The Engagement Page 8

  Elizabeth and Jane welcomed Mrs. Gardiner warmly into their company with both enthusiasm and a degree of quiet relief. Their mother, although always devoted to accompanying her daughters to social meetings, was often a source of acute embarrassment for the sisters. With Mrs Gardiner in attendance they had no such fears.

  They were to arrive at Darcy’s townhouse at six, but as Mrs. Gardiner needed more time to prepare herself, it was nearly half past when the carriage stopped in front of a tall, white town house.

  Elizabeth had never seen it before, and even though it was not the largest out of the ones lining the street, she could hardly call it ‘modest,’ as Darcy persistently referred to it

  . “There you are!” Mr. Bingley exclaimed, hurrying out of the front entrance with Darcy close behind him. “We were worried that something unfortunate had happened.”

  “Mama felt unwell and could not attend,” Jane explained as she accepted Bingley’s hand, stepping out of the carriage. “Mrs. Gardiner agreed to join us for the evening.”

  “Excellent! Excellent!” Mr. Bingley exclaimed, even though soon he realized that his enthusiasm was perhaps not in place. “I do hope that Mrs. Bennet will soon feel better,” he added with feeling, trying to cover his earlier blunder.

  “She is exhausted and needed rest more than anything,” Elizabeth assured.

  With great care Mr. Darcy helped Mrs. Gardiner down, offering his arm to her. “It is a great pleasure to welcome you in my home,” he spoke with sincerity.

  Mrs. Gardiner thanked him with a smile and together they entered the house.

  Their outer clothing was promptly taken away and they were led upstairs to the reception room situated on the first floor.

  Elizabeth entered the tall and long room furnished with sofas, settees, and chairs as well as smaller and bigger tables. She found it perfect for entertaining guests.

  Georgiana sprang to her feet to greet them, and it was only after they had settled down on the sofas in the middle of the room when Elizabeth noticed another woman sitting opposite them.

  “Good evening, Eliza,” Caroline Bingley said. “I did not expect to see you here.”

  Elizabeth nodded her head at the tall redhead in acknowledgment of her company but said nothing in return. She did not know why Miss Bingley was here, but she had no intention of having a conversation with her. All too well she remembered her role in separating Mr. Bingley from Jane.

  Jane, being her good and kind self, began speaking to Caroline. However, Elizabeth noticed that her sister was quite reserved and cautious in her manner and words. Caroline on her part was polite towards her future sister but hardly enthusiastic.

  Elizabeth concentrated her attention on Georgiana and Mrs. Gardiner, but with the corner of her eye she caught a glimpse of Miss Bingley’s attire. She was dressed in an elaborate bright green dress with orange ribbons and an orange turban with green feathers. It hurt one’s eyes to look at this ensemble for longer than a short moment.

  Elizabeth found it very rude that Caroline entirely ignored Mrs. Gardiner. She should have at the very least acknowledged an older married woman with a polite greeting.

  Georgiana and Mrs. Gardiner were engaged in an animated conversation. Elizabeth, assured that her aunt was in good company, made her way to Darcy, who stood by the fireplace, talking with his friend. As soon as Mr. Bingley saw her approaching, he excused himself to give them some privacy. He took a seat next to Jane, listening to her conversation with his sister.

  “Are you well, my love?” Darcy asked, following her gaze as she stared at Jane and Caroline.

  “Why is she here?”

  “Bingley told me that she returned from Scarborough earlier today, unannounced. It seems that their relatives could not bear her for much longer, and she longed for London. I understand that she is here on the condition she be kind to Jane. Charles is in charge of her inheritance and monthly allowance, after all, and I daresay that he was forced to remind her of that.”

  Elizabeth nodded in understanding while her eyes were on Jane.

  “Do not be concerned, Caroline has too much to lose to misbehave now.”

  At last Elizabeth tore her attention away from the other end of the room, looking back at Darcy. “It was a rather unwelcome surprise to meet her here.”

  “I could not forbid her from coming,” he explained. “I am afraid that we will have to welcome her at Pemberley occasionally.”

