Chapter 21: Conversations

Darcy sat in his office finishing up some work that needed attending to before his annual trip to see his aunt. He never really enjoyed making this trip to spend time with her each year. She was a very opinionated woman who loved controlling other people's lives, but it was a family tradition and an obligation that he felt he must do in memory of his beloved mother. So once every year, he and Richard went to stay with Lady Catherine for a few days. He always felt himself feeling frantic as the weeks and days leading up to the visit came closer. He was never sure if it was apprehension at spending time with his aunt, or his inability to let go of his business dealings that had him tied in knots. It was the sound of his secretary announcing his appointment with Caroline Bingley that got his attention as she came into the room. "Caroline how have you been?" he asked as she came in and sat down. "I hope everything is all right," he said not sure why she was coming to see him.

Caroline shook her head and sat down in the chair he offered her. "Darcy, I felt like I had to come and see you this morning. I know you don't entirely agree with me concerning Charles's relationship with Jane Bennet, but after what happened at the party I hope you will now better understand my concerns."

"What are you talking about exactly?" Darcy asked her.

"Why the rude and inconsiderate behavior of Lydia Bennet," she told him. "She invited Wickham to the party even though Charles made it very clear to Jane that he was not to be included on the guest list."

"Are you telling me that Charles and Jane discussed Wickham's being at the party beforehand and that she knew about his desire for him not to be invited?" he asked somewhat surprised by the news.

"Yes, of course, she knew all about him. Charles tried to warn her. Even I spoke with Jane. I told her that I didn't know all the particulars, but that Wickham was not the sort of fellow her younger sister should be out with. She dismissed what I said outright and apparently allowed her younger sister to invite him to the party, anyway." Caroline explained

Darcy leaned forward in his chair. "You are sure of this?" he asked her.

Caroline nodded her head. "Yes, Jane knew how Charles felt, and she disregarded his feelings completely."

"Did Charles say anything to Jane after the party?" he asked her.

"No, and he won't. That's why I'm here this morning. I'm begging you, as Charles's best friend and one who has guided him. Please talk to him, tell him to at least step back and take things slower with Jane Bennet. I'm honestly afraid he's going to rush off and marry her, and then our entire family will be exposed to the likes of George Wickham," she said pretending to be worried about her brother.

Darcy hesitated for a moment, "Caroline I appreciate how you feel…" he began to say when she interrupted him.

"Darcy, you know Charles. You know how easily he's persuaded by people. He always wants to see the good in them. I love my brother very much, and I just don't want to see him taken advantage of," she said as she cleared her throat and sniffled in. "I'm sorry I don't mean to be so emotional."

Darcy pushed himself away from his desk, "You believe that Jane's motives are to take advantage of him?" he asked her as he walked over to his window and looked out over the cityscape.

"The truth is I'm not really sure what Jane feels for him. She seems so distant whenever I'm with the two of them." Caroline said, then asked, "Have you ever noticed any kind of deep feeling from her for my brother?"

"No, I haven't, but I haven't spent as much time with them, as you have," he admitted.

"Then please let me assure you that the reason neither of us has witnessed her love for him, is because it isn't there," she told him. "I hate to say this because Jane is really a very sweet girl. But I think she's being influenced by her mother's wishes for her to marry a man with money."

Darcy turned back around, "So you think that her only reason for being with Charles is because her mother wants her to be?"

"Darcy, you know I hate gossip. But I overheard Mrs. Lucas saying how Jane doesn't like modeling, and yet she does it for her mother. If she's willing to continue in a job she clearly doesn't like, is it really so hard to believe that she would allow her mother to persuade her into marrying a man just for his money?" Caroline said.

Darcy walked back over and sat down, "No I suppose it's not that hard to believe," he said. "Charles has become very fond of Jane already. I think persuading him to take a step back in their relationship will not be easy."

Caroline reached across the desk and brushed her hand across his, "That's why he needs you to speak with him now. I know hearing from you will make all the difference. Isn't it better that he ends things with her now than to marry and find out later that she doesn't really love him? Think of the heartbreak he will suffer if that were to happen."

Darcy pulled his hand away and cleared his throat, "I will see Charles this week before I leave to see my Aunt Catherine."

Caroline stood and walked over to the door, "Thank you, Darcy, you have proven yourself to be the best of friends to my brother."

Darcy waited until she was gone then he pulled back out the file he had on Jane Bennet and her family. He wrote down some notes and then placed it in his briefcase along with several other files. If Jane really did disregard Charles wishes and allowed her younger sister to invite George Wickham to the party then perhaps it was time for him to speak to his friend. He didn't want to see Charles taken advantage of, or end up in a loveless marriage. Caroline was right about one thing; it did seem as if Jane's mother held a good deal of influence over her.

Of course, in thinking of the Bennet family, he couldn't help but think about Elizabeth. He knew from his sister that she had been busy working over the past few weeks. The two of them got together for lunch recently and finalized the choices for Georgiana's portraits. He had been tempted more than once to suggest that Georgiana should invite Elizabeth to come and stay with them at Pemberley near the end of summer when they returned from their vacation, but he was still unsure if it would be wise or not. He kept telling himself that Elizabeth was nothing more than a friend to his sister. That his only reason for wanting her to come and spend time at Pemberley was because of Georgiana, but deep down inside he knew it wasn't true.

Georgiana phoned her cousin Richard and asked him to come by before they went on their annual visit to see their Aunt Catherine. She waited eagerly for him to come. As soon as Richard arrived, she motioned for him to come into the library. "Richard, I have to talk to you," she told him as she hurried and closed the door behind him. She didn't want William to know about her plans.

