Chapter 18
Mr. Darcy had come to Bingley's house because he needed to talk to him. He knew that part of the process of changing all the bad things he had done over the past few months, included an honest conversation with his friend about Jane Bennet. Unfortunately, upon entering the house, Miss Bingley had seen him, and he had to endure the woman talking about things that did not interest him, while he was waiting for his friend. When Bingley finally appeared, Darcy asked him to speak in private, and they headed towards Mr. Bingley's office leaving behind a curious Miss Bingley.
Once Mr. Bingley closed the door of his office, Mr. Darcy began to speak and told him everything that had happened, including the indecent treatment that Miss Bennet had received from his sisters, and that he was the one who advised them to do that.
"Darcy I'm stunned, how did you do something like that? And to think that when I talked to Miss Bennet at Lord Maxwell's ball, she treated me with respect". Bingley said with pity in his voice ."Although I find what you have done absolutely reprehensible, you have at least had the courage to face and acknowledge your mistake and have apologized.
For my part, I behaved like a coward, I let myself be manipulated and I have lost the chance to be with a true angel. I know why Lord Maxwell invited me to his ball, to let me know that Miss Bennet was no longer waiting for me. But it gives me some satisfaction to know that she will most likely become a countess very soon, I can't wait to see Caroline and Louisa's faces", Bingley said cheerfully.
"That's right, when I went to apologize to Miss Bennet I ran into Maxwell and he made his intentions with her very clear. Also, it seems that sweet Miss Bennet has also won the heart of the Earl's daughter," Darcy explained.
After that both friends said goodbye cordially. They would not see each other for many months. "Next stop will be Kent", Mr. Darcy thought.
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When Elizabeth and Mary arrived at their house, Mrs. Bennet ran to meet them, but especially to speak with Mary. She asked her to share more details about her betrothed, particularly about his parents' fortune. Mary told her a few things to appease her mother's curiosity but decided not to share details about her relationship with Aaron, or how loving his mother had been to her. She doubted her mother cared about that.
"Mary, I don't want you to use those clothes anymore. We will go to the dressmaker in Meryton, and I'll ask her to make you some dresses in more vibrant colors. We will also change that hairstyle, and I do not want you to wear glasses when Mr. Mortimer comes to visit you" said the lady with an authoritative voice.
Elizabeth saw her sister very uncomfortable hearing what their mother was saying so she added, "Mom, Mr. Mortimer met Mary as she has always been, and that is how he fell in love with her. Have you thought that if we transform her into someone different, it might be that he doesn't like her anymore?" When she said that, she looked at Mary and winked at her and Mary smiled thanking her.
"You're right Lizzie, I hadn't thought that. Whatever that man has seen in you Mary, if he wants to marry you I suppose it is fine!" added Mrs. Bennet.
Lydia for her part, was the only one of the sisters who had not congratulated Mary on her upcoming wedding. She felt very angry to know that the boring and ugly Mary would marry before her, and with a rich man who had treated her as if she was no more than a child.
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Jonathan had been working all day trying to put the altercation with Mr. Darcy behind him. He felt calm because he knew he had done the right thing, and although he had seen sadness and shame in Darcy's eyes, he was sure that this man deserved everything that he told him.
Jonathan thought that he had never fallen in love, and had never felt the need to propose to any woman. If that rich, pompous and important man, despite all his objections had asked Lizzie to marry him, it was because maybe, he was really in love with her.
Jonathan was deep in thought, when Robert walked into his office and told him that when he had gone to visit Jane in the morning, he had found her talking to Mr. Darcy.
"And did Jane tell you why that man had visited her?, asked Jonathan curiously.
"Yes, she told me that he had gone to apologize for some misunderstandings, that none of that mattered anymore, and that they were in good terms now", said Robert in an uneasy voice. The truth was that he had not liked finding his Jane with a man like Darcy, well known for being handsome and rich. He knew it was absurd, but he could not avoid feeling a little jealous.
