The Engagement Page 9

  Elizabeth was grateful to her mother that she had left them alone, and she knew that Jane shared her feelings. Mrs. Bennet always made sure that her eldest daughters could spend as much private time with their future husbands as it was possible, often bending the rules of propriety.

  “How is Caroline feeling?” Jane asked as soon as they were left alone.

  “Not too well, I am afraid,” Mr. Bingley said. “There is some improvement from yesterday. She is not weeping anymore. She stares at some point in front of her, not answering any questions, refusing to eat.”

  “What is the physician’s opinion?” Elizabeth asked.

  “Nervous breakdown. We explained the situation to him, and he interpreted it in such a way; for the last couple of years Caroline put all her efforts, thoughts and attention into becoming Mrs. Darcy. In her mind she had already seen herself as such. When she suddenly learned that another woman replaced her, she lost control over herself.”

  “She is truly ill,” Jane spoke with concern.

  “I am very worried,” Mr. Bingley said, his expression grave. “No one in our family has ever suffered from mental illness. I fear that her state will only deteriorate.”

  “A change of scenery might help,” Elizabeth suggested.

  “Indeed it might. The physician said exactly the same. Unfortunately, Caroline cannot go alone. Mrs. Hurst is currently with child, and as they have been waiting for so long to become parents, my brother refused to allow her to exert herself now. Also, I am afraid that our relatives in Scarborough will be most reluctant to invite her again, especially in her current state. She was less than pleasant during her last stay there. No one is missing her.”

  “You have to go with your sister,” Jane stated calmly.

  Bingley moved to sit next to her, taking her hand in both of his. “Dearest Jane, I simply have to go with her. I cannot leave her now. I thought that Ramsgate or some other quiet seaside village should be suitable to calm her nerves.”

  “It is only natural that you have to go,” Jane agreed with him. “I would have done exactly the same for any of my sisters.”

  “Thank you, dearest.” Bingley kissed her hand repeatedly. “You are too good. Other women would not tolerate such a sudden departure of the betrothed only a few weeks before the wedding.”

  Jane smiled bravely. “Let us hope that Caroline’s health will improve enough so that she can attend the ceremony.”

  “Miss Bingley will not be present at my wedding,” Darcy, who had been silent so far, announced.

  “We cannot know that, Mr. Darcy,” Jane countered gently. “She may feel well enough to participate.”

  “I wish her rapid return to health. However, I do not look forward to seeing her again anytime soon,” Darcy responded coldly, his eyes narrowed. “I will not allow her near Elizabeth or my sister.”

  “Is that not too harsh?” Jane enquired.

  Darcy shook his head. “No, it is not. Caroline Bingley assaulted Elizabeth. If I had not been standing close by, I cannot even imagine how it would have ended.”

  “I do not blame you, Darcy,” Mr. Bingley supported him. “Even if Caroline’s condition improves enough for her to be in the company again, I do not believe that she should attend our wedding.”

  “It is settled, then,” Darcy said, raising to his feet and walking to stand by the window.

  “Miss Elizabeth,” Bingley said, turning his attention to his future sister. “I cannot express how deeply sorry I am for the distress that you experienced last evening. It was my mistake that I had not informed my sister about your engagement to Darcy earlier on. In my defence, though, I was convinced that she had already heard about it.”

  “It is not your fault, Mr. Bingley,” Elizabeth assured him graciously. “No one could have predicted the events of last evening, not even Caroline, I believe.”

  “I do not understand Caroline’s fixation,” Darcy spoke from his spot by the window. “I have never done anything to encourage her affection.”

  “I think that it is her own imagination that is her worst enemy,” Elizabeth observed. “She allowed herself to believe in something which only existed in her own head.”

  “When are you leaving London?” Jane asked, her eyes on Bingley.

  “The day after tomorrow,” he responded, kissing her hand again.

  They did not speak more on the subject of Miss Bingley or Bingley’s departure because the little Gardiners entered the drawing room together with their mother. The gentlemen were asked to stay for dinner, but only Darcy accepted the invitation. Bingley excused himself, explaining that he needed to make preparations for the journey.