  “Not too often, I hope.”

  Darcy reached his hand to touch her shoulder, stroking it in a soothing motion. “Do not allow her person to bother you.”

  “I cannot forget how she betrayed Jane’s trust. She befriended her to amuse herself only to abandon her when Jane was no longer needed. I can only hope that Jane will be more careful this time.”

  “Jane needs to be civil to Caroline, as they will be sisters. However, I doubt that she will allow herself to be fooled by her one more time.”

  “I do hope so.”

  “Let us change the subject,” Darcy proposed. “Can I offer you anything to drink before dinner?”

  “A glass of wine, perhaps?”

  “A half glass,” he agreed, stepping to the small table which hosted various drinks and glasses. “You should not drink too much, especially not on an empty stomach. We both know how it will end.”

  Elizabeth rolled her eyes at him. “We both know that the wine you gave me that night was quite strong.”

  “That was my mistake,” he agreed, handing her the glass half filled with red liquid. “This one is milder.”

  Elizabeth took a sip. “It is sweet as well, I like it.”

  “It is Georgiana’s favourite.”

  Elizabeth enjoyed her drink, sipping slowly as Darcy stood close to her, his hand placed on the small of her back, his thumb drawing small circles, making her warm inside and a little drowsy. She could feel someone’s gaze burning into her back, and as she glanced back she saw Caroline Bingley staring daggers in her direction.

  “Tired?” he asked, pulling her closer into his embrace, draping his arm behind her back.

  “We picked quite a few dresses for Jane today, but it consumed almost the entire morning and most of the afternoon.”

  “Successful day, then?”

  “Yes, but there are many purchases yet to be done in the following days. I am not surprised that Mama developed a headache.”

  “Perhaps you should rest for a day or two.”

  “Oh, no, Mama will not hear of it. She is like a general planning the campaign before the battle. Nothing will deter her from her task until the wedding day arrives.”

  Loud cries coming from the other side interrupted them. “Charles, Charles, is that the truth?” Caroline demanded. “Tell me this instant!”

  Mr. Bingley mumbled something, but Elizabeth only saw his mouth move and was not able to understand much. Caroline stood up with such force that the chair on which she was seated fell backwards. Elizabeth watched as she marched towards them, her face red, her expression furious.

  “You!” she exclaimed, pointing at Elizabeth. “Your fault!”

  Elizabeth’s eyes widened as she looked up at Darcy, who stood calmly by her side.

  “It has been your doing! Everything!” Caroline accused, her chest heaving. “Crass, coarse and vulgar, with no consequence to the world! How dare you! You are no one. He will hate you!” She pointed to Darcy this time. “He will hate you,” she repeated. “His family will never accept you! You will ruin him!”

  Elizabeth had no opportunity to react to such an outburst of violence and fury because Darcy stepped decidedly in front of her, protecting her from Caroline’s assault.

  “Madam, I must ask you to leave my home,” he spoke in a deep, cold voice.

  “You must come to your senses, Darcy!” Caroline insisted. “She made a fool of you! Can you not see it?”

  Darcy took a step forward. “Leave now or I will have the butler throw you out on the street,” he threatened.

/>   “Caroline, that is quite enough!”

  Elizabeth looked in amazement at Mr. Bingley, who suddenly appeared by their side. She had never heard him speaking in such a firm voice. His sister, however, decided to ignore him and surged forward, attempting with her outstretched hands to reach Elizabeth past Darcy’s broad shoulder.

  Caroline let out a long screech as her brother wrapped his arms around her waist, dragging her away from Darcy and Elizabeth.

  Silence fell in the room, but the sounds of Caroline’s shrieks were still heard throughout the house.

  “Excuse me,” Darcy said, walking stiffly out of the room.

  Elizabeth slowly returned to her previous place, sitting by her aunt.

  It was Jane who spoke first. “Caroline was not aware of your engagement, Lizzy.”

  “How could she not?” Elizabeth enquired.

  “She has been in the north with her aunt for the last two months. Mr. Bingley informed her of our engagement, but he neglected to tell her of yours with Mr. Darcy.”

