Chapter 15
Bingley entered the drawing room where Mr. Hurst, Mrs. Hurst, and Colonel Fitzwilliam were setting up a game of cards. Mr. Darcy was reading a book.
"Ah," said the colonel, "Mr. Bingley, will you not join us for a game of cards?"
"Thank you, Colonel Fitzwilliam, but I am not inclined to play cards right now."
"Charles, why is there a coach leaving Netherfield at this late hour?" asked Mrs. Hurst while looking out the window.
"Because I wouldn't let Caroline borrow one of my carriages. She is leaving now," replied Bingley in a grim tone.
Mrs. Hurst was surprised, "Why is she leaving?"
Bingley sank heavily into an armchair and ran a hand across his tired face.
"I found a letter from Wickham in her parlour. She paid Wickham to ruin Elizabeth Bennet. I asked her to leave."
Mr. Darcy's book slid to the floor, and he sprung up.
"You kicked her out?" asked Mrs. Hurst.
"Louisa, she tried to ruin one of my guests, a close friend. What else could I possibly do? She brought this upon herself."
Darcy was visibly shaking with anger, "I agree with your decision, Charles. If she were still here, I would tell her what I think of her tactics."
Mr. Hurst, realising that no one was interested in starting the game of cards anymore, relented and decided to partake in the conversation, "Why did Miss Bingley do such a thing?" he asked.
Colonel Fitzwilliam could not help thinking that Mr. Hurst was a bit oblivious to everything going on around him. He did not seem to know his sister-in-law very well. The colonel did not know Miss Bingley long, but it had taken less than the length of a carriage ride from London to Hertfordshire to realise that Miss Bingley was jealous of how Elizabeth Bennet had captivated his cousin.
"Let us ask my cousin," replied Colonel Fitzwilliam with a teasing lilt in his voice.
"Fitzwilliam," said Darcy in a warning voice.
"What?" replied the colonel with feigned innocence.
"I hardly think now is the time for your teasing."
"I am sure Miss Elizabeth Bennet would disagree with you here. It seems the perfect occasion for some light teasing. The stern Mr. Darcy inspiring many young ladies to fight for his attention. Oh, it is most amusing," Colonel Fitzwilliam chuckled, but he was the only one. Mr. Hurst was still confused, and the others were not in the mood for laughter. Colonel Fitzwilliam sobered up and decided to warn his cousin who seemed too infatuated to recognise a key obstacle.
"Miss Bingley might have been jealous, but she should have realised there was no real danger."
Mr. Darcy averted his eyes and spoke quietly, because he did not want Mr. and Mrs. Hurst to overhear, "You mean because I am raising false hopes?"
"No, Darcy, I mean because it seems highly unlikely that Miss Bennet would accept you if you ever finally deigned propose."
Mr. Darcy looked stunned for a moment, before sneering, "Why would she?"
The colonel lowered his voice as well, because he had no desire to embarrass Darcy, but he thought his cousin needed to know the truth.
"During our conversations, she has made it clear to me that she dislikes you. I'm sorry, Darcy, but you have not won the lady's affections. And she has declared that only the deepest love would induce her into matrimony. I am telling you so that you do not make a fool of yourself and suffer unnecessarily."
"She dislikes me?" Mr. Darcy's voice was so quiet now that Colonel Fitzwilliam almost didn't hear him.
"I'm sorry," replied the colonel while looking at Darcy's crestfallen face.