  Elizabeth felt deeply for her sister’s misfortune. Jane was to spend the weeks before her wedding away from her betrothed. Elizabeth did not care much for Caroline. However, for Jane’s sake, she hoped that Miss Bingley returned to full health soon. Jane had no need for such complications at the onset of her married life.

  ***

  Mrs. Bennet was most displeased when the news of Mr. Bingley's departure from London reached her. She was suspicious of Miss Bingley’s sudden and mysterious illness, guessing that it was another plot to separate Bingley from Jane.

  “I do not understand why Mr. Bingley needs to stay in there with her?” she asked loudly the day after the Bingleys left for Ramsgate.

  “She is seriously ill, Mama,” Jane reminded her for the tenth time. “She needs care.”

  “She has a sister, I believe. What about her? Is it not her duty to take care of her younger sibling in the hour of need?”

  “Mrs. Hurst is with child,” Elizabeth explained.

  “And the aunt from Scarborough? Cannot she take her?”

  “The relatives from Scarborough refused to host Caroline anymore,” Darcy said. “There was no one to keep her company but Charles.”

  Mrs. Bennet was still not convinced. “If she is so ill, she needs physicians and nurses, not her brother. Mr. Bingley should have hired help to assist his sister in Ramsgate. He should be here with Jane.”

  “Mama, I do understand why Mr. Bingley had to go, and I support him,” Jane announced.

  “Oh, Jane, my dear, I am only afraid that Miss Bingley wants to put distance between you and our dear Mr. Bingley. What if she tries to prevent him from leaving her side in time for your wedding?”

  Mrs. Bennet waved her hand in front of her face, visibly distressed. “Oh, my poor, poor nerves! I cannot think calmly about this situation. Why is it happening to us? I do not like it. I simply do not like it. And I do not trust Caroline Bingley! From the very beginning she has looked down upon us, thinking herself to be something better.”

  “Do not fret, Madam,” Darcy spoke then. “I will bring Bingley in front of the altar from Ramsgate by myself if necessary. My dearest Elizabeth wishes to marry the same day as her most beloved sister, and not even Caroline Bingley can prevent it.”

  ***

  “Mama was very much impressed with your promise to bring Mr. Bingley back in time for the wedding,” Elizabeth said the next day as they were strolling the grounds of Vauxhall Gardens.

  “I did not say that to please your mother.”

  “Nevertheless, you calmed her with your assurances.”

  “I will not allow Caroline Bingley to ruin our wedding day.”

  “Do you agree with Mama that she is not truly ill and that she is trying to manipulate Mr. Bingley for her own benefit?”

  “I think that she was truly not in her right mind that evening when she tried to attack you. There was something in her eyes and voice which could not be faked unless she were an excellent performer, which I doubt. However, I fear that your mother is indeed right and that she will try to influence Bingley once she feels better.”

  “Poor Jane. It should be one of the happiest times of her life.”

  “I agree. Your sister does not deserve to be separated from Bingley now. I can only hope that Caroline will realise soon that for her own good she should accept Jan
e and support Charles in his marriage.”

  “I think that Caroline hates me.”

  Darcy looked down at her with great concern. “You do not have to fear her, my dearest. I will protect you from her; you can trust me on this. You will never have to see her again. ”

  “I am not afraid of Caroline; I simply cannot imagine our future relationship,” she responded. “We will belong to one family; you and Bingley will be brothers, Jane and Caroline sisters. Family gatherings cannot be avoided.”

  “It is Charles’s problem, not ours,” Darcy spoke confidently. “He cannot forbid her from his house, I imagine, but we surely can refuse to host her at Pemberley after what happened. She will be persona non grata, just like Wickham. Caroline Bingley has proved to us that she cannot be trusted.”

  Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of three little Gardiners, who ran towards them with great speed as fast as their short legs allowed them. Their youngest brother was sick to his stomach, and Darcy had offered to take the rest of the brood on a trip, wishing to give Mrs. Gardiner some rest.

  Elizabeth was greatly touched with Darcy’s thoughtfulness. He must have noticed how tired Mrs. Gardiner looked this morning after a mostly sleepless night. Although there were not many attractions left in the Vauxhall Gardens at this time of the year, the children were entertained enough by running around and looking at the various sights. The day away from home and everyday routine was a grand attraction for them on its own.

  As they approached the stand with food and drinks, Darcy bought roasted chestnuts and gingerbread for the children. With the little mouths and hands occupied for several minutes, Elizabeth and Darcy were allowed to carry on with their conversation.

  “I am immensely sorry that your stay in London began with such an unfortunate event,” he spoke. “I imagined it quite differently, I assure you.”

  “As it has been said before many times, no one could have foreseen such behaviour on Caroline’s part. Jane is the one who suffered the most as a result of it.”

  “We should involve Miss Jane on our outings and company on a regular basis.”

  Elizabeth shook her head. “She will not want to impose.”

  “Then we should invite your mother to my townhouse for the rest of your stay in town. This way it would be easier to include Miss Jane in our daily activities. Bingley asked me to take care of her during his absence.”

  Elizabeth stopped walking, staring at him with her eyes wide open. “Have I heard you correctly?” she asked after a long minute of muteness. “You wish to invite Mama to your home to live there?”

  He nodded. “Together with you and Jane, naturally. I do believe that the Gardiners feel burdened with such a large company gathered at their house, which often includes not only Bingley and I, but also Georgiana. They are too polite to say anything, but their house is simply too small. Your mother and Jane will be much more comfortable in my...in our house,” he corrected himself quickly.

  “Mama will be delighted.”

  “It is settled, then.”

  Elizabeth resumed her walk, marvelling again at the goodness of the man by her side. She knew that Darcy merely tolerated her mother, but still he was ready to welcome her in his house even though he did not have to. “Thank you, Fitzwilliam,” she said, reaching her hand to squeeze his gloved hand.

  Looking warmly at her, he smiled, squinting his eyes. “My reasons for inviting your family may be quite selfish. Has it not occurred to you?”

  Elizabeth opened her mouth but then closed it, saying nothing. She smiled secretly. Even with the presence of her mother and sister, they would be under the same roof, creating more opportunity for privacy.

  Chapter Ten

  Elizabeth was busy packing her and Jane’s dresses into the trunk when Mrs. Gardiner walked into the room.

  “I hope, Lizzy, that you do not feel obliged to leave our home before the end of your stay in London."

  “Dear Aunt, I know that we are always welcome here. However, I am also aware that Mama can be a bit demanding, and you have enough on your hands with four small children as well as this one.” Elizabeth placed her hand on the other woman’s burgeoning midsection. “It the baby kicking?”

  “Yes, but much less than the previous ones. He or she will be a calm one, I hope,” Mrs. Gardiner answered. She removed an abandoned bonnet from a chair before sitting on it. “Your mother is delighted with Mr. Darcy’s invitation.”

  Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “To say the least. I can only hope that Mama will be able to restrain herself once she is at Darcy’s townhouse. I fear that she will begin to order the servants around and count the silvers.”

  “Do not fret yourself so much about your mother, Lizzy. I think that Mr. Darcy knows her character well enough by now not to be further surprised.”

  “He seems to tolerate her rather well.”

  “He simply loves you very much.”

  Elizabeth smiled. “And I do love him. Darcy likes you and Uncle Edward very much indeed.”

  “The feeling is mutual, Lizzy. We both hold him in very high esteem. I cannot imagine a better man for you.”

  “I was so pleased that I could introduce both of you to him when we toured Derbyshire. I wanted to prove to him that I had relatives who are cultured, worldly and well mannered. Someone that I did not need to be ashamed of.”

  “Lizzy...” Mrs. Gardiner began with hesitation in her voice.