  “He should have told her,” Mrs. Gardiner said grimly. “We might have been spared this pitiful and embarrassing scene.”

  Georgiana stood up and walked to the window, pushing away the curtain to look down at the street. “Mr. Bingley is putting Miss Bingley into the carriage. My brother is with them.”

  Mrs. Gardiner touched Elizabeth’s arm. “How are you feeling, Lizzy?”

  Elizabeth smiled bravely. “I certainly had not expected such an outcome this evening.”

  “That woman is out of her mind,” Mrs. Gardiner stated.

  “It was quite a surprise for her, I believe,” Jane spoke, looking apologetically at her sister, moving to sit on her other side. “Aunt is right. Charles should have informed her about your engagement before bringing her here.”

  “Perhaps he should have, but he had no responsibility to do that,” Mrs. Gardiner said. “And she should not have behaved in such a way upon hearing the news. Elizabeth’s engagement is not a concern of hers.”

  Georgiana returned to her seat, looking over the three women seated closely together on one sofa. “Should I play some music?” she asked quietly, interrupting the silence.

  Mrs. Gardiner kindly smiled at her. “Yes, dear, that would be lovely.”

  Within a minute the music began. Georgiana’s long fingers were flying over the white and black keys, but Elizabeth could barely concentrate her attention on the beautiful composition. She had known that Caroline Bingley disliked her. However, she would have never expected such an outburst on her part. She felt for Jane. She could not imagine how her sister should behave in this situation. After all, Caroline was her future sister, and that could not be changed. She would not disappear from their lives.

  Georgiana finished playing, and shortly after, dinner was announced. They decided to eat, not waiting for Darcy, as it was impossible to guess how soon he would return. The conversation at the table concerned shopping and the plans for the rest of their stay in London. None of the ladies mentioned Caroline and what happened before.

  It was quite late in the evening when Mrs. Gardiner decided that it was high time for them to go back to Cheapside. As the ladies were putting on their coats and bonnets in the foyer, dutifully accompanied by Georgiana, Darcy entered the house.

  “You are leaving already?” he spoke.

  “It is nearly ten in the evening, Mr. Darcy,” Mrs. Gardiner pointed out gently.

  Darcy stepped towards the older woman, although his eyes were focused on Elizabeth. “Allow me to apologize for what transpired earlier this evening. Had I known, had I predicted, I would have never allowed Miss Bingley to join us tonight, or any other occasion for that matter.”

  “The fault is not yours, Mr. Darcy,” Mrs. Gardiner assured him with smile. “None of us could have guessed that we might witness such an unpleasant event. Pray tell me, how is that poor woman feeling?”

  “Poor woman?” Elizabeth snorted, challenging her aunt with a fierce stare of her dark green eyes.

  “Anyone who acts in such a way in public cannot be entirely sane, Lizzy,” Mrs. Gardiner justified.

  “Definitely not quite right in her mind.”

  “I believe that you are correct, Mrs. Gardiner,” Darcy agreed with her. “Miss Bingley was in hysterics during the short carriage ride, and she did not calm herself after arriving at their residence. Bingley was forced to ask me to bring the physician.”

  “Is she any better?” Jane asked.

  “I do not know. I left soon after I brought the physician for her. I believe that Miss Bingley suffered from a mental breakdown of sorts. Let us hope that the physician will manage to help her.”

  “Yes, let us hope that Miss Bingley will feel better soon,” Mrs. Gardiner said before glancing at her nieces. “Ladies, it is high time for us to leave. Mr. Gardiner must be worried why we have not returned yet.”

  The whole company walked out to the awaiting carriage. Darcy first handed Mrs. Gardiner, then Jane and his betrothed. He held Elizabeth’s hand longer, saying quietly, “Forgive me, dearest.”

  “It is not your fault, Fitzwilliam.”

  “I should have reacted sooner, asked her to leave before she had opportunity to speak to you.”

  “Will I see you tomorrow?”

  He nodded. “I will come around four.”

  “We will be home.”

  Darcy shut the door and Elizabeth watched him standing on the pavement, watching their carriage driving away.

