, well – I will say in my defense that
his mode of declaration was far from flattering, but I fear the
manner of my answer was equal to that of his offer. It was not an
agreeable exchange.”

“Oh, my! No wonder you do not want to see
him. If I had known, I would have tried to dissuade Charles from
having Mr. Darcy come at all.”

“No, Jane. They are the best of friends and I
would not wish to deprive Mr. Bingley at such a happy
time.”

“Charles would understand, I am sure of it.
Perhaps it is discomforting for Mr. Darcy as well.”

“I cannot speak for Mr. Darcy.” A wave
of loss washed over Elizabeth, flooding her mind with thoughts of
their last interview. “As for me, so much has happened to alter my
opinion since that unfortunate affair. As you once suggested, he
did indeed improve upon closer acquaintance, very much so.” The
wave swelled again, filling her eyes with unwelcome tears as she
whispered, “Oh, Jane! Such a union would have answered my every
dream!”

“Then you do not dislike him? You are in
love
with him?!” Utterly astonished, Jane's eyes sought
Elizabeth's in the mirror. Seeing the abject misery reflected in
them, she turned and gently wrapped her arms around her sister. “I
am sorry, Lizzy! Perhaps it is possible to regain his good opinion.
You did say your stay with the Darcys was pleasant.”

“It may have been possible at one time,”
Elizabeth replied, drawing a ragged breath. “Indeed, he was most
attentive while I was at Burnham House, and I was hopeful – that
is, until I received your letter telling me of Lydia's elopement
with Mr. Wickham.”

“It was a terrible thing at first, but it all
came to a satisfactory ending. They are married now. Surely he will
not hold that against you.”

“No, he would not; but that particular
connection has dashed any chance of another offer from
Mr. Darcy,
especially
now that they are married.”

“I do not understand. How can that be a bad
thing?”

“Mr. Wickham has done a great injustice
to the Darcys, one that can never be forgiven. As he has now
married our sister, it would be impossible for Mr. Darcy to
renew his addresses to me.”

“This is dreadful! Can nothing be done?”

“No, there is nothing, and I have only myself
to blame. Had I not been so blinded by my prejudice, things might
have been very different.” Dashing the glistening drops from her
cheeks, Elizabeth sat Jane down in front of the mirror once more
and attempted to lighten the mood. “As it is, I shall become the
maiden aunt who shall teach your ten children to embroider cushions
and play the piano forte very ill!”

“Lizzy, do not say such a thing!”

“Nevertheless, it is true. Fortunate for me,
Mama is content you have made a match that shall save us all from
the hedgerows!” Elizabeth's smile faded as quickly as it had come.
“No, I shall not marry. I cannot have what I desire and I now know
I cannot settle for anything less.”

The sisters fell silent, neither knowing what
else to say as Elizabeth began weaving Jane's hair into silken
braids.

“As for today,” Elizabeth finally exclaimed,
“we shall go to Netherfield and have a lovely time – in spite of
Caroline Bingley – and then I shall keep to myself as much as
possible until the wedding is over. Just have a care after you are
married not to invite me for a visit when Mr. Darcy is
about!”

* * * *

Charles Bingley turned from the window as
Caroline swept into Netherfield's drawing room, wearing an
expectant look which quickly faded when she saw her brother was the
sole occupant.

“Caroline, Jane and her sister will be here
any moment and I expect you to be the model of hospitality.”
Charles eyed his sister meaningfully. “The sooner you accept that
Jane is going to be my wife and the mistress of this house, the
better it will be for you.”

Caroline faced her brother wide-eyed.
“Charles, really! I think Jane Bennet is a delightful creature and
I am astonished that you would speak to me so.”

“Do not play the innocent with me. I
overheard your conversation with Mrs. Crenshaw yesterday. Wedding
or no, you will be back in Scarborough before the week is out if I
hear so much as a whisper of scandal coming from your lips
again.”

“Oh, Charles, do be reasonable! The entire
Bennet family is simply dreadful – except for your dear, sweet
Jane, of course. The father is a useless invalid, the mother has
not the least idea what it means to have good manners, and the
youngest daughter is a ridiculous flirt who eloped with the son of
a steward.”

“That is enough, Caroline.”

“Louisa is quite right, you know. Grandfather
and Father are sure to be turning over in their graves. They spent
their whole lives working to raise our family's position in
society, only to have you pull us down with such poor connections.
Mrs. Crenshaw told me all about Miss Eliza Bennet's mysterious
travels. I find the whole explanation entirely too neat. Heaven
only knows what she
really
did all those months she was
gone. How do you expect me to make a suitable match if our friends
hear – ”

“Enough!” snapped Charles. “You know nothing
about it, and I forbid you to utter another word against the Bennet
family!”