Jonathan knowing well his friend began to laugh heartily, while Robert looked at him wanting to kill him. "No man, do not look at me like that… let me tell you that Darcy has never been interested in Jane, and I won't say more because it would be telling something that was told to me in confidence. I will only say that his interest is elsewhere. Moving on to another topic, when are you going to propose to Jane?".
"You do know how to be direct my friend! I already did, yesterday when we went out with your parents and Sophia to the museum, or at least I tried. She stopped me when I was doing it, not because she rejected me, she told me that when the time came, she would be eager to listen and give me a favorable response. She explained that her sister Mary had always been ignored by her father, and very little valued by her mother, and she didn't want to steal her moment. So, we will use this time to get to know each other better, and share with Sophia. I'm not going to lie to you and tell you that I'm happy, but I understand her perfectly, and I support her", said Robert resignedly.
Robert, also, explained that he had spoken with Mrs. Mortimer yesterday, and that she intended to go organize Mary and Aaron's wedding, that after what she had heard about Mrs Bennet, she did not want to leave Mary at her mercy. She wanted the wedding to be as Mary and Aaron wanted, and she thought that Mrs. Bennet would not respect Mary's wishes, and so she wanted to be there to protect her. Jonathan told Robert that he understood perfectly, and that it seemed like a very good idea for Mrs. Mortimer to support Mary.
"You know Miss Bennet is going back to Hertfordshire at the end of this week, and Sophia is going to miss her very much", Robert was saying when Jonathan interrupted him.
"Just Sophia?" Jonathan said with an innocent laugh
Robert ignored his friend's question and continued, "As I was saying, Mrs. Mortimer is thinking of leasing a house near the Bennets' and she offered to host Sophia and me. It is a distance that allows me to travel and return in the day from London. I would go with them and only travel here if necessary. Sophia will have Mrs. Mortimer and her governess to take care of her, if I have to travel. The only large house that can accommodate all of us comfortably is Netherfield, which Bingley still leases".
"You're right, but he doesn't live there anymore, maybe you can come to terms with him", Jonathan added.
"Exactly. As you know, the Bingleys like the Mortimers are from the north. Mrs. Mortimer told me that it was well known that the Bingley businesses were not going well because no one in the family was in charge of supervising anything. Therefore, I think it will not hurt him if we offer to pay the rest of the lease, and he lets us occupy the house. Do you want to accompany me to call on Bingley, I was informed that he is at home", concluded Robert.
"Let's go!". Jonathan stood up and both men left the office in search of the carriage.
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After several hours of journey, Darcy had finally arrived at Rosings. It had been a very long day that had started very early. Once he said what he had to say, hee hoped that his aunt would leave his cousin alone, and not press her further on the matter of marriage. He had never considered Anne's feelings before, and he was seeing her now for the first time.
He had booked a room at an inn because he knew he wouldn't have time to go back to London. He didn't want to spend the night at his aunt's after she heard what he had come to say. Everything was planned and he was sure that everything would go well.
When he got to Rosings he asked to be taken to his aunt, she was in the drawing room in the east wing of the house. His cousin and Mrs. Jenkinson were there too.
"Good afternoon Lady Catherine, Anne, Mrs. Jenkinson", Darcy greeted cordially.
"Darcy, what are you doing here? You didn't tell me that you were coming to prepare your usual room, you know I do not like this kind of surprises. I hope you have rested at the Inn RedRose, it is the only place where you can eat something decent. Let me tell you that I do not like the color of your coat …" Lady Catherine said to her nephew, and if he had not interrupted her, she could have continued for hours.
"Aunt may I have a word with my cousin Anne", said Darcy a little worried when he saw the way Anne reacted to his words.
"Of course Darcy, finally you will do your duty. Mrs. Jenkinson, come with me", said the lady in an authoritative voice.
As soon as the ladies left the room, Anne began to tremble and said to Darcy with anguish in her voice, "What are you doing? Can't you see we'll both be miserable for the rest of our lives? Please stop this now".