  On the way to Cheapside, the ladies decided that there was no point in informing Mrs. Bennet about exactly what had happened that evening. It was enough to say that Miss Bingley had simply felt unwell and was forced to return home earlier than the rest of the company.

  Chapter Nine

  The next day, both Elizabeth and Jane woke up quite late. Their shopping plans had to be delayed until midday. At breakfast, Mrs. Bennet was very curious about their visit to the Darcy townhouse, asking detailed questions about the size of the rooms, the number of servants and the food which was served.

  “Miss Bingley was there, then?” Mrs. Bennet asked, eyeing her eldest daughter.

  Jane nodded. “Yes, she was, Mama.”

  “Was she pleasant to you?”

  The sisters exchanged a quick look before Jane answered, “Quite pleasant. However, she became unwell shortly before dinner was served, and Mr. Bingley had to escort her home.”

  “Did he return later on? From what I understand, his residence is quite close to Darcy’s.”

  “He did not return, Mama.”

  Mrs. Bennet shook her head in displeasure. “I do not like it, Jane. If he left before dinner, you spent no time with him at all. I hope that Caroline Bingley is not trying to separate her brother from you again. I remember all too well how she snubbed you last winter. She befriended you only to abandon you later, taking Mr. Bingley away with her.”

  “I do not believe that is the case now, Mama.”

  “Mr. Bingley should put his foot down with her. He controls her expenses, after all. It would be enough to cut her monthly allowance to remind her of her place. I will have to talk to him about it personally.”

  “I beg you not to do it,” Jane pleaded. “I am certain that Charles knows what he is doing when it comes to his sister.”

  Mrs. Bennet reached her hand to touch her eldest daughter’s smooth, creamy cheek. “You are too good, Jane, much too good and kind. You will be Mrs. Charles Bingley in a short time, and Caroline must understand that you will be in charge from now on, and not her. As for Caroline’s expenses, I firmly believe that Mr. Bingley gives her too much pocket money. At her age she should start looking for a husband, not living off her brother, who will soon have his own family with its own needs.”

  “I beg you, Mama, not to discuss this with Mr. Bingley,” Jane repeated.

  “Do not fret, Jane. I can be a diplomat when there is such a need. I will find just the right moment to express my worries to Mr. Bingley. However,
I cannot allow some spinster like Caroline Bingley to influence the relationship with your husband. I will not allow my girls to be harmed in any way.”

  With those words Mrs. Bennet looked around the table with triumph in her big blue eyes. The Gardiners chose to stay silent, abstaining from offering their opinion. Mr. Gardiner was reading his morning newspaper, frowning over some article, while his wife was quietly guiding their youngest boy on how to handle the fork without spilling the eggs all over his clothes. The older children were busy with their food, taught from the earliest age that they should be seen but not heard at the table during the meal.

  Elizabeth considered reasoning with her mother that it was not her place to advise Mr. Bingley on how he should treat his sister, but in the end she decided that her intervention would bring more harm than good. Moreover, she agreed wholeheartedly with Mrs. Bennet that Caroline Bingley should not be trusted.

  Jane stared at her plate, red faced, sad and embarrassed. Elizabeth did not envy her. While Elizabeth was gaining a new sister in Georgiana, a kind and intelligent young lady who would be an excellent companion and a friend, Jane was faced with entering the family where Caroline would be every day a nuisance. Mrs. Bennet was right that it would be much easier for Jane if Caroline got engaged and married. There was little chance, though, that it would happen anytime soon. Caroline’s personality and behaviour was scaring reasonable men away from her. Moreover, Miss Bingley wished to become Mrs. Darcy of Pemberley, and Elizabeth doubted that would change in the near future.

  ***

  Elizabeth, Jane and Mrs. Bennet returned from their shopping trip that day a mere quarter of an hour before Darcy and Bingley arrived to visit the ladies. When the gentlemen arrived, Mrs. Gardiner was busy with the children; Mr. Gardiner was away, inspecting the warehouses; and Mrs. Bennet decided that she was too tired to stay with the guests.