Caroline's petulant expression crumpled under
her brother's glare. Any further attempt to dissuade him from what
she obviously thought a disastrous course was prevented by the
entrance of a footman. Charles' full attention was immediately
diverted as he spied Jane and Elizabeth following behind.

“Ladies, welcome to Netherfield!” he
exclaimed heartily.

Turning to the two sisters with a broad
smile, Caroline's greeting was almost as enthusiastic as her
brother's.

“Jane, dear, we are so happy you could come –
and Miss Eliza, too!” As the new arrivals rose from their curtsey,
Caroline quickly latched onto Jane's arm, pulling her a few steps
away from Elizabeth, but it was not enough to prevent being
overheard. “I am so glad your poor sister decided to come. I do not
imagine she has had much opportunity to be in good company since
she – well, since she returned to Hertfordshire. Charles and I are
resolved to do everything we can to help her back into society. You
must not let this little setback worry you in the least.”

Looking back to Elizabeth, whose expression
gave no indication Caroline's impertinent remarks had had any
effect, Jane offered a hesitant smile that brightened considerably
as Charles came forward to claim her from his sister. “Come, my
dear, sit near the fire and warm yourself. Miss Elizabeth,
please sit here. I hope you found the ride from Longbourn
comfortable and you are not too chilled by the weather.”

“Not at all,” Jane assured him, her cheeks
already glowing under his gaze. “Thank you for sending your
carriage.”

Elizabeth smiled inwardly at her sister's
radiance. Nothing would induce her to spoil this time for her, not
even Mr. Bingley's superior sister. “Yes, we were quite
comfortable. You are very kind.”

“I cannot tell you how glad I am that you
came, Miss Elizabeth,” Bingley pronounced warmly. “I have not
seen you for some time. You seem to be always out walking when I
have come to call at Longbourn.”

“You do not find the weather too formidable?”
Caroline asked with feigned concern.

“Actually, I find it quite invigorating this
time of year.”

“Ah, yes, you are a great walker, as I
recall.”

“Yes, I enjoy the exercise; and it has the
advantage of greater solitude as those less enthusiastic are wont
to stay indoors. It is not for the faint of heart. Would you not
agree, Miss Bingley?”

Bingley cleared his throat as Caroline opened
her mouth to respond, sending a warning to keep to herself the
retort he saw coming. It also had the unintended result of turning
everyone's attention to himself. After an obvious effort to think
of something to say, his face brightened.

“I almost forgot!” he cried cheerfully. “I
have not yet told you of our surprise.”

Elizabeth smiled. “A surprise? I must
confess, Mr. Bingley, you are such an unpredictable creature
that it is almost impossible
not
to be surprised at anything
you do!”

“I am happy to say that I am not the only one
who can be unpredictable; and I believe this particular surprise
may be of special interest to you, Miss Elizabeth. I had no
idea of – ” Bingley's speech and Elizabeth's growing curiosity were
interrupted by Caroline's sudden exclamation.

“Mr. Darcy! We were beginning to think
you had forgotten us!”

Elizabeth froze at Caroline's greeting,
unwilling to believe what she had heard.
Please, not him – not
now!
But the deep, resonant voice that came in reply was indeed
that of the very person she had hoped to avoid. Her heart pounded
violently, feeling as if it would burst at any moment. Frantically
she looked everywhere but at him, struggling to keep at bay the
warmth she felt flooding her cheeks. What would he think of her
after all that had passed in the nearly two months since she had
left Burnham House? Would he show his disapproval – or worse still,
would he be patronizing and condescending?

Obviously uncomfortable with the outburst
directed toward him, Darcy bowed with measured movement, first to
Caroline and then to Elizabeth and Jane. “My apologies for keeping
you all waiting. There was an unavoidable delay which prevented me
from being as punctual as I would have liked.”

“Do not trouble yourself, Mr. Darcy,”
Caroline chirped brightly. “You have not kept us waiting at all. In
fact, Miss Bennet and her sister have only just arrived. Is
that not so, Charles?” She turned to her brother with a brilliant
smile and then back to Darcy. “So you see, you have not missed a
thing. Do come sit down. I was just about to ring for tea.”

With each step that brought him closer,
Elizabeth found it more and more difficult to breathe.
Why did I
not stay home safe and sound in my own room!

She knew he had settled near
Mr. Bingley, but she could not bring herself to look at him. A
glance at Jane was enough to know that her sister was just as
surprised and plainly distressed. She also saw that Jane was
blaming herself for the misery of the situation and she could not
allow that. Finally summoning the courage to face him, Elizabeth
had the misfortune of looking in his direction at the very same
moment Caroline chose to pursue the worst of all possible
subjects.