"Anne, please don't worry, I only asked to speak to you first because I wanted you to know my purpose to come here today. I learned from your friend Mr. Gardiner that Lady Catherine had treated you badly when I left a week ago, and blamed you because I had not proposed. Forgive me Anne for having been so selfish and allowed your mother to continue to believe that one day, I would propose to you". Darcy explained with much emotion in his voice to his cousin who was looking at him with a relieved face.
Darcy and Anne talked for a long time, like they never had before. He told her his whole story with Elizabeth, and how Mr. Gardiner had come to his house to tell him how cowardly he had acted with his cousins. Anne told him how she had become friends with Elizabeth and Jonathan, and how much she had enjoyed spending time with them.
"I hope that one day you can solve everything with Miss Elizabeth, I think you would make a beautiful couple. She is very pretty, intelligent and I think her vivacity and joy would be very beneficial for someone as serious as you" said Anne.
"No Anne, I already accepted that I lost her. I don't think I will fall in love again, but maybe in the future, I might know someone, who at least, I can respect. For now I will dedicate myself to work and take care of Georgiana. I will go to Scotland to spend several months, as you know, I have two estates there and it will help me to distract myself, travel and see new places".
Anne seemed to be thinking and after a few seconds, she made up her mind and said to her cousin, "Darcy, give me ten minutes to write a letter... Could you give it to Mr. Gardiner, please?" Anne asked him, blushing.
When Anne finished the letter, she handed it to her cousin and wished him luck with her mother. They both knew that after this, they would not see each other for some time, so they said goodbye affectionately. Anne immediately went to her room, not wanting to be around Lady Catherine after she heard what Darcy had to say.
In a few more minutes Lady Catherine's screams and threats were heard throughout the house. Her nephew made it clear that he would never marry Anne, that neither of them wanted it, and that he was his own man, so he did not have to explain to her or anyone else what his decisions were. After an unpleasant hour in the presence of his aunt, her screams and complaints, Darcy left Rosings happy to know that he had finally closed that chapter of his life.
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Jonathan and Robert arrived at the Bingley house, handed their cards to the butler, and asked to speak to the master of the house.
A few minutes later, an enthusiastic Bingley appeared to greet them and invite them into his study. Robert explained the purpose of his visit, and that he would be very grateful if he could help them. He told him about Miss Mary's impending wedding, and how Mrs. Mortimer wanted to spend time with her future daughter-in-law and organize the wedding. He also explained that they would pay the cost of the rest of the leasing, of course, if he did not plan to return.
"No, I do not plan to return", said Bingley a little sad and added "only Mrs. Mortimer would live there for these months?"
"No", said Robert. "My daughter and I will also spend some time there. We have a very close person who we will be happy to see frequently", Robert completed with a look that left no doubts as to whom he was referring to.
Jonathan realized that the atmosphere was getting tense, so he added, "My Uncle Bennet's house is small, and only the closest family can be hosted there. Netherfield will accommodate most of the Mortimer family guests".
Bingley, for his part, needed to save money because his finances weren't as good as they were a year ago. He thought it was a good idea not to have to pay the lease for the rest of the year. But he felt sorry to learn that Lord Maxwell would use, what was once his home, to woo Miss Bennet.
Bingley agreed, everyone shook hands, and it was decided that their solicitors would handle the paperwork. When Bingley and his guests were leaving his office, Caroline saw his brother and called him.
"Charles, where have you been…" When she approached his brother saw that he was with two men. One was Lord Maxwell, and the other was the most handsome man she had seen in a long time, she was sure it was the same one from the store that she saw a few months ago.
"Caroline, you already know Lord Maxwell, allow me to introduce you to…"
Jonathan interrupted Bingley and stepped forward and gave Caroline his best seductive look as he introduced himself. "I'm Jonathan Edward Gardiner, nice to meet you, miss Bingley".
"It's my pleasure Mr. Gardiner", Caroline replied with a flirtatious smile and suggestive look.