"Why all the secrecy?" he asked her.

Georgiana smiled as she sat down in one of the oversized wingback chairs and asked him to do the same. "I want your help with William."

"With Darcy?" Richard asked her a little surprised. "What is it that you need my help with?"

Georgiana smiled, "I'm sure you have noticed how much interest he has taken in my friend, Elizabeth Bennet?" she mentioned. "He talks about her often, and he's always asking me about her."

Richard smiled, "Oh I think I know what's going on here," he commented. "You are trying to play matchmaker."

"Maybe," Georgiana said, "Just a little bit, but only because I know for a fact he already likes her."

Richard wasn't convinced. "Really, and just how do you know that he already likes her?"

Georgiana laughed, "Because he told me so." She explained how he reacted to her last email when he thought Elizabeth had agreed to marry Mr. Collins. "And then he said that he did like her."

"He does talk about her more than any other woman I can ever remember him talking about," Richard said.

"Oh see, that does mean he likes her!" she said. "Richard I'm not asking you to interfere, just give him a nudge in her direction. Elizabeth is a wonderful person, and I think they could be happy as a couple. She loves books, he loves books, she loves walking, and he loves walking, she loves her family and is very devoted to her sister and..."

Richard laughed, "All right, all right I get it, he's completely devoted to you, his meddling little sister."

Georgiana smiled, "Please say that while you are at Rosings, you will do your best to nudge him to spend time with her?"

Richard shook his head in confusion, "Is Elizabeth going to be there too?" he asked somewhat surprised.

"Yes, she is," Georgiana told him. "Remember the friend I told you about that just got married."

"I do remember you mentioning it, yes," Richard told her.

"Well she wanted Elizabeth to come for a visit, and I suggested how great it would be if she went at the same time as you and William," she told him. "Of course, Elizabeth doesn't know William will be there."

Richard took in a deep breath, "So you are already conspiring, aren't you?" he said as he leaned back in the chair.

"All right maybe just a little bit," she said to him.

"I will promise to observe your brother with Miss Bennett, and if I see some interest on his part I will nudge him, as you put it, in her direction." he told her then asked, "Do you have any reason to believe that she's interested in your brother?"

She smiled, "No not really, but she did say he was handsome, and I don't have any reason to believe she isn't interested."

Richard laughed, "All right I suppose it couldn't hurt to drop some suggestions, but we won't do more than that. If they like each other and decide to spend time together fine and if not," he said as he got up and headed toward the door, "we leave it."

Georgiana laughed, "They will like each other I'm sure of it!" she said as she followed him out into the living room.

Elizabeth sat down at her computer and began going over her photos. She was editing the ones she took at Netherfield. The ones she took of Jane and Charles together were her favorite. "This one would make a very beautiful engagement announcement," she mumbled softly just as someone knocked on her door. "Come in."

Jane opened the door and walked over and sat down on the bed. "Well, I'm all ready for my trip."

"You're packed already?" she asked her.

Jane nodded her head. "I am," she said as she let out a small sigh.

Elizabeth's eyes narrowed, "Is something wrong Jane?"

"No…," she said. "At least I don't think there is anything wrong."

Elizabeth laughed, "What exactly does that mean?"

"I don't know," Jane said. "I just had a rather strange text from Charles. We were supposed to meet tomorrow morning for coffee before my flight, but he can't make it after all. He said a meeting has come up that he cannot miss."

Elizabeth shrugged her shoulders, "I'm sure whatever it is that came up must have been important, or he would have kept your date."

Jane smiled, "I'm sure you are right. I'm probably worrying for nothing. After all, he's still picking me up and taking me to the airport, so there is that."

"I'm sure you are just feeling uneasy because you will miss him while you are away," Elizabeth told her.

Jane took in a deep breath, "I'm sure you are right," she agreed. She looked over at Elizabeth's bag. "I see you are ready for your trip to see Charlotte."

Elizabeth got up and walked over to finish packing her laptop and camera gear. "I'm almost done. Although I'm eager to visit with Charlotte, I'm not looking forward to seeing Collins again."

Jane laughed, "Yes I can imagine you wouldn't be. Do you think you will be able to endure spending time with him again?"

Elizabeth thought about it for a moment and laughed. "I will do my best for Charlotte sake. I'm sure Collins will spend all his time telling me about Rosings Park."

"Can there possibly be anything left to tell? Rosings Park and Lady Catherine was all he spoke of when he came to visit us," Jane laughed.

"I think it is the only topic her Ladyship allows him to talk about," Elizabeth said.

Jane sighed, "Well at least you will have some excuse to slip away every now and again." She said pointing to her camera.

Elizabeth smiled, "Yes, I will have some work to do while there so there is that."

"Do you think you will meet Lady Catherine while you're there?" Jane asked.

"I think Charlotte mentioned something about that in her last email," she told her. "Georgiana wrote and warned me that her aunt could be a bit opinionated, so I have that to look forward too."

"Sounds like Darcy may have inherited some of his character from his aunt," Jane told her thinking back to his rude behavior when they first met.

Elizabeth thought for a moment about Darcy. "It will be interesting to meet his aunt and see if I can gain any better understanding of the man from knowing her," she mumbled without thinking.

Jane was surprised by the remark. "Lizzy do you want to know Darcy better? I thought you didn't like him."

Elizabeth smiled, "I don't like him, but I will admit he's a difficult person for me to understand. I have so many differing opinions of him that I find it all very confusing."