  “Yes, Aunt?” Elizabeth asked, occupied with folding another layer of dresses, thinking that even after a few hours in the trunk they would be quite creased and would need to be pressed again.

  “Do not think that I wish to prey into your personal life. However, I must admit that I am quite curious about one matter.”

  Elizabeth’s dark green eyes rested on her aunt with attention. “You can ask me anything, but I cannot promise to answer,” she answered with a teasing smile.

  “Were you aware that Darcy was in love with you at the time we were touring Derbyshire?”

  Elizabeth considered her answer for a moment. “I knew that he had loved me once, but I was quite certain that he hated me at the time of our trip.”

  “Hated you?” Mrs. Gardiner enquired disbelievingly.

  “Yes. After my refusal of his first marriage proposal, I had no doubt that his love for me must have turned into dislike, or something even stronger than that.”

  Mrs. Gardiner sat silently for a moment longer while Elizabeth finished packing the bonnets, careful to put them in boxes in a way that would not ruin them.

  “May I ask when did he propose?”

  “Last April.”

  “At the time you were visiting Charlotte Lucas?”

  “Yes. He was in Kent for a few weeks to see his aunt at Rosings Park.”

  Elizabeth closed the trunk and looked around the room, wondering whether she had forgotten something. If she had, they would put it into the larger carpet bag which Jane had brought with herself from home.

  She sat on the edge of the bed, resting her gaze on her aunt, who still looked as if she could not believe what she had just heard. “Will you not ask why I refused him?”

  “I am certain that you had very good reasons, Lizzy,” Mrs. Gardiner spoke quickly.

  “At the time I certainly thought that I had them,” Elizabeth agreed.

  Mrs. Bennet entered the room, putting an end to further conversation. Mrs. Gardiner did not have to be told not to discuss certain matters in front of her sister-in-law. She was well aware that both Jane and Elizabeth never confessed any secrets to their mother.

  “Are you packed, Lizzy?” Mrs. Bennet asked.

  “I believe so, Mama. I think that I took everything that I should have.”

  “If not, we can always send what was left in the following days,” Mrs. Gardiner said. “Mayfair is not that far away, after all.”

  Mrs. Bennet walked to her brother’s wife, standing by her side. “I do hope, Maddie, that you are not offended with our depart
ure.”

  “Not at all, Sister. I will miss your company, though.”

  Mrs. Bennet straightened, lifting her chin proudly. “Well, you must understand that we could not refuse Mr. Darcy’s kind offer.”

  Mrs. Gardiner looked over at Elizabeth, winking at her. “Of course you could not. You will visit us before your return to Longbourn. I wish to see you often for the rest of your stay in London, as I will not be able to attend Lizzy’s wedding.”

  Mrs. Bennet promised to visit at least twice a week. Next, the conversation settled on the subject of the date of the arrival of the newest addition to the Gardiner family. Mrs. Gardiner was certain that it would be the first day of February, while Mrs. Bennet tried to convince her that the middle of January was more probable. Elizabeth barely restrained herself from rolling her eyes at her mother’s persistence as to the date of the birth of her niece or nephew. After all, her aunt knew best how far along she was in her condition, especially so since it was her fifth child.

  ***

  “And this will be your room,” Darcy said as they entered a light green bedroom.

  “It is lovely,” Elizabeth assured, looking around.

  “I thought that you would prefer the one with the view over the backyard rather than the street.”

  She stepped to one of the tall windows and looked out. The long strip of grass was narrow, the exact width of the house, but it was long, and neatly connected with the neighbouring gardens. She did not expect so much of greenery in the middle of London, especially as her only point of reference was a small garden belonging to the Gardiners’ house in Cheapside.

  Darcy came to stand behind her. “It is not Pemberley, for sure.”

  Elizabeth turned to face him, sitting on the windowsill with her back to the glass. “You dislike the town,” she stated.

  “Dislike is too strong a word. I simply prefer the country. I cannot imagine living in London all year long.”

  “You would prefer to stay at Pemberley all year long.”